*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.
Someone said that he was so flawed that Jesus had to die for him, he is so loved and valued that Jesus was glad to die for him. No, absolutely wrong. Man is not only flawed, he is sinful. A sinner has no value but deserves death and punishment in Hell. It is wrong to think that anyone deserves to be saved. It is the grace of God that Jesus Christ died for sinners, and that whoever repents and believes in Him may have eternal life.
This article is written so that you know what is the Glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gospel is good news from God to mankind. The good news that sinners may be saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and the Savior of the world.
The Gospel is one. How about the Four Gospels? The Four Gospels mean the Gospel according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. They are actually one Gospel written by four individuals with different focus. The Gospel has many names but still it is the same Gospel. For examples: the Gospel of the Kingdom (Mat 4:23), the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Mar 1:1), the Gospel of God’s grace (Act 20:24), the Gospel of God (Rom 1:1), the Gospel of His Son (Rom 1:9), the Gospel of Christ (Rom 15:19), the Gospel of your Salvation (Eph 1:13), the Gospel of Peace (Eph 6:15), the Word of Truth (Col 1:5), the Eternal Gospel (Rev 14:6), the Glorious Gospel of the Blessed God (1 Ti 1:11). Yet they are the same Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the Word of Truth, it is worthy for you to believe, based on God’s grace, you can be saved; once you are saved you have peace with God, it is eternal. The Gospel of God and the Gospel of Jesus are one and the same.
The Gospel means good news; it is good news of great joy for all the people (Luk 2:10). What good news? The good tidings that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. The sinners who deserve to suffer eternal death in Hell may be saved. It does not cost you money or merit. Because it is the gift of God. Anyone who repents of their sins and believes in Jesus Christ the Son of God, the Savior of the world, his sins may be forgiven and receive the eternal life. This article is written so that you may believe and be saved.
Mar 13:10 ,“The Gospel must first be preached to all the nations.”
Note: Gospel in Greek is euaggelion which means good news; good tidings; good message; the glad tidings of salvation through Christ; “the preaching of (concerning) Jesus Christ as having suffered death on the cross to procure eternal salvation for the men in the Kingdom of God, but as restored to life and exalted to the right hand of God in Heaven, thence to return in majesty to consummate the kingdom of God (Strong’s Concordance); – which occurs 77 times in the New Testament. It is the command of Jesus Christ the Gospel must first be preached to all the nations. The Gospel must be preached to every creature because every creature without the good news of the salvation of God is certainly and surely to die in their sins. Unlike those who spread the medical information with a monetary motive.
Medical establishment habitually spreads the disease information in a way to make everyone feels he/she already has the disease presented. It creates a phobia in the healthy but uninformed or misinformed people. The stress and pressure is to make the reader hypochondriac that he/she must quickly seek medical help at once or else he/she is at rick. It is the unreal situation.
Today is Easter (April 20, 2014), before I went to a Chinese church, I prayed the Lord to send two persons to receive a copy of my free books. Lo and behold, a young man came to sit on the same pew with me, so I gave him a copy of Truth of the Gospel in Chinese. The pew behind came an old man. I asked him but he did not know he was saved or not and he did not know what is the proof that he has been saved. There are about 1 billion church members in the world who do not know whether they are saved or not, and they do not know what is the proof of salvation. Salvation is the way of God. Sin is real, and Hell is real.
The way of salvation is simple as 1,2,3. I explained to them:
(1). You are a sinner. We are all sinners. No one is good enough to go to Heaven; every sinner deserves to go to Hell. No sinner can save himself. But God loves you and He sent His Son Jesus Christ to be the Savior of the world.
(2). Jesus came into the world to save sinners by dying on the cross for our sins. Jesus died for sinners on Good Friday, and He rose from the dead on Easter. Jesus Christ rose from death by the power of God, so He is able to save all who come to Him. The blood of Jesus washes away all our sins.
(3). How can you be saved? Not by good deeds or merit, but by repentance of your sins and believing in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Salvation is the gift of God. You are saved by grace and through faith in Jesus Christ. You must confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior. The Holy Spirit will enter into your heart and give you a new life. Thus you have passed from death (spiritual death) into life (eternal life).
What is the proof that you are saved?
(1). Have the Spirit of Christ.
Rom 8:9 ,“However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.”
To belong to Christ, you must have the Spirit of Christ. Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, joining a church, offerings, giving to charity, etc. do not and cannot save you. How can you have the Spirit of Christ, but simply asking the Lord Jesus to send His Spirit into you.
(2). The Spirit of Christ lives in you.
Rom 8:11 ,“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”
Only the Holy Spirit can give you life. If you are full or hungry, you know, I do not know. If you have the Spirit of Christ in you, you can know. If you do not know, then you do not have.
(3). The Holy Spirit testifies with your spirit.
Rom 8:16-17 ,“The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.”
If you have the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit lives in you, then the Spirit will speak to you and tell you that you are a child of God. The preacher or pastor cannot tell you if you are a child of God or not. Only the Holy Spirit testifies with your spirit that you are a child of God, and then you have been saved or born again. If you are saved, you would be willing to suffer for Christ. To suffer for Christ you will glorify with Christ.
Millions and millions of church members want to know whether they are saved or not. Occupational preachers do not preach the truth of the Gospel; most likely they do not know the truth themselves. I realize the power of speaking the Word of God is more than writing the Word of God. Tears were running down the old man’s check. Millions and millions are eager to know the truth of the Gospel in Jesus Christ. If you do not know you are saved or not, say this prayer:
Lord Jesus, I am a sinner. Although I believe in you, but I am confused and do not know whether I am saved or not. I accept and confess you are my Lord and Savior, please send your Spirit into my heart, live within me, lead me and guide me, and testify to me that I am a child of God. In Your Holy Name, I ask for the Holy Spirit and the proof of my salvation. Amen.
Ask, it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find.
Something is strange and abnormal about European churches, they have big cathedrals which are actually cemeteries where kings and queens and famous people are buried. European churches are spiritually dead. Something is strange and abnormal about American churches where they practice a false version of Christianity. Not a few preachers and many church members practice divorces. Many preachers and congregations support American capitalism and imperialism as if they were compatible with Christianity. American presidents who claim to be Christians are actually liars and killers. Many American preachers and church members love money and the world. One thing is true there is religious freedom in America, you can preach the Gospel anywhere except not to block traffic and create public disturbance. The United States of America is the most secular society in the world. Something is strange and abnormal about Chinese preachers and churches. Chinese preachers 传教 (teach morality), but they do not preach the Gospel ( 传福音 ). Many Chinese churches are like Buddhist temples, not centers of evangelization. The Chinese Ministry of Education invited me to lecture at Zhejiang University twice, the Shaanxi Provincial Government invited me to lecture at Xian Jiaotong University, and Shanghai City Government invited me to lecture at East China University of Science and Technology. Beijing Normal University and North China Electric Power University also invited me to lecture. In 1985 I was hired by the Ministry of Education as a professor at National Overseas Chinese University. I was also a guest professor at East China University of Science and Technology. I got acquainted with the president of a Chinese theological seminary who wanted to invite me to lecture at the seminary, but the board members objected on ground I was a dangerous person without supporting evidence. Imagine major Chinese universities invited me to lecture and the Chinese Ministry of Education hired a dangerous person as a professor? No Chinese seminary would invite me to lecture on Christology which I wrote a textbook and cataloged in the Library of Congress, and although my service is free and all expenses self-paid. It does not bother me that Chinese churches and seminaries do not want to invite me to preach or lecture. I am not allowed to rent a building to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I may not find a believer with a big house where I can preach and teach the Bible regularly. Truly, truly, I say to you: any churches, individuals or people or organizations that block or prevent others from preaching the glorious Gospel of Jesus are enemies of the cross. In spite of everything, I had two websites which proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ absolutely free. Now I have only one website proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ absolutely free. My website has reached millions of peoples around the world with the free Gospel. Although there had been two pastors and others who proposed to sell my work, I never asked for a donation, never made money (they cost me money), never bought ads to promote my sites and never paid to buy web visitors. As of today (April 17, 2018), I praise God the Omnipotent, for my first website had reached the global audience of 182 nations and more than 700 cities. Too bad the enemies of the truth destroyed my 18 years website. Now I just started new website and it has reached people of many nations (December 8, 2018) and it is hoped soon I will reach the entire world with the Gospel of God through the Internet. The enemies of truth control my current website, they censor me to tell the truth. You know we do not make money, I cannot find a free website that allows me to preach the truth freely.
The word “gospel” in Greek is euaggelion which means good tidings or glad tidings – good news; it occurs about 77 times in the New Testament. It can be briefly defined as the glad tidings of salvation through Jesus Christ. The good news has to do with the Kingdom of God of which Jesus Christ, the Messiah, is the founder. To set up the Kingdom of God, God became Man in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ who is the Savior of the world, died for sinners on the cross in order to procure salvation and eternal life for believers. Jesus Christ rose from the dead to accomplish the redemption. He ascended into heaven sitting at the right hand of God… To consummate the Kingdom of God, Jesus Christ is coming again to reign with the saints forever and ever. The good news is the truth that sinners who cannot save themselves, simply by believing in Jesus Christ they can be saved and become the children of God to inherit the Kingdom of God.
Why is it called Good Friday?
What good is it? It was some two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, on a Friday, died on the cross for sinners; for you and me. That is the good news, the amazing Gospel. Sinners are condemned and will die in sins and go to Hell for eternal punishment; but Jesus Christ died so that sinners may be saved and need not go to Hell.
Rev 14:6-7 , “And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, having an eternal Gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people; 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.”
Gospel is eternal for the salvation of God is eternal to all who repent of their sins and put their trust in the Savior of the world.
1Co 1:22-25 , “For indeed Jews ask for miracles and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”
The Jews want miracles, and the Greeks search for wisdom. The Cross points the love of God that unworthy and undeserving sinner may receive the gift of God which is eternal life in Jesus Christ.
What is the meaning of Easter?
1Co 2:2-5 , “For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.”
In the West they preach a false gospel of prosperity. In China they teach religion, and not the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ. The message of the Gospel of Christ is God loves you and He sent His Son to die for you. The Cross testifies to the love of God, and the Empty Tomb demonstrates the power of God.
1Co 1:18 , “For the Word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
Those who seek money, power and pleasure, the Gospel is foolishness to them who are perishing. To those who are being saved the Gospel is the power of God. There are only two groups of people in the world, not the rich and poor, not the powerful and helpless, the saved and the perishing.
Rom 1:4-5 , “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.”
If Good Friday stands for the love of God, Easter stands for the power of God. The Cross symbolizes the love of God; the Empty Tomb symbolizes the power of God. Jesus Christ was crucified on Friday, and He rose from the dead on Sunday. Oh, peoples of the world, this is glad tidings, Jesus Christ died for sinners and He rose again to save sinners to the end.
How can you be saved?
It is simple as ABC.
(A). Accept the fact you are a sinner in the sight of God and unable to save yourself. No one and nothing can save you. You cannot save yourself. There is nothing you can do to save yourself. Good deeds and charity and merit cannot save you. No one is good enough to be saved and go to Heaven. God loves you.
(B). Believe Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came down from Heaven to save sinners, you and me. All are sinners and there is no exception. Believe in the Holy Bible (the Word of God) that you are saved by grace and through faith in Jesus Christ. There is no other way. There is no other salvation. There is no other one who can save you but Jesus Christ.
(C). Confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior. Confess your sins and ask the Spirit of Christ to enter into your heart and give you a new life. Declare to the world from now on you are a follower of Jesus Christ. Believe and be baptized.
How can you know you are saved?
There are billions of church members who do not know whether they are saved or not. I have met many who preach false gospel and do not preach the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. Probably occupational preachers are not saved themselves and so they cannot and do not explain to their church members the proof of their salvation.
Rom 8:9-11 , “However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”
The proof that you are saved is not you have been baptized, pray and read the Bible, participate in the Lord’s Supper, give to the church and charity, etc. The only proof is the Spirit of Christ lives in you. If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. Only the Spirit of Christ who lives in you can give life to you.
How can you know the Spirit of Christ lives in you?
Rom 8:14-17 ,“For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.”
If you have the Spirit of God living in you, you are being led by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of Christ is also called the Spirit of God, or the Holy Spirit. The process of salvation involves the Spirit of God entering into your heart (regeneration or being born again), living in you and leading you (sanctification). Can you know the Spirit of Christ lives in you and leads you? Yes. If you are full or hungry, you can know for yourself. I cannot know whether you are full or hungry. This is the only proof and seal of your salvation. The Holy Spirit testifies with your spirit that you are a child of God. Yes, the Holy Spirit speaks to all children of God. If you have the Spirit of Christ living in you and leading you, the same Spirit will testify to your spirit that you are a child of God. If you do not know this, then there is no proof you are saved. Baptism, church membership, Christian giving and even testimony are not the proof you are saved. I cannot know whether you have the Spirit of Christ in you or not, you can know. Jesus says, Jhn 10:27-28, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.” If you are a sheep of Jesus, you hear His voice and follow Him. If you are saved, the Holy Spirit will testify with your spirit that you a child of God. If the Holy Spirit does not testify with your spirit that you are a child of God, then you have not been saved.
Say this prayer, “Lord Jesus, I believe in you, but I do not know whether I am saved or not. Please let your Spirit come and live in me and lead me, and testify with my spirit that I am a child of God. I want to be saved for sure. I ask this as a favor in Your Name. Amen.”
Seek and you will find. Ask and it will be given to you.
Why the world is so bad? The world is so bad because there are so many bad, evil, sinful and wicked people in the world. The righteous are different from the wicked. The righteous and the wicked should not be treated alike. To treat the righteous and the wicked alike is not democracy, it is anarchy. What is the job of the government? The government must justify the righteous and condemn the wicked. How can the government condemn the wicked? By establishing good laws and enforce them strictly, swiftly and fairly. American legal system fails to meet these requirements because of long litigation, it empowers the rich at the expense of the poor, and the administration of justice is slow, ineffective and unfair. Laws are made to deter crooks and criminals. Laws that fail to deter crooks and criminals are flawed and useless. When government officials are crooks and criminals, the laws do not serve justice. If a president can repeatedly commit perjury under oath without penalty, then the legal system favors the powerful and rich. If petty thieves go to jail while the Wall Street and bank executives who created the American financial and economic crisis in 2008 and looted the world more than $50 trillion with impunity, the whole criminal justice system collapsed. It takes good people to make laws and it takes good people to enforce laws.
To enforce laws, a good and civilized nation must have capital punishment. The following crimes deserve death penalty. God instituted death penalty.
(1). Murder and serial murders.
(2). Robbery and murder.
(3). Arson and murder.
(4). Human trafficking.
(5). Drug trafficking.
(6). Terrorism.
(7). Manufacture and/or sale of fake or toxic food, drug, drink, etc. that kills people.
(8). Child and serial rape.
(9). Toxic waste and pollution that causes death.
(10). Corruption or fraud involves multi-million dollars.
Mosaic Law failed to justify or save anyone, for sinful men and women cannot earn the righteousness of God by keeping the law. For that reason, Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. This is the true message of Christmas. Christmas is not what Western civilization presents to be a tool of American capitalism and commercialism. To be saved from sins, you must first know and realize that you are a sinner and cannot save yourself.
Jhn 3:5 ,“Jesus answered: Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
Note: To enter into the Kingdom of God, you must be born again. No one is good enough to deserve Heaven. But the gift of God to receive the eternal life is free because it was paid by Jesus Christ who died on the cross for our sins. Not only Jesus Christ is able to save you, He can make you a good tree. Bad tree bears bad fruit, and good tree bears good fruit. You bear bad fruit because you are a bad tree. To be born again is to receive a new life, like becoming a good tree. What can you do to be saved or be born again?
Repent of your sins and believe in Jesus Christ the Son of God and accept Him to be your Lord and Savior. It is without money or merit; you can come as you are and accept Jesus Christ now and let the Spirit of Christ enter into your heart to make you a new man. Will you do it now?
On Sunday, December 22, 2013 I went to a Chinese church. The topic of the sermon was Good News of Great Joy and the Scriptures cited were
Luk 2:8 -11 ,“In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them: Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Note: Both the sermon and the Scriptures were appropriate for the season. To bring good news in Greek is euaggelizō which means to announce glad tidings, the glad tidings of the coming Kingdom of God, and of the salvation to be obtained in it through Christ, and of what relates to this salvation; to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ; to proclaim the good news that pertain to Christian salvation; – it occurs 95 times in the New Testament. But the poor Chinese preacher delivered his sermon like a funeral service without power and without central message of Jesus Christ. There was no clue or hint of what was good news of great joy. It is not known why many Chinese pastors do not or unable to preach the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ. He talked much about lepers and leprosy which did not relate in anyway to the good news of great joy. An old lady who sat on my left gave a big yawn. Oh, pray God to send the power from on high to revive Chinese churches and evangelize the big Chinese population. The Youth Choir sang A Son Is Given in English while 99 percent of the Chinese congregation do not know the English language. The church is a pulpit for proclamation of the good news of great joy, not a theater of performance. There was once a famous American church, the center of prosperity gospel which was full of theatrics. They even sold tickets for Christmas plays, but Crystal Cathedral went bankrupt and invalidated the founder of prosperity gospel. Sermons and songs must use the language of the people to be understood. As comparison in American the Word of God is choked with materialism, secularism, capitalism, imperialism, sexual deviancy (homosexuality) and the love of money and power which corrupted many churches.
What is the good news of great joy? Sinners can be saved.
1 Ti 1:15, “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.”
Note: All kinds of sinners can be saved; even the robbers and murderers crucified on the cross can be saved. The liars and murderers and warmongers of Washington, the crooks and criminals and greedy capitalists of Wall Street, and the violence and sex promoters of Hollywood can be saved. The evil trinity of Washington, Wall Street and Hollywood is responsible for most of the evil in the world today. The problem is that many of Washington, Wall Street, and Hollywood do not know or think they are sinners; many of them speak and act as they are the VIP of America, the rulers of the world.
Jesus says to the people of Washington, Wall Street and Hollywood as well as to pimps and prostitutes, Luk 13:5 ,“I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
Mar 1:15 ,“And saying: The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel.”
How can you be saved? Good news of great joy, it does not require money, merit, position, power, or good deed.
Act 16:31, “They said: Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Rom 10:8-10 , “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, 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;for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”
Will you come now and repent of your sins and believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?
On Sunday, December 08, 2013, I heard a Chinese female preacher’s sermon on 1 Jo 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.” Her preaching did not touch on what and why we have to believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ. She did not preach why the name of His Son Jesus Christ is so important. She did not preach the Gospel of salvation as it is written in the Scriptures, Act 4:12, “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under Heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” Her whole focus was deliberately on loving one another. Her fatal theological fault and failure is that she said to love one another is on the same level of importance as believing in Jesus. This sounds like a modernist gospel. There is nothing wrong with loving one another. Even if you give all your possession to feed the poor, and surrender your body to be burned, but if you do not have faith in Christ Jesus, it profits you nothing of your salvation. No good deeds, no love, no any kind work can make you deserve the salvation of God, the salvation of your soul. For you are not saved by work, you are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
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.” She seemed not to know that loving one another and do all the good deeds cannot save your soul. Tts 3:5-6 ,“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; whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior.”
This is the pattern of sermon of most Chinese churches today; they put the cart before the horse. They teach a drowning person how to swim. They teach a critically ill person to practice good healthy habits. They teach a bad tree to bear good fruit. Chinese preachers teach their members how to behave; but they do not preach how to be saved. I do not know why Chinese preachers apparently do not preach the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ. What is worst, this female preacher cited Nelson Mandela as a good Christian. Did she not know Mandela had 3 wives? She cited the words of Mandela when he walked out jail he left everything behind. Does she not know Apostle Paul says, Phl 3:12 -14 , “Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” It is very dangerous to set any secular man as a Christian model. Can the words of anyone alive or dead be comparable to the Scriptures?
I met an old Chinese lady at the church there and told her the Gospel of Jesus Christ is simple like 1,2,3.
(1). God loves you and all the people in the world although we are sinners. This is the wonder of God’s love, not that we deserve it.
(2). We are all sinners who cannot save ourselves. No one else can save us from our sins. But God sent His Only Son who had no sin to come into the world to die for our sins on the cross. Jesus Christ rose from the death and so He is able to save all who come to Him.
(3). If you repent of your sins and believe in Jesus Christ with your all heart that He is your Lord and Savior and confess to the world you are His follower, you will be saved. I have met many Chinese church members who do not know whether they are saved or not or what is the proof that they are saved. Your baptism, your participation in the Lord’s Supper, your membership of a church, your giving to the church, your good deeds and giving to charities, and how much love you have, etc. are not proof that you are saved. Rom 8:9 ,“However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. ” This is the test: do you have the Spirit of God dwelling in you? The Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ are one and the same. If you do not have the Spirit of Christ, you do not belong to Christ. Can you know whether you have the Spirit of Christ in you or not? Yes, you can. How? Rom 8:16-17,“The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God; and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.”
Note: Clearly the Bible proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ and explains clearly the way of salvation. You can know for sure whether you are saved or not, whether you are a child of God of not. I cannot tell you, and no one else can tell you whether you are saved or not. The Holy Spirit can. If you are a child of God, the Holy Spirit will tell you so. If you still do not know but you want to believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior; you can say the following prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, I am a sinner and cannot save myself. I believe You are the Son of God and the Savior of the world who died for our sins and rose again for our justification. Lord, save my soul. Please send the Holy Spirit into my heart and give me a new life and let me know I belong to You and I am a child of God. Amen.
A big department store sent me 2 discount coupons of ¥100 each; they are worth about $33.33. I was careless and did not read the expiration date in the back. When I wanted to use them, they had expired. What a waste! God offers every human being a gift of salvation absolutely free. It is grace through faith in Jesus Christ. If you repent of your sins and believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you will receive the eternal life. Many people do not realize that God’s salvation also has an expiration date.
Hbr 4:7 : “He again fixes a certain day, “Today,” saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, “TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS.”
God is calling you today to repentance; do not harden your heart.
2Cr 6:2 ,“For He says, “AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU.” Behold, now is “THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,” behold, now is “THE DAY OF SALVATION”—
When can you be saved? God says: Now is the acceptable time, now is the day of salvation. There was one young woman who lived in sins; she did not want to get saved now. She said she wanted to be saved at the last moment. You do not know when your last moment is. When you walk out your home this morning, you may not walk back. If you suddenly get hit and die in an accident, your expiration date may have passed. The date of your salvation may expire. It is true, now under the dispensation of grace, you can be saved any time; but you do not know when Jesus Christ returns. When you go bed tonight, you may not wake up and the date of your salvation may expire on you. For me to pass the expiration date and lost ¥200 was a small thing. For you to lose the day of your salvation, you will have to suffer eternal punishment in Hell is an unthinkable loss. Please get ready to meet your God, do it now. Will you come to Jesus now?
1. The beginning of the Gospel. Mar 1:1 , “The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”
Note: If Jesus Christ were only a great man and a good man, there would be no hope for the world. But Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came down to earth from Heaven to proclaim the Gospel of God and died for sinners so that we may be saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
The Gospel begins with Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the beginning of the Gospel. There is no Gospel outside of Jesus Christ. There is no Gospel in any other religion. For all religions teach you have to do good in order to be saved. It is like telling a drowning person you have to be careful not to fall into water, or you should have learned how to swim in the first place. No one can save himself, and no one is good enough to go to Heaven. The Gospel of Jesus Christ tells the good news what Jesus Christ has done for you. When Jesus Christ was born, hope was born so that sinners may be saved and have eternal life in Heaven.
Jhn 10:10-11 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd; the Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”
Note: The word come in Greek is erchomai which means to come from one place to another, to appear, make one’s appearance, come before the public: – it occurs 635 times in the New Testament. The word is used to denote the Lord Jesus who came into the world as the Divine Logos among men, God became Man and manifested in human form.
Come in Chinese is 來 which has an etymological meaning as follows:
十字架 十 （cross）， 人 （man）。
Jesus was crucified on the cross, there was a little man (thief) on the left and a little man on the right (robber). In the center there was a big Man (Jesus).
Jesus Christ was crucified and died on the cross for sinners, this was an invitation of God to man:
Isa 1:18 ,“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.”
Mat 18:11,“For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.”
All sinners are lost, lost from separation to God, and lost in sins.
Mat 11:28 , “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”
Jhn 6:37-38 , “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”
So the false teacher John Calvin was wrong, Jesus guarantee that He will certainly not kick you out.
2. The poor have the Gospel preached to them. 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. Because of greed and corrupt practices of Wall Street operators, bankers, mortgage and insurance and big firm executives, millions of the people in the world have lost their jobs and homes and become poor. The workers earn so little because executives make too much. The Gospel is preached to the poor in this world. It is hard for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God.
3. Jesus was…proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom. Mat 4:23 , “Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people.”
Note: The Kingdom of Jesus Christ is not of this world. The Gospel of the Kingdom is not worldly, but heavenly.
4. This Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in the whole world. 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 end of the world will come only when the Gospel of the Kingdom is preached in the whole world. It is the duty of every preacher and believer to preach the Gospel of Jesus to the whole world. My website is intended to reach the whole world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that is why it is absolutely free.
5. Jesus preached the Gospel of God. Mar 1:14 , “Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Gospel of God.”
Note: The Gospel of Jesus Christ originated from God, not from man.
6. 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: Repent in Greek is metanoeō which means to change one’s mind; to think differently; to feel sorry for one’s sins; to amend with abhorrence of one’s past sins; to turn from sin to God; to turn from darkness to light; – which occurs 34 times in the New Testament. Believe in Greek is pisteuō which means to commit to one’s trust; to trust; to put one’s trust in; to have confidence; to rely on; to place confidence in; to trust in Jesus or God in obtaining salvation; to have faith in; to accept the Word of God as true; – which occurs 244 times in the New Testament.
Europeans and Americans have discredited Christianity and dishonor the Lord Jesus Christ. They need to REPENT, REFORM, AND RECOMMENCE their victims.
God commands and demands sinners to do two things: Repent and believe in the Gospel. Why you and I have to repent? Because we have sinned. The good reason for men to repent and believe in the Gospel is the fact that the Kingdom of God is at hand. To be saved you do not depend on good deeds; all you need to do is to repent of your sins and believe in the Lord Jesus as your Savior.
Sin is a universal malady. Man by nature is sinful. The prostitution scandal committed by secret service men testifies to the fallacy and folly of secret clearance given by defense department and White House. No sinner can have secret clearance. Given a chance, every sinner sins. A sinner is not dependable. How can a sinner give clearance to another sinner? How can an evil man give clearance to another evil man? How can a corrupt institution give clearance to anyone? Those who give others clearance are not cleared from sin and freed from evil themselves.
If you are unwilling to repent of your sins and believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you cannot be saved.
7. The Gospel must first be preached to all the nations. Mar 13:10 , “The Gospel must first be preached to all the nations.”
Note: The Gospel is preached to all the nations by evangelists and missionaries; by individual Christians in personal evangelism; and by printed matter, radio, TV, DVD, movies, the Internet, website, etc.
In obedience to the command of Jesus Christ, my old website proclaimed the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ absolutely free to all nations, all races, and all peoples of the entire world. It had reached millions of peoples around the world. It had reached the global audience of 182 nations and more than 700 cities. Unfortunately, it was stopped by the enemies of the truth…Now I am using this website also to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ absolutely free. Enemies of truth control my website and censor me from telling the truth. You know we do not make money. I cannot find a free website which is free for me to preach the truth.
8. Preach the Gospel to all creation.
Mar 16:15, “And He (Christ) said to them: Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation.”
Note: All Christians must obey the command of Jesus Christ: Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all human beings. Creation means the sum or aggregate of all human beings – the human race.
9. He anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor. Luk 4:18 , “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me (Christ), 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 manifesto of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in one verse. My Internet site is dedicated to proclaim the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ to all and especially to the poor absolutely free.
10. Testify solemnly the Gospel of the grace of God. Act 20:24 , “But I (Paul) 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: Preaching the Gospel of the grace of God is a solemn matter. The Gospel is the grace of God. If it is grace, you cannot earn it, and you and I do not deserve it. But we may receive the gift of God free.
11. I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the Gospel of His Son. Rom 1:9 , “For God, whom I (Paul) 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: Jesus Christ is the Son of God; the Gospel of His Son is the Gospel of Christ. The Gospel of Christ is the Gospel of God.
12. I am not ashamed of the Gospel. Rom 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”
Note: Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel. No Christian is ashamed of the Gospel. Even people rejected me because of the Gospel I am not ashamed. If I suffer for the Gospel, I shall share the glory with Christ. For the Gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes in Christ. There are people who think they are intellectual and they feel ashamed to believe in creation, they think evolution is respectable. Evolution is the greatest scientific myth, a sham. Jesus Christ teaches and confirms the creation of man by God. Do not claim to be a Christian if you reject the teaching of Christ by believing in evolution. We believe in God Almighty who is the Creator of the universe and mankind. We believe in Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.
13. I have fully preached the Gospel of Christ. Rom 15:19 , “In the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and round about as far as Illyricum I (Paul) have fully preached the Gospel of Christ.”
Note: To fully preach the Gospel of Christ it must be preached in the power of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit came to testify for Jesus Christ. The Gospel of the grace of God is the Gospel of Christ.
14. Who is able to establish you according to my Gospel. 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 which Apostle Paul preached was according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past. This does not mean it was the Gospel of Paul. There is only one Gospel which is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gospel of Christ was not discovered by men, but revealed by God to holy apostles.
15. We endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the Gospel of Christ. 1Cr 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: The true servants of Christ must endure all things so that will cause no hindrance to the Gospel of Christ. Those who use preaching the Gospel to get rich are not the servants of Christ. Some American preachers have become rich, they cause hindrance to the Gospel of Christ. To be frank, America and European nations, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United Kingdom, etc., are hindrances of the Gospel of Christ. They have done so much evil in this world, and continue to do so to this day. It would have been better if they claim to be the religion of the terrorists.
16. I do all things for the sake of the Gospel. 1Cr 9:23 , “I do all things for the sake of the Gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.”
Note: For the sake of Gospel, believers must be willing to do all things, to endure hardship even persecution. This is the hallmark of a true preacher: doing all things for the sake of the Gospel. False preachers do for the sake of money, fame, power, etc.
You watch out, there are so many organizations and institutions and individuals that claim to be Christian, and they ask for donation boldly and publicly. We have never asked for donation, and we will never ask for donation. We only want the whole world to know the truth in Jesus Christ. We preach the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ absolutely free.
17. See the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ. 2Cr 4:4 , “In whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”
Note: The god of this world (the devil) has blinded the minds of unbelievers no matter how intelligent they are. When you are born again, you see the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ. Spiritual enlightenment does not depend on human mental ability. The Gospel of Christ is not according to man.
18. There are some…who want to distort the Gospel of Christ. Gal 1:6 -7 ,“I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the Gospel of Christ.”
Note: A different gospel is an attempt to distort the Gospel of Christ, just like counterfeit money distorts genuine money, and falsehood distorts the truth. A famous black preacher admitted he believed and preached social gospel, but social gospel and others such as political gospel (liberation theology), prosperity gospel (capitalistic gospel), possibility gospel, positive thinking gospel, etc. are not based on the Word of God, they are false gospels because they distort the Gospel of Christ.
It was reported (Oct 18, 2010) the birthplace of prosperity gospel, Crystal Cathedral, filed for bankruptcy. Apparently, the false gospel had no power to save its cathedral from bankruptcy. The possibility thinking or positive thinking had neither power over its debt nor influence over its creditors. Offering to church is not a path to prosperity or an investment that will bring wealth as some false teachers preach. They only make prosperity gospel preachers rich. Those who preach material blessings above spiritual blessings are false prophets and false preachers. As the Bible says, the love of money is the root of all evil. False gospel cannot stand the test of time, only the Gospel of Jesus Christ is powerful to save those who believe and it is eternal because God is eternal.
On Easter Sunday (April 8, 2012）I met a white couple from Tasmania, Australia, at a church. I told them many American churches have apostatized and some preachers preached the false gospel called prosperity gospel. The American values are money, power and sex. I explained that false preachers preached that if you give money to their church or ministry, God will open up heaven and pour down blessings on you and make you rich – how it is contrary to the teaching of Jesus Christ. You follow Jesus Christ not with a goal of getting rich; if you are rich, give your money to the poor. I also told them, the Crystal Cathedral, the American center of prosperity gospel, has gone bankrupt. The Christian lady asked, “Is it true?” When I reaffirmed, she spontaneously said: “Amen!” It suddenly dawned on me, Christians everywhere, no matter what national or racial background, who believe in the one true faith, who love the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Bible as the Word of God, all have common aspirations and same feelings about spiritual things. All condemn heresy and false gospels.
When you mix faith, fame, family and fortune, they form an explosive situation. The prosperity gospel is toxic and it has stained and ruined quite a few well-known individuals who were “anointed” to advance and enrich themselves displayed in shameless lavish lifestyle. Those who employ all kinds of secular technologies and formats to attract audience are bound to fail. Just as all fads will lose their charms. Fancy slogans are not the Gospel truths. The members of the Church of Jesus Christ increase by the power of the Holy Spirit as it was done at the early church. Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, it does not depend on the charm and charisma and craft of any individual. It is a great suspect when a preacher becomes a millionaire. In the first place, the idea of spiritual empire is un-Scriptural. It is wrong and immoral for a charismatic preacher to raise funds everywhere in the name of Christ or the Gospel to build business centers for the benefits of his off-springs or descendants as legacy or inheritance. Donations are for the cause of Christ, not individuals. For the church is not a family business or family fortune of anyone. As Gamaliel said, “And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.” ( Act 5:38-39 ) If the work of Crystal Cathedral is of men, it will come to nothing as it is happening. Time has told the truth. Prosperity gospel is definitely a false gospel.
“I need more help from you. If you are a tither, become a double-tither. If you are not a tither, become a tither. This ministry has earned your trust. This ministry has earned your help.” This sounds like Oral Roberts some years ago who disgracefully begged for money with the pretext of having a “vision” from Jesus. This kind of appeal is un-Biblical; over the years some American preachers have dishonored the Lord. Remember the preacher who had his picture taken at a studio with a fake facade of the Great Wall and proclaimed he was preaching the Gospel in China and therefore asking for money?
How in the world using “Biblical” money management would get a church into debts of more than $43 million? The Bible says, “Owe no one anything.” ( Rom 13:8 ) NIV translates, “Let no debt remain outstanding.” Apostle Paul said, “Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.” (Phl 4:11-12) Unlike Paul, some American infamous preachers only know how to live in lavish lifestyle. “Tough times never last. Tough people do.” Let us see how tough people last and do without begging for money in the name of Jesus Christ? If you give money to support a false church or false preachers, you do not lay up treasures in heaven, you only waste your money to make false preachers rich. The fact that the church which preaches the prosperity gospel was filling for bankruptcy proves the fallacy of the prosperity gospel. The prosperity gospel is a false gospel.
The following is an updated information:
Crystal Cathedral was the center of a false gospel called prosperity gospel. Preachers of prosperity gospel are false preachers. The fact that the Crystal Cathedral has gone bankrupt is a de facto and actual proof that prosperity gospel they preach is a false gospel. Prosperity gospel does not bring prosperity even to the Crystal Cathedral, much less to its followers. The church is not a family business or private enterprise or a spiritual empire to enrich family members. The fact Crystal Cathedral had fired three relatives of the megachurch’s founder tells something is structurally and seriously wrong with the church from the start. The church of Jesus Christ does not belong to the sons and daughters, sons-in-law or daughters-in-law, relatives and friends of any preacher or pastor, directors or producers, elders or deacons, etc. The fact Crystal Cathedral sold its church to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange tells you the monolithic Roman Catholic Church is very rich.
There are so many individuals and organizations and websites on the Internet that claim to be Christian, but they are not, and they brazenly ask for donation.
There are ways to determine if a preacher is false preacher or not:
(A). 1Ti 6:3-5, “If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an interest in unhealthy controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.”
Note: If a preacher preaches a false gospel, he must be a false preacher, unsound in doctrine. No one who is untrue to the Word of God is a servant of Christ. Prosperity gospel is a false gospel; and there are many other false gospels such as political gospel, social gospel, feminist gospel, racial gospel, capitalistic gospel, possibility thinking gospel, positive thinking gospel, etc. If a man preaches the gospel for financial gain, he must be a false preacher.
(B). 1Ti 3:2-5 ,“A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?)”
Note: What is required of a bishop is required of all preachers. If a preacher is greedy for money, a lover of money, he is a false preacher.
(C). Gal 5:19-21 ,“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”
Note: If a preacher commits adultery or homosexuality, he is a false preacher.
(D). 1Th 2:3-7 ,“For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness–God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.”
Note: If a preacher is abusive, oppressive, deceitful, and seeks glory from men and mistreats people, he is a false preacher. Some years ago in Orange County, California, a preacher had his picture taken at a studio with a mockup background of the Great Wall and he made a televised appeal by asking for donation because he was preaching in China. That was a deceitful act. A true servant of Christ cannot be deceitful.
1Pe 5:2-3 ,“Tend the flock of God that is your charge, not by constraint but willingly, not for shameful gain but eagerly, not as domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock.”
Note：The Scripture cited above spells out the required character, conduct, and attitude of every preacher or pastor.
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: Regarding the article written by Franklin Graham (July 22, 2012), some comment is needed.
(A). It is not appropriate to say “Jesus is a model on how to the church should respond to HIV/AIDS.” In the first place Jesus is not a model of this and a model of that. Jesus is the Lord, the Savior of the world. Jesus came into the world “to save sinners,” which was the primary; “to heal the sick” was secondary. The commandment that Jesus Christ gave to the apostles and all believers as He ascended to heaven, Mar 16:15-16 , “And He said to them: Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.”
The supreme responsibility of the Church of Jesus Christ is to proclaim the Gospel to every creature, not to do social work, or anything else. It is fine and good if the Lord leads a person to do the work of charity or responding to the needs of those who suffer HIV/AIDS and other illness. It does not mean the universal Church of Jesus Christ has to respond when one man has a social agenda, etc. Once I heard a Chinese pastor was so proud in announcing he was back from 3-month training in social work in Denmark. Social work is not preaching the Gospel. The ministry of the Gospel is not social work, it is spiritual work in reaching sinners and winning souls with the Gospel of salvation.
(B). It is not appropriate to compare HIV/AIDS with leprosy in Bible times. In the first place no one knew exactly how a person got leprosy in Bible times, not necessarily caused by one’s own behavior. Today how to get HIV/AIDS is very clear and well known. You can get HIV/AIDS by your own conduct. HIV/AIDS can be contracted through blood, body fluids, sexual intercourse, dirty needles, etc. If you do not commit sexual promiscuity or have sex with one infected with HIV/AIDS, or through contaminated blood transfusion, etc. you will never have HIV/AIDS. If you are a homosexual, drug addict, and perform sexual immorality, etc. your chances of getting HIV/AIDS are very high. Once I watched a TV interview, a young white woman maintained her virginity a long time until one day she had sex with a man the first time and she got AIDS. It was heart-breaking. This information is free and does not cost anything. Young and unmarried people should abstain from sex, married couple should be faithful and do not commit extramarital affair. Clean and moral conduct is the best prevention of HIV/AIDS, and you do not need to go to a university or hospital for this instruction.
(C). It is dangerous to cite politicians as model Christians as if they were God’s appointed or represent the cause of Jesus Christ because there are many American politicians who are warmongers, liars, corrupt and greedy officials, supremacists and racists, and children of darkness. Many politicians want God to be on their side but they are not on God’s side. Too many politicians use Christ and the Gospel to advance or strengthen their political position and power. It is bad to mix politics with religion because politics is inherently corrupt. Political leaders who support and legalize same-sex marriage and homosexuality are not compatible with Christianity. Political gospel, social gospel and prosperity gospel are NOT the true Gospel. The treachery is for the Church to stress the physical above the spiritual, the material over the moral.
(D). It is wrong to say “no matter what they have done in life, God still loves them and He will forgive them.” Jesus says, Luk 13:5, “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” There is no automatic forgiveness because God is love. To receive forgiveness of sins, sinners need to repent and believe in Jesus Christ.
Mat 11:20 ,“Then He began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent.” Mar 1:15, “And saying: The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel.” Act 2:38 ,“Peter said to them: Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
I did not know Robert Schuller and not a friend of his. By chance I came across in mid-September 2013 the sad news that Mr. Schuller, 86, has been diagnosed with cancer, has a fist-sized tumor in his esophagus that has spread to his lymph nodes. Probably Robert Schuller was not far from death. Everyone will die anyway sooner or later, that is not what I am concerned here. I know Robert Schuller had been preaching a false gospel which is contrary to the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ. His false gospel has proven to be a failure to his church and his followers. There was no report that Mr. Schuller to come clean and confess his sins to God and declare to the world that the gospel he had been preaching is a false gospel and ask God for forgiveness. This is the advice of Apostle Peter inspired by the Holy Spirit:
Act 8:22 ,“Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you.”
Hear ye, followers of prosperity gospel!
Hear ye, Americans and peoples of the world!
19. The truth of the Gospel would remain. Gal 2:5 , “But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the Gospel would remain with you.”
Note: The truth of the Gospel cannot yield in subject to anyone. We must be straightforward about the truth of the Gospel because the truth of the Gospel would remain forever. Cf. Gal 2:14 .
By chance I came across an ad of Billy Graham as follows:
“In [Jesus] name the nations will put their hope” – Matthew 12:21 NIV
If you live in the typical American community–with 100 average neighbors–here’s the reality: 7 of your neighbors struggle with depression, even contemplating suicide; 7 abuse or are addicted to drugs or alcohol; 8 are struggling with unemployment; and 60 don’t profess to know Jesus Christ as their Savior. The picture is bleak, but there is hope. Jesus Christ can transform lives that are burdened with fear, insecurity, uncertainty, and pain and offer joy and peace, now and for all eternity. By signing this declaration, you stand with Billy Graham in proclaiming that our nation needs this Good News.
In November 2013, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and Christians across the U.S. and Canada will host My Hope with Billy Graham, a massive media and friendship outreach, to proclaim the Gospel. Submit the form on the right, and we’ll send you updates on this outreach and other ways we are sharing the lifesaving message of Jesus Christ. I will join you in declaring, “I have hope for America because of Jesus Christ.”
This is a most misleading and confusing statement.
If it means this: “If the sinful American leaders would confess their sins and repent, there is hope because Jesus Christ can save.” – that I fully subscribe and support.
All facts and evidence point to the truth that American leaders are behind almost all problems, troubles, conflict and war and miseries in the world and who lie and kill boldly without remorse or shame.
I can honestly and truthfully say, “In fact, I do not have hope for America because of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ condemns the American leaders who are proven liars and killers and robbers as children of the devil.”
Jhn 8:44 , “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
I am afraid that simple Graham’s statement might have the meanings contrary to the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I do not have hope with anyone no matter how famous or popular he may be; my hope is in my Lord Jesus Christ. Billy Graham had personal knowledge of American presidents from Truman or Eisenhower down, he cannot claim ignorance. Yet he never preached against the evil deeds or sins of American presidents. I do not know any American preacher who has preached against the sins of American presidents and officials. Probably Billy Graham had been blinded by Americanism and patriotism; or more likely he is not John the Baptist who dared to rebuke the king. Some preachers are so proud because they have been briefed by the White House. That is his personal matter whether Graham condemned the evil deeds of American presidents or not; what I oppose is the misrepresentation of the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ. There is not one evangelical preacher who dares to say, America is practicing a false version of Christianity. There is not one fundamental American preacher who dares to preach against capitalism and imperialism as incompatible with Christianity. I say to you: the American way of life is the wrong way of life. I am pessimistic about America because I do not believe American leaders will change and repent of their sins in giving up the empire and return to a respectable republic. I have no problem with what Jesus Christ is able to do and save, I have problems in believing American leaders and people would change their values and aggressive behavior. American problems are made by American leaders and people and they are Made in the U.S.A. American leaders and people know the Good News in Jesus Christ, but they are not willing to repent and believe.
(1). You cannot declare something in His name and that automatically Jesus Christ will offer you hope. Hope is not something you have by declaration. America has rejected God by word and deed. Obama was the first U.S. president who endorsed homosexuality (there are many pagan leaders of nations who even oppose and condemn homosexuality on ground of morality) and supported legalization of same-sex marriage. The hypocrisy and duplicity, immorality, arrogance and greed practiced by American leaders and officials are of the highest order in the world. American leaders rule and dictate the world by their absolute military, political, economic, financial, technological, trade and diplomatic power.
(2). America since the end of World War II has incited and instigated and executed many unjust wars and unholy military interventions of brutal and deadly nature under false pretenses and pretexts which have killed millions of innocent civilians around the world. Not one American leader or official would admit all the lies and evil deeds and murders that America has done so far. On the contrary American leaders always lift up high the banners of righteousness (such as democracy, human rights, freedom, rule of law, responsibility, security, humanitarianism, justice, etc.) to justify their evil deeds or exploitation and oppression through wars of aggression and destruction.
(3). For about 300 years American churches have adulterous and sinful symbiotic relationship with American government because American preachers have implicitly and tacitly supported American capitalism and imperialism.
Jhn 5:38-40 , “You do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent. You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.”
There is no hope for those who are unwilling to come to Jesus that they may have life.
Jesus Christ says, Jhn 6:37: “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.”
There is hope for all who come to Christ because Jesus will certainly not cast them out.
Jhn 10:26-27, “But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”
Here was a burning question for Billy Graham: Do you really believe all the American presidents you know who claim to be Christians are sheep of Jesus, and they hear His voice and follow Him? Mr. Graham could not answer because he is already dead.
(4). Eph 2:12 , “Remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.”
America has rejected the teaching of Jesus Christ, how can there be any hope for America? The Bible makes it clear: Without God and without hope. I do not have hope for children of the devil because of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ describes and defines liars and killers as children of the devil. When you know American leaders fit the description and definition of Jesus Christ, how can anyone say “I have hope for America because of Jesus Christ”? Can we hope for something which is contrary to the teaching of Christ? Can I hope gays and homosexuals to be admitted to the Kingdom of heaven because of Jesus Christ? The phrase “because of Jesus Christ” seems to be used as a cover for the damned, cursed, and condemned.
(5). There is no hope for a warmonger, liar and murderer. There is no hope for a nation and people who love money, power and sex above everything. Hope in not grounded in absolute military supremacy. No leaders can stand on lies and falsehood and have hope. Knowing the fear of God, I tried to persuade one American president with total failure. I hope in the Lord that America would change, so I have written the following articles:
l How to Save America
l America Is Committing Suicide
l What It Will Take to Save America
l Why the United States Must Not Have War with China
l A Message to Americans and Christians
l LOOKING AT AMERICA
l PESSIMISTIC About AMERICA
We can only have hope in our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. There is no other way. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
The Scriptures prove the true hope, not only for America, but for the whole world:
Tts 2:11-14 ,“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.”
America cannot and does not offer hope. America does not have hope outside of Christ. Only the redeemed have the blessed hope. America, China, Germany and all kingdoms of this world will vanish. My kingdom is not of this world. My only hope lies in the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.
20. The Gospel of your salvation. Eph 1:13 , “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.”
Note: The Gospel of your salvation is the message of truth, you must listen. To believe in the Gospel of Christ is to be saved. This is not the gospel of prosperity as false preachers preach in America and now in many parts of the world.
At the early Church there was a great debate at Antioch as to what Gentile （non-Jewish) Christians should do because some false teachers came down from Judea and taught Gentile Christians must be circumcised according to the custom of Moses or they would not be saved. Paul and Barnabas went up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue. A sect of the Pharisees said it was necessary to circumcise them and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses. The apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter. The first council in Jerusalem took place to settle the matter. Peter stood up and said, Act 15:10-11 ,“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: There is no distinction as to how a Jewish or Gentile believer is saved. We are all saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Eph 2:8 ,“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” However, there is a distinction as to how a Jewish Christian or a Gentile Christian should conduct himself. James said, Act 15:19-20 ,“Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles, but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood.”
The apostles and the brethren who were elders sent a letter to Gentile Christians saying, Act 15:25-29 ,“It seemed good to us, having become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.” At that time, the Apostles and Elders proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus Christ by word of mouth. The New Testament was not written yet. The Apostles made it clear Gentile Christians do not need to be circumcised or keep the Sabbath. The ceremonial Law of Moses was no longer required, but the moral law as repeated in the New Testament remains. However, the essentials for all believers whether Jewish or Gentile to observe are to abstain from:
(1). eating things sacrificed to idols
(2). eating blood
(3). eating meat of strangled animals
(4). fornication
Christians must be free from eating blood, free from eating food sacrificed to idols and worship of idols, free from eating food from strangled animals, and free from committing sexual immorality (including homosexuality and divorce). In other words, Christians are forbidden to eat blood, food sacrificed to idols or worship of idols, food from strangled animals, and fornication. Chinese Christians must pay particular attention because the Chinese custom of eating blood, worshiping ancestors and idols, and eating food sacrificed to idols. Some politicians of Taiwan who claim to be Christians publicly committed idolatry by worshiping idols, I do not know whether they have stopped doing it or not. No one has the right to claim to be a Christian and worship idols at the same time just like no woman has the right to marry two men at the same time. Worshiping idols is a great sin against the living God. Taiwanese politicians who claim to be Christians must come clean: if Taiwanese politicians claim to be Christians, the cannot worship idols. If they want to worship idols, they cannot claim to be Christians. That is fair. That is religious freedom. There is no hangky-pangky in being a Christian.
21. Fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel. Eph 3:6 , “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: Both the Jewish and Gentile believers are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body of Christ, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.
22. The Gospel of peace. Eph 6:15 , “And having shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of peace.”
Note: The Gospel of peace brings sinners to have peace with God and peace in them. There are warmongering Western leaders who claim to be Christians, but they are liars and killers who are children of the devil. The Gospel of peace makes men to have peace with God and to have peace with men. Those who are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ have peace with God and goodwill toward men. Those who are liars and killers and warmongers are not children of God, they are children of the devil. Warmongers, imperialists, militarists, hegemonists, capitalists, monopolists, supremacists, racists, and terrorists cannot claim to be Christians because Christians believe in the Gospel of peace. Those who practice unrighteousness, aggression, intervention, exploitation, oppression, world dictatorship and domination do not believe in the Gospel of Peace.
23. 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: The mystery of the Gospel is Jesus Christ, God who became Man, died for sinners and rose from the dead so that believers may inherit the Kingdom of God – things so wonderful even angels long to look into. The love of God for sinful and unworthy men is a mystery.
24. The defense and confirmation of the Gospel. Phl 1:7 , “For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the Gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me.”
Note: Believers defend the truth of the Gospel by the Sword of the Lord and confirm the power of God in their lives. My website is dedicated for the proclamation and confirmation of the Gospel. I have said before and I say it again: You cannot claim to be a Christian and worship idols (as some Taiwanese politicians do) at the same time. You cannot claim to be a Christian and believe in evolution which is contrary to the teaching of Christ on creation by God. For the defense and confirmation of the Gospel I must have offended some people. Truth is offensive because it exposes lies and falsehood.
25. Conduct yourselves 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 must conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ. To do so Christians need to stand firm in one spirit and with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel.
Historically, European and American imperialists, colonialists, capitalists, militarists, supremacists have not conducted themselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ.
26. The Word of Truth, the Gospel. 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 is the Word of Truth, worthy of all acceptance. There are so many false teachings in the world that deceive people. Not all religions lead to God. There is only one way to God that is through Jesus Christ. There is hope laid up in Heaven for all believers. To say the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the Word of Truth and that all other religions are false religions – may offend people. Truth always offends people in darkness. There is no truth in the world, all men are liars. God is true. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
27. The hope of the Gospel. Col 1:23 , “If indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the Gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.”
Note: The hope of the Gospel is that not only believers are saved from their sins, they hope for glory, honor and immortality.
28. Dealing out retribution to those who… do not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus. 2Th 1:8 , “Dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus.”
Note: Those who do not know God and those who do not obey the Gospel of Christ will receive retribution and eternal punishment. There is an outcome for those who reject the Gospel. It is a distortion to say God is love and everyone will go to Heaven. It is retribution and damnation for all who do not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus.
29. 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: Believers are not ashamed of the glorious Gospel of God and they willingly participate in suffering for the Gospel. Blessed are the servants of Christ who are suffering for Gospel. The cross I must bear is the constant attack of my website by the enemies of truth. They deleted, added and mixed up the content to discredit what I have written. It took so much time and pain and efforts to correct them because I have written more than 4 million words. The fact that the children of darkness are so afraid of the truth speaks clearly the importance of the truth in Jesus Christ.
There are many forms of false gospel. The most common form of false gospel sounds like this: “Come believe in Jesus, God will bless you and your family and you will have peace and happiness; you will prosper with good health, good fortune and everything will go well with you.” This is contrary to what the Bible teaches, 1Cr 15:19 , “If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.” If you become a believer all because you want only to get benefits in this life, you are the most pitiful among all men. We believe in Christ not because we want material blessings in this life, we believe in Christ because we know we are sinners and will go to Hell. The Lord died for us so that we may have eternal life in heaven. I know a Chinese girl who said, “I have metal depression, I cannot take care of myself; since I am a believer, all of you must love me and take care of me to provide for my needs – free food, free lodging, free clothing, etc.” This useless young woman wants something for nothing who is unfit for this life and will not have the life to come because she has a false motive in joining the church. Many join a church because they expect assistance and earthly benefits from the church. Some Chinese students go to church in America to get a free meal and make friends. Some use church as a business connection, etc. Some churches are human organizations that attract followers for ulterior motive. Some White people went to China to establish family churches for political reasons and unspiritual agenda. Do you want to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? This is what Jesus says, Luk 14:27 , “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” The Crystal Cathedral of Robert Shuller in Orange County, California, was the center of prosperity gospel for many years. At last the Crystal Cathedral went bankrupt and was sold to the Roman Catholic Church. The fact that Crystal Cathedral went bankrupt proved the prosperity gospel preached by Robert Shuller is a false gospel.
False preachers never suffer for the Gospel, they only make financial gain. Something is seriously wrong that there are so many rich preachers in the United States of America.
30. Having an eternal Gospel to preach to those who live on the Earth. Rev 14:6 , “And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, having an eternal Gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people.”
Note: The Gospel of Christ is eternal because the Word of God is eternal. The Gospel is eternal because all who come and believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will receive eternal life.
You do not need to study theology in order to understand the Gospel. This is the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a nutshell:
(A). God loves you even though you are a sinner unlovable and unworthy. We are all sinners and have come short the glory of God. The wages of sin is death, that is why we all will die. We cannot save ourselves. No one is good enough to go to heaven. No man or angel can save sinners.
(B). God sent His Son Jesus Christ to the world to save sinners. How did Christ save sinners? Jesus Christ died on the cross for sinners, the Godly for the ungodly in order to atone and redeem us from our sins. Jesus rose again from death for our justification. To be justified means to be counted righteous before God, because the unrighteous cannot enter the Kingdom of God.
(C). What can you do to be saved? Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior; believe in your heart that He is the Son of God. Repent of your sins and confess with your mouth that you are a believer of Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit to enter into your heart to give you a new life, the eternal life which is the gift of God by grace through faith.
Now you have learned about the Gospel, would you accept and believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?
*Our mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ absolutely free. We do not want donation. We only want you to know the truth. This article is written to let you know almost all the signs predicted by Jesus Christ Himself have already fulfilled, and the latest sign of COVID-19 pandemic has global impact: and who knows when and what will be the end result. All the signs of the times point to the fact that Jesus Christ is coming again soon, maybe imminent. The single most important event going to take place in the whole universe is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The belief that Jesus Christ will return to Earth at the end of the world has been a fundamental Christian doctrine since the Ascension of Jesus Christ. We are not interested in the opinions of men or speculations of theologians and scholars. We systematically but not exhaustively search and study only the Scriptures, the Word of God, and try to present the truth absolutely free of charge. We want the whole world to know the signs of the second coming of Jesus Christ. Signs here refer are different from miracles. Signs here mean events that point to and signal the Second Coming. We are not asking for donation and in fact we do not want donation. We just want you to know the truth.
Mat 16:1-3 , “The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Jesus, they asked Him to show them a sign from Heaven. But He replied to them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times?”
Note: A man may be wise in the matters of the world, yet he does not and cannot discern the signs of the times. Sign in Greek is sēmeion which means a token, mark, signal that by which a person or a thing is distinguished from others and is known; portent, i.e. an unusual occurrence ; indication; of signs portending remarkable events soon to happen; – which occurs 78 times in the New Testament. For example, for the sky is red is a sign it will be a fair weather. If the sky is red and threatening, there will be a storm today.
Discern in Greek is diakrinō which means to determine, give judgment, to detect with the eyes or senses, to recognize, to discriminate; – which occurs 24 times in the New Testament. By the appearance of the sky we may discern the weather. By discerning the signs we can know the times. A sign plainly points to what is coming. However, it is not easy to discern the signs of our times. When you are in a forest you cannot see a forest.
Do you know the signs of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ? The signs presented below do not mean to happen consecutively or in a sequence. These signs of the second coming of Jesus Christ could and may happen simultaneously or with the passage of time.
There are at least 15 signs of the second coming of Jesus Christ.
1. Wars and rumors of wars. Mat 24:6-8 , “You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in many places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.”
Note: War in Greek is polemos which means battle, armed conflict, fight; – which occurs 20 times in the New Testament. Rumor in Greek is akoē which means hearing, report, hearsay; – which occurs 23 times in the New Testament. Rumor of war is not an actual war, for example the United States has a RAND PLAN to wage war against China, but it is not happening yet. You often hear rumor of war between India and Pakistan. Nation in Greek is ethnos which means a tribe, people group , race; a community of people; a politically organized nationality; a territorial division containing a group of people; – which occurs 162 times in the New Testament. There is a distinction between city state and nation state. A city state usually grew or evolved into a nation state. Singapore is a city state, but it has no territory to grow into a nation state. Vatican is a city state enclaved within Rome, Italy. It is the smallest state in the world by both area and population. However, Vatican is not only an independent nation but an empire of the Roman Catholic Church, an international institution with more than 1 billion members (including infants), and the richest church in the world. There are entities that consider themselves countries or nations which are not nations. Taiwan calls itself a nation, but it is not a nation, but a province of China. The United States illegally treats Taiwan as its colony. At the present the United Nations recognizes 193 member states.
Rise in Greek is egeirō which means to arouse, cause to rise, cause to appear; stir up; take up; – which occurs 145 times in the New Testament. For nation will rise against nation. Kingdom in Greek is basileia which means the territory subject to the rule of a king; dominion; kingship; an organized community or major territory ruled under a monarch; – which occurs 163 times in the New Testament. For kingdom will rise against kingdom. Birth pang in Greek is ōdin which means the pain of childbirth; sorrow, travail , intolerable anguish , disorder and distress; dire calamities precede the advent of the Messiah; – which occurs 7 times in the New Testament. Metaphorically, birth pangs precede the second coming of Jesus Christ. America, UK, NATO, France, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, EU have made themselves known to be the enemies of Russia and China without cause or reason. It will not be a surprise if they launch surprised attacks and wage a nuclear war against China and Russia.
Mar 13:7 , “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end. ”
Note: Christians do not need to be frightened when you hear of wars and rumors of wars. Those things must take place.
Luk 21:9 , “When you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end does not follow immediately.”
Note: Disturbance in Greek is akatastasia which means tumult, commotion, confusion, instability, disturbance of peace, disturbance of conduct, a state of disorder; – which occurs 5 times in the New Testament. You find instability a world-wide phenomenon. The history of mankind is the history of wars. There have been countless wars and battles throughout history. Empires and kingdoms rose and went. Men were so mad that England and France fought the Hundred Years’ War. Men were so evil that White colonists waged wars against Native Americans to rob their land and called it the conflict of civilization versus savagery. In the Mexican-American War, the American imperialist took very large chunk of Mexican land that became the states of California, Nevada, Texas, Utah as well as portions of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming. The most infamous wars were the First Opium War (1839-1842) that imperial Britain and the United States fought against a weak China, forcing the Chinese to accept and buy huge influx of opium, making great and exorbitant profits. Imperial Britain under the unequal treaties also took Hong Kong as a colony; America, France, etc. also forced China to make concessions. In the Second Opium War (1856 – 1860), the British imperialist and France attacked and captured the Capital, and the United States, Russia, etc. also imposed unjust treaties on China. The Western powers had oppressed China for many years. On September 7, 1901 the 8 nations were Britain, the United States, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, Austria and Italy who attacked and invaded China under false pretenses. They burned the Capital Beijing and looted China national relics and treasures of more than 23 million items worth market value of more than US$100,000 trillion dollars. Countless items of China national treasures are now can be found in the palaces and public, royal and private museums of those 8 nations, and also innumerable stolen Chinese treasures and goods fell into the hands of rich private collectors all over the world. The modern world witnessed two World Wars. Since the end of World War II, the United States has instigated and waged many unjust wars and bloody military interventions all over the world that killed millions and millions of innocent peoples and caused even more millions of peoples to become refugees and live in abject poverty. American presidents and leaders have lied, killed, and robbed many nations and peoples of the world. The multitalented Peter Koenig writes:
“Frankly – what else would you expect from Europe? – Europeans for hundreds of years have been exploiting, raping, abusing Asia, Africa and Latin America, killing hundreds of millions of people, while stealing their resources – which now can be seen transformed into European “culture”, religious monuments – castles of kings and queens and their dictators, who still walk this earth as parasitically as in ancient times.
When the European empires successively collapsed, they simply regrouped and transplanted their reign from the Old Continent across the Atlantic to build a new Anglo Zionist kingdom, but not before, again, massacring the original inhabitants of that once great land, called America. At that time the noble forefathers of this newly nascent empire felt secure between two shiny seas. But, hélas, times have changed. Attempting to emulate the grandeur of the Roman Empire, at one time calling their plan to Full Spectrum Dominance, “Pax Americana”, the association with “Pax Romana” became evident. Pax Romana were the three to four hundred bloodiest years of the Roman Empire, eventually collapsing under its own weight.”
America wants to be FIRST in everything. America does not want competitors, for that reason the United States uses all its means and resources to curb and control and oppress China and Russia in every way. The United States has a RAND PLAN to wage war on China and Russia and making all preparations with its allies (Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Britain, EU, India, etc.) for the war of conquest. Eliminate competitors so that America can continue to dominate and dictate the whole world.
Since the end of World War II, the United States and its allies have started how many unjust wars of aggression and bloody military interventions that killed millions and millions of innocent peoples around the world and created even more millions of refugees who live in abject poverty. America and its allies still lie, lie, and lie; kill, kill, and kill; rob, rob, and rob; sanction and spy many nations and peoples in the world today. I often wonder those White Supremacists who had done so much evil, are they not bothered by their evil conscience??????? Or they do not even have conscience. For example, they took Taiwan in 1949 to the present day as a de facto colony and yet they falsely charge of China’s aggression toward Taiwan, even though they know Taiwan was a part of China long before they existed. Since Taiwanese leaders and politicians are Chinese traitors who have aided and conspired with the enemies. It is justified for China to destroy them and liberate Taiwan without further delay.
Why the United States must not have war with China or Russia? The answer is clear and simple: Mutual destruction and destruction of the whole world. In a nuclear war there will be no winner, only losers. The intention of the US, UK, Japan, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, France and EU are clear in sanctioning China on ground of their false charges and fake news and propaganda. There is a fear that American leaders having no wisdom may start a nuclear war that will destroy the whole world.
2. Famines.
Mat 24:7, “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in many places there will be famines and earthquakes.”
Mar 13:8 , “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in many places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows.”
Luk 21:11 , “and there will be great earthquakes, and in many places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from Heaven.”
Note: Famine in Greek is limos which means hunger, dearth, scarcity of food; extreme shortage of food; – which occurs 12 times in the New Testament. Famines are a result of food shortage. Food shortage can be caused by many factors including destruction of wars, drought, flooding, crop failure, locust, overpopulation, defective culture, primitive agriculture, manipulation of market, political sanction, government policies; – man-made and natural disasters, etc. In my college years, I was completely sold on the Malthusian theory that population increase would outpace increases in the means of subsistence. In my old age I see the problem of food shortage looms larger and larger. Great and deadly famines had been reported throughout history in China, India, Russia, Persia, Asia, Europe and sub-Saharan Africa . Why poor nations do not have population control and expect other countries to feed them? Why poor people do not have birth control and produce so many children they cannot feed, house, and educate?
In 2017, the UN officially declared famine had returned to Africa, with about 20 million people at risk of death from starvation in Nigeria, in South Sudan , in Yemen , and in Somalia .
Plagues, pestilences, and pandemics mean the same thing. In 2019 to the present day the world witnesses the devastation of COVID-19 as never before.
3. Earthquakes.
Mat 24:7, “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in many places there will be famines and earthquakes.”
Mar 13:8, “For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in many places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.”
Luk 21:11 , “and there will be great earthquakes, and in many places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from Heaven.”
Note: Earthquake in Greek is seismos which means an earth shaking, a commotion ; trembling; – which occurs 14 times in the New Testament. Great earthquakes are defined by magnitude, death toll (fatalities) and property damage. My first encounter with earthquake was 1994 Northridge earthquake, Los Angeles, California. That was only a magnitude of 6.7. It was most terrifying experience with a huge noise like a nuclear explosion. I was thrown out of bed, thank God, landed on my feet not on my head. I immediately thought it was a Russian nuclear attack. In my memory 1976 Tangshan earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 was probably the largest and with estimated 700,000 dead when I was in America. Most Californians are afraid of one similar to the Great 1906 San Francisco Earthquake may strike again. According to Geology.com “ World’s Largest Recorded Earthquake 9.5 Magnitude – May 22, 1960 near Valdivia, Chile World’s largest earthquake – tsunami map: The Chilean earthquake produced a powerful tsunami that traveled at a speed of about 200 miles per hour across the Pacific Ocean. The wave killed 61 people in Hawaii, 138 in Japan, and 32 in the Philippines. “The Great Chilean Earthquake” The world’s largest earthquake with an instrumentally documented magnitude occurred on May 22, 1960 near Valdivia, in southern Chile. It was assigned a magnitude of 9.5 by the United States Geological Survey. It is referred to as the “Great Chilean Earthquake” and the “1960 Valdivia Earthquake.”
4. Plagues.
Luk 21:11, “and there will be great earthquakes, and in many places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from Heaven.”
Mat 24:7 , “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in many places.”
Luk 21:11 , “And there will be great earthquakes in many places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from Heaven.”
Note: Pestilence in Greek is loimos which means plague; an epidemic disease of high mortality rate; a contagious or infectious epidemic disease; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. Plagues, pestilences and epidemics may be used synonymously. It was estimated the Plague of Justinian hit humanity between 541 and 542 AD killed 100 million people. Smallpox, Spanish Flue, Black Death, HIV/AIDS, Ebola, Malaria, Typhus, Cholera, SARS, etc. killed millions and millions. Coronavirus (COVID-19) is paralyzing the whole world with negative impacts in many areas. The United States is No. 1 in leading the world with more than
one million deaths. You wonder why the sole superpower, the richest nation on earth, the superior white race with the best facilities, the greatest number of doctors and nurses and specialists, the most modern medical equipment and ample supplies, the best living condition, etc. in comparison with other poor and backward nations, would suffer the greatest number of infections and deaths! The American and European leaders and politicians first falsely and facetiously accused China of inventing and spreading CORONAVIRUS, although unanimously and publicly denied and discredited by UN, WHO, and many international and reputable public health institutions and experts and specialists. American and Western politicians have the practice of spreading blacks lies and they believe if you shout lies loud and long enough, people would believe them. Western leaders, politicians, journalists, reporters, etc. are still spreading and shouting black rotten lies about China, Chinese most successful corporations such as Huawei, Tic Tak, etc. Can you believe the English ignoramuses believed Huawei 5-G stations cause and spread CORONAVIRUS, and so they illegally destroyed them for their own good. No one really knows yet what will be the total deadly results and destructive impacts on the whole world in deaths, economic losses, unemployment, social depression, etc. and for how long. COVID-19 first struck Wuhan China as an epidemic and now around the world as the pandemic which negative global impact only second to World War II. We do know (as of 10/25/2020) CORONAVIRUS is a global pandemic which gets worse in the United States, Europe, India, etc. We do not know how COVID-19 may end, and when will it end, and what is the total cost to the world.
5. Tribulation. Mat 24:9, “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.”
Note: Tribulation in Greek is thlipsis which means trouble, persecution, metaphorically oppression, affliction, distress, straits ; pressure; suffering from oppression; – which occurs 45 times in the New Testament. Some Christians will suffer persecution, martyrdom, and being hated because of Jesus’ name. COVID-19 gives the whole world a taste of tribulation. I believe the CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC IS THE GREATEST SIGN the Lord Jesus Christ is giving to the world. Everyone gets the message how COVID-19 has devastated the whole world. Jesus Christ is coming again to judge and rule the world!
Stephen, the first Christian martyr, is recorded in Acts Chapters 6-7. 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. ” Stephen was a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.
Act 6:8 , “And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. ” Some Jews secretly induced false witnesses against Stephen charging him of blasphemy against God and the Law, etc. Stephen preached a powerful message. The accusers saw the face of Stephen like the face of an angel.
Act 7:55-56, “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.” The unrepentant Jews stoned Stephen out of the city. 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. ”
BY RICHARD PALMER • FEBRUARY 3, 2016 “Pope Francis officially apologized for persecuting Protestants on January 25, as he unveiled plans for a radical push for unity during the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.
“As the bishop of Rome and pastor of the Catholic Church, I would like to invoke mercy and forgiveness for the non-evangelical behavior of Catholics toward Christians of other churches,” he said. “At the same time, I invite all Catholic brothers and sisters to forgive if today, or in the past, they have suffered offense by other Christians.
“Non-evangelical behavior” is an interesting euphemism for the massive violence unleashed in the wake of the Reformation. Modern scholars estimate 50 million died in the religious violence that followed in persecutions, counter-persecutions and religious wars.” We believe tribulation includes persecution, wars and terrorism.
6. Fall away.
Mat 24:10 , “At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another.”
Note: Fall away in Greek is skandalizō which means to trip up (figuratively, stumble (transitively) or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure; to renounce one’s faith; – which occurs 54 times in the New Testament. Falling away means apostasy, falling from grace. If you visit Europe, you will see many church members have fallen away.
Jhn 6:66-69, “As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. So Jesus said to the twelve, “You do not want to go away also, do you?” Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have Words of eternal life. We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.”
Note: Christians do not want to go away, do not want to depart from the Lord because we know the Lord, the Holy One of God, has words of eternal life. True believers will not fall away even in the face of persecution.
Mar 4:16-17, “In a similar way these are the ones on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy; and they have no firm root in themselves, but are only temporary; then, when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they fall away. ”
Note: False believers when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they fall away.
Mar 4:16-17, “In a similar way these are the ones on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy; and they have no firm root in themselves, but are only temporary; then, when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they fall away. ”
2Pe 3:15-17, “and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness.”
Note: Carry away in Greek is synapagō which means to lead away with or together ; capture; metaphorically to be carried away with; the force of that which carries away; to take off together, i.e. transport with (seduce, passively, yield); entrance; to yield or submit oneself to; – which occurs 5 times in the New Testament. Untaught in Greek is amathēs which means ignorant, unlearned; – which occurs 1 times in the New Testament. Unstable in Greek is astēriktos which means unsteadfast, irregular, not solid or strong, unfixed, vacillating; of unsound mind; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Peter points out two kinds of dangerous people who are untaught and unstable and they distort the Scriptures. Those untaught are people who have never been taught of the fundamentals of Christian doctrines, and so they distort the Scriptures with their opinions. The other group of people who are unstable, of unsound mind and faith, using private interpretations to distort the Scriptures; this includes many modernist theologians, philosophers and scholars. In particular those who deny the Divinity of Christ. Distort in Greek is strebloō which means to twist, turn awry; metaphorically to pervert; one who tortures or wrests the passage of Scriptures in a false sense; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. They misuse, mistreat, misrepresent and misinterpret the Scriptures to their own destruction. Error in Greek is planē which means deceit, deception, delusion, fraud, mental straying, wrong opinion relative to faith and morals; – which occurs 10 times in the New Testament. All false doctrines and heresies fall into the category of error. For example, those who justify homosexuality by teaching they were born that way.
Betray in Greek is paradidōmi which means to commit, give into the hands (of another); to deliver up treacherously, give over; to deliver to an enemy by treachery ; – which occurs 134 times in the New Testament.
Mat 26:24 , “The Son of Man is to go, just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.”
Note: Judas Iscariot betrayed the Son of God. It would have been good for him if he had not been born. Hate in Greek is miseō which means to pursue with hatred, detest, persecute; – which occurs 40 times in the New Testament. In America and in Europe white and black people commit hate crimes against the Asians.
Luk 6:22 , “Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. ”
Note: Ostracize in Greek is aphorizō which means to separate, divide; to exclude as disreputable ; – which occurs 15 times in the New Testament.
Christian churches in America and Europe are committing apostasy and turning away from the Christian truth in Christ.
7. False prophets, false Christs and antichrists.
Mat 24:11 , “Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.”
Note: False prophet in Greek is pseudoprophētēs which means one who, acting the part of a divinely inspired prophet; one who utters falsehoods under the name of divine prophecies; a spurious prophet; a religious impostor; – which occurs 22 times in the New Testament. Founders of some religions are actually famous or infamous false prophets. Remember the hallmark of a false prophet is deliberate deceit, deception. Mislead in Greek is planaō which means to deceive, seduce, lead aside from the right way; to lead away from the truth, to lead into error; – which occurs 46 times in the New Testament. The strangest phenomenon is that many would follow false prophets and believe in cults.
Mat 24:24 , “For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.”
Note: Sign in Greek is sēmeion which means miracle, token, portent; – which occurs 78 times in the New Testament. Wonder in Greek is teras which means marvel, unusual occurrence; something so strange observed; – which occurs 16 times in the New Testament. This is most dangerous because false Christs and false prophets will perform great miracles and wonders so as to misled people, if possible, even the elect. Of all false teachers, I think John Calvin was the most dangerous one because he falsely taught that God predestined certain groups of people to go to Heaven, and other groups of people to go to Hell no matter they repent and believe. Jesus says whoever comes to Him, He will never throw them out.
Elect in Greek is eklektos which means the chosen by God, Christians are called the chosen or elect of God; – which occurs 24 times in the New Testament. The hallmark of false Christs and false prophets is to mislead the people.
Mar 13:22, “for false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect.”
Note: To lead astray is to mislead. False Christs and false prophets will lead people astray from the truth in Jesus Christ.
1Jo 2:18 , “Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour.”
Note: As many antichrists have appeared, from this we know that it is the last hour. Last in Greek is eschatos which means last, referring to time; last in a temporal succession; final (of place or time) ; – which occurs 56 times in the New Testament. From Greek we have the word Eschatology which means the study of theology concerned with the final events in the history of the world. Hour in Greek is hōra which means time, season, moment, instant; when the day was now far spent; – which occurs 106 times in the New Testament. We are not only in the last days of the world, we are now in the last hour. A false prophet who claims he can blow away COVID-19 PANDEMIC is among many false prophets and false teachers who have appeared in the world, especially in America.
8. Lawlessness.
Mat 24:12 , “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. ”
Note: Lawlessness in Greek is anomia which means iniquity, transgression of the law, the condition without law, unrighteousness, wickedness, contempt and violation of the law; illegality; – which occurs 18 times in the New Testament. Lawlessness is not only committed by common crooks and criminals, in these days we witness not a few leaders and politicians committed lawlessness. I have a perspective of China from 1985 to 2020 or to present. When I first arrived in China as a professor hired by the Ministry of Education, China probably had the highest moral standard in the world. Lawlessness increased in China today is shocking. All you need to do is to watch the TV reports on crimes. Love in Greek is agapē which means affection, good will, charity, benevolence, brotherly love ; – which occurs 117 times in the New Testament. Grow cold in Greek is psychō which means to wax cold, to chill; to grow cold figuratively of waning love; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. You may think lawlessness applies to crooks and criminals and terrorists. Not only common crooks and criminals commit lawlessness. In 2020 the most lawless people are the leaders of politicians of many nations! They all lie, including mainstream media, military-industrial-security-complex, Washing-Wall Street-Hollywood establishment, finance and banking, healthcare industry, etc., etc.
Mat 7:21-23, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in Heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS. ”
Note: Practice in Greek is ergazomai which means to work, labor, commit, do, perform, exercise, produce, engage in; – which occurs 49 times in the New Testament. Those who commit lawlessness do not practice righteousness. Those who practice lawlessness will not enter the Kingdom of God.
Mat 13:41-42 , “The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His Kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, and will throw them into the Furnace of Fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. ”
Note: Stumbling block in Greek is skandalon which means occasion of stumbling, offence, thing that offends; any person or thing that offends God; – which occurs 27 times in the New Testament. Those who commit lawlessness are stumbling blocks whom the angels of the Lord will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. The Furnace of Fire is Hell.
Mat 23:28 , “So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. ”
Be alert, there are those who claim to be Christians outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly they are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. They pretend to be for human rights, but they are lawless and commit much human rights abuses, even genocide and atrocity.
Note: Appear in Greek is phainō which means seem, to be seen, show figuratively; to come into public view; – which occurs 32 times in the New Testament. Appearances are deceptive. Outwardly in Greek is exōthen which means from without; externally, on the outside – which occurs 12 times in the New Testament. Inwardly in Greek is esōthen which means from within, internally, the opposite of outwardly; – which occurs 12 times in the New Testament. Do you know there are people who outwardly and inwardly not the same.Righteous in Greek is dikaios which means just, right, upright, virtuous, innocent; approved or acceptable to God; – which occurs 96 times in the New Testament. Hypocrisy in Greek is hypokrisis which means dissimulation, acting under a feigned part; pretending to be what one is not; – which occurs 6 times in the New Testament. Jesus makes it clear, there are people who outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly they are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. Today there are many outwardly appear Christians who are not. There are many outwardly appear preachers who are enemies of the truth.
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: Weakness in Greek is astheneia which means infirmity, frailty, defect, sickness, want of strength, feebleness of mind and body; – which occurs 25 times in the New Testament. Slave in Greek is doulos which means a person of servile condition, a person held in servitude, a man who submits to his master; – which occurs 130 times in the New Testament. Whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. Impurity in Greek is akatharsia which means morally and spiritually uncleanness; lustful, luxurious, profligate living ; – which occurs 10 times in the New Testament.
2Co 6:14 , “Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?”
Note: Bind together in Greek is heterozygeō which means to be unequally yoked together with ; to associate discordantly; to have fellowship with one who is not an equal; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Believers cannot be bound together with unbelievers. Partnership in Greek is metochē which means a sharing, communion, fellowship ; participation; intercourse; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. Lawlessness is the opposite of righteousness. Righteousness cannot have partnership with lawlessness just as light has no fellowship with darkness. For that reason Christianity can never be joined or combined with other religions as the pope is trying to form a One World Religion. By the same token, Palestinians, Arabs and Hamas, do not have claim to the Holy Land, nor resettlement right; and they cannot mix with God’s Chosen People. The two-state proposal is not the two-state solution. The United Nations or any agency have no authority to give away the Jewish land to Palestinians and Arabs. The leaders of UK have no moral character and courage to come out and tell the truth. During the colonial period, illegal Arabs moved into the Holy Land and occupied without payment. Palestine was an illegal legacy of the British empire. Therefore, Palestinians, Arabs and Hamas must all withdraw from the Holy Land or they will be evicted by force.
2Th 2:3 , “Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the Man of Lawlessness is revealed, the Son of Perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. ”
Somehow in 2020 I saw the forerunner of the Man of Lawlessness, who is arrogant, self-conceited, ego-centric, full of deceit and deception, dishonest, shameless, heartless and committed many evil deeds.
Note: Apostasy in Greek is apostasia which means falling away, backsliding, defection from truth; abandonment of true religion; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Apparently the Roman Catholic Church is the apostate church that leads millions astray. The Man of Lawlessness is the Antichrist, the Son of Perdition, who will reveal himself in the end time and proclaim himself as being God. The
Antichrist will be the god of the One World Religion.
2Th 2:7 , “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. ”
Note: Mystery in Greek is mystērion which means hidden thing, secret, something not obvious to understanding; – which occurs 27 times in the New Testament. The devil is the mystery of evil. The mystery of lawlessness is already at work. We believe the Holy Spirit now restrains the mystery of lawlessness.
1Jo 3:4 , “Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. ”
Note: To practice sin is to practice lawlessness. Sin is lawlessness. Crimes of fraud committed through Cell Phone, Internet alone cannot be counted. Crime in the United States, 2015 according to the FBI reveals a 3.9 percent increase in the estimated number of violent crimes. According to the report, there were an estimated 1,197,704 violent crimes committed around the nation. Violent crimes include rape, murder, robbery and aggravated assault.
Among the lawlessness are those false prophets who falsely claim they have a cure for COVID-19 PANDEMIC, and crooked and greedy merchants who sell fake medial supplies or sell medical supplies at exorbitant prices; and those who persecute Chinese because some evil leaders viciously and maliciously call CORONOVIRUS the China virus.
Just the lawlessness in America is more than enough to frighten and terrorize ordinary American citizens.
9. Love Will Grow Cold.
Mat 24:12 , “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. ”
Note: Love in Greek is agapē which means strong affection, good will, charity, benevolence, devotion, warm attachment, brotherly love; – which occurs 117 times in the New Testament. Grow cold in Greek is psychō which means to chill, wax cold, to be made cold figuratively of waning love; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Nowadays, divorce, desertion, abandonment, physical or mental cruelty to spouse, child abuse, etc. are commonplace.
Rom 12:9 , “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. ”
Note: Genuine love is without hypocrisy and does not grow cold.
Rom 13:10 , “ Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. ”
Note: Love does not wrong to anyone. Love is the fulfillment of the law.
1Co 13:4-7, “Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. ”
Note: True love in defined above. Such love is rare in the end time. Social disintegration and alienation is the major phenomenon of the world affairs.
2Co 6:6 , “in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love .”
Note: Genuine love is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith which is rare in the last days. Divorces reported in the U.S. alone pass 50%. Family disintegration indicates love grows cold in the last days. Ask yourself this simple question: when you are really in trouble, who can you count to help? Seth D. Kaplan writes, “Family breakdown and social disintegration — especially among the poor and working classes — are crippling increasingly large swathes of the American population. But in the decades since the famous 1965 Daniel Patrick Moynihan report,
The Negro Family , brought the problems to light, political and policy making interest in finding a solution has ebbed and flowed. Interest is high again now, as evidenced by a number of books published in recent years. Prominent scholars from both the right and left, such as Charles Murray and Robert Putnam, have examined the stark changes that have engulfed working-class communities and the precipitous decline in social cohesion — that is, the relationships and norms that provide vitality and resilience to a community. ”
2Ti 3:1-4 , “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, traitors, reckless, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God .”
When I think of traitors I think of Judas who betrayed Jesus, I also think those Chinese traitors in Taiwan and Hong Kong who are running dogs of foreigners, of white supremacists.
Note: Perilous in Greek is chalepos which means fierce, troublesome, harsh, savage, difficult, dangerous, oppressive, hard to bear; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Men will be lovers of themselves; women will be lovers of themselves too. People will be lovers of money and lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. The hallmark of the times is characterized by selfishness, self-absorption , self-advancement, self-aggrandizement, self-conceitedness, self-consciousness, self-deception, self-delusion, self-devotion, self-importance, self-indulgence, self-interest, self-love, self-obsession, self-pleasure, self-preoccupation, self-pride, self-righteousness, self-seeking, and self-will. Human relations are thin as a piece of paper, easily breakable and fragile.
10. The Gospel shall be preached in the whole world.
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.”
Mar 13:10 , “The Gospel must first be preached to all the nations. ”
Mar 16:15 , “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation. ”
Note: Jesus Christ before Ascension commanded the disciples to preach the Gospel to all peoples in the world. Gospel in Greek is euaggelion which means the glad tidings of the Kingdom of God; the message of (concerning) Jesus Christ as having suffered death on the cross to procure eternal salvation for men who repent and believe in His name; the good news of salvation through Christ ; – which occurs 77 times in the New Testament. Preach in Greek is kēryssō which means to proclaim openly, to herald the divine truth; to deliver publicly, to give a religious speech; publish; – which occurs 62 times in the New Testament. One positive sign of the second coming of Jesus Christ is the fact that the Gospel is preached to all the nations in the world. The Gospel of the Kingdom is proclaimed and preached to all nations through many means such as personal evangelism by words of mouth, radio, TV, CD, DVD, mails, movies, gramophones, pulpits, publications, the Internet, etc. My last website lasted 18 years before shut down by the enemies of truth in September 2018 and reached the audience of 182 nations and more than 700 cities in the world absolutely free. We never asked for donation. At the present I have 1 website preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ absolutely free:
On March 30, 2010 , in one day 2,036 persons visited my website as follows:
https://williewongthought.hpage.com/
the enemies of truth said on the Internet that only 30 persons visited my website in a month. Watch out fake news.
Luk 9:6 , “Departing, they began going throughout the villages, preaching the Gospel and healing everywhere. ”
Note: Everywhere in Greek is pantachou which means in all places; – which occurs 7 times in the New Testament. Wherever Christians are, there they must witness for the Lord so that the Gospel is preached everywhere.
Act 8:25, “So, when they had solemnly testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they started back to Jerusalem, and were preaching the Gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.”
Note: Oral preaching, from the beginning the Lord and the Apostles and disciples preached the Gospel from person to person, from town to town. In the beginning by word of mouth from Jerusalem the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ was preached and proclaimed to all, especially to the poor.
Phl 2:22 , “But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the Gospel like a child serving his father. ”
Note: Furtherance in Greek is pantachou which means progress, advancement, benefit; helping something to make progress; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. It is the duty and responsibility of every Christian to do everything possible for the furtherance of the Gospel. We struggle in the cause of the Gospel. We are fellow workers in the Gospel of Christ.
According Christianity Today, “1455 Gutenberg Produces the First Printed Bible Using his revolutionary invention—printing from movable type—he made the Scriptures potentially accessible to every person.”
According to Library of Congress Bible Collection: “The Gutenberg Bible is the first great book printed in Western Europe from movable metal type. It is therefore a monument that marks a turning point in the art of bookmaking and consequently in the transition from the Middle Ages to the modern world. Gutenberg’s invention of the mechanical printing press made it possible for the accumulated knowledge of the human race to become the common property of every person who knew how to read—an immense forward step in the emancipation of the human mind. The printing of the Bible was probably completed late in 1455 at Mainz, Germany. Johann Gutenberg, who lived from about 1400 to about 1468, is generally credited for inventing the process of making uniform and interchangeable metal types and for solving the many problems of finding the right materials and methods for printing. This Bible, with its noble Gothic type richly impressed on the … ”
Printing makes massive publications possible. Massive publications of the Bible in many languages spread the Gospel throughout the world. “All or part of the Bible has been published in more than 2,400 languages worldwide. The American Bible Society has said that the Bible is now available to 98% of the world…..being printed all or in part, in over 1800 languages and dialects. ”
It is reported “To date there have been approximately 6,001,500,000 Bibles printed. ”
The Holy Bible is probably the most read and studied book in the world.
11. Terrors.
Luk 21:11 , “and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from Heaven. ”
Note: Terror in Greek is phobētron which means that which strikes terror, cause of fright, frightening, dread, horror, fearful sight, intense fear; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. We believe terrors here especially refer to terrorism of recent days. Islamic terrorists for the first time make the 21st century the age of terror.
Honestly, are you not afraid of COVID-19 PANDEMIC in 2019-2021?The most unforgettable, visible and horrible deadliest terrorist strikes in our life time were the infamous 9-11-2001 attacks, in which suicide terrorists crashed two airplanes into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. At that time I was working at a big American corporation, my computer was equipped with red news alert. I was one of them who witnessed airplane crashing into the World Trade Center right in front of my computer. Soon too many were not able to see the event taking place through their computers. It was reported the crashes killed more than 3,000 people.
“BY KIMBERLY AMADEO
Updated December 11, 2018
The War on Terror is a military campaign launched by the Bush administration in response to the al-Qaida 9/11 terrorist attacks . The War on Terror includes the Afghanistan War and the War in Iraq . It added $2 trillion to the debt as of the FY 2019 budget. ”
Only God knows how many peoples have been killed by terrorists and the wars involved; not to say the economic impacts and the cost of civilizations. The terrorists succeeded to bring the whole world into a new era of terrorism. We believe the wars on terrorists have been fought the wrong way and ineffectively although we are not going to dwell on how to fight terrorists.
We believe the greatest terror going to take place in the world is the coming of nuclear war . See the article, https://williewongthought.hpage.com/why-the-united-states-must-not-have-war-with-china.html
Why the United States must not have war with China and Russia? The answer is clear: In one hour the whole world will be destroyed. There will be no winner in a nuclear war, only losers. MUTUAL DESTRUCTION!
2Pe 3:10 , “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the Heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. ”
Note: Roar in Greek is rhoizēdon which means a loud noise, a confused great noise; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. The loudest roar I ever heard in my life was caused by the earthquake in California. Element in Greek is stoicheion which means the rudiment, substance or constituent from which all things have come; – which occurs 12 times in the New Testament. You can find many chemical elements through the periodic table. Based on IUPAC standards, there are currently 118 elements on the periodic table. For examples: Fe is the symbol of iron, Au is gold, Ag is silver, Pt is platinum, Ni is nickel, Cu is copper, etc.
It is reported, Iron, out of the ground, melts at around 1510 degrees C (2750°F). Tungsten, W, element 74, has the highest melting point of all the elements discovered, melting at 3422 °C (6192 °F, 3695 K). Intense heat in Greek is kausoō which means fervent heat, burning heat; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament. Destroy in Greek is lyō which means to dissolve, break up; – which occurs 45 times in the New Testament. What intense heat do you think could and would burn up, destroy or melt the elements including Tungsten?
How hot is a nuclear explosion?
Post by Dantesinferno » Tue Sep 10, 2013 4:47 pm
“The temperature at the center of a nuclear explosion depends on the yield of the weapon. Or whether the weapon is an atom bomb which relies on nuclear fission to detonate or a hydrogen bomb which uses both fusion and fission. Those are all factors that play a role in the temperature at the center of a nuke but the temperature at the core of the explosion is always between 50 and 150 million degrees Fahrenheit. Any person around the point of which the bomb was detonated, would literally be instantly vaporized to nothing, its also odd because you either vaporize to nothing or in some cases get petrified. that’s why sometimes the temperature of a nuclear weapon is referred to as the black body temperature, because there were cases in which peoples bodies were turned black like charcoal and hard as a rock. So the temperature of the center of a nuclear bomb can reach temperatures hotter than the core of our sun . the sun reaches nuclear fusion through gravity and so burns at a mere 15 million degrees Fahrenheit, on the other hand a thermonuclear bomb, once detonated can only have a significant reaction rate only if it has a far higher temperature (as much as ten times higher than the sun) because it has to occur where the air pressure is very low.”
2Pe 3:12 , “looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the Heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! ”
Evidently, the intense heat that melts all elements and burn up everything must be produced by nuclear explosion.
Terrors include natural disasters and man-made disasters.
America, Canada, UK, NATO, QUAD and its European and Asian and Australian allies threaten the world with political, military, economic, financial, diplomatic, legal (they make laws to force other nations to comply) currency, trade, transportation, false accusations, etc. with all sorts of sanctions and terrors.
12. Dismay among nations.
Luk 21:25 , “There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves .”
Note: Roaring of the see and the waves is what is known today as tsunami. Dismay in Greek is synochē which means distress, anguish, metaphorically straits; a feeling of shock and unhappiness; narrowing; anxiety; perturbation; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Perplexity in Greek is aporia which means a (state of) quandary; bewilderment; – which occurs 1 times in the New Testament. I believe the roaring of the sea and the waves means tsunami. The whole world is in trouble. Bankruptcy is one of the problems.
According to USA TODAY, countries at risk of default or near bankruptcy are Belarus, Argentina, Jamaica, Belize, Venezuela, Greece, Ukraine, Ecuador, Egypt, Pakistan, Cuba, Cyprus. “Greece was among the countries hardest-hit by the 2008 global financial crisis, and the country eventually received several large bailouts totaling 240 billion euros. Greece defaulted on $138 billion of its debt in 2012, the largest sovereign default ever recorded. Debt restructuring following the default and a return to the international bond market last year were hopeful signs of economic recovery. However, the debt restructuring accompanied severe austerity measures at a time of already grim financial hardships for many Greek residents. Since 2012, the estimated unemployment rate in Greece has remained between 24% and 25%, among the highest in the world.”
Amid COVID-19 PANDEMIC, I watched TV live how the Governor of New York pleaded for help because New York was short of medical supplies such as ventilators and masks, etc. — tells me something about the meaning of dismay. China was the first one came to help New York.
BY JUSTIN KUEPPER
Updated January 30, 2019
“ For instance, consider the fact that Japan’s 2011 debt-to-GDP ratio is over 200% , but its economy received very little analyst attention, while Greece’s is only 160% and many rating agencies were predicting its collapse. ”
What Country has the Most Unsustainable Debt?
Howmuch.net
“The countries with the highest debt-to-GDP ratios are Japan (230%) , Greece (177%), Lebanon (134%), Jamaica (133%), Italy (132%), and Portugal (130%). These countries, with perhaps the exception of Lebanon, also have low (or negative) GDP growth rates, which is not good news for their economic outlooks. Obviously, Greece is already dealing with financial turmoil due to its inability to pay off its debt, but other countries with high debt levels and low economic growth rates also face serious default risks (e.g. Italy and Cyprus). ”
Country which has the highest national debt: USA.
According to https://www.us-debt-clock.com
Current US debt is more than $36 trillion
EconomicPolicyJournal.com has learned that 32 states have run out funds to make unemployment benefit payments and that the federal government has been supplying these states with funds so that they can make their payments to the unemployed. In some cases, states have borrowed billions. As of May 20, the total balance outstanding by 32 states (and the Virgin Islands) is $37.8 billion.
The state of California has borrowed $6.9 billion. Michigan has borrowed $3.9 billion, Illinois $2.2 billion.” From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia “The city of Detroit , Michigan , filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy on July 18, 2013. It is the largest municipal bankruptcy filing in U.S. history by debt, estimated at $18–20 billion, exceeding Jefferson County, Alabama’s $4-billion filing in 2011 . [1] Detroit is also the largest city by population in the U.S. history to file for Chapter 9 bankruptcy, more than twice as large as Stockton, California , which filed in 2012 . While Detroit’s population had declined from a peak of 1.8 million in 1950, its July 2013 population was reported by The New York Times as a city of “700,000 people, as well as to tens of thousands of abandoned buildings, vacant lots and unlit streets.”
“ The 7 Biggest Cities Ever to File for Bankruptcy by NATE BERG JUN 27, 2012 The bankrupt Stockton has some company. Today, the city of Stockton, California, became the largest city in U.S. history to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection (something we’ve broken down by the numbers ). But though Stockton is the largest city to take this unfortunate route, it’s certainly not the first. More than 600 municipalities (including counties) have filed for bankruptcy since Chapter 9 filings first became an option in the 1930s, according to this article from ABC News . Here are the seven largest cities to file for bankruptcy (sometimes more than once) in recent history:
1. Stockton, California Bankruptcy filing: 2012 Population (in 2010): 291,707
2. Bridgeport, Connecticut Bankruptcy filing: 1991 Population (in 1990): 141,686
3. Vallejo, California Bankruptcy filing: 2008 Population (in 2010): 115,942
4. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Bankruptcy filing: 2011 Population (in 2010): 49,528
5. Prichard, Alabama Bankruptcy filing: 1999 Population (in 2000): 28,633 Second bankruptcy filing: 2009 Population (in 2010): 22,659
6. Central Falls, Rhode Island Bankruptcy filing: 2011 Population (in 2010): 19,376
7. Desert Hot Springs, California Bankruptcy filing: 2001 Population (in 2000): 16,582
Overpopulation, drought, and exacerbated by climate change, poor infrastructure, is creating the world’s most dramatic urban water crises
“ BY CRAIG WELCH , PUBLISHED MARCH 5, 2018
National Geographic
I predict the time may come when the price of water may be higher than gasoline.
13. Great signs from Heaven
Luk 21:11 , “and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from Heaven. ”
Note: Heaven in Greek is ouranos which means the sky; the universe, the sidereal or starry heavens; where God and heavenly beings dwell; – which occurs 274 times in the New Testament. The Bible teaches three layers of Heaven. The first Heaven is the sky where birds and airplanes fly. The second Heaven is the universe where the sun, moon and stars are. The Bible reveals the universe is expanding long before scientists recently discovered. The third Heaven is the highest heaven which is the abode of God and angels. Obviously, the signs from Heaven refer to what is happening in the first and second Heaven.
Luk 21:25 , “There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves.”
Note: We believe “the roaring of the sea and the waves” refers to tsunami. The Tsunami in Sumatra, Indonesia, 2004 was probably the greatest: 230,000 people were reported dead , an earthquake of magnitude of 9.1 , at a depth of 30 km with the 50m tall Tsunami. With giant astronomical telescope one can study Heaven and see signs or manifestations in sun and moon and stars as never before.
“China has finished building the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST), the world’s largest single-aperture telescope. This photo was taken on July 3, 2016, the day the huge dish’s last panel was installed.
China has put the finishing touches on the world’s biggest radio telescope, whose 1,650-foot-wide dish will scan the heavens for signs of intelligent alien life , among other tasks. On Sunday (July 3), technicians installed the last of the 4,450 panels that make up the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope’s (FAST) giant dish, China’s state-run Xinhua news agency reported . ” “ Solar Storms Building Toward Peak in 2013, NASA Predicts By Clara Moskowitz August 09, 2011 Science & Astronomy Solar flares like the huge one that erupted on the sun early today (Aug. 9) will only become more common as our sun nears its maximum level of activity in 2013, scientists say. Tuesday’s flare was the most powerful sun storm since 2006 , and was rated an X6.9 on the three-class scale for solar storms (X-Class is strongest, with M-Class in the middle and C-Class being the weakest). ” “ Sun Unleashes ‘Spectacular’ & Powerful Eruption By Tariq Malik June 07, 2011 Science & Astronomy The sun unleashed a massive solar storm today (June 7) in a dazzling eruption that kicked up a vast cloud of magnetic plasma that appeared to rain back down over half of the sun’s entire surface, NASA scientists say. The solar storm hit its peak at about 2:41 a.m. EDT (0641 GMT), but the actual flare extended over a three-hour period, said C. Alex Young, a solar astrophysicist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center who runs a website called The Sun Today , in a video describing the event. “The sun produced a quite spectacular prominence eruption that had a solar flare and high-energy particles associated with it, but I’ve just never seen material released like this before,” Young said. “It looks like somebody just kicked a giant clod of dirt into the air and then it fell back down.”
We believe great signs from heaven and signs in sun and moon and stars refer to space explorations and inter-planet travels, including solar flares, solar storm, meteor showers, lunar eclipse, comets, asteroids, UFO and other astronomical discoveries.
14. Fear of things to come.
Luk 21:26 , “Men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ” Note: Fear in Greek is phobos which means dread, that which strikes terror, alarm, fright; panic; an unpleasant emotion caused by awareness of danger or terror; – which occurs 47 times in the New Testament. The English word phobia comes from the Greek word. When people are terrified, they might cry out in fear. Fear can grip a person. A person may faint from fear. Fear may cause trembling. Fear of death can subject a person all his life.
Here are a few Biblical examples how fear impacts on people: Jos 14:8 , “Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt with fear; but I followed the LORD my God fully. ” Note: Melt with fear in Hebrew is macah which means to cause to dissolve, to consume away; to terrify; – which occurs 5 times in the Old Testament. Moses sent out the leaders of Israel to spy out the land of Canaan, Caleb was one of them. The spies gave out a bad report of the land because all the people whom they saw in it were strong men of great size. There also they saw the Nephilim (giants) and they became like grasshoppers in their own sight, and so they were in the sight of the son of Anak the giants. Then all the congregations lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night. The people were so frightened that their heart melted with fear. Except Caleb followed God fully and told the people not to fear the giants. Those men who brought out the very bad report of the land died by a plague before the Lord. Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak: three giants, Shshai and Ahiman and Talmai, the children of Anak.
Amo 3:8 , “ A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken! Who can but prophesy? ” Note: Although I have never heard a lion roars in my life. I believe all will fear when a lion roars.
Mat 28:4 , “The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. ” Note: Shake in Greek is seiō which means to quake, agitate, cause to tremble ; to be thrown into a tremor, to quake for fear; – which occurs 5 times in the New Testament. On the day of Resurrection, the trained soldiers shook for fear of the angel of the Lord, whose appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow, they became like dead men. There is a Chinese expression, frightened to death. The guards were temporarily dead because of fear of the angel of the Lord.
Mat 10:28 , “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell. ” Note: Jesus says not to fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul. All murderers and terrorists can kill the body but not the soul. We must fear God who is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell.
I observe fear characterizes the 21st Century, as a consequence many suffer mental illnesses.
1Jo 4:18 , “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.” Note: Christians are not afraid to die because perfect love casts out fear. To die in Christ is to die in peace. The love of God casts out fear. Fear involves punishment. There is no punishment for those who are saved in Christ. So there is no fear in love.
There are many phobias (fears) real or imaginary. Here are some common phobias: Blood- Hemophobia, Hemaphobia or Hematophobia. Choking- Anginophobia. Confined spaces- Claustrophobia. Corpses- Necrophobia. Darkness- Achluophobia or Myctophobia, or Scotophobia . Death or dying- Thanatophobia . Fire- Arsonphobia or Pyrophobia. Floods- Antlophobia. Flying- Aviophobia or Aviatophobia or Pteromerhanophobia Foreigners or strangers- Xenophobia . Ghosts- Phasmophobia. Heights- Acrophobia, Altophobia, Batophobia, Hypsiphobia or Hyposophobia. Homosexuality- Homophobia . Leprosy- Leprophobia or Lepraphobia. Menstruation- Menophobia. Narrowness- Anginophobia. Old age – Gerascophobia or Gerontophobia. Poverty- Peniaphobia. Snakes- Ophidiophobia or Snakephobia. Thunder and lightning- Astraphobia, Astrapophobia, Brontophobia or Keraunophobia. Vertigo or dizziness when looking down- Illyngophobia .
APA defines “ Paranoia involves intense anxious or fearful feelings and thoughts often related to persecution, threat, or conspiracy. Paranoia occurs in many mental disorders, but is most often present in psychotic disorders. Paranoia can become delusions, when irrational thoughts and beliefs become so fixed that nothing (including contrary evidence) can convince a person that what they think or feel is not true. When a person has paranoia or delusions, but no other symptoms (like hearing or seeing things that aren’t there), they might have what is called a delusional disorder. Because only thoughts are impacted, a person with delusional disorder can usually work and function in everyday life, however, their lives may be limited and isolated. ” American Psychiatric Association provides the following information: “ Major mental illnesses such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder rarely appear “out of the blue.” Most often family, friends, teachers or individuals themselves begin to recognize small changes or a feeling that “something is not quite right” about their thinking, feelings or behavior before a illness appears in its full-blown form. ” APA says, “ Anxiety disorders differ from normal feelings of nervousness or anxiousness and involve excessive fear or anxiety. Anxiety disorders are the most common of mental disorders and affect more than 25 million Americans. But anxiety disorders are treatable and a number of effective treatments are available. Treatment helps most people lead normal productive lives. ” We believe terrorists literally bring the world to the gloomy era of fear compounded by many signs of the times. 15. Increase of knowledge.
Dan 12:4 , “But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase.”
Note: Knowledge in Hebrew is da`ath which means the fact of knowing, perception, being aware of something, skill, discernment, understanding, intelligence, cognition, information obtained, wisdom ; – which occurs 92 times in the Old Testament. In the end of time many people will travel (go back and forth). Go back and forth in Hebrew is shuwt which means to run to and fro, to go about, to go to and fro, to travel; – which occurs 29 times in the Old Testament. In old times people did not travel out of their hometowns. Today people travel all over the world by car, train, high speed train, ship, airplane. Soon men will travel to the space for pleasure or vacation. Increase in Hebrew is rabah which means to multiply, make many, make much, become greater in size or amount, become numerous; – which occurs 246 times in the Old Testament. According to USA Today, “Atlanta not only did it hold on to the top ranking, but it also counted more than 100 million passengers for the third year in a row. Atlanta became the first airport in the world to break that threshold in 2015 , when it processed 101.5 million passengers. ” There are many busy airports with millions of passengers traveling all over the world.
We believe the world has acquired more knowledge in the last 50 years than in the last 5,000 years.
Although knowledge has increased so much, amid COVID-19 PANDEMIC, scientists and specialists are helpless and desperate in finding a cure or vaccine in time of need. Knowledge consists of many fields of studies, just mention a few: Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Dentistry, Economics, Futurology, Geology, History, Immunology, Judeology, Kinology, Law, Mathematics, Neurology , Ontology, Philosophy, Quinology, Radiology, Sociology, Theology, Ubanology, Virology, Wordology, Xylology, and Zoology.
There are two kinds of knowledge: human and divine. Human knowledge is limited and tentative at a given time and place. For that reason science is fallible because human knowledge is limited and uncertain. Divine knowledge is absolute, complete, supreme, perfect and ultimate. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so divine knowledge is higher than human knowledge.
Humans have knowledge of good and evil. Why all mankind is stupid, devoid of knowledge ? Because people live and die in the world without God and without hope. The most wonderful and real knowledge is the knowledge of salvation. Those who have the wonderful and real knowledge of salvation are those who accept and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior, the Holy Spirit lives in them, and God has shone in their hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ, and they know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge .
CONCLUSION
False prophets throughout history have predicted many dates of the Second Coming, all false prophecies have not come true and will never come true. As the Bible prophecy predicts, human history is not progressing incrementally or inevitably toward righteousness and justice but rather increasingly wicked, conflict-ridden and desperate evil forces–a process that will soon culminate suddenly in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the slaughter of the Antichrist, followed by the Millennium, and finally the Devil, the Beast and the False Prophet will be thrown into the Lake of Fire (Hell) to be tortured forever and ever.
Dear reader, ALL SIGNS POINT TO THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST IS NEAR, IS IMMINENT.
This article is written so that you may know the Rapture of the Church is imminent and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ is very near, do you want to be saved?
No matter who you are and where you are, you can come now to repent and believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Will you do it now? Tomorrow may be too late!
ON September 3, 2025 for China to mark 80th anniversary of victory over Japanese aggression and fascism is a historical necessity and hard-earned victory. All foreigners who heroically sacrificed their lives for China in their fight against Japanese aggression must individually be commemorated and remembered, their relatives are eternal friends of China. I have never seen such a great parade before, the size and scope of it would overwhelm your mind; every aspect of it was systematically planned, every step of male and female soldiers was of uniform procedures, every military vehicle with all nuclear missiles and every war airplane in the sky well performed; the words such as grand, massive, superb, magnificent fail to describe the whole celebration. I wholeheartedly salute every Chinese military man and woman who participated. From 1931-1945, the brutal behavior of Japanese and its inhuman atrocities were worse than wild beasts and deserve ten atomic bombs in recompense. Even today Japanese government and leaders do not admit and repent of their war crimes, they worship executed war criminals as their national heroes and living gods. Japan never apologizes and pays compensation for killing 35 million Chinese, made hundreds of thousands sex slaves, millions of labor slaves and untold atrocities. Never again will China be oppressed. I am sure the militant Japan is deterred, but America is on the wrong side of history. Thank God it did not rain.
The mayors of Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and Chicago are for crooks and criminals, they must be dismissed and deported. All the facts point to the need, Ukraine must be destroyed and its leader executed in order to end the war. Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis are terrorists and the countries that harbor them must be destroyed all together.
Since Gaza, West Bank, etc. are the Jewish lands, Palestinians must evacuate from all Jewish lands and flee to Arab lands where they are safe to receive international aid and build a Palestinian state of their choice.
The leader of Ukraine is corrupt and evil. Ukrainians are stupid to follow the path of destruction. He was the one who instigated war with Russia. Now he asks for security guarantees. The nincompoop should be executed to end the war.
Palestinians, Africans, and others serve as example of peoples who want to eat and do not want to work. UN, WHO, EU, etc. champion their cause. Palestinians do not want evacuate from Gaza, Jewish lands to resettle in Arab lands. Because they will lose their status as refugees where they can get their food, fuel, water, medicine and everything for free from international community. These problems multiply with the passage of time.
UN, EU, GERMANY, UK, FRANCE, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZELAND, ETC. are strange and unreasonable peoples. Who is stopping Palestinians to build a Palestinian state in an Arab land? It is wrong and illegal to build a Palestinian state in Jewish land (Gaza, West Bank, etc.). That is the cause of conflict.
The fact that National Guards have to patrol Washington, D.C. with weapons speaks loudly and badly of the capital. The mayor of Washington, D.C. should be dismissed and deported. All the more urgent the national capital should move to Lincoln, Nebraska, without delay.
The mayor of Washington, D.C. bowed to the illegal acts of street people who set up tents on public streets. She should be dismissed and deported. The National Guards are empowered to trash the tents, clear the streets and vanish street people. Los Angeles is a disgraced city because the California Governor and Los Angeles mayor failed to solve the problems of street people who not only set up tents on public streets, but also urinate and defecate. All the more urgent for the national capital to move to Lincoln, Nebraska. In the face of national debt exceeding $37 trillion, the people can save money by abolishing the House, retain the unicameral legislation of Senate to move also to Lincoln Nebraska. All this can be accomplished legally by a national referendum. America is ruined by dark and evil forces.
Heroes of all races who sacrificed their lives for China in the war against Japanese aggression should be celebrated and remembered. The descendants of them are eternal friends of China. Descendants of American Flying Tiers whose forefathers had sacrificed their lives in the war against Japanese aggression and atrocities must always be honored and remembered. The Chinese government must treat them as eternal friends, and they are welcome to China anytime. Such blood bonds must be appreciated and maintained forever.
The world wrongly marks the anniversary of dropping atomic bomb on Hiroshima while neglecting the Japanese aggression and atrocities of killing 35 million innocent Chinese without remorse or reparations. UN over–appointed unqualified blacks and media have given too much coverage to unworthy black spoke-persons. It is amazing no matter how beautifully white organizations and individuals hail human rights, civil rights, democracy, development, technology, benefits, justice, etc., what they are actually after is MONEY. This can be said equally true about blacks.
Pet economy is wasted economy. Money should better be spent on nutrition and education of children and orphans. In cities all dogs must have annual license of Y5,000, cats Y4,000, and birds Y3,000. It is exempt for rural areas. If a dog defecates in public place, it shall be fined Y3,000 plus cleanup by owner or walker.
Global media highlight the number of Palestinians who have died, but fail to consider why Palestinian Authority and Palestinians do not want to evacuate from Jewish land and resettle in Arab land. Palestinians, men and women, young and old, are shameless beggars. They remain in Gaza to qualify for refugees so that they can get everything free from international community. The international community is ignorant of the fact that GAZA and related territories all belong to the Jews. Israel has every right to take back and take over Gaza and related territories. Palestinians must evacuate and relocate to Arab lands, make a living and establish its own Palestinian state without further delay.
French nincompoop Macron recognized Palestine as a state but failed to know that Palestine does not have territory and sovereignty. Leaders of UK, GERMANY, AUSTRLALIA would commit the same mistake by supporting terrorists. Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis are wicked terrorists, they should be destroyed without mercy. Leaders of Palestinian Authority are guilty for the death and malnutrition of children because they lead Palestinians to the path of destruction. They could have led Palestinians to lands of Arabs to earn a living and build their own Palestinian state. Palestinians (young & old, man & woman) are most shameless beggars for food & water, they don’t want to go to an Arab land to earn a living and build their own Palestinian state. Africa amid famine has the most fat people in the world, they are also shameless beggars. Ukrainians are shameless beggars for weapons, they do not have reason for existence. Harvard though the richest university in the world is a shameless beggar for US aid. Japan claims to practice democracy, its ruling party lost election miserably, yet its prime minister shamelessly wants to stay in power. The world must realize years of aid to Africa produced nothing, trillions of dollars went to black holes. Africa is corrupt, unmotivated and useless. Black leaders and politicians take advantage of it; dress well, eat well, and live a luxurious life style. Black problems can be solved only by Blacks. Let Africa alone to survive on its own. Blacks create most of the problems in the world, given too much coverage and platform in world media, over–appointed and given too many spokespersons and positions in UN. Any nation who shares destiny with Africa will be doomed. Nothing good comes out of Africa: primitive religion, superstition, spiritism, orgies, black magic, tribalism, voodooism.
If the Texas flooding is an act of God; Ukraine conflict, and conflicts of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthis must be acts of the devil.
India must coexist with China, at the same time India and South Africa must be expelled from BRICS besause they do not remain true to BRICS’ founding mission, they do not belong, must be replaced by Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. US and EU must not rearm Ukraine, let Russia destroy it, and never to be rebuilt. The leader of Ukraine must also be executed.
Palestinian Authorities are guilty for leading Palestinians to a path of death, children died and suffer malnutrition. Palestian Authorities do not lead Palestinians (who are Arabs) to a land of Arabs to work for a living and build the Palestinian state.
American forces have successfully wiped out three Iranian nuclear sites through B-2 bombers. The “everlasting consequence” is Iran cannot be a nuclear threat anymore. I stand with the overwhelming majority of Dutch people to demolish NATO — the war machine.
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It is wrong to ask what is God? For God is not a thing. It is also wrong to ask who is God? For God is not a man. Scientists do not know God and so avoid the subject of God. But God is not a subject. This article is written to let you know God is who God is. For God says, I AM WHO I AM. It is better at the outset to state that science is ignorant about God. God is beyond science. Science does not know anything about the spiritual, supernatural, invisible, absolute, ultimate and eternal. As far as philosophy is concerned, no philosopher would claim to be an expert in the spiritual, invisible, absolute, ultimate and eternal. Philosophers can speculate in many realities which cannot be verified. The Holy Bible says, Psa 14:1, “For the choir director. A Psalm of David. The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; There is no one who does good.” A fool does not know what he is saying when he has said in his heart, “There is no God.” It is like a blind man who says there is no sun because he cannot see it. The following historical account illustrates how a story can evolve beyond fact: Mat 28:11, “Now while they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. And when they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, and said, “You are to say, ‘ His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’ “And if this should come to the governor’s ears, we will win him over and keep you out of trouble. ” And they took the money and did as they had been instructed ; and this story was widely spread among the Jews, and is to this day. ” And so the real Resurrection of Jesus Christ was distorted by the soldiers who were paid a large sum of money to lie about the disciples of Jesus Christ came by night and stole the body away while they were asleep. For example, Western mass media are paid by Western powers and special interests to publish fake news, fake reports, fake views, false accusations, disinformation, etc. to target, tarnish, smear, and slander countries, peoples, individuals and corporations like Huawei that they don’t like or they view as national threats to them. No cathedral, no library, no monument, no science, no man, no angel, no organization, nothing can tell the whole story of God. Jesus Christ came into the world to reveal God the Father. The Word of God tells all the things about God. Note: When Jesus rose from the dead, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from Heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it, whose appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. The guards shook for fear of the angel and became like dead men. Some of the guards came into Jerusalem and reported to the chief priest all that had happened. The chief priests and the elders gave a large sum of money to the soldiers and told them what to say: The disciples of Jesus came by night and stole Him away while they were asleep. You know in ancient time what would happen to soldiers (the guards) who were asleep on their job? Execution. The chief priests and the elders guaranteed to win the governor over and keep them out of trouble. So the guards took the money and did as they had been instructed. Thus the fake story (a fictitious narrative) of Jesus’ disciples stealing His body away by night was widely spread among the Jews. Even today, a large sum of money can do many evil deeds. For trillions of dollars, executives of Washington, Wall Street, Hollywood, military-industrial-security complex, corrupt doctors and hospital owners, drug and insurance companies have done much evil in the world. Western mass media are paid agents of their governments to spread fake news, fake reports and fake views about other countries and peoples they do not like. Humanly speaking, I am not worthy to tell the Story of God, His Story. Because the secular academics and atheists blaspheme against the Almighty God of the universe and deny His existence, I am compelled to acknowledge the Incorruptible and Eternal God in a “story” in a true positive sense of narrative, in the Greek sense of logos, a narration of exact truth, and nothing but the truth–to glorify God. What is presented here is entirely based on the Word of God, not opinions of man. I pray that you may come to know God, or rather to be known by God. This is such as huge subject, but God is not a subject. This will be the greatest story, but God is not a story. I say all this beforehand, so that it will not be misunderstood. I am not worthy to tell the story of God, His Story. But I am trying to rightly present the Word of God in telling the story of God, the things about God. Since I use the Word of God to tell the Story of God, it cannot be wrong. The Scripture cannot be broken.
Deu 29:29, “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law. ” Note: There are three kinds of things: the secret things, the revealed things and the knowable things. Secret in Hebrew is cathar which means concealed; hidden; covered over; beyond general knowledge or understanding; mysterious; – which occurs 82 times in the Old Testament. The secret things belong to the Lord our God. What God has hidden, no man can find out. Revealed in Hebrew is galah which means uncovered; discovered; open; disclosed; appeared; manifested; made known through divine inspiration; plain; – which occurs 271 times in the Old Testament. The things God revealed to men are written in the Holy Bible through enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ came into the world to reveal God and the things pertaining to God. It does not mean man by nature knows automatically the revealed things. Unlike the secrets things which cannot be known, the revealed things can be known by man through faith. God revealed things to mankind which is written in the Holy Bible. The knowable things usually can be inquired by science, senses and research. Act 3:21, “whom Heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time. ” Note: This is a historical fact that God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time. 1Co 1:27-29 , “but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God. ”
Note: God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers claim to be wise. Shame in Greek is kataischynō which means to confound; to put to shame; to dishonor; to disgrace; to make ashamed; – which occurs 16 times in the New Testament. Base in Greek is agenēs which means low born; ignoble; low or inferior; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Nullify in Greek is katargeō which means to destroy; do away; abolish; cease; to render inoperative; to put an end to; to pass away; to terminate; to bring to nought; to make void; to vanish away; which occurs 38 times in the New Testament. Those who consider themselves wise and strong, the establishment – God can simply nullify them. Where are the great empires and mighty rulers now? Boast in Greek kauchaomai which means to glory; rejoice; to vaunt; to speak of oneself with excessive pride; to exalt oneself; – which occurs 39 times in the New Testament. What man can boast before God since he does not even know when he is going to die? The knowledge of a man cannot save him from death.
1Co 2:14 , “But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. ”
Note: Natural in Greek is psychikos which means sensual; of or belonging to breath; having the nature and characteristics of breath; the principal of animal life, which men have in common with the brutes; the sensuous nature with its subjection to appetite and passion; the lower and bestial nature; an earthly nature in harmony with the corrupt desires of flesh and lust; ungodly; formulated by human reason alone rather than revelation; – which occurs 6 times in the New Testament. Accept in Greek is dechomai which means to receive willingly; to take up; not to refuse; to give ear to; to learn; to embrace; – which occurs 56 times in the New Testament. For whatever they may claim to be, secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers are natural men who do not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to them, and they cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. Appraise in Greek anakrinō which means to examine; to judge; to search; to discern; to investigate; to scrutinize; to inquire into; to determine; to evaluate; – which occurs 19 times in the New Testament. The judgment of a natural man is faulty and fallible. The natural man is equipped with the wrong tools to appraise the spiritual things; like a man is using a telescope to examine diamonds, or using a microscope to study the stars. Here the mismatch is as vast as the earth, as high as the sky.
The word “God” occurs 4,458 times in the KJV.
I. THE ETERNAL SELF-EXISTENCE OF GO When a man walks on a sunny day in a plain and shouts where is the sun, he must be blind or worse. It is even more blasphemous, malicious and vicious for a creature to deny the existence of the Creator. Just as the shining sun is self-evident, so God the Almighty is Self-Evident eternally. When the Sun of Righteousness shines upon a man, his response is to bow down and worship to acknowledge the Light of life. Even a dog instinctively acknowledges and greets its master, but a natural man does not know God. Man’s ultimate concern toward God needs not to be religious, it must be pious. In comparison to all earthly and ordinary realities, God is absolutely and supremely real, valuable, eternal and wonderful that all worldly things appear empty, meaningless and vain. God is optimally so great, glorious, holy, perfect, marvelous, and righteous that nothing is comparable or conceivable. Therefore, it is absurd and ridiculous to argue or question the existence of God. Exo 3:13 -15, “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. ”
Note: Name in Hebrew is shem which means fame; reputation; glory; the Name (as designation of God); memorial; monument; a mark of memorial or individuality; the distinct designation of a person of thing; – which occurs 852 times in the Old Testament. ‘ I AM WHO I AM ” apparently implies ‘ GOD IS WHO GOD IS ’. GOD exists in Himself eternally and sufficiently. GOD IS, GOD WAS, AND GOD IS eternally the same. God’s existence does not depend on anyone or anything else. For GOD HAS LIFE IN HIMSELF , not contingent upon anyone or anything or circumstances. The Holy Bible does not exactly explain the meaning of “ I AM WHO I AM ’; for natural man cannot understand God. However, it is safe and sound to let the Bible interpret itself.
The name of God does not have a metaphysical meaning. To say the Name of God has a metaphysical meaning is to have a private interpretation. 1Co 2:13 , “which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.” Not many knows how to combine spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.
Christianity is the revealed religion of God, not a school of philosophy. No man has the right to speculate on what the Bible does not say. Anyone who pretends to know what he does not know is an impostor and a fool. I do not have issue with God’s Name. No one can take issue with the Name of God. We can only respect and revere the Name of God. Mal 3:6, “For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed. ” God does not change. No circumstances, no events, nothing can change God. In fact that ‘ I AM WHO I AM ’ is used constantly and eternally in the present confirms the Scripture, 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.” Thus, the Bible interprets itself.
No man can rightly say, “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul. ” Only the Eternal Self-Existent, Self-Sufficient Almighty God can say, ‘ I AM WHO I AM. ’ This is God’s memorial-name to all generations. Memorial in Hebrew is zeker which means remembrance; praise; commemoration; celebration; an object of honor; something to preserve remembrance; – which occurs 23 times in the Old Testament. The Chinese is guilty of calling God, “the Old Heavenly Father.” God is eternal, not old. For GOD IS WHO GOD IS. God exists, and God always exists. The existence of God is not defined or restricted by time and space or event. God is all our resources–God is able, God is faithful, God is present, God is holy, God is true, God is for us. As the Scripture says, Psa 9:10 , “And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, for You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.” I want you to know that I put my trust in God.
God has many names and titles written in the Bible. It is not God is there, God is also here, and God is everywhere. Nothing exists before or behind God.
It seems ‘ I AM WHO I AM’ of the Old Testament is the same ‘ I AM ’ of the New Testament. For Jesus says, Jhn 10:30, “I and the Father are One.” Jhn 8:58 , “ Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I AM.” Also, 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. ” Heb 13:8, “ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. ” And again, Jhn 10:30 , “ I and the Father are ONE. ” Jesus and God are ONE. God is ONE, there is no other. Jhn 17:22 , “The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are ONE .” The Holy Father, the Holy Son, and the Holy Spirit are ONE.
Jhn 14:11, “Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves.” Jesus speaks of the great mystery of God.
Job 11:7 , “Can you discover the depths of God? Can you discover the limits of the Almighty? ”
Note: Atheists avoid the two questions cited above by simply denying the existence of God. The truth is, no one can discover the depths of God. No one can discover the limits of the Almighty. For the Almighty God has no limits or limitations.
Psa 10:3-4 , “For the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire, And the greedy man curses and spurns the LORD. The wicked, in the haughtiness of his countenance, does not seek Him. All his thoughts are, “There is no God.”
Note: Wicked in Hebrew is rasha` which means ungodly; one hostile to God; bad person; unrighteous man; guilty person; evil man; – which occurs 293 times in the Old Testament. Boast in Hebrew is halal which means to glory; praise; shine; celebrate; make a show; rave; stultify; to praise oneself excessively; – which occurs 183 times in the Old Testament. The wicked boasts of his heart’s desire. To be greedy in Hebrew is batsa` which means to gain by unrighteous violence; to be covetous; to gain wrongfully or by violence; to plunder figuratively; to tear in pieces; to spoil; to get gain; to despoil others; – which occurs 24 times in the Old Testament. The greedy American doctors, hospital owners, drugs and medical suppliers, insurance companies plunder and bankrupt millions of patients. Curse in Hebrew is barak which means to blaspheme, to use impious words against God; – which occurs 332 times in the Old Testament. Spurn in Hebrew is na’ats which means to despise; to provoke; abhor; blaspheme; contemn; scorn; to deride; to reject with contempt and derision; to speak evil; – which occurs 24 times in the Old Testament. It is a well-known fact that secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers deny Jesus Christ is the Son of God, curse and spurn the Lord. Haughtiness in Hebrew is gobahh which means pride; loftiness; grandeur; elation; arrogance; – which occurs 16 times in the Old Testament. The wicked, in the haughtiness of his countenance, does not seek God. All his thoughts are, “There is no God.”
Psa 14:1, “For the choir director. A Psalm of David. The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; There is no one who does good. ”
Note: A fool who says there is no God is corrupt, abominable, and no good. Fool in Hebrew is nabal which means foolish man; vile person; senseless person; stupid man; impious person; a person lacking wisdom; – which occurs 20 times in the Old Testament. To corrupt in Hebrew is shachath which means to destroy; to go to ruin; decay; spoil; ruin; pervert; batter; cast off; mar; waste; degrade; rot; – which occurs 164 times in the Old Testament. The fool has said in his heart, not in his mind, “There is no God.” It is possible the fool may know there is God in his mind, but refuses to admit God in his heart because his deeds are evil. Abominable in Hebrew is ta`ab which means abhorrent; detestable; loathsome; – which occurs 27 times in the Old Testament. Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds in denying the divinity of Jesus Christ and existence of God. There is no one who does good.
Psa 68:33, “To Him who rides upon the highest Heavens, which are from ancient times; Behold, He speaks forth with His voice, a mighty voice. ”
Note: God speaks with a mighty voice through His creation, through His prophets and holy men, and finally through His Son Jesus Christ.
Pro 8:23 , “From everlasting I was established, From the beginning, from the earliest times of the earth. ”
Note: God is from everlasting to everlasting. God is.
Isa 46:10, “Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘ My purpose will be established , And I will accomplish all My good pleasure.”
Note: God knows the end from the beginning, for that reason God can declare the end from the beginning. Purpose in Hebrew is `etsah which means counsel, advice, purpose; plan; prudence; intention or aim; determination; resolution; – which occurs 88 times in the New Testament. Establish in Hebrew is quwm which means to accomplish; stand up; perform; rise up; confirm; abide; endure; persist; to fulfill; to set up; to carry out; to make good; to bring into existence; to succeed; – which occurs 630 times in the Old Testament. Accomplish in Hebrew is `asah which means to do; execute; make; to act with effect; to come to pass; to complete; – which occurs 2,642 times in the Old Testament. God will establish His purpose. God does whatever He pleases. God will accomplish His good pleasure. No one can withstand, defy or thwart God.
Mat 5:36 , “Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. ”
Note: I often wonder why secular academics and atheists are so arrogant. They cannot even make one hair white or black. Liars can dye their hair!
Mat 6:27 , “And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? ”
Note: No matter who he is, rich and powerful, he cannot add a single hour to his life.
Jhn 6:64 , “But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. ”
Note: Jesus Christ had two natures, divine and human. Due to His human nature, Jesus was hungry or thirsty. But because of His divinity, Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. Consequently, Jhn 2:24-25, “But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man. ” Entrust in Greek is pisteuō which means to put in trust with; to commit to one’s trust; to believe; to put confidence in; to have faith in; to trust; to confer a trust on; – which occurs 244 times in the New Testament. Jesus knew all men and so He was not entrusting Himself to them. Jesus knew what was in man. There is nothing good dwells in man, that is in his flesh. Men may outwardly appear righteous, inside they are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness, uncleanness and self-indulgence. The Almighty God does not depend on anyone or anything. God is eternally Self-Sufficient.
Rom 1:19-22, “because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools.”
Note: Evident in Greek is phaneros which means manifest openly; apparent; plainly recognized or known; clear to the vision or understanding; obvious; easily seen or understood; – which occurs 20 times in the New Testament. The Bible claims that which is known about God is evident within them, for God made it evident to them. God is invisible. Through creation of the world God’s invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, can be clearly seen without excuse. God can be understood by the things He has created. Without excuse in Greek is anapologētos which means without defense; inexcusable; that which cannot defended; indefensible; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament. Thus, secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers did not honor God, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened by the smoke of the Bottomless Pit and blinded by the Devil. Professing to be wise, they became fools who said in their heart, there is no God.
1Co 1:20 , “ Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ”
Note: God has made foolish the wisdom of the world. Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers represent the wisdom of the world. American and European white supremacists represent the world.
Heb 1:3 , “He reflects the Glory of God and bears the very stamp of His nature, upholding the universe by His Word of power. When He had made purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”
Note: It is Jesus Christ who is the Glory of God, upholding the universe by His Word of power, not by gravity. By the way, do scientists know who created gravity? Of course, they may say again, Big Bang!!!
Rev 21:6 , “Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. ”
Note: The attitudes of man do not determine or measure the attributes of God. Whatever a man thinks of God does not influence who God is one bit. Ultimate concern of God is not influenced by whatever form a or any religious community may take toward God. Christianity requires complete obedience of believers or followers to the will of God, and at the same time grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ in conforming to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. Whatever the conception or conviction of a religious community does not alter or affect how God is to be worshiped. Jesus Christ says, Jhn 4:24 , “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” Apparently, the Roman Catholic Church wrongfully determines the form how its followers worship God. In the Christian Church, Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, has the absolute highest authority. The Holy Bible, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, has authority over any church or man.
The highest regard of divine reality in the Christian faith is personal. Christianity is the personal relations of Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior, with His believers and followers. Jesus Christ is my Lord and my God. Jhn 7:38, “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.” Jhn 11:25, “ Jesus said to her, “I AM the Resurrection and the Life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies. ” Jhn 12:44, “And Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, does not believe in Me but in Him who sent Me. ” Jhn 14:11, “Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves.” Jhn 14:20 , “In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. ” Jesus Christ is in God the Father, Christians are in Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ is in Christians. This is a great mystery.
Exo 15:2 , “The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; This is my God , and I will praise Him; My father’s God, and I will extol Him. ”
All Christians from the beginning to the end of the world believe God is Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient, and all good and holy and righteous. There are no disagreements over the divine attributes.
Job 28:24 , “For He looks to the ends of the Earth And sees everything under the Heavens. ”
Note: There is nothing that blocks the vision of God. God looks to the ends of the Earth and sees everything under the Heavens. Nothing is hidden from God. White and black supremacists, you cannot escape the sovereignty and judgement of God.
Rev 19:6 , “And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!”
Note: God is Omnipotent. Omnipotent in Greek is pantokratōr which means Almighty; the all-ruling; the ruler of all; He who hold sways over all things; the absolute and universal sovereign; – which occurs 10 times in the New Testament. Luk 1:37 , “For nothing will be impossible with God .” Mar 10:27 , “Looking at them, Jesus said, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.” God is able and capable; nothing is impossible with God.
God is Omnipresent. Omnipresent is the idea that God is present everywhere. God’s omnipresence is closely related to His omnipotence and omniscience. Psa 139:8, “If I ascend to Heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. ” Mat 18:20, “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst. ” Mat 28:20, “teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world.” Isa 66:1 , “Thus says the LORD, “Heaven is My throne and the Earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest? ” 1Ki 8:27, “But will God indeed dwell on the Earth? Behold, Heaven and the highest Heaven cannot contain You, how much less this house which I have built!” Psa 8:1 , “For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by a stringed instrument. O LORD, our Lord, Your majestic name fills the Earth! Your glory is higher than the Heavens. ”
God is Omniscient means God eternally and perfectly and totally knows all things, past, present and future. This includes God’s foreknowledge. Luk 16:15 , “And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God. ” Psa 44:21 , “ Would not God find this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart. ” 2Ti 2:19, “Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.” 1Jo 3:20, “in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things. ”
Job 11:7-8 , “Can you discover the depths of God? Can you discover the limits of the Almighty? They are high as the Heavens, what can you do? Deeper than Sheol, what can you know?”
Note: God the Almighty has no limits, no limits in anything or everything. God has no limits in wisdom, knowledge, or power. Do not try the patience of God. Why?
Rom 2:4 , “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? ”
Note: Kindness in Greek is chrēstotēs which means goodness; gentleness; integrity; moral excellence; benignity; – which occurs 10 times in the New Testament. Tolerance in Greek is anochē which means forbearance; toleration; self-restraint; endurance; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Patience in Greek is makrothymia which means long-suffering; steadfastness; longanimity; forbearance; – which occurs 14 times in the New Testament. Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers, do you know that kindness of God is to lead you to repentance?
Rom 9:22 , “What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? ”
Note: Unless the wicked and unbelievers repent, they are vessels of wrath prepared for destruction.
1Pe 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: The Deluge (Noah’s Flood) is the greatest historical example of the patience of God, for only eight persons were saved.
II. THE CREATION OF GOD The creation of God manifests especially the WISDOM of God. Behind the creation there must be the Creator.
Gen 1:1 , “In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth. ”
This is the origin of the universe. God created. It did not come by big bang or small bang.
Note: Beginning in Hebrew is re’shiyth which means the first in place and time; the point at which something starts; – which occurs 58 times in the Old Testament. In the beginning means before time and space. Create in Hebrew is bara’ which means to make; shape; form; fashion; produce; to create always with God as the subject; to bring into existence; – which occurs 57 times in the Old Testament. Only God creates, man makes. Heavens in Hebrew is shamayim which means the universe; Heaven (as the abode of God and angels); where the celestial bodies revolve; the infinite expanse of space; cosmos; – which occurs 418 times in the Old Testament. Only recently scientists discovered the expanding universe which was revealed in the Bible long time ago. Isa 42:5, “Thus says God the LORD, Who created the Heavens and stretched them out, Who spread out the Earth and its offspring, Who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it.” The beginning refers to the beginning of the physical universe. Jhn 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ” Beginning in Greek is archē which means the first; origin; the active first cause; used absolutely, of the beginning of all things; – which occurs 57 times in the New Testament. There were two beginnings: Gen 1:1 speaks of the beginning of the physical universe, before time and space. Jhn 1:1 speaks of the beginning of God, who is before the physical universe, before all things, everything or anything. For God has no beginning, Self-Existent, from everlasting to everlasting.
Gen 1:16 , “God made the two great lights, the greater light to govern the day, and the lesser light to govern the night; He made the stars also. ”
Note: God made Sun and Moon, Earth and the stars. Do you know how much all this involves? The Sun is the the center of the Solar System. It is the most important source of energy for life on Earth. The Sun is 330,000 times larger than the Earth. Have you ever thought if the distance of the Sun is a little closer to the Earth, the Earth will be burned up? Or if the Sun is little farther away from the Earth, the Earth will be frozen to death? Now do you think this is just a coincidence, or the exact design of God the Creator. If God by mistake created the Earth first without the Sun, do you imagine what would be the consequences to the Earth? What an Earth would be without the Sun, Moon and Stars? No, God cannot and does not make mistake. Just a glance of the Universe, no one can dismiss the intelligent design of the Universe. Not long ago, scientists thought there were several thousand stars in the universe. Of course with the help of strong infrared space telescopes they now realize the stars are too many to be counted. Yet about 2000 B.C. God revealed to Abraham: Gen 15:5, “And He took him outside and said, “Now look toward the Heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them .” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” Gen 22:17, “indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the Heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. ”
Gen 1:21 , “God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind; and God saw that it was good. ”
Gen 1:24-25, “Then God said, “Let the Earth bring forth living creatures after their kind: cattle and creeping things and beasts of the Earth after their kind”; and it was so. God made the beasts of the Earth after their kind, and the cattle after their kind, and everything that creeps on the ground after its kind; and God saw that it was good. ”
Note: Kind in Hebrew is miyn which means sort; species; a specific kind; a class of thing; a set of animals or plants; – which occurs 31 times in the Old Testament. God creates living creatures after their own species. God created cattle and creeping things and beasts after their species. God created animals after their own species. Each species does not evolve into another species. If you are a dog, you will always be a dog. If you are a sheep, you will not turn into a goat. If you are a monkey, for thousands of years you will not evolve into a man. A monkey has monkey’s blood, a human has human blood. No matter how long a monkey does not and cannot evolve into a man. A man may degenerate morally into a monkey.
Gen 1:28 , “God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the Earth.”
Note: No one knows exactly how many animals, fish and birds, and plants on Earth. Scientists estimate insects the most diverse group of animals, 6-10 million species; 8.7 million species of animals; 33,100 species of fish; 9,000-10,000 species of birds; and 391,000 plants. By the way, these are only estimates, not exact knowledge.
Gen 2:4 , “This is the account of the Heavens and the Earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made Earth and Heaven. ”
Gen 1:7 , “God made the expanse, and separated the waters which were below the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse; and it was so. ”
Gen 1:16 , “God made the two great lights, the greater light to govern the day, and the lesser light to govern the night; He made the stars also. ”
Gen 1:25 , “God made the beasts of the Earth after their kind, and the cattle after their kind, and everything that creeps on the ground after its kind; and God saw that it was good. ”
Gen 1:31 , “God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. ”
Gen 2:4 , “This is the account of the Heavens and the Earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made Earth and Heaven. ”
Gen 2:9, “Out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. ”
Note: No secular academics or scientists can cause trees to grow.
Psa 24:1-2, “A Psalm of David. The Earth is the LORD’S, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it. For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. ”
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! ”
Note: The wisdom and knowledge of God is unlike the wisdom and knowledge of man. Unsearchable in Greek is anexeraunētos which means that cannot be searched out; inscrutable; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. Judgment in Greek is krima which means a decree; formal decision; sentence; condemnation; – which occurs 29 times in the New Testament. The judgments of God are unsearchable, this is where science cannot go. Unfathomable in Greek is anexichniastos which means past finding out; unsearchable; that cannot be searched out; that cannot be comprehended; that cannot be tracked out; untraceable; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Science cannot reach the unfathomable. Way in Greek is hodos which means a road; metaphorically a course of conduct; a course of action; a mode or means; the way in which one walks; manner of thinking, feeling and deciding; – which occurs 100 times in the New Testament. The ways of God are unfathomable, this is where science cannot enter.
Eph 4:10 , “He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the Heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) ”
Note: Our Lord and Redeemer is greater than the whole universe because He fills the whole universe.
1Ti 4:4 , “For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude.”
Heb 11:3, “By faith we understand that the universe was created by the Word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible. ”
Note: Science can deal only with things seen or visible, even that poorly. No scientist can research on the invisible.
Rev 4:11 , “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: The creation not only manifested the Wisdom of God, it is also because of the Will of God they existed and were created.
Rom 4:17, “That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.” This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing. ”
Note: This is the difference between create and make. God creates new things out of nothing. Man makes things out of some things.
Heb 1:7 , “And of the angels He says, “WHO MAKES HIS ANGELS WINDS, AND HIS MINISTERS A FLAME OF FIRE. ”
Note: This is beyond science. God makes His angels winds, and His ministers a flame of fire.
1Ki 10:22 , “For the king had merchant ships at sea with the fleet of Hiram. Once every three years the merchant ships came bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and monkeys. ”
Note: In the time of King Solomon, he had merchant ships at sea with the fleet of Hiram. Once every three years the merchant ships came bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and monkeys. Even then apes were different from monkeys. Monkeys have tails and are smaller than apes. Apes are bigger than monkeys and do not have tails. Apes remain apes, and monkeys remain monkeys.
Gen 5:1 , “This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day when God created man, He made him in the likeness of God. ”
Gen 1:27 , “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. ”
Note: Create in Hebrew is bara’ which means to make; shape; form; fashion; to create (always with God as subject); to carve out; to produce; to bring into existence; – which occurs 57 times in the Old Testament. Man in Hebrew is adam which means Adam; human being; mankind; person; the human race; – which occurs 556 times in the Old Testament. Image in Hebrew is tselem which means likeness; resemblance; illusion; resemblance; a representative figure; – which occurs 16 times in the Old Testament. What is the image of God? There have been many speculations. The image of God does not consist of two eyes, two ears, one nose and one mouth. God is Spirit, not flesh and blood. Eph 4:24 , “and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. ” The image of God and the likeness of God mean the same thing. As it is written, I believe the image of God consists of righteousness, holiness and truth. Righteousness in Greek is dikaiosynē which means the condition or state acceptable to God; integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting; justice and virtue; equity; the state of one ought to be; uprightness; moral correctness; – which occurs 91 times in the New Testament. Holiness in Greek is hosiotēs which means piety towards God; fidelity; purity; veracity; the quality of being holy; sanctification; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Truth in Greek is alētheia which means verity; what is true in any matter under consideration; in reality; in fact; truth as personal excellence; truth as taught in the Christian faith; – which occurs 110 times in the New Testament. The more we possess righteousness, holiness, and truth the more we are like God.
God did not create any animal in His own image. God only created man in His own image.
Act 17:26 , “And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the Earth, and has determined their pre-appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings .”
Note: Blood in Greek is haima which means blood whether of men or animals; the red fluid that circulates in the body of man or animal; – which occurs 99 times in the New Testament. The word hematology is derived from the Greek word. The blood of animal is different from the blood of man. A monkey’s blood is different from a human blood. Human blood is the same even among the races. Humans have four different blood types: A, B, AB and O. God has made from one blood every nation of men to live on the face of the Earth.
Gen 2:3 , “Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. ”
Exo 20:11 , “For in six days the LORD made the Heavens and the Earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. ”
Note: Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers have problem in the fact that God created the universe and man in six days; because they do not know God or the power of God. I would not have any problem that the Omnipotent, Omnipresent and Omniscient God created the universe and mankind in six hours or less. I have big problem though to believe the universe was created by big bang or man was evolved from lower species in billions of years. I have big problem to believe the creation exists without the Creator, or the universe without design.
Deu 4:32 , “Indeed, ask now concerning the former days which were before you, since the day that God created man on the Earth, and inquire from one end of the Heavens to the other. Has anything been done like this great thing, or has anything been heard like it?”
Note: Do scientists know how many miles from one end of the Heavens to the other? The limits of science and the limits of human knowledge become so apparent.
Job 22:12 , “Is not God in the height of Heaven? Look also at the distant stars, how high they are! ”
Note: The height of Heaven is beyond the bounds of space and time, beyond the range and sphere where scientists can explore.
Job 26:7 , “He stretches out the north over empty space And hangs the earth on nothing. ”
Note: This is a most scientifically accurate statement. Some 3,400 years ago Job knew by inspiration that the Earth is hanging on nothing. Space is empty place, nothing.
Job 37:5 , “God thunders with His voice wondrously, Doing great things which we cannot comprehend. ”
Note: Do scientists comprehend what great things God is doing when He thunders with His voice wondrously?
Psa 135:7 , “He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; Who makes lightnings for the rain , Who brings forth the wind from His treasuries. ”
Note: God causes many things to happen beyond science can understand. God causes vapors to ascend. God makes lightnings for the rain is a scientific fact. No scientist knows where are God’s treasuries of the wind. No man can bring the wind from God’s treasuries.
Pro 3:19-20, “ The LORD by wisdom founded the Earth, by understanding He established the Heavens. By His knowledge the deeps were broken up and the skies drip with dew. ”
Isa 40:21-22, “Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been declared to you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the Earth? It is He who sits above the circle of the Earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the Heavens like a curtain And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. ”
Note: Significantly 8 th century B.C. the Prophet Isaiah by inspiration already knew the earth was round.
Isa 40:28 , “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the Earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. ”
Note: Everlasting in Hebrew is `owlam which means perpetual; ancient; eternal; always; evermore; for ever; continuous existence; unending future; lasting forever; world without end; enduring through all time; continuing indefinitely; – which occurs 448 times in the Old Testament. God in Hebrew is ‘elohiym which means the true God; the Supreme God; the Mighty One; – which occurs 2,606 times in the Old Testament. Lord in Hebrew is Yĕhovah which means Jehovah; Jehovah = “the Existing One”; God; the Self-Existent God; the Lord; the Immutable; – which occurs 6,825 times in the Old Testament. Creator in Hebrew is bara ‘ which means the One who creates always with God as the subject; – which occurs 57 times in the Old Testament. To be weary in Hebrew is ya`aph which means to be fatigued; to tire; to faint; to be tired; – which occurs 17 times in the Old Testament. To be tired in Hebrew is yaga` which means to be fainted; to be exhausted; to be wearisome; – which occurs 28 times in the Old Testament. Inscrutable in Hebrew is cheqer which means cannot be searched out; cannot be finding out; that which is not known by investigation; very difficult to understand; mysterious; – which occurs 14 times in the Old Testament. Do you know and have you heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the Earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable.
Isa 44:24 , “Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, and the One who formed you from the womb , “I, the LORD, am the Maker of all things, Stretching out the Heavens by Myself And spreading out the Earth all alone .”
Note: By revelation the Prophet Isaiah (who lived 700 years B.C.) knew that God was stretching out the Universe. The expanding universe was only recently discovered by scientists.
Amo 4:13 , “For behold, He who forms mountains and creates the wind And declares to man what are His thoughts, He who makes dawn into darkness And treads on the high places of the Earth, The LORD God of hosts is His name. ”
Note: God forms mountains and creates the wind. There are wicked people who try to make the wind a weapon. They fail because the winds are messengers of God, not man.
Mat 19:4-5, “And He (Jesus) answered and said, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE, and said, ‘FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH’? ”
Note: Know this, Jesus Christ validates the creation of Adam and Eve by direct act of God and the authenticity of the Old Testament as the Word of God. An American president who advertises himself as a “born again” Christian but he is also an evolutionist. You cannot claim to be a Christian and an evolutionist at the same time. An evolutionist can be converted to become a Christian, a Christian can never become an evolutionist. All Christians believe God created men and all things.
Col 1:16 , “For by Him all things were created, both in the Heavens and on Earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.”
Note: For thousands of years, scientists and philosophers can study only things on Earth even poorly, hardly things in the Heavens, only the visible, and never the invisible. Scientific inquiry is restricted to the nature only. The supernatural and the spiritual are beyond the realm and capacity of secular academics. The finite can never know the infinite.
Rev 5:13 , “And every created thing which is in Heaven and on the Earth and under the Earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever .”
Job 38:4 , “ Where were you when I laid the foundation of the Earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.”
Something most upsetting about so-called scientists who claim to know things billions and billions ago. Where were they? How can you tell something long ago when you were not there?
Heb 1:10-12, “And, “YOU, LORD, IN THE BEGINNING LAID THE FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH, AND THE HEAVENS ARE THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS; THEY WILL PERISH, BUT YOU REMAIN; AND THEY ALL WILL BECOME OLD LIKE A GARMENT, AND LIKE A MANTLE YOU WILL ROLL THEM UP; LIKE A GARMENT THEY WILL ALSO BE CHANGED. BUT YOU ARE THE SAME, AND YOUR YEARS WILL NOT COME TO AN END.”
2Sa 22:11, “And He rode on a cherub and flew; And He appeared on the wings of the wind. ”
Note: Cherub in Hebrew is kĕruwb which means cherubim; an order of angelic being who has wings who is near to God and ministers to Him; – which occurs 90 times in the Old Testament. Can any scientist ride on a cherub and fly, or to appear on the wings of the wind?
1Ki 19:11, “So He said, “Go forth and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD was passing by! And a great and strong wind was rending the mountains and breaking in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake . ”
Note: This Scripture points Pantheism is wrong. No man should worship the nature, or things created. The Lord was not in the wind. The Lord was not in the earthquake.
Psa 78:26 , “He caused the east wind to blow in the Heavens And by His power He directed the south wind. ”
Note: No scientist or any man ever caused the east wind to blow in the Heavens and directed the south wind.
Psa 104:3 , “He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters; He makes the clouds His chariot; He walks upon the wings of the wind. ”
Note: No scientist or any man ever makes the clouds his chariot, or walks upon the wings of the wind.
Psa 148:8 , “Fire and hail, snow and clouds; Stormy wind, fulfilling His Word.”
Note: No man ever commands fire and hail, snow and clouds and stormy wind.
Pro 30:4, “Who has ascended into Heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has wrapped the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the Earth? What is His name or His son’s name? Surely you know! ”
Note: Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers surely do not know the questions cited above.
Ecc 11:5 , “Just as you do not know the path of the wind and how bones are formed in the womb of the pregnant woman, so you do not know the activity of God who makes all things.”
Note: Weather radar and satellite photos are tools to track the path of the incoming hurricane. I do not know whether scientists know the path of the wind without instrument or equipment. Does anyone know how bones are formed in the womb of the pregnant woman? So secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers do not know the activity of God who makes all things. The activity of God is a great mystery to mankind.
Jer 10:13 , “When He utters His voice, there is a tumult of waters in the Heavens, and He causes the clouds to ascend from the end of the Earth; He makes lightning for the rain, and brings out the wind from His storehouses. ”
Note: Can anyone bring out the wind from God’s storehouses? Do you know where are God’s storehouses?
Jhn 3:8, “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Note: No man knows where the wind comes from and where it is going.
Job 36:29-30, “Can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds, The thundering of His pavilion? Behold, He spreads His lightning about Him, and He covers the depths of the sea. ”
Job 38:16-20, “Have you entered into the springs of the sea or walked in the recesses of the deep? Have the gates of death been revealed to you, Or have you seen the gates of deep darkness? Have you understood the expanse of the earth? Tell Me, if you know all this. Where is the way to the dwelling of light ? And darkness, where is its place, that you may take it to its territory and that you may discern the paths to its home?”
Note: Does anyone know all this cited above?
Job 38:22 , “Have you entered the storehouses of the snow , Or have you seen the storehouses of the hail ?”
Job 41:31 , “He makes the depths boil like a pot; He makes the sea like a jar of ointment. ”
Ecc 1:7 , “All the rivers flow into the sea, Yet the sea is not full. To the place where the rivers flow, There they flow again. ”
Jer 31:35 , “Thus says the LORD, Who gives the sun for light by day And the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar; The LORD of hosts is His name.”
Note: Can anyone answer the questions raised above?
Mar 4:41, “They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”
Note: Jesus Christ is the Creator and Lord of the universe, so even the wind and the sea obey Him.
Psa 147:4-5, “He counts the number of the stars; He gives names to all of them. Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite. ”
Gen 15:5 , “And He took him outside and said, “Now look toward the Heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them. ” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.”
Job 36:29 , “Can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds, The thundering of His pavilion? ”
Job 37:14-16 , “Listen to this, O Job, Stand and consider the wonders of God. Do you know how God establishes them, and makes the lightning of His cloud to shine? Do you know about the layers of the thick clouds, The wonders of one perfect in knowledge .”
No doubt, the universe and the Heavens are the wonders of God. Can anyone answer the questions cited above?
Job 38:31-38, “Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades, Or loose the cords of Orion? Can you lead forth a constellation in its season, and guide the Bear with her satellites? Do you know the ordinances of the Heavens, or fix their rule over the earth? Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, so that an abundance of water will cover you? Can you send forth lightnings that they may go and say to you, ‘Here we are’?“ Who has put wisdom in the innermost being or given understanding to the mind? Who can count the clouds by wisdom, or tip the water jars of the Heavens, when the dust hardens into a mass and the clods stick together? ”
Note: Pleiades in Hebrew is Kiymah which means a constellation of seven stars; a group of stars that is one of the nearest to Earth – which occurs 3 times in the Old Testament. Orion in Hebrew is Kĕciyl which means the name of a star or constellation; – which occurs 4 times in the Old Testament. Bear in Hebrew is ` Ayish which means Arcturus; a very bright Northern constellation; a giant fixed star; – which occurs 2 times in the Old Testament. The ordinances of the Heavens refer to the physical laws of the Heavens. Who knows them?
Psa 104:3-4, “He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters; He makes the clouds His chariot; He walks upon the wings of the wind; He makes the winds His messengers, flaming fire His ministers. ”
Rom 11:33-36, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways ! For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. ”
Isa 42:5 , “Thus says God the LORD, Who created the Heavens and stretched them out, Who spread out the earth and its offspring, Who gives breath to the people on it And spirit to those who walk in it.”
Isa 45:18 , “ For thus says the LORD, who created the Heavens (He is the God who formed the Earth and made it, He established it and did not create it a waste place, but formed it to be inhabited), “I am the LORD, and there is none else. ”
Eph 3:9 , “and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things . ”
Note: No scientists know the mystery hidden in God. God is beyond the realm of science.
III. THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD The sovereignty of God manifests especially the POWER and Wisdom of God. The sovereign power of God historically is used to protect His children from calamity, to provide means to meet the needs of God’s people, to prevent bad things from happening or to punish the wicked or evildoers.
The concept of the sovereignty of God must be viewed in terms of the omnipotence, omnipresence, and omniscience of God coupled in the framework of His will and the providence of God.
Exo 15:18 , “The LORD shall reign forever and ever .”
Note: Reign in Hebrew is malak which means to rule; to induct into royalty; to be king; to govern; to exercise sovereign power; to exercise authority as a monarch; to rule a country; – which occurs 520 times in the Old Testament. The Lord shall reign forever and ever.
Psa 77:14 , “You are the God who works wonders; You have made known Your strength among the peoples. ”
Note: Wonder in Hebrew is pele’ which means marvel; extraordinary and hard to understand thing; miracle; something wonderful and admirable; something awesome and mysterious; – which occurs 12 times in the Old Testament. Scientists do not even know how many wonders God works in nature, not to say the supernatural. Strength in Hebrew is `oz which means power; might; security; majesty; praise; splendor; glory; – which occurs 93 times in the Old Testament. Christian peoples know something about the power and strength of God. Unbelievers do not know God or His power and glory.
Psa 103:19 , “The LORD has established His throne in the Heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all. ”
Note: Sovereignty in Hebrew is malkuwth which means reign; empire; realm; royalty; royal power; supreme power; sovereign power over a country; royal dominion; kingdom; the power of authority to rule; – which occurs 92 times in the Old Testament. Rule in Hebrew is mashal which means to reign; to govern; to have dominion; to exercise authority or power; – which occurs 84 times in the Old Testament. God’s sovereign power is not over a country, over a sphere, or over a people. The sovereignty of God rules over all, the whole universe.
As a comparison in the much lower level, American leaders and politicians proudly promulgate so-called democracy, but they do not believe or practice the sovereignty of American citizens. So the US CONSTITUTION does not vest the national sovereignty with the American people. There is no practice of national referendum to determine and decide the most important issues and matters of the country. For that reason American leaders and politicians execute America as an empire even though the vast majority of American citizens do not want wars of aggression or interference in the affairs of other nations. They do not respect the will and wishes of American citizens. For this reason, American democracy is not true democracy.
Dan 4:35 , “All the inhabitants of the Earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of Heaven And among the inhabitants of Earth; And no one can ward off His hand Or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’ ”
Note: Nothing is la’ (Aramaic) which means no; none; without; not anything; no thing; – which occurs 24 times in the Old Testament. In comparison to the Almighty God, the inhabitants of the earth (including secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers) are accounted as nothing. This kills the ego of atheists to count them as nothing.
Deu 4:39 , “Know therefore today, and take it to your heart, that the LORD, He is God in Heaven above and on the Earth below; there is no other. ”
Note: Unbelievers and atheists, know therefore today, and take it to your heart, that the Lord, He is God in Heaven above and on the Earth below, there is no other. In time of death, you will know too late.
1Ch 29:11-12, “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the Heavens and the Earth; Yours is the dominion, O LORD, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone. ”
Job 9:10 , “Who does great things, unfathomable, And wondrous works without number. ”
Note: The great things God does are unfathomable, and the wondrous works are without number.
Job 9:12, “Were He to snatch away, who could restrain Him? Who could say to Him, ‘What are You doing?’
Psa 29:10 , “The LORD sat as King at the flood; Yes, the LORD sits as King forever. ”
Note: The Lord sat as King at the flood means nothing disturbs God. The Lord sits as King forever means the Lord reigns and rules forever. Can any white supremacist dictator sit at flood or snow storm?
Psa 83:18 , “That they may know that You alone, whose name is the LORD, Are the Most High over all the earth. ”
Psa 93:1, “The LORD reigns, He is clothed with majesty; The LORD has clothed and girded Himself with strength; Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved. ”
Psa 135:5-6, “For I know that the LORD is great And that our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the LORD pleases, He does, in Heaven and in Earth, in the seas and in all deeps. ”
Note: Let all the peoples in the world know this, especially the atheists and unbelievers, Whatever the Lord pleases, He does, in Heaven and in Earth.
Isa 66:1, “Thus says the LORD, “Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest? ”
Dan 2:47 , “The king answered Daniel and said, “Surely your God is a God of gods and a Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, since you have been able to reveal this mystery.”
Mat 6:13 , “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”
Note: The Kingdom, and the power, and the glory belong to the Lord Almighty forever. God is able to deliver His children from evil.
Act 17:24-25, “The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of Heaven and Earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things .”
Note: God is the Lord of Heaven and Earth. God does not need anything or anyone. God is eternally Self-Sufficient. He gives to all people life and breath and all things.
Rom 9:19, “You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?”
Note: Because GOD IS WHO GOD IS, His sovereignty is absolute and ultimate and eternal. No one and nothing can resist the will of God.
It is meaningless to say God has the right to rule the universe. That is neither an issue nor a question. Who is to challenge the right of God? Supreme power belongs to God. Some notion that God has to pledge allegiance to someone or something is absolutely stupid, even if it is not blasphemous. Therefore, to understand the concept of the Sovereignty of God, it must be viewed in the overall framework of God’s omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence, coupled with the Will of God and Divine Providence that God does whatever He pleases. God does not please anyone or anything. God does as He pleases.
The concept of God’s sovereignty must include the omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence of God within the Will of God and the providence of God.
The sovereignty of God can be defined as the Lord God rules over all, over all mankind, nature, kingdoms, all things in Heavens or on Earth, visible and invisible, forever. God’s sovereignty manifests in the control of men or mankind, control of events, control of kingdoms, control of nature, control of events or whatever comes to pass, and control of the whole universe (Heavens and Earth). All things and everything are in the hands of God.
Psa 45:6 , “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your Kingdom. ”
Note: God’s throne is forever and ever. God’s sovereignty is forever and ever. A scepter of uprightness is the scepter of God’s Kingdom.
(A.) God rules over the Universe Psa 59:13 , “Destroy them in wrath, destroy them that they may be no more; that men may know that God rules in Jacob To the ends of the earth. Selah. ”
Ecc 11:5 , “Just as you do not know the path of the wind and how bones are formed in the womb of the pregnant woman, so you do not know the activity of God who makes all things. ”
Note: Man includes secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers do not know many things. For whatever they claim to know, they do not even know a little thing such as when they are going to die. Much less they do not know the activity of God who makes all things.
Amo 4:13 , “For behold, He who forms mountains and creates the wind And declares to man what are His thoughts, He who makes dawn into darkness And treads on the high places of the earth, The LORD God of hosts is His name. ”
2Ki 19:15, “Hezekiah prayed before the LORD and said, “O LORD, the God of Israel, who are enthroned above the cherubim, You are the God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made Heaven and Earth. ”
(B.) God rules over the nations.
Psa 47:8 , “God reigns over the nations , God sits on His holy throne. ”
Not even the sole superpower can escape the rule and control of God. ASK American leaders and politicians, why after spending trillions of dollars and over 20 years, they could not win the war in Afghanistan, and run away in defeat and disgrace?
Note: Reign in Hebrew is malak which means to be king; to rule over; to ascend the throne; to induct into royalty; to exercise authority as monarch; – which occurs 520 times in the Old Testament. Nation in Hebrew is gowy which means state; country; people; the nations besides Israel; – which occurs 561 times in the Old Testament. Throne in Hebrew is kicce’ which means seat of honor; figuratively royal dignity, authority, power; sovereignty; – which occurs 136 times in the Old Testament. No throne is like God’s throne because it is holy. Holy in Hebrew is qodesh which means hallowed; consecrated; sacred; divine; perfect in goodness and righteousness; – which occurs 519 times in the Old Testament. God rules over the nations, let all world leaders beware. Western and American powers have dictated and dominated the world for the last 500 years, God can destroy super powers in a day!
Deu 11:12 , “a land that the LORD your God cares for. He watches over it through each season of the year! ”
Note: The State of Israel was originally given by God to Abraham and his descendants. Care for in Hebrew is darash which means to inquire; to resort to; to seek with care; to frequent it; to ask for; to take the care of; to feel interest or concern; – which occurs 167 times in the Old Testament. Watch over means the eyes of the LORD your God are continually on it. It is called the Promised Land, a land that the Lord cares for. The State of Israel is surrounded by enemies, but God watches over it through each season of the year. Palestine and Palestinians are the evil legacy of British empire. When God gave the Promised Land to Abraham and his descendants, there were no Palestine and Palestinians. There will be no Palestine or Palestinians in the Promised Land. So it is right and wise for Palestinians to seek their statehood in the neighboring Arab states. I wish them well.
The British empire historically had done many evil deeds. There are two things that the leaders of United Kingdom if they have moral character and courage to do right. (1.) When the British empire colonized Israel it turned to be Palestine where illegal Arabs moved in and occupied the Holy Land without payment. In the beginning was Israel and Jewish people when God gave the land to Abraham and his descendants. It is right for leaders of UK to inform the Palestinians and Hamas and all Arabs that they have no part or portion in the Promised Land. They cannot build a state in the land of the Jews. No authority under Heaven can give the Promised Land to Palestinians who are actually Arabs. The United Nations has no authority to give the land that God gave to Abraham and his descendants for over 4,000 years to so-called Palestinians. Therefore the so-called Palestinian authority can find Arab land to build its state or for Palestinians to join other Arab states. (2). When the British empire colonized India, to make its colony look bigger, the British government illegally and unilaterally incorporated large territories of China into the Indian Map. Thus it created today the border conflict between India and China. It is up to the leaders of United Kingdom to inform its former colony India that the British government was wrong in robbing the land of China, and so solve the conflict once and for all. The world is witnessing and watching whether the government of UK will do right or not.
Deu 8:20 , “Like the nations that the LORD makes to perish before you, so you shall perish; because you would not listen to the voice of the LORD your God. ”
Note: Study history to find so many nations the Lord makes to perish. The sole Superpower is so arrogant, being a liar, aggressor, murderer and robber — threatening and oppressing, sanctioning and attacking many nations. Beware, God is able to make the sole Superpower to perish and vanish from the world because its leaders would not listen to the voice of God.
Psa 82:1, “A Psalm of Asaph. God takes His stand in His own congregation; He judges in the midst of the rulers. ”
Note: God judges in the midst of the rulers, He will punish the wicked rulers and their nations.
Rev 18:8 , “For this reason in one day her plagues will come, pestilence and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for the Lord God who judges her is strong. ”
Job 34:29, “But when God is silent, who can declare Him guilty? When He hides His face, who can see Him? Yet He watches over both individuals and nations .”
Note: Some world leaders and nations are doing evil for hundreds of years, for example Western imperialist and colonialist nations have done in the last 500 years or more. God watches over both individuals and nations for their words and deeds.
2Ch 20:6 , “and he said, “O LORD, the God of our fathers, are You not God in the Heavens? And are You not Ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You. ”
Note: No one can stand against God. For God are the Ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations, including the sole superpower and evil empires.
Psa 22:28 , “For the kingdom is the LORD’S. And He rules over the nations. ” Psa 66:7, “He rules by His might forever; His eyes keep watch on the nations; Let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah. ”
Note: Kingdom in Hebrew is mĕluwkah which means kingship; royalty; a realm; dominion; a country ruled by a king or queen; – which occurs 24 times in the Old Testament. Rule over in Hebrew is mashal which means to reign; to govern; to have dominion; to exercise dominion; to have power; to exercise authority or power over; – which occurs 84 times in the Old Testament. The sovereignty of God includes ruling over the nations. The eyes of God keep watch on terrorist and warmongering nations. Let not the rebellious exalt themselves.
Psa 103:19 , “The LORD has established His throne in the Heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all. ”
Note: Sovereignty in Hebrew is malkuwth which means empire; kingdom; realm; royalty; sovereign power; royal power; royal dominion; supreme power over a country; the power or authority to rule; – which occurs 92 times in the Old Testament. God has supreme power over all, all inclusive. God rules over all. The sovereignty of God includes controlling the kingdoms of mankind. Can the U.S. Space Force Troops attack or invade the throne of God?
Dan 2:20-22, “Daniel said, “Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, For wisdom and power belong to Him. It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men and knowledge to men of understanding. It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, And the light dwells with Him. ”
Note: Wisdom and power belong to God. Some countries rely on their nuclear weapons and boast of their military power. God removes and establishes kings. God knows the secrets of nations.
Dan 5:21 , “He was driven from among the children of mankind, and his mind was made like that of a beast, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. He was fed grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of Heaven, until he knew that the Most High God rules the kingdom of mankind and appoints over it whomever He chooses. ”
Note: The king of Babylon Nebuchadnezzar learned the hard lesson; he was made like a beast, until he knew that the Most High God rules the kingdom of mankind and appoints over it whoever He chooses.
Job 12:23 , “He makes the nations great, then destroys them; He enlarges the nations, then leads them away.”
Note: There are those who still do not realize that God can destroy great nations, even the sole superpower.
2Ki 19:28 , “Because of your raging against Me, And because your arrogance has come up to My ears, Therefore I will put My hook in your nose, And My bridle in your lips, And I will turn you back by the way which you came. ”
Isa 37:29, “Because of your raging against Me And because your arrogance has come up to My ears, Therefore I will put My hook in your nose And My bridle in your lips, And I will turn you back by the way which you came.”
Note: God is warning against arrogant and aggressive dictators and warmongers. Because their arrogance has come up to the ears of God, therefore God may put His hook in their noses and His bridle in their lips. They may turn back to folly, turn into dust, turn back and suddenly be ashamed, turn aside to their crooked ways; turn pale; turn to wailing, turn away from the truth.
Job 12:17-19, “He makes counselors walk barefoot And makes fools of judges. He loosens the bond of kings And binds their loins with a girdle. He makes priests walk barefoot And overthrows the secure ones. ”
Note: God can put down the rich and powerful. God can overthrow the imperialists, hegemonists, supremacists, monopolists, militarists and terrorists. Those who think their nuclear weapons make them secure, beware think and think again.
Pro 21:1-2 , “The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes. Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts. ”
Note: The Lord weighs the hearts of warmongers and dictators. The most interesting and significant historical example was that of Nebuchadnezzar (reigned 605-562 B.C.) who was the great king of Babylon, the first greatest empire. The Biblical story in Daniel 4, which recounts how Nebuchadnezzar’s pride and wickedness were punished by God. Nebuchadnezzar was being driven mad and he was driven from men, and did eat the grass like cattle.
Dan 5:17-30, “Then Daniel answered and said before the king, “Keep your gifts for yourself or give your rewards to someone else; however, I will read the inscription to the king and make the interpretation known to him. O king, the Most High God granted sovereignty, grandeur, glory and majesty to Nebuchadnezzar your father. Because of the grandeur which He bestowed on him, all the peoples, nations and men of every language feared and trembled before him; whomever he wished he killed and whomever he wished he spared alive; and whomever he wished he elevated and whomever he wished he humbled. But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit became so proud that he behaved arrogantly, he was deposed from his royal throne and his glory was taken away from him. He was also driven away from mankind, and his heart was made like that of beasts, and his dwelling place was with the wild donkeys. He was given grass to eat like cattle, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until he recognized that the Most High God is ruler over the realm of mankind and that He sets over it whomever He wishes. Yet you, his son, Belshazzar , have not humbled your heart, even though you knew all this, but you have exalted yourself against the Lord of Heaven; and they have brought the vessels of His house before you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines have been drinking wine from them; and you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which do not see, hear or understand. But the God in whose hand are your life-breath and all your ways, you have not glorified. Then the hand was sent from Him and this inscription was written out. Now this is the inscription that was written out: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.’ “This is the interpretation of the message: ‘MENE’—God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it. ‘TEKEL’— you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient .‘PERES’—your kingdom has been divided and given over to the Medes and Persians.” Then Belshazzar gave orders, and they clothed Daniel with purple and put a necklace of gold around his neck, and issued a proclamation concerning him that he now had authority as the third ruler in the kingdom. That same night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was slain. ”
Note: There are not a few world leaders today whose hearts are made like that of beasts. They have no truth and no integrity. Where is the Babylon empire now? Where is the Roman Empire now? Where is the British Empire now? Where is… The leaders of the super powers are so arrogant and wicked, lying, killing and robbing. Pretty soon they will see the handwriting on the wall, MENE, MENE… TEKEL, they have been weighed on the scales and found deficient.
Deu 28:25 , “The LORD shall cause you to be defeated before your enemies; you will go out one way against them, but you will flee seven ways before them, and you will be an example of terror to all the kingdoms of the Earth. ”
Note: God can cause a superpower to be defeated, an example of terror to all the nation of the Earth.
Psa 22:28 , “For the kingdom is the LORD’S And He rules over the nations. ”
Psa 132:17 , “There I will cause the horn of David to spring forth; I have prepared a lamp for Mine anointed.”
Jer 33:15 , “ In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch of David to spring forth; and He shall execute justice and righteousness on the earth. ”
Note: There is a nation that declares to wipe out Israel from the face of the earth. I am not worried because the Lord will cause the horn of David to spring forth. God’s sovereignty includes controlling and ruling over the affairs of nations.
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 (women who are idolaters) are dangerous, they even cause Solomon to sin.
(C.) God controls men, events or things come to pass.
Job 34:21, “For God watches how people live; He sees everything they do. ”
Note: Do you see imperialist and capitalist nations live in pleasure and luxury from the wealth they robbed from their colonies and practices of monopoly, sanction and oppression, live in the flesh and injustice??? God sees everything the unrighteous nations do.
Deu 32:39 , “See now that I, I am He, And there is no god besides Me; It is I who put to death and give life. I have wounded and it is I who heal, And there is no one who can deliver from My hand. ”
Note: God is One, there is no other. God puts to death and gives life. God wounds and He heals. There is no one who can escape the hand of God. There is nothing or no event can withstand the sovereign power of God. No one and nothing can restrain God.
Job 38:33, “Do you know the laws of the universe? Can you use them to regulate the Earth?”
Note: NO man knows the laws of the universe. No man can regulate the Earth.
Psa 14:2 , “The LORD looks down from Heaven upon the entire human race, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. ”
Psa 53:2 , “God looks down from Heaven on all humankind to see if anyone who is truly wise, if anyone seeks after God.”
Western leaders and supremacists are wise in their own estimate. Do you know who is truly wise?
Psa 147:17 , “He casts forth His ice as fragments; Who can stand before His cold? ”
Note: The ungodly do not realize that God looks down from Heaven upon the entire human race, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. Today all over the world peoples seek money, power and sex. Do you seek after God? Do you seek righteousness? Do you seek things above? Man is so feeble and weak, he cannot stand cold or heat.
Ecc 6:12 , “For who knows what is good for a man during his lifetime, during the few years of his futile life? He will spend them like a shadow. For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun?”
Note: Even secular academics and atheists do not know what is good for a man during his lifetime, during the few years of his futile life. No one can tell a man what will be after him under the sun.
Ecc 8:7 , “If no one knows what will happen, who can tell him when it will happen?”
Note: Secular scientists claim to know a lot, things happening billions of years ago. Yet, really no one knows what will happen tomorrow. No one can tell when death will happen.
Isa 33:14 , “Sinners in Zion are terrified; Trembling has seized the godless. “Who among us can live with the consuming fire? Who among us can live with continual burning? ”
Note: Sinners should be terrified and the godless should be trembling. In the last days the wicked are arrogant and get worse and worse. God is the Consuming Fire. Hell fire is continual burning. Hell fire cannot be quenched.
Dan 5:23 , “For you have proudly defied the Lord of Heaven and have had these cups from his Temple brought before you. You and your nobles and your wives and concubines have been drinking wine from them while praising gods of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone—gods that neither see nor hear nor know anything at all. But you have not honored the God who gives you the breath of life and controls your destiny! ”
Note: Destiny means fate, something to which a person or thing is destined. God controls what happens in the future. Many are not aware that controls the whole course of everybody’s life is God. God controls your destiny. God controls the destiny of any nation, including the sole superpower.
Psa 18:32 , “The God who girds me with strength And makes my way blameless? ”
Hab 3:19 , “The Lord GOD is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, And makes me walk on my high places. For the choir director, on my stringed instruments. ”
1Sa 16:7, “But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
Note: God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. Appearances are deceptive. No man can fool God.
1Th 2:4 , “but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts. ”
Note: Those who have been entrusted with the Gospel must not please men. God examines our hearts to see the motive.
Psa 55:19, “God will hear and answer them — Even the one who sits enthroned from of old— Selah. With whom there is no change, And who do not fear God. ”
Job 21:22 , “Can anyone teach God knowledge, In that He judges those on high? ”
Psa 58:11, “And men will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; Surely there is a God who judges on Earth! ”
Note: You may doubt or disbelieve. Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on Earth. As you see more and live longer you will know.
Psa 95:7 , “for He is our God. We are the people He watches over, the flock under His care. If only you would listen to His voice today! ”
Gen 9:6, “Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed, For in the image of God He made man. ”
Note: The Sovereign God decreed that whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed. God instituted death penalty for murderer. Whoever opposes death penalty (capital punishment) opposes the authority of God. If you oppose God, do not call yourself a Christian. Those who oppose God are enemies of God.
Gen 41:51 , “Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, “For,” he said, “God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.”
Note: Most wonderful is the fact God can make His children forget all their troubles. God not only made Joseph lord of all Egypt; God made him to forget all his trouble.
Psa 37:31 , “The law of their God controls their thinking; their feet do not slip. ”
Psa 68:6 , “God makes a home for the lonely; He leads out the prisoners into prosperity, Only the rebellious dwell in a parched land. ”
Lev 26:13, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt so that you would not be their slaves, and I broke the bars of your yoke and made you walk erect. ”
Note: God brought the Jewish people out of the slavery of Egypt and broke the bars of their yoke and made them walk erect. A free man can walk erect.
1Ki 12:15 , “So the king did not listen to the people; for it was a turn of events from the LORD, that He might establish His Word, which the LORD spoke through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat. ”
Note: Turn of event in Hebrew is cibbah which means turn of affairs; a change of course; a cause to change; a change of what is happening; a sudden change in circumstance; – which occurs 1 time in the Old Testament. Mind you, the Supreme Lord can make a turn of events. No one controls events, events control men. Warmongers, imperialists, supremacists, monopolitsts, militarists, and terrorists may think they are strong and powerful, actually they do not control events, events control them. COVID-19 in 2020 proves how desperate and powerless are nations and peoples of the world.
1Ki 22:34 , “Now a certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel in a joint of the armor. So he said to the driver of his chariot, “Turn around and take me out of the fight; for I am severely wounded.”
Note: God can use what seems to be at random or without definite aim or direction, rule or method to serve His purpose. There are myriads of events or happenings in the world and some may be thought of as accidents, incidents or chances. How can secular academics and atheists know which ones are not turns of events from the Lord? God had decided the wicked Saul must die. A certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel in a joint of the armor. It is awesome to know the Supreme God controls whatever comes to pass.
1Ch 12:23 , “Now these are the numbers of the divisions equipped for war, who came to David at Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the Word of the LORD. ”
Note: God turned the kingdom of Saul to David according to His Word. God can vanish the greatest evil empire any time.
2Ch 10:15 , “So the king did not listen to the people, for it was a turn of events from God that the LORD might establish His Word, which He spoke through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat. ”
Note: King Rehoboam did not listen to the people, it appeared he was willingly made his decision. But it was a turn of events from God that the Lord might establish His Word.
1Ki 14:1-20, “At that time Abijah the son of Jeroboam became sick. Jeroboam said to his wife, “Arise now, and disguise yourself so that they will not know that you are the wife of Jeroboam, and go to Shiloh; behold, Ahijah the prophet is there, who spoke concerning me that I would be king over this people. Take ten loaves with you, some cakes and a jar of honey, and go to him. He will tell you what will happen to the boy.” Jeroboam’s wife did so, and arose and went to Shiloh, and came to the house of Ahijah. Now Ahijah could not see, for his eyes were dim because of his age. Now the LORD had said to Ahijah, “Behold, the wife of Jeroboam is coming to inquire of you concerning her son, for he is sick. You shall say thus and thus to her, for it will be when she arrives that she will pretend to be another woman.” When Ahijah heard the sound of her feet coming in the doorway, he said, “Come in, wife of Jeroboam, why do you pretend to be another woman? For I am sent to you with a harsh message. Go, say to Jeroboam, ‘Thus says the LORD God of Israel, “Because I exalted you from among the people and made you leader over My people Israel, and tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you—yet you have not been like My servant David, who kept My commandments and who followed Me with all his heart, to do only that which was right in My sight; you also have done more evil than all who were before you, and have gone and made for yourself other gods and molten images to provoke Me to anger, and have cast Me behind your back—therefore behold, I am bringing calamity on the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam every male person, both bond and free in Israel, and I will make a clean sweep of the house of Jeroboam, as one sweeps away dung until it is all gone. Anyone belonging to Jeroboam who dies in the city the dogs will eat. And he who dies in the field the birds of the heavens will eat; for the LORD has spoken it. Now you, arise, go to your house. When your feet enter the city the child will die. All Israel shall mourn for him and bury him, for he alone of Jeroboam’s family will come to the grave, because in him something good was found toward the LORD God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam. Moreover, the LORD will raise up for Himself a king over Israel who will cut off the house of Jeroboam this day and from now on. For the LORD will strike Israel, as a reed is shaken in the water; and He will uproot Israel from this good land which He gave to their fathers, and will scatter them beyond the Euphrates River, because they have made their Asherim, provoking the LORD to anger. He will give up Israel on account of the sins of Jeroboam, which he committed and with which he made Israel to sin.” Then Jeroboam’s wife arose and departed and came to Tirzah. As she was entering the threshold of the house, the child died. All Israel buried him and mourned for him, according to the Word of the LORD which He spoke through His servant Ahijah the prophet. Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, how he made war and how he reigned, behold, they are written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel.The time that Jeroboam reigned was twenty-two years; and he slept with his fathers, and Nadab his son reigned in his place. ”
Note: Calamity in Hebrew is ra` which means evil; mischief; trouble; harm; affliction; adversity; unhappiness; misery; bad thing; painful thing; injury; sorrow; wretchedness; badness; disaster; lasting distress or suffering; major misfortune; – which occurs 690 times in the Old Testament. God is able to bring calamity on the house of any one, including the royalties. God is able to bring calamity on any evil nation.
Isa 44:25, “Causing the omens of boasters to fail, Making fools out of diviners, Causing wise men to draw back And turning their knowledge into foolishness. ”
Note: Cause to fail in Hebrew is parar which means to break; break in pieces; make void; defeat; disannul; frustrate; come to naught; break asunder; cause to cease; make ineffectual; shatter; make of none effect; crack through; annul; bring to nothing; – which occurs 51 times in the Old Testament. Just as Jesus Christ turned water into wine, so God can turn the knowledge of wise men into foolishness. God can make fools out of strategists, causing wise men to draw back.
2Ch 30:7 , “Do not be like your fathers and your brothers, who were unfaithful to the LORD God of their fathers, so that He made them a horror, as you see. ”
Note: White supremacists, imperialists, militarists, monopolists, hegemonists, capitalists, and terrorists — don’t be so arrogant, God can make you a horror.
2Ch 18:33 , “A certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel in a joint of the armor. So he said to the driver of the chariot, “Turn around and take me out of the fight, for I am severely wounded.”
Note: God’s sovereignty includes controlling whatever comes to pass. The wonder is the fact that a certain man drew his bow at random, God made it to strike King Saul in a joint of the armor. When God wants to destroy a man, no weapons or military can protect him.
Isa 29:16 , “You turn things around! Shall the potter be considered as equal with the clay, That what is made would say to its maker, “He did not make me”; Or what is formed say to him who formed it, “He has no understanding”?
Note: God turns things around means God reverses things. The clay is not equal with the potter. God is the potter, man is the clay. God’s sovereignty includes the power of God to turn things around. God controls events.
Eze 14:17, “Or if I should bring a sword on that country and say, ‘Let the sword pass through the country and cut off man and beast from it.”
Eze 14:19 , “Or if I should send a plague against that country and pour out My wrath in blood on it to cut off man and beast from it .”
Note: God can bring a sword on any country or send a plague (epidemics) against any nation. COVID-19 powerfully proves the case.
Eze 14:21 , “For thus says the Lord GOD, “How much more when I send My four severe judgments against Jerusalem: sword, famine, wild beasts and plague to cut off man and beast from it! ”
Note: God can use sword, famine, wild beasts and plague as severe judgments against any country to cut off man and beast from it.
2Ki 19:28 , “Because of your raging against Me, And because your arrogance has come up to My ears, Therefore I will put My hook in your nose, And My bridle in your lips, And I will turn you back by the way which you came. ”
There is no doubt that the arrogance of American and European leaders and politicians has come up to the ears of God.
Job 12:17-21, “He makes counselors walk barefoot And makes fools of judges. He loosens the bond of kings And binds their loins with a girdle. He makes priests walk barefoot And overthrows the secure ones. He deprives the trusted ones of speech and takes away the discernment of the elders. He pours contempt on nobles and loosens the belt of the strong. ”
Note: Counselors, judges, kings, priests, secure ones, trusted ones, elders, nobles, the strong cannot escape the sovereignty of God.
Pro 21:1 , “ The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes. ”
Note: Everyone and everything is in the hand of the Lord. God turns everyone and everything wherever He wishes.
1Co 1:19 , “For it is written, “I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE, AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE .”
Note: Destroy in Greek is apollymi which means to perish; to abolish; to put out of the way entirely; to put an end to ruin; to render useless; to kill; to put to death; to ruin; to annihilate; to vanish away; to blot out; to vanquish; to put out of existence; – which occurs 94 times in the New Testament. Set aside in Greek is atheteō which means to bring to nothing; to despise; to reject; to disannul; to cast off; to do away with; to disregard; to nullify; to make void; to slight; – which occurs 21 times in the New Testament. God will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and set aside the cleverness of the clever. Study Biblical history you will find many interesting illustrations.
Psa 55:23 , “But You, O God, will bring them down to the Pit of Destruction; men of bloodshed and deceit will not live out half their days. But I will trust in You. ”
Note: You can be sure God will bring down the wicked to the Pit of Destruction (Hell), and deal with men of bloodshed and deceit not to live out half their days. Yes, I trust in God.
Num 9:18 , “At the command of the LORD the sons of Israel would set out, and at the command of the LORD they would camp; as long as the cloud settled over the tabernacle, they remained camped. ”
Note: God cares and controls the state and sons of Israel. God is known as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God brought the sons of Israel out of Egypt and led them through the great wilderness to the Promised Land.
Dan 4:37, “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride.”
Note: Nebuchadnezzar spoke in experience about the sovereignty of God. God was able to humble the arrogant Nebuchadnezzar. God is able to humble American and European leaders and politicians who walk in pride and dictate the world.
Jas 4:4 , “ You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. ”
Note: Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. The ways of the world are contrary to the way of God.
Mar 7:37 , “They were utterly astonished, saying, “He has done all things well; He makes even the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”
Note: It is wonderful to know ultimately all will acknowledge that God in His sovereignty does all things well. People were utterly astonished that Jesus Christ has done all things well.
(D.) God Rules Over Nature. Exo 15:1-21, “Then Moses and the sons of Israel sang this song to the LORD, and said, “I will sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted; The horse and its rider He has hurled into the sea. The LORD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise Him; my father’s God, and I will extol Him. The LORD is a Warrior; the LORD is His name. Pharaoh’s chariots and his army He has cast into the sea; and the choicest of his officers are drowned in the Red Sea. The deeps cover them; they went down into the depths like a stone. Your right hand, O LORD, is majestic in power, Your right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy. And in the greatness of Your excellence You overthrow those who rise up against You; You send forth Your burning anger, and it consumes them as chaff . At the blast of Your nostrils the waters were piled up, the flowing waters stood up like a heap; the deeps were congealed in the heart of the sea. The enemy said, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my desire shall be gratified against them; I will draw out my sword, my hand will destroy them.’ You blew with Your wind, the sea covered them; they sank like lead in the mighty waters. Who is like You among the gods, O LORD? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders? You stretched out Your right hand, the earth swallowed them. In Your lovingkindness You have led the people whom You have redeemed; In Your strength You have guided them to Your holy habitation. The peoples have heard, they tremble; anguish has gripped the inhabitants of Philistia. Then the chiefs of Edom were dismayed; the leaders of Moab, trembling grips them; all the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away. Terror and dread fall upon them; by the greatness of Your arm they are motionless as stone; until Your people pass over, O LORD, until the people pass over whom You have purchased. You will bring them and plant them in the mountain of Your inheritance, the place, O LORD, which You have made for Your dwelling, the sanctuary, O Lord, which Your hands have established. The LORD shall reign forever and ever. For the horses of Pharaoh with his chariots and his horsemen went into the sea, and the LORD brought back the waters of the sea on them, but the sons of Israel walked on dry land through the midst of the sea. Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’ s sister, took the timbrel in her hand, and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dancing. Miriam answered them,“ Sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted; The horse and his rider He has hurled into the sea.”
Note: Moses and the sons of Israel sang this song because God delivered them from the powerful Pharaoh in ruling over nature. By nature it means the natural, physical, or material world. Sea, winds, waters, earth, mountains, wilderness, birds, rock, weather, sun, moon, stars, storm, animals, fire, etc. are parts of nature. God controls over nature and the law of nature.
Deu 11:4 , “and what He did to Egypt’s army, to its horses and its chariots, when He made the water of the Red Sea to engulf them while they were pursuing you, and the LORD completely destroyed them.”
Note: Here is another historical example how God used His sovereign power to protect His children and prevent them from disaster or destruction and at the same time God punished and destroyed the enemies of Israel the Egypt’s army.
Exo 15:22-26, “Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter; therefore it was named Marah. So the people grumbled at Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” Then he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree; and he threw it into the waters, and the waters became sweet. There He made for them a statute and regulation, and there He tested them. And He said, “If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the LORD your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the LORD, am your Healer. ”
Note: Here is another historical example of how God used His sovereign power to change bitter waters into sweet for His children to drink in the wilderness.
Exo 16-7, “Then they set out from Elim, and all the congregation of the sons of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departure from the land of Egypt. The whole congregation of the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The sons of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the LORD’S hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat, when we ate bread to the full; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from Heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.” So Moses and Aaron said to all the sons of Israel, “At evening you will know that the LORD has brought you out of the land of Egypt; and in the morning you will see the glory of the LORD, for He hears your grumblings against the LORD; and what are we, that you grumble against us?”
Note: Here is another historical example how God used His sovereign power to provide Manna (bread from Heaven) to eat in the wilderness of Sin. The Lord hates grumblings against Him. Therefore, Christians do not grumble against the Lord.
Exo 16:8-15, “Moses said, “This will happen when the LORD gives you meat to eat in the evening, and bread to the full in the morning; for the LORD hears your grumblings which you grumble against Him. And what are we? Your grumblings are not against us but against the LORD.” Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, ‘Come near before the LORD, for He has heard your grumblings.’” It came about as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the sons of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud. And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “I have heard the grumblings of the sons of Israel; speak to them, saying, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread; and you shall know that I am the LORD your God.’ ”So it came about at evening that the quails came up and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the layer of dew evaporated, behold, on the surface of the wilderness there was a fine flake-like thing, fine as the frost on the ground. When the sons of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, “It is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat. ”
Note: Here is another historical example how God used His sovereign power to provide bread and meat for the children of Israel to eat in the wilderness.
Deu 8:15 , “He led you through the great and terrible wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water; He brought water for you out of the rock of flint.”
Note: Here is another historical example how God used His sovereign power to lead the children of Israel through the great and terrible wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water. God provided and brought water for them out of the rock of flint. Imagine water out of the rock of flint, never before had it happened.
1Ki 17:3-7, “Go away from here and turn eastward, and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. It shall be that you will drink of the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to provide for you there.” So he went and did according to the Word of the LORD, for he went and lived by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he would drink from the brook. It happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land. ”
Note: Here is a marvelous historical example how God used His sovereign power to command the ravens to provide bread and meat for the prophet Elijah.
1Ki 17:9-16, “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and stay there; behold, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” So he arose and went to Zarephath, and when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks; and he called to her and said, “ Please get me a little water in a jar , that I may drink.” As she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a piece of bread in your hand.” But she said, “As the LORD your God lives, I have no bread, only a handful of flour in the bowl and a little oil in the jar; and behold, I am gathering a few sticks that I may go in and prepare for me and my son, that we may eat it and die.” Then Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go, do as you have said, but make me a little bread cake from it first and bring it out to me, and afterward you may make one for yourself and for your son. For thus says the LORD God of Israel, ‘ The bowl of flour shall not be exhausted, nor shall the jar of oil be empty, until the day that the LORD sends rain on the face of the earth.’ So she went and did according to the word of Elijah, and she and he and her household ate for many days. The bowl of flour was not exhausted nor did the jar of oil become empty, according to the Word of the LORD which He spoke through Elijah.”
Note: Here is another historical example how God used His sovereign power to provide for Elijah, the widow and her son for many days. God overruled the nature to make the bowl of flour never exhausted nor did the jar of oil become empty. God works wonders.
2Ki 2:19-22 , “Then the men of the city said to Elisha, “Behold now, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees; but the water is bad and the land is unfruitful.” He said, “Bring me a new jar, and put salt in it.” So they brought it to him. He went out to the spring of water and threw salt in it and said, “Thus says the LORD, ‘ I have purified these waters; there shall not be from there death or unfruitfulness any longer.” So the waters have been purified to this day, according to the word of Elisha which he spoke. ”
Note: Here is another historical example how God used His sovereign power to purify the waters.
2Ki 6:1-7, “Now the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “Behold now, the place before you where we are living is too limited for us. Please let us go to the Jordan and each of us take from there a beam, and let us make a place there for ourselves where we may live.” So he said, “Go.” Then one said, “Please be willing to go with your servants.” And he answered, “I shall go.” So he went with them; and when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. But as one was felling a beam, the ax head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, “Alas, my master! For it was borrowed.” Then the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” And when he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there, and made the iron float. He said, “Take it up for yourself.” So he put out his hand and took it. ”
Note: Here is an interesting historical example how God used His sovereign power and overruled the laws of physics to make the iron (axe) float to relieve the son of the prophets from losing his borrowed axe.
Job 37:15 , “Do you know how God controls the storm and causes the lightning to flash from His clouds?”
Psa 107:29 , “He caused the storm to be still, So that the waves of the sea were hushed.”
Note: Cause in Hebrew is quwm which means to perform; accomplish; establish; set; fix; impose; make; carry out; give effect to; to make something happen; – which occurs 630 times in the Old Testament. God has power over nature to cause things to happen.
Jer 13:16 , “Give glory to the LORD your God, Before He brings darkness And before your feet stumble On the dusky mountains, And while you are hoping for light He makes it into deep darkness, And turns it into gloom. ”
Amo 4:13 , “For behold, He who forms mountains and creates the wind And declares to man what are His thoughts, He who makes dawn into darkness And treads on the high places of the earth, The LORD God of hosts is His name.”
Num 16:25-35 , “Then Moses arose and went to Dathan and Abiram, with the elders of Israel following him, 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. ” So they got back from around the dwellings of Korah, Dathan and Abiram; and Dathan and Abiram came out and stood at the doorway of their tents, along with their wives and their sons and their little ones. Moses said, “By this you shall know that the LORD has sent me to do all these deeds; for this is not my doing. If these men die the death of all men or if they suffer the fate of all men, then the LORD has not sent me. But if the LORD brings about an entirely new thing and the ground opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that is theirs, and they descend alive into Sheol, then you will understand that these men have spurned the LORD.” As he finished speaking all these words, the ground that was under them split open; and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, and their households, and all the men who belonged to Korah with their possessions. So they and all that belonged to them went down alive to Sheol; and the earth closed over them, and they perished from the midst of the assembly. All Israel who were around them fled at their outcry, for they said, “The earth may swallow us up!” Fire also came forth from the LORD and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who were offering the incense.”
Note: These two examples show how God used His sovereign power to punish the wicked men by splitting open the ground under them, swallowed them up, then the earth closed over them. And fire came forth from the Lord to consume the two hundred and fifty men who were offering the incense presumptuously.
Isa 38:8 , “Behold, I will cause the shadow on the stairway , which has gone down with the sun on the stairway of Ahaz, to go back ten steps.” So the sun’s shadow went back ten steps on the stairway on which it had gone down. ”
Note: God caused the sun’s shadow go back ten steps on the stairway on which it had gone down. God rules over nature.
Jos 10:12-13 , “Then Joshua spoke to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel,“O sun, stand still at Gibeon, and O moon in the valley of Aijalon.” So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation avenged themselves of their enemies. Is it not written in the book of Jashar? And the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day. ”
Note: God’s sovereignty includes God made the sun stand still and the moon stopped for about a whole day.
Psa 104:19, “He made the moon for the seasons; The sun knows the place of its setting. ”
Note: God’s sovereignty includes controlling the seasons.
Jon 4:8 , “When the sun came up God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on Jonah’s head so that he became faint and begged with all his soul to die, saying, “Death is better to me than life.”
Note: God’s sovereignty includes controlling a scorching east wind.
Jon 1:4 , “The LORD hurled a great wind on the sea and there was a great storm on the sea so that the ship was about to break up. ”
Note: God’s sovereignty includes the Lord hurling a great wind on the sea.
Dan 3:8-30, “For this reason at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and brought charges against the Jews. They responded and said to Nebuchadnezzar the king: “O king, live forever! You, O king, have made a decree that every man who hears the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, and bagpipe and all kinds of music, is to fall down and worship the golden image. But whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire. There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the administration of the province of Babylon, namely Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. These men, O king, have disregarded you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up.” Then Nebuchadnezzar in rage and anger gave orders to bring Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego; then these men were brought before the king. Nebuchadnezzar responded and said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? Now if you are ready, at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery and bagpipe and all kinds of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, very well. But if you do not worship, you will immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire; and what god is there who can deliver you out of my hands?” Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up. ” Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with wrath, and his facial expression was altered toward Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. He answered by giving orders to heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. He commanded certain valiant warriors who were in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego in order to cast them into the furnace of blazing fire. Then these men were tied up in their trousers, their coats, their caps and their other clothes, and were cast into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire. For this reason, because the king’s command was urgent and the furnace had been made extremely hot, the flame of the fire slew those men who carried up Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. But these three men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, fell into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire still tied up. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astounded and stood up in haste; he said to his high officials, “Was it not three men we cast bound into the midst of the fire?” They replied to the king, “Certainly, O king.” He said, “Look! I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!” Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the furnace of blazing fire; he responded and said, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, come out, you servants of the Most High God, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego came out of the midst of the fire. The satraps, the prefects, the governors and the king’s high officials gathered around and saw in regard to these men that the fire had no effect on the bodies of these men nor was the hair of their head singed, nor were their trousers damaged, nor had the smell of fire even come upon them. Nebuchadnezzar responded and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who put their trust in Him, violating the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies so as not to serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation or tongue that speaks anything offensive against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego shall be torn limb from limb and their houses reduced to a rubbish heap, inasmuch as there is no other god who is able to deliver in this way.” Then the king caused Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego to prosper in the province of Babylon. ”
Note: Here is another most dramatic example how God used His supreme power to protect Shadrach, Meschach and Abed-nego and prevent fire from consuming them, and used the same fire to punish and slay His enemies.
Dan 6:10-24, “Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously. Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God. Then they approached and spoke before the king about the king’s injunction, “Did you not sign an injunction that any man who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, is to be cast into the lions’ den?” The king replied, “The statement is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked.” Then they answered and spoke before the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the injunction which you signed, but keeps making his petition three times a day.” Then, as soon as the king heard this statement, he was deeply distressed and set his mind on delivering Daniel; and even until sunset he kept exerting himself to rescue him. Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, “Recognize, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or statute which the king establishes may be changed.” Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions’ den. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you.” A stone was brought and laid over the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing would be changed in regard to Daniel. Then the king went off to his palace and spent the night fasting, and no entertainment was brought before him; and his sleep fled from him. Then the king arose at dawn, at the break of day, and went in haste to the lions’ den. When he had come near the den to Daniel, he cried out with a troubled voice. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you constantly serve, been able to deliver you from the lions? ” Then Daniel spoke to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime.” Then the king was very pleased and gave orders for Daniel to be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den and no injury whatever was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. The king then gave orders, and they brought those men who had maliciously accused Daniel, and they cast them, their children and their wives into the lions’ den; and they had not reached the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones. ”
Note: This is a classic example how God used His sovereign power to prevent the lions from harming Daniel, at the same time using His power to punish those malicious men (with their children and wives) crushed by the same lions.
Jer 10:13 , “When He utters His voice, there is a tumult of waters in the Heavens, And He causes the clouds to ascend from the end of the Earth; He makes lightning for the rain , And brings out the wind from His storehouses. ”
Zec 7:14 , “but I scattered them with a storm wind among all the nations whom they have not known. Thus the land is desolated behind them so that no one went back and forth, for they made the pleasant land desolate.”
Note: God’s sovereignty includes scattering among all nations with a storm wind and making the pleasant land desolate.
2Ch 6:28, “If there is famine in the land, if there is pestilence, if there is blight or mildew, if there is locust or grasshopper, if their enemies besiege them in the land of their cities, whatever plague or whatever sickness there is.”
Note: God’s sovereignty includes creating famine, pestilence, blight or mildew, locust or grasshopper, plague and sickness. The whole world witnesses the CORONAVIRUS pandemic in 2020-2021 as well as locusts that devastate some countries. At first American leaders and politicians brazenly and falsely accused China of making COVID-19 at Wuhan Lab. Pestilence or plague cannot be man-made. I believe God is using CORONAVIRUS to punish the world of their sins and iniquities and warn them that coming of Jesus Christ to judge the world is at hand. According to John Kelly, Senior Research Editor at Dictionary.com, “A pandemic is a disease prevalent throughout an entire country, continent, or the whole world. A pandemic is an epidemic that has spread over a large area. The World Health Organization (WHO) specifically uses pandemic to refer to new diseases people do not have immunity for and that have spread worldwide. The WHO has declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.” We are not going here to debate whether CORONAVIRUS is a pestilence or plague.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) statistics
Last updated 2 minutes ago. All times are UTC/GMT (Now it’s Nov 16 07:02). World stats 651,123,528 Total confirmed cases
6,717,887 Total deaths
United States Infected 99,974,387 Deaths: 1,100,631
582,456 A fool said he believed in nature, and nature was his god. But God controls the nature and everything God created in the universe. Do you know God controls COVID-19?
Since the World War II, the world has not faced anything more calamitous and disastrous. Furthermore, no one knows exactly when will COVID-19 end and how will it end. It is immoral for some Western leaders to politicize the pandemic and blame China for nothing, while neglecting their duties and responsibilities to protect their own peoples and human lives. Some Western leaders plan and plot to dictate and dominate the world, but they contribute nothing to protect and preserve the world. For geopolitical reasons, these white supremacists “divide and rule” the world. They are not interested in solving the world’s problems and working together to build a better world.
Mar 4:39-41, “And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him? ” Luk 8:24 , “They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and it became calm. ”
Note: Jesus is God, even the wind and the sea obey Him. God’s sovereignty makes the natural world obey Him. The nature obeys God.
Eze 14:15 , “If I were to cause wild beasts to pass through the land and they depopulated it, and it became desolate so that no one would pass through it because of the beasts .”
Note: The Lord controls wild beasts to depopulate the land.
Isa 44:24 , “Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, and the One who formed you from the womb. I, the LORD, am the Maker of all things, Stretching out the Heavens by Myself And spreading out the Earth all alone.”
Note: The Lord your Redeemer is the One who formed you from the womb, the Maker of all things. God is stretching out the Heavens and spreading out the Earth all by Himself. The expanding universe is not caused by Big Bang.
(E.) HOW TO PLEASE THE SOVEREIGN GOD. Rom 15:3 , “For even Christ did not please Himself ; but as it is written, “THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME.”
Note: Christ sets an example for Christians to submit to the Will of God in obedience.
1Co 7:32 , “But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord .”
Note: Christians please the Lord by being concerned about the things of the Lord.
Gal 1:10 , “For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ . ”
Note: A servant of Christ is not seeking the favor of men, or striving to please men. Servants of the Lord need to learn from Nathan the prophet and John the Baptist who were not afraid of kings.
Col 1:10 , “so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God .”
Note: To please God in all respects is to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. To walk means to live.
1Th 4:1 , “Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more. ”
Note: To live and please God is the ultimate goal of a Christian life.
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: There is no hope for unbelievers because without faith it is impossible to please God. He who comes to God must believe that He is. GOD IS WHO GOD IS.
Psa 67:7 , “God blesses us, That all the ends of the Earth may fear Him. ”
Note: To fear God is to be blessed.
Psa 69:30-32, “I will praise the name of God with song And magnify Him with thanksgiving. And it will please the LORD better than an ox Or a young bull with horns and hoofs. The humble have seen it and are glad; You who seek God, let your heart revive. ”
Note: Praise God with sons and magnify Him with thanksgiving. Those who seek God, let you heart be glad and rejoice.
Rom 8:6-8, “For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 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. ”
Note: Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers cannot please God because they are in the flesh. Their mind does not subject itself to the Word of God.
Psa 47:2 , “For the LORD Most High is to be feared, A great King over all the earth. ”
1Ti 1:17 , “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. ”
Note: The only God is eternal, immortal and invisible. No man can by science or human wisdom to find God. God is beyond and above science and human mind.
Psa 72:11 ,“And let all kings bow down before Him, All nations serve Him. ”
IV. THE SALVATION OF GOD. The salvation of God manifests especially the LOVE of God.
God has made a revelation, the revelation of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. God sent His Son to save the world.
1Ch 16:23 , “Sing to the LORD, all the Earth; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day. ”
Note: Good tidings are glad tidings are good news. The salvation of God is the good tidings. In the New Testament it is understood as the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Psa 3:8 , “Salvation belongs to the LORD; Your blessing be upon Your people! Selah. ”
Note: Salvation belongs to the Lord. All other religions salvation belongs to men. No man, no founder or religion, can save. No way of man can save.
Psa 24:5 , “He shall receive a blessing from the LORD And righteousness from the God of his salvation. ”
Note: To receive the righteousness of God, a man is justified. When a man is justified, he is saved because all his sins are forgiven. A believer is counted or credited as righteous before God.
Psa 98:2 , “The LORD has made known His salvation; He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations. ”
Note: The righteousness of God is revealed in Jesus Christ the Righteous One so that all who believe in Him is justified before God.
Isa 51:6 , “Lift up your eyes to the sky, Then look to the Earth beneath; For the sky will vanish like smoke, And the Earth will wear out like a garment And its inhabitants will die in like manner; But My salvation will be forever, And My righteousness will not wane. ”
Note: The salvation accomplished by Jesus Christ is eternal. Those who believe in His name will never perish but have the everlasting life.
Zec 9:9 , “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey. ”
Note: The cited prophecy was fulfilled in the New Testament.
Mat 21:6-11, “The disciples went and did just as Jesus had instructed them, and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid their coats on them; and He sat on the coats. Most of the crowd spread their coats in the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them in the road. The crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David; BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Hosanna in the highest!” When He had entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Luk 1:77 , “To give to His people the knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sins .”
Note: The knowledge of salvation is the most important knowledge. Knowledge of science falsely so called cannot save you. Knowledge of biology does not give you life. Knowledge of astronomy does not bring you to Heaven. Knowledge of calculus does not add one hour to your life. Knowledge of philosophy does not give you wisdom. Knowledge of Jesus Christ gives you knowledge of salvation and the forgiveness of your sins.
Luk 19:9 , “And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. ”
Jhn 4:22 , “You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. ”
Note: God promised the Messiah to be born a Jew. Act 28:28 , “Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen.”
Act 4:12 , “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under Heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
Note: Salvation is only in Jesus Christ, there is salvation in no one else. There is no other name under Heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved. Jhn 1:12 -13, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. ” As many as received Jesus Christ, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. Jesus saves us through sacrifice of Himself, the Righteous for the unrighteous, the Sinless for the sinful and died on the cross for the sins of the world.
Act 16:17 , “Following after Paul and us, she kept crying out, saying, “These men are bond-servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation .”
Note: Even a spirit of divination knows that Paul and Silas are proclaiming the way of salvation. The way of salvation is the way of God, salvation comes from God.
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 Gentiles. ”
Rom 10:9 -10, “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; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. ”
2Co 6:2 , “for He says, “AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU.” Behold, now is “THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,” behold, now is “THE DAY OF SALVATION”—
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. ”
Eph 1:13 , “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.”
1Th 5:9 , “For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ .”
Note: The Gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes in Jesus Christ. To believe you must repent of your sins and confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord. Now is the day of salvation. Having believed, you will receive the Holy Spirit to live in you.
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: Having salvation through Jesus Christ, believers are sanctified by the Holy Spirit and faith in the truth.
2Ti 2:10 , “For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory. ”
Note: The final consummation of salvation is eternal glory with Jesus Christ in the Kingdom of Heaven.
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 are the Holy Scriptures. The Holy Scriptures is the Holy Bible. Having known the Holy Scriptures will give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Heb 2:3 , “how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard.”
Note: Neglect in Greek is ameleō which means to make light; to be careless of; to regard not; to disregard; to be negligent; – which occurs 6 times in the New Testament. Those who neglect their health consequently suffer sickness. But those who neglect so great a salvation will die in their sins eternally.
Heb 2:10, “For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the Author of their salvation through sufferings. ”
Heb 5:9 , “And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation. ”
Note: The salvation accomplished by Jesus Christ is eternal salvation.
Heb 9:28 , “so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him. ”
Note: Jesus Christ is coming again to redeem the body of Christians to be transformed into spiritual and glorious body fit for Heaven and eternity.
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: In the Great Flood, the world was condemned, and only eight persons of Noah’s household were saved.
1Pe 1:5 , “who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ”
1Pe 1:9, “obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. ”
1Pe 1:10 , “As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries.”
Note: Believers are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We are not saved by what we have done, we are saved by what Jesus Christ has done for us. We do not deserve anything, it is the grace of God.
1Pe 2:2 , “like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the Word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.”
2Pe 3:15 , “and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you.”
Note: Christians who are saved must grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. The Word of God is like the pure milk for newborn Christians.
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: Christians are told to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and contend earnestly for the faith. Contend earnestly for in Greek is epagōnizomai which means to struggle for; to assert; to maintain earnestly; to strive in debate; to contest; to state strongly as the truth; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament.
Rev 7:10 , “and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”
Rev 12:10 , “Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night. ”
Rev 19:1 , “After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in Heaven, saying, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God.”
Note: Salvation in Greek is sōtēria which means deliverance from the power and the effects of sin; preservation; safety; Messianic salvation; salvation as the present possession of all true Christians; – which occurs 45 times in the New Testament. The word soteriology is derived from the Greek word. To prevent confusion, the New Testament explains salvation in terms of past, present, and future time. Salvation is personal, a historical package of an ongoing process to the final consummation.
Eph 1:3-6, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. ”
The Past: In Christ God the Father chose us in Him before the foundation of the world. In love God predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the kind intention of His will. This is all to the praise of the glory of His grace we received freely.
Rom 8:28-30, “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. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified . ”
HOW TO BE SAVED
It is as easy as ABCD
(A.) God loves the people of the world.
God created the mankind, but man disobeyed God, so all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. The wages of sin is death, so we all have to die. After death is judgement. But God sent His Son Jesus Christ to the world to save sinners.
(B.) Man cannot save himself. No matter how good he is, he is not good enough to go to Heaven. No man can by his own good deeds to be justified before the Righteous God.
(C.) To atone the sin of the world, Jesus Christ willingly sacrificed Himself to die on the cross for sinners. The Righteous for the unrighteous in order to bring man to reconcile to God. Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead the third days so that the salvation of God is made available to all men.
(D.) If you confess your sins and repent, and believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior, you shall be saved by grace to receive the forgiveness of sins, and to receive a new life by the regeneration of the Holy Spirit.
Would you say the following prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus,
I am a sinner unable to save myself. No one can save me, but I believe you are the Son of God and my Lord and Savior. With all my heart I accept You and ask You to save me from my sins, from death in Hell. Please send your Spirit to come into my heart, give me a new life and lead me. From now on, I am your disciple and follow You. Amen.
The following seven key words explain the whole historical and personal process of salvation:
(1.) Foreknow:
Rom 8:29 , “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren.”
Note: Foreknow in Greek is proginōskō which means to know before; foreordain; to have knowledge before hand; to predestinate; to foresee; to foreknow of those whom God elected to salvation; to ordain; to know before it happens; – which occurs 6 times in the New Testament. God knows everything and so He foreknew. The mind of the Lord foreknew. No one has known the mind of the Lord. No one can become His counselor. No man can instruct the Lord. Except the Mind of Christ knows the Mind of the Lord. For the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. Thanks be to God who foreknew the elect. God does not change His mind. God foreknew who would believe and who would not believe. God foreknew the elect and predestined them to conform to the image of His Son Jesus Christ.
Rom 11:34 , “For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD , OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR ? ”
Note: Mind in Greek is nous which means understanding; the intellectual faculty; the faculties of perceiving and understanding and those of feeling, judging, determining; the conscious mental capabilities; the power of considering and judging soberly, calmly and impartially; – which occurs 24 times in the New Testament. Counselor in Greek is symboulos which means adviser; consultor; a person who gives advice;- which occurs 1 time in the New Testament.
1Co 2:16 , “For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ. ”
Note: The arrogance of secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers is to think they can become counselor of God or instruct God.
1Sa 15:29 , “Also the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man that He should change His mind.”
Note: God will not lie or change His mind.
Rom 11:2-6, “God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? “Lord, THEY HAVE KILLED YOUR PROPHETS, THEY HAVE TORN DOWN YOUR ALTARS, AND I ALONE AM LEFT, AND THEY ARE SEEKING MY LIFE.” But what is the divine response to him? “ I HAVE KEPT for Myself SEVEN THOUSAND MEN WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO BAAL.” In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s gracious choice. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace. ”
Note: According to God’s gracious choice, all whom God foreknew will be saved. Man does not have foreknowledge; he does not even know what is happening right before his eyes. The smartest scientists and scholars do not know when they are going to die.
(2.) Choose:
Jhn 15:16 , “You did not choose Me but I chose you , and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. ”
Note: Choose in Greek is eklegomai which means to make choice; to pick out for oneself; to select freely; to have a preference for; to elect; – which occurs 23 times in the New Testament. God made gracious choice, God chose the elect.
Eph 1:3-4, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love ”
Note: God chose the elect in Him before the foundation of the world so that we would be holy and blameless before Him.
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. ”
Note: God chose Abraham, “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.” 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.”
Deu 7:6 , “For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the Earth. ”
Note: No one would presume to know why God has chosen the Jewish people to be a people for His possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. More wonderful God has chosen unworthy me out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.
Deu 10:15 , “Yet on your fathers did the LORD set His affection to love them, and He chose their descendants after them, even you above all peoples, as it is this day. ”
1Ki 11:34 , “Nevertheless I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand, but I will make him ruler all the days of his life, for the sake of My servant David whom I chose, who observed My commandments and My statutes.”
Jhn 15:19 , “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. ”
Note: Jesus Christ chose Christians out of the world. Christians are not of the world. Do you know any world leader who is a true Christian? You cannot be a Christian if the world loves you.
Eph 1:4-6, “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. ”
Note: Those who God chose in Him before the foundation of the world, in love He also predestined to become children of God through Jesus Christ.
Act 13:17 , “The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He led them out from it. ”
Note: God chose the people Israel, made them great, and with power He led them out of Egypt.
Mar 13:20 , “Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days. ”
Note: The elect in Greek is eklektos which means the chosen; favorite; chosen by God; the picked out; Christians are called “chosen or elect” of God; those who are called and chosen to be partakers of salvation; – which occurs 24 times in the New Testament. For the sake of the elect, God will shorten the days of tribulation.
Isa 42:1 , “Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My Chosen One in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations. ”
Note: This Scripture refers My Servant, My Chosen One as Jesus Christ the Son of God.
Luk 9:35 , “Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!”
Note: Jesus Christ is the Son of God, God’s Chosen One; we must listen to Him. Listen in Greek is akouō which means to give audience; to hearken; to attend to; to understand of what is said; to obey; to give ear to; to yield to; to yield obedience to the voice; – which occurs 436 times in the New Testament. We must listen to Christ as we listen to no other.
Jhn 13:18 , “I do not speak of all of you. I know the ones I have chosen; but it is that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘HE WHO EATS MY BREAD HAS LIFTED UP HIS HEEL AGAINST ME.’
Note: Jesus says, Jhn 10:27, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me .” The sheep of Jesus hear the voice of Jesus, and Jesus knows them, and they follow Jesus. If you do not listen and follow Jesus because you are not His sheep.
Act 10:41 , “not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. ”
Note: The Apostles and disciples were chosen beforehand by God to be firsthand witnesses of Jesus Christ because they ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.
Col 3:12 , “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Note: Put on in Greek is endyō which means to be clothed with or in; to have on; to be endued; to be arrayed in; get into; – which occurs 29 times in the New Testament. Christians who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, must put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. A Christian heart is characterized by compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
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: God has chosen believers from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. The ultimate stage of salvation is glorification when Christians will reign with Christ forever and ever in the Kingdom of Heaven.
2Ti 2:10, “For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory. ”
Note: Salvation can be obtained only in Christ Jesus, the ultimate end is eternal glory in the Kingdom of God.
1Pe 2:9 , “But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
Note: Race in Greek is genos which means kind; kindred; stock; nation; offspring; tribe; nationality or descent from a particular people ; the aggregate of many individuals of the same nature, kind, sort; a people belonging to the same stock; a category of people sharing the same interests and values; – which occurs 21 times in the New Testament. Christians must not be a racist in this world, but actually Christians belong to a Chosen Race. Based on the Word of God, I venture to make a distinction between the chosen people (the Jews) and the chosen race (Christians). Eventually, the Jews who become Christians will belong to the Chosen Race. The Jewish Christians and the Gentile Christians will become one in Christ, A Chosen Race, A Royal Priesthood, A Holy Nation, A People for God’s Own Possession. Christians now proclaim the excellencies of God who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Rev 17:14 , “These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful. ”
Note: A People for God’s Own Possession are the called and chosen and faithful who belong to the Lord of lords and the King of kings in the Kingdom of Heaven forever and ever.
(3.) Predestine:
Act 4:28 , “to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur. ”
Note: God predestined things and events to occur. Predestine in Greek is proorizō which means to determine before; to predestinate; to ordain; to predetermine; to decide beforehand; to foreordain; to appoint beforehand; God decreeing from eternity; – which occurs 6 times in the New Testament. God predestined whatever to occur according to His power and purpose. God predestined whatever to occur according to His hand and purpose. Hand in Greek is cheir which means figuratively applied to God symbolizing His might, activity, power; in determining and controlling the destinies of men; – which occurs 174 times in the New Testament. Purpose in Greek is boulē which means counsel; will; advice; all the contents of the divine plan; intention; object or end to be attained; – which occurs 12 times in the New Testament. Predestine in Greek is proorizō which means to predestinate; to determine before; to ordain; to predetermine; to decide beforehand; God decreeing from eternity; to foreordain; to appoint beforehand; to determine in advance; to destine beforehand; to foreordain destiny by divine decree; – which occurs 6 times in the New Testament. God foreknew whatever comes to pass and predestined to occur according to God’s purpose or will.
Rom 8:29 , “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren .”
Note: Become conformed in Greek is symmorphos which means to be fashioned like unto; having the same form as another; to be jointly formed; to be similar; to be in accordance with; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Image in Greek is eikōn which means likeness; figure; resemblance; statue; profile; representation; moral likeness; – which occurs 23 times in the New Testament. For those whom God foreknew would believe, God also predestined them to become conformed to the image of of Jesus Christ His Son. For Christians to be conformed to the Image of Jesus is to have the mind of Christ, created in righteousness, holiness, and truth. Among believers are many brethren. All children of God are brethren.
1Co 2:7 , “but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory.”
Note: Wisdom in Greek is sophia which means broad and full of intelligence; the varied knowledge of things human and divine; the knowledge and practice of the requisites for godly and upright living ; knowledge of very diverse matters; supreme intelligence that belongs to God; – which occurs 51 times in the New Testament. There are two kinds of wisdom: human wisdom which is lower and limited, divine wisdom which is higher, spiritual and supreme and infinite. Mystery in Greek is mystērion which means hidden thing; secret; a hidden or secret thing; something not obvious to understanding; the secret counsels of God which govern everything; – which occurs 27 times in the New Testament. God’s wisdom is a great mystery. God was in His hidden wisdom predestined the elect to glory before the ages (eternity past or the eternal past). Think how awful and absurd it is for secular academics and atheists of limited intelligence and of short existence to deny the Eternal God.
Eph 1:5 , “He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will.”
Note: Adoption in Greek is huiothesia which means the placing as a son; the taking by choice into a relationship; accepting formally; taking another person as one’s child legally; – which occurs 10 times in the New Testament. 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.”
Kind intention in Greek is eudokia which means good pleasure; good will; kindly intent; benevolence; delight; kindness; – which occurs 13 times in the New Testament. Wonderful Heavenly Father predestined believers to adoption as children of God through Jesus Christ. This was done according to the kind intention of His will.
Eph 1:11, “also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will.”
Note: Obtain an inheritance in Greek is klēroō which means to allot on to another as a possession; to make a heritage or private possession; to assign a possession to; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Counsel in Greek is boulē which means will; advice; a policy or plan of action; deliberation; consultation; – which occurs 12 times in the New Testament. God predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will. Those believers who were predestined by God also obtained an inheritance, an inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God. It is important to know that God’s predestination works according to His purpose after the counsel of His will.
Isa 65:12 , “I will destine you for the sword, And all of you will bow down to the slaughter. Because I called, but you did not answer; I spoke, but you did not hear. And you did evil in My sight And chose that in which I did not delight .”
Note: We have learned from the Scriptures that God predestined before ages. The above Scripture cited tells us God will destine. Whether in everlasting past, or everlasting present, or everlasting future, God rules over all.
There was a false teacher called John Calvin. He taught that God divides mankind into two groups: the Elect, who will be saved and go to Heaven; and the Reprobates, or damned, who will spend eternity in Hell. This doctrine is called predestination. But Calvin taught a false doctrine.
Don’t worry, in matter of salvation what God says matters. What false teachers, false prophets and unbelieving theologians say do not matter. This is the Word of God, Jhn 3:16,“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son Jesus Christ who came down from Heaven to save sinners. God loves you too. God wants to save you, only if you believe in Jesus Christ and accept Him as your Lord and Savior and you will be saved. The word “whoever” in Greek is pas which means all, all men and women and children; any; everyone; whatsoever; individually; collectively; the whole; as many as; any and every; the highest degree; the maximum; no matter who; – which occurs 1,410 times in the New Testament. So the word of God “whoever” must include you, and every and anyone who wants to be saved can be saved. John Calvin was a false teacher, he did not understand the word “whoever”.
What is more, Jesus Christ, the Savior of mankind, has the final say: Jhn 6:37,
“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.” Jesus Christ assures you, all that the Father gives Him and the one who comes to Him, He will certainly not cast out. All means any and everyone, whoever, that includes you. The one who comes to Jesus means anyone and everyone who comes to Jesus, that definitely includes you. Certainly not means never. “Cast out” in Greek is ekballō which means to pull out; to drive out; to send out; to kick out; to throw out with violence or force; to expel; to banish; to compel one to depart; to command to depart in haste; to tear out; to draw out; to reject with contempt; to pluck out; to boot out; to send away; – which occurs 84 times in the New Testament. It is very clear, if you come to Jesus Christ for salvation, He will certain not kick you out.
(4.) Call:
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. ”
Note: Cause all things to work together in Greek is synergeō which means to work with; to help with; to put forth power together; to cooperate; to unite; – which occurs 9 times in the New Testament. Be called in Greek is klētos which means to be invited; to be invited by God to obtain eternal salvation in the Kingdom through Christ; to be appointed a saint; to summon; to command to meet; to ask some one to come to you; – which occurs 10 times in the New Testament. God called those who love God according to His purpose.
Rom 8:30 , “and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. ”
Note: Call in Greek is kaleō which means to invite; bid; to call by name; to ask someone to come; to summon; to utter in a loud voice; – which occurs 149 times in the New Testament. Those whom God foreknew, He also chose; those whom God chose, He also predestined; those whom God predestined, He also called; those whom God called, He also justified; those whom God justified, He also sanctified; those whom God sanctified, He also glorified. These seven processes or stages complete the salvation of God. Glorification is the ultimate process and stage of God’s salvation occurring in the Kingdom of Heaven forever and ever. This will be explained latter.
Mat 9:13 , “But go and learn what this means: ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Luk 5:32 , “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
Note: Righteous in Greek is dikaios which means just; right; upright; morally correct; virtuous; innocent; guiltless; faultless; free from guilt or sin; – which occurs 96 times in the New Testament. Sinner in Greek is hamartōlos which means sinful man; not free from sin; all wicked men; man stained with vices and crimes; – which occurs 46 times in the New Testament. Human standard differs from divine standard. People may admit themselves sinful but not wicked. In the sight of God all sinful men are wicked. We all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Sin is not the same as crime. Sin is defined by God, crime is defined by the law of a nation. A sin may not be a crime in the sight of a state, all crimes are sins in the sight of God. For example, fornication or adultery may not be a crime in many nations; but they are sins in God’s sight. Repentance in Greek is metanoia which means a change of mind; compunction for guilt; feeling sorry for one’s errors or misdeeds; turning from sin; – which occurs 22 times in the New Testament. Jesus Christ had come to call sinners to repentance. The problems of secular academics and atheists are their self-righteousness and arrogance. They do not think they must repent of their sins and believe in Jesus Christ.
Isa 1:18 , “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool. ”
Note: Reason in Hebrew is yakach which means to plead; to argue; to decide; to judge; to prove; to adjudge; to show to be right; to convince; to be in the sunshine; to be arbiter between; to be clear; – which occurs 64 times in the Old Testament. Although God is holy and righteous, God wants to reason with you because He is offering salvation by grace. Though your sins are as scarlet, God can wash them to be as white as snow. Though your sins are red like crimson, God will wash them to be like wool.
Mat 11:28 , “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. ”
Note: To be weary in Greek is kopiaō which means to toil and labor; to labor with wearisome effort; to grow tired and exhausted; to feel fatigue; to work hard; to be exhausted in strength; to be wearisome; – which occurs 28 times in the New Testament. To be heavy-laden in Greek is phortizō which means to be loaded with a burden; to overburden; to be weighted down with burden; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. To rest in Greek is anapauō which means to take rest; to refresh; to take ease; to repose; – which occurs 14 times in the New Testament. Jesus Christ gives an invitation, “Come to Me. All who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” Those who come to Jesus Christ, not only will get rest, they will have life eternal.
Come in Chinese is 來 which has an etymological meaning as follows:
十字架 十 ( cross )， 人 （ man ).
Jesus was crucified on the cross, there was a little man (thief) on the left and a little man on the right (robber). In the center there was a big Man (Jesus).
Jesus Christ was crucified and died on the cross for sinners, this was an invitation of God to man:
Isa 1:18 , “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD,“Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.”
Mat 18:11, “For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.”
Mat 11:28, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”
Jhn 6:37-38, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. For I have come down from Heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”
Note: Whoever comes to Jesus Christ, He will certainly not cast out. Do not believe John Calvin, believe in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ had come down from Heaven to do the will of the Father. Christians must imitate Jesus Christ, to do the will of God on earth.
Psa 18:6 , “In my distress I called upon the LORD, And cried to my God for help; He heard my voice out of His temple, And my cry for help before Him came into His ears. ”
Note: Here the word “call” in Hebrew is qara’ which means to cry out; to call out; to cry for help; to seek the aid of God; – which occurs 739 times in the Old Testament. It is very different in my distress I called upon the Lord than God called me to be His adopted son.
Isa 1:26 , “Then I will restore your judges as at the first, And your counselors as at the beginning; After that you will be called the city of righteousness, A faithful city.”
Note: Here “to be called”means to be named.
1Co 1:9 , “God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. ”
Note: Faithful in Greek is pistos which means trusty; true; sure; worthy of trust; that can be relied on; trustful; loyal; dependable; firm in adherence to promises; – which occurs 69 times in the New Testament. Fellowship in Greek is koinōnia which means communion; communication; association; community; joint participation; intimacy; partnership; intimate bond of fellowship; companionship; – which occurs 19 times in the New Testament. God is faithful and He called believers into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
1Co 1:24 , “but to those who are the called, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ the Power of God and the Wisdom of God. ”
Note: To those who are called, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the Power of God and the Wisdom of God.
Gal 5:13 , “For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. ”
Note: Freedom in Greek is eleutheria which means liberty; liberty to live as we should; freedom from the dominion of corrupt desires or lust; liberation from slavery or coercion; – which occurs 11 times in the New Testament. Flesh in Greek is sarx which means carnality; carnally mindedness; the sensuous nature of man; the earthly nature of man which is prone to sin; – which occurs 149 times in the New Testament. Christians must not turn our freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Eph 4:1 , “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called. ”
Note: Walk in Greek is peripateō which means to be occupied with; to make one’s way; to regulate one’s life; to live; to conduct oneself; to deport oneself; to follow the standard of life; to behave; to pursue a way of life; – which occurs 105 times. In the Bible the word “walk” usually does not mean to move along on foot; it significantly means to “live” or “behave” or to “conduct oneself.” Worthy in Greek is axiōs which means as becomes; suitably; worthily; properly; after a godly sort; – which occurs 12 times in the New Testament. Apostle Paul implored Christians to live or conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the Christian calling. Calling in Greek is klēsis which means vocation or profession; the divine invitation to embrace salvation in the Kingdom of God; the work one is called to do; – which occurs 11 times in the New Testament.
Eph 4:4 , “There is one Body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one Hope of your calling.”
Note: One body refers to the Body of Christ, the Church. One Spirit is the Holy Spirit. All Christians have the same hope, One Hope.
Col 3:15 , “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. ”
1Th 4:7 , “For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification. ”
Note: God called believers for the purpose of salvation through sanctification. Impurity is the nature of man. When a man is saved he is regenerated by the Holy Spirit to participate in divine nature.
2Th 2:14 , “It was for this He called you through our Gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. ”
Note: The final process of salvation is to gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ by reigning with Him forever and ever in the Kingdom of God.
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. ”
2Ti 1:9, “who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity.”
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: Mediator in Greek is mesitēs which means a go-between; an internunciator; a reconciler; one who intervenes between the two; an arbitrator; – which occurs 6 times in the New Testament. Jesus Christ is our Mediator. Redemption in Greek is apolytrōsis which means deliverance; liberation procured by the payment of a ransom; the action of saving from sin or evil; – which occurs 10 times in the New Testament. Those who have been redeemed also receive the eternal inheritance.
1Pe 1:15 , “but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior.”
1Pe 2:9 , “But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
Note: Christians are called to be holy, they are a Holy Nation.
1Pe 2:21, “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps.”
1Pe 3:9, “not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. ”
Note: Christians are called to follow in the steps of Jesus that we might inherit a blessing.
1Pe 5:10 , “After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. ”
2Pe 1:3, “seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. ”
1Jo 3:1 , “See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. ”
Rev 17:14, “These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.”
Note: The children of God are the called and chosen and faithful.
(5.) Justify:
Isa 53:11 , “As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities. ”
Note: Isaiah the prophet prophesied that Jesus Christ, the Righteous One, would come to justify the many, and He will bear their iniquities. Justify in Hebrew is tsadaq which means to count as righteous; to be made right; to declare righteous; to make righteous; to render just; to be cleared; – which occurs 50 times in the Old Testament. Jesus Christ justifies those who come and believe in Him as righteousness. Jesus Christ bore our sins and iniquities and justifies us by His righteousness.
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: To be justified in Greek is dikaioō which means to render righteous; to declare, pronounce one to be just; to be counted as righteous; to be acquitted of a charge; to be absolved; to be freed; to be cleared of sin; to deem right; – which occurs 40 times in the New Testament. No flesh will be justified by the works of the Law in God’s sight; for through the Law comes only the knowledge of sin. Law does not save, it only condemns. The believers are justified by faith in Christ Jesus.
Rom 3:24 , “being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.”
Rom 3:28 , “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. ”
Note: By the works of the Law, no man can be justified. Rom 8:7, “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.”
Gal 5:3 , “And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. ”
Note: Man is unable to keep the whole Law. He is not able to do so.
Rom 4:2 , “For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. ”
Rom 5:1 , “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ .”
Those who have peace with God will also have peace with men. Imperialists, colonialists, supremacists, racists, militarists, monopolists, capitalists, hegemonists, terrorists do not have peace with men because they do not have peace with God.
Rom 5:9 , “Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. ”
Note: Christians have been justified by faith to have peace with God, we also have been justified by His blood so that we shall be saved from the wrath of God, the judgment of God to come.
Rom 8:30 , “and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. ”
Rom 8:33 , “Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies.”
1Co 6:11 , “Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our 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. ”
Gal 2:17, “But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? May it never be! ”
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: Tutor in Greek is paidagōgos which means an instructor; schoolmaster; a guardian and guide of boys; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. Law is like a tutor because it arouses us the consciousness of sin and prepares the soul for Christ. The Law cannot justify, so it leads us to Christ so that we may be justified by faith.
Gal 5:4 , “You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. ”
Note: Those who are seeking to be justified by law have fallen from grace, severed from Christ.
Tit 3:7, “so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. ”
Note: Believers are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.Christians have one hope, the hope of eternal life.
Jas 2:21 , “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? ”
Jas 2:24 , “You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. ”
Jas 2:25 , “In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? ”
Note: Faith must be accompanied by work, work of obedience.
Rom 3:30 , “since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one. ”
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: For Jews (the circumcised) and for the Gentiles (the uncircumcised) God would justify by faith in Jesus Christ.
(6.) Sanctify:
There are two sanctifications: positional and conditional. Once a believer is saved in Christ, he is positionally sanctified once and for all. The believer’s position in Christ is sanctified once and for all. Conditional sanctification is an ongoing process on earth for a believer until he meets the Lord. The position of believer is Christ is sanctified and secure. The condition of believer in the world needs to be sanctified daily and continuously through the study of the Word of God and prayer.
Jhn 17:19 , “For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. ”
Note: Sanctify in Greek is hagiazō which means to separate from profane things and dedicate to God; to dedicate to God; to consecrate; – which occurs 29 times in the New Testament. Jesus Christ is without sin, He does not need to be sanctified. For Christ to sanctify I think it means to consecrate to God, to obey God’s will in sacrificing Himself on the cross. Truth can sanctify believers. So believers need to be sanctified in truth.
Act 20:32, “And now I commend you to God and to the Word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”
Note: Even a believer is saved and begins a new life, he needs to grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. The Word of His grace is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are 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: Those who are saved have turned 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 Christ. This refers to positional sanctification by faith in Christ.
Rom 15:16, “to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the Gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. ”
Note: Gentile believers who have been saved are sanctified by the Holy Spirit to participate in the divine nature and to have a new life.
1Co 6:11, “Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. ”
Note: Believers in Christ were washed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ to receive the forgiveness of sins, were sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.
1Ti 4:5 , “for it is sanctified by means of the Word of God and prayer. ”
Note: The condition of believers on earth may be sanctified by means of the Word of God and prayer daily and continuously. The more you have the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ, and the more you pray to God, the more you may become sanctified or holy.
2Ti 2:21, “Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. ”
A sanctified believer is prepared for every good work. A believer in sin is not prepared.
Note: To cleanse from these things means to abstain from wickedness and flee from youthful lusts, etc. to be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master.
Heb 10:10 , “By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. ”
Heb 10:14, “For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. ”
Note: The two Scriptures cited above refers to the Christian positional sanctification in Christ, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all, perfected for all time.
(7.) Glorify:
Jhn 12:26 , “If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him. ”
If anyone serves Jesus Christ, he must follow Jesus. If anyone serves Jesus Christ, the Father will honor him.
Jhn 17:22 , “The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one .”
Rom 2:7 , “to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life .”
Rom 2:10 , “but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. ”
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: The Scriptures cited above refers to how God will honor and glorify Christians who serve and follow Christ when He is coming again, and the eternal glory in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Rom 8:30 , “and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified . ”
1Co 15:43 , “it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.”
2Co 4:17, “For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison .”
Note: Although Christians may suffer for Christ in this world, our momentary and light affliction and sufferings, are not worthy to be compared with the eternal weight of glory.
Eph 1:18 , “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.”
Note: The hope of His calling is the hope of glory, the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.
Col 1:27, “to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. ”
Col 3:4 , “When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. ”
2Ti 2:10 , “For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory. ”
Tit 2:13 , “looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus .”
Note: The Christian hope of glory is the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.
1Pe 1:7 , “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 .”
Note: The Christian faith is more precious than gold; gold is perishable but faith in Jesus Christ is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Through Jesus Christ 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.
1Pe 1:8 , “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 .”
Note: Faith is seeing the invisible. Though we have not seen the Lord Jesus Christ, we Christians love the Lord; and though we do not see the Lord now, we believe in Him and greatly rejoice in the Lord.
1Pe 4:13 , “but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. ”
1Pe 5:1, “Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed.”
Note: Christians share the sufferings of Christ here on Earth, will also share the glory of Christ when He returns to reign with the saints.
1Pe 5:4, “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory . ”
Note: No one has yet seen the unfading crown of glory.
1Pe 5:10 , “After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. ”
As you have read, the New Testament explains the salvation of God in terms of past, present and future. In the past before the foundation of the world, God foreknew, chose, predestined, called the Elect whom would believe and obey God in Christ. At the present, when a believer accepts and believes in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, his sins are forgiven and justified by faith as righteous before God, saved by grace and sanctified by the Holy Spirit in Christ once and for all. In obedience to Christ, believers are to work out their salvation with fear and trembling, to be sanctified daily and continuously by means of the Word of God and prayer. Christians are now witnessing for Christ everywhere, looking and waiting for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, to redeem our body to be transformed into the spiritual and glorious body fit for Heaven and eternity. The future consummation of our salvation is the culmination of glorification in the Kingdom of Heaven where children of God will always be with the Lord in the blessed eternity.
V. THE KINGDOM OF GOD. The Kingdom of God manifests especially the Reign and Glory of God.
Isa 9:7 , “There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his Kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this. ”
Note: The kingdoms of men came and went, even the sole superpower will vanish soon. There will be no end to the Kingdom of God, and forevermore. The Kingdom of God is at hand, believe and repent.
Isa 52:7 , “How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
Note: Today is the day of salvation. The good news of happiness is proclaimed all over the world.
Dan 7:14 , “And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations and men of every language Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His Kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed. ”
Note: The dominion of Christ is an everlasting dominion, glory and a kingdom, which will not pass away. The Kingdom of Christ is one which will not be destroyed.
Mat 25:34 , “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. ”
Note: God had prepared for His children to inherit the Kingdom from the foundation of the world. What kind of Kingdom?
1Co 2:9, “but just as it is written, “THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.”
Note: Do you want a preview of the New Heave and New Earth? Read Revelation Chapter 21.
Luk 1:33 , “and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His Kingdom will have no end.”
Luk 12:32 , “Do not be afraid, Little Flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the Kingdom. ”
Note: The little flock of Jesus Christ, rejoice, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the Kingdom.
Luk 21:31, “So you also, when you see these things happening, recognize that the Kingdom of God is near. ”
Note: The signs of the second coming prophesied by Jesus Christ and Apostles are happening, recognize that the King of God is near.
Jhn 1:49 , “Nathanael answered Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel.”
Rom 13:11 , “Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. ”
1Co 15:27-28, “For HE HAS PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET. But when He says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all. ”
Gal 5:19 -21, “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. ”
Rev 7:15 , “For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them. ”
Rev 17:14 , “These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.”
Rev 20:9-10, “And they came up on the broad plain of the Earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved City, and fire came down from Heaven and devoured them. And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. ”
Note: The devil will lead his followers in the final war against the Lamb, the Lamb will overcome them. The devil and his agents will be cast into the Lake of Fire to be tormented forever and ever.
Rev 19:6 , “Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.”
Note: Hallelujah in Greek is hallēlouïa which means alleluia; praise ye the Lord, Hallelujah; a shout or song of praise or thanksgiving to God; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament. The Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.
Rev 21:2 , “And I saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem, coming down out of Heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. ”
IN CONCLUSION
This is the wonderful story of God although God is not a story. Before time and space and before everything else, this Almighty God is Eternal Self-Existent. GOD IS WHO HE IS. This Omnipotent, Omnipresent and Omniscient God foreknew and knows everything from the everlasting past to the everlasting future. Having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, God decided to create the universe and mankind. God provided the perfect Garden of Eden for the first couple. The first man fell by disobeying God. God called Abraham who believed God and appointed the Jewish people to be the chosen people. God gave the Promised Land to Abraham and his descendants. Palestinians, Arabs and Hamas have no claim or resettlement right in the Holy Land. They must get out in peace and seek Palestinian statehood or residency in neighboring Arab states. The two-state proposal is not the two-state solution. The United Nations or any agency does not have authority to give away the Holy Land to Palestinians, Arabs or Hamas. Jerusalem is the Capital of the great King David forever. God will fight for Jerusalem. Do not become an enemy of God. God promised the coming of Messiah from the Jews to save mankind. God gave Law to Moses for the Jews to observe. All the prophets and holy men spoke as God told them to speak and they are written in the Old Testament.
More than two thousand years ago, God became Man in the person of Jesus Christ (INCARNATION), born of a virgin, born of a Jew, conceived by the Holy Spirit, without sin, having divine and human nature perfect. The first people who worshiped Jesus were the wise men from the East. Jesus Christ began His ministry on earth at the age of thirty. Jesus Christ was going throughout Judea, all the cities and villages, teaching in the Temple and in synagogues and proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, performing many miracles and casting out demons and evil spirits, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people. Jesus was attested to the Jewish people by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in public. Jesus called the twelve disciples and appointed them Apostles. The twelve Apostles who were Jesus firsthand witnesses, ate and drank with Him and large crowds followed Him in His short ministry on earth. All this is written in the Gospels in the New Testament.
As it is written, Jesus was delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, they nailed Him to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. But God raised Jesus up again the third day and Jesus appeared to all Apostles and at one time appeared to more than five hundred disciples, and finally appeared to Paul. As Jesus was ascended into the highest Heaven, He told His disciples to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation. Subsequently the Holy Spirit came at the Pentecost, the Church of Jesus Christ grew and spread the Gospel throughout the world to this day. Jesus Christ as promised is coming again and that will be the end of the world. Jesus Christ will sit on His glorious throne. All the peoples of nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right, “Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Then the King of kings and Lord of lords will also say those on His left, “Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the Devil and his angels.”
Jesus Christ as promised is coming again for the redemption of our body. The body of believers will be transformed into a spiritual and glorious body imperishable. The saints will reign with Jesus Christ forever and ever in the Kingdom of Heaven where He will wipe away every tear from the eyes of God’s children; and there will no longer be any death, there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the old things have passed away. This begins the blessed eternity where we will be with the Lord and God will be with His people forever and ever. The Story of God will continue in Heaven forever and ever.
Now since you have been told the story of God, the truth of Christ, and the knowledge of salvation, would you like to become a child of God to inherit the Kingdom of God?
You can do it now by accepting and believing in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
ON September 3, 2025 for China to mark 80th anniversary of victory over Japanese aggression and fascism is a historical necessity and hard-earned victory. All foreigners who heroically sacrificed their lives for China in their fight against Japanese aggression must individually be commemorated and remembered, their relatives are eternal friends of China. I have never seen such a great parade before, the size and scope of it would overwhelm your mind; every aspect of it was systematically planned, every step of male and female soldiers was of uniform procedures, every military vehicle with all nuclear missiles and every war airplane in the sky well performed; the words such as grand, massive, superb, magnificent fail to describe the whole celebration. I wholeheartedly salute every Chinese military man and woman who participated. From 1931-1945, the brutal behavior of Japanese and its inhuman atrocities were worse than wild beasts and deserve ten atomic bombs in recompense. Even today Japanese government and leaders do not admit and repent of their war crimes, they worship executed war criminals as their national heroes and living gods. Japan never apologizes and pays compensation for killing 35 million Chinese, made hundreds of thousands sex slaves, millions of labor slaves and untold atrocities. Never again will China be oppressed. I am sure the militant Japan is deterred, but America is on the wrong side of history. Thank God it did not rain.
The mayors of Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and Chicago are for crooks and criminals, they must be dismissed and deported. All the facts point to the need, Ukraine must be destroyed and its leader executed in order to end the war. Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis are terrorists and the countries that harbor them must be destroyed all together.
Since Gaza, West Bank, etc. are the Jewish lands, Palestinians must evacuate from all Jewish lands and flee to Arab lands where they are safe to receive international aid and build a Palestinian state of their choice.
The leader of Ukraine is corrupt and evil. Ukrainians are stupid to follow the path of destruction. He was the one who instigated war with Russia. Now he asks for security guarantees. The nincompoop should be executed to end the war.
Palestinians, Africans, and others serve as example of peoples who want to eat and do not want to work. UN, WHO, EU, etc. champion their cause. Palestinians do not want evacuate from Gaza, Jewish lands to resettle in Arab lands. Because they will lose their status as refugees where they can get their food, fuel, water, medicine and everything for free from international community. These problems multiply with the passage of time.
UN, EU, GERMANY, UK, FRANCE, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZELAND, ETC. are strange and unreasonable peoples. Who is stopping Palestinians to build a Palestinian state in an Arab land? It is wrong and illegal to build a Palestinian state in Jewish land (Gaza, West Bank, etc.). That is the cause of conflict.
The fact that National Guards have to patrol Washington, D.C. with weapons speaks loudly and badly of the capital. The mayor of Washington, D.C. should be dismissed and deported. All the more urgent the national capital should move to Lincoln, Nebraska, without delay.
The mayor of Washington, D.C. bowed to the illegal acts of street people who set up tents on public streets. She should be dismissed and deported. The National Guards are empowered to trash the tents, clear the streets and vanish street people. Los Angeles is a disgraced city because the California Governor and Los Angeles mayor failed to solve the problems of street people who not only set up tents on public streets, but also urinate and defecate. All the more urgent for the national capital to move to Lincoln, Nebraska. In the face of national debt exceeding $37 trillion, the people can save money by abolishing the House, retain the unicameral legislation of Senate to move also to Lincoln Nebraska. All this can be accomplished legally by a national referendum. America is ruined by dark and evil forces.
Heroes of all races who sacrificed their lives for China in the war against Japanese aggression should be celebrated and remembered. The descendants of them are eternal friends of China. Descendants of American Flying Tiers whose forefathers had sacrificed their lives in the war against Japanese aggression and atrocities must always be honored and remembered. The Chinese government must treat them as eternal friends, and they are welcome to China anytime. Such blood bonds must be appreciated and maintained forever.
The world wrongly marks the anniversary of dropping atomic bomb on Hiroshima while neglecting the Japanese aggression and atrocities of killing 35 million innocent Chinese without remorse or reparations. UN over–appointed unqualified blacks and media have given too much coverage to unworthy black spoke-persons. It is amazing no matter how beautifully white organizations and individuals hail human rights, civil rights, democracy, development, technology, benefits, justice, etc., what they are actually after is MONEY. This can be said equally true about blacks.
Pet economy is wasted economy. Money should better be spent on nutrition and education of children and orphans. In cities all dogs must have annual license of Y5,000, cats Y4,000, and birds Y3,000. It is exempt for rural areas. If a dog defecates in public place, it shall be fined Y3,000 plus cleanup by owner or walker.
Global media highlight the number of Palestinians who have died, but fail to consider why Palestinian Authority and Palestinians do not want to evacuate from Jewish land and resettle in Arab land. Palestinians, men and women, young and old, are shameless beggars. They remain in Gaza to qualify for refugees so that they can get everything free from international community. The international community is ignorant of the fact that GAZA and related territories all belong to the Jews. Israel has every right to take back and take over Gaza and related territories. Palestinians must evacuate and relocate to Arab lands, make a living and establish its own Palestinian state without further delay.
French nincompoop Macron recognized Palestine as a state but failed to know that Palestine does not have territory and sovereignty. Leaders of UK, GERMANY, AUSTRLALIA would commit the same mistake by supporting terrorists. Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis are wicked terrorists, they should be destroyed without mercy. Leaders of Palestinian Authority are guilty for the death and malnutrition of children because they lead Palestinians to the path of destruction. They could have led Palestinians to lands of Arabs to earn a living and build their own Palestinian state. Palestinians (young & old, man & woman) are most shameless beggars for food & water, they don’t want to go to an Arab land to earn a living and build their own Palestinian state. Africa amid famine has the most fat people in the world, they are also shameless beggars. Ukrainians are shameless beggars for weapons, they do not have reason for existence. Harvard though the richest university in the world is a shameless beggar for US aid. Japan claims to practice democracy, its ruling party lost election miserably, yet its prime minister shamelessly wants to stay in power. The world must realize years of aid to Africa produced nothing, trillions of dollars went to black holes. Africa is corrupt, unmotivated and useless. Black leaders and politicians take advantage of it; dress well, eat well, and live a luxurious life style. Black problems can be solved only by Blacks. Let Africa alone to survive on its own. Blacks create most of the problems in the world, given too much coverage and platform in world media, over–appointed and given too many spokespersons and positions in UN. Any nation who shares destiny with Africa will be doomed. Nothing good comes out of Africa: primitive religion, superstition, spiritism, orgies, black magic, tribalism, voodooism.
If the Texas flooding is an act of God; Ukraine conflict, and conflicts of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthis must be acts of the devil.
India must coexist with China, at the same time India and South Africa must be expelled from BRICS besause they do not remain true to BRICS’ founding mission, they do not belong, must be replaced by Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. US and EU must not rearm Ukraine, let Russia destroy it, and never to be rebuilt. The leader of Ukraine must also be executed.
Palestinian Authorities are guilty for leading Palestinians to a path of death, children died and suffer malnutrition. Palestian Authorities do not lead Palestinians (who are Arabs) to a land of Arabs to work for a living and build the Palestinian state.
American forces have successfully wiped out three Iranian nuclear sites through B-2 bombers. The “everlasting consequence” is Iran cannot be a nuclear threat anymore. I stand with the overwhelming majority of Dutch people to demolish NATO — the war machine.
*Our mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ absolutely free. We do not want donation. We only want you to know the truth.
The names of God are so unique and
supreme that no ONE, NO others whether
angels, demons, devil, or any beings
can share or have. Some silly peoples call
their children Jesus. Jesus and God are not
names that people call their children after.
This article is written to let you know the Great and Glorious God has many names and titles. Each name of God reflects His attribute, character, and nature. There is none other, God is One and Only. Give Him all the glory and honor. Blessed is His Name. Why do I praise the name of God? Dan 2:20, “Daniel said, Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him.” False gods and idols do not have wisdom and power. The “name” Daniel used is shum (Aramaic) corresponding to shem which occurs 12 times in the Old Testament; it means fame; reputation; glory; memorial; monument; of definite and conspicuous position; an appellation; a mark or memorial of individuality; – which occurs 852 times in the Old Testament. In comparison to the celebrated name of God, my name is nothing. However, there is a little anecdote connected to my name. The funny thing is that many years ago when my first website Chinese for China achieved some recognition and reputation, there was a Chinese woman who called herself Willie Wong with her picture displayed and copied my words verbatim at her site. Ironically, it seemed she did not know that Willie Wong is a male. Do you know fame has wings? A number of Chinese men ride on the wings of my name by calling themselves Willie Wong whether they were called at birth or not. If you look at the Internet under Willie Wong today, you will find many Chinese males claim to be Willie Wong with their pictures on. My picture is never put on the Internet. It used to be amusing to me when I visited Hong Kong because the custom took a long time to check my U.S. passport as there are too many Willie Wongs in Hong Kong.
Why the name of God is most important? Because it is used as designation of God, by implication His honor, authority, glory and character.
On a mission trip to Athens, the Apostle Paul addressed the philosophers at the Areopagus, according to the account in Acts 17. It was interesting that Paul noticed an altar with the inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD . The Lord of heaven has revealed Himself in many ways and spoken through His prophets. The only valid theology is Biblical theology. God has many names, but God is One. The names of God reflect His nature and attribute. This is the eternal truth: God is One, the true God, there is no other.
CHINA has some moral culture which is not contrary to Christian morality. However, China also has superstitious cultural characteristics which are contrary to Christianity. Chinese Christians must not call God 老天爷 （Lao Tian Ye） which means Old Heaven Father, that is irreverent. Many ignorant Americans also call God, the Old Man Upstairs. That is also a blasphemy. Christians everywhere must address God as taught by Jesus Christ, our Heavenly Father. Luk 11:13 , “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”
Man is evil, God is our Heavenly Father. The creature must obey the Creator.
It is blasphemous to invent name for God, God is known by His revelation. God revealed Himself to Moses: I AM WHO I AM. Exd 3:14, “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 is who He says He is. God is not what man thinks He is. God has many names and titles. God is WHO HE IS, THE ONLY TRUE GOD. There is no other.
God is ONE. The Father and Son are ONE. The Jehovah of the Old Testament is the Jesus of the New Testament. The following are some of the names of God written in the Holy Bible.
1. Lord God Almighty Rev 4:8 , “And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within and they do not rest day and night, saying: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.”
2. JEHOVAH
Exd 6:3, “And I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.”
Note: JEHOVAH was the name God is known to the Jews. JEHOVAH in Hebrew means “the Self-Existing One.” It is interesting in the Hebrew Old Testament, you can find several of God’s names with JEHOVAH as prefixes:
Jehovah Nissi (The Lord My Banner) – Exd 17:15, “And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi.” Jehovah-Raah (The Lord My Shepherd) – Psa 23:1, “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” Jehovah Rapha (The Lord Who Heals) – Exd 15:26 , “And He said: If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the Lord, am your Healer.” Jehovah Shammah (The Lord Is There) – Eze 48:35 , “The city shall be 18,000 cubits round about; and the name of the city from that day shall be, The Lord is there.” JehovahTsidkenu (The Lord Our Righteousness) – Jer 23:6, “In His days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this is His name by which He shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Jehovah Mekoddishkem (The Lord Who Sanctifies You) – Exd 31:13 , “But as for you, speak to the sons of Israel, saying: You shall surely observe My Sabbaths; for this is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you.” Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Will Provide) – Gen 22:14 , “And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh; as it is said to this day: In the mount of the Lord it will be provided.” Jehovah Shalom (The Lord Is Peace) – Jdg 6:24, “Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord, and called it Jehovahshalom. To this day it is still in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.” Jehovah Sabaoth (The Lord of Hosts) – 1 Sa 1:3, “This man went up from his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the Lord there.” 3. The Lord God
Gen 2:4 , “These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens.”
Note: The Lord God made the earth and the universe (Heavens).
4. The Lord God of hosts
1 Ki 19:10 , “And he said: I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, thrown down Your altars, and slain Your prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life to take it away.”
5. The Lord God of Israel
Luk 1:68 , “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people.”
Note: When Jesus Christ came, the Lord God of Israel can also become the God of Gentiles (Non-Jews) by grace through faith in the Son of God. Beware those who want to take the land that God had given to Abraham and his descendants, the Lord God of Israel will fight for Zion. Let the enemies of Israel beware!
6. The Lord God Omnipotent
Rev 19:6, “And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying: Alleluia, for the Lord God Omnipotent reigns.”
Note: Omnipotent in Greek is pantokratō which means Amighty; the All-Ruling; the Ruler of all; He who holds sway over all things; having unlimited authority and power; – which occurs 10 times in the New Testament. There is nothing is impossible with the Almighty God.
7. The Lord God of the holy prophets
Rev 22:6 , “And he said to me: These words are faithful and true. And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must soon take place.”
8. The Lord of Heaven
Dan 5:23 , “But you have exalted yourself against the Lord of Heaven; and they have brought the vessels of His house before you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines have been drinking wine from them; and you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which do not see, hear or understand. But the God in whose hand are your life-breath and your ways, you have not glorified.”
Note: Our life-breath and our existence are in the hand of God.
9. The Lord of Sabaoth
Rom 9:29 , “And just as Isaiah foretold: Unless the Lord of Sabaoth had left to us a posterity, we would have become like Sodom, and would have resembled Gomorrah.”
Note: The Lord of Sabaoth means the Lord of the armies of Israel. Let the enemies of Israel who want to take Jerusalem beware, the Lord of Sabaoth will fight for the capital of the great King.
10. The Lord Strong and Mighty
Psa 24:8 , “Who is this King of glory? The Lord Strong and Mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. “
11. Lord of Heaven and Earth
Mat 11:25 , “At that time Jesus answered and said: I praise You, Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the educated and learned, and have revealed them to the untaught.”
Heaven and earth means the universe. God is Lord of the universe.
12. Lord Holy and True
Rev 6:10 , “And they cried out with a loud voice, saying: How long, O Lord, Holy and True, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”
Note: Holy and true are the nature of God. All other gods and men are neither holy nor true.
13. The Living Father
Jhn 6:57 , “As the Living Father has sent Me, and I (Christ) live by the Father; so he who eats Me will also live by Me.”
Note: He who eats Me means he who accepts Jesus Christ who sacrificed His body on the cross for him will have eternal life. God is the Living Father in comparison to human fathers who are mortal.
14. Holy Father
Jhn 17:11 , “And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your own name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one, as We are.”
Note: The Catholic Church has blasphemed God by calling pope Holy Father.
15. Heavenly Father
Mat 6:14 , “For if you forgive men their misdeeds, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”
Our earthly father is nothing in comparison to our Heavenly Father. If we have to respect our earthly father as we should, how much we have to fear our Heavenly Father.
16. Righteous Father
Jhn 17:25 , “O Righteous Father, the world has not known You; but I have known You, and these have known that You have sent Me.”
Note: Liars and killers are unrighteous, Jesus Christ defines them as children of the devil. Children of righteous Father cannot lie and kill.
17. Abba, Father
Rom 8:15 , “For you have not received the spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received the Spirit of adoption by which we cry out, Abba! Father!”
Note: Abba is abba in Aramaic which means father; customary title of God used in prayer; a most sacred proper name of God; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. Let feminists beware; God is presented as Father, never as mother.
18. The Father of Glory
Eph 1:17 , “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, may give to you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.”
No human father, be it king or president, has glory comparable to the Father of Glory.
19. The Father of Spirits
Hbr 12:9 , “Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh to discipline us, and we gave them respect; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of Spirits, and live?”
20. The Father of Lights
Jam 1:17 , “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of Lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”
21. The Almighty God
Gen 17:1 , “When Abram was ninety-nine years old; the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, I am the Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.”
No matter who you are, be it king or president, dictator or tycoon, scientist or scholar — no one is mighty.
22. Jealous God
Exd 20:5, “You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a Jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me.”
When you worship false gods like Japanese worship their war criminals, it makes God angry with them.
23. Merciful God
Deu 4:31 , “For the Lord your God is a Merciful God; He will not fail you nor destroy you nor forget the covenant with your fathers which He swore to them.”
Because God is merciful, He is not willing any should perish; so He sent His Only Son Jesus Christ to the world to save sinners.
24. The Faithful God
Deu 7:9 , “Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the Faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments.”
When everything fails, remember God is faithful and true.
25. The Righteous God
Psa 7:9 , “O let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous; for the Righteous God tries the hearts and minds.”
The hearts and minds of the wicked are wickedness. It is the nature of the wicked to do evil. No man can by his own good deeds to earn the righteousness of God. Jesus Christ is the Righteousness of God, and He makes its possible to justify sinners before God.
26. The Living God
Psa 84:2 , “My soul longs and even yearns for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.”
Primitive people worship idols and all all idols are dead gods who are not God.
27. The Mighty God
Isa 10:21 , “A remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the Mighty God.”
Note: The Mighty God is the Almighty God. There is nothing impossible with the Almighty God.
28. The Everlasting God
Isa 40:28 , “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not faint or become weary. His understanding is inscrutable.” Christians are happy because our God is the Everlasting God, His salvation is the Everlasting salvation, and His Kingdom is the Everlasting Kingdom.
Rom 16:26 , “But now is made manifest, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the Everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith.”
Note: The word “everlasting” is interchangeable with “eternal.” God by nature is eternal. God is Self-Existent, from eternity to eternity, without time and without end.
29. The Most High God
Dan 5:21 , “ He (Nebuchadnezzar) was also driven away from mankind, and his heart was made like that of beasts, and his dwelling place was with the wild asses. He was given grass to eat like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven until he recognized that the Most High God is ruler over the realm of mankind, and that He appoints over it whomever He wishes.”
Note: Let white and black supremacists beware, they cannot conquer the world. For God rules over the kingdoms of mankind. All evil empires have vanished. The evil American empire and the evil Japanese empire will soon vanish from the face of the earth. Let warmongers and dictators and oppressors know this: The Most High God is the Ruler over the realm of mankind.
30. The Only True God
Jhn 17:3 , “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the Only True God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”
All other gods are false gods. The only true God cannot tolerate other gods or idols. The most miserable are the Japanese leaders and people who worship their convicted and executed war criminals as true gods. There is no other god, Jesus Christ is our God and Savior.
31. The Immortal God
Rom 1:23 , “And exchanged the glory of the Immortal God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed beasts and crawling creatures.”
Note: The Scripture declares the folly of idolatry. The Immortal God is eternal.
32. The Invisible God
Col 1:15 , “He (Christ) is the image of the Invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.”
Note: God is invisible because He is the Spirit. Spirit does not have flesh and bone. For that reason, scientists cannot study God, because the real of Spirit is beyond their inquiry. Scientists cannot study the Invisible.
33. The Living and True God
1 Th 1:9 , “For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the Living and True God.”
34. The Blessed God
1 Ti 1:11 , “According to the glorious gospel of the Blessed God, which was committed to my trust.”
The Blessed God deserves all our praises and thankfulness.
35. The Only Wise God
1 Ti 1:17 , “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the Only Wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
Let the evil trinity of Washington, Wall Street and Hollywood beware. They think, speak and act as arrogant rulers of the world. They think they are wise to dictate and dominate the world because they have the largest armed forces, and the nuclear weapons. They do not realize they are foolish like worms and will die suddenly. Let arrogant scientists and scholars be warned, what are you so proud about, you don’t even know when you are going to die?
36. The Great God
Tts 2:13 , “Looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of the Great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.”
The Jewish nation is surrounded by enemies. Oh, children of Abraham, do not fear. Accept Jesus Christ as your Messiah. The God of Abraham is the Great God, more powerful than the sole superpower, more mighty than all the nuclear weapons of the world.
37. The Only Lord God
Jud 1:4 , “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the Only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.”
38. The Rock of Israel
2 Sa 23:3 , “The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me: He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.”
Note: God is the Rock of Israel means God is the Savior and Protector of Israel. Those nations and peoples who want to eliminate Israel are enemies of God and will be wiped out by God. Let Arabs and gentiles know they cannot fight against the Rock of Israel. America is not the rock of Israel, God is.
39. Shepherd of Israel
Psa 80:1 , “Oh, give ear, Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who are enthroned above the cherubim, shine forth!”
Let my Jewish friends know this: Jesus Christ is the Shepherd of Israel, the Good Shepherd who died on the cross for sinners so that the children of God can be saved from the power of death. from the power of hell.
40. The Creator
Rom 1:25 , “For they changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”
Note: Evolution is contrary to the teaching of creation. Do not call yourself a Christian if you believe in evolution which is contrary to teaching of Jesus Christ. Fools, scientists are mere men; they cannot be wiser or more capable than God. What do scientists know? They do not even know when they are going to die! The universe was created by God, it was not created by big bang or small bang. The mankind was created by God, not evolved from ape or monkey. However, many humans have become moral monkeys which represented by Washington, Wall Street and Hollywood.
41. The Creator of Israel
Isa 43:15 , “I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.”
Note: The Creator of Israel is also the Protector of Israel.
42. The Creator of the ends of the earth
Isa 40:28 , “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not faint or become weary. His understanding is inscrutable.”
43. The Possessor of Heavens and Earth
Gen 14:22 , “But Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have raised my hand to the Lord, the Most High God, the Possessor of Heavens (universe) and earth.”
44. Jealous
Exd 34:14 , “For you shall not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.”
Most people do not know that our God is a jealous God, He does not like other gods, and He hates wickedness.
45. I AM WHO I AM
Exd 3:14 , “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.”
Note: The “I AM” of the Old Testament is the “I AM” of the New Testament. See John 6:35 . The I AM WHO I AM is the greatest mystery in the universe.
46. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
1 Pe 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.”
47. The God of all Grace
1 Pe 5:10 , “But may the God of all Grace, who has called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.”
Note: Grace in Greek is charis which means unmerited favor; favor given to the unworthy; merciful kindness of God; loving-kindness of God to sinners; act of mercy; kindness which bestows upon one what he has not deserved; a special favor of God; – which occurs 159 times in the New Testament. Without the grace of God, all men are doomed.
If God is only righteous, there will be no hope for mankind. The God of all grace makes possible salvation in Jesus Christ. You can be saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
48. The God of Salvation
Psa 68:20 , “Our God is the God of Salvation; and escapes from death belong to God the Lord.”
There is no other salvation except in Jesus Christ. For Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Salvation belongs to God.
49. The God of Justice
Mal 2:17 , “You have wearied the Lord with your words. Yet you say: How have we wearied Him? In that you say: Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and He delights in them, or, Where is the God of Justice?”
Those who do evil and violate justice are children of darkness and children of the devil. The leaders of America, Japan, Australia, Britain, France, Canada, New Zealand and all wicked nations, remember our God is the God of Justice. How can you escape from the wrath of God? Thomas Jefferson trembled when he thought of the just God.
50. The God of Glory
Act 7:2 , “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.”
Psa 29:3 , “The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord is over many waters.”
51. The God of love and peace
2 Cr 13:11 , “Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.”
Note: Warmongers, supremacists (black or white) and terrorists have no right to claim they believe in God, the God of love and peace.
52. The God of patience and consolation
Rom 15:5 , “Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus.”
Note: The wicked and unbelievers do not know the consolation of God.
53. The God of peace
Rom 16:20 , “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. Amen.”
54. The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob
Act 7:32 , “Saying: I am the God of your fathers–the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled and dared not look.”
Christians must be kind to the Jews because the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob is also the God of Christians.
55. The God of the Hebrews
Exd 3:18 , “They will pay attention 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.”
Note: The Hebrews are the Jews.
56. The God of Israel
Mat 15:31 , “So the crowd marveled as they saw the mute speaking, the crippled restored, and the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.”
57. The God of the living
Mar 12:27, “He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. You are therefore greatly mistaken.”
Note: The most absurd thing is that Japanese leaders and people call the executed and dead Japanese war criminals as living gods!
58. God our Savior
1 Ti 2:3 , “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.”
Jesus Christ is our God and Savior. There is no other god or savior. It is good and acceptable in the sight of God that you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Savior of the world. What is acceptable to men may be not acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.
59. God our Father
2 Cr 1:2 , “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
60. God of the spirits of all flesh
Num 16:22 , “But they fell on their faces and said: O God, God of the spirits of all flesh, when one man sins, will You be angry with the entire congregation?”
61. The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
2 Cr 1:3 , “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort.”
Note: The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is also the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort.
62. The Father of mercies
2 Cr 1:3 , “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort.”
Note: In the end it is not your money and power that counts, it is the mercies of God that matter.
63. The God of all comfort
2 Cr 1:3 , “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort.”
Suffering saints, do not lose heart for the God of all comfort will comfort you. Christians are the ultimate victors, not losers.
64. The Savior of all peoples
1 Ti 4:10 , “For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all peoples, especially of those that believe.”
Jesus Christ is the Savior of all peoples. This means no matter what your color, class, race, etc. if you only come and accept Jesus Christ the Son of God as your Lord and Savior, you will be saved. All who come to Jesus Christ, not one, no matter how humble or lowly, will be rejected.
65. The King Eternal, Immortal, Invisible
1 Ti 1:17 , “Now to the King Eternal, Immortal, Invisible, the Only Wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
Let all Christians everywhere bow and worship the King Eternal, Immortal, Invisible. Scientists cannot know and do not know anything eternal, immortal, and invisible.
66. The Redeemer of Israel
Isa 49:7 , “Thus says the Lord: the Redeemer of Israel, their Holy One, to Him whom man despises, to Him whom the nation abhors, to the Servant of rulers; kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the Lord who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel; and He has chosen You.”
67. The Redeemer
Isa 59:20 , “The Redeemer shall come to Zion, and to those who turn from transgression in Jacob, says the Lord.”
Because my Redeemer lives, I shall live forever.
68. The Hope of Israel
Jer 17:13 , “O Lord, the Hope of Israel, all who forsake You will be put to shame. Those who turn away from You will be written in the dust, because they have forsaken the Lord, the Fountain of Living Waters.”
Note: No nation or people can destroy Israel because God is the Hope of Israel. The hope of Israel does not lie in the power of the United States. The U.S. may vanish, but the Hope of Israel remains. The hope of Israel is not missiles and anti-missiles. Missiles and anti-missiles may fail or be destroyed, but the Hope of Israel is the Messiah who will reign forever and ever.
69. The Glory of Israel
1Sa 15:29 , “Also the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man that He should change His mind.”
Note: Man changes his mind because he may discover something that he did not know before. God knows the end from the beginning; so He has no reason to change His mind. Palestinians and Arabs, beware not to insult the Glory of Israel!
70. The Fountain of Living Waters
Jer 17:13 , “O Lord, the Hope of Israel, all who forsake You will be put to shame. Those who turn away from You will be written down in the dust, because they have forsaken the Lord, the Fountain of Living Waters.”
All who are weary and thirsty and oppressed of the world, come to the Fountain of Living Waters and drink, it is free of charge.
71. The Seat of Justice
Jer 50:7 , “All who found them have devoured them; and their adversaries said: We have not offended, because they have sinned against the Lord who is the Seat of Justice, even the Lord, the hope of their fathers.”
Note: The nations and peoples of the world, the Seat of Justice is not Washington, D.C., it is the Lord who is the Seat of Justice.
72. The Awesome One
Psa 76:11 , “Make vows to the Lord your God, and fulfill them. Let everyone bring tribute to the Awesome One.”
Note: Awesome means ought to be feared. Fear God therefore.
73. God Merciful and Gracious
Psa 86:15 , “But You, O Lord, are a God Merciful and Gracious, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth.”
74. The Everlasting King
Jer 10:10 , “But the Lord is the true God; He is the Living God and the Everlasting King. At His wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure His indignation.”
75. The Majesty on High
Hbr 1:3 , “Who being the Brightness of His Glory, and the Express Image of His Person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on High.”
Note: Majesty in Greek is megalōsynē which means greatness; something causes admiration and respect for its beauty and glory; sovereign dignity, power and grandeur; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament.
The names of God are very important because no one else can use them as his own. God reveals Himself in the Scriptures through His myriad names. The meanings behind God’s names reflect His central character, attribute, and nature. The English translations of God’s names cannot and do not fully convey the meanings in original Hebrew and Greek. The names of God listed above are representative and comprehensive, but not exhaustive. It is informative and instructive to take God’s names as they are.
To call God The Man Upstairs is at least irreverent, or blasphemous at most. Do not use the name of God in vain, little worm. You who are going to die, bow down to the Lord God Almighty, the Judge of the living and dead.
Now you have learned a lot about the Holy and Powerful Names of God.
IF YOU BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST, GOD BECOMES YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER. IF YOU REJECT CHRIST, GOD IS YOUR JUDGE!
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 80th anniversary of victory over Japanese aggression and fascism is a historical necessity and hard-earned victory. All foreigners who heroically sacrificed their lives for China in their fight against Japanese aggression must individually be commemorated and remembered, their relatives are eternal friends of China. I have never seen such a great parade before, the size and scope of it would overwhelm your mind; every aspect of it was systematically planned, every step of male and female soldiers was of uniform procedures, every military vehicle with all nuclear missiles and every war airplane in the sky well performed; the words such as grand, massive, superb, magnificent fail to describe the whole celebration. I wholeheartedly salute every Chinese military man and woman who participated. From 1931-1945, the brutal behavior of Japanese and its inhuman atrocities were worse than wild beasts and deserve ten atomic bombs in recompense. Even today Japanese government and leaders do not admit and repent of their war crimes, they worship executed war criminals as their national heroes and living gods. Japan never apologizes and pays compensation for killing 35 million Chinese, made hundreds of thousands sex slaves, millions of labor slaves and untold atrocities. Never again will China be oppressed. I am sure the militant Japan is deterred, but America is on the wrong side of history. Thank God it did not rain.
The mayors of Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and Chicago are for crooks and criminals, they must be dismissed and deported. All the facts point to the need, Ukraine must be destroyed and its leader executed in order to end the war. Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis are terrorists and the countries that harbor them must be destroyed all together.
Since Gaza, West Bank, etc. are the Jewish lands, Palestinians must evacuate from all Jewish lands and flee to Arab lands where they are safe to receive international aid and build a Palestinian state of their choice.
The leader of Ukraine is corrupt and evil. Ukrainians are stupid to follow the path of destruction. He was the one who instigated war with Russia. Now he asks for security guarantees. The nincompoop should be executed to end the war.
Palestinians, Africans, and others serve as example of peoples who want to eat and do not want to work. UN, WHO, EU, etc. champion their cause. Palestinians do not want evacuate from Gaza, Jewish lands to resettle in Arab lands. Because they will lose their status as refugees where they can get their food, fuel, water, medicine and everything for free from international community. These problems multiply with the passage of time.
UN, EU, GERMANY, UK, FRANCE, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZELAND, ETC. are strange and unreasonable peoples. Who is stopping Palestinians to build a Palestinian state in an Arab land? It is wrong and illegal to build a Palestinian state in Jewish land (Gaza, West Bank, etc.). That is the cause of conflict.
The fact that National Guards have to patrol Washington, D.C. with weapons speaks loudly and badly of the capital. The mayor of Washington, D.C. should be dismissed and deported. All the more urgent the national capital should move to Lincoln, Nebraska, without delay.
The mayor of Washington, D.C. bowed to the illegal acts of street people who set up tents on public streets. She should be dismissed and deported. The National Guards are empowered to trash the tents, clear the streets and vanish street people. Los Angeles is a disgraced city because the California Governor and Los Angeles mayor failed to solve the problems of street people who not only set up tents on public streets, but also urinate and defecate. All the more urgent for the national capital to move to Lincoln, Nebraska. In the face of national debt exceeding $37 trillion, the people can save money by abolishing the House, retain the unicameral legislation of Senate to move also to Lincoln Nebraska. All this can be accomplished legally by a national referendum. America is ruined by dark and evil forces.
Heroes of all races who sacrificed their lives for China in the war against Japanese aggression should be celebrated and remembered. The descendants of them are eternal friends of China. Descendants of American Flying Tiers whose forefathers had sacrificed their lives in the war against Japanese aggression and atrocities must always be honored and remembered. The Chinese government must treat them as eternal friends, and they are welcome to China anytime. Such blood bonds must be appreciated and maintained forever.
The world wrongly marks the anniversary of dropping atomic bomb on Hiroshima while neglecting the Japanese aggression and atrocities of killing 35 million innocent Chinese without remorse or reparations. UN over–appointed unqualified blacks and media have given too much coverage to unworthy black spoke-persons. It is amazing no matter how beautifully white organizations and individuals hail human rights, civil rights, democracy, development, technology, benefits, justice, etc., what they are actually after is MONEY. This can be said equally true about blacks.
Pet economy is wasted economy. Money should better be spent on nutrition and education of children and orphans. In cities all dogs must have annual license of Y5,000, cats Y4,000, and birds Y3,000. It is exempt for rural areas. If a dog defecates in public place, it shall be fined Y3,000 plus cleanup by owner or walker.
Global media highlight the number of Palestinians who have died, but fail to consider why Palestinian Authority and Palestinians do not want to evacuate from Jewish land and resettle in Arab land. Palestinians, men and women, young and old, are shameless beggars. They remain in Gaza to qualify for refugees so that they can get everything free from international community. The international community is ignorant of the fact that GAZA and related territories all belong to the Jews. Israel has every right to take back and take over Gaza and related territories. Palestinians must evacuate and relocate to Arab lands, make a living and establish its own Palestinian state without further delay.
French nincompoop Macron recognized Palestine as a state but failed to know that Palestine does not have territory and sovereignty. Leaders of UK, GERMANY, AUSTRLALIA would commit the same mistake by supporting terrorists. Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis are wicked terrorists, they should be destroyed without mercy. Leaders of Palestinian Authority are guilty for the death and malnutrition of children because they lead Palestinians to the path of destruction. They could have led Palestinians to lands of Arabs to earn a living and build their own Palestinian state. Palestinians (young & old, man & woman) are most shameless beggars for food & water, they don’t want to go to an Arab land to earn a living and build their own Palestinian state. Africa amid famine has the most fat people in the world, they are also shameless beggars. Ukrainians are shameless beggars for weapons, they do not have reason for existence. Harvard though the richest university in the world is a shameless beggar for US aid. Japan claims to practice democracy, its ruling party lost election miserably, yet its prime minister shamelessly wants to stay in power. The world must realize years of aid to Africa produced nothing, trillions of dollars went to black holes. Africa is corrupt, unmotivated and useless. Black leaders and politicians take advantage of it; dress well, eat well, and live a luxurious life style. Black problems can be solved only by Blacks. Let Africa alone to survive on its own. Blacks create most of the problems in the world, given too much coverage and platform in world media, over–appointed and given too many spokespersons and positions in UN. Any nation who shares destiny with Africa will be doomed. Nothing good comes out of Africa: primitive religion, superstition, spiritism, orgies, black magic, tribalism, voodooism.
If the Texas flooding is an act of God; Ukraine conflict, and conflicts of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthis must be acts of the devil.
India must coexist with China, at the same time India and South Africa must be expelled from BRICS besause they do not remain true to BRICS’ founding mission, they do not belong, must be replaced by Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. US and EU must not rearm Ukraine, let Russia destroy it, and never to be rebuilt. The leader of Ukraine must also be executed.
Palestinian Authorities are guilty for leading Palestinians to a path of death, children died and suffer malnutrition. Palestian Authorities do not lead Palestinians (who are Arabs) to a land of Arabs to work for a living and build the Palestinian state.
American forces have successfully wiped out three Iranian nuclear sites through B-2 bombers. The “everlasting consequence” is Iran cannot be a nuclear threat anymore. I stand with the overwhelming majority of Dutch people to demolish NATO — the war machine.
Ukraine nincompoop wants to use USA to fight against Russia. US must ditch Ukraine, EU and abolish NATO. EU alliance has proven meaningless. America must not guarantee security for any nation. International community, knowingly or unknowingly, is greatly mistaken. Gaza does not belong to Palestinians. Gaza belongs to Israeli. Palestinians are originally Arabs who invaded Palestine under British rule. It is good and right for Palestinians to relocate permanently in lands of Arabs to establish a Palestinian State of their own.
Hamas who killed hostages must be killed. Hamas who mistreated hostages must be punished.
Palestinians do not have homeland. Gaza, West Bank, Golan Heights, etc. belong to the Jews. It is good and right that Palestinians be resettled permanently in any Arab land to build a Palestinian State of their own.
Palestinians must be evacuated from the Jewish lands and resettle permanently in Arab lands to build their own Palestinian state. Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthis are terrorists to be destroyed completely. That is the only way to peace.
The world intentionally believes in a lie. Palestinians are originally Arabs who surreptitiously moved to Israel without pay under the British colony called Palestine. Arabs bred like rabbits and called themselves Palestinians. It is most reasonable for Arabs to move to lands of Arabs. For Palestinians do not have claim or resettlement right in the Jewish land of Gaza, West Bank, etc. No one would object for Palestinians to build a Palestinian state in lands of Arabs, but Palestinians cannot build a Palestinian state in the Jewish land. Palestinians prefer to be called refugees in order to receive international aid every thing for free. Palestinians must move out or be removed from the Jewish land. TERRORISTS HAMAS, Hezbollah and Houthis MUST be destroyed completely.
Some fools believe and practice martial arts, boxing, violence, sports such as foot ball to save impoverished and backward nations. The truth is only hard work, being good farmers, herdsmen, fishermen, teachnicians, repairmen, engineers can save poor, undeveloped and backward nations.
There has been undeclared war in the southern border between Mexico and America, which has been neglected by previous American administrations. Mexico flagrantly serves as the open conduit for illegal migrants to enter California and crossing the river to enter Texas. The US must bomb Mexico City to warn them there can not be business as usual; in particular Mexico rejected American airplanes which carried deported illegal migrants to land. America must use its powerful military and National Guards to patrol the borders 24 hours. Fire and shoot at unlawful migrants who climb the wall; who try to destroy the wall; who do graffiti on the wall; who congregate within 100 feet of the wall; who cross the river; who cut the wire to deter the invasion. America declares to REJECT all asylum applicants for 100 years. No humanitarian aid shall be given to any unlawful migrants. In addition to American troops, state National guards must also be used to end the unlawful migrants invasion of America. They are despicable and deplorable peoples who fail in their countries and dream of entering America to live happily and doing nothing on welfare. Immigration Officers must raid Los Angeles, East Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Santa Ana, San Diego, Miami, etc. — dens of illegal aliens; the Welfare Department has their names and addressees.
Palestinians are also useless, shameless and worthless peoples to loot and rob international aid trucks. They are violent and unproductive. Leaders and politicians of Palestinian Authority lead them to the path of destruction by illegally occupying the Jewish lands. They do not want to go to the Arab lands to build their Palestinian state. They rather stay in Jewish lands in order to receive aid for nothing. No aid should enter to help Palestinians.
Hamas should be held responsible for killing hostages and be punished. The UN chief, Arab, Islamic, Black, EU nations speak and support terrorists should be gone. All UN high-paid officials should be replaced; and UN to be reformed in 100 days. It is a false peace. Gaza, West Bank, Golan Heights, Rafah, etc. are Jewish lands. UN, WHO, Arab-Muslim-Black nations and Palestinian Authority speak and support terrorists Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis without making any demand. Palestinians do not have homeland in Jewish lands. They must evacuate from Jewish lands and go to lands of Arab to build a Palestinian state. That would be true peace but they do not want peace.
China generously aided more than 100 nations, while their politicians and leaders practice corruption and looting of national treasures, their unproductive people sing and dance, drink alcohol and produce many children they cannot support.
CHINA is the most unusual nation on earth. The craftsmen or artisans of Tang, Sung, Yuan, Ming, Qing dynasties created untold and immense treasures for China. Western nations like Britain, US, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Austria-Hungary, and Japan (8-nation alliance) attacked, burned, robbed and stole and looted China national treasures at market value of more than US$100,000 trillion dollars. It is better to return them to China now, not wait until China makes demands by military force. Shame on Western nations who claim or pretend to be Christian. For the last 500 years, the manifest evils of the West are imperialism, colonialism and capitalism.
Today Chinese rescue workers respond to any natural disaster, the speed and service they built tents and houses unmatched by any nation. The American homeless people would rejoice just to have the Chinese tents. China must not waste its resources on the lazy people and unproductive peoples who
eat and get fat, drink alcohol, sing and dance, have sex and produce many unwanted children they cannot support; like to play, enjoy games and sports but
dislike hard work and discipline; cannot
even produce food and basic necessities.
Xizang earthquake demonstrates what the Chinese government cares and does for its people. Joe Biden in his last days still gives substantial military aid to the Ukrainians. What does the U.S. government do for Californians in Los Angeles wildfires? The world must know the truth.
Japan intends to swallow up the United States Steel in order to control the American economy. This should be an eye-opener to the U.S. government that Japan is not a genuine ally. The US government made a big mistake in rearming Japan. Singapore and Malaysia are wise to establish a special economic zone. Many underdeveloped nations fool China in holding one-China policy. By doing so they think they deserve China’s economic and financial aid. India has conflict of interest in Bricks, it is better to withdraw and Indonesia is wise to join Bricks.
Leaders and politicians of Palestinians are evil and guilty because they lead Palestinians to the path of death and destruction through illegal occupation of the Jewish land and support of the terrorists. They give false hope to Palestinians in so-called “two state solutions”. Palestinians are Arabs, no one would object to Palestinians building a Palestinian state in an Arab land. When Palestinians want to build a Palestinian state in the Jewish land, that is the cause of conflict. Palestinians speak and support terrorists Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthis.Palestine leaders and politicians should evacuate all Palestinians from the land of the Jews and go to Arab lands to build a Palestinian state. That would be peace.
The Internet is a cesspool of corruption, fraud and iniquity. No nation polices and punishes their wrongdoings. Money making individuals and institutions would invade your computer to push their products even rejected. Many famous American universities and institutions are selling their fraudulent products for incurable problems. Many individuals and institutions claim to be Christian and shamelessly and aggressively ask for donations. Many sell famous works in public domain through subscriptions and purchases. Many distort and pervert the Word of God but ask for donations.
Any nation which restricts, bans, or interferes with China’s activities is illegal and unlawful. China can do anything within its sovereignty that does not violate the international law.
To appease the fury and wrath of South Koreans, the impeached Yoon and all those who blocked his arrest shall be executed once and for all. Maybe Yoon should experience the 4-horse treatment. South Korea is the nation the world should not be: all incompetent, chaotic and useless.
Henceforth beginning 2025 all undeveloped nations must work, discipline and be responsible to produce their own food and other necessities; all international aid will be terminated beginning November 2025. Undeveloped nations cannot do as usual in dancing, singing, drinking and sporting, have sex and produce many unwanted children they cannot support. They must work hard to support and save themselves. Based on the Biblical principle, 2Th 3:10, “For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.”
How can we be suspicious since we never ask for money, we only tell the truth absolutely free.
China has aided more than 100 nations costing hundreds of $ billions. Tell the truth, which nation has expressed act of gratitude? Won’t it better to spend on internal improvement or buying gold?
WHO IS WILLIE WONG?
I am a Christian by grace, a Chinese by grace, an American by nationality. I am neither a communist nor a capitalist. Above all I am a follower and servant of Jesus Christ. In English I am a Ruskinian, In Management I am a Koontzian. In Politics I am a Nixonian. In Philosophy I am Willie Wong Thought.
WILLIEWONGTHOUGHT IS A SYSTEM THINKING OF
WILLIE WONG AND HIS WORLDVIEW. THIS IS NOT A
COMPANY OR A BUSINESS. IT DOES NOT SEEK
CUSTOMERS OR PROFITS. IT DOES NOT BUY OR
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TRUTH AND WISDOM. IT PREACHES THE GOSPEL OF
JESUS CHRIST ABSOLUTELY FREE. WE DO NOT WANT DONATION. WE ONLY WANT YOU TO KNOW THE
TRUTH.
https://williewongthought.hpage.com
THE WEST (US, BRITAIN, CANADA, EU) BEING EVIL AND FOUND GUILTY OF SANCTIONING CHINA ALL BECAUSE THEY COVET XINJIANG AND XICHANG AND HONG KONG, USE TAIWAN AND SOUTH CHINA SEA TO ATTACK CHINA’S SOVEREIGNTY.
On the one hand, some White experts pretend to make good suggestions to improve China economy; they may fool many Chinese, I can see malice, envy and ill will through their awkward faces. On the other hand, Black leaders and politicians play coy and con China to support their development for nothing. China needs to stop all foreign aid for two reasons: China needs to pay down deficits and debts. China must not be fooled and must use its hard-earned meager resources wisely to do the following strategic projects:
China should have unswerving commitment only to itself. China should not waste money on useless and unworthy undeveloped countries. Not one nation is grateful. Deficits and debts are bad. China cannot save the world, China must save itself.
2. Make deserts green and reduce sand storms.
3. Repair the Great Walls. Build sea walls around Hainan Island, Shanghai, etc. to prevent climate change that sea water will rise.
4. Promote night markets in big cities and promote domestic travel to expand the economy. Deficits and debts are bad; fiscal surplus is good.
5. Execute crooks and criminals who defraud through Telecom and Internet of more than ONE million yuan. IT is not known who polices the rampant international crooks and criminals who defraud the public by famous American universities and institutions who sell high-priced fake drugs such as to cure knee pain and prevent knee surgery and ear ringing, etc. Sweep clean fraudulent commercials on TV and the Internet.
6. Execute crooks and criminals who defraud in foreign nations and do not bring them home. Faces and names of deceivers must be published on TV to shame them and their families.
7. Increase and strengthen the development and deployment of nuclear weapons for self-defence.
8. Streamline and reduce national and local government debts and deficits.
9. Train 5 million doctors, dentists, nurses, teachers, professors and MANAGERS, machinists in the next 5 years.
10. Assist the poor Chinese in the rural areas first.
11. Improve mechanized agriculture, and upgrade technology in every field.
12. Streamline management of central and local governments.
13. Enforce laws to reduce the number of criminal individuals and organizations in many areas.
14. Execute crooks and criminals who create rumors and conduct espionage that harm national security.
15. Reorganize personnel of CGTN and restructure its programs.
16. Protect the environment and punish severely individuals and organizations who dump industrial waste and toxic materials on lands, soils, water ways, lakes and rivers, and seas.
17. Remove all fraudulent commercials and fake advertisements from TV and Internet and punish the culprits severely. Violent gaming produces violent culture. Violent culture destroys any nation.
18. Make it easy for Overseas Chinese to come to China and make their investments.
19. Reward universities that earn and win NOBEL prizes.
20. Conduct ditching and dredging of lakes and rivers to prevent flooding before extreme weather.
21. Innovate and increase therapeutic and pharmaceutical capabilities to produce various vaccines and preventive medicines.
22. Regulate foreign hospitals and clinics in China to prohibit monopoly and prevent high costs of healthcare.
23. Bargain down whole sale price with foreign drug companies to import effective foreign drugs to benefit Chinese consumers.
24. Subsidize elderly apartment renting by 30%, if elderly live with their children, their monthly mortgage will reduce also by 30%.
25. Severely punish companies that manufacture fake or low quality products.
26. The world must condemn the phony currency called Bitcoin and China should not fall into the financial trap.
27. Execute individuals and organizations that rob ancient cemeteries or tombs to sell precious national treasures.
28. Regulate foreign hospitals and clinics in China to prohibit monopoly and prevent high costs of healthcare.
29. Bargain down whole sale price with foreign drug companies to import effective foreign drugs to benefit Chinese consumers.
30. The world must condemn the phony currency called Bitcoin and China should not fall into the financial trap.
31. Mandate providing access to elderly and invalid wheelchairs.
32. Execute individuals and organizations that rob ancient cemeteries or tombs to sell precious national treasures.
33. Prohibit anyone to smoke on TV or in movies. Reduce individual gun violence except in war movies.
34. Execute Hong Kong residents who commit treason or to be exiled permanently. Hong Kong is fortunate to have food, fuel and water, etc. provided by Mainland China. Hong Kong should start de-Biritishization by changing all English street names, for example Victoria Peak should be replaced by Deng Xiaoping Peak.
35. No one speaks Portuguese except Portugal and Brazil. Macao should not hamstring its residents, but replace Portuguese with the English language the sooner the better.
36. Increase, innovate, and modernize public and private toilet facilities.
37. Punish severely those who violate smoking and drinking on buildings, trains, ferries, and airplanes; the third violation deserves to be executed.
38. China needs to make Christmas a national holiday to facilitate the big Christmas business in China.
39. Execute leading organized criminals, attack every form of terror, and destroy vigorous lawlessness.
40. Penalize severely those who have licenses but do not know how to drive or violate traffic rules and regulations on purpose.
41. To deter and destroy corruption, China needs to execute any officer who commits corruption of more than CNY one million.
42. Execute anyone who counterfeits money and seize all his/her assets.
43. Rebuild the Old Summer Palace, Yuanmingyuan Park ( 圆明园) which was burned down and destroyed by aggressive and intrusive 8-nation-troops; and DEMAND them reparations now through diplomacy or later by military force.
44. Use force to liberate Taiwan and execute traitorous leaders of the People’s Progressive Party (民進黨) publicly.
How to solve global hunger and poverty? There are nations and peoples who deserve to suffer hunger and poverty. For example, Palestinians do not want to go to lands of Arab to build a Palestinian state of their own. They would rather be in the Jewish land and label as refugees so that they can receive international aid for free. There are undeveloped nations and peoples whose leaders and politicians are corrupt, and the peoples are lazy and unproductive; they eat and get fat, sing and dance, drink beer and have sex, produce many children they cannot support. They like the way of life so that they can beg and receive aid freely. These nations will remain poor and suffer hunger in worse situation a hundred years from now!
The Democrats are so bad that they lost the White House, the Senate, and the House at the same time. Joe Biden will go down in American history as the most useless leader in domestic affairs because he has done nothing for the economy; “As of April 2024, President Joe Biden has increased the national debt by $6.17 trillion throughout his presidency”; DID NOTHING TO DEPORT the 45 MILLION ILLEGAL ALIENS ALREADY RESIDING IN AMERICA; DID NOTHING TO STOP INVASIONS OF UNLAWFUL MIGRANTS; DID NOTHING FOR GUN CONTROL, ETC. Biden had appointed too many unqualified blacks.
As the most malicious and irresponsible lame duck in his last days authorizes the Ukraine war criminal to use the U.S. long-range missiles to strike inside Russia AND gave away: “The United States has allocated $113.4 billion in emergency funding to support Ukraine, American partners affected by the Russia-Ukraine war, and US national security programs.” Most irresponsible and disgraced leader by pardoning his son, etc. The US bans Tik Tok because it cannot compete. US bans, controls, investigates, and restricts China because it cannot compete. Biden fools himself by claiming America is stronger. The US is so strong that it commits suicide.
It is laughable that a black politician made a statement on TV, “Africa cannot develop without fossil fuel.” What Africa does not have, can make long laundry list. Years ago when China was poor and did not have anything. Did America and Europe give aid? In fact to these days they are the biggest enemies of China, oppressors, trouble makers, diplomatic obstructionists and military aggressors. In America, the elderlies have to make a choice between taking a meal and medications. They cost $25 each; to have a meal they cannot afford to have medications. The electric bills are so high, even though they have heaters and air conditioners, they die in Summer and Winter. Every year I lectured at major Chinese universities and vacationed in China for 3 weeks when I worked for an American corporation. I noticed my electric bill did not go down even I was out of the country for 3 weeks. The female representative of Edison Power had the gall to say they do not charge customers by usage.
Africa has done nothing to deserve a large coverage by world media. Civil wars, conflicts and constant shortages should be ignored. Undeveloped nations have no hope because of their corrupt leaders and politicians, their peoples are lazy and unproductive. They glorify tribalism, barbarianism and primitive behavior. They dislike work, like games and sports although sports produce nothing. They have civil wars, conflicts, tensions, gangs and terrorists, violence, man-made and natural disasters. They eat and get fat, sing and dance, drink beer and have sex, produce so many unwanted children they cannot support. These useless, ugly, immoral and unworthy peoples do not deserve any humanitarian aid. Ten or more years from now they will get worse and worse.
Is there any future or hope for America when the President, the Congress and the Supreme Court do not uphold the law by deporting 45 million illegal aliens already residing in America on welfare and let hordes of unlawful migrants enter boldly and freely to ruin America???
This is the voice of an old dying American in the wilderness who does not seek money or power.
The new President must attack Mexico militarily for violating American sovereignty, being the conduit of unlawful migrants for years AND drugs trafficking. Drop a few bombs on Mexico City may be a good start.
Deport 45 million illegal aliens already residing in America and use military to prevent invasion of hordes of illegal migrants from entering the United States and reject all asylum seekers. Build walls and militarize the borders for safety and security.
Mexico threatens loss of US 400,000 jobs, US by canceling NAFTA will cost Mexico 4 million jobs.
Use military to repel unlawful migrants and shoot at migrants who cut the fence or destroy the wall.
Withdraw support from Ukraine, END the war, and execute the Ukraine leader for war crimes and corruption.
Enact the law to require citizenship to apply for welfare, and all welfare recipients must work to get benefits.
Annihilate Iran, terrorists Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis; and force Palestinians to evacuate from the Jewish lands and go to lands of Arabs.
America has been playing the fool so long, of course America must be FIRST for America.
Former imperialists and colonialists must pay compensations to their former colonies. African nations are big talkers but small doers. Africa must be self-sufficient and receive no aid.
A nation has no reason to exist if it does not have water, food and fuel and basic infrastructure.
It is strangest that UN, WHO, ICC (International Criminal Court) etc. Speak and Support terrorists HAMAS, HEZBOLLAH and HOUTHIS.
It is a felony to harbor, hire or help unlawful migrants or illegal aliens.
Is there any future or hope for the world where the terrorists Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthis make demands and UN, WHO, EU, all Arab-Muslim-Black nations serve and support them willingly?
America and EU can change the world by changing course, cease all hostilities against Russia and China, like President Nixon sought a just and lasting peace for the world. I believe the overwhelming majority of Americans want this.
I propose the world to impose a moratorium of 20 years on the undeveloped, unproductive, insufficient and useless nations. No matter what internal conflict and tensions, civil war and war with neighbors, coups d’etat, famine, drought, or man-made disasters, the international community will not interfere. Moratorium means no communication, no diplomacy and no aid in whatever form. After 20-year of burning themselves out, many nations will vanish, and those who do well will survive. That is when the international community can help those nations who really want to become decent and respectable and responsible nations.
*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.
There are some silly peoples who live in silly countries who call themselves Jesus. There is only one Jesus, and there is no other. Jesus is not a name that any parents can name their sons after. The same no one can call himself God.
This article is written to let you know who and what Jesus Christ really is. Jesus Christ is what His names and titles declare He is. His names and titles cannot be claimed or used by anyone. Christ has many names and titles. The names and titles of Christ reflect His divine nature and attributes, power and glory. The name Jesus signifies His humanity, born of a virgin. Christ signifies His divinity, anointed by God, the Son of God. The name of Jesus Christ is high above all other names. Just as the names of Jesus Christ are, so is He. Jesus Christ is our Savior and the True God.
1. The Christ of God
Luk 9:20 , “He said to them: But whom do you say that I AM? Peter answering said: The Christ of God.”
Note: Jesus Christ was sent by God to be the Messiah, the Savior of the world.
2. The Son of the Living God
Jhn 6:69 , “And we believe and are sure that You are that Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Note: Unlike all prophets, Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God. Jesus Christ was God who became Man, born of a virgin Mary, conceived by the Holy Spirit, sinless and holy.
3. The Son of God
1 Jo 3:8 , “He who commits sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God appeared so that He might destroy the works of the devil.”
Rom 1:4 , “Who was declared to be the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness.”
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 through His name.”
1 Jo 4:15 , “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him, and he in God.”
Note: There are many proofs that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit given birth by a virgin. Jesus Christ was sinless, full of grace and truth. Jesus Christ was God who became Man. Jesus Christ raised the dead and performed mighty miracles and wonders and signs. Jesus Christ was declared to be the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead. Jesus Christ came from the Father and returned to the Father in the highest Heavens. Above all, the Son of God is coming again to judge the world and reign with the saints for eternity.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God, not the same Christians are the sons of God. Jesus Christ is the only Begotten Son of God, before time and space. In the begging was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. Jesus Christ is the Word. God became Man in the Person of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ did not become God. Jesus Christ was God from the beginning, from everlasting to everlasting, the Eternal God, the Everlasting Father. Christians are adopted sons of God, no comparison with the Son of God. All the children of God form the Church of God, and Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, the Body of Christ.
4. The Word of God
Rev 19:1 3, “He (Christ) was clothed with a robe dipped in blood; and His name is called The Word of God.”
Note: Word in Greek is logos which means the Divine reason or expression; – it occurs 334 times in the New Testament; used by the Apostle John to denote the essential Word of God, Jesus Christ, the personal Wisdom and Power in union with God, His ministry in creation and government of the universe, the cause and upholder of all the world’s life both physical and moral, which for the procurement of man’s salvation put on human nature in the person of Jesus the Messiah, the second person in the Godhead, and enlightened the world conspicuously from His words and deeds.
5. The Word of Life
1 Jo 1:1 , “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of Life.”
6. The Word became flesh
Jhn 1:14 , “And the Word became flesh, and lived among us; and we saw His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Note: The Word became flesh means God became Man – the Incarnation.
7. The Word
1 Jo 5:7 , “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these Three are One.”
The Word is another title of Jesus Christ.
Cf. Jhn1:1
8. Immanuel
Isa 7:14 , “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will conceive and bear a Son, and will call His name Immanuel.”
Note: Immanuel in Hebrew is `Immanuw’el which means “God with us”; symbolic and prophetic name of the Messiah, the Christ, prophesying that He would be born of a virgin and would be ‘God with us’ (Strong’s Concordance); – which occurs 2 times in the Old Testament.
9. Wonderful
Isa 9:6 , “For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder. His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace..”
Note: Wonderful in Hebrew is pele’ which means marvelous; admirable; miraculous; distinguished; amazing; sublime; – which occurs 13 times in the Old Testament. You will never know how Wonderful is Jesus Christ if you are not a Christian and do not have the Spirit of Christ living in you.
I have lived to be an old age and having met millions of peoples in the world, I cannot honestly say one is wonderful. I can assure you that Jesus Christ is Wonderful.
10. Counselor
Isa 9:6 , “For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder. His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.”
11. The Mighty God
Isa 9:6 , “For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder. His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.”
Note: Mighty in Hebrew is gibbowr which means strongest; valiant; powerful; upright; chief; impetuous; extraordinary; characterized by might; greatest; – which occurs 158 times in the Old Testament. It is not only Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, He is the Mighty God.
Many people know that Jesus Christ was a good man and a great man. Do you know Jesus Christ is the Mighty God, our Savior?
12. The Everlasting Father
Isa 9:6 , “For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder. His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.”
Note: Everlasting in Hebrew is `ad which means eternal; perpetual; evermore; for ever; continuing future; world without end; – which occurs 49 times in the Old Testament. How the Son of God is also the Everlasting Father is beyond human comprehension. But believe what Jesus says about Himself, Jhn 10:27-30 ,“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are ONE.”
13. The Prince of Peace
Isa 9:6 , “For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder. His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.”
Warmongers and terrorists are children of the devil. The don’t know the way of peace.
14. The Prince of princes
Dan 8:25 , “And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.”
15. Jesus of Nazareth
Act 10:38 , “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”
Note: Jesus of Nazareth is the historical Jesus as it is written in the New Testament. Nazareth is a real geographical place where Jesus used to live while He was on earth.
16. The Only Begotten of the Father
Jhn1:14 , “And the Word became flesh, and lived among us; and we saw His glory, the glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Note: Unbelieving theologians and secularists teach that ‘we are all sons of God.’ Not so, unbelievers are children of the devil. Jesus Christ is not a son, but the Only Begotten Son of the Father.
17. The Savior of the world
Jhn 4:42 , “And said to the woman: Now we believe, not because of your saying; for we have heard Him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.”
1 Jo 4:14 , “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.”
Note: Savior in Greek is sōtēr which means deliverer; preserver; God or Christ; One who brings salvation; – which occurs 24 times in the New Testament. There are many religious teachers right or wrong, but there is only one Savior who is the Savior of the world, and He is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Lord of the Universe. The world has many false religious leaders, but the world can only be saved by Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.
18. The Lamb
Rev 17:14 , “These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are called and chosen and faithful.”
19. The Lamb of God
Jhn 1:29 , “The next day John saw Jesus coming to him and said, Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
Note: Jesus Christ died for sinners on the cross as the Lamb of God sacrificed to redeem mankind and save them from their sins and penalty of sins. For the love of God prepared the Lamb of God to be a sacrifice for sins, so that sinners may be saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
20. The True God
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: There are many false gods of false religions that cannot save. Jesus Christ is the true God, to believe in Him is to have eternal life. How primitive are Japanese prime minister and his gang and Japanese people who glorify and worship their convicted and executed war criminals enshrined as national heroes and living gods! The superstitious peoples of the world believe in many false gods who cannot see, hear, speak, walk or save.
To know Jesus Christ is to know the true God.
21. The Great God and our Savior
Tts 2:13 , “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the Great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.”
Note: Jesus Christ is our Great God and Savior.
22. The Good Shepherd
Jhn 10:11 , “I am the Good Shepherd; the Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”
Note: Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd, and Christians are His sheep.
23. That Great Shepherd
Hbr 13:20 , “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that Great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant.”
24. The Chief Shepherd
1 Pe 5:4 , “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”
Note: Jesus Christ is the Chief Shepherd means Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, not the pope or anyone else. The Bible does not recognize a pope or any other chief of the church.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd, the Great Shepherd, and the Chief Shepherd of all believers in Christ.
25. The Shepherd and Guardian of our souls
1 Pe 2:25 , “For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.”
Note: Since Jesus Christ is the Guardian of our souls, we have eternal security, the devil and no one is not able to harm us.
26. The Image of God
2 Cr 4:4 , “In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of those who do not believe, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the Image of God, should shine on them.”
Note: God is Spirit, invisible, unlike man. Jesus Christ is the Image of God, full of grace and truth. To know Jesus is to know God. To see Jesus Christ is to see God. Jesus and God are ONE.
27. The Image of the Invisible God
Col 1:15 , “Who is the Image of the Invisible God, the Firstborn of every creature.”
God is Spirit cannot be seen. Jesus Christ is the Image of the Invisible God. To see Jesus Christ in His glory is to see God.
28. The First Born of every creature
Col 1:15 , “Who is the Image of the Invisible God, the Firstborn of every creature.”
Note: To see Jesus is to see the Invisible God.
29. The Brightness of His Glory
Hbr 1:3 , “Who being the Brightness of His Glory, and the Express Image of His Person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”
Note: Jesus Christ is the Brightness of God’s Glory.
30. The Express Image of His Person
Hbr 1:3 , “Who being the Brightness of His Glory, and the Express Image of His Person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down an the right hand of the Majesty on high.”
Note: Jesus Christ is also the Express Image of God.
31. The Sun of Righteousness
Mal 4:2 , “But for you who fear My name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall.”
Note: Sun sets on the empire of great Britain. Jesus Christ the Sun of Righteousness is eternal, will never set.
32. The Root and the Offspring of David
Rev 22:16 , “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright Morning Star.”
33. The Bright Morning Star
Rev 22:16 , “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright Morning Star.”
34. The Hope of Israel
Act 28:20 , “For this reason, therefore, I requested to see you and to speak with you, for I am wearing this chain for the sake of the Hope of Israel.”
Note: Israel is surrounded by enemies. The sooner Israel realizes and repents and recognizes that Jesus Christ is their Messiah the better, for Jesus is the Hope of Israel.
35. The Rose of Sharon
Sgs 2:1 , “I am the Rose of Sharon, and the Lily of the Valleys.”
Note: I have seen several hundred species of rose, there is nothing to compare with Jesus Christ the Rose of Sharon.
36. The Lily of the Valleys
Sgs 2:1 , “I am the Rose of Sharon, and the Lily of the Valleys.”
The lily of the valleys can wither; but the glory of Jesus Christ will last forever and ever.
37. Mediator between God and men
1 Ti 2:5 , “For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
Note: Mary is not the mediator between God and men, Jesus Christ is the Mediator. Come to Jesus and be saved.
38. Jesus the Christ
Mat 16:20 , “Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.”
39. Jesus Christ
Jhn 1:17, “For the Law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
40. Advocate with the Father
1Jo 2:1 , “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous.”
Note: Jesus Christ represents and speaks for Christians before God.
41. Jesus Christ the Righteous
1Jo 2:1 , “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous.”
Men are unrighteous and unjust. God is righteous and just. Jesus Christ is the Righteous who can justify sinners.
42. Jesus Christ the Same Yesterday, and Today, and Forever
Hbr 13:8 , “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”
Note: The Jehovah of the Old Testament is the Jesus of the New Testament. God was, God is, and God is eternal. Only God can be the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Everything else will pass away. Jesus Christ is the same forever and ever.
43. Christ Jesus
Rom 3:24 , “Being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.”
Note: The Bible more frequently uses the name “Jesus Christ” than “Christ Jesus.” Since the Bible does not explain why, we should not speculate.
44. Christ Jesus the Lord
2Cr 4:5 , “For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake.”
The Lord means more than master. The Lord is mighty and powerful and the Lord rules the universe.
45. Christ the King of Israel
Mar 15:32 , “Let Christ the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, so that we may see and believe! Those who were crucified with Him also reviled Him.”
Note: Let Palestinians and Arabs beware that Christ is the King of Israel. Palestinians, Arabs, Hamas and other races have no claim to the Promised Land God gave to Abraham and his descendants some 4,000 years ago. The United NATIONS or any country or organization has no authority to give the Jewish land away.
46. Christ the Lord
Luk 2:11 , “For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Note: Jesus Christ is the One Lord, the Lord of the Universe.
47. Christ as Lord in your hearts
1Pe 3:15 , “But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.”
48. Christ the Son of God
Luk 4:41 , “Demons also came out of many, shouting: You are Christ the Son of God! But rebuking them, He would not allow them to speak, because they knew Him to be the Christ.”
49. Christ the Power of God
1 Cr 1:24 , “But to them who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the Power of God, and the Wisdom of God.”
There is nothing impossible with God for God is all powerful. Christ is the Power of God.
50. Christ the Wisdom of God
1 Cr 1:24 , “But to them who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the Power of God, and the Wisdom of God.”
Note: Science does not and cannot know wisdom, for Christ is the Wisdom of God.
51. Christ our Passover
1Cr 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.”
Cf. Hbr 11:28 , Exd 12:27 .
52. Lord of lords
Rev 17:14 , “These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.”
Note: You know in some kingdom, there are many lords who are powerless. Jesus Christ is the Lord of lords.
53. King of kings
Rev 17:14 , “These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.”
Note: There used to be one monarch who called himself, the King of kings, he was overthrown and no more. But Jesus Christ is truly the King of kings who cannot be overthrown.
54. The Lord’s Christ
Luk 2:26 , “And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.”
55. Lord and Christ
Act 2:36 , “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for sure that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
56. Lord of all
Act 10:36 , “The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ – He is Lord of all.”
Note: Jesus Christ is the Lord of all, Heaven and earth, no one is excluded.
57. Lord of the Sabbath
Mat 12:8 , “For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
58. Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
2Pe 1:11 , “For in this way the entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.”
59. The Lord Jesus Christ
Act 16:31 , “And they said: Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved, and your house.”
60. The Lord of the harvest
Luk 10:2 , “And He was saying to them: The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
61. The Lord from Heaven
1 Cr 15:47 , “The first man was of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from Heaven.”
The day is coming when the Lord Jesus will return to earth. God will create new Heavens and a new Earth where the Lord will rule forever and ever with His children.
62. The Lord of Glory
1 Cr 2:8 , “Which none of the princes of this world knew; for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory.”
63. The Lord
Luk 17:5 , “The apostles said to the Lord: Increase our faith!”
Note: Not only knowledge can be increased, faith also can be increased. Growth is the continuing process of the Christian life.
64. The Angel of the Lord
Gen 22:15 , “And the Angel of the Lord called Abraham from heaven the second time.”
65. The Lord and the Teacher
Jhn 13:14 , “If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another’s feet.”
Note: All human teachers are fallible, only Jesus Christ is the absolute and supreme Teacher.
66. Glorious Lord Jesus Christ
Jam 2:1 , “My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism.”
67. The Messenger of the Covenant
Mal 3:1 , “Behold, I will to send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the Messenger of the Covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming, says the Lord of hosts.”
68. The Messiah
Jhn 1:41 , “He found first his own brother Simon and said to him: We have found the Messiah (which translated means Christ).”
A journalist (January 2, 2012) blasphemously and stupidly asks: Can a messiah win twice? Obama is no Messiah and does not deserve to win again. Not only Obama is no messiah, anyone who supports and congratulates gay marriage is against the Word of God and cannot be a Christian. Jesus Christ is the Messiah of the Jews. It is too bad and too sad that the Jews have not recognized their Messiah.
69. The Prophet of Nazareth
Mat 21:11 , “And the multitude said: This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.”
Note: Nazareth was a real place in the Holy Land, the Land of the Jews.
70. That Spiritual Rock
1Cr 10:4 , “And all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from that Spiritual Rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ.”
Note: Peter is not the rock as taught by the Roman Catholic Church, Jesus Christ is the Rock, the Rock of Ages, the Spiritual Rock upon which Christ builds His Church.
71. Master
Mat 23:10 , “Do not be called masters; for One is your Master, that is Christ.”
Note: The word “Master” here in Greek is kathēgētēs which means teacher, spiritual guide.
Luk 7:40 , “And Jesus answered and said to him: Simon, I have something to say to you. So he said: Master, say it.”
Note: The word “Master” here in Greek is didaskalos which means a teacher who had great power to draw crowds.
Luk 8:24 , “And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying: Master, Master, we are perishing! Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm.”
Note: The word “Master” here in Greek is epistatēs which means superintendent or overseer; when addressed to Christ not simply from the fact that He was a teacher, but because of His authority.
Mar 9:5 , “Then Peter answered and said to Jesus: Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”
Note: The word “Master” here in Greek is rhabbi which means my honorable sir, my great one or a title for the honorable Jewish teacher.
Eph 6:9 , “And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no respect of persons with Him.”
Note: The word “Master” here in Greek is kyrios which means the owner to whom a person belongs to or lord, a title of honor in which slaves address their master. You see, in Greek there are five words for the English word Master.
72. Master and Lord
Jhn 13:13 , “You call me Master and Lord, and rightly so, for that is what I am.”
Jesus is MASTER and LORD, so He has complete authority.
73. The Head of the Church
Eph 5:23 , “For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the Head of the Church, His body, of which He is the Savior.”
Note: Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, not the pope, not Peter, not anyone else. Mary is not the mother of the Church.
74. Teacher coming from God
Jhn 3:2 , “This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him: Rabbi, we know that You are a Teacher coming from God; for no one can do these miracles that You do, unless God is with Him.”
So no philosopher, no theologian, no prophet can compare to the teachings of Jesus Christ. When Jesus speaks, God speaks. The teachings of Jesus Christ are the final, absolute, complete, supreme, perfect, ultimate and eternal. All the words of men will pass away; but the Words of Jesus will never pass away.
75. God Manifested in the flesh
1Ti 3:16 , “Without controversy, great is the Mystery of Godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up into glory.”
Note: God manifested in the flesh means the Incarnation. Incarnation means God manifested in the Person of Jesus Christ.
76. God Blessed Forever
Rom 9:5 , “Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.”
Note: All humans are mortal, only God is eternal. God is Blessed Forever.
77. The Son of Man
Luk 6:5 , “And He was saying to them: The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
Of all the names of Jesus Christ, the Son of Man is the one I do not understand. Probably Jesus meant that He was God who became Man.
78. Man of Sorrows
Isa 53:3 , “He was despised and rejected of men; a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.”
Note: Because of our sins, Jesus was the Man of Sorrows. Jesus who came down from Heaven to earth, a place of sorrows.
79. The Mystery of Godliness
1Ti 3:16 , “Without controversy, great is the Mystery of Godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up into glory.”
80. Alpha and Omega
Rev 1:8 , “I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the Ending, says the Lord, Who Is, and Who Was, and Who Is To come, the Almighty.”
81. The Beginning and the Ending
Rev 1:8 , “I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the Ending, says the Lord, Who Is, and Who Was, and Who Is To come, the Almighty.”
Note: Christ is the Self-Existent eternal God. It means He existed before anything, before time and space. He has no beginning and no ending, the Everlasting God. God is the greatest mystery because God has no beginning and no ending.
82. Who Is, Who Was, and Who Is To Come
Rev 1:8 , “I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the Ending, says the Lord, Who Is, and Who Was, and Who Is To come, the Almighty.”
83. The First and the Last
Rev 1:17 , “When I saw Him (Christ), I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying: Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.”
Note: In fact, there is no end for God. Jesus is from everlasting to everlasting.
84. The Blessed and Only Sovereign God
1Ti 6:15 , “Which He (Christ) will manifest in His own time, He who is the Blessed and Only Sovereign God, the King of kings and Lord of lords.”
Note: The Sovereign God has absolute sovereignty. Unlike the weak nations of the earth, their sovereignty is trampled by the sole superpower and Western powers.
85. His Anointed
Psa 2:2 , “The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against His Anointed, saying:”
86. The Bridegroom
Mat 9:15 , “And Jesus said to them: Can the attendants of the Bridegroom mourn as long as the Bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the Bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then they will fast.”
The Church of God is the Bride of Christ.
87. The Way
Jhn 14:6 , “Jesus said to him: I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Note: Jesus is the Way to God, the only Way; there is no other way. Jesus is the Way to God is the Truth. To know the Truth is to have Life.
88. The Truth
Jhn 14:6 , “Jesus said to him: I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Note: Jesus is the Way to God is the Truth. The truth is in Christ. There is no other truth.
89. The Life
Jhn 14:6 , “Jesus said to him: I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Note: To know Jesus is the Way is the Truth is to have Life, eternal life.
90. The True Vine
Jhn 15:1 , “I am the True Vine, and my Father is the husbandman.”
91. The Bread of God
Jhn 6:33 , “For the Bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
92. The Living Bread
Jhn 6:51 , “I am the Living Bread which came down from Heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.”
93. The True Bread from Heaven
Jhn 6:32 , “Jesus then said to them: Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the True Bread from Heaven.”
94. The Holy and Righteous One
Act 3:14 , “But you denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you.”
Note: There are many things that God is different from men. Two things stand out: God is Holy and Righteous. You cannot find a holy and righteous man.
95. The Branch of the Lord
Isa 4:2 , “In that day the Branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and the adornment of the survivors of Israel.”
96. The Prince of life
Act 3:15 , “And killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.”
Note: Death cannot hold Jesus Christ. For Jesus Christ is the Prince of Life, by the power of God Jesus rose from the dead.
97. The Light of the world
Jhn 8:12 , “Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying: I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”
Note: In comparison to Jesus Christ, the Light of the world, all other lights are like candle light. No one can live by the dim light of philosophers.
98. KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS
Rev 19:16 , “And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written: KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
The kingdoms of the world will soon become the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Note: The names of Christ are a resource in getting the knowledge of Christ. Why does Christ have so many names? Jesus Christ is too wonderful; His names tell us many facets about Him, His nature and attributes. The names of Christ listed above are not exhaustive, but representative and comprehensive. Why the name of Jesus Christ is so important?
Act 4:12 , “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
There is no other name under Heaven among men can save you. Mary cannot save you. Peter cannot save you. Apostles cannot save you. Angels cannot save you. The Church cannot save you. Only Jesus Christ can save you. Call on the name of the Lord, and you will be saved.
Salvation is only in Jesus Christ, there is salvation in no one else. There is no other name whereby you can be saved!
Only Jesus Christ saves! Would you accept Him as your Lord and Savior now?
*Our mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ absolutely free. We do not want donation. We only want you to know the truth.
Truth is the most important thing in the world, not money, power or sex. The truth of Christ is not hidden or secret. Jesus Christ says and practices the truth publicly and openly and unmistakably.
THE TRUTH OF CHRIST IS ABSOLUTE.
There is no truth like the truth in Christ. The truth of Christ is absolute, complete, supreme, ultimate, infallible and eternal.
Scientific truth is the best human knowledge achieved at a place and time, it is always tentative and progressive. Philosophical truth at best cannot be verified. So because of the limitations and finiteness of human nature and capability, human beings no matter how brilliant and intelligent, can never by their wisdom or effort reach the absolute, the invisible, infallible and the eternal. Can an ameba get to know man? So man can never get to know or find God by himself.
This article is written to let you know the most important things in the world is not money, power, and sex. All these things will pass away. The most precious and the greatest is to know the truth of Christ. Truth is absolute, infallible, supreme and ultimate. To know the truth of Christ is to know God, and to know God is to have eternal life.
Jesus declares the truth clearly to the whole 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.” Note: Truth in Greek is alētheia which means verity; what is true; in reality; in fact; certainly; moral and religious truth; the faith as taught in the Christian religion; that which is free from falsehood and deceit; the eternal and spiritual reality; – which occurs 110 times in the New Testament. The word “truth” occurs 262 times in the NLT (New Living Translation).
Isa 59:13-15, “Transgressing and denying the LORD, And turning away from our God, Speaking oppression and revolt, Conceiving in and uttering from the heart lying words.
Justice is turned back, And righteousness stands far away; For truth has stumbled in the street, And uprightness cannot enter.
Yes, truth is lacking; And he who turns aside from evil makes himself a prey. Now the LORD saw, And it was displeasing in His sight that there was no justice.”
Note: The greatest problems in the world today is the fact Truth Is Lacking and There Is No Justice.
Yes, truth is lacking in the world. In these last days, lies rule the world. You watch and witness so many world leaders and politicians and mainstream Western mass media publicly and repeatedly tell lies without shame. The Scriptures quoted above describe and depict the current world situation, East or West, North or South, and everywhere. Nations and peoples transgress and deny the Lord. Particularly in the West, atheism and immorality, injustice and corruption, lies and fake news and disinformation have become fashionable and respectable. Warmongering and imperial leaders and nations speak oppression and fill the earth with violence. Strangely there are plenty of Western leaders and politicians who believe if you are telling lies loud and long enough, people may believe it is truth. They have magic to turn lies into truth. Western media and monsters are conceiving in and uttering from the heart lying words and fake news. Justice is turned back by oppression, sanction, coercive intervention, violation of international law, and military action and provocation. Truth has stumbled in the street. Why? Because superpowers and bullies and impostors sabotage and subvert truth, so truth stumbled in the street while righteousness stands for away, and uprightness cannot enter. Truth is lacking in court, in business, in government, in diplomacy, in health care, in finance, in communications, in technology, and in all fields so that the wicked and the greedy prey on the weak, poor, and innocent. The world situation is displeasing in God’s sight that there is no justice. God is angry because there is no justice in the world.
Note: Transgress in Hebrew is pasha` which means to rebel; revolt; offend; trespass; break away; quarrel; apostatize; fall away; turn away; sin; – which occurs 42 times in the Old Testament. Deny in Hebrew is kachash which means to lie; to deal falsely; to deceive; to be untrue; to belie; to act deceptively; to feign obedience; to disown; to disavow; – which occurs 26 times in the Old Testament. Turn away in Hebrew is cuwg which means to turn back; to go back; to backslide; to move away; to depart; to draw back; – which occurs 30 times in the Old Testament. Oppression in Hebrew is osheq which means extortion; injury; fraud; – which occurs 15 times in the Old Testament. Speaking oppression is to gain by extortion. Revolt in Hebrew is carah which means rebellion; turning away; apostasy; defection; withdrawal; cessation; – which occurs 8 times in the Old Testament. Conceive in Hebrew is harah which means to be with child; to become pregnant; to contrive; to devise; to plan; to plot; – which occurs 44 times in the Old Testament. The wicked conceive evil thoughts and lies in their mind. Utter in Hebrew is hagah which means to mutter; speak; to mourn; to growl; to muse; to plot; to meditate; to roar; to murmur; – which occurs 26 times in the Old Testament. Lying in Hebrew is sheqer which means deceitful; wrongful; fraudulent; deceptive; false tongue; an untruth; a sham; vanity; whatever deceives; – which occurs 115 times in the Old Testament. It is amazing that secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers quarrel with God. The wicked rebel and deny God. The people are turning away from God. Look at all the acts of oppression which are being done under the sun everywhere, especially by Western powers. Nowadays the wicked not only articulate lying words from their heart publicly without shame, the people even trust in lying words. Justice in Hebrew is mishpat which means right; judgment; order; lawfulness; right cause; ordinance; rectitude; fitness; that which is just and right; – which occurs 426 times in the Old Testament.
Justice is turned back in nations where death penalty or capital punishment is abolished. A man or terrorist can kill 85 persons and live in jail for years. Justice is turned back when and where war criminals are not prosecuted. Justice is turned back when the guilty is freed. Justice is turned back when the rich and powerful and famous are exempt from prosecution and live and act above the law. Justice is turned back where righteousness stands far away and uprightness cannot enter. Why justice is turned back? Because those in power justify themselves and the wicked for a bribe, and take away the rights of the ones who are in the right. Justice is turned back because truth is lacking. Where there is no truth, there cannot be justice. When and where the rich and powerful and wicked hold truth hostage, justice is turned back. As someone said, Justice is truth in action. The truth is bound and cannot act. The rich, powerful, and famous cover themselves with lies, deceits and falsehoods.
Exo 23:2, “You shall not follow the masses in doing evil, nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after a multitude in order to pervert justice.”
Note: Pervert in Hebrew is natah which means to stretch out; to turn away; to turn aside; to wrest; to bend; to thrust aside; to thrust away; to let down; to misuse; to abuse; to divert to a wrong end; – which occurs 249 times in the Old Testament. To pervert justice the wicked stretch the truth. They call black white, and white black. The powerful Western media spread lies, disinformation and fake news and spew out falsehoods daily and routinely for centuries. The Western leaders and politicians arrogantly and shamelessly spew out false, facetious, and malicious statements against China and Russia, and recently against most advanced technology of Huawei under the false pretense of national security, freedom, democracy, human rights, justice so-called. They refuse to examine the historical fact, that in the last 500 years to the present, Western powers (and later includes America) have done the greatest evil and injustice in the world. In addition, there is the danger of democracy because the masses can do evil, a multitude can pervert justice.
Deu 25:1, “If there is a dispute between men and they go to court, and the judges decide their case, and they justify the righteous and condemn the wicked.”
Note: Justice is upheld when the judges decide the case, and they justify the righteous and condemn the wicked. When judges justify the wicked and condemn the righteous, they are corrupt and crooked, and have committed abominable injustice. Abominable injustice is taking place in many nations even now, particularly in the West. When the wicked shed the blood of innocent, they do violent injustice. When superpowers attack, lie, occupy and rob other nations and kill their peoples without a just cause, they commit violent injustice. Unjust wars and bloody military interventions are cruel violent injustice.
Imperialists, supremacists, militarists, capitalists, monopolists, racists, and terrorists do not have any sense of justice.
THE TRUTH OF CHRIST IS THE TRUTH OF GOD.
The truth of Christ is the truth of God, absolute, full, perfect, spiritual, supreme, infallible, eternal and ultimate.
Isa 43:9:
Gather the nations together! Assemble the peoples of the world! Which of their idols has ever foretold such things? Which can predict what will happen tomorrow? Where are the witnesses of such predictions? Who can verify that they spoke the truth?”
Note: Idols cannot foretell former things or predict future things. To verify is to prove what is right and true. No one can verify that idols spoke the truth. Science and philosophy are idols. Truth must be able to be verified. Political reports, financial reports, scientific reports, academic theses, etc. that cannot be verified must be false.
Truth does not depend on man, government, organization, time and space, event, etc.
There are only two types of truth, verified and revealed. Verified truth includes historical, scientific (including mathematical) truth. There are no forensic, personal, social, reconciliatory truth and several theories of truth as secular academics maintain. Theories of truth are human opinions about truth, they are not truth. Revealed truth is the truth of Christ, the truth of God, absolute, complete, spiritual, supreme, infallible, eternal, and ultimate.
Verified or relative truth in terms of historical, scientific (mathematical) can be viewed as human truth, truth as defined and determined by humans and fallible. Revealed truth is the truth of Christ, the truth of God, characterized by absolute, complete, spiritual, supreme, ultimate, and eternal nature can be viewed as divine and infallible. To understand the difference between verified relative truth and revealed absolute truth can prevent confusion of the mind and misunderstanding of many things.
Eph 3:3-5, “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.”
Note: Revelation in Greek is apokalypsis which means enlightenment; manifestation; disclosure of something before unknown; a disclosure of divine truth; instruction concerning divine things before unknown ; something laying bare; appearance of truth previously unknown; an uncovering of mystery; – which occurs 18 times in the New Testament. The Greek word “apokalypsis” is great, rich, profound, and meaningful. In my opinion, the Greek word “apokalypsis” is the most beautiful, meaningful and powerful word in the world. Mystery in Greek is mystērion which means hidden thing; secret not known to ordinary mortals; secret thing not obvious to the understanding; a hidden purpose or counsel of God; God’s plan of providing salvation for men through Christ, which was once hidden but now is revealed; – which occurs 27 times in the New Testament. Insight in Greek is synesis which means understanding; knowledge; a mental putting together; intelligence or the intellect; the mind so far forth as it understands; penetration; apprehending; a clear and deep understanding; – which occurs 7 times in the New Testament. Reveal in Greek is apokalyptō which means to uncover; to lay open what has been veiled or covered up; to disclose what was before unknown; to make bare; to make known what was previously concealed; to make manifest; to take off the cover; – which occurs 27 times in the New Testament. The mystery of Christ is the mystery of God, the Absolute Truth, has been revealed only to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; which has not made known to the sons of men (including secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers) in all generations past, present and future. Even Christians who have the Spirit in them cannot know and understand the mystery of Christ, the Truth of Christ, as much as His holy apostles and prophets. Not to say the secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and scholars who have been blinded by the god of this world.
Mat 13:11, “Jesus answered them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but to them it has not been granted.”
Note: Grant in Greek is didōmi which means to give something to someone; to put; to show; to make; to bestow as a gift; to let have; to furnish; to supply; to entrust; to endue; to permit one to; to commission; to present; – which occurs 414 times in the New Testament. God has granted the Apostles to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, and excluded others (the rest of mankind, including scientists and philosophers and unbelieving theologians).
Rom 16:25-26, “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, 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 mystery of Christ, the Truth of Christ, which has been kept secret for long ages past, but now is revealed or manifested by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations and peoples, leading them to obedience of faith. Since secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers do not believe, they will never know the absolute Truth of God, the Truth of Christ. Because they are outsiders, outside of the Kingdom of God, not granted to know.
Col 1:25-27, “Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the Word of God, that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Note: The mystery revealed to the world is the truth of Christ. The truth of Christ is the Word of God. The Word of God makes known Christ in believers is the hope of glory. Stewardship in Greek is oikonomia which means dispensation; the management of a household; administration; the office of a manager; the office of administrator entrusted by God; the office of a steward; the conducting, supervising or managing of something; care or management; – which occurs 9 times in the New Testament. God bestowed the stewardship to Apostle Paul who was made a minister. Paul fully carried out the preaching of the Word of God, that is, the mystery of Christ, which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested or revealed to His saints. All believers and children of God are His saints, dead or alive. God made known the riches of the glory of the mystery of Christ among the Gentiles, which is Christ in believers, the hope of glory. For this reason, no man with human wisdom can discover the mystery of God, the absolute Truth, the Truth of Christ.
Col 2:2-3, “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, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
Note: There is no knowledge more important than the knowledge of God’s mystery. God’s mystery is Jesus Christ Himself. Wealth in Greek is ploutos which means riches; abundance; fullness; plenitude; abundance of valuable possessions; a large amount of possessions;- which occurs 22 times in the New Testament. The wealth of God is immeasurable, inestimable, and innumerable. Full assurance in Greek is plērophoria which means most certain confidence; entire confidence; – which occurs 7 times in the New Testament. The Greek word “plerophoria” is most meaningful. Human knowledge and wisdom (science and philosophy) cannot hope to attain the Absolute Truth. That is the limits of man and the limits of science. Science cannot and does not afford or provide the full assurance of any truth. It is impossible for science to have the full assurance of understanding or a true knowledge of God’s mystery. Treasure in Greek is thēsauros which means the place in which precious and valuable things are collected and laid up; storehouse in which valuables are kept; precious things; – which occurs 17 times in the New Testament. Wisdom and knowledge are considered treasures. All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ. Wisdom in Greek is sophia which means broad and full intelligence; the varied and highest knowledge of things divine; supreme intelligence such as belongs to God; higher and spiritual wisdom; the wisdom of God which is operative and embodied as it were in Jesus; the wisdom which is greater than the wisdom of Solomon; the unfathomable wisdom of God; the manifold wisdom of God; the wisdom from above; – which occurs 51 times in the New Testament. Knowledge in Greek is gnōsis which means science; moral wisdom; the general knowledge of the Christian faith; the knowledge of God; knowledge signifies in general intelligence and understanding; the knowledge of things which belong to God; the higher knowledge of divine or spiritual things; the apprehension of truths; – which occurs 30 times in the New Testament. It is wonderful to know all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ, the Absolute Truth. The true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
1Ti 3:16, “By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory.”
Note: By common confession in Greek is homologoumenōs which means by consent of all; without controversy; confessedly; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Godliness in Greek is eusebeia which means holiness; piety; sacredness; reverence and respect; – which occurs 15 times in the New Testament. The Scripture cited above explains the great mystery of godliness, that is the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, consecutively and successively. The same Jesus Christ is coming again.
Rom 11:25, “For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.”
Note: Uninformed in Greek is agnoeō which means to be ignorant; not to know; not to understand; to be wrong; to err through mistake or sin; – which occurs 24 times in the New Testament. The uninformed or ignorant are usually wise in their own estimation. The secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers, are uninformed and ignorant of the mystery of God, the mystery of Christ; and so they are usually wise in their own estimation about things they do not know. Therefore their opinions about truth in many things are unreliable.
This is just an attempt to give you a sense of the vast differences and distinctions between the worldly and spiritual things:
Rom 1:18-23, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.”
Note: Suppress in Greek is katechō which means to hold back; to detain; to retain; to restrain; to hinder; to hold down; to withhold; to put down; – which occurs 25 times in the New Testament. God is angry with all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness. Today you witness Western hegemonic leaders and politicians and Western media who shamelessly suppress the truth and speak lies and invent fake news everyday. American and European leaders and politicians suppress the truth what war crimes and sins they have committed in the past for hundreds of years. Become futile in Greek is mataioō which means to become vain; to make empty or foolish; to render foolish, morally wicked or idolatrous; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Speculation in Greek is dialogismos which means imagination; reasoning; disputing; doubting; discussion; debate; evil thought; guesswork, perverse opinion; intellectual rebellion against God; – which occurs 16 times in the New Testament. I have studied the futile speculations of secular academics and unbelieving theologians and philosophers. It was a waste of time and effort. Their foolish heart was darkened. So dark they could not distinguish between the incorruptible and corruptible.
Rom 12:2, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Note: Conform in Greek is syschēmatizō which means to fashion oneself according to; to fashion alike; to follow the same pattern; to bring into accord; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Christians are non-conformists in this world. Transform in Greek is metamorphoō which means to transfigure; to change into another form; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament. A Christian is a transformed natural man into a spiritual man, born again new man. A spiritual man can prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. No science can achieve the perfect.
Jhn 3:6, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
Note: The truth of Christ is marvelous, magnificent, absolute and perfect. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. What is what cannot be confused.
Luk 16:15, “And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.”
Note: The views of God are different from the views of men. In the sight of God who determines what is right or wrong, good or evil, honorable or detestable, high or low, respectable or disrespectable. God determines and decides the value of everybody and everything. Esteemed in Greek is hypsēlos which means exalted on high; eminent; influential and honorable; uplifted; highly regarded; respectable; – which occurs 12 times in the New Testament. Detestable in Greek is bdelygma which means foul; abominable; contemptible; despicable; ignoble; – which occurs 6 times in the New Testament.
Do you know that American and Europeans leaders and politicians are the most powerful in the world, so they can sanction any country or people they do not like. They can call right wrong, and wrong right. They can call white black, and black white. They can distort the truth and speak lies arrogantly because they have most and largest nuclear weapons and armed forces. But do you know that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God? Who are highly esteemed among men? Are they not presidents, prime ministers, kings and queens, and the rich and powerful?
Natural man wants to justify himself in the sight of men. Spiritual man wants to justify himself in the sight of God. This is the Christian value: That which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God. The rich and powerful are highly esteemed among men, they are detestable in the sight of God. Western warmongers, imperialists, capitalists, monopolists, militarists, deceptive journalists, supremacists, and terrorists are detestable in the sight of God.
Ecc 1:9, “That which has been is that which will be, And that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun.”
Ecc 3:15, “Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account.”
Mar 7:20-23, “And He was saying, “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.”
Note: The truth of Christ is absolute. Evil things defile the man. That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. The evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness proceed out of the heart of men. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man. Scientists cannot study that which proceeds from within the man such as evil thoughts, greed, lust, wickedness, and foolishness. How can scientists study evil? What scientific instruments they can use, Apicoiscope, Electroscope, Epidiascope, Gyroscope, Kaleidoscope, Spectroscope,
Ultrasonoscope; microscope or telescope? Defile in Greek is koinoō which means to pollute; to make common; to make unclean; to make profane; to render unholy; to declare or count unclean; – which occurs 14 times in the New Testament. Do scientists know how evil things defile the man?
Rom 4:17, “(as it is written, “A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS HAVE I MADE YOU”) in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.”
Note: God calls into being that which does not exist. This is beyond what scientists can understand. Science can only study what exists.
2Co 3:11, “For if that which fades away was with glory, much more that which remains is in glory.”
Note: Science deals with the transitory, no idea about the eternal.
Heb 13:21, “equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Note: Christians do the will of God, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight. Science discovers nuclear weapons, not knowing that which is pleasing in God’s sight.
Jas 3:14-18, “But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
Note: There is disorder and every evil thing in the world because Western powers have jealousy of China and selfish ambition to dictate and dominate the world.
The marvelous Scriptures quoted above clearly delineates and defines the wisdom from below and the wisdom which comes down from above. The highest secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosopher can achieve is the earthly wisdom. Jealousy in Greek is zēlos which means envy; zeal; indignation; fervent mind; ardor; fervor of spirit; contentious rivalry; emulation; a feeling of unhappiness and anger because someone has what you do not have; – which occurs 16 times in the New Testament. Ambition in Greek is eritheia which means contention; strife; a desire to put oneself forward; a partisan and fractious spirit; courting popularity by trickery; intriguing for office; – which occurs 11 times in the New Testament. Those who have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition are arrogant and lie against the truth. This is illustrated today by arrogant Western leaders and media who have selfish ambition and bitter jealousy against China’s great successes, and so they lie against the truth by attacking and sanctioning China and Chinese companies on account that they are dangerous. They want to make war, not peace. There is disorder and evil in the world today because Western leaders and politicians are jealous of China’s achievements and successes in such a short period of time, and they have selfish ambition to dominate and dictate the world. So they treat China and Russia as a rival and as an enemy. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Psa 119:18, “Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Your law.”
Note: The Psalmist prays God to open his eyes so that he may behold wonderful things from the Law of God. Truth is a wonderful thing.
Psa 139:6, “ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high, I cannot attain to it.”
Note: There exists knowledge which is too wonderful for man, it is too high that man cannot attain to it. Wonderful in Hebrew is pil’iy which means secret; mysterious; marvelous; astonishing; incomprehensible; extraordinary; – which occurs 2 times in the Old Testament. Do you know some knowledge is too wonderful for any man (including scientist and philosopher), and it is too high that man cannot attain to it? Do you know the name of Jesus Christ is Wonderful? High in Hebrew is sagab which means exalted; lofty; excellent; too high for capture; especially inaccessible; to be hard to be understood; – which occurs 26 times in the Old Testament.
Pro 30:18-19, “There are three things which are too wonderful for me, Four which I do not understand: The way of an eagle in the sky, The way of a serpent on a rock, The way of a ship in the middle of the sea, And the way of a man with a maid.”
Do you know the four ways cited above? It is high time for man, any man, including scientist and philosopher, to admit knowledge is infinite, man is finite, feeble and limited.
I. WHAT IS TRUTH Jhn 18:38, “Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, “I find no guilt in Him.”
Note: Pilate in Greek is Pilatos which means Pilate = “armed with a spear”; the sixth Roman procurator of Judah and Samaria who ordered Christ to be crucified; although he saw that Jesus was innocent, yet, fearing that the Jews would bring an accusation against him before Caesar for the wrongs he had done them, and dreading the emperor’s displeasure, he delivered up Jesus to their bloodthirsty demands and ordered him to be crucified (Strong’s Concordance); which occurs 55 times in the New Testament. Truth in Greek is alētheia which means verity; what is true objectively; in reality; in fact; certainly; moral and religious truth; that which is free from falsehood or deceit; in accord with the divine nature; veracity; – which occurs 110 times in the New Testament. Pilate is in the government. He represents power. He knows there is no truth in government. So Pilate responds to Jesus’ statement “I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice” in a casual and superficial way, “What is truth?” However, Pilate speaks the truth when he said to the Jews, “I find no guilt in Him.” Pilate is telling the absolute truth qualitatively and quantitatively, not just forensic truth. Guilt in Greek is aitia which means crime; fault; legal case; accusation; charge of crime; cause for which one is worthy of punishment; – which occurs 22 times in the New Testament. He who speaks truth tells what is right. The verdict of Pilate was right.
Western powers think they are strong and safe because they are armed with the largest quantity and quality of nuclear weapons, they do not realize they believe in a lie.
Truth is not just the opposite of lie or opposition to falsehood. There are many opposites of lie which are not truth. There are many oppositions to falsehood which are not truth.Truth is unique, uncommon, unfathomable, unsearchable, unabridged, unadorned, unchangeable, — absolute and ultimate.
Pro 12:17, “He who speaks truth tells what is right, But a false witness, deceit.”
Man is not the standard measurement of truth. Man is not the test of truth. Truth is truth not because most people believe it. Truth does not depend on the quantity of people who believe it. Truth does not depend on the opinion or judgment of man. What is true is true in itself. What is right is right in itself.
Truth is not imaginary, not speculative, not apocryphal, not tentative, not progressive, not contemporary, not Aristotelian, not Hegelian, not Kantian, not characteristic of any age. Truth does not conform to anything; all things must conform to truth.
Jhn 8:45-47, “But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me. Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? He who is of God hears the Words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God.”
Note: This is an awful truth that man is so corrupt and depraved that he does not believe the truth. It is even more awful truth than that, men deliberately believe in lies. They do not accept the truth because they are not of God.
Jer 28:15, “Then Jeremiah the prophet said to Hananiah the prophet, “Listen now, Hananiah, the LORD has not sent you, and you have made this people trust in a lie.”
Note: Trust in Hebrew is batach which means to have confidence; to be confident; to feel safe; to be bold; to hie for refuge; to set one’s hope and confidence upon any one; to believe; to rely on; to depend on; – which occurs 129 times in the Old Testament. False leaders and prophets can deceive and make people trust in a lie. Some may deny this historical truth, most Germans trusted in Hitler although he was a liar. Warmongers, imperialists, colonialists, supremacists, militarists, capitalists, monopolists, racists, terrorists trust in a lie. Some countries trust in the power of their nuclear weapons to protect them. Americans have been fooled to trust in a lie of the so-called democracy, human rights, freedom, justice, etc.
Psa 62:9, “Men of low degree are only vanity and men of rank are a lie; In the balances they go up; They are together lighter than breath.”
Note: Most people know men of low degree are only vanity, but few realize that men of rank are a lie. Liars of low degree and liars of rank are together lighter than breath.
Eze 13:8, “Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD, “Because you have spoken falsehood and seen a lie, therefore behold, I am against you,” declares the Lord GOD.”
Note: The true and living God is against anyone who speaks falsehood and sees a lie.
Jhn 8:44, “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
Note: Jesus Christ depicts the character and nature of the devil: (1). The devil was a murderer from the beginning. (2.) The devil does not stand in the truth. (3.) There is no truth in the devil. (4.) The devil speaks a lie from his own nature. (5.) The devil is a liar. (6). The devil is the father of lies. There are people in particular Western media who are proud of themselves for their abilities to manufacture fake news and spread lies about nations and peoples they don’t like or not their allies. They neglect the truth that Jesus Christ condemns all who speak lies and call them children of the devil who is the father of lies. Lie is a serious sin so that you must know.
Rev 21:8, “But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the Lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” All liars, including the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murders and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters, will be in the Lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.
Rom 1:25, “For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”
Note: Exchange in Greek is metallassō which means to change one thing into another; to replace; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament.
They, include secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers, habitually and regularly exchange the truth of God for a lie. They worship and serve the creature rather than the Creator. This is one example how the impostors change the divinity of Christ. Secular academics say Jesus Christ is the Son of God just as we are all sons of God. Do you see how they exchanged the truth of God for a lie. We are not all sons of God. Mankind is divided into children of God and children of the devil. Children of the devil are not sons of God. The truth of God is Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God, there is no other. Jesus Christ is the Son of God means the Son and the Father are ONE. In the beginning was the Word (the Son of God) and the Word was with God and the Word was God. Jesus Christ is God. The believers who are sons of God can never be compared with Jesus Christ the Son of God. Jesus Christ has Divinity, Christians are given by grace to participate in the Divine nature. The Son of God is the King of kings and Lord of lords, children of God will share the glory of Jesus Christ and reign with Him in the Kingdom of Heaven forever and ever.
II. THE LIMITS OF SCIENCE. There is a popular culture or scientific myth originally promulgated by scientists that science can conquer nature and solve any problem. Those who do not really know science say science is all mighty. I hold that human knowledge (including science) is relative, tentative, progressive, incomplete, indefinite, limited, and fallible. While divine knowledge is absolute, infinite, perfect, supreme, ultimate, and eternal. Scientists are mortal, ignorant in many things they do not know. They do not know even the dates of their deaths.
Max Planck the great scientist has been quoted:
“Science cannot solve the ultimate mystery of nature. And that is because, in the last analysis, we ourselves are part of nature and therefore part of the mystery that we are trying to solve.” This sounds like a true confession of a great scientist. It is refreshing. This is a scientific truth: Science cannot solve the ultimate mystery of nature. However, I would phrase the reason why science cannot solve the ultimate mystery of nature a little bit differently. Yes, man is a part of nature. Knowledge can be divided into the three areas: the knowable, the revealed and the unknowable. Science makes inquires only in the area of knowable and visible which is by nature relative through empirical means and to be verified. The revealed knowledge is absolute by nature and disclosed only through the Revelation of Jesus Christ, not to be found by human wisdom or scientific efforts. The unknowable is absolutely the mystery belongs to God. The limits of science are caused by the limits of man and limits of means. The mind of man can only explore the knowable forever relative, it is useless and hopeless to search out the things of God. The revealed truth is established and appointed by God for man to believe and understand. Job 37:5, “God thunders with His voice wondrously, Doing great things which we cannot comprehend.”
Note: Do scientists know how thunderstorms make lightning? How exactly lightning forms? Who makes ice and water particles bump around inside thunder clouds? What makes warm air rises and cool air falls? Who or what causes the intense heat from lightning that the average temperature of lightning is around 20000 °C (36000 °F)? Can any scientist utilize or apply the intense heat produced by lightning? Can scientists see electrons moving between the clouds and the ground? Scientists do not know much in the area of nature, and they know nothing in the sphere of the supernatural. They cannot comprehend the great things that God is doing. Comprehend in Hebrew is yada` which means to know; to perceive and see; to tell; to find out and discern; to know by experience; to distinguish; to ascertain by seeing; to discover; to have a knowledge of; – which occurs 1,008 times in the Old Testament.
Heb 11:3, “By faith we understand that the entire Universe was formed by the Word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.”
Note: Faith in Greek is pistis which means assurance; belief; persuasion; credence; conviction of the truth of anything; a conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things; the conviction that God exists and is the Creator and Ruler of all things, the Provider and Bestower of eternal salvation through Christ; conviction of the truth of things; – which occurs 243 times in the New Testament. Understand in Greek is noeō which means to perceive with the mind; to think; to consider; to have understanding; to heed; to ponder; to exercise the mind; to observe; – which occurs 14 times in the New Testament. Visible is what can be seen; invisible is what cannot be seen. Science can never deal with the invisible. God is Spirit, invisible. Heb 11:1, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Faith is seeing the invisible. Since scientists cannot see the invisible, they can never by inquiry understand the invisible. The natural man cannot see or understand the invisible.
Eph 1:17-19, “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. 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.”
Note: Wisdom in Greek is sophia which means the supreme intelligence, such as belongs to God; the higher and spiritual knowledge and understanding; not the wisdom which belongs to men (which philosophers are most interested); a knowledge of the divine plan, previously hidden, of providing salvation for men by the expiatory death of Christ; – which occurs 51 times in the New Testament. Revelation in Greek is apokalypsis which means enlightenment; manifestation; laying bare the unknown; disclosure of truth; things hitherto withdrawn from view are made visible; making a mystery naked; a disclosure of divine things before unknown; – which occurs 18 times in the New Testament. To have the knowledge of God, the spiritual man is given the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation. Scientists do not have a spirit of wisdom and have not received the revelation, therefore they do not have the knowledge of God. In addition, the eyes of a Christian heart is enlightened so that we Christians 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. Enlighten in Greek is phōtizō which means to bring to light; to illuminate; to make to see; to light up; to render evident; to imbue with spiritual knowledge; to shed lights; to brighten up; to give spiritual insight; to instruct; – which occurs 14 times in the New Testament.
On the contrary, 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.”
Note: Veil in Greek is kalyptō which means to cover up; to hide; to hinder the knowledge of a thing; – which occurs 9 times in the New Testament. Blind in Greek is typhloō which means to make blind; metaphorically to blunt the mental discernment; to darken the mind; to obscure; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. Do you see the problem? The Gospel is veiled or hidden to those who are perishing (including all unbelievers and scientists). Why? The god of this world (the devil) 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.
All natural men and unbelievers including scientists cannot find or understand the absolute truth because their minds are blinded by the devil, the Gospel is veiled to them, they cannot see the invisible, and in addition they do not receive the Wisdom and Revelation given by God to His children.
However, by faith we Christians understand that God created the Universe and mankind. Carl Sagan has a point, “The universe will always be much richer than our ability to understand it.”
Planck writes:
“That we do not construct the external world to suit our own ends in the pursuit of science, but that vice versa the external world forces itself upon our recognition with its own elemental power, is a point which ought to be categorically asserted again and again… From the fact that in studying the happenings of nature we strive to eliminate the contingent and accidental and to come fully to what is essential and necessary, it is clear that we always look for the basic thing behind the dependent thing, for what is absolute behind what is relative, for the reality behind the appearance and for what abides behind what is transitory.”
Karl Popper asserted that “knowledge consists in the search for truth… not the search for certainty,” he writes:
In no case can we rest assured that what is absolute in science today will remain absolute for all time.”
We hold absolutely there is nothing is absolute in science. There is nothing in science is absolute for all time. That which is absolute for all time is not science but the eternal truth of God. We must not have a false worldview or superstition about science. We must know science as it really is. If the aim of science is to reach the absolute truth, the goal can never be achieved or reached. By its very nature, it is unattainable to reach the absolute truth through scientific means just as it is impossible to examine diamonds with a telescope. Absolute truth is beyond science and capability of man. The sooner we realize the limits of science and the limits of man the better. For it is futile to chase the impossible. We must humbly bow to acknowledge the absolute truth of the Supreme Creator.
III. VERIFIED TRUTH (HUMAN). Gen 42:16-20, “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.”
Note: Joseph, a son of Jacob was a successful man, a wise man, being appointed by Pharaoh to be the ruler of Egypt, he understood that human truth can be tested or verified. Joseph tested the words of his brothers to determine whether the is truth in them. Test in Hebrew is bachan which means to prove; examine; try; scrutinize; to make a trial; to search out; to find out if something is true or not; – which occurs 28 times in the Old Testament. Truth in Hebrew is ’emeth which means faithfulness; uprightness; sureness; reliableness; trustworthiness; reliability; stability; verity; fidelity; probity; integrity; – which occurs 128 times in the Old Testament. Joseph was really a wise man; it is interesting when he tested the words of man was to see whether there is truth in him. The words of a man are tested false because there is no truth in him. The Devil is a liar because there is no truth in him. A man is not a liar because he tells a lie, a man tells a lie because he is a liar. Honest in Hebrew is ken which means just; right; true; veritable; correct; upright; straight; sure; – which occurs 760 times in the Old Testament. Verify in Hebrew is ‘aman which means to support; to confirm the fact; to uphold; to be faithful; to be certain; to be trustworthy; to turn to the right; to prop; to establish the truth; – which occurs 117 times in the Old Testament. Human truth must be tested and verified because not all men are honest, beside human judgement may be fallible and faulty.
California is in the United States. This is a verified truth, it is historical, but not eternal. Someday who knows if California secedes successfully from the Union and becomes an independent Nation. By then it is no longer a verified valid truth that California is in the United States. Another example, Japan is in Asia. If in the next 50 years or so if God wipes out Japan with many giant earthquakes and tsunamis and sinks it to the bottom of Pacific Ocean, then Japan does not exist anymore, and so to say Japan is in Asia would not be valid or relevant, and cannot be verified. A verified truth only stands at a specif time and space. Adam was the first man, by the time of Abraham, Adam was no more.
Historically, many men, events, cities, nations and empires had disappeared and vanished. Lyndon Johnson (1908-1973) was once a powerful man of the most powerful nation. Significantly, by the time of President Richard Nixon, a group of children in primary school were asked who was Lyndon Johnson, not one knew who he was. When I was a graduate student at university, the Vietnam War was the topic of debate. The college students today may live as if the Vietnam War never existed. The Incan civilization, Aztec civilization, Roman civilization, Persian civilization, ancient Greek civilization, Mayan civilization, ancient Egyptian civilization, Indus Valley civilization, Mesopotamian civilization — all had vanished. The empire of Babylon, the Mongol empire, the Roman empire, the British empire — had all vanished. In the progress of science and technology, many things have become obsolete in our life-time, such as kerosene lamps, carbon paper, liquid paper/white out., the typewrite, public pay phones, snail mail, camera, VHS, etc.
Scientists often spoke out about things billions and billions of years in the past, even they were not there. Who can verify that they spoke the truth? In human things, if there are dependable historical records, a search of the record books can verify ancient times. No human can verify things happened billions of years ago. Fake news, fake facts, fake reports and false witnesses and disinformation even confuse the uninformed what actually happened to the Iraq war began in 2003.
Exo 18:21, “Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens.”
Note: Today where can you find men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain? God defines and demands qualities and qualifications of leaders. Leaders must be able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain. The nations of the world are in great distress and trouble because there are no leaders defined and demanded by God. Everywhere you see corrupt, incompetent, deceptive, greedy, dishonest, unrighteous, arrogant, oppressive and aggressive leaders. Do you know it is easier to find able men than men of truth. Try to count all the people you have known in your life, how many are men of truth, reliable? Dependability is so rare nowadays that it has become the greatest ability. For all the years I have studied and practiced management, I find something most strange and abnormal: many top executives and corporations are afraid of men of ability and truth. Top management wants to hire and promote unconditionally obedient and loyal lackeys. Whether in business or politics, the modus operandi and objective are the same.
Verified truth (human and relative) is identified with general veracity and historical factuality at a given time and space.
For example, snow is white and cold, a solid form of water by nature. This can be verified almost anywhere, by anyone, at any generation. Snow is white in America or China and everywhere. Of course, there is no snow in the tropics. In the eyes of white, yellow, brown, and black people, snow looks white. Although no man can verify personally the things 200 years ago, snow is historically white in the past, at present and in the future. There is no black and hot snow.
In the affairs of man, dealing in truth is the mark of integrity.
I do not understand why the superpower and Western powers think they do not need to deal in truth in the global affairs of nations. Falsehood is bound to lose in the end.
Jos 2:12,“Now therefore, please swear to me by the LORD, since I have dealt kindly with you, that you also will deal kindly with my father’s household, and give me a pledge of truth.”
Note: Rahab sheltered Joshua’s spies, and she was a very intelligent woman who said to the spies quoted above. Rahab held a principle of reciprocity, since I have dealt kindly with you, so you must deal kindly with my father’s household. Pledge in Hebrew is ‘owth which means a sign of something future; token; proof; a distinguished mark; guarantee; something given as security; a formal promise; – which occurs 79 times in the Old Testament. Rahab wanted a pledge of truth from the spies, not just words. You do not take all the words of men as a pledge of truth. Actually you can test the truth of a man by his words. You can verify words by action. Action speaks louder than the words. Jdg 9:15-16, “The bramble said to the trees, ‘If in truth you are anointing me as king over you, come and take refuge in my shade; but if not, may fire come out from the bramble and consume the cedars of Lebanon.’Now therefore, if you have dealt in truth and integrity in making Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have dealt with him as he deserved—”
Jdg 9:19, “if then you have dealt in truth and integrity with Jerubbaal and his house this day, rejoice in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you.”
Note: In integrity in Hebrew is tamiym which means without blemish; without spot; sincerely; uprightly; in accord with truth and fact; completely morally; – which occurs 140 times in the Old Testament. In all human transactions, dealing in truth and integrity make people happy. Dealing treacherously will have bad consequences. The conflicts of nations are mostly caused by dealing treacherously or aggressively. If nations deal in truth and integrity, in a win-win situation, there will be peace and prosperity.
Truth is the opposite of lie, and lie is the opposite of truth.
Why human truths are not reliable?
Psa 58:3, “The wicked are estranged from the womb; These who speak lies go astray from birth.”
Note: Do you think the leaders of powerful nations are honorable and noble, God says those who speak lies go astray from birth.
Estrange in Hebrew is zuwr which means to be strange; to become estranged; to become loathsome; to be alienated; to turn aside; to be profane or unlawful; to commit adultery; to become adulterated; to depart from the way of truth; – which occurs 80 times in the Old Testament. Go astray in Hebrew is ta`ah which means to err in a moral sense; to wander; to go out of the way; to stagger; to sin; to be led astray; to be misled; to reel or stray; – which occurs 75 times in the Old Testament. Lie in Hebrew is kazab which means untruth; falsehood; deceptive thing; deceit; lying; deceitfulness; anything that deceives or misleads; – which occurs 31 times in the Old Testament. Apparently, Psa 58:3 describes many Western leaders and almost all Western media. The wicked (sinners) from the womb depart from the truth; these who speak lies err morally from birth. The words of the wicked cannot be trusted. Man by nature is evil. The wicked are estranged from the womb and speak lies to go astray from birth. For this reason, man is fallible.
Gen 6:5, “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.”
Note: Wickedness in Hebrew is ra` which means mischief; evil; harm; bad; misery; vicious in disposition; injury; calamity; wrong; trouble; wretchedness; noxiousness; – which occurs 690 times in the Old Testament. Evil in Hebrew in this verse is the same word as wickedness. Man whose wickedness is great and the thoughts of his heart is only evil cannot have a correct view of what is truth.
In human truth, truth maybe the end of inquiry because it is a verified truth. Even in so many scientific inquires so-called, they lack objectivity and free from conflict of interest. For that reasons, many medical or drug researches their findings are false or partially true.
Pro 14:5, “A trustworthy witness will not lie, But a false witness utters lies.”
Note: Trustworthy in Hebrew is ’emuwn which means faithful; truthful; – which occurs 5 times in the Old Testament. Since the end of World War II, leaders of Western powers have notoriously lied, and lied, and lied to facilitate and justify their imperial policy and hegemonic expansion. Western media are tools of their governments and they spread fake news and spew out falsehoods without measure. Not all men are trustworthy witnesses. A false witness utters lies.
Pro 6:19, “A false witness who utters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers.”
Note: Strife in Hebrew is mĕdan which means discord; contention; conflict; division; – which occurs 2 times in the Old Testament. The one who utter lies spreads strife among brothers. Western imperialists lie and lie and lie, kill and kill and kill, rob and rob and rob; they spread conflict and division among nations. They employ the dirty scheme of “divide and conquer.” Even today the hegemonic nations are trying to spread conflict and discord between Taiwan and China, and sponsoring riots and contentions in Chinese territories of Hong Kong, Tibet, Xinjiang, etc. Which nation is still responsible for the division between North Korea and South Korea? Western powers divide the world by military alliances to pitch one group against another. Clearly they are expert in spreading the seed of conflict and wars.
Pro 14:25, “A truthful witness saves lives, But he who utters lies is treacherous.”
Note: According to the Word of God, American and European leaders and politicians are treacherous because they utter lies, falsehoods, disinformation, misinformation, and fake news.
Lie in Hebrew is kazab which means an untruth; falsehood; deceptive thing; lying; anything that deceives; speaking falsely; – which occurs 31 times in the Old Testament. Treacherous in Hebrew is mirmah which means deceitful; false; feigned; crafty; extremely dangerous; guilty of deceiving; perfidious; unreliable; – which occurs 39 times in the Old Testament. He who utters lies in treacherous. There are many Western leaders and politicians and mass media who are treacherous because they use lies to destroy or destabilize other nations. Western media is most treacherous because they create lies and spread fake news and false views about other nations and corporations they do not like. Western powers and media benefit from wars and military conflicts.
Pro 19:5, “A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who tells lies will not escape.”
Note: The greatest lie invented by Western powers in modern time was the lie that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. The war criminals who escaped the judgement of International Court of Justice will not escape the Supreme Court of Heaven and the judgment of God to come. The amazing thing is that these Western demagogues continue the old dirty tricks of broadcasting lies and spreading strife and conflict.
Pro 19:9, “A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who tells lies will perish.”
Note: Western leaders and politicians and mass media continue to speak lies and spread fake news. They don’t seem to be afraid of the Word of God. God’s truth is applicable to men. He who tells lies will perish, sooner or later.
Pro 30:7-9, “ Two things I asked of You, Do not refuse me before I die: Keep deception and lies far from me, Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion, That I not be full and deny You and say, “Who is the LORD?” Or that I not be in want and steal, And profane the name of my God.”
Note: The wise prays for the most important things: keep away form deception and lies, want neither poverty nor riches.
Isa 28:17, “I will make justice the measuring line And righteousness the level; Then hail will sweep away the refuge of lies And the waters will overflow the secret place.”
Note: Justice in Hebrew is mishpat which means right; rectitude; right verdict; lawful manner or measure; righteous judgment; that which is just and lawful; conformity to truth; principle and administration of fairness; – which occurs 426 times in the Old Testament. Measuring line in Hebrew is qav which means rule; a measuring cord; a line of known length used in the measurement of other lines; – which occurs 23 times in the Old Testament. Level in Hebrew is mishqeleth which means plummet; a leveling instrument or tool; a plumb line; – which occurs 2 times in the Old Testament. It is God who says He will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the level. Therefore, Justice is a divine concept, not defined by men. “For the LORD is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him.”
Justice is not a virtue of man, the Scriptures quoted below describe fully the condition of men:
Isa 59:9, “Therefore justice is far from us, And righteousness does not overtake us; We hope for light, but behold, darkness, For brightness, but we walk in gloom.”
Isa 59:14, “Justice is turned back, And righteousness stands far away; For truth has stumbled in the street, And uprightness cannot enter.” In the West, Justice is turned back, for truth has stumbled in the street.
Hab 1:4, “Therefore the law is ignored And justice is never upheld. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore justice comes out perverted.”
Job 19:7,“Behold, I cry, ‘Violence!’ but I get no answer; I shout for help, but there is no justice.”
Isa 59:8, “They do not know the way of peace, And there is no justice in their tracks; They have made their paths crooked, Whoever treads on them does not know peace.”
Note: The Scriptures cited above aptly and rightly describe the West. In the last 500 years or more Western Powers and Japan had done most evil and wickedness in the world to the present. Some nations proudly claim to be Christian, democratic, and rule of law. In fact they are the most violent, greedy, unjust and oppressive. They do not know the way of peace, and there is no justice in their tracks; they have made their paths crooked. They abhor justice and twist everything that is straight. They lie and lie and lie without shame and supported by their powerful global mass media that spew out lies and fake news daily and spread conflict and strife among nations.
The biggest problem of secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers is the fact they do not have the Spirit of Truth in them, because they cannot receive and do not see or know Him. Consequently, the most amazing thing is the fact that an uneducated person with the Spirit of Truth in him sees and knows that Truth is in Jesus while the intelligentsia of the world cannot and do not.
1Jo 3:7-8, “Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; 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: It is clear who are the children of God, they who practice righteousness. The children of the devil who practice sin and injustice.
Isa 59:4, “No one sues righteously and no one pleads honestly. They trust in confusion and speak lies; They conceive mischief and bring forth iniquity.”
Note: This Scripture vividly describes a nation who loudly claims the rule of law; where no one sues righteously and the criminal is advised by the judge to regularly plea not guilty. It is a corrupt system of litigation where lawyers make big money. Where defense lawyers may present fake evidence, they trust in confusion and speak lies. They conceive mischief and bring forth (give birth) iniquity. This is the etiology of iniquity. Those who conceive mischief, bring forth iniquity.
Jer 9:3, “They bend their tongue like their bow; Lies and not truth prevail in the land; For they proceed from evil to evil, And they do not know Me,” declares the LORD.”
How do you really describe America and Europe today?
Lies and not truth prevail in the land.
Jer 9:5, “Everyone deceives his neighbor And does not speak the truth, They have taught their tongue to speak lies; They weary themselves committing iniquity.”
Note: Bend in Hebrew is darak which means to tread a bow; to constrain by curving; to cause to curve; – which occurs 67 times in the Old Testament. Prevail in Hebrew is gabar which means to strengthen; to confirm; to establish; to dominate; to become powerful; to be great; to act proudly; to act insolently; to overwhelm; to outweigh; to put forth strength; to triumph; to predominate; – which occurs 27 times in the Old Testament. Lies and not truth prevail in the land. Lies triumph in Western powers, and truth is trampled. Proceed in Hebrew is yatsa’ which means to go out; to go forth; to go forward; to bring out; to lead out; to bear out; to appear; to carry out; to issue out; to pull out; to spring out; to stand out; to germinate; to promulgate; – which occurs 1,214 times in the Old Testament. All the acts and works, enterprises and undertakings of Western powers and terrorists can be said, they proceed from evil to evil.
Teach in Hebrew is lamad which means to learn; to instruct diligently; to become expert or skillful; to be trained; to discipline; to accustom; – which occurs 86 times in the Old Testament. Western leaders are trained for war. Western media have trained their tongue to speak lies and spread fake news. Commit iniquity in Hebrew is `avah which means to bend, twist, and distort; to do perversely; to make crooked; to do wrong; to do wickedly; to subvert; to overturn; to sin; – which occurs 26 times in the Old Testament. Western leaders labor so hard that they become weary and exhausted in committing crimes and sins to subvert and overturn other governments in order to dominate and dictate the world.
Eze 13:19, “For handfuls of barley and fragments of bread, you have profaned Me to My people to put to death some who should not die and to keep others alive who should not live, by your lying to My people who listen to lies.”
Note: Since the end of World War II Western leaders have put to death millions of innocent people who should not die and to keep alive the Emperor of Japan and other war criminals who should not live.
Eze 22:28, “Her prophets have smeared whitewash for them, seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD,’ when the LORD has not spoken.”
Note: Some false preachers on account of their patriotism have whitewashed the crimes and sins of Western leaders and war criminals. They used the name of the Lord to support imperial policies.
Dan 11:27, “As for both kings, their hearts will be intent on evil, and they will speak lies to each other at the same table; but it will not succeed, for the end is still to come at the appointed time.”
Note: In the end the Supreme God will make those whose hearts intent on evil and they speak lies to each other not to succeed.
Hos 7:3, “With their wickedness they make the king glad, And the princes with their lies.”
Hos 10:13, “You have plowed wickedness, you have reaped injustice, You have eaten the fruit of lies. Because you have trusted in your way, in your numerous warriors.”
This is divine law: Those who plow wickedness will reap injustice.
Note: Plow in Hebrew is charash which means to devise evil; to conceal; to cut in; to plot evil; to keep quiet; to remain silent; to scratch; to fabricate; to practice secretly; to make with a plow; to sow evil; – which occurs 95 times in the Old Testament. Wickedness in Hebrew is resha` which means iniquity; wrong; guilt; violence and crime; unrighteousness; fraud; falsehood; – which occurs 32 times in the Old Testament. Reap in Hebrew is qatsar which means to harvest; to receive something as result of your actions; – which occurs 52 times in the Old Testament. Injustice in Hebrew is `evel which means iniquity; wickedness; unrighteousness; perverseness; wrong; violent deeds of injustice; moral evil; depravity; wicked act; – which occurs 56 times in the Old Testament. Western powers have plowed wickedness since the end of World War II, they have reaped injustice all over the world. Have you ever thought what is the fruit of lies? I can think of one. Western powers made a great lie that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, so they started the war of aggression by attacking Iraq, occupying and robbing the country and killing the people. Consequently the war went on since 2003 and resulting in millions of refugees (or economic opportunists) flooding Western nations and breeding terrorists still plague the whole world. They have eaten the fruit of lies! Warrior in Hebrew is gibbowr which means strong man; mighty man; valiant man; brave man; tyrant; – which 244 times in the Old Testament. World War II warriors were heroes because they fought a just war against the Nazis and Japanese aggressors. Since then warriors are no heroes because they participated in wars of aggression and bloody military interventions that killed millions of innocent peoples. Isn’t it horrible for a soldier to live for the sake of killing people who do not want to be dominated by Western imperialist powers? Isn’t it a shame that many Western soldiers died in vain?
Hos 12:1, “Ephraim feeds on wind, And pursues the east wind continually; He multiplies lies and violence. Moreover, he makes a covenant with Assyria, And oil is carried to Egypt.”
Note: Isn’t it terrible, the world today is still plagued by lies and violence and oil is the big factor?
Why did they attack Iraq, Syria, and squeeze Venezuela?
Amo 2:4, “Thus says the LORD, “For three transgressions of Judah and for four I will not revoke its punishment, Because they rejected the law of the LORD And have not kept His statutes; Their lies also have led them astray, Those after which their fathers walked.”
Note: Many leaders and politicians of Western powers have been led astray by their own lies. They wage wars of aggression in the name of promoting democracy, freedom, justice and humanitarianism?
Mic 2:11,“If a man walking after wind and falsehood Had told lies and said, ‘I will speak out to you concerning wine and liquor,’ He would be spokesman to this people.
Mic 6:12,“For the rich men of the city are full of violence, Her residents speak lies, And their tongue is deceitful in their mouth.”
Nah 3:1, “Woe to the bloody city, completely full of lies and pillage; Her prey never departs.”
Do you know any American city which is not bloody? Guns and violence make many American bloody cities.
Note: This sounds familiar in many bloody cities, completely full of lies and pillage. Pillage in Hebrew is pereq which means robbery; plunder; rapine; – which occurs 3 times in the Old Testament. There are many bloody cities in the world where ignorant Chinese tourists are preys to be robbed. In the last 500 years Western powers have preyed on many nations and peoples of the world!
Mat 15:6, “he is not to honor his father or his mother.’ And by this you invalidated the Word of God for the sake of your tradition.”
Mar 7:13, “thus invalidating the Word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.”
Note: Invalidate in Greek is akyroō which means to make of none effect; to disannul; to render void; to deprive of force and authority; to make not binding; to make invalid; to destroy or weaken; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. Tradition in Greek is paradosis which means ordinance; a precept of oral transmission; the handing down of belief or practice; – which occurs 14 times in the New Testament. Western nations have invalidated death penalty instituted by God. The U.S. Supreme Court has invalidated the Word of God by legalizing same sex marriage. Chinese tradition of worshiping ancestors and idols has invalidated the Commandment of God.
Rom 1:28, “And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper.”
Note: Truth offends people. Those who did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them over to a depraved mind. Depraved in Greek is adokimos which means reprobate; rejected; castaway; not standing the test; not approved; unfit for; unproved; spurious; worthless; – which occurs 10 times in the New Testament. Secular academics and unbelieving scientists may think they have great mind, but God calls it depraved mind, unfit, spurious and worthless. Depraved mind is an unsound mind. How do you expect a depraved mind come to know the truth?
2Th 2:10-12, “and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.”
Note: Deception of wickedness must mean something most evil. I can at least provide four examples of “deception of wickedness.”
(1). For a Harvard professor who made fake news that she discovered that Jesus Christ had a wife must be a “deception of wickedness.” I believe she had committed the unpardonable sin.
(2). I believe for those impostors who recently in Western media to spread the fake news that Jesus Christ was not a historical person must be a “deception of wickedness.” This may be an unpardonable sin also.
(3). Some 500 years ago white supremacists built imperialism and colonialism on account of “white man’s burden” to justify to civilize the whole world by conquest with the banner of Christianity is indeed a “deception of wickedness.” The impacts of white imperialism and colonialism are still evident and apparent in Asia, Africa, South America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand.
(4). Western powers brazenly made the greatest lie in our century by faking that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction to justify their attack and occupation, protracted war of aggression began in 2003 to this day, and subsequent rising of the Islamic terrorism and millions killed or displaced, and millions of refugees or economic opportunists which flood Europe and America. America and Europe are jealous of China’s many successes, so they fabricate false charges of genocide, abuses of human rights, and forced labor in Xinjiang. Do you know why? Xinjiang is a wonderful land where they produce the white cotton of the highest quality and many kinds of fruits, full of oil and gas, etc. that the West wants to grab; so they try to create disturbances and discontent from inside to destabilize China; the same they did to Hong Kong and Tibet but failed. America and Europe have done so many deeds of deception and wickedness only God knows.
There are many deceptions of wickedness. They all have something in common: they did not receive the love of the truth. Those who do not receive the love of the truth can never know the truth. Those who practice the deception of wickedness will perish. Deluding in Greek is planē which means deceitful; erroneous; straying about; wandering; fraudulent; wrong; – which occurs 10 times in the New Testament. Influence in Greek is energeia which means operation; actual working; efficiency; energy; the power with which error works; – which occurs 7 times in the New Testament. Influence is a powerful word. Do you know King Ahab did what was evil under the influence of his wife? Those who influence the world must not let the world to influence them. Christians do not belong to this world. American politics is nothing but the power of influence. The business of buying and selling influence in America is a very big industry. 3Jo 1:11, “Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God.” This is the truth: Those who do good prove that they are God’s children. Those who do evil prove that they do not know God, but many of them claim they are Christians. How awful, abominable, baneful, dreadful, evil, horrible, terrible is the “deception of wickedness” that people do not believe in truth, but take pleasure in wickedness. Take pleasure in Greek is eudokeō which means to be well pleased; to have pleasure; to think good; to choose, determine, decide; to do willingly; to prefer; to choose rather; to be favorably inclined towards one; to think well of; to approve; – which occurs 36 times in the New Testament. Warmongers take pleasure in waging wars of aggression and killing and robbing peoples. Wall Street takes pleasure in defrauding and robbing peoples in trillions. In the last days, not only the wicked do not believe the truth, but they take pleasure in wickedness. Western leaders and politicians take pleasure in attacking, lying, killing, robbing, threatening, oppressing and smearing and sanctioning nations not their allies. Western media take pleasure in publishing and proclaiming false charges and fakes news about countries not their allies. You watch them on TV, they enjoy telling lies and making fake news without shame. Frauds have been committed in the world more than the stars in the sky.
Gen 6:5, “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.”
Note: Wickedness in Hebrew is ra` which means bad, evil; badness that gives pain, unhappiness and misery; unrighteousness; viciousness; unkindness; distress; injury; calamity; adversity; wrong; affliction; harm; hurt; mischief; trouble; wretchedness; malice; – which occurs 690 times in the Old Testament. Great in Hebrew is rab which means many; much; abounding in; abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality); enough; more numerous than; full; plenteous; sufficient; multiple; large; vast; – which occurs 467 times in the Old Testament. Intent in Hebrew is yetser which means imagination; mind; framework; conception; purpose; – which occurs 10 times in the Old Testament. Thought in Hebrew is machashabah which means purpose; imagination; invention; device; plan; contrivance; plot; means; meditation; – which occurs 56 times in the Old Testament. Heart in Hebrew is leb which means mind; understanding; care; inner man; inclination, resolution, determination (of will); conscience; seat of emotions and passions; the intellect; – which occurs 591 times in the Old Testament. Evil in Hebrew in the original word is the same as wickedness. Continually in Hebrew is yowm which means always; all the time; perpetually; presently; with the process of time; daily; which occurs 2,268 times in the Old Testament. God sees the wickedness of man which man may not see himself. The wickedness of man is very much, abundant in quantity and quality. The intent of the thoughts of his heart is only evil continually, all the time. Such man cannot know the truth, having a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, engaged in evil deeds.
1Ti 6:5, “and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.” There are many men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth represented by Washington, Wall Street, and Hollywood. They are liars, killers, and robbers who have no truth in them. They destroy what they cannot compete because they want to be No. 1 in everything. They do not know what is justice or fairness. They do not stand by truth. Deprave in Greek is diaphtheirō which means to destroy; to corrupt; to change for the worst; to ruin; to perish; to consume; to kill; to rot thoroughly; to pervert; – which occurs 6 times in the New Testament. Deprive in Greek is apostereō which means to defraud; to keep back by fraud; to rob or spoil; to cause to fail; to withdraw; – which occurs 6 times in the New Testament. Men of constant conflict, whose minds are corrupted and perverted, they are deprived of the truth and withdraw from the truth by fraud. Do you know any world leader who withdraws from formal treaties, withdraws from agreements, withdraws from international legal organizations, withdraws from pacts, withdraws from protection of climate and environment, etc. to serve private and selfish interests or as a means of gain?
Deu 12:8, “You shall not do at all what we are doing here today, every man doing whatever is right in his own eyes.”
Note: Right in Hebrew is yashar which means upright; righteous; straight; just; meet; equal, well; correct; pleasing; fitting; proper; true; even; good; suitable; appropriate; – which occurs 137 times in the Old Testament. There are two different standards. Man views whatever is right or good in his own eyes. God views what is right or good in the sight of the Lord. Divine perspective is different vastly from human perspective, as the Heaven is far above the Earth. In addition, a man views whatever is right or good varies from man to man, from one to another.
Human truth has to be verified, it is limited by time and place.
IV. ETERNAL TRUTH (DIVINE). Gen 24:27, “He said, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His lovingkindness and His truth toward my master; as for me, the LORD has guided me in the way to the house of my master’s brothers.”
Note: Lovingkindness in Hebrew is checed which means mercy; kindness; goodness; godliness; pity; benignity; favor; grace; – which occurs 253 times in the Old Testament. Truth in Hebrew is ’emeth which means verity; faithfulness; firmness; reliableness; sureness; trustworthiness; uprightness; reliability; stability; fidelity; certainty; perpetuity; probity; integrity; sincerity; – which occurs 128 times in the Old Testament. Guide in Hebrew is nachah which means to lead; to direct; to bring; to govern; to lead forth; – which occurs 39 times in the Old Testament. The truth of God leads His children in the right path. The God of the Holy Bible is the God of truth.
Isa 55:8-9, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. For as the Heavens are higher than the Earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Note: The truth is settled in Heaven. The thoughts of God are not the thoughts of man. The ways of God are not the ways of man. As the Heavens are higher than the Earth, so are God’s ways higher than human ways and God’s thoughts than human thoughts. Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers apparently have not learned this basic truth. 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!”
Jer 10:10, “But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King. At His wrath the earth quakes, And the nations cannot endure His indignation.”
Note: The God of the Holy Bible is the Lord who is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King. God is able to punish the wicked and unrighteous nations.
Jhn 3:33,“He who has received His testimony has set his seal to this, that God is true.”
Note: The longer I live the more I understand that God is true, and every man a liar. This is the first truth, the beginning of all truth. God is true. The God of the Bible is the Living and True God. God in Greek is theos which means the only and true God; the Supreme Being; the Supreme Divinity; the Supreme or Ultimate reality; the Divine Being; the Deity who created and controls the universe; – which occurs 1,314 in the New Testament. Psa 116:11, “I said in my alarm,“All men are liars.” It is true, all men are liars. Ecc 9:3, “This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that there is one fate for all men. Furthermore, the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil and insanity is in their hearts throughout their lives. Afterwards they go to the dead.”The hearts of the sons of men are full of evil. Rom 3:4, “May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written,“THAT YOU MAY BE JUSTIFIED IN YOUR WORDS, AND PREVAIL WHEN YOU ARE JUDGED.” God cannot lie. God is true, and every man is found a liar.
The Plague of Hail Exo 9:18-26, “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.” The one among the servants of Pharaoh who feared the Word of the LORD made his servants and his livestock flee into the houses; but he who paid no regard to the Word of the LORD left his servants and his livestock in the field. Now the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward the sky, that hail may fall on all the land of Egypt, on man and on beast and on every plant of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.” 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.The hail struck all that was in the field through all the land of Egypt, both man and beast; the hail also struck every plant of the field and shattered every tree of the field. Only in the land of Goshen, where the sons of Israel were, there was no hail.”
Note: The Sovereign God is mighty and wonderful that He sent a very heavy hail and thunder and fire to strike at both man and beast in the land of Egypt, while He exempted the land of Goshen where the sons of Israel were, there was no hail.
The Quail and the Plague Num 11:23-35, “The LORD said to Moses, “Is the LORD’S power limited? Now you shall see whether My word will come true for you or not.” So Moses went out and told the people the words of the LORD. Also, he gathered seventy men of the elders of the people, and stationed them around the tent. Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him; and He took of the Spirit who was upon him and placed Him upon the seventy elders. And when the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But they did not do it again. But two men had remained in the camp; the name of one was Eldad and the name of the other Medad. And the Spirit rested upon them (now they were among those who had been registered, but had not gone out to the tent), and they prophesied in the camp. So a young man ran and told Moses and said, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” Then Joshua the son of Nun, the attendant of Moses from his youth, said, “Moses, my lord, restrain them.”But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD’S people were prophets, that the LORD would put His Spirit upon them!” Then Moses returned to the camp, both he and the elders of Israel. Now there went forth a wind from the LORD and it brought quail from the sea, and let them fall beside the camp, about a day’s journey on this side and a day’s journey on the other side, all around the camp and about two cubits deep on the surface of the ground. The people spent all day and all night and all the next day, and gathered the quail (he who gathered least gathered ten homers) and they spread them out for themselves all around the camp. While the meat was still between their teeth, before it was chewed, the anger of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD struck the people with a very severe plague. So the name of that place was called Kibroth-hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had been greedy.From Kibroth-hattaavah the people set out for Hazeroth, and they remained at Hazeroth.”
Who knows if God is using the plague COVID-19 in 2020-2021 to punish and warn the nations and peoples of the world that Jesus Christ is coming soon to judge the world? Nuclear weapons are useless to fight against CORONAVIRUS pandemic, otherwise the sole superpower would not lead the world in cases of infections and deaths!
Note: The Word of God will always come true. The Word of God is eternal truth.
Rev 6:10, “and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”
Note: Human beings could not attain to the absolute truth because we are sinful and stupid and limited. God has the absolute truth because the Lord God is holy and true and unlimited. The holy and true God will some day judge and avenge the blood of the righteous on the wicked.
1Jo 1:10, “If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His Word is not in us.”
Note: Sin in Greek is hamartanō which means to offend; to trespass; to violate law; to miss the mark; to err; to be mistaken; to wander from the path of righteousness; to do or go wrong; to break a law; – which occurs 45 times in the New Testament. God says we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. If we say that we have not sinned, we make God a liar and His Word is not in us. The proof that we all have sinned is the fact that we all will die. The Word of God is true, we are all sinners. Sinners need to be saved. Jesus Christ came down from Heaven to save sinners. Luk 5:32,“I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” Jesus has come to call sinners to repentance. Rom 5:8, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” The cross of Christianity is the symbol of the love of God. Demonstrate in Greek is synistēmi which means to commend; to show clearly; to prove; to exhibit; to display; to establish; – which occurs 17 times in the New Testament. God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. God loves sinners who are unworthy, we must repent and believe. 1Jo 5:10, “The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son.”
Jhn 17:17, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your Word is truth.”
The Word of God is truth.
Note: Sanctify in Greek is hagiazō which means to make holy; to hallow; to consecrate to God; to dedicate to God; to purify; to cleanse; to render holy; – which occurs 29 times in the New Testament. Word in Greek is logos which means Word (Christ); the Divine Expression; saying; speech; – which occurs 334 times in the New Testament. The “Word” used in John 17:17 is the same original word Logos in John 1:1. The Word of God is truth. Christ is the Word of God. Christ is the Truth. God sanctifies believers in the truth. The truth has power to sanctify believers. The Word of God is Truth. For God cannot lie.
Exo 34:6-7, “Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; 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: The Lord God proclaims to Moses that He is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth. Compassionate in Hebrew is rachuwm which means merciful; full of compassion; having and showing compassion; – which occurs 13 times in the Old Testament. Gracious in Hebrew is channuwn which means merciful; benevolent; benignant; kindhearted; – which occurs 13 times in the Old Testament. Abounding in Hebrew is rab which means great; much; multitude of; abundant; more than enough; full; plenteous; sufficient; large; vast; – which occurs 467 times in the Old Testament. God is full of lovingkindness and truth. Lovingkindness in Hebrew is checed which means mercy; goodness; kindness; faithfulness; love; benevolence; – which occurs 253 times in the Old Testament. Truth in Hebrew is ’emeth which means faithfulness; verity; sureness; reliability; reliableness; certainty; trustworthiness; fidelity; integrity; sincerity; opposite to falsehood; – which occurs 128 times in the Old Testament. God reveals Himself to Moses: God is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and full of lovingkindness and truth.
Isa 65:16, “Because he who is blessed in the earth Will be blessed by the God of truth; And he who swears in the earth Will swear by the God of truth; Because the former troubles are forgotten, And because they are hidden from My sight!”
Note: God in Hebrew is ‘elohiym which means the Divine One; the true God; the Supreme God; God of truth; Jehovah; – which occurs 2,606 times in the Old Testament. Truth is Hebrew is ‘amen which means amen; truly; so be it; verily; faithfulness; fidelity; a transcendent fundamental or spiritual reality; – which occurs 30 times in the Old Testament. God is the God of Heavens and Earth, God of the spirits of all flesh, God of faithfulness and without injustice, God of knowledge, God of our salvation. The Creator of Heavens and Earth is the God of truth, there is no other. The Lord is not only the true God, God is true. The truth is God’s truth. All truth originates from God. Truth is God’s nature. Psa 41:13, “ Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.” From everlasting to everlasting, the Lord, the God of Israel is true and true. Amen and Amen.
Num 23:19, “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?”
Note: God is not a man. God does not lie or repent. What God has said, He will do it. What God has spoken, He will make it good. The Word of God is absolute and eternally true.
2Sa 7:28, “Now, O Lord GOD, You are God, and Your words are truth, and You have promised this good thing to Your servant.”
Note: The Words of God are truth.
Psa 31:5, “Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have ransomed me, O LORD, God of truth.”
Note: God by nature is truth. Truth is not only the property of God. God is Truth, but Truth is not God.
Psa 40:11, “You, O LORD, will not withhold Your compassion from me; Your lovingkindness and Your truth will continually preserve me.”
Leaders of an evil empire think if they revise the history textbook to whitewash their evil past, and deny all their war crimes of genocide, sex slavery, slave labor, atrocities and brutalities, they can preserve their empire. Only truth can preserve any nation or kingdom. Germany has done that.
Note: The lovingkindness of God and the truth of God will continually preserve me. Preserve in Greek is natsar which means to keep safe; to guard from dangers; to watch over; to protect; to maintain; to defend; – which occurs 61 times in the Old Testament. The mercy and truth of God have continually preserved me from childhood to old age.
Psa 43:3, “O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your dwelling places.”
Note: God sends out His light and His truth to lead me. Lead in Greek is nachah which means to guide; to govern; to put; to straighten; to direct; – which occurs 39 times in the Old Testament. Remember, God sends out His light and His truth to lead man to God. Lies and falsehoods lead man to the devil who is a liar and the father of lies.
Psa 51:6, “Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.”
Note: Watch out the shrewd and skillful Western leaders and politicians who speak lies and deceits as if they were truth. They use all good things to cover up their evil deeds. They do not have any truth in their innermost being. God does not like superficiality. God desires truth in the innermost being, in my heart. In the hidden part God will make me know wisdom.
Psa 69:13, “But as for me, my prayer is to You, O LORD, at an acceptable time; O God, in the greatness of Your lovingkindness, Answer me with Your saving truth.”
Note: Only God has saving truth. Human truth does not and cannot save anyone. No truth of any religion can save mankind. There is no saving truth in science. Saving in Hebrew is yesha` which means salvation; safety; deliverance; welfare; prosperity; rescue; victory; liberty; – which occurs 36 times in the Old Testament. God has saving truth, there is no other. You cannot find saving truth in science or philosophy or man-made religion. Philosophers and scientists will never find out the saving truth, for the saving truth is in Jesus Christ. There is no saving truth in science or human wisdom. Only God has saving truth, the truth in Jesus Christ.
1Ti 2:4, “who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
Note: God our Savior desires all men to be saved. If you perish, you perish because of your fault and sin. To be saved first you must come to the knowledge of the truth. The truth is no one can save you and nothing can save you except Jesus Christ the Savior of mankind. Believe it and be saved. Do not believe the false teacher John Calvin who taught God predetermined some people to go to Hell. No. God our Savior desires all men to be saved. If you come to Jesus Christ for salvation, He will never reject you.
Psa 85:10, “Lovingkindness and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.”
Note: Lovingkindness is grace. Grace and truth have met together because grace and truth come from Jesus Christ. Righteousness and peace have kissed each other in Christ. Christ brings righteousness to all who believe in Him and they have peace with God.
Psa 108:4, “For Your lovingkindness is great above the Heavens, And Your truth reaches to the skies.”
Note: Lovingkindness in Hebrew is checed which means mercy; compassion; kindness; goodness; favor; pity; faithfulness; piety; love; benevolence; grace; – which occurs 253 times in the Old Testament. Truth in Hebrew is ’emeth which means verity; right; truthfulness; faithfulness; that which is true; firmness; sureness; reliability; reliableness; divine instruction; stability; trustworthiness; perpetuity; a token of security; probity; uprightness, integrity of mind; – which occurs 128 times in the Old Testament. The mercy of the Lord is great above the Heavens, and the truth of God reaches to the skies. Man is too lowly in all aspects and he cannot reach the truth of God.
Psa 111:7, “The works of His hands are truth and justice; All His precepts are sure.”
Note: Truth and justice go together. There cannot be truth without justice. There cannot be justice without truth. Western leaders and politicians are devoid of truth and justice. So they use force to support their evil empires. Just examine history, no force is strong enough to support any evil empire. The works of God’s hands are truth and justice. Work in Hebrew is ma`aseh which means act; labor; doing; deed; thing done; doing; undertaking; enterprise; achievement; product; action; transaction; activity; operation; working; – which occurs 231 times in the Old Testament. Justice in Hebrew is mishpat which means judgment; right cause; law and order; discretion; right; rectitude; ordinance; fitness; measure; verdict; determination; that which is just, right, according to law; – which occurs 426 times in the Old Testament. Precept in Hebrew is piqquwd which means commandment; statute; mandate; – which occurs 24 times in the Old Testament. Sure in Hebrew is aman which means faithful; established; verified; steadfast, trustworthy; unshaken; upright; certain; – which occurs 117 times in the Old Testament. The deeds of God are truth and justices; and the precepts of the Lord are certain.
Psa 117:2, “For His lovingkindness is great toward us, And the truth of the LORD is everlasting. Praise the LORD!”
Note: No scientific truth is everlasting. No human truth is eternal. Great in Hebrew is gabar which means mighty; strong; exceeding; valiant; powerful; binding; robust; proud; – which occurs 27 times in the Old Testament. Everlasting in Hebrew is `owlam which means perpetual; always; eternal; never end; for ever; continuous existence; – which occurs 448 times in the Old Testament. The lovingkindness of God is great toward us believers, and the truth of the Lord is everlasting. Man and science do not know what is eternal truth. The absolute truth of God is eternal.
Psa 119:89, “Lamedh. Forever, O LORD, Your Word is settled in Heaven.”
Note: Settle in Hebrew is natsab which means to stand firm; to set up; to establish permanently; to fix; to be put; to be fixed; to erect; – which occurs 79 times in the Old Testament. The Word of the Lord is established permanently in Heaven. Science is tentative, never settled. Nothing is settled in this world.
Psa 119:105, “Nun. Your Word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.”
Note: The Word of God is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. As technology progresses, there are many types of lamp and light. The purpose is the same to enable man to walk in the light. The Word of God enlightens anyone how to live in this world. Lamp and light symbolize the truth.
Psa 119:160, “The sum of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting.”
Note: Sum in Hebrew is ro’sh which means principal; total; head; chief; whatever is highest and supreme; summit; what is first and foremost; aggregate; summation; – which occurs 605 times in the Old Testament. Ordinance in Hebrew is mishpat which means judgment; law; decree; decision; measure; verdict; order; rule; – which occurs 426 times in the Old Testament. The sum of God’s Word is truth, and every one of God’s ordinances is everlasting. In contrast I found the sum of the writings of unbelieving theologians and philosophers are profane and vain babblings or worldly and empty chatter.
Psa 138:2, “I will bow down toward Your holy temple And give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your Word according to all Your name.”
Note: Truth belongs to God. Lie originates from the devil. Truth is divine. I bow down to the Sovereignty of God, and give thanks to His name for His mercy and His truth. God’s truth is absolute. Magnify in Hebrew is gadal which means to make great; to promote; to honor; to lift up; to strengthen; to become great; to exalt; to greatly value; to value highly; to praise; – which occurs 144 times in the Old Testament. God magnifies His Word because He does whatever He says. I trust in the Word of God. I cannot trust the words of scientists who do not know even a little thing when they are going to die.
Jer 33:6, “Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them; and I will reveal to them an abundance of peace and truth.”
Note: This can be verified by history: Peace and truth go together; you cannot have peace without truth, you cannot have truth without peace. Those warmongers and aggressors neither have peace nor truth. Sinful men cannot by themselves find the truth of God. God will reveal to His children an abundance of peace and truth. Reveal in Hebrew is galah which means to uncover; to open; to show; to disclose; to lay bare; to make known; to publish; to manifest; – which occurs 271 times in the Old Testament. This I have uncovered: those who love truth also love peace, and those who love peace also love truth. Those who love wars and injustice, neither have truth nor peace.
Psa 84:11, “For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.”
Note: The Lord God is a sun to shine upon me and give me light. The Lord God is a shield to protect me from evil. The Lord gives grace to those who believe in Jesus Christ, and gives glory to those who suffer for Jesus. Uprightly in Hebrew is tamiym which means sincerely; without blemish; having integrity; blamelessly; – which occurs 140 times in the Old Testament. Withhold in Hebrew is mana` which means to keep back; to refrain; to deny; to hinder; to hold back; to take away; – which occurs 33 times in the Old Testament.The Lord holds back no good thing from those who live blamelessly before Him.
1Jo 1:5-8, “This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.”
Note: Light in Greek is phōs which means that shines or makes manifest; fire; brightness; that emits light; metaphorically God is light because God is Spirit, pure, holy, bright, brilliant and illumining; – which occurs 72 times in the New Testament. Light in this Scripture does not refer to the natural light, electromagnetic radiation which occurs over an extremely wide range of wavelengths. God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. This is a revealed truth. In divine truth, truth is not the end of inquiry. Divine truth is the revealed truth, it cannot be achieved by human inquiry or scientific research and experiment. The truth God is Light cannot be acquired by scientific inquiry. For God is not a thing or cell to be put under microscope or a star to be looked at through telescope or to be tested by human instruments. Why atheists and unbelieving scientists cannot have the knowledge of God? Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers cannot have the knowledge of God because they walk in the darkness, do not practice the truth, and their sin has not been cleansed by the blood of Jesus His Son. They say that they have no sin, they are deceiving themselves and the truth in not in them. Above all, 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.” The Word of God diagnosed the underlying cause of their blindness. 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 unbelieving cannot see the Light of the Gospel because they are spiritually blind.
Lev 24:17, “If a man takes the life of any human being, he shall surely be put to death.”
Note: This is an example of divine truth, God establishes capital punishment for murderer. Divine truth does not require approval of man, for God rules over the affairs of men.
Psa 90:10, “As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, Or if due to strength, eighty years, Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow; For soon it is gone and we fly away.”
Note: Labor and sorrow accurately describes human life. Moses inspired by God spoke of God’s Eternity and man’s transitoriness. As for the days of human life, they contain seventy years, or if due to strength, eighty years. Pride in Hebrew is rohab which means arrogance; object of pride; conceit; feeling of worth; that which one is proud; – which occurs 1 time in the Old Testament. Yet the pride of our life is but labor and sorrow; for soon it is gone and we fly away. Since Moses was some 3,400 years ago, the Biblical truth about man’s life still stands. Labor in Hebrew is `amal which means toil; trouble; mischief; misery; travail; pain; weariness; worry; vexation; painful or strenuous effort; – which occurs 59 times in the Old Testament. Sorrow in Hebrew is ‘aven which means vanity; affliction; evil; mischief; mourning; nothingness; emptiness; misfortune; adversity; adverse circumstances; grief or sadness; calamity; – which occurs 77 times in the Old Testament. What man is so proud of his life is nothing but labor and sorrow. Soon our life is gone and we fly away.
Pro 28:17, “A man who is laden with the guilt of human blood will be a fugitive until death; let no one support him.”
Note: This is a divine truth: A man who is laden with the guilt of human blood will be a fugitive until death; let no one support him. Even a Nazi who killed 80 years ago, when he is caught he has to be executed. Let no one support killers.
Hos 4:1-3, “Listen to the Word of the LORD, O sons of Israel, For the LORD has a case against the inhabitants of the land, Because there is no faithfulness or kindness or knowledge of God in the land. There is swearing, deception, murder, stealing and adultery. They employ violence, so that bloodshed follows bloodshed. Therefore the land mourns, and everyone who lives in it languishes along with the beasts of the field and the birds of the sky, and also the fish of the sea disappear.”
Note: The Scriptures cited above was a case the Lord had against the inhabitants of Israel. Today the case applies to many lands and nations. “There is no faithfulness or kindness or knowledge of God in the land. There is swearing, deception, murder, stealing and adultery. They employ violence so that bloodshed follows bloodshed.”
Does this not sound like the United States of America? Faithfulness in Hebrew is ’emeth which means reliability; integrity; truth; stability; sureness; reliableness; certainty; sureness; trustworthiness; verity; fidelity; probity; uprightness; – which occurs 128 times in the Old Testament. It is most shocking that many governments today do not have integrity and honesty. Compounded by greedy corporations and crooks and criminals who commit countless and myriads of frauds and deceptions. Asset misappropriation, bribery and corruption, and financial statement fraud can be committed by individuals, corporations, organizations and even governments. The most prevalent frauds committed by mass media and politicians are pure lies and fake news. There are all types of fake: fake products, fake certificates, fake documents, fake credentials, fake names and addresses, fake companies, fake drugs, fake food; fake drinks; fake corporations, fake organizations, fake claims, doctors and hospitals regularly make fake charges, fake IDs; fake credit cards, fake diamonds, recently massive fake news, etc. There are more frauds committed in the world than the stars in the sky. Kindness in Hebrew is checed which means mercy; goodness; lovingkindness; goodliness; pity; compassion; charity; quality of helpfulness and unselfishness; – which occurs 253 times in the Old Testament. I believe in 1975-1976 Scandinavians were most civilized and kind. In comparison, you can try to walk at night in Washington, D.C. at your own risk. Violence breaks out and spreads like wild fire. Bloodshed in Hebrew is dam which means the shedding of blood; bloodguiltiness; the taking of life; slaughter; slaying; – which occurs 361 times in the Old Testament. Everyday in America people are shot dead, bloodshed follows bloodshed, one after another. Bloodshed happens here, bloodshed happens there, bloodshed happens everywhere. The gun establishment rules America. It can be said in many countries and lands, everyone who lives in it languishes. Languish in Hebrew is ‘amal which means to droop; to be weak; to be exhausted; to grow feeble; to mourn; to live in a state of depression; – which occurs 20 times in the Old Testament. The rich and powerful are thriving and prospering, while the peoples of the world are destitute and languishing. In many lands, the fish of the sea also disappear because of massive pollution caused by men and industries.
Jer 9:2-6, “Oh that I had in the desert A wayfarers’ lodging place; That I might leave my people And go from them! For all of them are adulterers, An assembly of treacherous men.
“They bend their tongue like their bow; Lies and not truth prevail in the land; For they proceed from evil to evil, And they do not know Me,” declares the LORD.
“Let everyone be on guard against his neighbor, And do not trust any brother; Because every brother deals craftily, And every neighbor goes about as a slanderer.
“Everyone deceives his neighbor And does not speak the truth, They have taught their tongue to speak lies; They weary themselves committing iniquity.
“Your dwelling is in the midst of deceit; Through deceit they refuse to know Me,” declares the LORD.”
Note: Western leaders and politicians proceed from evil to evil. Their empires are getting worse and worse. The Scriptures quoted above vividly and verily describe and depict the situation and condition of many contemporary countries and peoples. They hold Ph.D in speaking lies, lies and lies. It is frightening to watch in many countries that proceed from evil to evil. I can feel sympathy with Prophet Jeremiah when he said, “Oh that I had in the desert
A wayfarers’ lodging place; That I might leave my people And go from them!”
Or I can echo also with the psalmist:
Psa 55:6, “I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.”
Note: “For all of them are adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men.”
Adulterer in Hebrew is na’aph which means adulteress; woman that breaks wedlock; man having sex with wife of another; a person who commits adultery; a married person who has sex not with his spouse; – which occurs 46 times in the Old Testament. Assembly in Hebrew is `atsarah which means company; a group of people; gathering together; – which occurs 20 times in the Old Testament. Do you know which nations and peoples almost all them are adulterers? Some countries have legalized polygamy. In the sight of God, a man who has many wives is an adulterer. According to Jesus, those who divorced and remarried committed adultery. Act treacherously in Hebrew is bagad which means to deal deceitfully; to offend; to transgress; to cover up; to act covertly; to act fraudulently; to act perfidiously; to act disloyally; to dissimulate; to defraud; to oppress; to afflict; to spoil; – which occurs 73 times in the Old Testament. The Axis of Evil is an assembly of treacherous men. You will shocked to find out or know what they do covertly and cover up. But God knows all of their secret deeds in darkness, they will not escape the judgment of God and the wrath to come.
This sounds like a certain nation that I know fully well. If I name names, I might offend many countries. One black man was so proud that he had sex with thousands of women. Some famous people are so proud that they have extramarital affairs. Young women of certain nations are so proud to get rid of their virginity. Don’t you agree that Washington, Wall Street, and Hollywood are an assembly of treacherous men? Don’t you see NATO and Western military alliances are an assembly of treacherous men? Is it not the Axis of Evil an assembly of treacherous men? No one would dispute that warmongers, aggressors, greedy capitalists, supremacists, monopolists and terrorists are an assembly of treacherous men. Corrupt and fraudulent doctors, hospitals owners, drug and insurance companies, etc. have proven themselves to be an assembly of treacherous men. Organized crime is an assembly of treacherous men. Drug and sex trafficking are an assembly of treacherous men. The most treacherous men are those who pretend to do good and right by lifting up high the banner of righteousness and freedom and democracy, etc. but they lie, kill and rob many nations and peoples for hundreds of years to this day.
“They bend their tongue like their bow; Lies and not truth prevail in the land.”
Note: The worst about a nation is not whether it has riches or poverty; having a mighty military or a weak nation. The worst label for any country is this: Lies and not truth prevail in the land. Can you tell me what country has this label: Truth and not lies prevail in the land? This sounds like the land I know fully well. There is a world leader who bends his tongue like a bow so shamelessly and so frequently that makes the people blush who hear him. Many politicians today bend their tongue like their bow. Lies and not truth prevail in the world. Prevail in Hebrew is gabar which means to strengthen; to become strong; to become mighty and powerful; to confirm; to act proudly; to act insolently; to put forth strength; to triumph; to gain ascendancy; to predominate; – which occurs 27 times in the Old Testament. Lies and not truth prevail and predominate in many lands, some more or less. Lies and fake news predominate Western mass media is a shocking reality today. Is it not true that lies and not truth prevail in Europe and America?
“For they proceed from evil to evil, And they do not know Me,” declares the LORD.”
Note: Proceed in Hebrew is yatsa’ which means to bring forth; to come out; to go forward; to lead out; to deliver; to bear out; to carry out; to issue out; to pluck out; to pull out; to shoot forth; to spring out; to spread; to stand out; to germinate; to expand; – which occurs 1,214 times in the Old Testament. Imagine the wicked proceed or expand from evil to evil. The Axis of evil is spreading evil to evil worldwide. It must be said, imperialists, militarists, supremacists, monopolists, capitalists, Fascists, evolutionists, atheists, and terrorists do not know God. A person who knows God cannot and will not proceed from evil to evil.
“Let everyone be on guard against his neighbor, And do not trust any brother; Because every brother deals craftily.”
Note: To be on guard in Hebrew is shamar which means to observe; to take heed; to beware; to mark; to watch; to take care; to hedge about; to attend to; to keep safe; to take precaution; to be alert; – which occurs 475 times in the Old Testament. One of the saddest things prevalent in these last days is that you cannot trust anyone. Trust in Hebrew is batach which means to have confidence; to feel safe or secure; to hide for refuge; to set one’s hope on; – which occurs 129 times in the Old Testament.
Men have become untrustworthy. You can find many able men, but where can you find a dependable or reliable man? So dependability is a great ability. Deal craftily in Hebrew is `aqab which means to take by the heel; to supplant; to circumvent; to attack at the heel; to seize by the heel; to come from behind; to defraud; to supersede by treachery; to take shrewd advantage of; – which occurs 6 times in the Old Testament. The most crafty people in the world are the Washington, Wall Street, and Hollywood executives who have been educated by the Ivy League schools of America. They speak, walk, and deal craftily. They take shrewd advantages of any nation or people they deal with. Wall Street invented the most sophisticated finance and market systems in the world that even a Ph.D. can be fooled.
“And every neighbor goes about as a slanderer. Everyone deceives his neighbor.”
Note: Slanderer in Hebrew is rakiyl which means talebearer; informer; scandal-monger; detractor; defamer; – which occurs 6 times in the Old Testament. Deceive in Hebrew is talal which means to exaggerate; to cheat; to deal deceitfully; to ensnare; to be false to; to practice deceit; to trick or fool; – which occurs 11 times in the Old Testament. Let us see how long Western leaders and politicians can deceive the world.
“And does not speak the truth, They have taught their tongue to speak lies; They weary themselves committing iniquity.”
Everyone does not speak the truth.
Teach in Hebrew is lamad which means to learn; to instruct diligently; to become expert; to become skillful; to be accustomed with; to exercise in; to goad; to discipline; to accustom; – which occurs 86 times in the Old Testament. It is amazing that the wicked have trained and disciplined themselves to accustom their tongue to speak lies. Weary in Hebrew is to la’ah which means to grieve; to faint; to loath; to be impatient; to be tired of something; to be exhausted; to be disgusted; to labor; – which occurs 23 times in the Old Testament. They exhausted themselves committing sin. Commit iniquity in Hebrew is `avah which means to act perversely; to crook; to do wrong; to distort; to bend and twist; to do amiss; to do wickedly; to subvert; to sin; – which occurs 26 times in the Old Testament.
Jer 9:6, “Your dwelling is in the midst of deceit;
Through deceit they refuse to know Me,” declares the LORD.”
Note: Dwelling in Hebrew is yashab which means abode; living place; habitation; to be inhabited as a place, city, country; – which occurs 1,113 times in the Old Testament. Deceit in Hebrew is mirmah which means falsehood; treachery; deception; guile; subtilty; fraud; craft; subtlety; – which occurs 39 times in the Old Testament. Do you live in the community, city, country of deceit? Refuse in Hebrew is ma’en which means to reject; to be unwilling to accept; to deny; to renounce; – which occurs 42 times in the Old Testament. People who live in city or country of deceit, and through deceit they refuse to know God.
Isa 59:3-8, “For your hands are defiled with blood And your fingers with iniquity; Your lips have spoken falsehood, Your tongue mutters wickedness. No one sues righteously and no one pleads honestly. They trust in confusion and speak lies; They conceive mischief and bring forth iniquity.They hatch adders’ eggs and weave the spider’s web; He who eats of their eggs dies, And from that which is crushed a snake breaks forth.Their webs will not become clothing, Nor will they cover themselves with their works; Their works are works of iniquity, And an act of violence is in their hands. Their feet run to evil, And they hasten to shed innocent blood; Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity, Devastation and destruction are in their highways.They do not know the way of peace, And there is no justice in their tracks; They have made their paths crooked, Whoever treads on them does not know peace.”
Note: Men described by the Scriptures cited above how can they have truth in them? “For your hands are defiled with blood and your fingers with iniquity.” Defile in Hebrew is ga’al which means to pollute; to stain; to desecrate; to soil; to make impure or unclean; to corrupt or debase; to sully; to make dirty; – which occurs 11 times in the Old Testament. Those nations and leaders who attack, occupy, lie, rob and kill people have their hands defiled with blood and their fingers with iniquity and sin. The hands of terrorists are defiled with blood and their fingers with sin. God looks for justice, behold, He sees blood-shedding every day committed by warmongers and terrorists! I often wonder how could a man sheds the blood of men without qualm or fear? Since the end of World War II millions of innocent people have been killed in hundreds of unjust wars and bloody military interventions. Recently terrorists also kill innocent people every day. Let the Word of God warn murderers and other criminals and sinners: Rev 21:8, “But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the Lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Rev 22:15, “Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.” Do you really believe those people cited in the Scriptures above could have truth? Perhaps it is important to point out that among those who will suffer punishment in Hell, the Lake that burns with fire and brimstone, dogs. Dogs here do not refer to the animal canine. Dog here in the Bible in Greek is kyōn which means metaphorically a man of impure mind, an impudent man, a sodomite; a homosexual; – which occurs 5 times in the New Testament. No animal dogs go to Heaven, so do not be fooled by dog food industry. No animals go to Hell either, only the devil and his agents and sinners go to Hell.
“Your lips have spoken falsehood, Your tongue mutters wickedness”
Note: Falsehood in Hebrew is sheqer which means lie; falsehood; deceit; deception; fraud; wrong; false oath; false testimony; false tongue; untruth; sham; vanity; whatever deceives; – which occurs 115 times in the Old Testament. Wickedness in Hebrew is `evel which means iniquity; unrighteousness; perverseness; injustice; depravity; what is morally wrong and bad; – which occurs 56 times in the Old Testament. This vividly and visually reminds me how corrupt Western politicians and Western media their lips have spoken falsehood, and their tongue mutters wickedness without shame. They falsely believe and think if you keep on telling a lie loudly a million times, people of the world would believe it. Ah, in a world of instant news, now the peoples of the world wake up and recognize the falsehood and wickedness Western leaders and media have habitually and regularly spew out for so long!
“No one sues righteously and no one pleads honestly. They trust in confusion and speak lies.”
This reminds me of the justice system of a nation where litigation is a way of life and big money. Frivolous lawsuit is respectable and acceptable in court. A daily can pick up your name and address from the phone book and send to a collection agency to charge that you owe them subscription money although you never receive or read their paper. If you do not pay up. They threaten to ruin your credit. There is no penalty for false claim or accusation. It will only cost the victim to pay legal fees. No one sues righteously and no one pleads honestly. It is incredible that the judge routinely instructs the criminal to plea not guilty. Lawyers trust in confusion by presenting fake evidence and speak lies. If you have a dream team, even if you have committed murder, you can be acquitted.
“They conceive mischief and bring forth iniquity.They hatch adders’ eggs and weave the spider’s web.”
Note: Conceive in Hebrew is harah which means to become pregnant; to bear; to contrive; to devise; to be with child; to plan; – which occurs 44 times in the Old Testament. Adder in Hebrew is tsepha` which means a poisonous serpent; cockatrice; a viper snake; – which occurs 5 times in the Old Testament. It is reported that death adders are dangerous snakes that produce a potent venom that kills people. The Axis of Evil is weaving a network of military alliance like the spider’s that preys on weak nations in order to dictate and dominate the world. Warmongers and aggressors day and night conceive mischief and evil schemes to bring forth destruction of nations not their allies. They hatch evil plans and plots to overthrow the governments not their liking. They weave a network like a spider’s web to encircle and target nations deemed competitors or rivals.
“Their works are works of iniquity, And an act of violence is in their hands. Their feet run to evil, And they hasten to shed innocent blood; Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity, Devastation and destruction are in their highways.They do not know the way of peace, And there is no justice in their tracks; They have made their paths crooked, Whoever treads on them does not know peace.”
Note: The Scriptures cited above describe lively and clearly their works of iniquity. Wars and acts of violence are really works of iniquity. They run and hasten to sanction and shed innocent blood. Their thoughts of iniquity aim at devastation and destruction of nations not their allies. They do not know the way of peace, they only know to oppress and suppress in order to be number one in the world. Their paths are crooked by all means and there is no justice in their tracks. They do not know peace and they do not want peace. They believe money and power are their chief ends, justice is inconvenient.
Rom 1:18, “For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.”
Note: The compassionate God can be angry. The wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. Ungodliness in Greek is asebeia which means irreverence towards God; impiety; wickedness; lack of reverence towards God; – which occurs 7 times in the New Testament. Unrighteousness in Greek is adikia which means iniquity; injustice; wrongfulness; wrong; guilt; treachery; – which occurs 26 times in the New Testament. Suppress in Greek is katechō which means to hold back; to detain; to restrain; to hinder; to hold down; to withstand; to put down; to abandon; – which occurs 25 times in the New Testament. God is angry with ungodly and unrighteous men who suppress the truth in injustice. Western leaders and politicians are unrighteous and ungodly men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness. The West could not win the war against the terrorists in Afghanistan for 20 years; China won the war against the terrorists in Tibet and Xinjiang. So Western leaders suppress the truth by falsely accusing China of committing genocide, abuses of human rights and forced labor in Xinjiang.
2Ti 3:7, “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
Note: This is an awful truth that man can be always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Why? As the Scripture cited previously says, ungodly and unrighteous men suppress the truth in unrighteousness.
Rom 3:3-4, “What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it? May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written, “THAT YOU MAY BE JUSTIFIED IN YOUR WORDS, AND PREVAIL WHEN YOU ARE JUDGED.”
Note: Some think unbelief is a big deal. What then? If some did not believe, can their unbelief nullify the faithfulness of God? Nullify in Greek is katargeō which means to destroy; to abolish; to do away; to render idle; to cause to cease; to put an end to; to annul; to terminate; to bring to nought; to put away; to make void; to render inoperative; to make of none effect; – which occurs 38 times in the New Testament. The faithfulness or the truth of God does not depend on whether you believe it or not. A born blind may believe the sun does not exist. Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers do not believe in the truth God. But they are passing away, the truth of God is eternal. Let God be true, though every man be found a liar. For God cannot lie just as there is no darkness in the Light. Heb 3:12, “Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God.” An unbelieving heart is an evil heart that leads people away from the truth, falls away from the living God.
Eph 4:14, “As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming.”
Note: It is amazing to watch the craftiness of White and black supremacists and Japanese in deceitful scheming. Toss here and there in Greek is klydōnizomai which means to toss to and fro; toss back and forth; metaphorically to be agitated (like the waves) mentally; to fluctuate; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament. Carry about in Greek is peripherō which means to carry here and there; to carry round; to be driven about; to be led away now to this opinion, now to that; to transport hither and thither; – which occurs 6 times in the New Testament. Unbelieving theologians make wind of doctrine now and then. Immature persons are like children, tossed back and forth by waves of theory and carried about by every wind of doctrine by the trickery of people who craftily carry out their deceitful scheme. Trickery in Greek is kybeia which means sleight; the deception of men; artifice or fraud; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. Craftiness in Greek is panourgia which means cunning; subtlety; false wisdom; adroitness; – which occurs 5 times in the New Testament. Scheming in Greek is methodeia which means cunning arts; deceit; craft; wiles; trickery; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Trickery of men and deceitful scheming are abundant and profuse not only in business and finance; they are also in teaching and doctrine of religions; not to say in geopolitics. 2Sa 7:28, “Now, O Lord GOD, You are God, and Your Words are truth, and You have promised this good thing to Your servant.”
Note: Whatever God says is true. The Words of God are truth. God’s Words are truth, not depending on man, circumstances, time and space.
Psa 51:6, “Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.”
Note: God desires truth in the innermost being of His children. The god of terrorists is the opposite. The god of imperialism and capitalism is the opposite of the God of the Holy Bible. Because there is no truth in them.
1Ti 4:3, “men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth.”
Note: In human truth, you know and believe. In divine truth, you believe and know.
Num 15:30-31,‘But the person who does anything defiantly, whether he is native or an alien, that one is blaspheming the LORD; and that person shall be cut off from among his people.‘Because he has despised the Word of the LORD and has broken His commandment, that person shall be completely cut off; his guilt will be on him.’”
Note: Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers have despised the Word of God by denying the existence of God and the Son of God Jesus Christ. Sooner or later, they will be completely cut off; their guilt will be on them.
Deu 5:4-11, “The LORD spoke to you face to face at the mountain from the midst of the fire, while I was standing between the LORD and you at that time, to declare to you the Word of the LORD; for you were afraid because of the fire and did not go up the mountain. He said,‘I am the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.‘You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.”
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.”
There are certain things that God has made them eternal:
Mar 3:29, “but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”—
Note: A certain American professor who falsely claimed that she discovered Jesus had a wife. This is an abominable sin. We believe she had blasphemed against the Holy Spirit and committed the unpardonable sin which is guilty of an eternal sin.
Mat 25:41, “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the Eternal Fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels.”
Note: God has prepared Hell the Eternal Fire for the devil and his angels and followers. Eternal sin meets eternal fire. Eternal fire is eternal punishment. Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers who deny Jesus Christ is the Son of God will find themselves there with the devil sooner or later.
Mat 25:46, “These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Note: Those who go to Hell go away into eternal punishment. The righteous will go into eternal life – Heaven.
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: Truly, truly, he who hears Jesus’ Word, and believes God who sent Jesus, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. To be saved in Christ is to pass out of death into life.
Rom 1:20, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.”
Note: The power of God is eternal because God is eternal.
Eph 3:11-12, “This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.”
Note: The eternal purpose of God was carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, who died for our sins and rose from the dead so that by grace we are saved through faith in Christ to become children of God and have boldness and confident access to God the Father through faith. No one and nothing can stand in the way of the eternal purpose which God carried out in Christ Jesus.
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: Those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus will suffer retribution which is the penalty of eternal destruction in Hell. The destruction in Hell does not mean cease of existence because the punishment is eternal. Retribution in Greek is ekdikēsis which means vengeance; deserved punishment; revenging; recompense; retaliation; – which occurs 10 times in the New Testament. Penalty in Greek is dikē which means punishment; judgment; suffering; vengeance; condemnation; avenging justice; execution; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. Destruction in Greek is olethros which means ruin; death; punishment; – which occurs 5 times in the New Testament. Many may not understand the ramifications and realities of eternal destruction in Hell. Most people thought if you died, death is the end of everything. The wicked will also be resurrected with an undying body and soul that can feel pains and afflictions. The wicked who suffers in Hell can experience and feel everything like a human does. The wicked will feel the pain and heat of the unquenchable fire and undying worm. The wicked will feel thirst, pain, sorrow, remorse, remembrance, guilt, despair, etc. The wicked will experience death and dying but not dead in Hell. The wicked will feel being consumed by fire and the worm, but not consumed. The wicked in Hell will be tortured forever and ever. The wicked will be aware of the devil, his angels, and other wicked people with him that he cannot get rid of them. The sufferings in Hell will continue without end and without hope forever and ever. This is the meaning of eternal destruction.
Atheists and unbelieving scientists, do not be so arrogant and self-confident, God will retaliate and deal out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. They will pay the penalty of eternal destruction.
Jas 1:17-18, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the Word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.”
Note: This is the divine truth: Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above. Good and perfect things come from above. Whatever good thing we posses is given. The wisdom of Solomon was given to him by God. Our living God is the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. The devil is the Father of darkness, those who follow him walk in darkness. No one is good except God alone. There is only One who is good, the Father of lights. Every good thing comes from the Father of lights. One Chinese philosopher said, “In the beginning man was good.” If he means in the beginning when God created man, man was good, he is right. If he means man was born good, he is wrong. There is nothing good in human nature. No one is good except God alone.
1Jo 4:5-6, “They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”
Note: The truth of God is absolute, there is no confusion. The Word of God divides people into two groups: They are from the world, and We are from God. Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers are from the world and they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them. The Apostles and the prophets are from God. He who knows God listens to the Apostles and prophets of Jesus Christ. He who is not from God does not listen to the Apostles and prophets. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. He who listens to the Word of God has the spirit of truth. He who listens to secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers has the spirit of error.
V. THE TRUTH OF CHRIST. The truth of God is the truth of Christ, the truth of Christ is the truth of God. God and Christ are ONE. For Jesus Christ came into to the world to reveal God the Father. No one knows the Father like the Son, and no one knows the Son like the Father. God the Father and the Son are ONE. Heb 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Truth is the same yesterday and today and forever. Truth remains while everything is passing away. Truth is eternal. Science is not the same yesterday and today and forever. Nothing and no one else is the same yesterday and today and forever. So the truth of Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. For Christ is eternal. Lately some impostors in Western media spread the fake news that Jesus Christ was not a historical figure, these are anti-christs, deceivers and enemies of the Truth.
Jhn 1:17, “For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
Note: This is one of the most important theological statements in the Holy Scriptures. This precious Scripture summarizes the differences between the Old and New Testaments, between Moses and Jesus, between the old and new dispensations. Moses represents the Law, the Old Testament or the old dispensation. Law in Greek is nomos which means a precept or injunction; a law or rule established by God; the Mosaic law referring to its context or content; the Pentateuch or the whole Old Testament; figuratively a principle; – which occurs 196 times in the New Testament. Law in Hebrew is towrah which means direction, instruction, the Deuteronomic or Mosaic Law; a precept or statute; the manner and principles which men follow; – which occurs 220 times in the Old Testament.
Moses in Hebrew is Mosheh which means drawing out of water; the prophet and the Israelite lawgiver; leader of the Exodus; – which occurs 764 times in the Old Testament. Moses in Greek is Mōÿsēs which means drawing out; the Hebrew lawgiver; the author of the first five books of the Old Testament; – which occurs 80 times in the New Testament.
Grace in Greek is charis which means favor; good will; loving-kindness; the merciful kindness of God which influences upon souls to turn them to Christ; the spiritual condition; divine benefit; that which affords joy and pleasure; the protecting and helping favor of God; kindness which bestows one who does not deserve; a gift; – which occurs 159 times in the New Testament. Although the Greek word charis can be used in various ways to have different meanings, the main focus is unmerited favor of God to sinful men. The grace of God is a gift. Grace in the sense of unmerited favor explains a fundamental doctrine of Christianity. There are no other words better than grace and truth to express the nature and mission of Jesus Christ. The wonder of wonders is the Word of God that gives a definition of grace: Rom 11:6, “But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.” This monosyllabic word overwhelmingly demarcates and distinguishes the Revealed Religion from all man-made religions. The salvation of God is obtained by grace, not on the basis of works, this is the Truth of Christ. Salvation is a gift of God in Jesus Christ. So grace is the antinomy of “works” or the “law.” This is the fundamental underlying difference between Protestantism and Roman Catholicism. Grace is God’s way of salvation without work. Grace is also the antinomy of work which distinguishes from all man-made religions’ requirement for salvation.
Grace is not a religious idea that emerges in the progress of world religions’ thought and practice with the idea of God’s prevenience. Grace is the irreconcilable difference between Christianity and all world’s religions. The following Scriptures solidly separate the Christian faith from all world’s religions and God has set His seal on the Gospel of the grace of God which offers to all men by the grace of Christ.
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.”
Note: The appropriate description of Jesus Christ: full of grace and truth. No one is like that. The Word is the Word of God. The Word of God is Jesus. Incarnation is the Word became flesh; God became Man in the person of Jesus Christ. During the Transfiguration, Peter, John and James saw the glory of Jesus, glory as of the only begotten from the Father. Jesus Christ was full of grace and truth.
Eph 4:21, “if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus.”
Note: Where is truth? Truth is in Jesus. When you find Jesus, you find Truth. Truth is everything what Jesus says and teaches. Truth in the most comprehensive and compete sense, truth in its essence and nature, truth in the highest and absolute perfection is in Jesus. There is no other. Truth is in Jesus who declares to the world, “I AM the Truth.”
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: Historically and chronologically speaking, God, after He spoke long ago to the Jewish fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways (these all are written in the Old Testament); in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, Jesus Christ, whom He appointed Heir of all things, through whom He made the world. So when Jesus Christ speaks, God speaks. The truth of Christ is the truth of God. Jesus Christ is the final revelation of God. There is no other.
Jhn 18:37, “Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
Note: Testify in Greek is martyreō which means to bear witness; to bear record; to give testimony; to be a witness; to confirm; to bring forward evidence to prove; – which occurs 96 times in the New Testament. Hear in Greek is akouō which means to hearken; to listen; to attend to; to consider what is said; to give ear to; to understand; to yield obedience to; – which occurs 436 times in the New Testament. Jesus said to the power of darkness: For the reason to testify to the truth, Jesus was born and came into the world. Everyone who is of the truth listens and obeys the voice of Jesus. For truth is in Jesus.
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: Human knowledge is fallible and faulty, divine knowledge is for sure. By the Word of God we know. By faith we know the invisible God. We know the historical Jesus, the Son of God, has come. Those who are God’s children have been given understanding to know that Jesus Christ is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. To know Jesus Christ the true God is to receive eternal life.
Jhn 3:31-33, “He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from Heaven is above all. What He has seen and heard, of that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. He who has received His testimony has set his seal to this, that God is true.”
Note: Jesus Christ comes from above is above all. All religious founders, secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers who are of the earth are from the earth and speak of the earth. Jesus Christ who comes from Heaven is above all. Jesus Christ testifies what He has seen and heard. He who has received His testimony has set his seal to this, that God is true.
Jhn 7:28-29, “Then Jesus cried out in the temple, teaching and saying, “You both know Me and know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know. I know Him, because I am from Him, and He sent Me.”
Note: Jesus Christ has come because God has sent Him, God who sent Jesus Christ is true. God who sent Jesus Christ to the world to save sinners, secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers do not know Him. Jesus Christ knows God, because Jesus Christ is from God, and God sent Jesus Christ to reveal God.
Gal 1:12, “For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Note: The truth of Christ was not received it from man, nor was taught it by man, but it was received through the revelation of Jesus Christ. The New Testament is the oracle of the Lord by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Gal 2:21,“I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”
Note: Nullify in Greek is atheteō which means to bring to nothing; to despise; to reject; to frustrate; to disannul; to make void; to cast off; to do away with; to set aside; to disregard; to refuse; to slight; to disesteem; to neutralize or violate; to bring to nought; – which occurs 21 times in the New Testament. If anyone preaches that righteousness comes through the Law, he tries to nullify the grace of God and to make Christ died needlessly. Christ had to die for our sins in order the grace of God may be given to all who believe.
Tit 2:11, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men.”
Note: When Jesus Christ appeared on Earth, the grace of God appeared. The grace of God brings salvation to all men who believe.
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 we have been saved through faith in Jesus Christ; and that not of ourselves nor by ourselves, it is the gift of God.
Rom 11:6, “But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.”
Note: If salvation is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works. If it is on the basis of works, then it is not by grace. Anything a man can earn or work for is no longer grace.
Grace is not an element of progressive revelation emerged from the Old Testament due to God’s prévenance. In the beginning God had told Moses that he had found favor in God’s sight. Therefore God declared to Moses, the lawgiver, Exo 33:19, “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.” Grace is an inherent and eternal attribute of God, never something to be developed over time.
Grace in Hebrew is tĕchinnah which means favor; supplication; graciousness; mercy; – which occurs 25 times in the Old Testament.
Another word for grace in Hebrew is chen which means favor; graciousness; preciousness; elegance; acceptance; kindness; good-will; gracefulness; – which occurs 69 times in the Old Testament.
Truth in Greek is alētheia which means objectively what is true; in reality; in fact; certainly; moral and religious truth; the true notions of God which are open to human reason; the truth as taught in the Christian faith; freedom from falsehood, pretense and deceit; verity; according to fact; without partiality; the true nature of God; veracity; sincerity of mind and integrity of character; – which occurs 110 times in the New Testament.
Jesus in Greek is Iēsous which means Jesus = “Jehovah is salvation”; the Son of God, the Savior of mankind, God Incarnate; the name of our Lord Jesus the Messiah; do not confuse with a few persons who have the same name in the New Testament; – which occurs 914 times in NASB (New American Standard Bible), 983 times in the King James Version (KJV), and 1,522 times in the New Living Translation (NLT). Of course the word “Jesus” does not occur in the Old Testament. For Mar 1:1, “The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” In the New Testament is the beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ manifested, God became Man, is the beginning of the New Testament. Without Jesus Christ there would not be the New Testament.
Christ in Greek is Christos which means Christ = “anointed”; the Messiah, the Son of God; the Anointed, the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus the Christ;- which occurs 531 times in the New Testament.
This Scripture makes a brief contrast between Moses and Jesus. Some hold that Moses was the founder of the Jewish religion. Moses was a servant of God in instituting the Jewish religion as it is written in the Old Testament, which occurs 852 times in the Bible. God gave the Law to Moses in the old dispensation or system. No doubt Moses was a towering figure in the Old Testament as it is evident during the Transfiguration of Jesus, Luk 9:30-31, “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.” Moses represents the Law, while Elijah represents the prophets. However important and honorable was Moses, Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses. Heb 3:3, “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.” In addition, Moses was a faithful servant, Jesus is the only begotten Son of God. 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.” Furthermore, Moses was from below, Jesus was from above. Moses was a mere man, Jesus is our God and Savior. The death of Jesus Christ was of utmost importance, that was what Moses and Elijah were speaking about with Jesus.
The Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. The law is holy, but man is sinful. The law does not save. The law offers no salvation. 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.” The law leads sinner to the Savior. Rom 8:3, “For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh.” Jesus died on the cross for sinners was an offering to God to atone our sins. Act 13:38-39, “Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses.” Through the substitutionary or vicarious death of Jesus Christ, forgiveness of sins is offered to all who believe. Eph 2:8, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” This is the meaning grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. All sinners are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. This is the Truth of Christ. Grace is God’s way of salvation.
Rom 3:24-26, “being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 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: Justify in Greek is dikaioō which means to be freed; to render righteous; to be counted righteous; to declare one as righteous and just; to regard as innocent; to be acquitted; to be absolved; declared by God to be righteous; to deem right; to treat as righteous; – which occurs 40 times in the New Testament. Redemption in Greek is apolytrōsis which means deliverance; releasing effected by payment of ransom; liberation procured by the payment of a ransom; – which occurs 10 times in the New Testament. Justification is a gift by the grace of God through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. Redemption was what Jesus Christ had done, salvation is what believers receive. Propitiation in Greek is hilastērion which means mercyseat; a means of appeasing or expiating; an atoning sacrifice; an offering to appease God; – which occurs 3 times in New Testament. Jesus sacrificed Himself as a propitiation in His blood to redeem all who believe in Him. This was to demonstrate or point out the righteousness of God. Heb 9:22, “And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” Forbearance in Greek is anochē which means toleration; tolerance; self-restraint; a holding back; a refraining from enforcement; leniency; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Passing over in Greek is paresis which means remission; letting pass; neglecting; disregarding; pretermission; omission; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. God in His forbearance disregarded the sins previously committed. Because of the redemption accomplished by Christ, God is just to justify anyone who has faith in Christ.
Some Christians might wonder even after they have been saved by grace, how to work out their salvation with fear and trembling. The comforting words are: 1Pe 5:10, “After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.” The God of all grace, who justified the believers, who called us to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish us.
Jhn 14:6-13, “Jesus said to him, “I AM the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.” Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
Note: Jesus Christ is the Truth, the embodiment of Truth. Jesus is the absolute, supreme, ultimate and eternal Truth. Jesus is the Way to God, this is the absolute Truth. To know the Truth is to have Life. Everyone who is of the truth hears the voice of Jesus.
Mat 24:35, “Heaven and Earth will pass away, but My Words will not pass away.”
Note: Heaven and Earth will pass away, but the Words of Jesus will not pass away. Why the Words of Jesus are the Word of Truth? The Words of Jesus are the Truth of Christ which is absolute, perfect, supreme, and ultimate so they will not pass away. Heaven and Earth are not eternal, the Truth of Christ is eternal.
Mar 3:28-30, “Truly I say to you, all sins shall be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”—because they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”
Note: Do not blaspheme against the Holy Spirit or you will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin. We believe the Harvard professor had blasphemed against the Holy Spirit, in seeking fame and fortune, she manufactured the fake news and lie that she discovered Jesus had a wife. Just as the scribes who were saying that Jesus had an unclean spirit.
Luk 9:26, “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My Words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”
Luk 24:44, “Now He said to them, “These are My Words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”
Note: Although the name “Jesus” does not appear in the Old Testament, many do not know that all things which are written about Jesus Christ in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled, and they had been fulfilled.
Jhn 3:34,“For He whom God has sent speaks the Words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure.”
Note: Jesus was sent by God to speak the Words of God. God gives the Spirit to Jesus without measure. When Jesus speaks God speaks. The Words of Jesus are the Words of God.
Jhn 6:63,“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the Words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.”
Note: The Words that Jesus has spoken not only are the Truth, they are spirit and are Life — the Words of eternal life. The flesh profits nothing. Flesh in Greek is sarx which means the animal nature; the sensuous nature of man; the depravity; the human nature with cravings which incite to sin; the flesh, denotes mere human nature, the earthly nature of man apart from divine influence, and therefore prone to sin and opposed to God (Strong’s Concordance); carnality; human nature; – which occurs 149 times in the New Testament. In the Bible, flesh is used as opposite of the Spirit. The flesh is weak. Jhn 1:13, “who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” Believers are born again not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man. but of God. 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.” In our flesh there is nothing good. The Words of Jesus Christ are spirit and life.
Rom 8:4-13, “so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 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 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh—for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”
Note: There is one thing that Christians have that the children of darkness do not have: The children of God have the Spirit of God dwells in them.
Jhn 8:47, “He who is of God hears the Words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God.”
Note: This is the Truth of Christ: He who is of God hears the Words of God. For this reason, secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers do not hear the Words of God, because they are not of God. Pity yourself if you do not hear the Words of Christ because they are the Words of God.
Jhn 14:15,“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”
Jhn 15:10,“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.”
Jhn 14:24, “He who does not love Me does not keep My Words; and the Word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me.”
Note: If you love Christ, you will keep His commandments. This is the Truth of Christ. He who does not love Jesus does not keep His Words; and the Word which Jesus speaks is the Father’s who sent Jesus. The Word of Jesus is the Word of God.
Jhn 8:51, “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he will never see death.”
Note: This is a truth of Christ. If anyone keeps the Word of Christ he will never see death.
Act 20:35, “In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the Words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Note: Christians are to remember the Words of the Lord Jesus, among them is this: It is more blessed to give than to receive.
1Co 2:12-14, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.”
Note: Human wisdom cannot appreciate spiritual truths. Spiritual truths must be taught by the Spirit. A natural man does not accept the spiritual truths, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them. Spiritual truths must be spiritually appraised.
Mat 7:7, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”
Note: This is the marvelous truth of Christ, it is useful both in this life and for the life to come. You don’t have to do anything to fail. You may do a lot and still do not succeed. An inactive or passive life is a useless life. The believe needs to do three things: ask, seek, and knock. Ask, and it will be given to you. Christians are given the right and privilege to ask the Holy Father in the name of Christ. For example, you realize you lack wisdom. Ask God to give you wisdom. Jas 1:5, “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” What do you seek? Mat 6:33,“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” It is wise to seek the first thing first. Rom 2:7-8, “to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation.” Christians seek glory and honor and immortality, eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Many doors of good things are locked, it is for you to knock on the door. Knock, and it will be opened to you. Knock on the door of opportunity. Being a son of missionaries, I went through the school of hard knocks to earn advanced education by working my way.
Jhn 17:14-17, “I have given them Your Word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your Word is truth.”
Note: The Word of God is truth. The believer needs to be sanctified in the truth. The Word of God is truth.
Mat 11:29-30,“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Note: Yoke in Greek is zygos which means a yoke that is put on draught cattle; burden or bondage; servitude; – which occurs 7 times in the New Testament. Jesus uses a yoke that is put on draught cattle as an illustration. Originally yoke is a heavy burden. The yoke of Mosaic Law is harsh and heavy which neither the Jewish fathers nor the Jewish disciples have been able to bear. But the yoke of Jesus is different. Jesus invites the believer to take His yoke and learn from Him. We can learn from Jesus as we can learn from no others. Jesus Christ in His human nature is perfect and sinless: He is gentle and humble in heart. The believer is to learn grace and truth of Jesus Christ. Those who learn the grace and truth in Jesus Christ will find rest for their souls. For the yoke of Jesus is easy and the burden of Jesus is light. It is not the yoke of slavery. We are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus. For truth Jesus Christ has set us free. 1Ti 6:1, “All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against.” We believers who are under the yoke of Christ as slaves must submit ourselves to the will of God, and regard our Master and Lord Jesus Christ is worthy of all honor so that the name of God and the doctrine of Christ will not be spoken against.
Mat 27:43, “HE TRUSTS IN GOD; LET GOD RESCUE Him now, IF HE DELIGHTS IN HIM; for He said, ‘I AM the Son of God.’”
Note: There is no doubt that Jesus said, I AM the Son of God.
Jhn 6:35, “Jesus said to them, “I AM the Bread of Life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.”
Note: If you are hungry, you eat bread. Christ is the Bread of Life. If you have Christ, you have eternal life.
Jhn 6:41, “Therefore the Jews were grumbling about Him, because He said, “I AM the Bread that came down out of Heaven.”
Note: Grumble in Greek is goggyzō which means to murmur; to mutter; to say anything against in a low tone; to discontentedly complaint; – which occurs 8 times in the New Testament. There are always people who grumble against the truth. What they should do is to rejoice and ask the Lord to give them the Bread that came down out Heave and receive the eternal life.
Jhn 6:48, “I AM the Bread of Life.”
Note: In comparison to manna that the Jews ate in the wilderness, Jesus the Bread of Life gives us the Truth of Christ which sets us free and have abundant spiritual life.
Jhn 6:51, “I AM the Living Bread that came down out of Heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.”
Note: Jesus Christ laid down His life on the cross for our sins so that we may have eternal life.
Jhn 7:29, “I know Him, because I AM from Him, and He sent Me.”
Note: No one knows the Father like the Son. All prophets and servants of God in the past were from this Earth. The Son of God is from the Father, from above, from Heaven.
Jhn 8:12, “Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I AM the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”
Note: Jesus is the Light of the world, not like the light of candle or lamp, not like the electric light, but a bit like the sunlight. Ecc 11:7, “The light is pleasant, and it is good for the eyes to see the sun.” Jesus Christ the Light of the world is brighter than the sun. Mal 4:2, “But for you who fear My name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall.” We believe Jesus Christ is the Sun of Righteousness the prophet foretold. The Light of the world gives light to our heart and mind to see the Truth of Christ. The day is coming when the sunlight will no longer be necessary. Rev 21:23-24, “And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it.” The Light of the world is the Light of life. He who follows Jesus Christ will not walk in the darkness because they have the Light of life.
Jhn 8:23, “And He was saying to them, “You are from below, I AM from above; you are of this world, I AM not of this world.”
Note: We are all from below (Earth). Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers proud as they may be, they are also from below. Jesus Christ is from above (Heaven). All men are of this world, Jesus Christ is not of this world. Jhn 18:36, “Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” Western powers and Japan are of this world, they are passing away. Christians or followers of Jesus Christ also do not belong to this world. Rom 12:2, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” 1Jo 2:15, “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.” The prosperity gospel is a false gospel because all its preachers and followers love this world and they want to get rich, the things this world offers. This is the truth of Christ: If you love this world, it proves you are of this world and you belong to this world.
Jhn 8:24,“Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I AM HE, you will die in your sins.”
Note: Unless you believe that Jesus is the Christ, you will die in your sins. If you do not believe it, when you die in your sins it will be too late.
Jhn 13:19,“From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I AM HE.”
Note: For thousands of years the world had been waiting for HE, the Christ, the Messiah. Jesus says, Unless you believe that I AM HE, you will die in your sins.
Jhn 8:58, “Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I AM.”
Note: Abraham was about 2,000 B.C. Jesus Christ came into the world about 2,000 years later. Yet, Jesus says, Before Abraham was born, I AM. For Jesus Christ existed before the Universe. Jesus Christ was from the beginning with God, and Jesus Christ was God. So Jesus Christ preexisted before Abraham, before time and space, before anyone or anything in eternal past.
Jhn 9:5, “While I am in the world, I AM the Light of the world.”
Note: Whoever believes in Jesus Christ the Light of the world will receive the Light of life, will never walk in darkness.
Jhn 10:7, “So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I AM the Door of the sheep.”
Jhn 10:9, “I AM the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”
Note: Jesus is the Door of the sheep, if anyone enters through Him, he will be saved. There is no other door to salvation.
Jhn 10:11, “I AM the Good Shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”
Note: Jesus is the Good Shepherd who died for the sheep. He rose again from the dead to save the sheep to the end.
Jhn 10:14, “I AM the Good Shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me.”
Note: Jesus the Good Shepherd knows His own sheep and His own sheep know Him. Do you know Jesus?
Jhn 10:36, “do you say of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I AM the Son of God’?”
Note: Jesus Christ is the Son of God, this is the Truth of Christ, the fundamental doctrine of Christianity.
Jhn 11:25, “Jesus said to her, “I AM the Resurrection and the Life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies.”
Note: Jesus Christ is the Resurrection and the Life; he who believe in Him will live even if he dies. Our mortal body will die. Christians will rise again in spiritual and glorious body which will never die.
Jhn 14:6, “Jesus said to him, “I AM the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”
Note: This passage of the Scripture cited above contains Christology in one verse. It explains the nature and divinity of Christ, and the redemptive work of Christ and the way of salvation.
Jhn 15:1, “I AM the True Vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.”
Jhn 15:5,“I AM the Vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”
Note: Jesus Christ is the True Vine, believers are the branches. Branches apart from the True Vine can do nothing. Christians apart from Christ can do nothing. Christians who abide in Christ will bear much fruit.
Jhn 16:32, “Behold, the hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I AM not alone, because the Father is with Me.”
Note: This is the mystery of Christ. The Father is with the Son. The Son is in the Father, and Christians are in Christ.
Jhn 17:16, “They are not of the world, even as I AM not of the world.”
Note: This is the Truth of Christ, Christians are not of this world, even as Christ is not of this world. Worldly Christians are a misnomer.
Jhn 18:37, “Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I AM a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
Note: Jesus is a king. Jesus is the King of the Jews. Much more than that, Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords. Jesus Christ came into the world to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth believes and hears His voice. If you do not listen to the voice of Christ, it is because you are not of the truth. All who deny Jesus Christ the Son of God are not of the truth.
Act 22:8, “And I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I AM Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.’”
Note: Jesus the Nazarene is the historical Jesus. Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers try to invent another historical Jesus. Current impostors even deny the historical existence of Jesus Christ in Western media.
Rom 9:1, “I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit.”
Note: Paul was telling the truth in Christ, the truth of Christ. Paul was not lying, a true servant of Christ cannot lie. Those who lie are not servants of Christ. Conscience in Greek is syneidēsis which means co-perception; moral consciousness; the soul as distinguishing between what is morally good and bad, prompting to do the former and shun the latter, commending the one, condemning the other (Strong’s Concordance); consciousness of rectitude, of right conduct; sense of distinguishing good and evil and desiring to do good; – which occurs 30 times in the New Testament. Christians must have clear conscience, preachers more so. Those who distort the truth do not have conscience. You watch and hear Western leaders who do not have conscience, they lie, lie and lie; they kill, kill and kill, and they rob, rob, and rob. Terrorists also have no conscience.
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.”
Note: Alpha in Greek is alpha which means the first letter of Greek alphabet; Christ is the Alpha means He is the beginning; that is the first; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. Omega in Greek is Ō which means the last letter in the Greek alphabet; the finality; the last; the end; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. The Lord God is the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last. In fact, the Lord God is Eternally Self-Existent, without beginning and without end. The Lord God who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. Almighty in Greek is pantokratōr which means the Omnipotent; He who holds sway over all things; the Ruler of all; God; the Absolute and Universal Sovereign; – which occurs 10 times in the New Testament. The Absolute God is the Author of the Absolute Truth.
Rev 1:17-18, “When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I AM the First and the Last, and the Living One; and I was dead, and behold, I AM alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.”
Note: In the affairs of man, the first and the last must be dead already. In truth, Jesus Christ is the First and the Last, and the Living One. Christ, the Living One, who rose from the dead, is the Son of the Living God. The Living One also has living water, living bread, living oracles, and living hope. Jesus Christ, the Living One, was dead, and behold He is alive forevermore. Forevermore in Greek is aiōn which means eternal; for ever; perpetuity of time; without end; – which occurs 118 times in the New Testament. Key in Greek is kleis which means the power to open or shut; the power and authority of various kinds; control; – which occurs 6 times in the New Testament. Jesus Christ has the keys of death and of Hell. Jesus Christ has authority, power, and control over death and Hell. Hades in Greek is hadēs which means Hell; grave; death; the abode of the wicked after death; the nether world; the realm of the dead; the inferno; Sheol; the underworld; the place where the devil and his agents are tormented forever; the Lake of Fire; – which occurs 10 times in the New Testament.
Rev 2:23, “And I will kill her children with pestilence, and all the churches will know that I AM HE who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.”
Note: Pestilence killed millions in history. According to Professor Ole J. Benedictow, the Black Death killed 50 million people in the 14th century, or 60 per cent of Europe’s entire population. Search in Greek is eraunaō which means to examine into; to investigate; to interrogate; to look into; – which occurs 7 times in the New Testament. Mind in Greek is nephros which means the inmost thoughts, feelings, purposes, of the soul (Strong’s Concordance); the inmost mind; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. Heart in Greek is kardia which means here not the organ of the circulation of the blood; the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavors (Strong’s Concordance); the innermost part; the inner man; – which occurs 157 times in the New Testament. The Lord Jesus is He who searches or looks into the minds and hearts. 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.” Jannes in Greek is Iannēs which means an Egyptian, Janna = “he vexed”; he and Jambres, were two Egyptian magicians who in the presence of Pharaoh imitated the miracles of Aaron in order to destroy his influence with the king (Strong’s Concordance); – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. Jambres in Greek is Iambrēs which means Jambres = “foamy healer”; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. Jannes and Jambres are the forefathers of all those who oppose the truth, men of depraved mind. To this day, men of corrupt mind, rejected in regard to the faith, oppose the truth. Oppose in Greek is anthistēmi which means to resist; to withstand; to reject; to set oneself against; to set against; to stand against; to go against; to fight against; – which occurs 15 times in the New Testament. Men of evil hearts and depraved minds oppose the truth and reject Jesus Christ the Son of God. But the Judge of the living and dead will reward them according to their deeds.
Jhn 14:2-3, “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”
Note: We believe “In My Father’s house” should be translated “In My Father’s home.” Dwelling place in Greek is monē which means mansion, abode; living place; a large grand residence; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. “If it were not so, I would have told you.” God is perfect, man by nature is imperfect. Jesus Christ had two natures: Divine and Human. Jesus had perfect divinity and humanity. If a woman pours out her heart that she truly loves you and wants to spend her whole life with you. And you are going to marry her, but not for life; you led her to believe that marriage is for life. You are evil for giving her a false hope. If you lead anyone to believe in something which is not true, you are cruel and evil. Jesus said, “If it were not so, I would have told you.” The Word of Jesus is truth, the truth of Christ. Prepare in Greek is hetoimazō which means to make ready; to get everything ready; to provide; – which occurs 49 times in the New Testament. Place in Greek is topos which means room; quarter; an inhibited place; location; a place or spot where one can settle, live, dwell, reside; – which occurs 93 times in the New Testament. We believe the Lord Jesus has already prepared a place for His followers. What kind of place? 1Co 2:9, “but just as it is written, “THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.”
It is not materialistic to believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has prepared many mansions in Heaven for those who love Him. Heaven is a Place, the Paradise of God, more real than New York, London or Shanghai and a trillion times better. I have no respect for those “pastors” who preach that Heaven is a state of mind, not a place. No one has the right to call himself a servant of Christ by preaching against the truth of Christ. It would be more fitting if they call themselves “ministers of Satan.” You can have a preview of the New Heaven and Earth, the Holy City, New Jerusalem in Revelation Chapter 21. God has prepared things for those who love Him which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man. Jesus is coming again to receive Christians to Himself, that where He is, there His followers will be.
It would be more accurate if John 14:2-3 is translated as follows:
“In My Father’s home there are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I AM, there you may be also.” THE MANSIONS ABOVE ARE FAR MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN THE MOST EXPENSIVE MANSIONS ON EARTH, IN AMERICA OR EUROPE.
Rev 3:11, ‘I AM coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Rev 21:6, “Then He said to me, “It is done. I AM the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost.”
Note: Jesus Christ will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost, meaning freely by grace
Rev 22:7, “And behold, I AM coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.”
Rev 22:12,“Behold, I AM coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.”
Rev 22:13, “I AM the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
Rev 22:16, “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I AM the Root and the Descendant of David, the Bright Morning Star.”
Rev 22:20, “He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I AM coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”
Note: All the Scriptures quote above emphatically stress that Jesus Christ is coming again quickly. This is the Truth of Christ. Blessed is he who believes and heeds the Word of Christ.
Act 24:24, “But some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla, his wife who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.”
Note: The Christian faith is the faith in Christ Jesus. Christianity is Christocentric. Biblical theology is centering on Christ, not Moses, not any prophet, not any Apostle, not Mary or anyone else. Without Christ there is no Christianity and no Christian faith.
Rom 3:24, “being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.”
Note: Christians are justified as a gift of God’s grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. The problem of many man-made religions is teaching man to redeem himself by good works or on merit of their leaders or founders.
Rom 6:11, “Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
Rom 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Rom 8:1, “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Note: If you repent of your sins and believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are saved by grace through the redemption of Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven, justified before God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit — therefore there is now no condemnation– this is the Gospel or good news of Jesus Christ. Condemnation in Greek is katakrima which means death sentence; damnatory sentence; condemning judgment; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. 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.” Through the righteousness of Christ, all men who trusted in Him resulted justification of life without condemnation.
Rom 8:2, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.”
Note: This is the meaning of Christian liberty, set free forever from the law of sin and of death.
Rom 8:39, “nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Note: The love of God is in Christ Jesus our Lord, therefore nothing, nor height, nor dept, nor any other created thing will be able to separate Christians from the love of God.
Rom 12:5, “so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”
Rom 16:10, “Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus.”
1Co 1:2, “To the Church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.”
Note: The Church of God is one Body in Christ, composed of those who have been approved and saved and sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Co 1:4, “I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus.”
Note: The grace of God is given to believers in Christ Jesus, outside of Christ there is no grace of God.
1Co 15:19, “If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.”
Note: Christians have hoped in Christ not only in this life, we have hope in the life to come we seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life. People who have hoped in this life only are the men most to be pitied. Executives of Washington, Wall Street and Hollywood are most admired by the people of this world, yet they are men most to be pitied because they have this life only and everything they have is passing away. They have no hope and without God in this world.
1Co 15:22, “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.”
Note: In Adam all natural men die, but in Christ all believers will be made alive. Because our Redeemer lives, so we will also live forever.
2Co 1:21, “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God.”
Note: God established His children and anointed us in Christ. There is no salvation in any other.
2Co 2:14, “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.”
Note: God always leads Christians in triumph in Christ and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Christ in every place.
2Co 2:17, “For we are not like many, peddling the Word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.”
2Co 5:17, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”
Note: Creature in Greek is ktisis which means creation; any living thing; a person; – which occurs 20 times in the New Testament. What is a new creature? Eph 4:24, “and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” The new creature in Christ is the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness, holiness, and the truth. In Christ, the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
2Co 5:19, “namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.”
Note: Reconcile in Greek is katallassō which means to receive one into favor; to return favor with; to restore to peace; – which occurs 6 times in the New Testament. Trespass in Greek is paraptōma which means offence; sin; fault; fall; deviation from truth and uprightness; misdeed; transgression; – which occurs 20 times. Sinners are enemies of God. God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, no counting the trespasses of those who believe in Christ as Lord and Savior. Christians have made peace with God in Christ.
2Co 12:19, “All this time you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually, it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ; and all for your upbuilding, beloved.”
Note: Upbuilding in Greek is oikodomē which means edification; building up; the act of promoting another’s growth in the Christian life; confirmation; – which occurs 18 times in the New Testament. All true servants of Christ speak in Christ for upbuilding the Church. Unbelieving theologians and liberal preachers speak to destroy the faith by distorting the Word of God.
Gal 2:4, “But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage.”
Note: Sneak in Greek is pareisaktos which means to bring in unawares; to smuggle in; to surreptitiously creep in; to slink; to move in by stealth; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. False brethren under the guise of theologians, academics, false preachers, and members of LGBTQ have sneaked in many Western churches intending to do damage and bring us into bondage.
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 3:14, “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 3:26, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”
Gal 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Gal 5:6, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.”
Note: The Jews were so proud because they are the circumcised, and they looked down on Gentiles who are the uncircumcised. But in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor circumcision means anything. The important thing is to have faith working through love. Phl 3:3, “for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh.” True circumcision is to worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put on confidence in the flesh.
Eph 1:1, “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus.”
Note: Saints are those who are faithful in Christ Jesus, meaning believers who are still alive, not the dead members of Catholic Church canonized by the pope.
Eph 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.”
Note: True believers seek every spiritual blessing, prosperity gospel preachers and followers seek material or monetary blessing.
Eph 1:10-14, “with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the Heavens and things on the earth. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.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.
Eph 1:18-21, “ 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 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.”
Note: Enlighten in Greek is phōtizō which means to give light; to bring to light; to illumine; to illuminate; to make to see; to light up; to imbue with saving knowledge; to instruct; to give understanding to; – which occurs 14 times in the New Testament. Only those whose eyes of their heart are enlightened 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. Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers are not saints, and the eyes of their heart are darkened and because they do not believe and so they will not know these spiritual things.
Eph 2:6-7, “and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”
Note: Christ Jesus in the ages to come might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward saints in Christ Jesus. Children of darkness do not have the ages to come. They live in the world without God and with hope.
Eph 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
Eph 2:13, “But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
Note: God is holy, sinners cannot approach God. Now in Christ Jesus all who have been saved and washed by the precious blood of Christ have been brought near to God. Believers are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works. Those who are saved do good works; good works cannot save you.
Eph 3:6, “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 Gentile believers are fellow heirs and fellow members of the Body of Christ, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.
Eph 3:11, “This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Eph 3:21, “to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.”
Eph 4:32, “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”
Note: Christians must be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven us.
Phl 2:1, “Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion.”
Note: Yes, there is much encouragement in Christ, consolation of love, fellowship of the Spirit, affection and compassion.
Phl 2:3-8, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,who, although He existed in the Form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
Note: Imperialism, colonialism, capitalism, militarism, monopolism, and hegemonism practiced by Western powers are purely selfishness and empty conceit. Humility of mind in Greek is tapeinophrosynē which means humbleness of mind; lack of pride; lowliness of mind; modesty; having a humble opinion of oneself; a deep sense of one’s littleness; freedom from arrogance; – which occurs 10 times in the New Testament. Have attitude in Greek is phroneō which means to think; to regard; to have understanding; to exercise the mind; to have a sentiment of opinion; to interest oneself in; to set the affection on; to have this mind; – which occurs 36 times in the New Testament. Empty in Greeks is kenoō which means to make void; to make of none effect; to make of no reputation; to abase; – which occurs 9 times in the New Testament. Humble in Greek is tapeinoō which means to bring low; to bring down pride; to behave in an unassuming manner; to submit oneself in a lowly spirit to the power or will of God; – which occurs 18 times in the New Testament. Jesus Christ had the humility of mind, He emptied Himself of His glory, being made in the likeness as a man, He humbled Himself by submitting to the Will of God by becoming obedient to the point of death on a cross. Christians are told to have this attitude, to have the mind of Christ.
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: Christians do not have righteousness of their own, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith. All other religions teach to have the righteousness of your own on the basis of work, or good deed.
Phl 3:12-14, “Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Note: Those who teach that Christians can attain perfection on earth are wrong, no matter who they were. Even Apostle Paul on earth did not obtain it or had already become perfect. Paul pressed on. Paul pressed on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Press on in Greek is diōkō which means to follow after; to run after; to run swiftly; figuratively of one who in a race to run swiftly to reach the goal; to pursue; to seek after eagerly; earnestly endeavor to acquire; to press forward; to continue moving forward; – which occurs 47 times in the New Testament. Goal in Greek is skopos which means mark; the distant mark looked at; the goal or end one has in view; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. Prize in Greek is brabeion which means the award to the victor; the heavenly reward for a Christian who achieved the will of God in his life; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Paul was forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead. This should be the one thing every Christian does. Paul pressed on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. God sets a goal for every Christian. The goal or summum bonum of a Christian life in this world cannot be seeking money, power and pleasure. The highest good or goal of a Christian life is to do the Will of God for His glory. Our duty is to press on toward the goal so that we may win the prize in Christ Jesus.
Phl 4:7, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Note: Surpass in Greek is hyperechō which means to rise above; to exceed; to better than; to top; to overtop; to excel; to be above; – which occurs 7 times in the New Testament. Comprehension in Greek is nous which means understanding; mind; the intellectual faculty; the intellect; – which occurs 24 times in the New Testament. The peace of God overtops all comprehension. Many things of God exceed or surpass our comprehension, to name a few: the wisdom of God, the love of God, the power of God, the knowledge of God, the depths of God, the wonders of God. A great blessing for all believers is that the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Phl 4:19, “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Note: Supply in Greek is plēroō which means to fulfill; to furnish liberally; to fill to the full; to fill to the top; to fill to the brim; to complete; to accomplish; to bring to realization; to furnish liberally; to fill up so that nothing will be lacking; – which occurs 100 times in the New Testament. I can testify that during economic depression in America some years ago, for long periods of time millions of professionals were unemployed, even Ph.D.s could not find a job. In a land of discrimination with very competitive society, minorities were hit hard. I was worried and afraid to become a beggar. But I read the Word of God, 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.” So I prayed to our Heavenly Father, I said, “I am a descendant of the righteous, please do not forsake me or let me begging bread.” I have gone through many adversities, difficulties, hardships and dangers, the good Lord saw me through and provided for all my needs. I have preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the Internet for almost 20 years and I never asked for a donation. I have seen miracles and wonders of God throughout my short life on earth. I have given to charity, but never be beggar. Have you ever experienced, the Lord is wonderful because He answered YOUR prayers? Have you ever felt, the Lord is beautiful because He answered my prayers?
Col 1:2, “To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.”
Note: Saints are faithful believers in Christ who are still living on earth. Believers who are asleep in Christ are dead saints. Saints are not members of the Roman Catholic Church canonized by pope after death. Saints are saved believers who have the Holy Spirit in them dead or alive.
Col 1:26-28, “that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints,to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ.”
Note: This is another example of revealed truth. Mystery in Greek is mystērion which means hidden thing; secret; what is not obvious to the understanding; the secret counsel of God’s will; God’s plan of providing salvation for men through Christ, which was once hidden but now is revealed; – which occurs 27 times in the New Testament. A good servant of Christ proclaims Christ, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ.
Eph 4:21, “if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus.”
Note: We have heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we have been taught by the Holy Spirit in Christ, just as truth is in Jesus, there is no other.
Gal 1:8-9, “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: Contrary in Greek is para which is other than; beyond or opposed to; more than; beside; at variance with; inferior to; incompatible with; not in conformity with; – which occurs 55 times in the New Testament. Accursed in Greek is anathema which means bind under a great curse; devoted to the direst of woes; excommunicated; doomed; under a curse; damnable; – which occurs 6 times in the New Testament. This is a matter of most serious nature: Even if an angel from Heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to what Jesus and Apostles have preached, he is accursed or damnable! If an angel would be cursed or damned for preaching another gospel, how much more if any man who does it. Men who preach false gospel will receive greater condemnation. I say to you, prosperity gospel is a false gospel. It is fashionable in America because people want to get rich. Both preachers and followers of prosperity gospel want to get rich in this world. Crystal Cathedral used to be the center of prosperity gospel but it went bankrupt and was sold to the Catholic Church, and the ministry of its founder was discredited. They did not get the prosperity they preached! There are many false gospels including political and social gospel used to preach by a black man who was exposed recently by FBI report to be an immoral man.
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.” This is the heavenly vision Jesus gave to Paul. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is to open our eyes so that we may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that we may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been saved and sanctified by faith in Christ Jesus.
Act 26:23, “that the Christ was to suffer, and that by reason of His resurrection from the dead He would be the first to proclaim light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”
Note: The resurrection of Jesus Christ was bodily, not spiritual resurrection claimed by liberal theologians, for spirit does not die and no need to resurrect. The light that Jesus proclaims is His truth.
2Th 2:10-14, “and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness. 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. It was for this He called you through our Gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Note: For those who perish with all the deception of wickedness they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. Deception in Greek is apatē which means deceitfulness; deceit; deceivableness; deceiving; delusion; trick; – which occurs 7 times in the New Testament. Wickedness in Greek is adikia which means unrighteousness; iniquity; wrong; injustice; wrongfulness; the guilt of unrighteousness; evil; devilishness; morally badness; – which occurs 36 times in the New Testament. There is no deception like the deception of wickedness. For 500 years or so Western powers deluded themselves with the deception of wickedness that they carry the white man’s burden to civilize the entire world by military conquest. Even today their children still sing the song of democracy and freedom to attack and occupy other nations; they lie, kill and rob as if there were doing good deeds. All imperialists, colonialists, militarists, supremacists, capitalists, monopolists, and terrorists do not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. They deluded themselves to believe what is false, and do not believe the truth, but they take pleasure in wickedness. They take pleasure in lying, killing and robbing other nations and peoples. It is most painful to hear and watch them! But God has chosen believers from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. It was for this God called Christians through the Gospel, so that we who believe the truth may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
There is one deception of wickedness right before our eyes that many do not know. In the beginning there was Israel and Jewish people. There was no Palestine or Palestinian or Hamas. Some 4,000 years ago God gave the Promised Land to Abraham and his descendants. How did Palestine come about? During the colonial period, the British empire ruled in the Land of the Jews and called it Palestine. Palestinians were actually illegal Arabs who moved in and occupied the Promised Land without payment. So Palestine was an evil legacy of the British empire. But the leaders of UK do not have moral character and courage to come out and inform the Palestinians that they have no parcel or portion in the State of Israel. Palestinians have no right of resettlement and no claim to the Jewish land. Jerusalem is forever the capital of the great king David. The State of Israel is the chosen nation of God. It cannot be mixed with other nation or people. It is proper and wise for Palestinians to seek statehood or residency in neighboring Arab states. Do not become an enemy of God, for God will fight for Jerusalem and protect Israel.
Rom 5:1-11, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 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. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.”
Note: The Scriptures cited above summarize the truth of the Gospel:
(1.) Sinners are justified before God by faith. Justify in Greek is dikaioō which means to render righteous; to be counted as righteous; to declare one to be just; to regard as innocent; to be credited as righteous; God declares men who put their faith in Jesus Christ as righteous and acceptable to Him and receive the righteousness of God as a gift; – which occurs 40 times in the New Testament.
(2.) Having been justified by faith, believers have peace with God.
(3.) Through Jesus Christ believers obtain grace in which we stand.
(4.) Christians exult in hope of the glory of God.
(5.) Christians also exult in tribulation and building of Christian character.
(6.) The love of God has been poured out within the hearts of believers through the Holy Spirit to keep them.
(7.) Christ died for us when we were sinners is a demonstration of the love of God.
(8.) Having been justified by the blood of Christ, Christians shall be saved from the wrath of God or judgment to come.
(9.) Having reconciled with God, Christians are saved by His life. Christ lives forever to save believers to the end.
(10.) Christians are to witness for Christ, live godly live, and waiting for the second coming of Jesus Christ in great power and glory.
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: As long as Christians live in this world, we must have good discipline and the stability of faith in Christ. Good discipline in Greek is taxis which means order; right order; orderly condition; orderly conduct; character; regular arrangement; dignified fashion; – which occurs 11 times in the New Testament. Stability in Greek is stereōma which means steadfastness; firmness; solid front; something established; soundness; sturdiness; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. 1Ti 4:7-8, “But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” Discipline in Greek is gymnazō which means to exercise; to train body and mind; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament. Godliness in Greek is eusebeia which means piety towards God; holiness; obeying and fearing God; – which occurs 15 times in the New Testament. There are people who seek profit for the present life. Godliness holds promise for the present life and for the life to come. The most pitiful people are those who claim to be Christians and yet they seek only profit and promise for the present life.
2Ti 1:9, “who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity.”
Note: God has saved us (believers) and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity. So we Christians must live a godly and holy life to serve Jesus Christ and wait for the second coming.
2Ti 1:13, “Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.”
Note: Retain in Greek is echō which means to have; to hold; to possess; to own; to lay hold of; to adhere or cling to; to hold fast; to keep; – which occurs 651 times in the New Testament. Standard in Greek is hypotypōsis which means pattern; form; example; a sketch for imitation; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Christians have the standard of sound words as it is written in the Bible. I think preachers should not make jokes while preaching the Word of God. There is not one character in the Bible who jokes about the Word of God.
2Ti 3:12, “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
Note: Godly in Greek is eusebōs which means piously; devoutly; righteously; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. To be persecuted in Greek is diōkō which means to suffer persecution; to make to run or flee; to put to flight; to drive away; to pursue in a hostile manner; to trouble; to molest; to harass or punish; to be mistreated; – which occurs 47 times in the New Testament. Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. Jesus says, Mat 5:11,“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.” You are blessed to suffer for Christ.
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 Holy Scriptures are the Sacred Writings which are able to give you wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Much more, the Word of God can comfort and sanctify believers. 1Jo 2:14, “I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the Word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.” If the Word of God abides in us, we can be strong and overcome the evil one.
1Th 5:18, “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Note: Christians must be thankful for everything and in everything. This is God’s will for Christians in Christ Jesus.
1Pe 1:2, “according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.”
1Pe 1:7, “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.”
1Pe 1:13, “Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Christians who know the truth their minds are prepared for action. Knowing the truth is not passive, but active in doing good and right.
1Pe 2:21, “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps.”
Note: Christ has suffered for Christians, leaving us an example to follow in His steps. Christians are to suffer for Christ and imitate Him.
1Pe 3:15, “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.”
1Pe 3:16, “and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.”
Note: Keeping a good conscience and good behavior in Christ will put slanders and revilers to shame.
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: Through Jesus Christ the Son of God, all believers know God who is true, and know we are in Christ who is true. This is the Truth of Christ.
2Jo 1:3, “Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.”
Note: To be in Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, is to be in truth and love.
Jde 1:21, “keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.”
Note: Keep the Word of God is to keep yourselves in the love of God. Wait anxiously in Greek is prosdechomai which means to look for eagerly; to expect with patience or confidence; to wish earnestly; – which occurs 16 times in the New Testament. To wait anxiously for the mercy of Christ is to wait ardently for His second coming to judge the world but to bless true Christians with eternal life.
Mat 24:35,“Heaven and Earth will pass away, but My Words will not pass away.”
Note: Pass away in Greek is parerchomai which means to pass by; to pass over; to go past; to perish; to depart; to go away; to die; to go out of existence; to vanish; to end; – which occurs 46 times in the New Testament. Heaven and Earth will pass away, but the Words of Jesus will not pass away. The Truth of Christ will not pass away.
1Th 4:16, “For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.”
Note: The Lord Jesus Himself will descend from Heaven in great power and glory. The true believers whether asleep or awake will hear the archangel who sounds the trumpet of God. The dead in Christ will rise first.
Mat 5:18, “For truly I say to you, until Heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.”
Note: Jesus Christ accomplished or fulfilled the Law. Rom 10:4, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”
Mat 5:28, “but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Note: The truth of Christ penetrates the sinful heart of man. Everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Mat 5:32, “but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”
Mat 5:44,“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Mat 8:11,“I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven.”
Mat 10:42, “And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.”
Mat 13:17, “For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”
Note: Desire in Greek is epithymeō which means to covet; to lust; to long for; to lust after; to have a desire for; to turn upon a thing; to seek; to set the heart upon; would fain; to hope for; to wish for; – which occurs 17 times in the New Testament. Truly many prophets and righteous men would fain to see what the disciples saw, and did not see it, and to hear what disciples heard, and did not hear it. How precious for those who saw and heard Jesus in person. We the latter day saints did not see and yet believe.
Mat 19:9,“And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”
Mat 19:23-24, “And Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.“Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
Mat 25:12,“But he answered,‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.”
Note: There are those who are members of famous churches, may be elders and preachers, but they do not have the Spirit of the Lord in them, and those who are selfishly ambitious, they do not obey the truth but obey unrighteousness, on that day, the Lord may say to them: Truly I say to you, I do not know you.
Mat 25:40,“The King will answer and say to them,‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’
Note: To the extent you did it to one of these brothers of Jesus, even the least or humblest of them, you did it to Jesus. Whatever we do it to the most humble Christian, we did it to Jesus.
Mat 26:13, “Truly I say to you, wherever this Gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.”
Note: If you do something good for yourself, it may last a lifetime. If you do something good for others, it may last a generation. If you do something good for Jesus, it will last for eternity.
Mar 9:41,“For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward.”
Note: Whoever gives a cup of water to drink to followers of Christ, he will get his reward. Whatever is done for the name of Christ will receive a reward.
Mar 10:15,“Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”
Note: Whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child, or in a simple faith of a child, will not enter it at all. The rich and powerful people of the world do not receive the Kingdom of God like a child, so they will not enter it at all. The intellectually proud secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers do not receive the Kingdom of God like a child, so they will not enter it at all.
Mar 13:33, “Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come.
Mar 13:35-37, “Therefore, be on the alert—for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning—in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep. What I say to you I say to all, ‘Be on the alert!’
Note: In this instant, the Lord three times tells the disciples and all believers to keep on the alert, be on the alert, and be on the alert; because we do not know when the Lord will return, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning, Jesus Christ will come suddenly. By the way more than 2,000 years ago the Lord alluded or hinted the existence of various time zones as the Earth rotates around the Sun. When the Lord comes China may be in the morning while America may be in the evening. Keep on the alert in Greek is agrypneō which means to keep awake; to watch; to be circumspect; to be ready; to be attentive; to be sleepless; to have a wakeful frame of mind; to exercise constant vigilance; to watch against spiritual dangers and beguilements; – which occurs 7 times in the New Testament. When I was a boy I heard the preacher on keeping awake, I was afraid to sleep at night in case Jesus came I would not be awake. Poor preacher did not explain the Scripture. If you are a child of God, whether asleep or awake, you would be able to hear the Trumpet of God. If you are a lost sinner, even in daytime you will not hear it.
1Th 4:15-17, “For this we say to you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the space, and so we shall always be with the Lord.” Be on the alert in Greek is grēgoreō which means to watch; to wake; to be vigilant; to be cautious or active; to give strict attention to; to keep awake; to take heed; to be watchful in; – which occurs 30 times in the New Testament. Although I am not a linguist, I think to keep on the alert is a constant task. We must be alert at all times spiritually.
Luk 4:24, “And He said, “Truly I say to you, no prophet is welcome in his hometown.”
Note: Why no prophet is welcome in his hometown? Probably because the hometown people look down at hometown people. Having worked in the health care industry, I discovered female nurses looked down at female doctors.
Luk 5:24, “But, so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,”—He said to the paralytic—“I say to you, get up, and pick up your stretcher and go home.”
Note: The Son of God has authority to forgive sins on Earth, because there is no sin in Heaven.
Luk 10:24, “for I say to you, that many prophets and kings wished to see the things which you see, and did not see them, and to hear the things which you hear, and did not hear them.”
Note: The Jews and disciples of Jesus were most blessed because many prophets and kings in the past wished to see the things the disciples saw and did not see them, and to hear the things the disciples heard and did not hear them. The disciples and the Jews saw Jesus and many miracles that He performed. The disciples and the Jews heard the Gospel of Jesus and His marvelous teachings in person.
Mat 10:28, “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell.”
Note: This is the truth of Christ. Do not fear those men who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul. Fear God who is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell. Jesus Christ validates the existence of Hell, and also validates the sufferings both soul and body in Hell for eternity.
Mat 10:32-33, “Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in Heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in Heaven.”
Note: This is one of the most important truths of Christ. Everyone who confesses Jesus Christ before men, Jesus Christ will also confess him before the Father who is in Heaven. But whoever denies Jesus Christ the Son of God before men, He will also deny him before God the Father who is in Heaven.
Luk 12:59,“I say to you, you will not get out of there until you have paid the very last cent.”
Note: Jesus stresses everyone has to pay what he owes, the very last cent. It is easy to borrow, but difficult to repay. There are people who borrow with no intention to pay back. Owe no one anything and you are financially free. There has been rumor that the national debt of the United States is so huge and exceeds US$28 trillion, the U.S. government may be unable or unwilling to repay the American creditor nations. The rationale is who is able to fight the sole superpower if the U.S. defaults?
Luk 18:17,“Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”
Note: Do you know why secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists, philosophers and politicians shut themselves out from the Kingdom of God? Because they are so intellectually arrogant and so self-important that they would not receive the Kingdom of God like a child.
Luk 23:43, “And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”
Note: The Catholic Church teaches that if their members die, they will go to the purgatory. Jesus on the cross said to the repentant robber, Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise. The truth of Christ is that when a believer dies, he shall be in Paradise with the Lord.
Jhn 3:3-6, “Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?”Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
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: This is the truth of salvation. He who hears the Gospel of Jesus Christ and believes God who sent Him, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. To be saved is to pass out of eternal death into eternal life.
Jhn 6:32, “Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of Heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true Bread out of Heaven.”
Note: God out of Heaven gave Manna to Jewish people to eat in the wilderness. Jesus Chris is the Bread out of Heaven God gives life to whoever believe in His name.
Jhn 6:47, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.”
Jhn 8:34-36, “Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.”
Note: Slave in Greek is doulos which means man of servile condition; servant; bondman; attendant; a female slave; bondmaid; handmaid; one who is wholly subject to another will; – which occurs 30 times in the New Testament. This is a great truth of Christ: Everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. The father of sin is the devil. Those who are enslaved by money, power, and sex are miserable slaves of sin. If the Son of God makes you free, you will be free indeed. As long as you are in this world, you cannot be free indeed.
Jhn 8:51,“Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he will never see death.”
Jhn 8:58, “Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I AM.”
Note: The truth of Christ indicates the Lord Jesus had pre-existence before Abraham was, before the Universe was. For in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Jesus is the Word.
Jhn 10:1, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber.”
Note: Jesus is the Door of the sheep. He who climbs up some other way is he who establishes other religion, he is a thief and a robber because he leads people away from the truth. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Jhn 13:16,“Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.”
Note: The believer is a slave, Jesus is our Master. A slave is not greater than his master. Some mega-church pastors and TV evangelists in America live in luxury. Jesus says, Mat 8:20, “ Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head. ”The preachers and followers of prosperity gospel could not be disciples and followers of Jesus Christ.
Jhn 16:20, “Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy.”
Note: Christians weep and lament in this world because they do not belong to this world. The children of this world who holds power and money and enjoy pleasure rejoice. Believers grieve because of the ungodly condition of the world. 2Pe 2:6-9, “ and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter; and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds), then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the Day of Judgment.” If you watch TV to see and hear what is happening in the world today, you are not tormented day after day by their lawless deeds, probably you do not have a righteous soul! Jesus is coming soon. The grief of Christians will turn into joy.
Mat 16:16-18, “ Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”
Note: This is the most used or abused Scriptures by the Roman Catholic Church. Peter’s confession of Christ as “the Christ, the Son of the living God” was revealed by God the Father, not by flesh and blood. Upon this rock of truth, Jesus Christ is building His Church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. It must be cleared once and for all. Peter is a stone, not the rock. The Rock is Jesus Christ, as it is written in the Bible: 1Co 10:4, “and all drank the same Spiritual Drink, for they were drinking from the Spiritual Rock which followed them; and the Rock was Christ.” How could Christ build His Church upon a fallible apostle who denied the Lord three times? In addition, Peter is not the keeper of the Heavenly Gate. Mary was the maid of the Lord, the mother of Jesus. Mary is not the Mother of God, the Holy Mother. To say Mary is the Mother of Jesus means Mary was conceived of the Holy Spirit and gave birth to Jesus. To say Mary is the Mother of God is a blasphemy, God could not have a mother. God is Eternally Self-Existent. There exists the Holy Father, the Holy Son, and the Holy Spirit. There is no Holy Mother. Furthermore, there is no purgatory. There is Heaven and Hell, but no purgatory. The pope of the Roman Catholic Church is not the Representative of Christ on earth. The Holy Spirit is the Sole Representative on Christ on earth. The Roman Catholic Church is warned not to misrepresent or distort or misinterpret the truth of Christ, and must at once cease and desist from teaching all heresies and false doctrines. Roman Catholics better listen to the advice of Peter. 2Pe 3:16, “as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.”
Jhn 11:40, “Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
Note: Faith is not only seeing the invisible, faith will be rewarded to see the glory of God.
Jhn 16:12-15, “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.”
Rom 8:9, “However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.”
Note: Not a few church members misunderstand the Christian requirements. They think they have been baptized, attend church regularly, give offerings, eat the Lord’s Supper, pray and read the Bible, etc. all this proves they are saved. You can do all the above, if you do not have the Spirit of Christ in you, you do not belong to Christ. By the way, many church members do not know that they can know if the Spirit of Christ is in them or not. Rom 8:16, “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God.” Many church members do not know or experience that the Holy Spirit speaks to believers even today.
1Jo 2:21-23, “I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie is of the truth. Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also.”
Note: Christians know the truth, the truth in Jesus Christ. No lie is of the truth; lie is not just the opposite of truth. He who denies that Jesus is the Christ is a liar. There are liars and impostors especially in the West who deny even the historical existence of Jesus Christ. They are the antichrists and agents of the devil. The children of God confess Jesus Christ the Son and the Father who sent Him to save sinners. Whoever denies Jesus Christ also denies God.
2Jo 1:2, “for the sake of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever.”
Note: Abide in Greek is menō which means to remain; to continue; to dwell; to endure; to last; to stay; – which occurs 118 times in the New Testament. The Truth of Christ lives in us and will be with us forever. Truth is eternal because God is eternal. Don’t be surprised if I tell you hope is not eternal. Now on earth Christians live in hope. We hope for the second coming of Christ; we hope for the resurrection of the dead; we hope for the glory of God; we hope for what we do not see; we hope for the riches of the glory of God’s inheritance in the saints; we hope for eternal life which God promised long ages ago; we hope for a New Heaven and New Earth and New Jerusalem. We have fixed our hope on the Living God, who is the Savior of all believers. The days are coming when Jesus Christ returns to reign with the saints forever and ever, and all our hopes will be completely realized. By then we will see everything we have hoped for. Hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? Hope then will be fulfilled and hope will be no more. But the truth will be with us forever. Viewed in this light, it helps me to understand a little better the meaning that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Rev 19:9, “Then he said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are true Words of God.”
Note: There are preachers who are so proud to be invited to the White House. In the final analysis, Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb, the greatest Heavenly banquet in the Universe. The are true Words of God. The words written in the Bible are the true Words of God. If you are saved and a son of God, you will be invited.
VI. WHAT TO DO WITH TRUTH. The most important relationship of man is his relationship with God. God’s attitude toward man depends on man’s attitude toward God. If you gets near to God, God will get near to you. If you reject God, God will reject you. How should a man deal with God will determine his destiny. God controls the destiny of all men. Truth is the basis or foundation how man should deal with God.
1. Serve the Lord in sincerity and truth. Jos 24:14, “Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.”
Note: Fear in Hebrew is yare’ which means to be afraid of; to be dreadful of; to have reverence; to stand in awe of; to revere; to tremble; to have a reverential awe of; – which occurs 402 times in the New Testament. Serve in Hebrew is `abad which means to serve God; to do service; to work for; to labor; to offer service to; to be a servant; – which occurs 299 times in the Old Testament. In sincerity in Hebrew is tamiym which means without blemish; perfect; without spot; uprightly; complete; whole; upright in conduct; – which occurs 140 time in the Old Testament. In truth in Hebrew is ’emeth which means faithfully; truly; assuredly; surely; – which occurs 128 times in the Old Testament. Children of God must fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and truth.
2. Deal in truth and integrity. Jdg 9:16, “Now therefore, if you have dealt in truth and integrity in making Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have dealt with him as he deserved—.”
Note: Deal in Hebrew is `asah which means to do; to make; to accomplish; to produce; to act with effect; to work about anything; to execute anything; to do anything; – which occurs 2,642 times in the Old Testament. In integrity in Hebrew is tamiym which means without blemish; perfect; without spot; upright; complete; whole; full; sound and wholesome; entirely in accord with truth and fact; upright in conduct; – which occurs 140 times in the Old Testament. In man to man relationship, everyone deserves to be dealt with in truth and integrity. The problems of Western leaders and politicians today are the facts that they have no truth and integrity. They do not deal in truth and integrity.
How can Western leaders and politicians claim to be Christians since they do not have truth and integrity?
3. Fear the Lord and serve Him in truth with all your heart. 1Sa 12:24, “Only fear the LORD and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.”
Note: Serve in Hebrew is `abad which means to work for; to labor; to make oneself a servant; to be a servant; to worship; – which occurs 299 times in the Old Testament. Consider in Hebrew is ra’ah which means to see; to look; to perceive; to regard; to learn about; to find out; to give attention to; to discern; to think; – which occurs 1,308 times in the Old Testament. Three things we must do: Fear the Lord; serve Him in truth with all our heart; and consider what great things God has done for you. The greatest thing that God has done for you and me is to send Jesus Christ into the world to save sinners like you and me.
4. Call upon the Lord in truth. Psa 145:18, “The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.”
Note: Call upon in Hebrew is qara’ which means to call out; to cry out; to cry for help; to utter a loud sound; to call for; to cry unto; to implore his aid; to ask for help; – which occurs 739 times in the Old Testament. Psa 50:15, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.” This is a promise of God. In the day of trouble, I always call upon God, and He rescues me, and I always honor Him. To call upon God is truth is to call on God in sincerity and in earnest.
5. Worship God in spirit and truth. Jhn 4:24, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Note: Worship in Greek is proskyneō which means to do homage; to make obeisance; to bow down; to prostrate oneself in homage; to do reverence to; to adore; to kneel down as an expression of profound reverence; to honor or show reverence; – which occurs 72 times in the Old Testament. Spirit in Greek is pneuma which means a simple essence; mental disposition; a special attitude; the opposite of flesh; the spirit of faith; a spirit of sincerity; spirit of the mind; the spirit according to the will of God;- which occurs 380 times in the New Testament. God is Spirit, we cannot worship Him according to the flesh or according to our way or human will. We must worship God in spirit and truth.
6. Walk before God in truth with all your heart and with all your soul. 1Ki 2:4, “so that the LORD may carry out His promise which He spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons are careful of their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’
2Ki 20:3, “Remember now, O LORD, I beseech You, how I have walked before You in truth and with a whole heart and have done what is good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.”
Note: King Hezekiah became mortally ill. Prophet Isiah to him what God said, ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.’ Hezekiah wept bitterly and besought God for he had walked before God in truth and with a whole heart and had done what was good in God’s sight. God heard Hezekiah and added fifteen years to his life.
7. Walk with integrity, work righteousness, and speak truth. Psa 15:2, “He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart.”
Note: It is impossible to walk with integrity and work righteousness without speaking truth.
8. Buy truth, and do not sell it. Pro 23:23, “Buy truth, and do not sell it, Get wisdom and instruction and understanding.”
Note: Today you see and hear so many world leaders and politicians tell lies and sell out truth. Western mass media habitually lie, make fake news and false views and disinformation to fool the world. The worst is for preachers to tell lies. I remember a prosperity gospel preacher in a studio with the facade of Great Wall and falsely said he was preaching the gospel in China and asking for donation.
9. Celebrate the feast with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 1Co 5:8-9, “Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people.”
Note: Why American and European leaders and politicians and mainstream mass media harbor so much malice toward China that they deliberately fabricate lies and false charges against China. If you study the history, the West has been abusing, attacking, mistreating, looting, burning China for a long, long time. From the infamous Opium Wars to the present, from 1949 to this day.
Malice in Greek is kakia which means evil; maliciousness; wickedness; malignity; desire to injure; ill-will; depravity; trouble; badness; intent to cause harm; – which occurs 11 times in the New Testament. Wickedness in Greek is ponēria which means iniquity; depravity; evil purposes and desires; exercise of a vicious disposition; – which occurs 8 times in the New Testament. Sincerity in Greek is eilikrineia which means purity; ingenuousness; clearness; honesty of mind; freedom from hypocrisy; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. Truth in Greek is alētheia which means verity; truthfulness; what is true; according to truth; in reality; in fact; freedom from falsehood, simulation, or deceit; the truth as taught in the Christian religion; veracity; a mode of life in harmony with divine truth; – which occurs 110 times in the New Testament. Leven in Greek is zymē which means metaphorically mental and moral corruption which is infectious; – which occurs 13 times in the New Testament. Unleavened in Greek is azymos which means unfermented; free from leaven or yeast; free from faults or leaven of iniquity; – which occurs 9 times in the New Testament. Leaven refers to Pharisaical fermented hypocrisy and corrupted teaching. Western leaders and politicians and Western mass media sell fermented lies and falsehoods. Sincerity and truth are unleavened.
10. Rejoice with the truth. 1Co 13:6, “does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth.”
Note: There are people in the world who defraud people a great sum of money and rejoice because they succeeded in fooling people. The wicked rejoices in unrighteousness. Christians rejoice with the truth.
11. Speak the truth to one another and judge with truth. Zec 8:16, “These are the things which you should do: speak the truth to one another; judge with truth and judgment for peace in your gates.”
Note: Western nations and media often judge nations they don’t like because not their allies with falsehood and make judgement for war and conflict. Western media in support of their imperial governments regularly and constantly publish fake news and proclaim lies and falsehoods. Western leaders constantly spread lies and smear nations they do not like. They do not speak the truth because there is no truth in them.
12. Speak truth each one of you with his neighbor. Eph 4:25, “Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE of you WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another.”
Note: Lay aside in Greek is apotithēmi which means to put off; to lay down; to cast off; to lay apart; to put aside; to put something away; to stop doing it; – which occurs 17 times in the New Testament. Falsehood in Greek is pseudos which means a lie; lying; whatever is not what it professes to be; something deceitful; – which occurs 11 times in the New Testament. Western leaders and politicians speak lies and Western media spread fakes news have become fashionable. There is no truth in them. Today there are many irresponsible nations and leaders who threaten and oppress others. Their ability is to speak lies and falsehoods about other countries.
13. Dwell on whatever is true … whatever is right … Phl 4:8, “ Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”
Note: Dwell in Greek is logizomai which means to think; to reason; to impute; to count; to reckon; to calculate; to take into account; to make an count of; to count up or weigh the reasons; to deliberate; to consider; to meditate on; to determine; to decide; to estimate; to conclude; to gather or infer; to keep the attention on; to focus on; – which occurs 44 times in the New Testament. Christians must focus on whatever is true…honorable…right…pure…lovely…of good repute…excellence…worthy of praise. If you keep on thinking of these things, you will have the mind of Christ. Christians must have the mind of Christ and Christian virtues cited above. Western leaders and Western media lack Christian virtues. They dwell on whatever is false, whatever is dishonorable, whatever is wrong, whatever is filthy, whatever is abominable, whatever is infamous, whatever is vicious, and whatever is condemnable.
14. Do not let kindness and truth leave you. Pro 3:3, “Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.”
Note: Leave in Hebrew is `azab which means to forsake; to leave off; to fail; to be destitute of; to depart from; to leave behind; to abandon; to neglect; to let go; to be deserted; to relinquish; to refuse; to leave destitute; to shut up and cast away; – which occurs 222 times in the Old Testament. Do you notice that kindness and truth have left many Western leaders and countries? Many Western leaders and countries have forsaken kindness and truth, kindness and truth have also forsaken them. All the evidence points to the fact that kindness and truth leave Washington, Wall Street, and Hollywood. Kindness and truth have left certain countries. You shall know them by their fruits. What is most pitiful about a country is not that it has no oil or money, it is because it has no kindness and truth.
15. The fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth. Eph 5:9, “ (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth).”
Note: God is Light, His children have the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth. Goodness and righteousness and truth are the fruit of the Light. The children of darkness do not have the fruit of the Light. The fruit of darkness are evil and unrighteousness and lie.
16. Love truth and peace. Zec 8:19, “Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘The fast of the fourth, the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh and the fast of the tenth months will become joy, gladness, and cheerful feasts for the house of Judah; so love truth and peace.”
Note: Truth and peace go together. Those who love truth also love peace. Those who love peace also love truth. There cannot be truth without peace. There cannot be peace without truth. Christians love truth and peace. Those who love truth will also love peace. Those who love peace will also love truth. Truth and peace go together. Those who love war do not love truth and peace. The greatest historical lie of our generation was that lie spread by warmongers that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, and so they justified to attack, kill, occupy, and rob the nation. The truth was that Iraq did not have weapons of mass destruction. Warmongers truly committed mass destruction through years of war and brought in wars of terrors to this day. Warmongers may escape the judgment of International Court of Justice, but they cannot and will not escape the judgment of the Supreme Court of Heaven. What is ominous is the fact that Western media and warmongers still spread the lies of China threat and Russia threat. Warmongers may use the same dirty old trick to start the coming nuclear war to end the world.
17. Speaking the truth. 2Co 12:6, “ For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.”
Note: Christians and servants of the Lord must be speaking the truth. God is true, and God insists His children and servants speaking the truth.
18. Telling the truth may make enemies. Gal 4:16, “So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?”
Note: Enemy in Greek is echthros which means foe; adversary; hated, odious and hateful one; hostile one; – which occurs 32 times in the New Testament. The price of telling the truth is heavy, truth makes enemies. The evil and crooked and corrupt people do not like truth. Those who say Jesus Christ did not exist in history are enemies of truth.
19. A preacher is a teacher in faith and truth. 1Ti 2:7, “ For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.”
Note: Appoint in Greek is tithēmi which means to make; to put; to fix; to establish; to ordain; to enact; – which occurs 119 times in the New Testament. A preacher and a apostle must be appointed by Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ still ordains preachers and teachers today, but does not appoint an apostle anymore. The twelve Apostles are fixed. A preacher and a teacher must be telling the truth. A preacher must be also a teacher in faith and truth.
20. Servants of God commend themselves in the Word of truth and be true. 2Co 6:4-8, “but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger, in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true.”
Note: Commend in Greek is synistēmi which means to approve; to stand with; to show; to exhibit; to establish; to consist; to introduce; to constitute; to hold together; to make worthy; – which occurs 17 times in the New Testament. Servants of God must make themselves worthy in the Word of truth and be true.
21. Loyalty and truth preserve the king. Pro 20:28, “ Loyalty and truth preserve the king, And he upholds his throne by righteousness.”
Note: Loyalty in Hebrew is checed which means mercy; goodness; kindness; lovingkindness; pity; favor; faithfulness; piety; good deed; benevolence; fidelity; – which occurs 253 times in the Old Testament. Righteousness upholds the throne of the king. To be a ruler, one must have loyalty, truth and righteousness. Loyalty and truth preserve a country. Preserve in Hebrew is natsar which means to keep; to watch over; to guard from dangers; to protect; to maintain; to defend from dangers; – which occurs 61 times in the Old Testament. Loyalty and truth defend a country from dangers. Some foolish Western leaders think nuclear weapons can protect them. A government is upheld by righteousness. Uphold in Hebrew is ca`ad which means to strengthen; to establish; to support; to sustain; to stay; to prop; – which occurs 12 times in the Old Testament. A government is supported by righteousness, not lies and nuclear weapons.
22. He who speaks truth tells what is right. Pro 12:17, “He who speaks truth tells what is right, But a false witness, deceit.”
Note: This is a great truth that many still do not know: He who speaks truth tells what is right. It is sad and tragic that many Western leaders and politicians do not speak truth and tell what is right. It is even more serious that mainstream mass media speak and spread lies and report what is wrong and false.
Right in Hebrew is tsedeq which means righteousness; justice; just; rightness; what is just or normal; straight; what ought to be so; – which occurs 123 times in the Old Testament. Truth is what is right. What is right is true. Deceit in Hebrew is mirmah which means guile; falsehood; treachery; craft; fraud; lie; what is false or invalid; deception; deceitfulness; – which occurs 39 times in the Old Testament. A false witness tells lie or deceit. Deceit does not know what is right.
23. Obey the truth. Rom 2:8, “ but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation.”
This verse reminds me of a fat and pompous self-anointed anti-China white supremacist who is ambitious and does not obey the truth.
Note: Selfishly ambitious in Greek is eritheia which means contentious; full of strife; a desire to put oneself forward; a partisan or fractious spirit; a self-seeking pursuit of political office by unfair means; courting popular applause by trickery and low arts; electioneering or intriguing for office by dirty tricks; – which occurs 11 times in New Testament. Do not obey in Greek is apeitheō which means to believe not; to refuse or withhold belief; not to comply with; not to allow oneself to be persuaded; to refuse; to disbelieve; – which occurs 15 times in the New Testament. Obey in Greek is peithō which means to persuade; to trust; to have confidence; to believe; to listen to; to yield; to comply with; to convince; – which occurs 64 times in the New Testament. Unrighteousness in Greek is adikia which means wrong; iniquity; injustice; wrongfulness; treachery; – which occurs 26 times in the New Testament. Wrath in Greek is orgē which means anger; vengeance; fury; anger; temper; any violent emotion; – which occurs 36 times in the New Testament. Indignation in Greek is thymos which means fierceness; wrath; anger forthwith boiling up; rage; – which occurs 20 times in the New Testament. Those who are selfishly ambitious exemplified by Western politicians in seeking political office, they do not obey the truth, they campaign on lies and deceits or by dirty tricks. They obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. Christians must obey the truth. Do you notice unrighteous people get angry violently? Warmongers, aggressors, dictators, imperialists and terrorists all obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. Western leaders and politicians are selfishly ambitious to conquer, dominate and dictate the world and so they do not obey the truth.
24. Speak the truth in love. Eph 4:15, “but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ.”
Note: Christians not only speak the truth, they must speak the truth in love. Believers are to grow up in all aspects into Christ who is the Head of the Church. Grow up in Greek is auxanō which means to increase; to give the increase; to become greater; to enlarge; to augment; – which occurs 26 times in the New Testament. Christians are to grow up in all aspects to conform to the image of Christ.
25. Practice the truth. 1Jo 1:6, “If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.”
Note: Fellowship in Greek is koinōnia which means communion; communication; association; joint participation; intimacy; partnership; – which occurs 19 times in the New Testament. If we say that we have fellowship with Christ and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. Those who have fellowship with Christ and walk in the light are truly practicing the truth. Western leaders who claim to be Christians and yet they walk in darkness to engage in unjust wars and blood military interventions are liars who do not practice the truth. Practice in Greek is poieō which means to do; to make; to bring forth; to cause; to commit; to show; to fulfill; to perform; to bear; to work; to deal; to produce; to construct; to carry out; to execute; to observe; to accomplish; – which occurs 571 times in the New Testament. Truth is not a slogan or a propaganda, it is a duty to be fulfilled.
When I was very young, a most life-threatening experience happened; now I am old I even remember it most vividly. The story involved 3 boys: I was about 8, my elder brother 10, the pastor’s boy was 12. We used to live in a beautiful island. My father was a minister, we lived in the West part of the island. A co-worker of my father, another minister lived in the East part of the island. One day my brother and I vacationed in the East part of the island, at the other minister’s place. His 12 year old son invited us to pick crabs at the seashore. This was a novel experience to us. We had no knowledge of tide and picking crabs at the beach. When we arrived, it was a vast sea of dry land or basin. The pastor’s son was picking the crabs, we just watched and followed him. He led us into the deep sea basin far away from shore. The boy did not warn us the tide was coming and we should start walking back to the shore. All of a sudden, we found ourselves surrounded by water from all sides. The pastor’s son was out of sight and disappeared. The water reached my chest, I was struggling and walking hard in water toward to shore. It was the most frightening experience because I did not know how to swim. I believe my Heavenly Father sent His angel to help me, I finally reached the shore safely. I use my life experience and the following four lepers’ life experience written in the Scriptures to illustrate a great truth. Truth must be spoken; lies do not, you can just keep silent and tell a black and most dangerous lie. If you know the bridge ahead has collapsed, you do not warn the motorists, you are guilty of murder if they fall into the sea. If you see some motorists do not know they are driving into the forest fire, you do not warn them and they are burned to death; you are guilty. How many doctors keep silent and let patients go through risky and unnecessary surgical procedures? How many banking and financial personnel keep silent to let customers risk subprime mortgage? How many teachers and counselors keep silent to ruin the future of students under their care? If you are an auto-mechanic you fail to warn a defective auto part would cause accident, if the driver dies you have blood in your hands. How many politicians who claim to be Christians, they know what they are doing are bankrupting their country, destroying their country and the world and yet they keep silent and dare not speak the truth.
Worst of all, the pastor’s son did not apologize to us for failing to warn us about the tide; he acted as if nothing happened, and he did not even mention the incident to his parents. If he was the guest, and I was the host, I would take pain to warn him about the tide and lead him to walk back to the shore before the tide rose. So I suspect the pastor’s son harbored malice to kill us, borrowing the tide to kill us. Had it not for the mercy of God, we would have been drown, and eaten up by shark or crocodile. I wanted to ask him why, since my parents had supported his parents. Later I moved to the most advanced part of the world, he was left in the backward country. There was never a chance to meet and ask him the question. I don’t know if he is still alive or not. Forget it!
The living lesson is that Christians must not only tell the truth, must walk in truth and practice the truth.
The following story of four lepers is plain and clear. The four leprous men knew the truth and practices the truth:
Four Lepers Relate Arameans’ Flight 2Ki 7:3-16, “Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate; and they said to one another, “Why do we sit here until we die? If we say, We will enter the city, then the famine is in the city and we will die there; and if we sit here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us go over to the camp of the Arameans. If they spare us, we will live; and if they kill us, we will but die.” They arose at twilight to go to the camp of the Arameans; when they came to the outskirts of the camp of the Arameans, behold, there was no one there. For the Lord had caused the army of the Arameans to hear a sound of chariots and a sound of horses, even the sound of a great army, so that they said to one another, “Behold, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us.”Therefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents and their horses and their donkeys, even the camp just as it was, and fled for their life. When these lepers came to the outskirts of the camp, they entered one tent and ate and drank, and carried from there silver and gold and clothes, and went and hid them; and they returned and entered another tent and carried from there also, and went and hid them.Then they said to one another, “We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, but we are keeping silent; if we wait until morning light, punishment will overtake us. Now therefore come, let us go and tell the king’s household.”So they came and called to the gatekeepers of the city, and they told them, saying, “We came to the camp of the Arameans, and behold, there was no one there, nor the voice of man, only the horses tied and the donkeys tied, and the tents just as they were.” The gatekeepers called and told it within the king’s household. Then the king arose in the night and said to his servants, “I will now tell you what the Arameans have done to us. They know that we are hungry; therefore they have gone from the camp to hide themselves in the field, saying, ‘When they come out of the city, we will capture them alive and get into the city.’”One of his servants said, “Please, let some men take five of the horses which remain, which are left in the city. Behold, they will be in any case like all the multitude of Israel who are left in it; behold, they will be in any case like all the multitude of Israel who have already perished, so let us send and see.” They took therefore two chariots with horses, and the king sent after the army of the Arameans, saying, “Go and see.” They went after them to the Jordan, and behold, all the way was full of clothes and equipment which the Arameans had thrown away in their haste. Then the messengers returned and told the king. So the people went out and plundered the camp of the Arameans. Then a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the Word of the LORD.”
The four lepers knew that they could not keep silent about the good news because of the famine in the city. Punishment would overtake them. Christians, how could you keep silent and do not preach the Gospel of salvation to your friends and relatives? Practice the truth.
26. Walk in truth. 2Jo 1:4, “I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have received commandment to do from the Father.”
Note: Walk in Greek is peripateō which means to be occupied; to live; to make one’s way; to conduct oneself; to regulate one’s life; to deport oneself; to behave; – which occurs 105 times in the New Testament. Children of God who do the commandments received from the Father are walking in truth. The Christian life is to live in accordance with the Truth of Christ. Jhn 14:15,“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”
27. Men of truth hate dishonest gain. Exo 18:21,“Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens.”
For this reason, men of truth are usually not rich.
Note: Hate in Greek is sane’ which means to be enemy of; to feel extreme enmity toward; to have a strong aversion to; to dislike intensely; – which occurs 149 times in the Old Testament. Men who fear God, men of truth, naturally hate dishonest gain. Dishonest gain in Hebrew is betsa` which means unjust gain; profit; greed; covetousness; filthy lucre; gain acquired by violence; – which occurs 31 times in the Old Testament. Executives of Washington, Wall Street and Hollywood, military-industrial-security complex are able men who do not fear God, men of lies and falsehoods, they love dishonest gain or filthy lucre. Christians must fear God, be men of truth, and hate dishonest gain. Do you know any rich and powerful who fear God, men of truth, and who hate dishonest gain?
28. Love in truth, know the truth, and abide in truth. 2Jo 1:1-2, “The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not only I, but also all who know the truth, for the sake of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever.”
Note: Abide in Greek is menō which means to remain; to dwell; to continue; to endure; to live; to stay; to stand; not to depart; to preserve; to hold fast; to last; – which occurs 118 times in the New Testament. Truth abides forever. Truth is eternal.
29. Take up the full armor of God. Eph 6:13, “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”
Note: Believers are Christian soldiers who fight against the world forces of darkness and against the spiritual forces of wickedness. A soldier cannot fight with armor. Put on the armor of God, we will able to stand firm against the evil schemes of the devil. What are the full armor of God? Gird your loins with truth, put on the breastplate of righteousness, shoe your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of peace, take up the shield of faith, take the helmet of salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
30. Abstain from idols … fornication. Act 15:29, “that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.”
Note: Gentile believers do not have to be circumcised or to keep the Sabbath. Gentile Christians must abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication. In particular, Chinese Christians must abstain from idol worship and ancestor worship, abstain from eating all kinds of blood. Gentile Christians keep themselves free from idolatry, from things offered to idols, from things strangled, and from fornication. If you are free from these four things, you do well. The yoke of Jesus is easy.
31. Turn a sinner who strays from the truth. Jas 5:19-20, “My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”
Note: Stray in Greek is planaō which means to go astray; to be out of the way; to err; to wander; to sin; to fall away from the truth; – which occurs 46 times in the New Testament. Turn in Greek is epistrephō which means to be converted; to turn about; to turn around; to change one’s heart and mind; to revert; to bring back to right path; to reform; – which occurs 48 times in the New Testament. Error in Greek is planē which means deceit; delusion; wrong act; fraud; fraudulence; straying from orthodoxy or piety; straying from the right way; – which occurs 10 times in the New Testament. Oh, how precious to convert a sinner from the error of his way and that is to save his soul from death.
32. Accurately handle the Word of truth. 2Ti 2:15, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the Word of truth.”
Note: This message is special for the preachers. All servants of Christ must be diligent to present themselves approved to God as a workman who does not to be ashamed. A preacher who does not know the Word of truth should be ashamed. Accurately handle in Greek is orthotomeō which means to rightly divide; to cut straight; to hold a straight course; to make straight and smooth; to handle aright; to teach the truth directly and correctly; to expound correctly; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. False preachers distort the Word of truth. Incompetent preachers put their congregation to sleep. Excluding false preachers and occupational preachers, there are not many preachers who can teach and preach the Word of truth correctly and powerfully.
What is a model minister and how should a preacher preach?
2Ti 4:2-5, “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
Note: To preach is to proclaim publicly the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. There are many examples to follow: Jesus Christ, John the Baptist, Peter, Paul, Stephen, and Old Testament prophets. A minister must be always ready in season and out of season. I remember when I met a famous Chinese preacher called Wang Ming Tao some years ago, before his death, he was almost blind and deaf; but he memorized many Bible verses since he could not see to read. Preaching involves proclaiming, and also reproving, rebuking and exhorting. Reprove in Greek is elegchō which means to convince; to convict; to tell one’s fault; to refute; to confute; to expose; to bring to light; to find fault with; to correct; to call to account; to reprehend severely; to chide; to admonish; to scold; – which occurs 18 times in the New Testament. Rebuke in Greek is epitimaō which means to straightly charge; to censure severely; to admonish or charge sharply; to charge one with wrong; to reprimand; – which occurs 33 times in the New Testament. Exhort in Greek is parakaleō which means to beseech; to entreat; to speak to; to instruct; to call to one’s side; to urge strongly; which occurs 111 times in the New Testament. Sadly, since the end of World War II, from Billy Graham down to the present, not one preacher dared or dares to preach against the sins and crimes of the American presidents. Many American preachers just flattered or defended the American presidents. Sadly, many American preachers today do not dare to preach the truth to fulfill their ministry.
In the last 500 years, the Christianity practiced by Western powers was and is tainted by imperialism, capitalism, and white racism. Under the banner of Christianity, Western powers have done much evil and iniquity and injustice in the world.
33. Give thanks to God for His lovingkindness and truth. Psa 138:2, “I will bow down toward Your holy temple And give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your Word according to all Your name.”
Note: To give thanks to God for His lovingkindness and truth is to present the fruit of our lips.
34. Walk in God’s truth. Psa 86:11, “Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.”
Note: To learn the way of God is to walk in His truth. If you walk in God’s truth, you will not walk in darkness.
35. Practice the truth and come to the Light. Jhn 3:21, “But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”
Note: Practice in Greek is poieō which means to do regularly; to make; to bring forth; to cause; to work; to show; to keep; to perform; to fulfill;to abide; to observe; to execute; to accomplish; to carry out; – which occurs 571 times in the New Testament. He who does the truth regularly comes to the Light, the Light of the World, the Light of life, Jesus Christ. Those who practice lie and walk in darkness will not come to the Light.
36. Establish truthful lips. Pro 12:19, “Truthful lips will be established forever, But a lying tongue is only for a moment.”
Note: Truth is established forever, a lying tongue is only for a moment. Western leaders and politicians and Western media cannot lie forever. Truth will find them guilty of falsehood and deceit. For lying lips are an abomination to the LORD.
37. In obedience to the truth purify your souls. 1Pe 1:22, “Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart.”
Note: Do you know how to purify your soul? You can wash your body with soap and clean water. But soap and clean water cannot purify your soul. All the methods offered and remedies given by man-made religions have no effect, no value. In obedience to the truth of Christ your souls can be purified. You soul cannot be purified by anything else. Purify in Greek is hagnizō which means to cleanse; to make pure; to sanctify; – which occurs 7 times in the New Testament. Obey the truth of Christ so your soul will be purified for a sincere love of the brethren. Jas 4:8, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
38. Believe and know the truth. 1Ti 4:3, “men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth.”
Note: If you believe God, God will reveal His truth to you. If you do not believe in God, you will remain in darkness, misguided and ignorant. In scientific truth, we know and then believe. In Divine truth, you must believe first so that God may reveal His truth to you, and so you will know God and obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Believe in Jesus Christ and you will know the Truth.
39. Receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. 2Th 2:10, “and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.”
Note: Those who perish because they are under the deception of wickedness, they did not receive the love of the truth. If you receive the love of the Truth who is Jesus Christ, you will be saved.
40. Speak truth in the heart. Psa 15:2, “He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart.”
41. Listen to the message of truth. Eph 1:13, “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.”
42. Established in the truth. 2Pe 1:12, “Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you.”
Note: Establish in Greek is stērizō which means to fix; to strengthen; to place firmly; to make firm or stable; to confirm; to steadfastly set; to set up; – which occurs 14 times in the New Testament. No one can establish himself in the truth. Nothing can establish you in the truth. Falsehood and false doctrines only mislead you. Because the truth is the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, but now is manifested by Jesus Christ, and by the Scriptures of the prophets. Those who have been established in the truth resulting to obedience of faith. Those who know the truth, follow and obey Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is able to establish you in the truth. Rom 16:25-26, “ 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, 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.”
43. The one who does not keep God’s commandments, the truth is not in him. 1Jo 2:3-4, “By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”
Note: The Word of God defines who is a liar: The one who says he has come to know God and does not keep His commandments, is a liar. Western leaders and politicians do not keep God’s commandments; they lie, lie, and lie; kill, kill, and kill; rob, rob, and rob.
44. We can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth. 2Co 13:8, “ For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth.”
You wonder why the world is in such a mess, such a trouble. The powerful leaders of the world do everything against the truth, and nothing for the truth!!! They lie, kill, and rob.
Note: In respect to the truth, there is no neutrality. You are either for the truth, or against the truth. The choice is yours. Against means in opposition to or contrary to. For is the opposite of against. Mar 9:40, “For he who is not against us is for us.” Are you for Jesus Christ the Truth of God?
VII. THE TRUTH AND YOU. Truth is not abstract, but personal. To know truth is to appropriate truth. To know the truth one must act according to the truth.
It is not enough to know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, you must appropriate the truth by accepting and believing in Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. This is absolute truth. Jesus Christ becomes your Lord and Savior. Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. To become a Christian is to have personal relationship with Jesus Christ. To believe in Jesus Christ is to accept Him as your personal Lord and Savior.
Jhn 4:10, “Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the Gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”
Note: Just as Jesus said to the Samaritan woman, “If you knew the Gift of God and who it is who says to you, you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” Know in Greek is oida which means to get knowledge of; to have understanding of; to perceive directly; to have experience of; – which occurs 335 times in the New Testament.
There are many conceited people in the world who really do not know, if only they knew, they would have … Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers do not know Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God. If only they knew the Gift of God, they would have…Jesus Christ is the Gift of God.
Jesus also says, 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.” Jesus Christ is the Way to God, the Truth, and the Life. This is the absolute truth. There is no unrighteousness in Him. To know Jesus Christ is to know the Way to God, the way of salvation. To know Jesus Christ is to know the Truth. To know Jesus Christ is to have life. To know Jesus Christ is to know God.
Luk 13:3, “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
Note: Repent in Greek is metanoeō which means to change one’s mind; to amend with abhorrence of one’s past sins; to feel sorry for one’s sins; to think differently; to feel compunction; to turn from sin to God; – which occurs 34 times in the New Testament. Perish in Greek is apollymi which means to be lost; to become destroyed; to abolish; to kill; to put an end to ruin; to suffer eternal misery in Hell; – which occurs 94 times in the New Testament. There is no room for doubt. If you do not repent of your sins, you will die in your sins. Jhn 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” If you believe in Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, you shall not perish but have eternal life.”
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.”
Note: Unless means if not, except on the condition that. Except you believe that Jesus is the Christ, you will dies in you sins. Unless you believe Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the Son of God, you will die in your sins. If you do not believe it, when you die in your sins, it will be too late. The Word of God is absolutely sure and certain. You cannot gamble with your life risk eternal punishment.
Psa 127:1, “A Song of Ascents, of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain.”
Mat 18:3, “and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.”
Note: Convert in Greek is strephō which means to turn around; to turn one’s self; to change one’s mind; to reverse; to turn one about; to turn quite around; to bring about a religious conversion; to change; – which occurs 23 times in the New Testament. To change one’s mind toward sin, to turn from sin to God, and to become like children in receiving the gift of God is to be converted.
Jhn 3:3, “Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
Note: To be born again is to receive a new life in Christ by the Holy Spirit. Flesh and blood cannot see and cannot enter the Kingdom of God.
Jhn 8:31-32, “So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My Word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
Note: The benefit of knowing the truth is to be set free. Lies can only ruin and destroy you. To be true disciples of Christ is to continue, to abide, and to keep in His Word.
Jhn 10:27-28, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.”
Note: If you are the sheep of Jesus you will hear His voice. Jesus knows His sheep, and they follow Him. Hear in Greek is akouō which means to hearken; to listen; to give audience; to attend to; to consider what has been said; to comprehend; to understand; to give ear to; to yield to; to obey; – which occurs 436 times in the New Testament. Follow in Greek is akoloutheō which means to become a disciple; to come after; to go in the same way; to conform wholly to Christ’s example; to accept Christ’s authority; – which occurs 89 times in the New Testament. To be a sheep of Jesus Christ is to listen to His Word, to follow Christ’s authority and example and to conform to His image. The Good Shepherd gives eternal life to His sheep, and they will never perish; and no one can snatch them out of His hand. Snatch in Greek is harpazō which means to take away by force; to catch away; to pluck; to seize or pull by force; to carry off by force; – which occurs 21 times in the New Testament. The sheep of Jesus, Christians, will never perish, for no one will snatch them out of Jesus’ hand. This is the eternal security of believers in Christ.
Act 16:31, “They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Note: All man-made religions teach that you will be saved by your good works. The Revealed Religion teaches, Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household. To be saved is to have your sins forgiven, to be washed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, to be justified before God, to be born again by the Holy Spirit and to receive the new life. Not only you can be saved, your household too.
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: You may be baptized if you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God with all your heart. The problem of man is not his head, but his heart. You need to receive a new heart, a new life.
Rom 10:9-10, “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; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”
Note: Confess in Greek is homologeō which means to profess; to acknowledge; to declare faith in; to assent; to agree with; to concede; to declare openly; to speak out freely; to assent; to make known; – which occurs 27 times in the New Testament. Believe in Greek is pisteuō which means to commit to one’s trust; to trust; to put in trust with; to have faith in; to entrust; to place confidence in; to accept as true; to have conviction that Jesus is the Messiah; to give oneself up to Jesus; to become a Christian; – which occurs 244 times in the New Testament. Righteousness in Greek is dikaiosynē which means the condition acceptable to God; the doctrine concerning the way in which man may attain a state approved of God; justification; correctness of thinking, feeling and acting; justice or virtue; uprightness; – which occurs 91 times in the New Testament. Salvation in Greek is sōtēria which means deliverance; preservation; safety; rescue; present and future salvation (present salvation is the salvation of soul; future salvation is the salvation of body); – which occurs 45 times in the New Testament. The word soteriology is derived from the Greek word. To be saved, you must confess with your mouth that Jesus as Lord and Savior, and you must believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead to justify you. God justifies you on the redemption accomplished by Jesus Christ on the cross for your sins, by counting you as righteousness on the basis of grace and through faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation is the gift of God, for Jesus says, 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.” To be saved means to have passed out of death into life. The Divine Truth is the Revealed Truth, the Truth of Christ, which can never be attained by human wisdom or scientific inquiry. So you must accept the Truth of Christ by faith.
Jhn 5:46-47, “For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My Words?”
Note: Jesus Christ validates the Old Testament as the Word of God. My Jewish friends miss the point that Moses wrote about Jesus. It is my prayer that many Jews will come to know that Jesus Christ is their Messiah. Heb 3:3-6, “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. For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. 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.”
Jesus 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. Moses was a faithful servant in God’s House, but Christ was faithful as the Son over His house.
Mat 4:10, “Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’
Note: This is the Truth of Christ: Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only. Worship in Greek is proskyneō which means to do homage; to make obeisance; to bow to do reverence to; to adore; to fall upon the knees and touch the ground with the forehead as as expression of profound reverence and respect; to subject oneself absolutely; – which occurs 72 times in the New Testament. You cannot worship God and worship other things like money and power. You cannot serve God and serve other things such as money, power, and pleasure.
Mat 6:24, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Mammon in Greek is mamōnas which means riches; wealth; treasure; avarice; money; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament. Serve in Greek is douleuō which means to be in bondage; to be a slave to; to do service; to obey; to submit to; to yield obedience; to give oneself up to; to feel oneself bound to; – which occurs 27 times in the New Testament. This is the truth of Christ: No one can serve two masters: You cannot serve God and mammon. In primitive societies, peoples worship idols, all sorts of idols made of wood, stone, or metals. In America only some immigrants worship idols. Most Americans worship money, power and sex. People who serve other objects cannot serve God.
Mat 7:16, “You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?”
Note: Fruit in Greek is karpos which means the fruit of the trees; result; work; act; deed; metaphorically, that which originates or comes from something; an effect, result; – which occurs 66 times in the New Testament. Just as you know the tree by its fruits, so you know the man by his deeds. By this you can recognize false prophets, false teachers, and false believers. A good tree bears good fruits, a good man does good deeds. If a preacher is an immoral man, greedy and deceptive; he cannot be a servant of Christ. You do not gather grapes from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles.
Mat 7:20, “So then, you will know them by their fruits.”
Note: So, you will know truth from lie, good from bad, light from darkness by their deeds or results.
Jhn 8:46, “Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me?”
Note: Convict in Greek is elegchō which means to rebuke; reprove; convince; find fault; confute; to call to account; to refute; to show one his fault; – which occurs 18 times in the New Testament. No one can convict Jesus of sin. Those who lie to accuse Jesus of having sex with many women committed blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Those who spread fake news that Jesus Christ did not exist in history are liars and impostors, antichrists and enemies of the truth. Jesus speaks truth, why do you not believe Him? It seems to be a mystery or a puzzle why people believe in lies and not in truth.
Jhn 8:19, “So they were saying to Him, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father; if you knew Me, you would know My Father also.”
Note: The Father and the Son are ONE. If you know Jesus Christ, you would know God also. To know Jesus Christ is to know God. This is the absolute truth, there is no other. For Jesus Christ has come into the world to reveal the Father.
Jhn 8:31, “So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My Word, then you are truly disciples of Mine.”
Note: Continue in Greek is menō which means to abide; remain; last; endure; live; stay; dwell; stand; to maintain unbroken fellowship; to be rooted; to persevere; to hold fast; – which occurs 118 times in the New Testament. Both the Jewish and Gentile believers must continue in the Word of Jesus. Those who do what Jesus says are truly His disciples. Disciple in Greek is mathētēs which means a learner; pupil; student; follower; adherent; – which occurs 261 times in the New Testament. The original 12 disciples were appointed by Jesus as Apostles. Judas the traitor lost his apostleship and replaced by Paul. There will be only 12 Apostles, no new one. All of us who are believers are disciples of Jesus, not apostles.
Jhn 13:35,“By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Note: Christians must love one another. For by this the world will know that we are the disciples of Jesus Christ. Denominations divide Christians. Protestants are not believers of the new religion of Christianity. Protestants believe in the original Christianity, the Holy Bible, prior to the corrupted Roman Catholic Church.
Jhn 14:7, “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.”
Note: If you had known Jesus Christ, you would have known God the Father. The early disciples had the privilege of seeing Jesus Christ in person. The Apostles of the inner circle even saw the glory of Jesus Christ during the Transfiguration. See Mark 9:1-9. Since the early disciples of Jesus Christ, Jhn 20:29, “Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.” Saints of the latter days are blessed because although we did not see, and yet believed.
Jhn 15:10, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.”
Note: Christianity is not the Truth of Christ to be chanted or recited in a ritual. To abide in the love of Christ, believers must keep His commandments. For Jesus says, Jhn 14:15, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” If we love Jesus, we will keep His commandments.
Mat 5:43-44, “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Note: The truth of Christ is the Christian highest ideal. Jesus Christ practice what He preaches. Luk 23:34, “But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.” It is difficult enough to love ordinary people, for the world is full of unlovable and abnormal people. I discovered behind all Chines kungfu movies, they are driven by the motive of revenge; without the theme of revenge, there could not be any story or reason for a movie. The followers of a certain religion even today behead not only their enemies but also Christians. Jesus says, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Jhn 16:13,“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.”
Note: The Spirit of truth has come since the Pentecost. Guide in Greek is hodēgeō which means to lead; to lead on one’s way; to be a guide or teacher; to give guidance to; to show the way; to teach or instruct; to direct or influence to a particular end; – which occurs 5 times in the New Testament. Disclose in Greek is anaggellō which means to tell; to show; to make known; to declare; to report; to open up; – which occurs 14 times in the New Testament. Believers have the Spirit of truth in them, which secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers do not have. The Spirit of truth will guide or lead believers into all the truth which is not privy to unbelievers.
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: Test in Greek is peirazō which means to prove; to examine; to try; to assay; to find out; to ascertain; to put to the proof; to scrutinize; – which occurs 42 times in the New Testament. Examine in Greek is dokimazō which means to discern; to prove; to test; to try; to scrutinize; to see whether a thing is genuine or not; – which occurs 24 times in the New Testament. In this evil generation, from time to time, Christians are told to test themselves to see if they are in the faith; examine themselves! It is a very bad and sad thing if one cannot and does not recognize this about oneself. If you do not know that Christ is in you, you fail the test. There is an amazing phenomena in the twenty first century which is the practice of Westerns leaders and media continuously and profusely point to the problems or shortcomings of other nations not their allies. They want to overthrow regimes not submissive to their dictatorship. They lies, kill innocent people, and rob other nations of their wealth and resources. They could not stand when other nations surpass them in trade and technology. They invent many lies and create fake news to target and smear the nonbelligerent nations and peoples. These demagogues and arrogant people never look at the mirror to examine their own defects and deceits or to test their credibility and integrity.
Jas 3:14, “But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.”
Note: Western leaders and politicians have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in their hearts because they see great achievements and successes of China in recent years, and so they are arrogant and lie against the truth by fabricating false charges and fake news about China such as the ones they make about Xinjiang, Tibet, Hong Kong and Taiwan as well as the sovereignty of South China Sea, Yellow Sea, the East China Sea and Tiaouyu islands.
Bitter in Greek is pikros which means harsh; virulent; sharp; pungent; piercing; acrid; astringent; marked by intensity and severity; vehement; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Jealousy in Greek is zēlos which means envy; indignation; fervent mind; zeal; emulation; fierce ardor; contentious rivalry; pugnacious heat; punitive self righteousness; – which occurs 16 times in the New Testament. Selfish ambition in Greek is eritheia which means contentiousness; egocentricity; fractiousness; partisanship; having desire to put oneself forward; intrigue; courting popular applause by trickery and foolery; – which occurs 11 times in the New Testament. Be arrogant in Greek is katakauchaomai which means to boast against; to rejoice against; to glory against; to exult over; to boast oneself to the injury of others; – which occurs 6 times in the New Testament. Lie in Greek is pseudomai which means to falsify; to speak deliberate falsehoods; to utter an untruth; to deceive by falsehood; to play false; to show oneself deceitful; – which occurs 12 times in the New Testament. One thing that bothers me a lot when I watch world leaders who claim to be Christians, but they shamelessly and arrogantly lie against the truth live on TV publicly.
2Ti 2:25-26, “with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.”
Note: Repentance in Greek is metanoia which means a change of mind; compunction for guilt; feeling sorry for one’s sin; – which occurs 22 times in the New Testament. A sinner loses his senses, falls in the snare of the devil and held captive by the devil to do his will — for this reason a sinner cannot and does not know the truth. If you repent of your sins and believe in Jesus Christ which will lead you to the knowledge of the truth.
CONCLUSION
You have learned a lot about the truth, the truth of Christ. By the Word of God, the Truth is manifested. Now you have learned to know the Truth of Christ who is absolute, perfect, supreme, ultimate and eternal. You know there is no truth in man. You know science does not know the absolute truth. As He claims, Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. To know Christ is to know the Way to God, the Truth of the Gospel and by grace and through faith in Jesus Christ you may receive the eternal Life with forgiveness of sins.
1Ti 2:3-4, “This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
Note: For all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior. For you to be saved you must first come to the knowledge of the truth. The truth of Christ has been systematically and seriously presented to you.
Not all have the knowledge of the truth, and many have fallen into the snare of the devil and held captive to do his will. Do not turn away your ears from the truth. It is hoped you may come to your senses. I hope you are able to come to the knowledge of truth. The truth shall make you free. Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers for all the lofty things they claim to know, yet a very little thing they do not know: they don’t know when they are going to die. You may know science and philosophy and the lofty things, if you do not know the Truth of Christ, you live in vain and you will die in your sins. To disobey the truth is to disobey God. All who do not believe the truth will be judged. Those who do not receive the love of the truth will perish. If you believe you will know the Truth. Take a step of faith and come to repentance.
To know the truth is not enough, you must act upon it.
Will you now accept and believe in the Son of God, Jesus Christ, to be your Lord and Savior. Now is the accepted time. Now is the day of salvation. Would you do it now?
ON September 3, 2025 for China to mark 80th anniversary of victory over Japanese aggression and fascism is a historical necessity and hard-earned victory. 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. Never again will China be oppressed. I am sure the militant Japan is deterred, and no nation on earth would dare to attack China again. 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 refrerendum. America is ruined by dark and evil forces.
Heroes of all races who sacrified their lives for China in the war against Japanese aggression should be celebrated and remembered. The descendants of them are eternal friends of China. Descendants of American Flying Tiers whose forefathers had sacrified their lives in the war against Japanese aggression and atrocities must always be honored and remembered. The Chinse government must treat them as eternal friends, and they are welcome to China anytime. Such blood bonds must be appreciated and maintained forever.
The world wrongly marks the anniversary of dropping atomic bomb on Hiroshima while neglecting the 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.
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By chronology we mean God deals with measuring time and assigning an arrangement of events to their proper order of occurrence as God plans and directs from the beginning to the end of the world. God is eternal, without beginning and without ending. What is time? Time is a series of pauses and periods in a continuity marching toward eternity; eternity is time without end. Time is counted as before or after. Eternity is counted as past eternity and future eternity; from everlasting to everlasting. The world will come to an end, eternity is world without end. God is beyond time and eternity because God is Self-Existent before time and Eternal beyond eternity. God is beyond eternity. God is not like man who has problems with time: who feels time is too slow, too swift, too long, or too short. God who sits enthroned from ancient times, with WHOM there is no change. The Father of lights, with WHOM there is no variation or shifting shadow. Heb 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever.” For our Lord Jesus Christ is our God. Eternity resides in God. God is forever
“I AM WHO I AM”.
By revelation we learn to know from the Holy Bible the outline of the chronology of Time and Eternity. God moves and works according to His eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This article is written so that you may know how important it is to know the chronology of time and eternity. This is a chronological outline of things and events past, present and future. This outline is made based on the revealed knowledge of the Holy Scriptures and may help you form a broad general idea of the scheme of things set by God from the very beginning (the everlasting past) to the everlasting future (eternity). God moves according to His time-table. God does whatever He pleases.
A person who does not know the sign of the time is lost. A person who loses eternity loses all. This article is written so that you know how important it is to know the chronology of time and eternity and God who rules time and eternity.
Many Western leaders and politicians falsely call themselves Christians but not knowing they are agents of their father who is the ruler of this world and they do the desires of their father the devil. What they do may affect not only time but their eternity.
I. God existed by Himself eternally before time and space.
Jhn 5:26 , “For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself.”
Note: Life in Greek is zōē which means the absolute fullness of life, both essential and ethical and eternal, which belongs to God; – it occurs about 134 times in the New Testament. God has life in Himself means God is eternally Self-Existent. Jesus Christ is the life means only Christ can give you eternal life. Immortality belongs to God; mortality belongs to man, sinful man. No matter by what scientific means, man does not have life in himself. Poor scientists do not even know when they are going to die.
1 Ti 1:17 , “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Note: Eternal in Greek is aiōn which means perpetuity of time, time without end, for ever; – it occurs about 128 times in the New Testament. Immortal in Greek is aphthartos which means imperishable, indestructible, incorruptible , not liable to corruption or decay; – it occurs 7 times in the New Testament.
1Ti 6:16 , “He (God) alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, Whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.”
Note: Immortality in Greek is athanasia which describes God only because He possesses it essentially, undyingness, eternity; – it occurs only 3 times in the New Testament. All men are mortal. All things are perishable.
Rom 1:20 , “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.”
God is invisible, but through the creation of the universe, His eternal power and divine nature have been made known; man is without excuse, he is a fool who says there is no God.
2 Cr 4:18 , “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
Scientists can study only things which are see and temporal. Scientists are incapable of studying things which are not seen and things eternal. Now basically there are two kinds of things in the universe: the things which are seen and the things which are not visible. Things which are seen (money, power, and sex) are temporal; but the things which are not seen (faith, hope, and love) are eternal. He is the greatest fool who exchanges the eternal for the temporal.
Note: Eternity belongs to God for God is Eternal Self-Existent. Eternity can be divided into the eternal past, eternal present, and eternal future. The eternal past was when God was before time and space. God always existed because He has life in Himself. God was, God is, and God will always be eternally.
II. God created the universe and the first couple, Adam and Eve. Gen 1:1 , “In the beginning God created the universe and the earth.”
Note: Create in Hebrew is bara’ which means to make something new out of nothing; – it occurs about 54 times in the Old Testament. See Hbr 11:3 .
Universe in Hebrew is athanasia which means the Heavens. There are three Heavens: first is called the sky where birds and airplanes fly. The second Heaven is commonly known as the universe where galaxies, planets, and innumerable stars are. Since the universe is expanding, no one really knows how vast and infinite the second Heaven is. The third Heaven is the abode of God and where angels are, beyond human imagination. Read 2Cr 12:2 .
The word universe occurs about 420 times in the Old Testament.
Gen 1:27 , “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”
Note: Image in Hebrew tselem which means likeness or resemblance; – it occurs about 17 times in the Old Testament. Since God is Spirit, it is impossible for man to have God’s image in the physical sense. God’s image refers to His divine nature. The attributes of divine nature include holiness, righteousness and truth.
Isa 42:5 , “Thus says God the Lord, Who created the Heavens and stretched them out, Who spread out the earth and its offspring, Who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it.”
Note: Stretch in Hebrew is natah which means to spread out, extend, unfold, expand; – it occurs about 215 times in the Old Testament. The prophet Isaiah knew that the universe was expanding while scientists only know recently.
Isa 40:22 , “It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the Heavens like a curtain and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.”
Note: Prophet Isaiah knew the earth was round, and knew about the expanding universe through revelation some 700 years B.C. which arrogant scientists discovered only recently.
Mat 19:4 , “And He (Christ) answered and said: Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female.”
Note: Jesus Christ confirmed and validated the creation of Adam and Eve by direct act of God. Those who claim to be Christians and at the same time believe in evolution run the risk of denying the Word of the Lord. An American president who advertises himself as a born-again Christian but he is an evolutionist. You cannot be a Christian and an evolutionist at the same time. For the scientific theory of evolution contradicts the teaching of creation by Jesus Christ. I would rather believe in the Word of my Lord and my God than the hypothesis of scientists who do not even know the date of their deaths.
1 Ti 2:13 , “For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve.”
Col 1:16 , “For by Him (Christ) all things were created, both in the Heavens (universe) and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities–all things have been created through Him and for Him”
Note: It is un-Scriptural and wrong to say that God created the earth some 6,000 years ago. Only God knows when the beginning was when He created the universe, the earth, and the humankind. All the rest is sheer speculation.
III. Man fell by disobedience and driven out of the Garden of Eden. Rom 5:19 , “For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.”
Note: Disobedience in Greek is parakoē which means unwillingness to obey; – it occurs only 3 times in the New Testament. You don’t have to kill or rape to be made a sinner, disobedience to God is enough to be sent to Hell. The first sin committed by the first man was disobedience. The wicked even today rebel against God.
1 Cr 15:22 , “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.”
1 Cr 15:47 , “The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second Man is from Heaven.”
Gen 3:24 , “So He (God) drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.”
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: Sin in Greek is hamartia which means missing the mark, coming short, falling short, wandering from the path of uprightness and honor, doing or going wrong, violation of the divine law in thought, word or in act; sinning by omission or commission; – it occurs about 174 times in the New Testament.
Note: The only proof that you are not sinful is that you must be immortal. For all are sinful, therefore all are mortal.
IV. Men and women sinned greatly; Noah obeyed God to build the Ark. Gen 6:13 , “So God said to Noah: I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth.”
Note: Violence in Hebrew is chamac which means wrong, cruelty, injustice, oppression; – it occurs about 60 times in the Old Testament. Warmongers and white and black supremacists and terrorists fill the world with violence. Drug and sex traffickers do cruel things. In my opinion, the greatest financial injustice has been done the crooks and criminals of Wall Street, bank, mortgage and insurance, and big firm executives who created the economic and financial crisis in 2008 that robbed and looted America and the world US $50 trillions of dollars. Not only no one is punished, (one Jew was reported to have died in jail), they shamelessly used taxpayers’ bailout money to give themselves exorbitant compensation and billions in bonuses. If Wall Street crooks and criminals escape the judgment of human courts, they will not escape the wrath of God.
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: 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. 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? Jesus Christ confirmed it as a historical event.
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 of all generations put together. Jesus Christ died for sinners and rose from the dead and lives forever; all scientists not only will die, they do not even know the day of their death.
V. The ancestors of mankind spread around the globe.
Act 17:26 , “And He (God) made from one blood every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation.”
Note: Blood in Greek is haima which means blood of man or animals, the seat of life; – it occurs 99 times in the New Testament. The words hematic and hematology come from the Greek word. Although human blood has four groups (A, B, AB, O), but it is one biological blood. Although humans have various colors, white, black, yellow and red; but they are humankind. Blood composition varies among species. Mammalian blood is composed of plasma, red and white cells (erythrocytes and leukocytes ), and platelets (thrombocytes). Animal blood is of different kind, unsuitable for blood transfusion to humans. Blood in Hebrew is dam which occurs 361 times in the Old Testament. Gen 9:6 , “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He made man. ” Deu 12:23 ,
“Only be sure not to eat the blood, for the blood is the life, and you shall not eat the life with the flesh.”
Gen 9:19 , “These three were the sons of Noah, and from these the whole earth was populated.”
Gen 10:32 , “These are the families of the sons of Noah, according to their genealogies, by their nations; and out of these the nations were separated on the earth after the flood.”
VI. God called Abraham and promised the coming of the Messiah. Act 7:2 , “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.”
Note: Appear in Greek is optanomai which means to allow one’s self to be seen, to show; – it occurs about 58 times in the New Testament. God is Spirit and so God is invisible; but God can appear and show Himself. God appeared to Abraham. When God became Man in Jesus Christ, He showed Himself in grace and truth.
Hbr 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: Many do not know the conflict between Israel and Palestinians is unnecessary. In the beginning there was Israel and the Jews, and no Palestine or Palestinians. Palestine was an illegal legacy of the British empire. Some 4,000 years God gave the Promised Land to Abraham and his descendants. During the British colonial period, illegal Arabs moved into the Holy Land and occupied without payment. The Promised Land, when occupied by the British was called Palestine, now the State of Israel. The Holy Land belongs to the Jews forever; no other people or nation has any legitimate claim. Jerusalem is forever the capital of the great king David. God gave the Promised Land to the children of Abraham for an inheritance. No United Nations or any agency or country may have authority to give away the Jewish land. The leaders of the United Kingdom do not have moral character and courage to come out and inform the Palestinians who are actually Arabs that they have no resettlement right, no legal claim to the Holy Land. It is wise for Palestinians to seek statehood or residency in neighboring Arab states. Palestinians should peacefully withdraw from all Jewish land or they are to be evicted by force. The two-state proposal is wrong, it is not a solution. Palestinians can never establish a state in the Holy Land. Although Israel is surrounded by hostile Arab states, but God is the Protector of Israel. God will fight for Jerusalem. Palestinians and Arabs, do not become an enemy of God.
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.”
Gal 3:16 , “Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, and to seeds, as referring to many, but rather to one, and to your Seed, that is, Christ.”
Note: Christ in Hebrew is Messiah.
Gal 3:29 , “And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.”
Note: Those who belong to Christ are the true Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to the divine promise.
VII. God spoke through Mosaic Law and the Prophets. Jhn 1:17 , “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
Note: Law in Greek is nomos which means rule, precept, principle or command established by God, the Mosaic law; – it occurs about 197 times in the New Testament. Law in Hebrew is towrah which means direction, instruction, body of legal directives; – it occurs about 219 times in the Old Testament. Exd 24:12 ,
“The LORD said to Moses: Come up to Me on the mountain, and wait there; and I will give you the tables of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.”
The Mosaic Law summed up in the Ten Commandments is the basis of all human civilizations.
Mat 17:3 , “And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him (Christ).”
Note: Moses represents the Law, while Elijah represents the Prophets.
Jhn 1:45 , “Philip found Nathaniel 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: Moses and the Prophets wrote about Jesus the Messiah.
Act 3:22 , “Moses said: The Lord God will raise up for you a PROPHET like me from your brethren; to HIM you shall give heed to everything He says to you.”
Act 28:23 , “When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the Kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening.”
Note: This covers the period from Moses to Malachi, from Genesis to Malachi, the Old Testament.
VIII. Messiah appeared in the person of Jesus Christ – the incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. A.) Incarnation 1 Ti 3:16 , “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.”
Note: Mystery in Greek is mystērion which means secret, hidden thing, the secret counsels which govern God in dealing with the righteous, which are hidden from ungodly and wicked men but plain to the godly; – it occurs about 27 times in the New Testament. Incarnation can be Scripturally defined as “God manifested in the flesh” or “God became Man.” God became Man in Jesus Christ was the mystery of godliness.
1 Jo 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.”
Jhn 1:18 , “No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has revealed Him.”
Note: Reveal in Greek is exēgeomai which means to unfold, declare, interpret things sacred and divine; – it occurs 6 times in the New Testament.
Jhn 6:46 , “Not that anyone has seen the Father, except the One who is from God; He has seen the Father.”
Luk 1:35 , “The angel answered and said to her (Mary): The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.”
Note: Overshadow in Greek is episkiazō which means to envelop in shadow like a cloud as symbolizing the immediate presence and power of God; – it occurs 5 times in the New Testament.
Simply, Incarnation means God became Man in the Person of Jesus Christ.
B.) Crucifixion
Hbr 9:26 , “Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.”
Note: Put away in Greek is athetēsis which means to abolish, reject, disannul; – it occurs 2 times in the New Testament. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross was to put away our sins.
1 Jo 3:5 , “And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.”
Note: Take away in Greek is airō which means to carry off, remove, to cause our sins to cease; – it occurs about 102 times in the New Testament.
1 Jo 3:8 , “He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”
Note: Destroy in Greek is lyō which means to set free, undo, dissolve, dismiss, break up, annul, subvert, overthrow, demolish; – it occurs about 43 times in the New Testament.
Mat 20:28 , “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Note: Jesus Christ did not die a victim’s death, but a substitutionary death – the Righteous for the unrighteous. Come in Greek is erchomai which means to appear, make one’s appearance, come before the public, to come into being; – it occurs 635 times in the New Testament.
Come in Chinese is 來 which has an etymological meaning as follows:
十字架 十 （ cross )， 人 （ man ）。
Jesus was crucified on the cross, there was a little man (thief) on the left and a little man on the right (robber). In the center there was a big Man (Jesus). Jesus Christ was crucified and died on the cross for sinners, this was an invitation of God to man:
Isa 1:18 , “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.”
Mat 18:11 ,“For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.”
Mat 11:28 , “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”
Jhn 6:37-38 , “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. For I have come down from Heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”
Note: John Calvin was a false teacher who taught a wrong doctrine that God predestinated a certain group of people to go to Heaven, and another group of people to go to Hell. Jesus says clearly and plainly, the one who come to Jesus He will certainly not cast out. No matter who you are, if you come to Jesus He will not kick you out.
Act 3:15 , “But put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses.”
Rom 5:10 , “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”
Hbr 9:14 , “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?”
(I). Jesus Predicted the Crucifixion. Mat 20:17-19 ,“As Jesus was about to go up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and on the way He said to them: Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, and will hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised up.”
Note: Whenever Jesus predicted His death, He unmistakably also predicted His resurrection. The Greek word for “crucify” is stauroō which means to stake, drive down stakes, fortify with driven stakes, palisade, hang; to crucify the flesh, destroy its power utterly (implying that the destruction is attended with intense pain); – it occurs 46 times in the New American Standard Bible (NASB).
Mat 17:12 ,“But I say to you that Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wished. So also the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.”
Note: Crucifixion was a part of the sufferings of Jesus Christ.
Mat 17:22-23 ,“And while they were gathering together in Galilee, Jesus said to them: The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men; and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day. And they were deeply grieved.”
Mat 26:24 ,“The Son of Man is to go, just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.”
Note: That man was Judas, the traitor, the son of perdition.
Mar 8:31, “And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.”
Note: The Greek word for suffer is paschō which means to be afflicted, undergo evils, suffer sadly and badly; – it occurs 42 times in the New Testament. The life of Jesus on earth was the life of suffering for sinners. The Greek word for reject is apodokimazō which means to disapprove, repudiate, disallow; – it occurs 9 times in the New Testament. The religious establishment rejected Jesus Christ.
The political establishment handed Jesus over for crucifixion. When the establishment sings praises of a preacher, you know something is wrong with him. The Herodian Palace did not welcome John the Baptist. A godly preacher will suffer persecution. Do you think the American presidents would like me if I say I don’t believe they are Christians and preach against the sins and crimes of American presidents?
Luk 9:44 ,“Let these Words sink into your ears; for the Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.”
Note: The Words of Jesus could not sink in because the disciples had a different concept of Messiah, glorified and exalted, never to be humiliated. The Words of Jesus not only sink into our ears, let them sink into our hearts also.
Luk 24:7 ,“Saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.”
Note: Jesus must die so that repentant sinners may live.
(II). Jesus Did not Die the Death of a Victim. Mar 15:14-15 ,“But Pilate said to them: Why, what evil has He done? But they shouted all the more: Crucify Him! Wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified.”
Mat 27:22 ,“Pilate said to them: Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ? They all said: Crucify Him!”
Mar 14:55 ,“Now the chief priests and the whole council sought testimony against Jesus to put him to death; but they found none.”
Note: Those who sought to kill Jesus manufactured false witness against Him.
Luk 23:21 ,“But they kept on calling out, saying: Crucify, crucify Him!”
Jhn 19:6 ,“So when the chief priests and the officers saw Him, they cried out saying: Crucify, crucify! Pilate said to them: Take Him yourselves and crucify Him, for I find no guilt in Him. ”
Note: Pilate could not find any guilt in Jesus, and Jesus had done no evil. Evil here means crime or wrong or putting others to trouble. Yet the crowd shouted to crucify Jesus. This was the mob rule, not the rule of law. In many Western legal systems, lengthy trial is intended to enrich the legal professionals and fake evidence and false presentation are a travesty of justice. Pilate wanted to please the crowd and handed Jesus over to be crucified. On the surface, it may appear Jesus was a victim of injustice, mob rule and unjust judge.
Act 2:22-24 ,“Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a Man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know—this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.”
Note: Peter testified that Jesus was delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God. Predetermined in Greek is horizō which means to define, ordain, appoint, mark out; – it occurs 8 times in the New Testament. Plan in Greek is boulē which means counsel, purpose, will; – it occurs 12 times in the New Testament. The death of Jesus was not a victim of circumstances; it was predetermined by God. Foreknowledge in Greek is prognōsis which means forethought, pre-arrangement, forethought; – it occurs 2 times in the New Testament.
Hbr 10:9-10 ,“Then He said: BEHOLD, I HAVE COME TO DO YOUR WILL. He takes away the first in order to establish the second. By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
Note: Jesus had come to do God’s will. God’s will was believers sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Mat 26:39 ,“And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying: My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”
Mat 26:42 ,“He went away again a second time and prayed, saying: My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.”
Mat 26:45 ,“Then He came to the disciples and said to them: Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.”
Note: In Greek betray is paradidōmi which means to give into the hands of another, deliver up treacherously, jeopardize; – it occurs 121 times in the New Testament.
In the last 500 years European supremacists and in the last 300 years American white and black supremacists have done great evil in the world and they lied, killed, and robbed many nations and peoples and above they discredited Christianity and dishonored the Lord Jesus Christ. Because they claim and pretend to be Christians.
Luk 23:23 ,“But they were insistent, with loud voices asking that He be crucified. And their voices began to prevail.”
Note: The most corrupt former leader of Taiwan was convicted of high crimes involving billions of dollars and worthy of death, yet its shameless party members make loud voices to demand special pardon on the phony pretext of societal harmony. His wife uses the list of names of those former corrupt officials who got payoff from the corrupt leader to blackmail its party members to demand special pardon or their names would be released. If they prevail you will know what kind of immoral government and useless legal system. In Jesus’ case, the loud voices of mob wanted to condemn and crucify the Righteous One.
Jhn 19:10-11 ,“So Pilate said to Him: You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You? Jesus answered: You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.”
Note: No one had authority over Jesus, not even the governor or Caesar of the Roman Empire. How?
Mat 26:53-54 ,“Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?”
Note: Legion in Greek is legiōn which means a body of soldiers whose number may have consisted of 6,826 men. Twelve legions of angels as the army of God may be 81,912 angels. The Lord who commanded wind and sea would have no problem in destroying the Roman soldiers. Even one mighty angel could destroy the whole Roman army. This simply says that Jesus was obedient to God’s will even to death willingly.
Jhn 10:15 , “Even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.”
Note: Believers are the sheep of Jesus. Jesus died for His sheep.
Jhn 10:18 , “No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”
Note: Jesus willingly and voluntarily died for sinners as commanded by the Father before the foundation of the world.
Eph 1:4 , “Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.”
(III). The Sufferings of Jesus. Mar 9:12 ,“And He said to them: Elijah does first come and restore all things. And yet how is it written of the Son of Man that He will suffer many things and be treated with contempt?”
Note: In Greek to treat with contempt is exoudeneō which means to hold as of no account, utterly to despise, set at naught, insult; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. Even today there are unbelieving scientists and scholars who insult Jesus Christ. They will be judged on the Day of Judgment.
Mar 15:20 ,“After they had mocked Him, they took the purple robe off Him and put His own garments on Him. And they led Him out to crucify Him.”
Note: The Greek word for mock is empaizō which means to play with, trifle with, make fun of, deride, ridicule; – it occurs 13 times in the New Testament.
Mat 27:31 ,“After they had mocked Him, they took the scarlet robe off Him and put His own garments back on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him.”
Note: The scarlet robe was the royal robe which they used to mock Jesus because He claimed to be the King of the Jews.
Luk 9:22 , “Saying: The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised up on the third day.”
Many were the sufferings of Christ; the following were just some examples:
Mar 7:34 ,“And looking up to Heaven with a deep sigh, He said to him: Ephphatha! that is: Be opened!”
Note: As God who became Man, Jesus sighed.
Jhn 11:35 ,“Jesus wept.”
Luk 22:44 ,“And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.”
Note: The perspiration of Jesus became like drops of blood falling down on the ground.
Mat 26:67 ,“Then they spat in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others hit Him.”
Note: They spat in Jesus’ face, beat Him with their fists and hit Him.
Mat 27:29-30 ,“And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying: Hail, King of the Jews! They spat on Him, and took the reed and began to beat Him on the head.”
Note: They put a crown of thorns on Jesus’ head, they mocked Him, spat on Him and beat Him on the head.
Isa 53:5, “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.”
Note: Jesus was wounded, bruised, chastened, and scourged for us.
Mat 27:26 ,“Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified.”
Note: Jesus was scourged.
Mar 15:32 ,“Let this Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, so that we may see and believe! Those who were crucified with Him were also insulting Him.”
Mat 27:44 ,“The robbers who had been crucified with Him were also insulting Him with the same words.”
Note: Even the robbers who had been crucified with Him insulted Him.
Jhn 19:34 ,“But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.”
Note: One Roman soldier pierced Jesus’ side with a spear and immediately blood and water came out.
Mat 27:35 ,“And when they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments among themselves by casting lots.”
Jhn 19:23 ,“Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His outer garments and made four parts, a part to every soldier and also the tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece.”
Note: By casting lots they divided up Jesus’ garments among themselves.
Mat 8:20 ,“Jesus said to him: The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
Note: Jesus had nowhere to lay His head while He was on earth. Something is seriously wrong with American evangelists and mega-church pastors who become rich through preaching of the gospel, live in mansions and a luxurious lifestyle; having private planes, driving Mercedes-Benz, and large bank accounts.
(IV). The Meanings of Jesus’ Death. Mat 20:28 ,“Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Note: The Greek word for ransom is lytron which means the price for redeeming, the price paid or demanded, penalty of sins; – it occurs twice in the New Testament. Jesus gave His life as the price for redeeming sinners. Salvation is available to all, but effective only to those who accept and believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Luk 9:56 ,“For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went on to another village.”
Note: The Greek word for save is sōzō which means to rescue from danger or destruction, deliver from the penalties of sin, save from eternal damnation, make one a partaker of the salvation of God; – it occurs 110 times in the New Testament.
To save is the opposite of to destroy. The devil destroys lives; Jesus saves believers from eternal death.
Act 2:36 ,“Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ –this Jesus whom you crucified.”
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.”
1Cr 1:23-24 , “But we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”
Note: To those who are called, the crucifixion of Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. Christ is the power of God who saves me from sins and eternal punishment. Christ is the wisdom of God because men who cannot be justified by law and good deeds, can be saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
1Pe 3:18 , “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit.”
Gal 2:20 , “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
Note: Jesus loved me and died for me. One word can describe the meaning of Jesus’ death is substitutionary. Jesus died for you and me. Christianity is personal. Christianity is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, not membership in a megachurch or any church. You can be the pastor of a megachurch or its member and do not have personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Eph 1:11 , “Also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will.”
Note: The death of Jesus was predestined according to God’s purpose and His will so that Christians may obtain an inheritance in the Kingdom of God.
(V). Jesus accomplished the work of salvation.
Jhn 19:28-30 ,“After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, said: I am thirsty. A jar full of sour wine was standing there; so they put a sponge full of the sour wine upon a branch of hyssop and brought it up to His mouth. Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said: It is finished! And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.”
Note: In Greek accomplish is teleō which means to bring to a close, to finish, to end; to perform, execute, complete, fulfill; – it occurs 26 times in the New Testament. “It is finished” means that Christ has satisfied God’s justice by dying for all to pay for the sins of all believers. These sins can never be punished again since that would violate God’s justice. Sins can only be punished once, either by a substitute or by yourself. Accomplish and finish in Greek here is the same word.
Roman Catholic church has many un-scriptural traditions and legacies. Reenactment of crucifixion of Jesus Christ is one of the blasphemous and ridiculous practices; for Jesus Christ before His death declared: It is finished.
Jhn 19:30 , “Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.” It is wrong to use a bloody annual ritual to mark Good Friday as some Filipinos do annually. The spectacle does not glorify the Lord and fails to understand the true meaning of crucifixion, vicarious death of the Righteous for the unrighteous. Carrying wooden crosses does not dramatize Christ’s sacrifice and fails to proclaim the forgiveness of sins as a result of Christ’s completed redemption. No matter how devotees undergo the hardships and pains, such extreme sacrifices are no way to atone for their sins; and they do not attain miracle cures for illness or give thanks to God. Such pagan practices are not in line with Biblical teaching, abhorrent in the sight of God, and it offends the God of Salvation. It is superstitious to believe in good luck. Hammering stainless steel nails into the palms and feet of a pretender is both sadistic and masochistic which is condemned by the Bible and against the will of God.
Jhn 1:29 ,“The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said: Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! ”
Note: All the sacrifices in the Old Testament symbolized the better sacrifice, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God when He died on the cross to take away your sins and my sins, the sin of the world.
Hbr 7:27 , “Who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.”
Note: Jesus Christ offered up Himself once for all. The salvation is completed. The Roman Catholic Church holding of mass as the reenactment of Jesus’sacrifice is un-Scriptural. The sacrifice of Jesus was completed and no more sacrifice is needed.
Hbr 9:26 ,“Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.”
Note: The sins of all believers are put away for good once and for all.
Hbr 10:12 ,“But He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD.”
When we celebrate the Good Friday, we do it in remembrance of Jesus’ death some 2,000 years ago. The Roman Catholic Church still has Jesus Christ on the crucifix, but Jesus Christ rose from the dead, ascended to the highest Heavens, sitting down at the right hand of God, and He is coming again to redeem the bodies of Christians and to judge the world and to reign with the saints for eternity.
Eph 2:8 ,“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.”
Note: This is the living message of Good Friday and Easter. You can be saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. It is the gift of God, not what you can accomplish. Would you now accept the gift of God who is Jesus Christ? To accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior is to receive the eternal life.
C.) Resurrection
Act 4:33 , “And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.”
Note: Power in Greek is dynamis which means strength, inherent power; – it occurs 120 times in the New Testament. By the power residing in God and by virtue of the supernatural nature of resurrection (the resurrection was a dynamic event), the apostles testified to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead was not a spiritual resurrection, but a real bodily resurrection. Founders of all religions are dead and buried, except Jesus Christ who died for sinners and rose from the dead and He lives forever to save those who believe in Him.
Rom 1:4 , “He (Christ) was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Note: The power of the apostles in Act 4:33 was derived from the power in Rom 1:4 . Declare in Greek is horizō which means to define, determine, appoint, ordain; – it occurs 8 times in the New Testament. Although Jesus Christ was the Son of God before His resurrection, yet He was openly officiated such among men as the Son of God by this transcendent and crowning event of His resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus Christ defined the Son of God.
Act 26:23 , “That the Christ was to suffer, and that by reason of His resurrection from the dead He would be the first to proclaim light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”
Note: Proclaim in Greek is kataggellō which means to announce, declare, promulgate, make known, proclaim publicly with the idea of celebrating, commending, and openly praising; – it occurs about 17 times in the New Testament.
1 Pe 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: Living in Greek is zaō which means having vital power in itself, active, blessed, endless; – it occurs 143 times in the New Testament. The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the guarantee of a living hope. The word “Easter” does not exist in the Bible. Our purpose here is not to trace the origin of the word and its etymology. For the purpose of this article we use Easter to mean a Christian festival and holiday celebrating the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ on the third day after His crucifixion as written in the New Testament. We do not accept any connotation or denotation from any church tradition or history. We repudiate and reject the Roman Catholic Church tradition as un-Biblical. We only accept and believe in the teaching of the New Testament on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. We do not accept Easter as a part of the commemoration of martyrs, or customs include egg hunting, the Easter Bunny, and Easter parades whatever their origin or meaning maybe. It needs to be said; the death of Jesus Christ is closely linked or tied to His resurrection. Every time Jesus predicted about His death, He invariably stressed that He would rise again on the third day.
GOD vindicates and validates the divinity of Jesus Christ by the power of resurrection. Jesus bodily rose from the death with spiritual, glorious and immortal body.
Mat 16:21 , “From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day.” Crucifixion has to do with the death of Christ, please see CRUCIFIXION .
(I). Jesus was physically dead and His resurrection was bodily. There are some unbelievers who spread the false gospel that Jesus Christ did not really die, He only fainted. This was a lie and not a historical fact. Liberal theologians also teach a false doctrine of Jesus’ spiritual resurrection. The spirit does not die, there is no need for a resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus was bodily, it means His dead body rose again from death by the power of God, and He is alive sitting on the right hand of God.
Jhn 19:30-42 , “Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. Then the Jews, because it was the day of preparation, so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came, and broke the legs of the first man and of the other who was crucified with Him; but coming to Jesus, when they saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe. For these things came to pass to fulfill the Scripture, “NOT A BONE OF HIM SHALL BE BROKEN.” And again another Scripture says, “THEY SHALL LOOK ON HIM WHOM THEY PIERCED.” After these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate granted permission. So he came and took away His body. Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. Therefore because of the Jewish day of preparation, since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.”
Note: the death of Jesus Christ was real, He was buried in a tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, and Nicodemus brought a hundred pounds of a mixture of myrrh and aloes for body of Jesus.
(II). The Resurrection of Jesus Christ was with incorruptible body.
Rom 1:2-4 , “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.”
Note: God promised the coming of Messiah through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures. Jesus Christ was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of Holiness.
Rom 6:4-11 , “Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, 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; for he who has died is freed from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
Note: Through the death and resurrection of Christ, the salvation of God is accomplished for all who have become united with Christ.
(III). There were eyewitnesses of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Act 2:22-24 , “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know—this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.”
Act 2:31-33 , “He (David) looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ,
that HE WAS NEITHER ABANDONED TO HADES, NOR DID His flesh SUFFER DECAY. This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear.”
Note: Witness in Greek is martys which means one who is mindful, a spectator in a historical sense, in a legal sense; – it occurs 34 times in the New Testament. The apostles and early disciples were all eye-witnesses of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. That was the motive and power of their preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the face of persecution, imprisonment and even death.
Act 3:14-15 , “But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses.”
Jhn 20:24-31 , “But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples were saying to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe. After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you. Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.” Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God! Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed. 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.”
Note: The apostles and early disciples had seen the Lord and believed. Blessed are they who did not see and yet believed.
1Cr 15:5-11 , “and that He appeared to Cephas , then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me (Paul) also. For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.”
(IV). The Gospel of Jesus Christ is NOT according to man. Gal 1:11-24 , “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 . For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions. But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus. Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days. But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I am not lying. Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which were in Christ; but only, they kept hearing, “He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy. And they were glorifying God because of me.”
(V). The Core and Content of the Gospel.
1Cr 15:1-4, “Now I make known to you, brethren, the Gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”
Note: The first importance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that Christ died for our sins according the Scriptures. Jesus Christ did not die because He was a good man persecuted. Jesus Christ did not die as a victim. Jesus Christ did not as a martyr. Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures – for your sins and for my sins and for sins of the world. Not only Jesus died for our sins, He was buried. It was not the spirit of Jesus who died, you cannot bury a spirit. Jesus was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. Jesus was raised by the power of God to be declared the Son of God. The core and content of the Gospel is that Jesus Christ died for our sins in order to atone for our sins and to redeem us from our sins. Jesus Christ rose from the dead for our justification. Because Jesus Christ died for our sins so we may have forgiveness of sins. Because Jesus Christ rose from the dead so that we are counted by God as righteous. God justifies believers on account of the sinlessness of Christ and on account He is the Son of God, our Lord and Savior.
1Cr 15:13-28 , “But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, then comes the end, when He hands over the Kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death. For HE HAS PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET. But when He says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all.”
Note: The resurrection of Jesus Christ insures He is able to destroy the last enemy that will be abolished is death. Jesus Christ reigns when He puts all His enemies under His feet. All things shall be put in subjection to Jesus Christ, the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
(VI). The Ultimate Victory. 1Cr 15:44-58 , “It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. So also it is written, “The first MAN, Adam, BECAME A LIVING SOUL.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual. The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven. As is the earthy, so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly , so also are those who are heavenly. Just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly. Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable . Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. “O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”
Note: The Resurrection of Jesus Christ insures the spiritual will triumph over the natural, the heavenly over the earthly, the imperishable over the perishable, and the immortal over the mortal – the Victory .
Jhn 3:16 , “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
D.) Ascension
Act 1:2 , “Until the day when He (Christ) was taken up to Heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen.”
Note: Taken up in Greek is analambanō which means to be received up into; – it occurs 13 times in the New Testament.
Act 1:9 , “After He (Christ) said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight.”
Note: Taken up here in Greek is epairō which means to be raised on high, to be lifted up with pride, to be exalted; – it occurs 19 times in the New Testament. Just as the resurrection officially declared Jesus Christ to be the Son of God, so the ascension exalted Jesus Christ to the highest heaven. Ascension means Jesus Christ who came down to the earth from Heaven and returned to Heaven, it was a historical fact. Just as Jesus Christ went up to Heaven, He is coming again.
Act 1:11 , “They (angels) also said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”
Jhn 14:2 , “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”
Note: Place in Greek is topos which means a place or spot where one can settle, abide, dwell; a place to dwell in; an inhabited place, as a city; – it occurs about 92 times in the New Testament. The city that the Lord Jesus has prepared for His followers is the Holy City, the New Jerusalem.
Eph 4:10 , “He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the Heavens, so that He might fill all things.”
Note: Ascend in Greek is anabainō which means to go up, move to a higher place; – it occurs about 82 times in the New Testament. Not only had Jesus Christ ascended to the highest Heaven, but far above all the heavens.
IX. The Holy Spirit came and works as the sole Representative of Christ on earth. Jhn 14:16 , “But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”
Note: Comforter in Greek is paraklētos which means one who pleads another’s cause with one, an intercessor, succorer; – it occurs only 5 times in the New Testament. The Holy Spirit is the Helper because Jhn 16:13 , “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come.” Rom 8:26-27 , “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.”
Right now the Holy Spirit represents Jesus Christ on earth, not the pope of the Roman Catholic Church.
Note: Help in Greek is synantilambanomai which means to lay hold along with, to strive to obtain with others, to take hold with another, help in obtaining; – it occurs only 2 times in the New Testament. The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness by taking hold of us. Without the help of the Holy Spirit, no one can know the will of God.
Luk 24:49 , “And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are endued with power from on high.”
Note: Endued with in Greek is endyō which means to be put on, clothed with, furnished with, adorned with; – it occurs about 29 times in the New Testament. The Holy Spirit is the Power from on high.
Act 1:8 , “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
Note: To be endued with the Holy Spirit is to be received with power. To receive power is not to show off one’s spirituality, but to witness for Jesus Christ. The Pentecostal church falsely teaches that the receiving the power of the Holy Spirit is to speak in tongues. You can tell whether a preacher is filled of the Holy Spirit or not when he preaches.
Act 2:33 , “Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear.”
Act 4:31 , “And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the Word of God with boldness.”
Note: The Church of Christ was formally established at the Pentecost.
Act 9:31 , “So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.”
Note: Comfort in Greek is paraklēsis which means consolation, solace; that which affords comfort or encouragement; – it occurs 29 times in the New Testament. Those who fear the Lord will know the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
Jhn 15:26 , “When the Comforter comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me.”
Note: The Holy Spirit came on Pentecost and lives in the hearts of believers, who solely represents Jesus Christ on earth (not the pope) until the Kingdom comes.
This is the age of grace under the leading of the Holy Spirit. If you do not have the Spirit of Christ in you, you do not belong to Christ. The only proof that you are saved is the fact the Holy Spirit lives in you.
X. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed all over the world, full of grace and truth. 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.”
Note: Word in Greek is logos means the sayings of God, the essential Word of God, Jesus Christ, the personal wisdom and power in union with God, through whom God created the universe, for the procurement of man’s salvation put on human nature in the person of Jesus the Messiah, the second person in the Godhead; the Divine Expression, the Living Word and the Written Word of God; – it occurs about 330 times in the New Testament Grace in Greek is charis which means good will, loving-kindness, favor of God towards men; preeminently the idea of God’s kindness bestowed upon unworthy sinners; – it occurs about 156 times in the New Testament. Truth in Greek is alētheia which means the truth as taught in the Bible, respecting God and the execution of His purposes through Christ; the truth which the Gospel presents; – it occurs about 110 times in the New Testament.
Jhn 14:6 , “Jesus said to him, “I AM the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”
Note: Way in Greek is hodos which means the path, road; with whom all who seek God must enter into closest fellowship; – it occurs about 102 times. Jesus Christ is the way to God, the way to salvation, the way to life, the way to Heaven.
1 Jo 1:2 , “And the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us.”
Rev 14:6 , “And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, having an eternal Gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people.”
Note: Gospel in Greek is euaggelion which means the glad tidings of salvation through Christ; the good news of Jesus Christ as having suffered death on the cross to obtain salvation for all who repent and believe in His name; – it occurs about 77 times in the New Testament.
2 Ti 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: Immortality in Greek is aphtharsia which means incorruption, perpetuity, life without end; – it occurs 8 times in the New Testament.
2 Cr 6:2 , “For He (God) says: In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
Note: We now live in this period of grace, the dispensation of grace, the age of good news, covering from the birth of Jesus to just before the Second Coming of Christ. These are the last days, waiting for the second coming of Jesus Christ to judge the world and reign with the saints in the Kingdom of God. This website is dedicated to proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the entire world absolutely free. Today is the day of salvation, now is the accepted time for sinners (whether you are a Jew or a Gentile) to repent and believe in Jesus Christ before the Judgment Day. The time is coming when it is no longer acceptable. Historically speaking, we are now at the dispensation of grace. When Jesus Christ returns, this period will be over. Therefore, repent and believe in Jesus Christ and be saved while you can.
XI. The rapture and the first resurrection shall take place when believers meet Christ in the space. Jhn 6:40 , “For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”
Note: The last day of the world is the day when Jesus Christ returns. The rapture has not taken place yet. The second coming of Christ has two stages: the first is Rapture and the first resurrection of the saints to transform the bodies of believers so that to meet the Lord in the space; the second stage is to descend with the Lord to the earth and reign with Christ for one thousand years.
Dan 12:2 , “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.”
Note: Those who died in Christ will rise first and enter into everlasting life in Heaven. Those who reject Christ will go into disgrace and everlasting contempt in Hell.
Jhn 5:29 , “And will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.”
Note: There are two resurrections: a resurrection of life for Christians, and a resurrection of judgment for unbelievers.
2 Cr 5:4 , “For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life.”
Note: Christians will have eternal life in Heaven forever. Immortality will swallow up mortality.
Col 3:4 , “When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.”
Note: One word to describe the second coming of Christ is glory.
1 Th 4:16-17 , “For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the space, and so we will always be with the Lord.”
Note: The rapture and the first resurrection are parts of the Second Coming of Christ. When Christ returns, the dead in Christ will rise first with spiritual and glorious and immortal bodies. Those believers who are alive when Christ returns will be transformed into spiritual and glories bodies to meet the Lord in the space.
The Second Coming of Christ is the most important event to take place in the whole universe. The Lord is near.
XII. The Great Tribulation shall begin on earth. Mar 13:19 , “For those days will be a time of tribulation such as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will.”
Note: Tribulation in Greek is thlipsis which means oppression, affliction, distress, straits; – it occurs about 45 times in the New Testament. According to the sequence of events, the Great Tribulation will take place only after the Rapture (believers are caught up in the space to meet the Lord).
Mat 24:29 , “But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the Heavens will be shaken.”
Rev 7:14 , “I said to him: My lord, you know. And he said to me: These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
Note: The blood of the Lamb has power to wash our sins and make them as white as snow. Under the cover of the precious blood of Jesus Christ, believers are no longer condemned but saved from the wrath of God.
XIII. Jesus Christ shall return and reign with the saints for 1,000 years on earth. Jhn 14:28 , “Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really love Me, you will be very happy for Me, because now I can go to the Father, who is greater than I am.”
Note: For Christ to ascend to Heaven was to go to the Father.
Mat 24:30-31 ,“And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”
Note: Power and great glory will characterize the second coming of Christ. The angels of the Son of God will gather together His elect from four winds. Four winds mean the four principal or cardinal winds, hence the four corners of Heaven.
2 Th 1:7-10 ,“And to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from Heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 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: The great marvel is that the Lord Jesus will be revealed from Heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire.
Jud 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: Jesus Christ is coming to execute judgment upon all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way. The ungodly way of Wall Street, Washington, Hollywood and terrorists will be judged of their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way.
Rev 20:2-3 , “And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the Pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years were ended. After that he must be loosed for a little while.”
Note: Dragon in Greek is drakōn which means a great serpent, a name for Satan; – it occurs 13 times in the New Testament. Unfortunately, the emperors of China identified themselves as sons of the dragon. The dragon is that ancient serpent, who is the Devil and Satan. After the Devil is bound and thrown into the pit, shut and sealed, the millennium will begin. Saints will reign with the King of kings and the Lord of lords for a thousand years. The dragon, the ancient serpent, Satan are the names of the devil.
Rev 20:4 , “Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the Word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.”
Note: Children of God will reign with Christ on earth for a thousand years. Reign in Greek is basileuō which means to be king, to exercise kingly power; – it occurs about 21 times in the New Testament.
Rev 20:6 , “Blessed and holy is he who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and they shall reign with him a thousand years.”
Note: There are two resurrections: The first resurrection is the resurrection of all saved souls and the will receive spiritual and glorious bodies to be with the Lord for eternity. Death has no power over them because they will receive eternal life.
The second resurrection is the resurrection of unbelievers and evildoers who will suffer body and soul in Hell forever and ever.
XIV. The Devil and his followers and unbelievers shall be judged and sent to Hell forevermore. Rev 16:14 , “For they are spirits of demons, performing miracles, which go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them together for the war of the great day of God, the Almighty.”
Note: The spirits of demons can also perform miracles to deceive people. The devil is the chief of demons, and demons are the agents or servants of the devil.
Rev 16:16 , “Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon .”
Note: Armageddon in Greek is Harmagedōn which means the hill or city of Megiddo, a place of great slaughter, the scene of a terrible retribution upon the wicked; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. Armageddon is the place where the kings opposing to Christ will be finally destroyed with unprecedented slaughter.
Rev 17:14 , “These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.”
Note: Warmongers and aggressors are children of darkness. Overcome in Greek is nikaō which means to conquer, come off victorious; – it occurs 28 times in the New Testament. Christ will ultimately conquer His foes and destroy the wicked altogether once and for all.
Rev 19:19-21 , “And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the Lake of Fire which burns with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh.”
Note: Beast in Greek is thērion which means the wild beast, animal; the Antichrist; – it occurs about 46 times in the New Testament.
Mat 25:46 , “These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Note: There will be two destinies for all the peoples of the world of all ages and generations. The first destiny is for all unbelievers and ungodly peoples who will go away into eternal punishment. The second destiny is for all believers and children of God and all who received the righteousness of God through Christ our Lord will go into eternal life in the Paradise of God. The first group will go to Hell for eternal punishment. The second group will go to Heaven and dwell with our Heavenly Father forever and ever where righteousness and peace and love dwell for eternity.
Eternal in Greek is aiōnios which means without end, never to cease, everlasting; – it occurs about 71 times in the New Testament. Punishment in Greek is kolasis which means correction, penalty, torment, affliction; – it occurs only 2 times in the New Testament. Eternal punishment means eternal torment and suffering in Hell. The devil and his agents will never again be able to do evil, put away forever without a chance of release. Eternity is time without end; an idea too wonderful for the blessed to enjoy, but too terrible for the cursed to contemplate.
XV. The dawn of the new Heavens and the new Earth – the eternal Kingdom of God. 2 Cr 5:1 , “For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens.”
Note: The earthly tent refers to our human body. The bodies of Christians will be transformed into spiritual and glorious bodies eternal in the heavens where there will be no pain or sickness or sorrow; and where there will be no predatory and fraudulent doctors and hospital owners and insurance and drug companies. The children of God will be free at last, and free for eternity.
Rev 3:12 , “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the City of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of Heaven from My God, and My new name.”
Rev 21:1-4 , “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.”
Note: The state of the Holy City, New Jerusalem, is where there will be no death, no sorrow, no crying, no pain – the old things will be gone for good.
Rev 21:21-26 , “And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the gates was a single pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the City has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. In the daytime (for there will be no night there) its gates will never be closed; and they will bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it.”
Note: The street of the City is made of pure gold is not a figment of imagination. In this world people fight and die for gold (wealth or money); but in the world to come the blessed walk on the streets of gold. The gold is so pure that it is like transparent glass. Have you ever seen pure gold like transparent glass? The lamp of the City is the Lamb who shines and illumines the glory of God for eternity.
You have learned a lot from the Word of God, the chronology of time and eternity, and you know what time is the world now. You now live in the dispensation of grace, the last age.
What is the point even if you know the chronology of time and eternity, but you are lost. You do not need to be lost, by this you know this is the age of grace, you can be saved from the judgment to come by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. The bell is ringing to remind you now is the accepted time and now is the day of salvation.
According to the Scriptures, it is the last days. These are the last hours. The end of the world is near. The second coming of the Lord Jesus is at the door. Do you want to enjoy glory with Jesus Christ for eternity?
All you have to do is to repent of your sins and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. No matter where you are or who you are, will you come now?
WILLIE WONG THOUGHT WILLIE WONG AUGUST 4, 2025 https://williewong.cw.center
ON September 3, 2025 for China to mark 80th anniversary of victory over Japanese aggression and fascism is a historical necessity and hard-earned victory. All foreigners who heroically sacrificed their lives for China in their fight against Japanese aggression must individually be commemorated and remembered, their relatives are eternal friends of China. I have never seen such a great parade before, the size and scope of it would overwhelm your mind; every aspect of it was systematically planned, every step of male and female soldiers was of uniform procedures, every military vehicle with all nuclear missiles and every war airplane in the sky well performed; the words such as grand, massive, superb, magnificent fail to describe the whole celebration. I wholeheartedly salute every Chinese military man and woman who participated. From 1931-1945, the brutal behavior of Japanese and its inhuman atrocities were worse than wild beasts and deserve ten atomic bombs in recompense. Even today Japanese government and leaders do not admit and repent of their war crimes, they worship executed war criminals as their national heroes and living gods. Japan never apologizes and pays compensation for killing 35 million Chinese, made hundreds of thousands sex slaves, millions of labor slaves and untold atrocities. Never again will China be oppressed. I am sure the militant Japan is deterred, but America is on the wrong side of history. Thank God it did not rain.
The mayors of Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and Chicago are for crooks and criminals, they must be dismissed and deported. All the facts point to the need, Ukraine must be destroyed and its leader executed in order to end the war. Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis are terrorists and the countries that harbor them must be destroyed all together.
Since Gaza, West Bank, etc. are the Jewish lands, Palestinians must evacuate from all Jewish lands and flee to Arab lands where they are safe to receive international aid and build a Palestinian state of their choice.
The leader of Ukraine is corrupt and evil. Ukrainians are stupid to follow the path of destruction. He was the one who instigated war with Russia. Now he asks for security guarantees. The nincompoop should be executed to end the war.
Palestinians, Africans, and others serve as example of peoples who want to eat and do not want to work. UN, WHO, EU, etc. champion their cause. Palestinians do not want evacuate from Gaza, Jewish lands to resettle in Arab lands. Because they will lose their status as refugees where they can get their food, fuel, water, medicine and everything for free from international community. These problems multiply with the passage of time.
UN, EU, GERMANY, UK, FRANCE, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZELAND, ETC. are strange and unreasonable peoples. Who is stopping Palestinians to build a Palestinian state in an Arab land? It is wrong and illegal to build a Palestinian state in Jewish land (Gaza, West Bank, etc.). That is the cause of conflict.
The fact that National Guards have to patrol Washington, D.C. with weapons speaks loudly and badly of the capital. The mayor of Washington, D.C. should be dismissed and deported. All the more urgent the national capital should move to Lincoln, Nebraska, without delay.
The mayor of Washington, D.C. bowed to the illegal acts of street people who set up tents on public streets. She should be dismissed and deported. The National Guards are empowered to trash the tents, clear the streets and vanish street people. Los Angeles is a disgraced city because the California Governor and Los Angeles mayor failed to solve the problems of street people who not only set up tents on public streets, but also urinate and defecate. All the more urgent for the national capital to move to Lincoln, Nebraska. In the face of national debt exceeding $37 trillion, the people can save money by abolishing the House, retain the unicameral legislation of Senate to move also to Lincoln Nebraska. All this can be accomplished legally by a national referendum. America is ruined by dark and evil forces.
Heroes of all races who sacrificed their lives for China in the war against Japanese aggression should be celebrated and remembered. The descendants of them are eternal friends of China. Descendants of American Flying Tiers whose forefathers had sacrificed their lives in the war against Japanese aggression and atrocities must always be honored and remembered. The Chinese government must treat them as eternal friends, and they are welcome to China anytime. Such blood bonds must be appreciated and maintained forever.
The world wrongly marks the anniversary of dropping atomic bomb on Hiroshima while neglecting the Japanese aggression and atrocities of killing 35 million innocent Chinese without remorse or reparations. UN over–appointed unqualified blacks and media have given too much coverage to unworthy black spoke-persons. It is amazing no matter how beautifully white organizations and individuals hail human rights, civil rights, democracy, development, technology, benefits, justice, etc., what they are actually after is MONEY. This can be said equally true about blacks.
Pet economy is wasted economy. Money should better be spent on nutrition and education of children and orphans. In cities all dogs must have annual license of Y5,000, cats Y4,000, and birds Y3,000. It is exempt for rural areas. If a dog defecates in public place, it shall be fined Y3,000 plus cleanup by owner or walker.
Global media highlight the number of Palestinians who have died, but fail to consider why Palestinian Authority and Palestinians do not want to evacuate from Jewish land and resettle in Arab land. Palestinians, men and women, young and old, are shameless beggars. They remain in Gaza to qualify for refugees so that they can get everything free from international community. The international community is ignorant of the fact that GAZA and related territories all belong to the Jews. Israel has every right to take back and take over Gaza and related territories. Palestinians must evacuate and relocate to Arab lands, make a living and establish its own Palestinian state without further delay.
French nincompoop Macron recognized Palestine as a state but failed to know that Palestine does not have territory and sovereignty. Leaders of UK, GERMANY, AUSTRLALIA would commit the same mistake by supporting terrorists. Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis are wicked terrorists, they should be destroyed without mercy. Leaders of Palestinian Authority are guilty for the death and malnutrition of children because they lead Palestinians to the path of destruction. They could have led Palestinians to lands of Arabs to earn a living and build their own Palestinian state. Palestinians (young & old, man & woman) are most shameless beggars for food & water, they don’t want to go to an Arab land to earn a living and build their own Palestinian state. Africa amid famine has the most fat people in the world, they are also shameless beggars. Ukrainians are shameless beggars for weapons, they do not have reason for existence. Harvard though the richest university in the world is a shameless beggar for US aid. Japan claims to practice democracy, its ruling party lost election miserably, yet its prime minister shamelessly wants to stay in power. The world must realize years of aid to Africa produced nothing, trillions of dollars went to black holes. Africa is corrupt, unmotivated and useless. Black leaders and politicians take advantage of it; dress well, eat well, and live a luxurious life style. Black problems can be solved only by Blacks. Let Africa alone to survive on its own. Blacks create most of the problems in the world, given too much coverage and platform in world media, over–appointed and given too many spokespersons and positions in UN. Any nation who shares destiny with Africa will be doomed. Nothing good comes out of Africa: primitive religion, superstition, spiritism, orgies, black magic, tribalism, voodooism.
If the Texas flooding is an act of God; Ukraine conflict, and conflicts of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthis must be acts of the devil.
India must coexist with China, at the same time India and South Africa must be expelled from BRICS besause they do not remain true to BRICS’ founding mission, they do not belong, must be replaced by Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. US and EU must not rearm Ukraine, let Russia destroy it, and never to be rebuilt. The leader of Ukraine must also be executed.
Palestinian Authorities are guilty for leading Palestinians to a path of death, children died and suffer malnutrition. Palestian Authorities do not lead Palestinians (who are Arabs) to a land of Arabs to work for a living and build the Palestinian state.
American forces have successfully wiped out three Iranian nuclear sites through B-2 bombers. The “everlasting consequence” is Iran cannot be a nuclear threat anymore. I stand with the overwhelming majority of Dutch people to demolish NATO — the war machine.
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*Our mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ absolutely free. We do not want donation. We only want you to know the truth.
This is written to let you know that the Holy Bible is like no other books because it is the Book of God with the central message of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and the Savior of mankind. The Word of Jesus is the Word of God, ABSOLUTE, INFALLIBLE, SUPREME, ULTIMATE, AND ETERNAL. Heavens and Earth will pass away, but the Word of God will never pass away.
The Holy Bible is One, consists of the Old Testament written in Hebrew and the New Testament in Greek. The Old Testament is composed of 39 books, and the New Testament is comprised of 27 books; a total of 66 books. The Holy Bible is the sole basis upon which Christianity is built on. Like Luther and all true Christians, I believe in Sola Scriptura (which means by Scripture alone). Sola Scriptura means that Scripture alone is the authoritative guide for the faith and practice of all Christians. The Bible is complete, authoritative, absolute, perfect, supreme, infallible, eternal and true because it is the Word of God. The Word of God cannot be violated.
There is no danger in believing Sola Scriptura just as there is no danger in believing One and True God. The God of the Holy Bible is Omniscient, Omnipotent, All Wise, Self-Existent, Eternal God. The Word of God is therefore infallible and eternal. Beware of false teachers who pretend to be Christians, yet they intend to destroy the Word of God with false science, false teachings, false theology, false doctrines, and heresies. There are many websites that pretend to be Christian but they are diabolical.
It is of utmost important to know the miracles of God are supernatural in nature, no scientist or anyone can use the natural principles to explain the supernatural. The Word of God is truth and does not need to be confirmed or validated by scientists or anyone. Miracles are the acts of God do not need to be explained by scientists. Actually scientists cannot use the natural to explain the supernatural. For example, some scientists use the “red tides” to explain Exo 7:17,”This is what the Lord says: By this you shall know that I AM the Lord: behold, I am going to strike the water that is in the Nile with the staff that is in my hand, and it will be turned into blood.” The Lord said the water of Nile turned into blood, not the “red tides.” So scientific explanation of the supernatural is useless. Scientists are humans, fallible and mortal. They do not even know when they are going to die.
The most famous English Bible was the 1611 King James Version, the originally published KJV text from 1611 A.D. using archaic English. However, the first English translation was completed by John Wycliffe who was an English philosopher, theologian, biblical translator, and a seminary professor at the University of Oxford. What is the difference between translation and version?
“According to Ethnologue, there are currently 7,106 living languages in the world. As of 2020 the full Bible has been translated into 704 languages. The New Testament has been translated into 1,551 languages and parts of the Bible have been translated into 1,160 additional languages.”
According to:
https://www.wycliffe.net/
According to http://infomory.com/numbers/number-of-bibles-printed/
How many Bibles have been printed? 6,001,500,000
According to Webster’s New Word College Dictionary, Fourth Edition, “translation implies the rendering from one language into another of something written or spoken (a German translation of Shakespeare); version is applied to a particular translation of a given work, spec. of the Bible (the King James Version).”
I recommend this Dictionary to all my students, except Taiwan is not a nation, but a province of China.
For practical reasons since then there have been many English translations the English Bible, including the following translations and version available:
King James Version, New King James Version, New Living Translation, New International Version, English Standard Version, Christian Standard Bible, New American Standard Bible, New English Translation, Revised Standard Version, American Standard Version, Young’s Literal
provided free by https://www.blueletterbible.org; although I personally and preferably use the NASB. When it does not seem clear to me or it has some flaws, I consult also other translations and versions, or I make translations myself through the study of the original words.
As far as I know, God did not and does not grant any individual, group, or institution the right and privilege to translate the Holy Bible. For that reason, I strongly believe it is wrong and corrupt to copyright the Bible for business purposes. It is un-scriptural and wrong for any individual, group, or institution to make, publish, and merchandise the Holy Bible for high profit. Some famous and infamous individuals through greed and covetousness they used with feigned words and private interpretations to make merchandise of the Bible and sell them to make profits. I believe such rendering the Bible for the purpose of merchandising is wrong and corrupt. For that reason, we preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ absolutely free. We do not want donation.
For those who study the Word of God and those who learn the English language, the Holy Bible is the greatest world’s masterpiece. When I was a boy learning the English language and used the English Bible as a textbook, it was difficult because the Bible of King James English was archaic. Now the English Bible is blessed with many modern and contemporary English versions which are very helpful and useful and beautiful and powerful. I often thought what China could have been if men like Confucius, Lao Zi, etc. had read the Holy Bible. The new versions of the Holy Bible include New King James Version, New Living Translation, New International Version, English Standard Version and New American Standard Bible 2020. Without doubt, these new versions of the Holy Bible express the most beautiful and powerful English. There is no book like the Bible which contains the Gospel and Parable, Philosophy and Theology, Doctrine and Discourse, History and Literature, Prophecy and Poetry, Monologue and Prologue, Biography and Autobiography, Treatise and Teaching, Sign and Miracle, Law and Grace, Heaven and Hell, Sin and Salvation, Maxim and Proverb, God and Devil, Time and Eternity, Material and Spiritual, Flesh and Spirit, Children of God and Children of the Devil, Good and Evil, the Righteous and the Wicked, this World and the World to come, etc.
This article is written so that you may know the Holy Bible is not like any other book. The Holy Bible is the Book of God, God speaks to mankind, the whole world. Human books are originated by men, great and small, famous and infamous. There are many useful books. Good books are few. Great books are rare. The Bible is the greatest Book of all times. The Bible is the sole Book whereby Christianity is built and based upon. The Bible or the Scripture claims to be the Word of God, although holy prophets and holy apostles were moved and wrote by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The Bible never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit and wrote them down. The Bible is right because God cannot be wrong. It simply means the Bible is not the teaching of man; it is the revelation of God. The Holy Bible is divided into two parts, the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament is the basis of Judaism, mainly the Mosaic Law and the Prophets – from Genesis to Malachi, a set of 39 book. The New Testament is the basis of Christianity, written by apostles after the ascension of Jesus Christ – from Matthew to Revelation, a set of 27 books. Thus, the Bible is composed of 66 books.
Unfortunately, the Jews still wait for the Messiah, they do not know or believe that Jesus Christ was the Messiah who was God and became Man some 2,000 years ago. For this reason the Jews believe only the Old Testament. Christians believe in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament is fulfilled in the New Testament because Jesus Christ fulfilled the Law of Moses. All the prophets spoke about the Messiah fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. The Bible is not like other books, it is the message of God to mankind. The central message of the Bible is that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was sent into the world to die for our sins, rose from death for our justification. He ascended to the highest Heaven sitting at the right hand of God, and He is coming again to reign with the saints forever and ever. Some humanists and modernists and unbelievers out of their evil heart of unbelief want a ‘different and better Bible’. There is no other Bible, there is no better Bible, there is only one Bible which is the Word of the Lord. Men may fake a Good Book. There is no other Good Book, the Bible is the only Good Book because it has the Word of life, and it teaches the Way of God in truth.
The Bible was not conceived by man, or woman, or men. The Bible was not invented by human being or human beings. The Bible was not made by an institution or institutions. The Bible was not a product of culture, tradition, religion, custom, experience or experiment, discovery or wisdom of human beings. The Bible was not a fable, composition, novel, anthology, essay, philosophy of human mind. The Bible is the Holy Scripture, the Word of God.
Jhn 10:35 ,“If he called them gods, to whom the Word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken).” The Bible, the Scripture and the Word of God are synonymous. Word in Greek is logos which means speech, a living voice, a conception or idea, what is said, decree, dictum, mandate, declaration, instruction, reason, revelation, oracle or utterance, the sayings of God, the moral precepts given by God, doctrine, teaching, the essential Word of God, Jesus Christ, the personal Wisdom and Power in union with God; – it occurs 334 times in the New Testament. The Word of God came to holy prophets and apostles. To be broken means to be nullified or violated. The Word of God cannot be nullified or violated.
Luk 3:2 ,“In the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the Word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.”
Luk 5:1 ,“Now it happened that while the crowd was pressing around Him and listening to the Word of God, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret.”
The Word of Jesus is the Word of God.
Jhn 1:1 ,“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
Mat 24:35,“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.”
To pass away in Greek is parerchomai which means to perish, go out of existence, end, come to an end; – it occurs 46 times in the New Testament. If Heaven and earth will pass away, how much sooner the American imperialism, Islamic terrorism and the empire of Japan? All things will pass away; the Words of Jesus will never pass away. The Word of God will not pass away.
The Word of God reveals God to mankind. Scripture in Greek is graphē which means a writing, thing written, the book itself, or its contents; a certain portion or passage or section of the Holy Scripture; – it occurs 51 times in the New Testament. To break in Greek is lyō which means to dismiss, break up, annul, subvert, undo, do away with, deprive of authority, demolish, destroy, overthrow, do away with; – it occurs 45 times in the New Testament. The Word of God cannot be nullified or violated.
Psa 119:89 , “Lamedh.
Forever, O LORD, Your Word is settled in Heaven.”
Word in Hebrew is dabar which means speech, saying, utterance, discourse, edict, oracle; – it occurs 1,414 times in the Old Testament. To settle in Hebrew is natsab which means to stand firm, establish, station, set, fix, put, place; – it occurs 79 times in the Old Testament. The Word of God is settled in Heaven where no missile, rocket, warplane, radar, etc. can reach. Whatever the rich and powerful do on earth does not affect the Word of God fixed in Heaven one bit.
To say the Bible says is the same to say the Scripture says. To say in the Bible is the same to say in the Scriptures. To say according to the Bible is the same to say according to the Scriptures. The Holy Bible means the Holy Scriptures. To say the Word of the Lord is the same as the Word of God. When Jesus speaks, God speaks. The Word of Jesus is the Word of God. The Holy Bible is the Holy Scripture and the Word of God.
Luk 24:25-27, “And He (Jesus) said to them: “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.”
Note: All the Scriptures proclaim one central message of the Bible which is Jesus Christ. Foolish in Greek is anoētos which means unintelligible, not understanding, unwise; – it occurs 7 times in the New Testament. To explain in Greek is diermēneuō which means to unfold the meaning of what is said, expound; – it occurs 6 times in the New Testament.
There is no such a thing called a liberal interpretation of the Bible, a broad interpretation of the Bible, or a rigid interpretation of the Bible, a narrow interpretation of the Bible, etc. There is only one correct interpretation of the Bible is to explain it accurately.
To begin with there are millions of Christians who do not know how to search the Scriptures. For example, they remember the Bible says about all things work together for good of Christians, they do not know exactly the Book and the Verse. If you remember the Scripture cited is in the New Testament may help you a lot. Here is the tool how you can find the Scripture you are looking for: You need a computer (or cellphone) with Internet access. You visit the following address: https://www.blueletterbible.org/
When it opens up, on your left the top click on Search, there are many versions of the Bible, such as
I usually pick NASB (NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE) because it is my opinion that the translation is more accurate and the language is more American. There is no perfect translation.
Then you remember the key words: ‘all things’. In the box Search the Bible, you enter all things and click the arrow on your right. It opens up many Scriptures with the words “all things.” If you know the verse is in the New Testament, you just scroll down to click on 2. Immediately you will see:
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.”
I hope this illustration may help you henceforth easy to find the Scriptures you are looking for with ease. The Holy Bible is a treasure you can find spiritual truths for your whole life.
1. The Word of the Lord.
Specifically at a point in time God spoke to a particular person or group of people, it can be cited as the Word of the Lord.
Gen 15:1 ,“After these things the Word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying: Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”
Note: Word in Hebrew is dabar which means speech, saying, utterance, something said; – it occurs 1,439 times in the Old Testament. Vision in Hebrew is machazeh which means in the ecstatic state; – it occurs only 4 times in the Old Testament.
Gen 15:4 ,“And behold, the Word of the LORD came to him, saying: This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.”
Note: The Word of God often explains and gives instruction or command. God told Abram (later became Abraham) specifically that Ishmael shall not be his heir, but Isaac who will come from his own body shall be his heir.
Exd 8:1 ,“And the LORD spoke to Moses: Go to Pharaoh and say to him, Thus says the LORD: Let My people go, that they may serve Me.”
Note: The Lord told Moses to say to Pharaoh: Thus says the Lord. The standard formula was used by all prophets who spoke for God to anyone from king to the Israelites: Thus says the Lord.
Exd 9:20 ,“He who feared the Word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his livestock flee to the houses.”
Note: The LORD said to Moses that tomorrow He would cause very heavy hail to rain down throughout the land of Egypt. Those servants of Pharaoh who feared the Word of the Lord made their servants and their livestock flee to the houses. Those who did, did not die in the field. Those who did not died.
Num 3:16 ,“So Moses counted them, as he was commanded by the Word of the LORD .”
Note: Command in Hebrew is tsavah which means to order, charge, give orders, lay charge, give charge to; – it occurs about 494 times in the Old Testament. Moses took a census of the Israelites as God commanded him. To obey God’s Word is to obey God’s command. To obey God’s command is to obey God.
Num 15:31 , “Because he has despised the Word of the LORD, and has broken His commandment, that person shall be completely cut off; his guilt shall be upon him.”
Note: Despise in Hebrew is bazah which means to hold in contempt, disdain, regard with contempt, figuratively to trample with the feet, make light of; – it occurs about 43 times in the Old Testament. To despise the Word of the Lord is to despise the Lord, a very serious sin. Anyone who breaks the Lord’s commandment, that person shall be completely cut off. To be cut off is to be killed.
Num 22:18 ,“Then Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak: Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the Word of the LORD my God, to do less or more. ”
Note: Silver and gold stands for money. Almost all sins ever committed have been committed for the love of money. In fact the love of money is the root of all evils. No prophet can go beyond the Word of the Lord, to do more or less.
Go beyond in Hebrew is `abar which means to pass over, cross, cross over, march over; pass beyond, violate, overlook or neglect, bypass, omit, supersede; – it occurs about 559 times in the Old Testament. This is a core principle: Preachers cannot and must not go beyond the Word of the Lord as it written in the Bible. Speculation or private interpretation of the Bible is strictly forbidden.
Question: How does a prophet of God speak for God?
Num 22:38 ，“And Balaam said to Balak: Look, I have come to you! Now, have I any power at all to say anything? The Word that God puts in my mouth, that I must speak. ”
Note: Balaam was bad in other things, but he was right that what God put in his mouth that he must speak. All preachers must not use their imagination to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ; they must adhere to what the Bible clearly teaches. For example, some false preachers teach that God is love therefore there is no hell. But Jesus Christ says, Mat 10:28 , “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him (God) who is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell.”
Note: God destroys the body and soul of the wicked or unbeliever in Hell, but the body and soul do not die (cease to exist) but suffer for eternity.
2Pe 2:15, “They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.”
Note: Wages in Greek is misthos which means dues paid for work, reward: used of the fruit naturally resulting from toils and labors; – it occurs about 29 times in the New Testament. This Scripture says that Balaam loved the wages of wickedness; therefore do not follow the way of Balaam. The way of Wall Street is the way of Balaam who loved the wages of wickedness. Hedge fund managers who do nothing productive but gambling on investors’ money make several billions a year can be called the wages of wickedness. Doctors and hospital owners who become filthy rich by predatory and fraudulent practices can be called the wages of wickedness. Corrupt politicians and bureaucrats also love the wages of wickedness.
Jud 1:11 ,“Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion.”
Note: Balaam’s error was that he rushed for profit. You can observe how government officials and business executives, institutions and individuals, etc. rush for profit in a capitalistic society. The financial and economic crisis created by Wall Street in 2008 was caused by Balaam’s error, those who loved the wages of wickedness and defrauded the world more than US $50 trillion dollars.
Rev 2:14 ,“Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality.”
Note: The teaching of Balaam entices people to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. Some false Chinese preachers teach it is o.k. to worship ancestors and eat food offered to ancestors or idols. Some false teachers say it is o.k. to divorce and remarry. Certain minority groups covertly consent their church leaders to have extramarital or homosexual affairs. Any teaching entices idolatry is the teaching of Balaam. In the West, few worship idols; but prosperity gospel preachers encourage people to love money. Col 3:5, “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.”
Note: Earthly nature includes sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed. Greed is idolatry. Capitalism is based on greed; therefore it is not compatible with Christianity. Western values are based on the love of money, power and sex; therefore they are not compatible with the Christian values of faith, hope and love. Wall Street people are experts in greed.
Deu 5:5-7 ,“At that time I stood between the LORD and you to declare to you the Word of the LORD, because you were afraid of the fire and did not go up the mountain. And He said: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before Me.”
Note: Moses stood before God and the Israelites to declare the Word of God to them. Moses symbolizes the model of God’s servants.
Deu 30:14 ,“But the Word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.”
Note: If the Word is in your heart and in your mouth, it is very near you. It is our duty to meditate on the Word of the Lord day and night.
Deu 34:5 , “So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the Word of the LORD .”
Note: Moses died in the land of Moab was a historical fact. Everything written in the Bible is according to the Word of the Lord. What the Lord says is so, historically and spiritually true.
2Sa 7:4-5 ,“But it happened that night that the Word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying, Go and tell my servant David：This is what the LORD says: Are you the one to build Me a house to dwell in?”
Note：David wanted to build a house for the Lord. Even what you wanted to do may be good; you better listen to what the Lord says. So the Word of the Lord came to Nathan the prophet, Nathan told David what the Lord said. The Word of the Lord is the supreme and final authority.
2Sa 22:31, “As for God, His way is perfect; the Word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.”
Note: Proven means refined, pure, can be trusted. The Word of the Lord is proven true all the time.
Psa 33:4 ,“For the Word of the LORD is right , and all His work is done in truth.”
Note: Right in Hebrew is yashar which means straight, upright, correct, straightforward, just, fitting, proper, righteous, true; – it occurs about 119 times in the Old Testament. The Word of the Lord is forever right, men are usually and repeatedly wrong.
Psa 33:6 , “By the Word of the LORD the Heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.”
Note: Heavens in Hebrew is shamayim visible heavens, as abode of the stars, the visible universe, the abode of God and holy angels; – it occurs about 420 times in the Old Testament. which means The Word of the Lord is so powerful that the heavens (universe) were made by the Word of Lord. There are three heavens, the first is the sky where birds and planes fly; the second is the universe where countless stars and galaxies are; the third heaven if the abode of God and holy angels.
Act 8:25 , “So when they had testified and preached the Word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the Gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.”
Note: Word in Greek is logos which means what someone has said, speech, the sayings of God, the doctrine concerning the attainment through Jesus Christ salvation in the Kingdom of God; – it occurs about 330 times in the New Testament. Many preachers do not know how to preach the Word of the Lord which is the Gospel, so they preach how to win friends and influence people, how to get rich, etc.
Act 13:48 ,“Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the Word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.”
Note: The Word of the Lord that made me glad is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Glorify in Greek is doxazō which means to praise, extol, magnify, celebrate, honor, do honor to, hold in honor, make glorious, cause the dignity and worth of some person or thing to become manifest and acknowledged; – it occurs about 62 times in the Old Testament. Believers honor and magnify the Word of the Lord. Appoint in Greek is tassō which means to arrange, ordain, order, decree; – it occurs only 8 times in the New Testament. As many as were appointed or ordained by God to obtain eternal life believed. This does not mean God predetermines some to go to heaven and others to go to hell. Heaven or hell, you have a choice. You have a choice does not mean you can save yourself by your own merit or good deed, for no one is good enough in the sight of God. That is why God sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for sinners, so that all who accept and believe in Jesus Christ may be saved by faith through grace of God. God’s love is for everyone, but not everyone would accept and believe. A boy of a Chinese church was taught that Jesus loved him because he had good points. No, God loved sinners not because they are worthy. No one deserves the love of God. No one is worthy the grace of God. God knows from ages past who would believe and who would not believe. Jesus Christ says,
Jhn 8:24 , “I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the One I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins.” Jhn 5:40, “But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” Are you willing to believe and be saved?
Act 15:35 , “Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the Word of the Lord, with many others also.”
Note: Teach in Greek is didaskō which means to hold discourse with others in order to instruct them, deliver didactic discourses, impart instruction, instill doctrine into one, explain or expound a doctrine; – it occurs about 97 times in the New Testament. Preach in Greek is euaggelizō which means to announce or proclaim glad tidings, in the New Testament it is used especially of the good news of the coming of the Messiah, the Savior of the world, how Christ died for sinners to atone our sins and rose from death for our justification. The word ‘evangelism’ is derived from the Greek word. Preaching is focused on those who have not known the Lord, while teaching is to provide instruction for believers to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. The Word of the Lord is right and true.
Mar 16:15 , “And He said to them: Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.”
Note: In obeying the command of the Lord, I proclaim the Gospel to the world through the Internet my website, not for money or praise of man.
2. The Word of the Lord is also called the Word of God. 1Sa 9:27 ,“As they were going down to the outskirts of the city, Samuel said to Saul: Tell the servant to go on ahead of us. And he went on. But you stand here awhile, that I may announce to you the Word of God. ”
Note: Announce in Hebrew is shama` which means to cause to hear, call to hear, summon, give heed, make proclamation; – it occurs 1,159 times in the Old Testament. To announce the Word of God was a serious and solemn matter, much more than the practice of announcing the Chinese imperial decree because Israel was then ruled by theocracy.
1Ki 12:22-24 , “But the Word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying: Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, to all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the rest of the people, saying, Thus says the LORD: You shall not go up nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel. Let every man return to his house, for this thing is from Me. Therefore they obeyed the Word of the LORD, and turned back, according to the Word of the LORD.”
Note: Obey in Hebrew is shama` which means to hear with attention or interest, listen to, yield to, be obedient to, give heed to; – it occurs about 1,159 times in the Old Testament. The Word of God came to the man of God. The man of God spoke what God spoke. What God spoke people must obey. The Word of God stopped the war between king of Judah and king of Israel.
Pro 30:5 ,“Every Word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.”
Note: Pure in Hebrew is tsaraph which means refined, purified, tested, proven true; – it occurs about 33 times in the Old Testament. For this reason, filthy and corrupt people do not like the Word of God. Crooks and criminals and corrupt officials do not like the Word of God.
Mar 7:13 , “Making the Word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.”
Note: Tradition in Greek is paradosis which means a giving over which is done by word of mouth or in writing, tradition by instruction, precept, narrative, etc., of the body of precepts, especially ritual, which in the opinion of the later Jews were orally delivered by Moses and orally transmitted in unbroken succession to subsequent generations, which precepts, both illustrating and expanding the written law, as they did were to be obeyed with equal reverence; – it occurs about 13 times in the New Testament. Traditions of man may be opposite to the divine teachings. In Jesus’time, Pharisees used rituals and traditions to nullify the Word of God. The Chinese have many customs and traditions which are contrary to the Word of God. You cannot call yourself a Christian and worship idols as the leader of Taiwan does. If you are a Buddhist or Taoist, then you are not a Christian. Buddhists and Taoists may become Christians, Christians can never become Buddhists or Taoists or other religions.
Isa 40:8 ,“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God stands forever.”
Note: Men are like grasses wither, beautiful women are like flowers fade.
Stand in Hebrew is quwm which means to stand up, maintain oneself, endure, persist, establish, stand firm, be valid, stand fast; – it occurs 628 times in the Old Testament. Empires crumble, riches fly away, everything in the world passes away, but the Word of God stands forever.
Luk 3:2 ,“While Annas and Caiaphas were high priests, the Word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.”
Note: For a prophet, the most important thing is that the Word of God comes to him, it does not matter where he is, city or wilderness. Now the revelation of Jesus Christ is complete, no one can say the Word of God comes to him which is different from what is already written in the Bible. It still can happen from time to time God may speak to individuals in terms of special revelation. A special revelation cannot contradict the general revelation. For example, if you claim God spoke to you that Jesus Christ will return on July 11, 2011 – you must be a false prophet because Jesus Christ makes it clear,
Mat 24:36 ,“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” When Jesus Christ made this statement He was in a humble state on earth, I believe after the resurrection and ascension the exalted Jesus Christ knows that day and hour when He returns. For Jesus Christ says,
Rev 22:12 ,“And behold, I AM coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” Work in Greek is ergon which means an act, deed, thing done; – it occurs about 176 times in the New Testament. The Lord will judge people according to his thought, word and deed.
Luk 5:1 ,“So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the Word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret.”
Note: Press in Greek is epikeimai which means to be urgent; – it occurs only 7 times in the New Testament. When Jesus Christ spoke, God spoke. The Word of Jesus Christ is the Word of God. Do you feel urgent to know the Word of God?
Luk 8:11 ,“Now the parable is this: The seed is the Word of God. ”
Note: Parable in Greek is parabolē which means a placing of one thing by the side of another, comparison of one thing with another, similitude, an example by which a doctrine or precept is illustrated, an earthly story with a heavenly meaning; – it occurs about 50 times in the New Testament. When the Bible says it is a parable, it should be treated as a parable. Jesus Christ compares the Word of God with the seed. The seed is serving as the figure of the Word of God. The explanation below given by Jesus Christ is most interesting and instructive. What kind of people are you?
Luk 8:12 , “Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the Word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.”
Note: The work of the devil is to take the Word out of the hearts of men. Make sure you do not have an evil heart of unbelief, so that you should believe and be saved.
Luk 8:21 ,“But He answered and said to them: My mother and My brothers are these who hear the Word of God and do it.”
Note: Jesus Christ elevates those who hear the Word of God and do it as His mother and brothers. Obedience to God is much more important than human relationship.
Luk 11:28 ,“But He said: More than that, blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it! ”
Note: Keep in Greek is phylassō which means to guard i.e. care for, take care not to violate, observe; – it occurs about 30 times in the New Testament. Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it. Spiritual blessings are much more than material blessings.
Act 4:31,“And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness.”
Note: Boldness in Greek is parrēsia which means freedom in speaking, unreservedness in speech, openly, frankly, i.e. without concealment, without ambiguity or circumlocution, fearless confidence; – it occurs about 31 times in the New Testament. To be filled with the Holy Spirit is not to display one’s special status or superiority before God, it is to receive power from above to speak the Word of God with boldness. The Bible says: all have sinned and come short of the glory of God; there is no exception, including you and me, including Gandhi or your country most revered leader. The wages of sin is death; if you have no sin you will not die. You will die because you have sinned; but the gift of God in Christ is eternal life. We should speak the Word of God with boldness.
Act 6:2, “Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said: It is not desirable that we should leave the Word of God and serve tables.”
Note: Desirable in Greek is arestos which means pleasing, agreeable, fit, proper; – it occurs only 4 times in the New Testament. Few things are desirable; most things are undesirable in this world. To preach the Word of God is most desirable, this does not mean everyone is going to be a preacher or pastor. Not everyone is called to be a preacher, but every Christian is a witness for Christ. The Twelve Apostles were very special, called and chosen by God to preach the Word of God. For them to do anything else would be not desirable, not proper; it does not mean to serve tables are undesirable. Whatever God appoints you to do is desirable and proper. In Jesus time there were slaves, there were slaves who became Christians, but they were the Lord’s slaves.
Act 6:4 , “But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the Word .”
Note: Ministry in Greek is diakonia which means service of those who by the command of God proclaim and promote the Gospel among men, the office of the apostles and its administration; – it occurs about 34 times in the New Testament. Apostles were called to the ministry of the Word, engaged in the work of inducing men to embrace the offered reconciliation with God through the redemption of Jesus Christ. There are people today who are called to preach the Word. Occupational preachers are miserable people; preachers of prosperity gospel are false preachers. Those who merchandise the Gospel for profit are the enemies of the cross.
Act 6:7 ,“Then the Word of God spread , and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.”
Note: Multiply in Greek is plēthynō which means to increase, abound; – it occurs about 12 times in the New Testament. There are preachers who evangelize in order to build themselves spiritual empires as inheritance to their children. There are preachers who build mega-churches for money and glory. The Word of God is spread so that people can be saved, and believers become obedient to the faith. Faith is demonstrated and proven by obedience.
Act 10:36 ,“The Word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all.”
Note: Lord in Greek is kyrios which means the title given to God, the Messiah; – it occurs about 748 times in the New Testament. It is much more than the relationship between a master and his slaves. Jesus Christ is the Lord of all, the Lord of the universe.
Jhn 3:34 , “For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure.”
Note: Measure in Greek is metron which means limited quantity or quality, determined extent; – it occurs about 13 times in the New Testament. Jesus Christ has power, wisdom, honor, glory, etc. without measure. Without measure means cannot be measured.
Act 11:1,“Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the Word of God. ”
Note: Receive in Greek is dechomai which means to take hold of, take up, give ear to, embrace, accept, make one’s own; – it occurs about 59 times in the New Testament. Gentiles are all non-Jews. The Gospel must be received by the Jews and Gentiles alike in order to be saved.
Act 12:24 ,“But the Word of God grew and multiplied. ”
Note: The Word of God is alive and powerful; it can grow and multiply. Grow in Greek is auxanō which means to increase, become greater; – it occurs in the New Testament about 22 times. Now you ask: Can the Word of God grow? Remember to apply the principle of letting the Bible to interpret the Bible. Do you remember the Word of Jesus?
Luk 8:11 ,“Now the parable is this: The seed is the Word of God.” It means the number of people who believed in Jesus Christ grew and multiplied.
Act 13:5 ,“And when they arrived in Salamis, they preached the Word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John as their assistant.”
Note: In the beginning Jesus Christ taught in the temple and Jewish synagogues. The apostles and early disciples also preached the Word of God in the temple and synagogues of the Jews and also at homes and everywhere. Christian meeting places were later established separate from the synagogues of the Jews.
Act 13:7 ,“Who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the Word of God. ”
Note: Intelligent in Greek is synetos which means having understanding, wise, learned, prudent; – it occurs only 4 times in the New Testament. Seek in Greek is epizēteō which means to seek for, search for, seek diligently, wish for, crave; – it occurs about 14 times in the New Testament. An intelligent man should seek to hear the Word of God.
Act 13:44 ,“On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the Word of God. ”
Note: For the Jews, Sabbath was a good day because it was a day of rest to come together to hear the Word of God. It was remarkable that almost the whole city of Antioch came together to hear the Word of God via evangelists Paul and Barnabas even without the organization of an evangelistic campaign, without inviting dignitaries, movie or sport stars, and without entertainment. American mega-churches use Hollywood style entertainment to attract crowds.
Act 13:46 ,“Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said: It was necessary that the Word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.”
Note: Reject in Greek is apōtheō which means to thrust away, push away, repel, repudiate, refuse; – it occurs only 6 times in the New Testament. Those who reject the Word of God judge themselves unworthy of everlasting life. It is not God who rejects anyone; it is those who reject the Word of God judge themselves unworthy of everlasting life. Terrible is the truth that it is possible to judge yourselves unworthy, count yourselves out, condemn yourselves to eternal punishment.
Rom 9:6-8 ,“But it is not that the Word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, in Isaac your seed shall be called. That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed.”
Note: This Scriptures explain why some Jews rejected Christ and why many Gentiles do not believe. The seed of Abraham means the descendant of Abraham. It is not that the Word of God is not effective, it is because they are not all Israel who are of Israel. If you do not believe because you are not a sheep of Jesus, you are not a child of God. The children of the flesh are not the children of God. There are only two kinds of people in the world: the children of the flesh and the children of God. If you are a child of the flesh, you are not a child of God.
2Cr 2:17,“For we are not, as so many, peddling the Word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.”
Note: Peddle in Greek is kapēleuō which means to be a retailer, make money by selling anything, trade in the Word of God, try to get base gain by teaching divine truth; corrupt, adulterate; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. It is sinful to handle the Word of God deceitfully as many theologians and Bible scholars do today. I believe it is wrong to trade in the Word of God, or to try to get base gain by teaching the divine truth. For example, it is wrong to copyright the Bible, it is also wrong to adulterate the Word of God by making your special version of the Bible to make money – the Bible according to guru so and so. Something is seriously wrong with any preacher or Bible scholar who gets rich by peddling the Word of God. There were so many who did that during Paul’s times, there are even more today in particular in the United States – the cesspool of capitalism.
Eph 6:17 ,“And take the helmet of salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. ”
Note: Sword in Greek is machaira which means a weapon for making or repelling an attack, a weapon of war; – it occurs about 29 times in the New Testament. The sword of the Spirit is the sword with which the Spirit subdues the impulse to sin and proves it power and efficacy in destroying false doctrines and falsehoods. Jesus defeated the temptations of the devil by the Word of God.
1Ti 4:5 ,“For it is sanctified by the Word of God and prayer.”
Note: The Word of God has power to sanctify our hearts and souls. The best of books may inspire people, but never sanctify people. The worst of books indulge people to sin and lust and greed.
2Ti 2:9 ,“For which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the Word of God is not chained. ”
Note: Chain in Greek is deō which means to bind, tie, fasten with chains, hinder; – it occurs about 44 times in the New Testament. There is nothing in the world which can bind, chain or hinder the Word of God. Why?
Hbr 4:12 ,“For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Note: Living in Greek is zaō which means having vital power in itself, to be in full vigor, strong, efficient, active, powerful, efficacious; – it occurs about 143 times in the New Testament. Powerful in Greek is energēs which means active, effectual; – it occurs only 3 times in the New Testament. There exists division of soul and spirit, but we do not know about it. We do not know much about earthly things, we do no know even more heavenly things. Discerner in Greek is kritikos which means fit for judging, skilled in judging; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. A person who is skilled in the Word of God is also skilled in judging between truth and falsehood, right and wrong, good and evil.
3. The Word of God is also called the Word. Mar 4:19 ，“And the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the Word, and it becomes unfruitful.”
Note: There are three things that choke the Word and make it unfruitful: the cares of this world, the deceitful of riches, and the desires for other things. Choke in Greek is sympnigō which means to press round or throng one so as almost to suffocate; – it occurs only 5 times in the New Testament. The more a person is worldly, the more a person loves the world and the things of the world, the less likely he becomes a fruitful believer. For this reason, Jesus says,
Mar 10:25 , “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.” A thousand richest people in America have more money than one billion poorest people in the world. There maybe some Christians among the thousand richest persons in America, will these Christians give away their wealth for the cause of Christ? On the contrary, there are millions who want to be rich believing God would prosper them if they give offerings as many prosperity preachers suggest.
Jhn 1:14 , “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Note: Although the word “Word” used in Mar 4:19 and Jhn 1:14 are the same word logos in the original language, but it has a different meaning. It is important to distinguish the Word as the Written Word – usually refers to as the Scripture or Scriptures or the Bible, the Word of God. The Word also means Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Word of God, God who became Man – the Living Word. Mar 4:19 refers to the Word of God that came out of the mouth of God, while Jhn 1:14 refers to the Second Person of the Trinity who became Man. Jesus Christ is the Word of God.
Rev 19:13 , “He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.” One of the names of Jesus Christ who died for sinners is called The Word of God. As the Bible is the Written Word of God, so Jesus Christ is the Living Word of God. The Living Word of God is the Eternal Word of God.
Col 4:3 ,“Meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the Word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains.”
Note: Mystery in Greek is mystērion which means the hidden or secret thing, God’s plan of providing salvation for mankind through Jesus Christ was once hidden but now is revealed; – it occurs about 27 times in the New Testament. To speak the Word of the Gospel is to speak the mystery of Christ.
1Ti 5:17 , “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the Word and doctrine.”
Note: Doctrine in Greek is didaskalia which means that which is taught, instruction, body of Christian faith; – it occurs about 21 times in the New Testament. Those who truly preach Jesus Christ and labor in teaching and instructing people the Word of God and doctrine of Jesus Christ are worthy of honor.
2Ti 4:2 , “Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.”
Note: Preach in Greek is kēryssō which means to proclaim, publish; – it occurs about 61 times in the New Testament. In obedience to Christ and in a humble way, I preach the Word by proclaiming and publishing through the Internet. The methodology of preaching is to convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. Convince in Greek is elegchō which means to convict, refute, confute, bring to the light, expose, find fault with, show one his fault, correct; – it occurs about 17 times in the New Testament. Rebuke in Greek is epitimaō which means to chide, reprove, censure severely, admonish or charge sharply; – it occurs about 29 times in the New Testament. Exhort in Greek is parakaleō which means to admonish, address, speak to with directness; – it occurs about 109 times in the New Testament. You can see why preaching against sin cannot make one popular. That is why no American preachers preach against the sins and crimes of American presidents and politicians.
Tts 1:3 , “But has in due time manifested His Word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior.”
Note: Manifest in Greek is phaneroō which means to make known by teaching; – it occurs 49 times in the New Testament. The Word of God can only be made known by preaching and teaching. God our Savior commands believers to preach the Gospel to every creature.
1Pe 2:2 , “As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby.”
Note: Just as the infant needs milk to grow, so the babes in Christ need the pure milk of the Word to grow thereby. It is the task of preachers to preach the fundamentals of the Christian faith. There are so many failed preachers in many churches because the congregations are not fed with the pure milk of the Word.
Eph 4:15 ,“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all things into Him who is the Head, into Christ.”
Note: We are to grow up in all things into Him who is the Head. The Head of the church is Jesus Christ, not the pope or any man.
2Pe 3:7 , “But the Heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same Word, are reserved for fire until the Day of Judgment and perdition of ungodly men.”
Note: Christ holds the Heavens (universe) and earth together by His power. The heavens and earth will be burned up by fire on the Day of Judgment and perdition of ungodly men. Perdition in Greek is apōleia which means utter destruction, ruin, the destruction which consists of eternal misery in hell; – it occurs about 20 times in the New Testament. All who rejected Christ are ungodly men. The end of ungodly men is perdition.
1Jo 2:5 , “But whoever keeps His Word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.”
Note: To love God you must keep His Word. Keep in Greek is tēreō which means to observe, preserve and stand firm, hold fast, follow; – it occurs about 75 times in the New Testament. Jesus says,
Jhn 14:15 , “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”
Col 4:3 , “Meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the Word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains.”
4. The Word of God is the Word of truth. 2Ti 2:15 , “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Note: Rightly divide in Greek is orthotomeō which means to proceed on straight paths, hold a straight course, make straight and smooth, handle aright, teach the truth directly and correctly; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. Many false teachers err in dividing the Old Testament and the New Testament. It is important to know the Old Testament was the dispensation of law, while the New Testament is the dispensation of grace.
Psa 119:160 , “The entirety of Your Word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.”
Note: The Bible does not only contain truth, the Bible is truth.
2Cr 6:7 , “By the Word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left.”
Note: The Bible is the Word of truth. Scientific truth is temporal and tentative, the truth of God is absolute and eternal.
Eph 1:13 , “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the Word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.”
Note: The Gospel of your salvation is the Word of truth. The only proof that you are saved is that you are sealed with the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit lives in you.
Jam 1:18 , “ Of His own will He brought us forth by the Word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.”
5. The Word of God is the Word of salvation. Act 13:26 , “Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the Word of this salvation has been sent.”
Note: Salvation in Greek is sōtēria which means salvation as the present possession of all true Christians as forgiveness of sins and new birth (salvation of soul); future salvation, the sum of benefits and blessings which the Christians, redeemed from all earthly ills of body, to enjoy after the visible return of Christ from heaven in the consummated and eternal Kingdom of God; – it occurs about 45 times in the New Testament. The Word of salvation explains the way of salvation. The way of salvation is the way of God. Salvation is not what man can earn by merit or good deeds. No one is good enough to go to heaven; everyone is bad enough to go to hell. There is no difference whether it is Gandhi or Lincoln. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Salvation if a gift of God to whoever accepts and believes in the Son of God who came into the world to save sinners. You are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
6. The Word of God is also called the Word of the Kingdom. Mat 13:19,“When anyone hears the Word of the Kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.”
Note: The Kingdom is the Kingdom of God, or the Kingdom of Heaven. The wicked one does not want you to enter the Kingdom of God.
Jhn 18:36 , “Jesus answered: My Kingdom is not of this world. If My Kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My Kingdom is not from here.” If you seek the kingdom of this world, you are not following Jesus. For that reason, imperialists, colonialists, hegemonists, capitalists, monopolists, terrorists, etc. are not Christians and cannot be Christians.
Rev 11:15 ,“Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying: The kingdoms of this world have become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” America, Britain, China, India, Brazil, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, Australia, etc. will soon vanish and disappear and become the Kingdom of our Lord and His Christ.
Human knowledge is of this world, the knowledge of God is heavenly and eternal.
7. The Word is also called the Word of His grace. Act 14:3 , “Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the Word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.”
Note: Grace in Greek is charis which means the merciful kindness by which God, exerting His holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, makes them grow in Christian faith, knowledge, love, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues; – it occurs about 156 times in the New Testament. The Word of God is the Word of His grace because by which we are saved in Jesus Christ. Although nowadays signs and wonders are granted sparingly and rarely, but there is no reason why you do not accept the Word of His grace.
Poor sinners do not know God has grace for them. No one deserves the grace of God. All you need to do is to believe and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your God and Savior.
8. The Word is also called the Word of the Gospel. Act 15:7 , “And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the Word of the Gospel and believe.”
Note: Dispute in Greek is syzētēsis which means mutual questioning, disputation, discussion; – it occurs only 3 times in the New Testament. There are people who want to demonstrate their intelligence; they like to argue about everything, they want to argue with God. There have been heated arguments about healthcare reform in America, but few dare to speak the truth and point to the fraudulent and predatory nature of healthcare system as the root cause of the high costs of American healthcare. Col 1:5 , “Because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the Word of the truth of the Gospel.”
Note: The hope of believers is laid up in heaven, not on the earth. Peoples of nations are desperate because they do not see hope in their future. The Gospel of Jesus is the Word of the truth.
9. The Word is also called the Word of life. Phl 2:16 , “Holding fast the Word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.” Note: Those who hold fast the Word of life, do not run in vain or labor in vain. Those who live without God and without the Word of life, someday will discover they have run in vain or labored in vain. Isn’t it terrible to come to the end, the rich and powerful of the world realize they have run in vain and labored in vain. Those who seek money, power and sex will run in vain and labor in vain in the end. 10. The Word of God is also called the Scriptures. The Bible is the Word of God, a single passage or verse is called Scripture, and the whole body of holy writings is called the Scriptures.
Dan 9:2 , “In the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the Word of the LORD given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years.”
Note: Scriptures in Hebrew is cepher which means books, scrolls, a scroll of a book, books of prophecy, books of the canon, holy books; – it occurs about 184 times in the Old Testament. The same original word is used in
Exd 17:14 , “Then the LORD said to Moses: Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under Heaven.”
Note: This was the origin of the Bible, God told Moses to write it. The same word is used in
Exd 24:7 ,“Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read in the hearing of the people. And they said: All that the LORD has said we will do, and be obedient.”
Note: A portion of the Old Testament was called the Book of the Covenant. The same word is used in
Deu 31:24-26 ,“So it was, when Moses had completed writing the words of this law in a book, when they were finished, that Moses commanded the Levites, who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying: Take this Book of the Law, and put it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there as a witness against you.”
Note: Probably by this time, the Penteteuch (five books of Moses) was completed. The same word is used in Jos 1:8 , “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”
Note: By the time of Joshua, the successor of Moses, the Penteteuch or the Book of the Law must have been completed. So the books of Moses were called the Book of the Law, or the Book of the Law of Moses, or the Book of the Law of God, or the Book of the Law of the LORD, or the Scriptures. Other books mentioned in the Old Testament such as the Book of Jasher, the Book of Nathan, the Book of Gad, the book of Shemaiah, etc. were authentic historical books, but they were not treated as the Scriptures. Prosper in Hebrew is tsalach which means to make progress, succeed, be profitable, go on well; – it occurs about 65 times in the Old Testament. To have good success in Hebrew is sakal which means to be successful in doing anything; – it occurs about 63 times in the Old Testament.
Dan 10:21 , “But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince.”
Note: Scripture in Hebrew is kathab which means writing, a book; – it occurs about 17 times in the Old Testament. The Bible is the Scripture of Truth.
2Ki 23:21, “Then the king commanded all the people, saying: Keep the Passover to the LORD your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant.”
Note: As it is written becomes known as referring to the Scriptures. Nothing else written is more important than what is written in the Bible.
Mat 21:42 , “Jesus said to them: Have you never read in the Scriptures: The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?”
Note: Read in Greek is anaginōskō which means to know accurately, recite; – it occurs about 33 times in the New Testament. Reading is a profitable activity; it should be cultivated from childhood. Nowadays too much time is wasted on watching TV. Reading the Scriptures has benefits for this life and the life to come. Scriptures in Greek is graphē which means the Scripture, used to denote either the book itself, or its contents, a certain portion or section of the Holy Scripture; – it occurs about 51 times in the New Testament. The same original word used in Mat 21:42 is also used in
1Cr 15:3-4, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” Everything we believe is according to the Scriptures. Christianity is based totally on the Scriptures. The two Scriptural truths are the foundation of Christianity: Jesus Christ died for our sins and He rose from death for our justification.
Jhn 6:45, “It is written in the prophets: AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD. Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me.”
Note: Jesus often uses the formula, ‘It is written’. But careful, the devil can also use the same formula to distort the Word of God.
Mat 22:29 , “Jesus answered and said to them: You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures or the power of God.”
Note: To be mistaken in Greek is planaō which means to lead away from the truth, lead into error, deceive, err; – it occurs about 39 times in the New Testament. People who do not know the Scriptures or the power of God are wrong or bound to be wrong. Unbelieving and arrogant scientists do not know that they are mistake.
Mat 26:56 ,“But all this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets. Then all the disciples left Him and fled.”
Note: Fulfill in Greek is plēroō which means to bring to pass, ratify, accomplish; – it occurs about 90 times in the New Testament. True prophecies always came true, false prophecies never come true.
Mar 15:28 , “So the Scripture was fulfilled which says: And He was numbered with the transgressors.”
Note: The transgressors refer to the two robbers; Jesus was crucified among the two robbers.
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: From Moses to all the prophets in all the Scriptures, Jesus Christ is the central message of God to mankind – the Messiah, the Christ.
Jesus Christ used the Bible (the Old Testament, at that time the New Testament did not exist yet) to explain the things concerning Himself. The central message of the Bible is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was sent to the world to die for the sins of mankind so that those who repent and believe in Him may have the eternal life by the grace of God.
Luk 24:45 , “Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.”
Note: Open the mind in Greek is dianoigō which means to open the mind of one, i.e. to cause to understand a thing; – it occurs only 8 times in the New Testament. This explains why otherwise intelligent scientists and scholars could not understand the Scriptures.
2Cr 4:4 ,“Whose minds the god of this world has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.” Understand in Greek is syniēmi which means to bring together, put the perception with the thing perceived, set or join together in the mind, spiritual insight; – it occurs about 26 times in the New Testament. No matter who you are, unless the good Lord opens your mind, you cannot understand the Scriptures. The Scriptures are divine; the carnal mind cannot understand it.
Jhn 2:22 ,“Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the Word which Jesus had said.”
Note: The Christian faith is based on the Scripture (the Old Testament) and the Word of Jesus (the New Testament).
Jhn 5:39 ,“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me.”
Note: Search in Greek is eraunaō which means to examine into, look through, examine closely and carefully; – it occurs only 6 times in the New Testament. All the articles I have presented on my website are based on the methodology of searching what the Scriptures say about the subject matter. Testify in Greek is martyreō which means to bear witness, certify as true, affirm by divine inspiration or revelation; – it occurs about 79 times in the New Testament. The Scriptures (Old and New Testaments) testify about Jesus.
Jhn 7:38 , “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
Note: As the Scripture has said, it is so. As it is written, it is so.
Jhn 7:42 , “Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?”
Note: What the Scripture has said about David was true; David was a real historical person. What the Scripture has said about Bethlehem was true because Bethlehem was and is a real place.
Jhn 10:35 , “If He called them gods, to whom the Word of God came and the Scripture cannot be broken.”
Note: Break in Greek is lyō which means to break up, dismiss, annul, subvert, do away with, demolish, overthrow, destroy, deprive of authority; – it occurs about 43 times in the New Testament. You can burn the Bible, but you cannot destroy it. You can tear the Bible to pieces, but you cannot demolish it. The Scripture cannot be broken, cannot be annulled.
Jhn 13:18 , “I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.”
Note: Jesus knew from the beginning whom would betray Him. Everything happened as the Scripture said it would happen so that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
Jhn 17:12 , “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.”
Note: None of believers in Christ would be lost except the son of perdition, the traitor Judas. If you reject Jesus Christ, you will be a child of perdition too.
Jhn 19:28 , “After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said: I thirst!”
Note: Divine knowledge is perfect knowing, knowing the end from the beginning. Nothing takes God by surprise; everything that must be accomplished was accomplished or will be accomplished.
Jhn 19:36 , “For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled: Not one of His bones shall be broken.”
Note: The Roman soldiers broke the legs of the two robbers; they did not break the bone of Jesus because the Scripture predicted not one of His bones would be broken.
Psa 34:20 ,“He guards all His bones; not one of them is broken.”
Jhn 20:9 , “For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.”
Note: As yet the disciples did not know or understand the Scripture that Christ the Savior must die and rise again from the dead. They did not know the Scripture that Jesus died as the Lamb of God for sinners in order to obtain forgiveness and rose from death for our justification before God.
Act 8:32 , “The place in the Scripture which he read was this: He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so He opened not His mouth.”
Note: Later the disciples knew the Scripture.
Act 8:35 , “Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.”
Note: If a preacher does not preach Jesus Christ, everything else he preaches would not matter. Some preachers like to preach stories of Old Testament because they do not know how to preach the Gospel of Jesus.
Act 17:11 , “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the Word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.”
Note: Eagerness in Greek is prothymia which means zeal, spirit, inclination, readiness of mind; – it occurs only 5 times in the New Testament. Examine in Greek is anakrino which means to investigate, inquire into, scrutinize, sift, question, look through, search after; – it occurs about 16 times in the New Testament. It is noble-minded to believe the Scriptures and examine to see whether things were so as the Scriptures say. You must not blindly accept what your minister or preacher says, you need to examine whether they are according to the Scriptures. When a preacher says the Bible is not clear whether it is wrong to worship ancestors, he is mistaken and does not know the Scripture. Those pastors who support a political leader who claims to be a Christian and yet he publicly worships idols are mistaken. The right way to examine the Scriptures is to see what the Scriptures say, not what you want to say, not what you think it should say. You must not be guilty of making the Bible to say what the Bible does not say, or make void what the Bible clearly says. Eagerness in Greek is prothymia which means inclination, readiness of mind, zeal, spirit, willingness; – it occurs only 5 times in the New Testament. We must accept the Bible as it is.
Act 18:28 , “For he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.”
Note: Apollos was mighty in the Scriptures means he was excelling in the knowledge of the Scriptures. Refute in Greek diakatelegchomai which means to confute with rivalry and effort, prove a person to be in error; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. Demonstrate in Greek is epideiknymi which means to exhibit, show, prove; – it occurs about 9 times in the New Testament. Every preacher should be able to prove by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ – the Messiah. The central message of the Bible is that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, the Savior of the world.
Rom 4:3 , “For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
Note: For all Christians, the most important question is: What does the Bible say? It is not what theologians say, it is not what the pastor says, it is not what the leader says, etc. Believe in Greek is pisteu which means to think to be true, place confidence in, trust in Jesus or God as able to aid either in obtaining or in doing something or saving; – it occurs about 248 times in the New Testament. Account in Greek is logizomai which means to reckon, count, impute, consider, deem, take into account, make account of; – it occurs about 41 times in the New Testament. Abraham believed in God, and God counted him or credited to him as righteousness. So man is justified (counted as righteous) by faith in Christ Jesus who died for sinners to fulfill the righteousness of God.
Rom 1:2 , “Which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures.”
Note: Holy in Greek is hagios which means worthy of veneration, most holy thing, sacred to God; – it occurs 229 times in the New Testament. Holy Scriptures are the Word of God and should be treated as holy. For that reason Christians should not make fun of the Word of God and quote the Bible in a jest.
Rom 9:17 ,“For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh: For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.”
Note: The Scripture says, the same way we say the Bible says. The Scripture says what God says. The Scripture exalts the power of God.
Rom 10:11, “For the Scripture says: Whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame.”
Note: When we do not quote the Bible exactly with the book and verse, we can say the Scripture says, or the Bible says. Whoever in Greek is pas which means all, every, any, everybody; – it occurs about 1,243 times in the New Testament. God’s grace is for everyone, everyone or anyone (without restriction) who believes in Jesus Christ will not be put to shame. Anyone and everyone who comes to Jesus Christ for salvation will not be cast out. For Jesus assures the world,
Jhn 6:37 ,“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.”
No matter how wicked and sinful you are, if you repent and believe in Jesus Christ, He will not throw you out but save you and save you to the end. John Calvin was wrong. The one who comes to Christ He will by no means cast out.
Gal 3:8 , “And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the Gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying: In you all the nations shall be blessed.”
Note: Foresee in Greek is proorao which means to see before as respects to time or place, know beforehand, see ahead; – it occurs only 2 times in the New Testament. God foresees everything from beginning to the end. There is nothing that takes God by surprise. God preached the Gospel to Abraham. All who believe like Abraham believed would be justified or to be counted as righteous before God.
Gal 3:22 , “But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.”
Note: Confine in Greek is sygkleiō which means to shut up together, enclose, shut up on all sides, shut up completely, consign, include; – it occurs only 4 times in the New Testament. Sin is like a big prison, the Scripture has put all in the prison of sin; for all have sinned.
1Ti 5:18 , “For the Scripture says: You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain, and, the laborer is worthy of his wages.”
Note: The evil of capitalism has a lot to do with unfair wages. Wall Street hedge fund managers gamble on others’money and make several billion a year. Corporate executives give themselves hefty compensations and perks and bonuses. Doctors and hospital owners suck the blood of patients with predatory and fraudulent practices. Lawyers by monopoly and flawed legal system get big pay, capitalizing on crime and kangaroo courts. Most government and unionized workers and white workers are overpaid, blacks are given preferential treatment because of Affirmative Action, all the rest have been underpaid. There are still millions who earn the minimum wage of $7.30 to $10 an hour. When I worked my way through college, the minimum wage was $1.25 an hour.
2Ti 3:16 ,“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
Note: Given by inspiration of God in Greek is theopneustos which means inspired by God; it occurs only once in the New Testament. The contents of Scripture are inspired by God. Even the best and greatest books in the world cannot be said to be inspired by God. Profitable in Greek is ōphelimos which means gaining or yielding benefit; – it occurs only 4 times in the New Testament. Doctrine in Greek is didaskalia which means systematized teaching or instruction, that which is taught as a creed or fundamental principle or precept of faith; – it occurs about 21 times in the New Testament. Inspiration of the Bible, Pre-existence of Christ, Incarnation, the Virgin Birth, the Divinity of Christ, Crucifixion, Resurrection, Ascension, Justification, Regeneration, Sanctification and the Second Coming are basic doctrines of Christianity. Reproof in Greek is elegchos which means conviction, the inward result of proving; – it occurs only twice in the New Testament. The Scripture is the effective tool or the Sword of the Spirit to convict a man of his sins. Correction in Greek is epanorthōsis which means restoration to an upright or right state, rectification, improvement of life or character; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. Instruction in Greek is paideia which means the whole training and education of children, whatever in adults also cultivates the soul, esp. by correcting mistakes and curbing passions; instruction which aims at increasing virtue; admonition; – it occurs only 6 times in the New Testament.
Jam 2:8 , “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture: You shall love your neighbor as yourself, you do well.”
Note: The royal law means the chief or principal law according to the Scripture. The royal law is to love your neighbor as yourself. If you fulfill the royal law, you do well. Compare the religions of hatred and hostility and revenge with the Christian law of love, you should be able to know the truth. Imperialism, colonialism, hegemonism, capitalism, terrorism, etc. are contrary to the royal law of the Scripture.
Jam 4:5 , “Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously?”
Note: The Scripture never says in vain. What man says may be in vain, what God says has consequence.
Jhn 8:24 ,“Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He (Christ), you will die in your sins.” If you do not believe in Jesus Christ, you will die in your sins. This is not what I said; this is what Jesus Christ said. If you do not believe it, you take the risk on your life. Not only you will die in your sins, you will suffer for eternity. Why not turn around and have the hope of glory? Jesus Christ is coming again soon to reign with the saints forever and ever.
11. The seriousness and sanctity of the Word of God. Deu 4:2 ,“You shall not add to the Word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.”
Note: Add in Hebrew is yacaph which means to increase, change the quantity and size, change the total effect; – it occurs about 213 times in the Old Testament. Take from in Hebrew is gara` which means to diminish, subtract, restrain, withdraw, abate, keep back, do away, take from, clip, scrape off; – it occurs about 21 times in the Old Testament. Years ago the Reader’s Digest published a condensed Bible. I believe they had violated the commandment of God.
1Sa 3:1 , “Now the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. And the Word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation.”
Note: This Scripture gives a background situation of the period when Eli was the priest. The Word of the Lord was rare and there was no widespread revelation. Rare in Hebrew is yaqar which means scarce, uncommon, infrequent; – it occurs about 36 times in the Old Testament. Widespread means frequent. Revelation in Hebrew is chazown which means a divine revelation, an oracle, vision; – it occurs about 35 times in the Old Testament. When God was displeased with Eli, the Word of the Lord was rare and divine revelation was infrequent. When God is displeased with a church, the church is without the power from on high and the preacher is useless.
1Sa 3:7 ,“Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, nor was the Word of the LORD yet revealed to him.”
Note: Reveal in Hebrew here is galah which means to uncover, disclose, discover, lay bare, make known a secret, show, manifest; – it occurs about 188 times in the Old Testament. Little boy Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor was the Word of the Lord yet revealed to him. Those who do not know the Lord also do not understand the Word of God. Christianity is the revealed religion; you cannot know Jesus Christ by your own effort or wisdom or intelligence.
1Sa 15:23 , “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the Word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king.”
Note: Rebellion in Hebrew is mĕriy which means contumacy, insubordination, disobedience, stubborn refusal to submit; – it occurs about 23 times in the Old Testament. Witchcraft in Hebrew is qecem which means divination, it occurs only 11 times in the Old Testament. Stubbornness in Hebrew is patsar which means insolence, arrogance, presumption; – it occurs only 7 times in the Old Testament. Iniquity in Hebrew is ‘ aven which means wickedness, trouble, sorrow, emptiness, vanity; – it occurs about 78 times in the Old Testament. Idolatry in Hebrew is tĕraphiym which means a kind of idol used in household shrine or worship, of human figure and stature; – it occurs about 15 times in the Old Testament. It should be noted, rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. In the New Testament, greed is as the sin of idolatry. Reject in Hebrew is ma’ac which means to refuse, despise, loathe, abhor; – it occurs about 76 times in the Old Testament. Saul rejected the Word of the Lord, and the Lord also rejected him from being king over Israel. Those who reject the Word of the Lord will be rejected by the Lord.
1Ki 13:26 , “Now when the prophet who had brought him back from the way heard it, he said: It is the man of God who was disobedient to the Word of the LORD. Therefore the LORD has delivered him to the lion, which has torn him and killed him, according to the Word of the LORD which He spoke to him.”
Note: How serious is the Word of the Lord: The man of God who was disobedient to the Word of the Lord, therefore the Lord delivered him to the lion which had torn him and killed him according to the Word of the Lord which He spoke to him. In fact, the first sin committed by Adam and Eve was not eating the forbidden fruit; they were disobedient to the Word of the Lord. Disobedience to God’s Word is disobedient to God.
1Ki 17:16,24 ,“The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the Word of the LORD which He spoke by Elijah…
Then the woman said to Elijah: Now by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the Word of the LORD in your mouth is the truth.”
Note: The miracle of the bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry was very interesting. All was done according to the Word of the Lord which is the truth.
1 King Chapter 22 is a very interesting historical chapter about the evil king of Israel Ahab who did not want to listen to the Word of God. King Ahab put the prophet Micaiah in prison and ordered to feed him with bread of affliction and water of affliction.
1Ki 22:28 ,“But Micaiah said: If you ever return in peace, the LORD has not spoken by me. And he said: Take heed, all you people!” To make the long story short,
1Ki 22:37-38 ,“So the king died, and was brought to Samaria. And they buried the king in Samaria. Then someone washed the chariot at a pool in Samaria, and the dogs licked up his blood while the harlots bathed, according to the Word of the LORD which He had spoken.” What happened to the evil king Ahab was according to the Word of the Lord which He had spoken. Not only Ahab died, he died according to the Word of the Lord the way he died.
2 King Chapter 9 records how Jezebel the wicked wife of Ahab died as the Word of the Lord said.
2Ki 9:33-37 ,“He said: Throw her down. So they threw her down; and some of her blood spattered on the wall and on the horses, and they trampled on her. Then he went in and ate and drank; and he said: See now to this cursed woman, and bury her; for she is a king’s daughter. But when they went to bury her, they found no more of her than the skull and the feet and the palms of her hands. When they came back and told him, he said: This is the Word of the LORD, which He spoke by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, On the plot of ground at Jezreel dogs shall eat the flesh of Jezebel; and the corpse of Jezebel shall be as dung upon the face of the field in the territory of Jezreel, so that no one can say: Here lies Jezebel.”
Note: Curse in Hebrew is ‘arar which means to lay under a curse, put a curse on, be made a curse, abhor, detest; – it occurs about 63 times in the Old Testament. The Word of the Lord always came true. Probably Jezebel was the most evil woman – abusive of power, greedy, wicked, merciless, unjust, corrupt and hostile to God – in the history of mankind with most tragic end.
Zec 12:1 ,“The burden of the Word of the LORD against Israel. Thus says the LORD, who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him.”
Note: The prophet Zechariah through the Word of Lord knew about God stretching out the Heavens (universe) some 500 B.C. long before the scientists who recently discovered the expanding universe.
Mat 4:4 , “But He answered and said: It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”
Note: It is true the Bible is affected by language and culture of the nation. Jesus said: Man shall not live by bread alone because the Jews ate bread. If Jesus said: Man shall not live by rice alone, the Jews would not understand. So the word ‘bread’ simply means food. Man does not live by food alone, although many live to eat. Linguistic limitation and cultural inadequacy do not limit the Word of God. The Word of God proceeds from the mouth of God, so it is most serious and sacred. Men must heed and obey the Word of God.
Jud 1:11，“Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.”
Note: Cain, Balaam and Korah serve as historical warnings to those who rejected and rebelled against the Word of God.
1Jo 3:12 , “Not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous.” Western imperialism and hegemonism, and all terrorism are the way of Cain. Power politics is the way of Cain. Wall Street has run greedily in the error of Balaam, for profit they defrauded and looted the world. The error of capitalism is the error of Balaam for profit. Prosperity gospel preachers and followers and those who merchandise the Gospel have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit. Rebellion in Greek is antilogia which means opposition, gainsaying, resistence to authority, contradiction; – it occurs 4 times in the New Testament. This was how Korah and his household and followers perished in rebellion:
Num 16:30-33 ,“But if the LORD creates a new thing, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the pit, then you will understand that these men have rejected the LORD. Now it came to pass, as he finished speaking all these words, that the ground split apart under them, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men with Korah, with all their goods. So they and all those with them went down alive into the pit; the earth closed over them, and they perished from among the assembly.”
Note: Those who rebel against God and reject the Lord Jesus Christ will be swallowed up in Hell for eternity.
12. No Scripture is of any private interpretation. 2Pe 1:20-21 , “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation. For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” The Bible makes it clear; holy men of God (prophets and apostles) spoke and wrote the Bible. Private in Greek is idios which means pertaining to one’s self, one’s own, belonging to one’s self; – it occurs 113 times in the New Testament. A private interpretation is an interpretation which one thinks our for oneself, opposed to that which the Holy Spirit teaches. Move in Greek is pherō which means to prompt, press on; – it occurs about 64 times in the New Testament. No prophecy of Scripture is a matter of private interpretation. If you want to argue with God, that is not my problem. The Bible is not a matter of private interpretation. The Bible speaks and interprets itself. As an illustration, a black preacher preached political gospel based on his private interpretation. Now his followers admitted he was no saint but a sinner, but his cause was holy. Anyone who preaches a false gospel cannot have a holy cause. Affirmative Action is unholy travesty of justice. No racial group is entitled to preferential treatment. When a race is given preferential treatment, all other races suffer injustice. Black preferential treatment is just as bad as white supremacy. All are equal under God, all are equal under the law. Political gospel, social gospel, feminist gospel, prosperity gospel, possibility gospel, etc. are all false gospels base on private interpretations of false prophets and false teachers. Many false theologians like to transmogrify the Word of God.
2 Pe 3:16, “As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort to their own destruction, as they do also the other Scriptures.”
Note: Hard to understand in Greek is dysnoētos which means difficult to be understood; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. Apostle Peter talked about the writings of Apostle Paul containing some things that are hard to understand. Even to the great apostle Peter, there were some things in the Bible hard for him to understand. Do hydrocephalic self-conceited unbelieving scientists and obscure scholars think they could understand everything? Ignorant and unstable people distort the Bible as they do the other Scriptures will bring their own destruction.
Mat 7:15 ,“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.”
Note: Beware of ravenous wolves who appear in sheep’s clothing means people who pretend to be Christians but they are not, pretend to have knowledge of the Bible but they do not, and pretend to be servants of God but they are actually agents of Satan. Ravenous wolves are savage wolves.
Rev 22:18-19 ,“I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book. And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the Holy City, which are written in this book.”
Note: The Word of God strongly warns and condemns those who add and delete what the Bible says in the form of private interpretation. Years ago the Reader’s Digest published a condensed bible which I believe also violated what this Scripture forbids by “taking away from the words” from the Good Book.
A false Pentecostal preacher not the first time made private interpretations of the Bible by saying divorcing a spouse with Alzheimer’s is justifiable because the disease is “a kind of death.” What a false preacher teaches is not important, what Jesus Christ says matters for time and eternity. Jesus Christ says:
Mat 5:32 ，“But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.”
Mat 19:9 ,“And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.”
Mar 10:9-12 ，“Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate. In the house His disciples also asked Him again about the same matter. So He said to them: Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”
Luk 16:18 , “Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries one who is divorced from a husband commits adultery.”
Christians, there are so many false prophets, false preachers, and false teachers today. Do you follow false preachers or the Lord and Savior?
13. The Words of Jesus will not pass away.
Mat 24:35 , “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.”
Note: Pass away in Greek is parerchomai which means to perish, go past, pass by, pass over; – it occurs about 31 times in the New Testament. Everything you have, see, enjoy, etc. will go pass, pass by, pass over, and pass away that means to perish. Everyone and everything in the world will pass away – what people cherish such as money, power and sex will pass away. You may burn the Bibles, but no one can do away the Words of Jesus. Heaven and earth will pass away because there will be a new heaven and a new earth; but the Words of Jesus will by no means pass away. Christians will not kill anyone who burns the Bible; because the Word of God is the Word of truth which fire cannot burn. Science and medical knowledge will also pass away.
Psa 119:89 ,“Lamedh. Forever, O LORD, Your Word is settled in Heaven.”
Note: Settle in Hebrew is natsab which means to stand, station oneself, take an upright position, stand firm, fix, establish; – it occurs about 75 times in the Old Testament. What God has established no one can destroy.
Isa 40:8 ,“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God stands forever.”
Note: Stand in Hebrew is quwm which means to rise up, stand up, maintain oneself, endure, make binding, preserve, continue; – it occurs about 628 times in the Old Testament. Men die, beautiful women fade, empires fall, but the Word of God stands forever.
Luk 1:2 , “Just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word delivered them to us.”
Note: Eyewitness in Greek is autoptēs which means seeing with one’s own eyes, one who has seen or heard something; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. Minister in Greek is hypēretēs which means a servant, any one ministering or rendering service, any one who aids another in any work, an assistant, the preacher of the Gospel; – it occurs in the New Testament 20 times. The apostles were from the beginning eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word. The Gospels and the Epistles (from Matthew to Revelation) were written by early apostles and disciples who were with the Lord from the beginning, and they were first hand witnesses and ministers of the Word. Thus it is impossible for anyone later to claim new revelation.
Luk 24:19 ,“And He said to them: What things? So they said to Him: The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and Word before God and all the people.”
Note: Jesus of Nazareth was a Prophet mighty in deed and Word before God and all the people. Mighty in deed because of the countless miracles that Jesus performed. Mighty in Word because there is power in the Word of Jesus. For example: The wind and sea obeyed Jesus. Demons obeyed Jesus’command. Jesus raised Lazarus from death by His Word.
Jhn 15:3 ,“You are already clean because of the Word which I have spoken to you.”
Note: Clean in Greek is katharos which means pure, purified, like a vine cleansed by pruning and so fitted to bear fruit; – it occurs about 28 times in the New Testament. The Word of Jesus has power to cleanse us and make us fit to serve the Lord.
Eph 5:26 , “That He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the Word.”
Note: Sanctify in Greek is hagiazō which means to separate from profane things and dedicate to God, purify by expiation: free from the guilt of sin, purify internally by renewing of the soul; – it occurs about 29 times in the New Testament. Cleanse in Greek is katharizō which means to make clean, free from defilement of sin and from faults, purify from wickedness; – it occurs about 30 times in the New Testament. The Lord Jesus sanctifies and cleanses the church with the washing of water by the Word – by the Word of God.
Luk 9:26 , “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.”
Note: The Words of Jesus are mostly written in the Gospels. Whatever Jesus says is so. I have no respect for those pseudo-intellectuals who call themselves Christians and at the same time declare they believe in evolution. Jesus Christ confirms the creation of Adam and Eve by God’s direct act. Jesus Christ confirms the creation of the universe by God.
No ‘big bang’ or ‘small bang’ can invalidate the Words of Jesus. No scientists or any men can annul the Words of Jesus.
Jhn 6:68 ,“But Simon Peter answered Him: Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the Words of eternal life.”
Note: Why there is singular for “word” and plural for “words”? Are there any difference? It is not that I am not aware of the English grammar regarding singular and plural of a noun. I believe what the Scriptures say are far above the elements of linguistic. Whether Jesus says about some specific teaching – word, or a bunch of related teachings – words, it is our duty to listen, believe and obey. Jesus Christ has the Words of eternal life, scientists don’t even know the day of their deaths.
Jhn 20:29 , “Jesus said to him: Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Note: Blessed are those who believe in the Words of Jesus because they are the Words of eternal life.
Act 20:35 ,“I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the Words of the Lord Jesus, that He said: It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Col 3:16 , “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
Note: Those who are rich in the Word of Christ and in all wisdom is much better than those who are rich in material things. The best kind of singing is singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.
14. The Lord revealed Himself by the Word of the Lord. 1Sa 3:21 , “Then the LORD appeared again in Shiloh. For the LORD revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the Word of the LORD.”
Note: Reveal in Hebrew is galah which means to uncover, disclose, make known, show, make bare; – it occurs about 188 times in the Old Testament. This is a fundamental doctrine of Christianity: No one can discover God by his own efforts or wisdom. You cannot discover God unless God reveals Himself to you. God reveals Himself through His Word. Little Samuel did not know God, but God revealed Himself to Samuel by the Word of the Lord. The Bible is the revealed Word of God. The main function of the Word of the Lord is to reveal the Lord.
Deu 29:29 , “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”
Note: There are two types of thing in the world: the knowable and the unknowable. The secrets things are unknowable and they belong to the Lord our God. God revealed certain things to the children of men through His Word. The Old Testament and the New Testament reveal the secret things that belong to the Lord.
Jhn 1:17, “For the law was given by Moses; grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” This Scripture explains succinctly the difference between the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament was about the law of Moses. The New Testament is about grace and truth in Jesus Christ. What cannot be fulfilled by the law is fulfilled by grace in Jesus Christ.
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 kept secret since the world began.”
Note: The Gospel of Jesus Christ was a mystery kept secret since the world began, it was made known when God became Man in Jesus Christ. Revelation in Greek is apokalypsis which means laying bare, making naked, disclosure of things before unknown; – it occurs about 18 times in the New Testament. Revelation is a disclosure of divine things before unknown, especially those things relating to the Christian salvation, to be received by faith in Jesus Christ, and through the operation of the Holy Spirit. The revelation was completely written by the early disciples and apostles who were inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Gal 1:12 , “For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Note: The original revelation of Jesus Christ cannot be taught; it must be given or made known by the revelation of Jesus Christ. The holy apostles who wrote the New Testament did not receive it from men, nor was they taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. The revelation of Jesus Christ was completed some two thousands years ago as it is written in the New Testament from Matthew to Revelation. No one can add to it or subtract from it. It is completed. There cannot be any new revelation contrary to what is already written in the Bible.
Rev 1:1 , “THE Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John.”
Note: Revelation focuses mainly on two subjects, salvation and prophecy. Salvation covers salvation of the soul – the first mission of Christ’s first advent, and the salvation of the body – the second mission of Christ’s second coming. Prophecy covers things to come. The most important event to happen in the universe is the second coming of Christ and eschatology regarding things to happen in the last days.
Luk 2:32 , “The light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.”
Note: Jesus Christ is the Light that brings revelation to the Gentiles and Israel.
Eph 1:17 ,“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.”
Note: To know God you need the Spirit of wisdom and revelation. Unbelieving scientists and scholars do not have the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, that is why they are ignorant about spiritual things.
1Cr 14:26 , “How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.”
Note: The word ‘revelation’here is the same word used in Rom 16:25. It is important to know that the general revelation was completed as it is written in the New Testament, while the Holy Spirit still may give a special revelation or shed light on a Scripture to any individual. The special revelation will not contradict the general revelation. For example,
Luk 2:26 , “And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” The Holy Spirit revealed to Simeon that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. It was a special revelation, and that did not contradict in any way the general revelation about the coming of the Messiah, or the Person and work of the Messiah.
Mat 11:27 ,“All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.”
Note: This Scripture states the futility of human mind and human efforts to acquire divine knowledge. God is the greatest mystery, and no one knows the Father except the Son, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and the one whom the Son chooses to reveal Him. Jesus Christ reveals God, to know Jesus Christ is to know God.
Psa 98:2 , “The LORD has made known His salvation; His righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations.”
Note: God has made known His salvation in Jesus Christ, the righteousness of God has been revealed to the nations.
Isa 40:5 , “The glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
Note: The prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled in Jesus Christ when He appeared on earth, and the glory of the Lord shall be fully revealed when Jesus Christ returns to reign with the saints forever and ever.
Rom 1:17 ,“For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written: The just shall live by faith.”
Note: This is a cardinal doctrine of Christianity: The Lord reveals Himself through His Word. Without the revelation, the wisest people grope in darkness. The righteousness of God cannot be accomplished by keeping the law of Moses, for no one is able to keep all the law all the time. The righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith because those who put their faith in Christ are counted righteous by God. To be counted righteous is to be counted not guilty. Not by work, but by grace, we are saved by faith in Jesus Christ who fulfilled the righteousness of God for sinners who come to Him to have life.
Rom 3:21 ,“But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets.”
Note: The Law and the Prophets witness that God has revealed the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ apart from the law which is available to all who come and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
1Cr 2:10 ,“But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.”
Note: The Holy Spirit was sent to witness for Jesus Christ, to reveal that Jesus Christ is the Savior, and all who believe may receive the eternal life. Do you know the deep things of God? For example, God loves the humankind, but human beings are sinful, unworthy, undesirable, and unlovable. God’s love for unworthy sinners is one deep thing of God. The love of God was demonstrated in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross for our sins; this is a deep thing of God. The fact the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ was decreed by God before the world began is a deep thing of God. The fact that the universe is expanding without countless stars and galaxies and the heavens are too vast and impossible to measure is a deep thing of God. The fact the triune God is Self-existent, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, holy and true, righteous and good, without beginning and without ending, forever and ever is a deep thing of God. With God, nothing is impossible; this is a deep thing of God.
Eph 3:5 , “Which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets.”
Note: The way of salvation or the Gospel of Jesus Christ was not known in ages past, but the Holy Spirit revealed to the holy apostles and prophets who were inspired to write the Bible, the Old Testament as well as the New Testament.
Col 1:26 , “The mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.”
Note: Mystery in Greek is mystērion which means hidden thing, a hidden purpose or counsel; – it occurs about 27 times in the New Testament. God’s plan of providing salvation for men through Jesus Christ was once hidden but is now revealed. Jesus Christ is the mystery of God which has been hidden from ages past, but now has been revealed to His saints. His saints are His followers dead or alive. Dead saints are those who have fallen asleep in Christ. Living saints are those who are still alive on earth.
1Pe 1:5 ,“Who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
Note: In the first advent, Jesus Christ came to save our souls. When Christ returns the second time, the redemption or salvation of the bodies of the saints will be revealed in the last time. The bodies of the saints will be transformed into spiritual and glorious and immortal bodies. Then the blessed Kingdom of God will be consummated with power and glory forever and ever. Scientific truth is acquired by discovery, the truth of God is obtained by revelation as it is written the Bible.
15. There are many false teachings about the Bible. There are infinite varieties of crooked ways; there is only one straight way. There are unlimited false teachings about the Bible; there is only one correct doctrine as the Bible claims to be the Word of God. All false teachings about the Bible are private interpretations. Private interpretations are inspired by the evil spirit and personal ambition of men. Among those false teachings are:
A. ”The Bible is a book written by men.”
2Pe 1:21 , “For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”
No. The Bible is not a book written by men. The Bible was written not by ordinary men of their own imagination, they were holy men inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Question: How did the Bible come about?
Act 1:16 , “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.”
Note: Foretell in Greek is prolegō which means to say before, say beforehand i.e. before the event, predict; – it occurs only 3 times in the New Testament. The Holy Spirit told David beforehand concerning Judas. The Holy Spirit spoke to David because David was a prophet. In fact, the Bible was made up of all the things God told the prophets and apostles over the ages through the Holy Spirit and had them written down, from Moses of the Penteteuch to John of the Revelation.
Eph 3:5 ,“Which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:”
Note: Reveal in Greek is apokalyptō which means to uncover, lay open what has been veiled or covered up, make known, make manifest, disclose what before was unknown; – it occurs about 26 times in the New Testament. The Gospel of Jesus Christ was not made known in ages past, it has now been revealed by the Holy Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets. For that reason the Bible is not a book written by men.
2Pe 3:2 , “That you may remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior.”
Note: Remember in Greek is mimnēskomai which means to remind one’s self of, be mindful of; – it occurs only 2 times in the New Testament. Commandment in Greek is entolē which means collectively the whole body of moral precepts of Christianity as taught by Jesus Christ and His apostles; – it occurs 71 times in the New Testament. All the words or sayings and the commandments written in the Bible are called the Scriptures for Christians to observe and follow.
B. “The Bible contains the Word of God.”
The Bible is the Word of God. The Bible contains some what the devil and men and angels said, but God said that they said them. This is the most vicious false doctrine that pretends to believe by saying the Bible contains the word of God. The Bible is the Word of God, and it contains what God said about what other people also said. God says the fool says there is no God.
Jos 14:6 , “Then the children of Judah came to Joshua in Gilgal. And Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him: You know the Word which the LORD said to Moses the man of God concerning you and me in Kadesh Barnea.”
Note: The Pentateuch (the five books of Moses) is the Word which the Lord said to Moses.
1Ki 12:22 ,“But the Word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying.”
Note: The Word of God came to the prophet, the prophet could only say what God said.
1Ki 13:21-22 ,“And he cried out to the man of God who came from Judah, saying: Thus says the LORD: Because you have disobeyed the Word of the LORD, and have not kept the commandment which the LORD your God commanded you, but you came back, ate bread, and drank water in the place of which the LORD said to you, Eat no bread and drink no water, your corpse shall not come to the tomb of your fathers.”
Note: Prophets were spokesmen of God. All prophets would declare to the people: Thus says the Lord.
1Ch 17:3 , “But it happened that night that the Word of God came to Nathan, saying:”
Note: The Word of God came to a prophet not that the prophet had expected. It happened when God wanted it to happen.
2Ch 11:2 , “But the Word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying.”
Luk 4:3 ,“And the devil said to Him: If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”
Note: It is true, this was what the devil said to Jesus: If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread. The Word of God said that the devil said so.
Luk 1:34-37, “Then Mary said to the angel: How can this be, since I do not know a man? And the angel answered and said to her: The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.”
Note: ‘I do not know a man’ means I do not have sex with a man. The angel Gabriel was sent by God to speak to Mary of the virgin birth, Mary was puzzled because how could a virgin to have a child. Gabriel as an archangel of God, empowered to give explanation to Mary. Gabriel said what God wanted him to say.
Mat 19:4 ,“And He answered and said to them: Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning made them male and female.”
Note: Jesus Christ affirms and confirms the Old Testament was written as the Word of God. Jesus also confirms and validates the fact that Adam and Eve were created by God’s direct act as it is written. There is an American president who advertised himself as born again, and yet he is an evolutionist. You cannot be a Christian and an evolutionist at the same time. Evolution is a scientific theory that contradicts the teaching of Jesus Christ. A Christian does not and cannot contradict the teachings of Jesus Christ, the Word of Jesus Christ which will never pass away.
Mar 12:26 , “But concerning the dead, that they rise, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the burning bush passage, how God spoke to him, saying: I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?”
Note: Jesus Christ unequivocally reaffirms the Old Testament is the Word of God.
Mar 12:10 ,“Have you not even read this Scripture: The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone.”
Note: A passage of the Bible is called a Scripture. Jesus Christ validates a passage written in the Old Testament as the Scripture.
Luk 1:19 ,“And the angel answered and said to him: I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings.”
Note: Angels are messengers of God. Prophets are spokesmen of God. Both angels and prophets speak only what God told them to speak.
Luk 3:2 , “While Annas and Caiaphas were high priests, the Word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.”
Note: John the Baptist was sent by God to prepare the way for the Son of God. The Word of God came to John in the wilderness. The Word of God did not come to the palace, the seat of power, wealth and glory. Do you know any seat of power, wealth and glory which receives the Word of God?
Jhn 10:35, “If He called them gods, to whom the Word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken).”
Note: The Word of God did not come to just any person. Jesus Christ verified and validated that the Word of God came to the holy men (prophets) in the past.
Luk 24:27 , “And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.”
Note: Expound in Greek is diermēneuō which means to unfold the meaning of what is said, explain, interpret; – it occurs only 6 times in the New Testament. All the Scriptures mean the Old Testament because the New Testament was not written at the time of the resurrection of Christ. The central message of Moses and all the Prophets was the Messiah, the Son of God who came to the world to die for sinners.
Act 13:44 , “On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the Word of God.”
Note: Sabbath was the day of rest for the Jews, most suitable to come together to hear the Word of God. Later Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and assembled on Sunday to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ the Word of God, and sing praises and worship God.
Act 28:23 ,“So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the Kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening.”
Note: Paul was a great apostle who received the revelation directly from Jesus Christ. Paul was also a great preacher, he explained and solemnly testified of the Kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets. Now it is much easier to preach the Gospel because the whole New Testament explains it. Explain in Greek is ektithēmi which means to metaphorically set forth, declare, expound, make clear or understandable; – it occurs only 4 times in the New Testament. Testify in Greek is diamartyromai which means to confirm a thing by testimony, cause it to be believed; – it occurs about 15 times in the New Testament. All the apostolic instruction boiled down to testimony respecting things they themselves had seen or heard, or which had disclosed to them by divine revelation. Persuade in Greek is peithō which means to induce one by words to believe, inspire confidence, cause to believe, cause to have faith; – it occurs about 55 times in the New Testament. What the apostles could do are not what present day evangelists and preachers can. The apostles had power, first-hand experience, had seen the Lord and could perform miracles.
When the Bible says the devil said, the devil did say so. When the Bible says angels said, angels did say so. When the Bible says a certain individual says something, that individual did say just that. Whatever the Bible says is so because God says so. Thus the Bible is the Word of God.
C. “The Bible is full of allegories, illusions, legends, mythologies, myths, parables and stories.”
The Bible is not a history textbook, but it is historically correct. When the Bible speaks of an individual like David and a place like Bethlehem, David was a real historical person, not a fiction; Bethlehem was and is a real place even today. The Bible is not a scientific textbook, but it is scientifically correct. When the Bible says it is a parable, it is a parable. There is no legend, mythology or myth in the Bible. What is plain is plain. What is a figure of speech is a figure of speech.
Mat 22:42-45 , “Saying: What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He? They said to Him: The Son of David. He said to them: How then does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord,’ saying: The LORD said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool? If David then calls Him ‘Lord,’ how is He his Son?”
Note: The Bible is not a scientific textbook, but it is scientifically correct. When God revealed to Jeremiah more than 2,000 years ago about the expanding universe, it was and it is scientifically correct.
True, the Bible contains parables, allegories, and stories. When the Bible says it is a parable, it should be taken literally as a parable.
Eze 17:2 , “Son of man, set forth a riddle and tell the house of Israel a parable.”
Note: Riddle in Hebrew is chiydah which means difficult question, enigmatic saying or question, perplexing saying or question, dark obscure utterance, dark speech, hard question; – it occurs about 17 times in the Old Testament. Parable in Hebrew is mashal which means proverbial saying, aphorism, similitude, byword; – it occurs about 39 times in the Old Testament. When the Bible says it is a riddle, it is a riddle. When the Bible says it is a parable, it is a parable. However, the Bible is not made of riddles and parables.
Jdg 14:12 -14 , “Then Samson said to them: Let me pose a riddle to you. If you can correctly solve and explain it to me within the seven days of the feast, then I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothing. But if you cannot explain it to me, then you shall give me thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothing. And they said to him: Pose your riddle, that we may hear it. So he said to them: Out of the eater came something to eat, and out of the strong came something sweet. Now for three days they could not explain the riddle”
Note: Samson’s riddle was very interesting. Yes, the Bible contains riddles, but the Bible is not made of riddles.
Mat 13:36, “Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying: Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field.”
Note: Jesus tells many parables as they are written in the Gospels. Parable in Greek is parabolē which means comparison of one thing with another, likeness, similitude, an example by which a doctrine or precept is illustrated, an earthly story with a heavenly meaning; – it occurs about 50 times in the New Testament. The explanations of the parable are plain truths, no parable:
Mat 13:37-42 ,“He answered and said to them: He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the Kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the world, and the reapers are the angels. Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the world. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” These are sober truths.
Gal 4:24 ，“Now this is an allegory: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar.”
Note: Allegory in Greek is allēgoreō which means speaking allegorically or in a figure; – it occurs only once in the New Testament.
Pro 1:6 , “To understand a proverb and a figure, the words of the wise and their riddles.”
Note: Figure in Hebrew is mĕliytsah which means an obscure saying, what needs an interpretation; – it occurs only 2 times in the Old Testament.
Jhn 10:6 , “Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what He was telling them.”
Note: Figure of speech in Greek is paroimia which means any dark saying which shadows forth some didactic truth, a symbolic or figurative saying, speech or discourse in which a thing is illustrated by the use of similes and comparisons, extended and elaborate metaphor; – it occurs only 5 times in the New Testament.
Jhn 16:29 ,“His disciples said to Him: See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech!”
Isa 30:10, “Who say to the seers: You must not see visions; and to the prophets, You must not prophesy to us what is right, Speak to us pleasant words, Prophesy illusions.”
Note: Illusion in Hebrew is mahathallah which means deception, deceit; – it occurs only once in the Old Testament.
Luk 24:11 , “And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them.”
Note: Idle tale in Greek is lēros which means idle talk, nonsense; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. At first the disciples who had not seen the risen Lord did not believe the women who had seen the Lord; their words seemed to them like idle tales.
1Ti 1:4 , “Nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.”
Note: Fable in Greek is mythos which means a fiction, myth, invention, falsehood, legend; – it occurs only 5 times in the New Testament. The Word of God edifies and builds you up in the faith.
1Ti 4:7 , “But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.”
Note: Godliness in Greek is eusebeia which means piety towards God; – it occurs about 15 times in the New Testament. Exercise in Greek is gymnazō which means to strive earnestly, train vigorously like those in a school of gymnastics; – it occurs only 4 times in the New Testament. Godliness is some virtue that Christians must strive, train and practice vigorously.
2Ti 4:4 , “And they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”
Note: The Bible is truth, against fables. So it is impossible for the Bible to be made of fables.
Tts 1:14 , “Not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth.”
Note: The Jewish fables were propagated by Pharisees and scribes.
When Jesus says, I am the door of the sheep; it is a figure of speech. Jesus is not a door made of wood or steel. But Jesus is the door in the sense without going through Jesus you cannot enter the sheepfold.
Jhn 14:6 ,“Jesus said to him: I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Note: The statement above is plain truth which is spiritually true: Jesus is the Way to God, no one comes to the Father except through Him. That Jesus is the Way to God is the Truth. Those who believe the truth in Christ has eternal life.
2Th 2:11 , “And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie.”
Note: God is against delusion and lie. Delusion in Greek is planē which means error, wrong opinion relative to morals or religion; – it occurs about 10 times in the New Testament. Many white supremacists and uninformed Americans believe in the delusion that America is exceptional, chosen by God to rule the world. It is a lie, a big lie that deceives white and black supremacists.
Lam 2:14 , “Your prophets have seen for you false and deceptive visions; they have not uncovered your iniquity, to bring back your captives, but have envisioned for you false prophecies and delusions.”
Psa 4:2 , “How long, O men, will you turn My glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods? Selah.”
Jer 14:14 , “Then the LORD said to me: The prophets are prophesying lies in My name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds.”
Note: The Bible is against false and deceptive visions; false prophecies and delusions; false gods; divinations, idolatries and the delusions of the minds of the wicked.
Delusion in Hebrew is tormah which means treachery, fraud, deceit, deceitfulness; – it occurs only 6 times in the Old Testament. Delusions of the minds are most destructive. ‘White man’s burden’ is a fraud. Evolution is a delusion of the mind. Power is a delusion of the mind. Wealth is a delusion of the mind. Pleasure is a delusion of the mind. Because God is love, therefore there is no hell – a big illusion and delusion of the mind.
1Ti 1:4 , “Nor to occupy themselves with myths and endless genealogies which promote speculations rather than the divine training that is in faith.”
Note: Myth in Greek is mythos which means a fiction, fable, invention, falsehood; – it occurs only 5 times in the New Testament. Speculation is ekzētēsis which means subtle inquiry, dispute; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. Unbelieving scholars and modernists are good at making subtle inquiries such as so-called ‘historical Jesus’,‘textual criticism’, etc. The Bible is against all kinds of myths, endless genealogies and speculations. All private interpretations of the Bible are speculations at the least, and heresies at most.
1Ti 4:7 , “Have nothing to do with godless and silly myths. Train yourself in godliness.”
Note: There is infinite variety of godless and silly myths. One silly myth is if you go to the pulpit and kneel down there, God will be nearer to you and answer your prayer. Some Chinese churches are like Buddhist temples, those who go to church have some silly Buddhist practices. Catholics have many silly myths; they kiss the statue of Mary or cross to get healing. Catholics believe in the myth that Mary is the mediator between God and men. Westerners are superstitious about the number 13. Chinese believe the number 8 brings them good luck and good fortune – all these silly myths Christians have nothing to do with them.
Tts 1:14 ,“Instead of giving heed to Jewish myths or to commands of men who reject the truth.”
Note: If you give heed to Jewish myths and scientific myths or to commands of men, you will reject the truth because they are not compatible with the Word of God.
2 Pe 1:16 , “For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.”
Note: The most cunningly devised fables are evolution and the “big bang” devised by unbelieving scientists. Apostles were eyewitnesses of Christ’s resurrection, power and majesty. All plain statements of the Word of God are not parables, fables, mythologies or myths, dreams, delusions, allegories, tales or stories. Plain statement should be taken as plain statements. Plain statements of the Bible are plain truths. Western leaders and politicians also have cunningly devised fables like democracy, human rights, freedom, justice — because they never practice them, and the peoples of their nations do not have them.
16. The Bible Speaks and Interprets Itself.
2Pe 1:20 ,“But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of private interpretation. For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”
Note: Interpretation in Greek is epilysis which means a loosening, unloosing, explanation, exposition; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. The Bible makes it clear; holy men of God (prophets and apostles) spoke and wrote the Bible. No prophecy of Scripture is a matter of private interpretation. If you want to argue with God, that is not my problem. The Bible is not a matter of private interpretation. The Bible speaks and interprets itself.
Question: How Does the Bible Interpret Itself?
The following are examples of ways in which the Bible interprets itself.
A. Biblical Definitions
The Bible provides many definitions which are vital to understand the Word of God. If you do not know the definition of the Bible on a certain topic, it means you may know the word and still do not understand what the Bible is talking about. Here only a few topics with explanations are cited to aid in forming Biblical Theology about God, sin, Christ, hell. Biblical definitions are God’s definitions, not the definitions of theologians, scholars or scientists.
(1). God
Jhn 4:24, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Note: Spirit in Greek is pneuma which means the life giving spirit, the essence of God; – it occurs about 385 times in the New Testament. Jesus further explains,
Luk 24:39 ,“See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” A spirit does not have flesh and bones, that is definitive. Thus the Bible interprets what does it mean that God is Spirit. This is the primary meaning. Spirit also has secondary meaning. True, God is Spirit. The Bible also says,
Hbr 12:29 ,“For our God is a consuming fire.” God is a consuming fire, but fire is not God. To believe in fire god is pantheism. Those who worship fire god do not know the true God. The Bible also says,
1Jo 4:8 , “The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”
God is love, but love is not God. Those who worship the goddess of love are pagans, not Christians. Thus if you gather all the Scriptures that say about God in one place, sort them out and study them systematically, and present them in a cohesive manner it forms Biblical Theology. That is how the Bible interprets itself. You cannot single out one passage of the Scripture to contradict other Scriptures. The unity of the Word of God presents the central message of God to mankind, and rejects any private interpretation.
(2). Sin
1Jo 3:4 ,“Whoever commits sin violates also the law: for sin is the violation of the law.”
Note: Sin is the violation of the law, that is one definition. Sin is judged according to the law of Moses – the law that God gave to Moses. This is the fundamental definition of sin. Without the law, you would not know what sin is. The law says,
Exd 20:17 ,“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”
Rom 7:7 ,“What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said: You shall not covet.” However, that is not all the Scriptures say or define about sin.
Rom 14:23 ,“But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not of faith is sin.” Whatever is not of faith is sin, that brings a broad perspective of what sin is. Probably the greatest of all sins is not to believe in God. The fools says in his heart there is no God.
You sin if you live not by faith, but by feeling. Furthermore,
Jam 4:17 ,“Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.” This is the sin of omission; most sins are confined to commissions. You are rich, you are able to do good but you do not, that is sin. You have power to right the wrong, but you do not, it is sin. You are a politician, you know your colleagues violate the law and commit corruption, you say and do nothing, it is sin. You are a doctor, you know the healthcare system defraud and overcharge patients, you say and do nothing, it is sin. You are a Wall Street executive, you know the financial system systematically defraud and loot the world, but you say and do nothing, it is sin.
1Jo 5:17 ,“All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death.”
All unrighteousness covers a lot of sins: Lie, murder, robbery, terrorism, lawlessness, riot, looting, adultery, fornication, superstition, greed, violence, fraud, corruption, oppression, arson, rape, drunkenness, prostitution, pimping, injustice, theft, false witness, false accusation, fake news, fake documentation, fake report, fake license, counterfeit money, discrimination, pride, lust, arrogance, jealousy, envy, conflict, false claim, taking advantage of others, rumor, slander, evil thought, disobedience, rebellion, and a million other things are unrighteousness.
For example, to give tax cuts to the wealthy and powerful is unrighteousness, all unrighteousness is sin. From general to the specific,
Col 3:5 ,“Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”
This Scripture defines covetousness (greed) as idolatry. In America very few people worship idols, but most Americans worship money (the love of money) which is greed. Wall Street is a definitive demonstration of greed, and capitalism is made of greed and infected the whole world with frauds and all sorts of evils.
Rom 6:23 ,“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Note: The fact we will all die because we have all sinned. If you have not sinned, you will not die. Since Adam, there is no one who has not sinned. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(3). Christ
Mat 16:16 , “Simon Peter answered and said: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Note: Christ in Greek is Christos which means ‘anointed’, the Messiah, the Son of God; – it occurs about 569 times in the New Testament. Christ the Messiah is the Son of the living God. It refers to Jesus only, Jesus as the Christ (Messiah), the proper name Jesus Christ.
Mat 23:10 ,“And do not be called masters; for One is your Master, the Christ.”
Note: Master in Greek is kathēgētēs which means a guide, teacher, the supreme leader who has authority and power; – it occurs only 3 times in the New Testament. Jesus Christ is the Master like no one. Many heresies were born because certain puffed-up and hydrocephalic individuals wanted to be masters and formed a theological school of thought based on their private interpretations of the Word of God.
Mar 1:1 ,“The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”
Note: Jesus Christ is the beginning of the Gospel, without Jesus Christ there is no Gospel.
Luk 2:11 , “For there is born to you this day in the city of David the Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Note: Savior in Greek is sōtēr which means deliverer, preserver, redeemer, through whom God gives salvation; – it occurs about 24 times in the New Testament. Lord in Greek is kyrios which means the Ruler of the universe, this title is given to: God, the Messiah; – it occurs about 748 times in the New Testament. Jesus Christ is the Savior, the Lord just as God is the Lord.
Luk 24:46 ,“Then He said to them: Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day.”
Note: The Jews and the disciples had a wrong idea about the Messiah. They thought the Christ must remain forever, not knowing that it was necessary for Christ as the Lamb of God to suffer and die for sinners in order to save them. If only death, then there would be no salvation; for Christ rose from the dead for our justification.
Jhn 1:17 , “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”
Note: Since man cannot obtain the righteousness of God through keeping the Law, so God provide grace for all who come to Christ for salvation. The righteousness of God is awarded freely to all who trust in Christ, this is the truth.
Jhn 1:41 , “He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him: We have found the Messiah (which is translated, the Christ).”
Jhn 4:42 , “Then they said to the woman: Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.”
Note: Jesus indeed is the Messiah, the Savior of the world. Truth is exclusive; there is only one Messiah, the Savior of the world. A spouse is also exclusive; you cannot have more than one spouse.
Jhn 6:69 , “Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Note: In secular things you know and believe. In divine things you believe and know. Come to believe is come to know.
Jhn 17:3 , “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”
Act 2:36 , “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
Act 2:38 , “Then Peter said to them: Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Note: Remission in Greek is aphesis which means forgiveness, pardon of sins (letting them go as if they had never been committed); – it occurs about 17 times in the New Testament.
Rom 1:16 ,“For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”
Note: The Gospel of Christ is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, to both the Jews and the Gentiles. Gentiles can be saved just as the Jews can be saved.
Rom 2:16 ,“In the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my Gospel.”
Note: The day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ is when He returns to reign with the saints. Ah, do you know that God knows your secrets? God knows the secrets of America, EU, UK, Canada, France, Australia, Japan and all nations. God also knows the secrets of all national leaders and politicians. God also know all corporate secrets and the secrets of corporate leaders and executives. The leader of a nation has many secrets, God knows them. A nation has many secrets or classified information because its leaders and officials have done many evil things, God knows them. A corporate executive has many secrets how he looted the corporation, God knows them. Doctors and hospital owners have defrauded and overcharged patients for many years, God knows all their secrets. Whatever you have done and think no one knows about, God knows the secrets of men.
Rom 3:22 ,“Even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference.”
Note: The righteousness of God is not possible to obtain through the law is given freely to all through faith in Jesus Christ.
Rom 10:4, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”
Note: End in Greek is telos which means termination, that by which a thing is finished, the end to which all things relate; – it occurs about 42 times in the New Testament. This is a vital truth: Christ is the end of the law. Roughly there are two dispensations: law (Old Testament) and grace (New Testament). The dispensation of law was ended; the dispensation of grace began when Christ first appeared on earth and lasts until Christ returns to reign. Now is the dispensation of grace. The righteousness of God which man cannot obtain through the law is given by grace to all who put their faith in Jesus Christ. Christ fulfills and completes the law for righteousness to everyone who believes in Him as Lord and Savior.
1Cr 1:24 , “But to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”
Note: Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
1Cr 10:4 , “And all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.”
When Jesus Christ says,
Mat 16:18 ,“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”
Note: You see the Bible interprets itself. Peter was not the rock, that Rock was Christ. The Bible does not contradict itself. The Roman Catholic Church teaches Peter as the rock of the church although they know the Bible says that Rock is Christ.
1Cr 12:27 , “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.”
Note: The Scripture provides the definition of the Church. Believers are the body of Christ, and members individually. The Church is the body of Christ.
1Cr 15:3-4, “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”
Note: The Scriptures cited are the fundamental doctrines of Christianity. Christ died for our sins and He was buried, and He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.
1Jo 1:7 ,“But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
Christianity is based on the Scriptures, the Word of God. Christ rose from the dead for our justification, so that all believe in Him may be counted as righteousness. The substitutionary death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are the right and left sacred pillars of the truth of Christianity. Without Jesus Christ dying for sinners, sinners cannot be redeemed. Without resurrection of Jesus Christ, sinners cannot be justified or counted righteous before God. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ completed the redemption of our souls; the second coming of Christ will complete the redemption of our bodies, from mortal to immortal, from inglorious to glorious. Only Christianity has the empty tomb, for our Redeemer lives forever. The dead leaders of many religions could not even save themselves. Recently a Hindu guru worshiped by millions died at 84. The Hindu guru died because he was also a sinner. If he was not a sinner, he would not have died. Death is the destiny of all men. For the wages of sin is death.
(4). Hell
Hell is not a state of mind; it is a real place of suffering, eternal suffering.
Deu 32:22 , “For a fire is kindled in My anger, and shall burn to the lowest Hell; it shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.”
Note: The Chinese concept of 18-floor hell is a pure imagination, but the Bible does say about the lowest hell. Apparently people who are sent to the lowest hell are the most wicked and will suffer the most. The lowest hell is the bottomless pit. Apparently the hell ( shĕ’owl ) of the Old Testament has been moved to the hell ( hadēs ) described in Rev 20:14 after Jesus Christ rose from the dead and ascended to the highest Heaven. We should not speculate what is not spelled out in the Bible.
Psa 9:17 ,“The wicked shall be turned into Hell, and all the nations that forget God.”
Note: All the nations that forget God shall be turned into hell, including nations that call themselves ‘Christian’ but practices wickedness and unrighteousness.
Psa 55:15 ，“Let death seize them; let them go down alive into Hell, for wickedness is in their dwellings and among them.”
Pro 5:5 ,“Her feet go down to death, her steps lay hold of Hell.
Pro 7:27 ,“Her house is the way to Hell, descending to the chambers of death.”
Note: Her refers to prostitute and bad woman. The house of prostitution is the way to Hell.
Pro 27:20 , “Hell and Destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.”
Note: Hell is never full because it is the Bottomless Pit.
Eze 31:16 , “I made the nations shake at the sound of its fall, when I cast it down to Hell together with those who descend into the Pit; and all the trees of Eden, the choice and best of Lebanon, all that drink water, were comforted in the depths of the earth.”
Mat 5:22 , “But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of Hell fire.”
Mat 5:29 , “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Hell.”
Mat 5:30 ,“And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Hell.”
Mat 10:28 , “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell.”
Note: This Scripture answers the question how is that the suffering in Hell is forever, because they shall be tormented both soul and body. The body of the wicked after resurrection can feel the pain of fire and worm, it is continuously dying but never dies, there is no ending. The suffering in Hell involves body and soul of the wicked or unbeliever.
Mat 23:15 ,“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of Hell as yourselves.”
Note: There are bad and false preachers who make believers their disciples. Remember, a true preacher makes believers the disciples of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ calls the evildoer, a son of Hell. Truth is offensive. Something is seriously wrong with you if you think the truth of God must please you. You study the Bible not to find whether it pleases you or not. You study the Word of God to find out whether you please God or not.
There are many sons of Hell making Hell on earth; someday the sons of Hell will be tormented in Hell forever and ever. A greedy capitalist that robs and loots the world is a son of Hell. A warmonger that starts war of aggression is a son of Hell. A CORRUPT doctor and hospital owner who defraud and prey on patients are sons of Hell. A lawyer who practices legal terrorism is a son of Hell. A terrorist is a son of Hell…
Mat 23:33 ,“Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of Hell.”
Note: Some people think Jesus was too kind and only spoke kind words, but He calls the wicked, serpents, brood of vipers.
Mar 9:43, “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to Hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched—.”
Note: Hell fire is worse than nuclear fire, fire produced by fission or fusion. Hell fire is eternal, and suffering in Hell is also eternal.
Luk 12:5 , “But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into Hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!”
2Pe 2:4 ,“For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to Hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment.”
Note: It appears God has sent the angels who sinned and maybe the wicked also who died to chains of darkness. After judgment, the Lake of Fire (Hell) will be the final place of punishment for them. If God did not spare the angels who sinned, don’t think you are better than an angel can escape God’s judgment.
B. The Unity of the Word of God.
The Word of God gives one consistent message, the work of the devil is trying to cast doubt or distort the Word of God. The Bible does not contradict itself.
Mat 7:15 , “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.”
Note: Jesus Christ calls false prophets ravenous wolves. Those ravenous wolves come to you in sheep’s clothing. There are many false prophets who appear in cathedrals, seminaries, megachurches, etc. False prophets are ravenous wolves because they deceive people and destroy their faith.
In America a false prophet who deceived people repeatedly about the Day of Judgment is very rich because fools gave him their money and assets.
Mat 24:11 , “Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.”
Note: Preachers of prosperity gospel are false prophets, they deceive many by teaching if you give your money to them as investment, God will open up heaven and pour down material blessings on you so that you prosper and become rich.
Mat 24:24 ,“For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”
Note: False christs and false prophets can also show great signs and wonders to deceive people.
Luk 6:26 , “Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets.”
Note: Some false prophets and false teachers have fallen from grace and disgraced themselves. Some may be well received in palaces, white house, big mansions, big institutions, big firms, etc.
2Cr 11:13 , “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.”
Note: These deceitful workers may claim to be apostles of Christ. Since the Twelve, Judas lost his and replaced by Paul, all the apostles had gone to heaven; there will never be another apostle. If anyone declares himself to be a modern day apostle of Christ, you can be sure he is a false apostle.
Gal 2:4 , “And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage).”
2Pe 2:1 , “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.”
Note: Those who insist they have power to make private interpretation of the Word of God, they will bring swift destruction upon themselves. You cannot use the words of man to measure the Word of God; you must measure the words of man by the Word of God. All false prophets and false teachers deny Jesus Christ is the Son of God, God who became Man.
2Pe 3:16 ,“He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.”
Note: Destruction in Greek is apōleia which means a perishing, ruin, the destruction which consists of eternal misery in Hell; – it occurs about 20 times in the New Testament. Apostle Peter talked about the writings of Apostle Paul containing some things that are hard to understand. Ignorant and unstable people distort the Bible as they do the other Scriptures will bring their own destruction. There is such a thing that people do bring or cause their own destruction.
Rev 20:10 ,“The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” Note: The Scripture cited explains the end of the evil trinity, the devil, the beast and the false prophet – tormented in hell forever and ever.
Eph 4:5 -6 ,“One Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”
Note: The Bible presents one Lord (Jesus Christ), one faith (not denominations), one baptism; one God and Father of all. The Father and Son are One. All believers in Christ are one.
C. The Word of God centers on Jesus Christ.
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: Find in Greek is heuriskō which means to find by inquiry, thought, examination, scrutiny, observation, find out, come to know, find by chance; – it occurs about 178 times in the New Testament. Messiah whom Moses and the prophets wrote about had been expected by the Jews for thousands of years. Have you found out what is the most important thing in your life?
Luk 24:27 ,“And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.”
Note: The things concerning the Messiah the Christ are written in the books of Moses and all the Prophets (the Old Testament).
Luk 24:44 , “Then He said to them: These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.”
Note: The three major portions of the Old Testament are the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms – in fact the whole Old Testament was written about Jesus Christ – the Messiah. The Book of Psalms is very useful to teach believers how to pray, how to communicate with God.
Mat 3:17 ,“And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying: This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Mat 17:5 ,“While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying: This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!”
Mar 9:7 ,“And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying: This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!”
Luk 9:35 , “And a voice came out of the cloud, saying: This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!”
Note: The central message of God to mankind is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is God’s beloved Son, hear Him, listen to Him, accept Him, believe in Him, obey Him, and love Him.
2Pe 1:17 , “For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Note: God is the Excellent Glory, Jesus Christ is His beloved Son.
1 Cr 2:2, “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”
Note: Everything else you know is useless if you do not know that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Savior of the world, died for your sins and rose from death and He is able to save you to the end.
Act 4:12 , “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Note: This Scripture is very clear: there is no salvation in any other, there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. No matter who you are, Gandhi or Lincoln, you need Jesus to save you. No one is good enough to go to heaven.
1Cr 3:11 ,“For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
Note: Foundation in Greek is themelios which means the thing laid down as a foundation; – it occurs about 16 times in the New Testament. Jesus Christ is the foundation of Christianity, the Rock of the Church.
1Ti 1:3-4 , “As I urged you when I went into Macedonia–remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.”
1Ti 2:5 , “For there is one God, and one Mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
Note: Jesus Christ is the Mediator between God and men. It is not Mary, it is not apostles, it is not angels, and it is not any man.
D. The Way.
Jhn 14:6 ,“Jesus said to him: I AM the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.”
Note: Way in Greek is hodos which means a traveled way, road, by which one passes; – it occurs about 102 times in the New Testament. Jesus Christ is the way with whom all who seek approach to God must enter into closest fellowship. Jesus Christ is the way to God, there is no other way. This is the truth if you want to receive life. Truth is not narrow-mindedness. Truth is exclusive, not inclusive. Think about this as the most important thing: If Jesus Christ is right, then all religions are false. However, there is religious freedom, you may receive or reject Jesus Christ; but you will not escape the consequence. The Bible has made it clear about the consequences of unbelievers. What you decide will determine your eternal destiny. I had made choice long ago; I accept and believe Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, no regret whatsoever.
Mat 7:13 -14 , “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
Mat 22:16 , “And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying: Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any.”
Note: Truthful in Greek is alēthēs which means true, speaking the truth; – it occurs about 25 times in the New Testament. To be partial means to regard the person, pay attention to who is the person, or regard the position of man. Jesus Christ does not regard whether you are the president of America, the prime minister of Britain, or the king of any nation. In the sight of God, man is nothing, less than nothing.
Luk 1:79 ,“To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Note: Those who walk in darkness, such as Wall Street crooks, corrupt officials, fraudulent doctors and hospital owners, predatory lawyers, etc. do not know the way of peace.
Isa 57:21, “There is no peace, says my God, for the wicked.” God says: There is no peace for the wicked.
Luk 20:21 , “Then they asked Him, saying: Master, we know that You say and teach rightly, and You do not show personal favoritism, but teach the way of God in truth.”
Note: Do not show personal favoritism means not being partial to any. To teach the way of God in truth, one cannot show personal favoritism. Jesus Christ is the way, the narrow way, the way of peace, the way of God in truth, the way of salvation, the way of the Lord, the way of God.
Act 9:2 ,“And asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.”
Note: The word ‘way’used in Act 9:2 is the same original word used in Jhn 14:6. Whether used it favorably or unfavorably, Christianity is the Way. Christians are people of the Way – the Way of God.
Act 16:17 , “This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying: These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.”
Note: The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the way of salvation.
Act 18:25-26 ,“This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the Way of God more accurately.”
Note: The more knowledge you have of the Word of God, the more accurately you explain the Way of God, the way of salvation.
Act 19:9 ,“But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.”
Note: Do not be surprised if some hardened unbelievers speak evil of the Way. The enemies of the cross oppose the Way of God.
E. The Door.
Jhn 10:1 ,“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.”
Note: Leaders of false religions are actually thieves and robbers because they misled the people with the wrong way.
Jhn 10:2 , “But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.”
Jhn 10:7 ,“So Jesus said to them again: Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.”
Jhn 10:9 , “I AM the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”
Note: Jesus Christ is the door of salvation, enter by Jesus means to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and you will be saved.
Gen 7:13-16, “On the very same day Noah and Noah’s sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons with them, entered the ark– they and every beast after its kind, all cattle after their kind, every creeping thing that creeps on the earth after its kind, and every bird after its kind, every bird of every sort. And they went into the ark to Noah, two by two, of all flesh in which is the breath of life. So those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him; and the LORD shut him in.”
Note: To shut in means the door is closed. Now the door of salvation is open, now you can be saved. The day is coming when the door of salvation is shut, then you cannot enter. Gen 19:10-11 ,“But the men reached out their hands and pulled Lot into the house with them, and shut the door. And they struck the men who were at the doorway of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they became weary trying to find the door.” Note: The Old Testament story cited above is very interesting and illustrates the importance of the door.
Act 14:27 , “Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.”
Note: God has opened the door of faith to the Gentiles and the Jews. All may come in and be saved.
Col 4:3 , “Meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the Word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains.”
Note: Pray God to open to us a door for the Word through the Internet to reach millions with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Jam 5:9 ,“Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door
Rev 3:20 , “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”
Note: Jesus Christ is knocking at the door of your heart, open your heart and receive Him as your Lord and Savior. The most wonderful garage door leads you only to a car. White house door cannot lead you to heaven. Congressional door cannot lead you to heaven. Palace door does not lead you to paradise. Jesus is the door that leads you to God and heaven.
17. What to Do with the Word of God.
Peoples of the world and Christians are at least told to do the following. The Word of God speaks two groups of people: believers and unbelievers. What the Word of God tells Christians to do, unbelievers cannot do.
A. Hear the Word.
Isa 28:14 , “Therefore hear the Word of the LORD, you scornful men, who rule this people who are in Jerusalem.”
Isa 66:5 , “Hear the Word of the LORD, you who tremble at His Word: Your brethren who hated you, who cast you out for My name’s sake, said: Let the LORD be glorified, that we may see your joy. But they shall be ashamed.”
Jesus says, Mat 13:9 , “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
Rom 10:17 , “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”
Note: Hear the Word means to listen to what God says and obey the Word of God.
B. Pay attention to the Word.
2Pe 1:19 , “And we have the Word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.”
Note: Pay attention in Greek is prosechō which means to turn the mind to, attend to be attentive, give attention to, take heed, devote thought and effort to; – it occurs about 24 times in the New Testament. You do well to pay attention to the Word of God which a light like the morning star that shines in your hearts.
C. Believe the Word.
Act 4:4 , “However, many of those who heard the Word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.”
Note: Believe in Greek is pisteuō which means to think to be true, to be persuaded of, place confidence in, trust in Jesus or God as able to aid; – it occurs about 248 times in the New Testament. To believe the Word is to take God at His Word.
Act 15:7 ,“And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the Word of the Gospel and believe.”
Note: It is the duty of man to hear the Word of the Gospel and believe.
Eph 1:13 , “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the Word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.”
Note: To hear the Word of truth, the Gospel of our salvation and believe is to be sealed to receive the Holy Spirit.
D. Receive the Word.
Act 8:14 , “Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.”
Note: Receive in Greek is dechomai which means to take hold of, take up, give ear to, embrace, approve, make one’s own; – it occurs 59 times in the New Testament. We must receive the Word of God.
Act 17:11 , “These were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”
Note: Readiness in Greek is prothymia which means readiness of mind, eagerness, zeal, spirit, inclination; – it occurs only 5 times in the New Testament. Search the Scriptures and receive the Word with readiness of mind and eagerness.
1Th 1:6 , “And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the Word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit.”
Note: For followers of Jesus Christ to receive the Word in affliction means to suffer for the Lord and to be with joy of the Holy Spirit.
1Th 2:13 , “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.”
Note: The Word of God is the word of truth.
E. Desire the Word.
1Pe 2:2 , “As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby.”
Note: Desire in Greek is epipotheō which means to long for, pursue with love, long after; – it occurs only 9 times in the New Testament. As newborn babes desire the milk so Christians should desire the pure milk of the Word. The Word is vital for spiritual growth. Christians are to grow in the knowledge and grace of Jesus Christ. Knowledge of and obedience to the Word of God are essential for Christian growth.
F. Taste the Word.
Hbr 6:5 , “And have tasted the good Word of God and the powers of the age to come.”
Note: Taste in Greek is geuomai which means to try the flavor of, partake of, enjoy, feel and experience; – it occurs about 15 times in the New Testament. The taste of the Word of God is good because of its promises and blessings. If you are a child of God, you must have experienced the divine providence and how God has blessed and helped you in many ways.
G. Keep the Word.
Luk 11:28 , “But He said: More than that, blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it!”
Note: Keep here in Greek is phylassō which means to guard, watch, keep watch, guard i.e. care for, take care not to violate, observe; – it occurs about 30 times in the New Testament.
1Jo 2:5 , “But whoever keeps His Word, truly the love of God is perfected in Him. By this we know that we are in Him.”
Note: Keep in Greek is tēreō which means to attend to carefully, take care of, observe of God’s or Christ’s command; – it occurs about 75 times in the New Testament. To keep the Word is to obey the commandments of God and do the will of God.
H. Remember the Word.
Jhn 15:20 , “Remember the Word that I said to you: A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My Word, they will keep yours also.”
Note: Remember in Greek is mnēmoneuō which means to be mindful of, call to mind, hold in memory, keep in mind, make mention of; – it occurs about 21 times in the New Testament. Christians must remember the Word that Jesus said in the New Testament and keep it. To remember the Word of Christ you have to keep it in your heart. Here “yours” refers what the apostles later said and wrote in the New Testament. It does not mean what church leaders, theologians or pastors say.
I. Obey the Word.
Jos 24:24 , “The people said to Joshua: We will serve the LORD our God and we will obey His voice. ”
Note: Obey in Hebrew is shama` which means to hear, listen to, consent, agree, yield to, be obedient, give heed; – it occurs about 1,159 times in the Old Testament. God’s voice and God’s word mean the same. To obey God’s voice is to obey His Word.
2Th 1:8 , “Dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus.”
Note: Obey in Greek is hypakouō which means to be obedient to, submit to, harken to a command; – it occurs 21 times in the New Testament. To obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus is to obey the Word. Those who do not obey will receive retribution. Retribution in Greek is ekdikēsis which means vengeance, punishment; – it occurs only 9 times in the New Testament. What punishment for those who do not obey the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Jesus Christ says, Mat 25:46 , “These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Punishment in Greek is kolasis which means correction, penalty; – it occurs only 2 times in the New Testament. What is eternal punishment? Body and soul suffer in Hell forever.
J. Be doers of the Word.
Jam 1:22 , “But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
Note: Doer in Greek is poiētēs which means a performer, practitioner, one who obeys or fulfills the law; – it occurs only 6 times in the New Testament. One who hears the Word, but does not do it, deceives himself. A good illustration is the Western powers that claim to be Christian, but they practice imperialism, colonialism, capitalism, and hegemonism which are totally contrary to the Word of God.
Luk 6:46 , “Why do you call Me: ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”
Be doer of the Word is to do what the Lord says.
K. Hold firm the Word.
Phl 2:16, “Holding out the Word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.”
Note: Hold out in Greek is epechō which means to have or hold upon, hold toward, hold forth; – it occurs only 5 times in the New Testament.
Tts 1:9 ,“Holding firm the faithful Word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.”
Note: Hold firm in Greek is antechō which means to hold to firmly, cleave to; – it occurs only 4 times in the New Testament. Believers must hold out and hold firm the Word of life in this ungodly world.
L. Speak the Word.
Act 4:31 , “And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness.”
Note: Speak in Greek is laleō which means to utter a voice or emit a sound, use the tongue or the faculty of speech, talk, tell, use words in order to declare one’s mind and disclose one’s thoughts, make known by speaking; – it occurs about 296 times in the New Testament. To be filled with the Holy Spirit is not meant to speak in tongues, but to speak the Word of God with boldness. Boldness in Greek is parrēsia which means freedom in speaking, unreservedness in speech, open, frankly, free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage, assurance; – it occurs about 31 times in the New Testament.
Act 16:32 ,“Then they spoke the Word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.”
Phl 1:14 , “And most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the Word without fear.”
Note: What is the difference between speaking the Word and preaching the Word. Speaking the Word is informal, preaching the Word is formal. We should pray that the Word of God can be proclaimed everywhere without fear. In some countries that have state religion, you will lose your life to preach the Word of God. If one of their citizens is converted to Christianity, he/she will be beheaded. That kind of oppressive religion should be outlawed in all civilized nations. Religious freedom should mean preaching and practicing the Gospel of Jesus Christ without fear. Hold firm the truth of Christ means you do not let go, do not stray into falsehood.
M. Preach the Word.
Act 8:4 , “Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the Word.”
Note: Preach in Greek is euaggelizō which means to evangelize, bring good news, announce glad tidings, proclaim glad tidings; – it occurs about 55 times in the New Testament.
Act 8:25 ,“So when they had testified and preached the Word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the Gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.”
Act 15:35 ,“Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the Word of the Lord, with many others also.”
2Ti 4:2, “Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.”
Note: Here the word ‘preach’ is kēryssō which means to be a herald, to officiate as a herald, publish, proclaim openly; – it occurs about 61 times in the New Testament. The Gospel of Jesus Christ can be preached by TV, radio, movie, printed matter, record, DVD, and the Internet.
N. Spread the Word.
Act 13:49, “And the Word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region.”
Note: Spread in Greek is diapherō which means to bear or carry through any place, carry in different directions, to different places, spread abroad; – it occurs about 13 times in the New Testament. Preachers must preach the Gospel; all Christians must spread the Word. Today the Internet is the most effective and fastest means of spreading the Word of the Lord throughout the world, and the cheapest means.
O. Bear witness to the Word.
Act 14:3 ,“Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the Word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.”
Note: Bear witness in Greek is martyreō which means to testify, affirm that one has seen or heard or experienced something, be a witness of the truth; – it occurs about 79 times in the New Testament. Every born-again Christian is a witness to the Word of His grace; even most believers do not have the gift of performing signs and miracles. A Christian life is a living testimony to the grace and power of God.
Outside the Holy Bible, here is a list of some noteworthy historical people, excluded myself, who said somethings about the Bible worth listening to:
Martin Luther, “Let the man who would hear God speak, read Holy Scripture.” Here alone, in the pages of the Bible, God speaks with final authority.
Isaac Newton, “We account the scriptures of God to be the most sublime philosophy. I find more sure marks of authenticity in the Bible than in any profane history whatsoever.”
Immanuel Kant, “I believe that the existence of the Bible is the greatest benefit to the human race. Any attempt to belittle it, I believe, is a crime against humanity.”
Abraham Lincoln, “I am busily engaged in the study of the Bible. I believe it is God’s word because it finds me where I am.”
“I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good of the Savior of the world is communicated to us through the Book.”
Patrick Henry, “The Bible is worth all other books which have ever been printed.”
George Washington said, “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.”
St. Jerome, “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.”
Sir Ambrose Flemming, “We must not build on the sands of an uncertain and everchanging science…but upon the rock of inspired Scriptures.”
Jean Jacques Rousseau, “Jewish authors would never have invented either that style nor that morality; and the Gospel has marks of truth so great, so striking, so utterly inimitable, that the invention of it would be more astonishing than the hero.”
Robert E. Lee, “In all my perplexities and distresses, the Bible has never failed to give me light and strength.”
Woodrow Wilson, “When you have read the Bible, you know it is the word of God, because it is the key to your heart, your own happiness, and your own duty.”
Theodore Roosevelt, “A thorough understanding of the Bible is better than a college education.”
Daniel Webster, “I believe that the Bible is to be understood and received in the plain and obvious meaning of its passages; for I cannot persuade myself that a book intended for the instruction and conversion of the whole world should cover its true meaning in any such mystery and doubt that none but critics and philosophers can discover it.”
“Education is useless without the Bible.”
John Wesley, “This book had to be written by one of three people: good men, bad men or God. It couldn’t have been written by good men because they said it was inspired by the revelation of God. Good men don’t lie and deceive. It couldn’t have been written by bad men because bad men would not write something that would condemn themselves. It leaves only one conclusion. It was given by divine inspiration of God.”
Concerning the Bible, Edward Meyer said:“…There is no ground at all for refusing to accept these oldest traditions as historically trustworthy in all essentials, and in their chronological ordering of history.”
Francis Bacon, called the Bible: “The book of God’s word.”
Goethe, “I look upon all four Gospels as thoroughly genuine, for there shines forth from them the reflected splendor of a sublimity proceeding from Jesus Christ.”
Augustine, “The Holy Scriptures are out letters from home.”
Willie Wong, “The Holy Bible is not like any other book. It gives me life, light, comfort, inspiration, joy, strength, and hope that I find only in Jesus Christ.”
P. Teach the Word.
Act 18:11 ,“And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the Word of God among them.”
Note: Teach in Greek is didaskō which means to hold discourse with others in order to instruct them, deliver didactic discourses, impart instruction, instill doctrine into one, explain or expound a thing; – it occurs about 97 times in the New Testament. The strangest things are professors of theology and ministers who do not know the Word but teach everything to deny and repudiate the Word. Such are false teachers. You wonder why they exist in seminaries and churches today. Actually it is a fulfilled prophecy,
Jud 1:4 , “For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.”
2Pe 2:1 ,“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.” Any doctrine that denies Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Savior of the world is a destructive heresy and false doctrine.
Q. Labor in the Word.
1Ti 5:17 ,“Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the Word and doctrine.”
2Ti 2:15 , “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Note: Labor in Greek is kopiaō which means to toil with wearisome effort; – it occurs about 23 times in the New Testament. What I am trying to do is to put the Word and fundamental doctrines of Christianity on the Internet absolutely free, rightly dividing the Word of truth, proclaiming and promoting the Kingdom of God and Christ. Rightly dividing in Greek is orthotomeō which means to make straight and smooth, to handle aright, to teach the truth directly and correctly; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. To explain the differences between law and grace, between work and gift, between reward and punishment, between Heaven and Hell, between this life and the life to come, between things below and things above, between the worldly and the spiritual, between the eternal life and eternal punishment, etc. is rightly dividing the Word of truth. Among those who labored in the Word and doctrine that I admire most are G. Campbell Morgan, J. C. Ryle, John Bunyan, etc.
R. Glorify the Word.
Act 13:48 ,“Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the Word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.”
Note: Glorify in Greek is doxazō which means to praise, extol, magnify, celebrate, honor, do honor to, hold in honor, make glorious, adorn with luster, clothe with splendor, render it excellent or illustrious; – it occurs 62 times in the New Testament. There is nothing like the Holy Bible because it is the Word of God. There is nothing like the Word of God because it is truth, nothing but the truth, trustworthy to accept and believe. To glorify the Word of the Lord is to glorify God. Those who glorify the Word of God do not commit idolatry (bibliolatry). To glorify the Word of God you cannot glorify the words of men. Those who glorify the words of men are guilty of idolatry. The church of Jesus Christ must obey the Word of God. Christians glorify the Word of God, not the words and teachings of any man.
Now you have learned a lot about the Holy Bible, the Word of God. The central message is Jesus Christ, the Savior of mankind. Christianity is solely based on the Holy Scripture, the ultimate authority for faith and practice.
If you repent of your sins and believe in Jesus Christ, you will have eternal life, as it is written.
N.B.
Like Martin Luther, I believe in Sola Scriptura (by Scripture alone).
I am grateful to those who provide free online access to Strong’s Concordance with Hebrew and Greek Lexicon. My research and study of the Bible cannot be done without it. My knowledge of the original words of the Scriptures is based on the Hebrew and Greek Lexicon. I thank God for this worthy and noble ministry. I hope every Bible student and preacher knows about this and uses this indispensable Bible study tool.
I am an old man and I have studied many books. There is no book like the Holy Bible because it is the World of God. I have no reason to lie to you because I am not selling anything or getting money from you or anyone else. Besides the salvation offered in Jesus Christ, the benefits I have received from the Holy Bible lasts for time and eternity. I am glad to glorify the Holy Bible.
Strong’s Concordance with Hebrew and Greek Lexicon http://www.eliyah.com/lexicon.html
WILLIE WONG THOUGHT WILLIE WONG AUGUST 4, 2025 https://williewong.cw.center/wp-admin
Gen 1:26, “Then God said, “Let Us make mankind in Our image,according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the livestock and over all the earth, and over every crawling thing that crawls on the earth.”
God only created mankind in His image, according to His likeness.
“It would be difficult to overstate the centrality of the image of God as a crucial theme in Biblical theology. From the beginning of the end in Genesis (protology) to the end of the beginning in Revelation (eschatology), the image of God is crucial for understanding the flow of redemptive history. God creates humans in his image, justly punishes them for rebellion, yet graciously provides redemption from that rebellion, and then finally consummates redemptive history by transforming the whole creation into new heavens and a new earth.
It would be difficult to overstate the centrality of the image of God as a crucial theme in Biblical theology. From the beginning of the end in Genesis (protology) to the end of the beginning in Revelation (eschatology), the image of God is crucial for understanding the flow of redemptive history. God creates humans in his image, justly punishes them for rebellion, yet graciously provides redemption from that rebellion, and then finally consummates redemptive history by transforming the whole creation into new heavens and a new earth.
Genesis 1:26-27 indicates that God created humankind as male and female in his image (tselem [,l,x]) and likeness (demut [tWm.D]). It is doubtful that distinctions between the meanings of these two words are to be pressed. Rather, the pair of words convey one idea through a literary device known as hendiadys. Later, in Genesis 5:1-3, after God’s image-bearers had sinned against him, the language of Genesis 1:26-27 is repeated as a prelude to a list of Adam’s posterity. Significantly, this passage links God’s original creation of humans in his likeness with the subsequent human procreation of children in Adam’s image and likeness. Following the Genesis narrative further, after the flood of Noah, Genesis 9:6 indicates that due to the image of God, capital punishment is required in cases of murder. To murder a creature who images God is tantamount to an attempt to murder the God who created the image-bearer, and the heinous nature of this offense warrants the forfeiture of the murderer’s life as well.”
Gen 5:3, “When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness,according to his image, and named him Seth.”
in his own likeness, after his image] Cf. Genesis 1:26. Man was made in God’s image, after His likeness; he begets a son, in his own likeness, after his image. Many Heb. MSS., however, only read “in his image.” On the words “image” and “likeness,” see note on Genesis 1:26. The phrase here is evidently intended to shew that the elements of resemblance to the Divine image, which at the first were implanted in man’s nature, were communicated from father to son. That the priestly document contained any tradition respecting the Fall, or the murder of Abel, seems improbable. Seth] See note on Genesis 4:25. The father here gives the name; the mother’s name is not mentioned in this genealogy.”
Gen 6:20, “Of the birds according to their kind, and of the animals according to their kind, of every crawling
thing of the ground according to its kind, two of every kind will come to you to keep them alive.”
20. Of the fowl, &c.] The order in which the animals are here mentioned is deserving of notice; first the fowls, then the cattle, and finally the creeping things. What is the reason of this order? Probably the order of the account of the Creation in chap. 1 is followed, where the creation of the fowls is recorded in Genesis 1:20-22, and of the cattle and creeping things in Genesis 1:24. The same order is maintained in Genesis 1:26. kind] The same word as in Genesis 1:12 (P). cattle] as in Genesis 1:24, denoting domestic animals generally. The only group of animals mentioned in Genesis 1:21; Genesis 1:24, which is here omitted, is “the beast of the earth,” i.e. “the wild beast.” Is this intentional? The LXX adds, after “every creeping thing,” καὶ ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν θηρίων = “and of every wild beast.” creeping thing] See note on Genesis 1:24. The exact phrase “everything that creepeth upon the ground after its kind” is reproduced from Genesis 1:25. Genesis 6:20.”
Gen 10:5, “From these the people of the coastlands of the nations were separated into their lands, every
one according to his language, according to their families, into their nations.”
Thus, we have discovered the ancient seats of Japheth, Iapetos – , around the Caspian, the Euxine, the Aegean, and the north of the Mediterranean. From these coastlands they seem to have spread over Europe, northern, western, and southern Asia, and, both by Behring’s Straits and the Atlantic, they at length poured into America. So true is it that Japheth was enlarged, and that by them were “the isles of the nations divided.”
In their nations. – We here note the characteristics of a nation. First. It is descended from one head. Others may be occasionally grafted on the original stock by intermarriage. But there is a vital union subsisting between all the members and the head, in consequence of which the name of the head is applied to the whole body of the nation. In the case of Kittim and Dodanim we seem to have the national name thrown back upon the patriarchs, who may have themselves been called Keth and Dodan. Similar instances occur in the subsequent parts of the genealogy. Second. A nation has a country or “land” which it calls its own. In the necessary migrations of ancient tribes, the new territories appropriated by the tribe, or any part of it, were naturally called by the old name, or some name belonging to the old country. This is well illustrated by the name of Gomer, which seems to reappear in the Cimmerii, the Cimbri, the Cymri, the Cambri, and the Cumbri. Third. A nation has its own “tongue.” This constitutes at once its unity in itself and its separation from others. Many of the nations in the table may have spoken cognate tongues, or even originally the same tongue. Thus, the Kenaanite, Phoenician, and Punic nations had the same stock of languages with the Shemites. But it is a uniform law, that one nation has only one speech within itself. Fourth. A nation is composed of many “families,” clans, or tribes. These branch off from the nation in the same manner as it did from the parent stock of the race.”
Nations were formed according to their families and language.
“Today there are 7,164 languages spoken across the world. However, these languages are not evenly distributed across populations. Over 3.6 billion people speak the 20 most spoken languages in the world, accounting for only 0.3% of the world’s total languages.”
2Pe 2:5, “and did not spare the ancient world, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly.”
1Pe 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.”
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: Ark in Hebrew istebahwhich 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 (bigboat)
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. 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.
Genesis 6:22. Thus did Noah according to all that God commanded him — And that both as to the matter and manner of it. And when we consider how laborious, tedious, and dangerous a work the building of the ark was, and what ridicule he would have to encounter from the ungodly and profane, while engaged in a business apparently foolish, and that for so many scores of years together, we shall not wonder that the faith whereby he surmounted all these difficulties should be so celebrated in the Scriptures. See Hebrews 11:7.”
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.”
Noah was a righteous man because he did everthing according to that God had commanded him.
7. warned of God] The same word is used as in Hebrews 8:5, Hebrews 12:25. moved with fear] Influenced by godly caution and reverence; the same kind of fear as that implied in Hebrews 5:7. condemned the world] His example was in condemning contrast with the unbelief of the world (Matthew 12:41; Luke 11:31). of the righteousness which is by faith] Rather, “which is according to faith” (comp. Ezekiel 14:14). Noah is called “righteous” in Genesis 6:9, and Philo observes that he is the first to receive this title, and erroneously says that the name Noah means “righteous” as well as “rest.” St Paul does not use the phrase “the righteousness according to faith,” though he has “the righteousness of faith” (Romans 4:13). “Faith” however in this writer never becomes the same as mystic oneness with Christ, but means general belief in the unseen; and “righteousness” is not “justification,” but faith manifested by obedience. Throughout this chapter righteousness is the human condition which faith produces (Hebrews 11:33), not the divine gift which faith receives. Hence he says that Noah “became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith,” i.e. he entered on the inheritance of righteousness which faith had brought him. In 2 Peter 2:5 Noah is called “a preacher of righteousness;” and in Wis 10:4 “the righteous man.”
Gen 19:31, “Then the firstborn said to the younger, “Our father is old, and there is not a man on earth to have relations with us according to the custom of all the earth.”
And the firstborn said unto the younger,…. That is, the firstborn of those two, or the elder of them; for, if Lot had other daughters that were married in Sodom, it is probable they were elder than either of these: Aben Ezra intimates, that Lot had another wife, who died first, and these were by his second; the following motion is made by the eldest of them to the youngest, as being bolder, having more authority, and a greater influence to persuade:
our father is old; if he was fifty years of age when he was taken captive by the kings, as says the Jewish chronologer (q) he must now be sixty five, since the destruction of Sodom, according to Bishop Usher (r), was fifteen years after that:
and there is not a man in the earth to come in unto us after the manner of all the earth; to marry them, cohabit with them, and procreate children of them, which was the common way of the propagation of mankind in the earth; they thought the whole world was destroyed by fire, as it had been by a flood; they understood it would be no more consumed by water, but they had been told it would be by fire, and they imagined the time was now come, and this was the case; that not only Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by fire, and that by this time the fire had reached to Zoar, and had consumed that, but that the whole earth was destroyed, and not a man left but their father, and therefore thought it could be excusable in them, and lawful for them to take the following method to repopulate the world; or else they supposed there were none in the land, the land of Canaan, not of any of their kindred and relations, for they might be ignorant of Abraham and his family, or however of any good man that they knew of, that they could be joined to in marriage; for as for the inhabitants of Zoar, they had just left, they were as wicked as any, and therefore could not think of living with them in such a near relation: but all this is not a sufficient excuse for contriving and executing what is after related; for they should have inquired of their father, who could have informed them better.”
Sometimes we must do according to the custom of all the earth. Sometimes we must not do according to the custom of the world. The first born did not ask the opinion of her father first because she knew what would be the answer.
Verse 35. – The children of Israel did according to the word of Moses. See above, Exodus 11:2. They borrowed. On this mistranslation, see the comment upon Exodus 3:22. It is plain that the gold and silver articles and the raiment, were free-will gifts, which the Egyptians never expected to see again, and which the Hebrews asked and took, but in no sense “borrowed.” Hengstenberg and Kurtz have shown clearly that the primary meaning of the words translated “borrowed” and “lent,” is “asked” and “granted,” and that the sense of “borrowing” and “lending” is only to be assigned them when it is required by the context. Exodus 12:35.”
Exo 16:14-16, “When the layer of dew evaporated, behold, on the surface of the wilderness there was a fine flake-like thing, fine as the frost on the ground. When the sons of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, “It is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat. “This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Everyone gather as much as he will eat; you shall take an omer apiece according to the number of people each of you has in his tent.”
And when the children of Israel saw it,…. As they could not but observe it, it being spread over the face of the wilderness; and besides, as they were told, that in the morning they should have bread to the full, they were up early to look after it:
they said one to another, it is manna; not such as is known by that name now, which is only used in medicine; nor anything that was then known by any such name; but so they called it, because it was, as Jarchi says, a preparation of food, or food ready prepared for them, from “manah”, which signifies to appoint, prepare, and distribute, see Daniel 1:5, so Christ is appointed of God, and prepared in his purposes and decrees, and delivered out, by his grace as proper food for his people, who have everyone their portion in due season: for Kimchi and Ben Melech give the sense of the word, a gift and portion from God; and such is Christ, the gift of his grace, and an unspeakable one. Some think these words were spoken by the Israelites on first sight of the manna, by way of question, “Man hu, what is it?” and so Josephus (o) says it signifies in their language; but it does not appear that the word is so used in the Hebrew tongue, though it might in the Syriac or Chaldee, which was more in use in the times of Josephus. But it can hardly be thought that the Israelites could speak in either of these dialects at this time; it is much more probable what others say, that it so signifies in the Egyptian tongue; and it is not at all to be wondered at that Israel, just come out of Egypt, should use an Egyptian word: and this best agrees with the reason that follows, “for they wist not what it was”; which contradicts our version; for if they knew not what it was, how came they to call it manna? but taking the above words as an interrogation, asking one another what it was, those come in very pertinently, and assign a reason of the question, because they were ignorant of it, having never seen any such thing before; and this sense is confirmed by what Moses says in the next clause, telling them what it was: and thus Christ is unknown to his own people, until he is revealed unto them; not by flesh and blood, by carnal reason or carnal men, but by the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; and he remains always unknown to natural men, though ever so wise and prudent:
and Moses said unto them, this is the bread which the Lord hath given you to eat; which he had promised them the day before, and which he had now rained in plenty about them; and which they had as a free gift of his, without any merit and desert of theirs, and without their labour, diligence, and industry, and which they had now power from him to eat of freely and plentifully.”
Exo 17:1, “Then all the congregation of the sons of Israel journeyed by stages from the wilderness of Sin, according to the command of the LORD, and camped at Rephidim, and there was no water for the people to drink.”
Exodus 17:1. The children of Israel journeyed — By divers stations, recorded Numbers 33:12-13, but here omitted, because nothing extraordinary happened in them. According to the commandment of the Lord — Signified either by word, or by the motion or rest of the pillar of cloud and fire. Although led by this, they came to a place where there was no water for them to drink — We may be in the way of our duty and yet meet with troubles, which Providence brings us into for the trial of our faith.”
There is no guarantee that Christians who obey the commandment of the Lord is free from trouble. The Lord may want you to campt where there was no water to drink. But those who obey the Lord will see miracles:
Exo 17:6, “Behold, I will stand before you there on the Rock at Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.” And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.”
You may drink water that comes out of Rock.
1Co 10:4 “and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a Spiritual Rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ.”
Exo 21:31, “Whether it gores a son or a daughter, it shall be done to him according to the same rule.”
Long before the woman right, God treated male and female according to the same rule.”
Whether he have gored a son, or have gored a daughter,…. A little son or daughter, and both Israelites, as Jarchi and Aben Ezra; this is observed, because only a man or woman are made mention of in Exodus 21:29 persons grown up; and lest it should be thought that only adult persons were intended, this is added, to show that the same regard is had to little ones as to grown persons, should they suffer by an ox in like manner as men and women may. The Targum of Jonathan restrains this to a son or daughter of an Israelite; but the life of everyone, of whatsoever nation, is equally provided for, and guarded against by the original law of God:
according to this judgment shall it be done unto him; to the owner of the ox that has gored a child, male or female; that is, he shall be put to death, if he has been warned of the practice of his ox for three days past, and has took no care to keep him in; or he shall pay the ransom of his life, as it has been laid by the court, with the consent of the relations of the children.”
“Historians describe two waves of feminism in history: the first in the 19th century, growing out of the anti-slavery movement, and the second, in the 1960s and 1970s. Women have made great strides – and suffered some setbacks – throughout history, but many of their gains were made during the two eras of activism in favor of women’s rights.”
God treats male and female according to the same rule.
Deu 12:15, “However, you may slaughter and eat meat within any of your gates, whatever you desire, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you; the unclean and the clean alike may eat it, as the gazelle and the deer.”
From the beginning, God has ordered that the Jews may eat the clean and unclean meat according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you.
Notwithstanding, thou mayest kill and eat flesh in all thy gates,…. They might kill such cattle that were allowed for food, and eat the flesh of them in theie own cities and houses in which they dwelt; they were not obliged to bring these to the place God should choose, and kill them there, as they had been wont to bring them to the tabernacle while in the wilderness:
whatsoever thy soul lusteth after; whatever they had a mind to, or their appetite craved, and were desirous of, provided it was not any thing forbidden, but was allowed to be eaten:
according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee; which it was in the power of their hands to procure for themselves; they might live according to their abilities, and keep a table answerable to what God had blessed them with; from which they were so far from being restrained, that it was rather commendable in them so to do, provided they did not indulge to luxury and intemperance:
the clean and the unclean may eat thereof; that is, such in their families who laboured under any ceremonial uncleanness by the touch of a dead body, or by reason of issues and menstrues; these, as well as those who were free from anything of this kind, might eat of common food in their houses, though they might not eat of the holy things; see Leviticus 7:20.
as of the roebuck, and as of the hart; that is, as those were clean creatures, and allowed for food, Deuteronomy 14:5 so they might eat of oxen or sheep, or lambs or rams, and goats, though they were creatures used in sacrifice.”
Joshua 1:7. Commanded thee — Remember, that though thou art the commander of my people, yet thou art my subject, and obliged to observe all my commands. To the right hand or to the left — That is, in any kind, or upon any pretence; which plainly shows, that God’s assistance, promised to him and the Israelites, was conditional, and might justly be withdrawn upon their breach of the conditions. Whithersoever thou goest — That is, whatsoever thou doest. Men’s actions are often compared to ways, or steps, by which they come to the end they aim at. This charge, given by God himself to Joshua, highly deserves our notice. Though Joshua was to be, in his place, as great a man as Moses; though the Lord was to do signs and wonders by him, as he did by the hand of Moses; and though he was to settle the people in the promised land, which Moses was not allowed to do, yet he was to do according to all the law which Moses had commanded. And we find that, amid all his successes, and all the wonders that the Lord did by him, Joshua made the book of the law the guide of his conduct, strictly adhering to it in every point, and always recommending the strict observation of it to the people. In this he is an example worthy of the imitation, as of all professors of Christianity in general, so of all Christian magistrates and generals, in particular, who are under equal obligations to make God’s laws or revealed will the rule of their conduct, in all affairs, public and private. For no man’s dignity or dominion, how great soever, sets him above the law of God.”
“The two kinds of success in the world are human and divine, but only divine success is safe. Human success leaves God out of our plans and always leads to problems. If there is no change or conversion, human success will lead us to the lake of fire. It is not God’s will that we have any lack or meet with any defeat, because we were created to be successful in the Christian life.”
Jos 8:34, “Then afterward he read all the words of the Law, the blessing and the curse, according to everything that is written in the Book of the Law.”
Joshua 8:34-35. Afterward — After the altar was built, and the stones plastered and written upon; he read — That is, he commanded the priests or Levites to read, Deuteronomy 27:14. Blessings and cursings — Which words come in, not by way of explication, as if the words of the law were nothing else besides the blessings and curses; but by way of addition, to denote that these were read, over and above the words of the law. There was not a word which Joshua read not — Therefore, he read not the blessings and curses only, as some think, but the whole law, as the manner was when all Israel, men and women, were assembled together. The strangers that were among them — Who were proselytes, for no others can be supposed to have been with them at this time. Thus, after Joshua had gained these victories, and had had such manifest proofs that God was with the Israelites, and was fighting for them, he laboured the more earnestly to set before them the whole of their duty, and to engage them to walk therein, that they might in that way testify their thankfulness to God at the same time when he was fulfilling his promises to them. Reader, learn from his example thy duty to those whom God hath committed to thy care and government, and endeavour that thy own faith and confidence in the divine goodness, as well as theirs, may thus work by love!”
The Word of the Lord is the whole thing, not what some “pick and choose.”
1Ki 2:3, “Do your duty to the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to what is written in the Law of Moses, so that you may succeed in all that you do and wherever you turn.”
Cited above is the last word of King David to his son Solomon. Today, a father can say to his son the last time, “Do your duty to the Lord your God, according to what is written in the New Testament.”
3. keep the charge of the Lord] The word rendered ‘charge’ here has no connexion with the verb used in 1 Kings 2:1, but is the customary expression in the Book of Numbers for the care and oversight of the Tabernacle and other things committed to the Levites. (See Numbers 1:53; Numbers 3:7-8 &c.) It is used also of other sacred offices and the duties attached thereto. Thus is imported into the word a solemn signification, though in etymology it is connected with the word which precedes it, rendered ‘keep’.
to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgements] These words appear to refer to the three portions of the divine law, the ceremonial, the moral, and the judicial ordinances revealed by God in the Mosaic code; while testimonies may be interpreted of those evidences of God’s will towards man which are made clear by His dealings with bygone generations. Thus God in His word bears witness to Himself. as it is written in the law of Moses] The allusion is to Deuteronomy 17:18-20, where the king, in time to come, is bidden to keep a copy of the Law, and to study it, that so his days may be prolonged.”
1Ki 17:5, “So he went and did everything according to the Word of the LORD, for he went and lived by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan.”
Elijah was a great prophet because he did everything according to the Word of the Lord. Where is Elijah today?
17:1-7 God wonderfully suits men to the work he designs them for. The times were fit for an Elijah; an Elijah was fit for them. The Spirit of the Lord knows how to fit men for the occasions. Elijah let Ahab know that God was displeased with the idolaters, and would chastise them by the want of rain, which it was not in the power of the gods they served to bestow. Elijah was commanded to hide himself. If Providence calls us to solitude and retirement, it becomes us to go: when we cannot be useful, we must be patient; and when we cannot work for God, we must sit still quietly for him. The ravens were appointed to bring him meat, and did so. Let those who have but from hand to mouth, learn to live upon Providence, and trust it for the bread of the day, in the day. God could have sent angels to minister to him; but he chose to show that he can serve his own purposes by the meanest creatures, as effectually as by the mightiest. Elijah seems to have continued thus above a year. The natural supply of water, which came by common providence, failed; but the miraculous supply of food, made sure to him by promise, failed not. If the heavens fail, the earth fails of course; such are all our creature-comforts: we lose them when we most need them, like brooks in summer. But there is a river which makes glad the city of God, that never runs dry, a well of water that springs up to eternal life. Lord, give us that living water!”
Ezr 2:69, “According to their ability they gave to the treasury for the work sixty-one thousand gold
drachmas, five thousand silver minas, and a hundred priestly garments.”
In the Old Testament people gave according to their ability and there was the treasury. In the New Testament Christians also give according to their ability. Be particularly careful, there is no Treasury in the New Testament. The pleas of a false teacher are still ringing in my ears. There are so many false prophets and false teachers who ask for your tithes and donation.
They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the world threescore and one thousand drachms of gold,…. These “darcemons or darics” were a Persian coin; one of which, according to Brerewood (k), was of the value of fifteen shillings of our money, and so this quantity of them amounted to 45,750 pounds; but according to Bishop Cumberland (l) they were of the value of twenty shillings and four pence of our money, and so came to upwards of 61,000 pounds; these everyone, according to his ability, put into the common stock or treasury for the work of building the temple; the Vulgate Latin (m) reads 40,000:
and five thousand pounds of silver; and an Hebrew “mina”, or pound, being of our money seven pounds, ten shillings, according to Brerewood (n), amounted to 31,250 pounds: but others (o), reckoning a drachm of gold at ten shillings, and a mina or pound of silver at nine pounds, make the whole to amount only to 75,500 pounds of our money:
and one hundred priests’ garments; which, as they were laid up among treasures, so were necessary for the service of the temple.”
Ezr 7:18, “And whatever seems good to you and your brothers to do with the rest of the silver and gold, you may do according to the will of your God.”
I have known preachers who got money to build institutions in their names and pass it on to their decendants; moneys to educate their children, not one penny to the children of missionaries; and also those who receive offerings as their own money. You must give to the preaching of the Gospel according to the will of God. Just take a glance, there are so many on the Internet who demand your offerings and donations boldly and shamelessly.
14. sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors—This was the fixed number of the privy council of the kings of Persia (Es 1:10, 14). The document describes, with great clearness and precision, the nature of Ezra’s commission and the extent of power and prerogatives with which he was invested. It gave him authority, in the first place, to organize the colony in Judea and institute a regular government, according to the laws of the Hebrew people, and by magistrates and rulers of their own nation (Ezr 7:25, 26), with power to punish offenders by fines, imprisonment, exile, or death, according to the degree of their criminality. Secondly, he was empowered to carry a large donation in money, partly from the royal treasury and partly raised by voluntary contributions among his countrymen, to create a fund out of which to make suitable provision for maintaining the regular worship of God in Jerusalem (Ezr 7:16, 17). Thirdly, the Persian officers in Syria were commanded to afford him every assistance by gifts of money within a certain specified limit, in carrying out the objects of his patriotic mission (Ezr 7:21).”
Job 4:8, “According to what I have seen, those who plow wrongdoing and those who sow
trouble harvest it.”
The Word of God is supreme, but it can be confirmed by OBSERVATIONS and EXPERIENCES.
Verse 8. – Even as I have seen; rather, according as I have seen – so far, that is, as my observation goes (see the Revised Version, which is supported by Professor Lee and Canon Cook). They that plough iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same (comp. Proverbs 22:8; Hosea 8:7; Hosea 10:13; Galatians 6:7, 8). The words translated “iniquity” and “wickedness” express in the original both moral and physical evil. Men sew the one and reap the other. Eliphaz extends this general rule into a universal law, or, at any rate, declares that he has never known an exception. He has not, therefore, been grieved and perplexed, like David, by “seeing the ungodly in such prosperity” (Psalm 73:3). He would seem not to have been a man of very keen observation. Job 4:8.”
Psalm 7:17. I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness — I will give him the glory of that gracious protection under which he takes his afflicted people, and of the just vengeance with which he will pursue them that afflict them; and will most thankfully acknowledge, not only the power, but the just judgment of God, and his faithfulness to his word. “Whatever doubts may at present arise in our minds concerning the ways of God, let us rest assured that they will receive a solution; and that the ‘righteousness’ of the great Judge, manifested in his final determinations, will be the subject of everlasting hallelujahs.” — Horne.”
Righteousness is an attribute of God. We praise God according to His excellent greatness andaccording
to the abundance of His mercies.
Psa 25:7, “Do not remember the sins of my youth or my wrongdoings;Remember me according to Your faithfulness, for Your goodness’ sake, LORD.”
As Augustine said, “non secundum iram, qua ego dignus sum, sed secundum misericordiam tuam, quae te digna est.” — not according to the anger of which I am worthy, but according to Your mercy, which is worthy of You.
Remember not the sins of my youth – In strong contrast with God, the psalmist brings forward his own conduct and life. He could ask of God Psalm 25:6 to remember His own acts – what “He himself” had done; but could not ask him to remember His conduct – His past life. He could only pray that this might be forgotten. He did not wish it to come into remembrance before God; he could not ask that God would deal with him according to that. He prays, therefore, that he might not be visited as he advanced in life with the fruits of his conduct in early years, but that all the offences of that period of his life might be forgiven and forgotten. Who is there that cannot with deep feeling join in this prayer? Who is there that has reached the period of middle or advanced life, who would be willing to have the follies of his youth, the plans, and thoughts, and wishes of his early years brought again to remembrance? Who would be willing to have recalled to his own mind, or made known to his friends, to society around him, or to assembled worlds, the thoughts, the purposes, the wishes, the “imaginings” of his youthful days? Who would dare to pray that he might be treated in advancing years as he treated God in his own early life? Nay, who would venture to pray that God would treat him in the day of judgment as he had treated the friends of his childhood, even the father who begat him, or the mother who bore him? Our hope in regard to the favor of God is that he will “not” summon up the thoughts and the purposes of our early years; that he will “not” treat us as if he remembered them; but that he will treat us as if they were forgotten.
Nor my transgressions – The sins of my early years.
According to thy mercy remember thou me – Deal with me, not according to strict justice, but according to mercy. Deal with me indeed according to thy nature and character; but let the attribute of mercy be that which will be the guide rather than the attribute of justice.
For thy goodness’ sake – In order that thy goodness or benevolence may be displayed and honored – not primarily and mainly that I may be saved, but that thy character may be seen to be good and merciful.”
No one can stand or survive if God remembers the sins of our youth or our wrongdoings.
Psa 51:1, “For the music director. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.Be gracious to me, God,
accordingto Your faithfulness;according to the greatness of Your compassion, wipe out my wrongdoings.”
Verse 1. – Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness. It is observable that the whole psalm is addressed to God (Elohim), and not to Jehovah (the “Lord” in ver. 15 is Adonai), as though the psalmist felt himself unworthy to utter the covenant-name, and simply prostrated himself as a guilty man before his offended Maker. It is not correet to say that “loving-kindness implies a covenant” (Cheyne), since God is “good to all, and his tender mercies are over all his works” (Psalm 145:9). According unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. David’s first prayer is for pity; his second, to have his offences “blotted out,” or “wiped out” – entirely removed from God’s book (comp. Exodus 32:32; Isaiah 43:25; Isaiah 44:22). He says “my transgressions,” in the plural, because “his great sin did not stand alone – adultery was followed by treachery and murder” (Canon Cook). Psalm 51:1
Sinners can only beg God for grace and mercy. Had God dealt with us according to our sins and rewarded us according to our guilty deeds, we would have all perished.
Jer 25:14, “For many nations and great kings will make slaves of them, even them; and I will repay
For many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of them also,…. Take their cities, seize upon the kingdoms, spoil them of their wealth and riches, and bring them into servitude to them: these “many nations”, which should and did do all this, were the Medes and Persians, and those that were subject to them, or were their allies and auxiliaries in this expedition; and the “great kings” were Cyrus and Darius, and those that were confederate with them:
and I will recompense them according to their deeds, and according to the works of their own hands; as they have done to others, it shall be done to them; as they have served themselves of other nations, other nations shall serve themselves of them; as they have cruelly used others, they shall be used with cruelty themselves; and as they have made other countries desolate, their land shall become desolate also; not only their tyranny and cruelty, but all their other sins, shall receive a just recompence of reward.”
Leaders of many nations think they can get away with murders. God will repay them according to their deeds and according to the work of their hands; and according to their ways God will judge them.
Mat 9:29, “Then He touched their eyes, saying, “It shall be done for you according to your faith.”
Then touched he their eyes – Simply to indicate that the power proceeded from him. Compare Matthew 8:3.
According to your faith … – That is, you have “believed” that you could be healed, be healed accordingly. Your faith covered the whole extent of the work respecting my power and the absolute restoration to sight, and that power is exerted accordingly, and your sight is restored. So with the sinner. If he has faith in the Son of God; if he believes that he is able and willing to save him: and if he earnestly desires to be saved, the power of Jesus will be put forth to the full extent of his faith.”
Mat 25:15, “To one He gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and He went on His journey.”
And unto one he gave five talents,…. A “talent” with the Jews, if of silver, was, according to Brerewood (w), of the value of 375 l. of our money; according to Bishop Cumberland, 353 l. 11 s. 10 1/2 d.; and if of gold, was equal to 4500l. and, according to the latter, 5075 l. 15 s. 7 1/2 d.: so that five of these talents, if of silver, were 1875 l. and if of gold, 22,500 l. according to Brerewood; a very large sum for one servant to be intrusted with. The Persic version reads “pounds”, as in Luke 19:13. By these talents, special grace is not meant; for the parable speaks not of what was wrought in these servants, but of what was committed to their trust, and of what might lie useless by them, and be taken away from them; whereas special grace is internal, something, implanted in man, and is an incorruptible seed, that can never be lost, or will be taken away; and it is certain, that one of these servants had not special and saving grace, but was wicked, slothful, and unprofitable, and was cast into utter darkness: but outward gifts are designed by the talents; and these not merely the gifts of natural knowledge and riches, the gifts of nature and of providence; nor the external ministry of the word, Gospel ordinances, and opportunities of enjoying them; but ministerial gifts, such as fit and qualify men to be preachers of the Gospel, as appears from their name, “talents”: they being the greatest gifts for usefulness and service in the church, as talents were the greatest of weights and coins among the Jews; from the nature of them, being what may be improved or lost, and for which men are accountable; from the persons to whom they were delivered, the servants of Christ; from the time of their delivery, when Christ went into a far country, to heaven, when he ascended on high, and received gifts for men, and gave them to them; and from the unequal distribution of them, being given to some more, and others less; all which perfectly agree with ministerial gifts: for it follows,
to another two, and to another one; and these were given
to every man, according to his several ability, or “according to his own power”; his proper power that belonged to him, as the Lord of these servants: for the sense is, not that he gave these talents, or gifts, according to the different capacities, abilities, stations, and employments of these men; but according to that power and authority which he, as Mediator, had, to dispense these gifts to each as he would; to some more, others less, as he knew would best serve his interest and kingdom:
and straightway took his journey; after he had signified, that all power in heaven and earth was given to him, by virtue of which he ordered them to go into all the world, and preach his Gospel, and administer his ordinances; for which he had, and would abundantly qualify them; with a promise of his presence with them to the end of the world; he took his leave of them, blessed them, and was parted from them, and went up into heaven.”
Acts 13:23-25. Of this man’s seed — From that rod out of the stem of Jesse, that branch out of his roots; hath God, according to his promise, (Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5-6,) raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus — So long foretold in the sacred oracles. When John had firstpreached, before his coming — Greek, προ προσωπου της εισοδου, to introduce his appearance: (so Doddridge:) the baptism of repentance — Even that baptism which, in token of their repentance, they were commanded by God to receive. Of John’s preaching, see the notes on Matthew 3:1, &c.; Luke 3:7-17. He mentions the preaching of John in this incidental manner as a thing already known to them. And so, doubtless, it was: for it gave so loud an alarm to the whole Jewish nation, as could not but be heard in foreign countries, at least as remote as Pisidia. As John fulfilled his course — His work was quickly finished, and, therefore, might well be termed, a course, or race: he said, Who think ye that I am? I am not he — I am not the person whom you suppose me to be, that is, the Messiah. See the notes on John 1:20; John 1:27.”
declared] Better, defined, marked out by sure signs. Same word as Hebrews 4:7 (“He limiteth a certain day”). His Resurrection shewed Him to be none other than the Son. The same Greek word is used in e.g. Acts 10:42; Acts 17:31; and rendered there “ordained;” perhaps rightly so. But obviously its meaning will slightly vary as connected with the Sonship or with the Judgeship of Christ. the Son of God] Cp. Acts 13:32-33, for a close parallel; one of the many between St Paul’s Discourses and Epistles. The Sonship of the Redeemer, the truth proclaimed at His baptism (Matthew 3:17), is enforced and illustrated through the N. T. In this Epistle see especially cch. Romans 5:10, Romans 8:3; Romans 8:29; Romans 8:32. with power] Lit. in power. Cp. 1 Corinthians 15:43. Power attended and characterized His Resurrection, both as cause and as effect. The practical reference here is to the fulness of the proof of the fact. The true Resurrection was not such as that imagined by e.g. Schleiermacher; the creeping forth of a half-slain Man from his grave. It was miracle and triumph. according to the Spirit of holiness] This phrase presents two questions: (1) what is “the Spirit of Holiness”? (2) what is meant by “according to”? We take them in order. A. “The Spirit of Holiness” must mean either the Holy Paraclete, or the sacred Human Spirit of Christ, or His Deity regarded as (what it is, John 4:24,) Spirit. The reference here seems to be to the Paraclete; for (1) in this Epistle He is very frequently referred to, in a way which makes an initial reference here highly probable; (2) the expression “Holy Spirit” is so closely akin to “Spirit of Holiness” that any reference of the words other than that to the Paraclete would need special evidence; and such evidence can hardly be found in St Paul. (See 1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 9:14; for the nearest approaches to it in N. T.) B. The words “according to” may refer to the Paraclete, either (1) as the Agent in the Incarnation (Luke 1:35), or (2) as concerned in the Resurrection (see Romans 8:11 for a very partial parallel), or (3) as the Inspirer of the Prophets. Of these possibilities (1) is most unlikely, for the Sonship of Christ here in question is plainly the Eternal Sonship (see Romans 9:5), not that of the Incarnation; (2) accords better with Scripture usage; but (3) far more so, in view of the frequent mention of the Holy Spirit as the Inspirer. See Acts 20:23; 1 Timothy 4:1; Hebrews 3:7; Hebrews 9:8; Hebrews 10:15, (and cp. 1 Peter 1:11); for places where “the Spirit” is evidently the Holy Spirit as the Author of Prophecy. The present passage will thus mean: “He was declared to be the Son of God, with power, (even as the Holy Ghost foretold,) in consequence of the resurrection.” by the resurrection] Lit. out of, from; i.e. in consequence, as a result, of. The same construction and meaning occur e.g. 2 Corinthians 13:4, where lit. “He was crucified out of weakness; He liveth out of the power of God; we shall live out of, &c.” The grand result of the resurrection here stated is that His prophesied character and dignity were, by the resurrection, made unmistakably clear.”
This is the Gospel: Jesus the Savior is the Son of God, the Messiah promised by God, who died for sinners and rose again by the power of God, as foretold by the Holy Spirit.
He that searcheth the hearts] Certainly here, the Father. But it is the more noteworthy that the same words are used of the Son, Revelation 2:23.—“The hearts” here are human hearts. In them the Father sees, below the surface of “ignorance what to pray for as they ought,” the sacred longings which are the expression of the Spirit’s influence. knoweth] And meeteth with a corresponding answer; crossing perhaps the saint’s explicit prayer, but granting the implicit. the mind] The whole Aim and Choice of the great Intercessor. because] If this rendering is kept, the connexion is; “The Father knows (and welcomes) the ‘mind of the Spirit,’ because in its requests it is in Divine harmony with His own.”—But it is better to render that. “The Father knows the mind of the Spirit; He knows that He intercedes in harmony with His Own will and purpose, and for His Own children.” the saints] Lit. saints (without article). Such is the character of those for whom He pleads. according to the will of God] Lit. according to God; in unerring coincidence with the Father’s will. The words are used in emphatic contrast to the possible errors in detail of the saint’s unaided desires and prayers.”
importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sinsaccording to the Scriptures,and that He was
buried, and that He was raised on the third day
according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared
to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brothers and
sisters at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to
James, then to all the apostles; and last of all,
as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.”
This is the essence of the Gospel according to the Scriptures: Christ died for our sins, He was buried, raised on the third day, appeared to all the apostles.
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received] The close resemblance of this passage to the Apostles’ Creed shews that this summary of the doctrines of our faith is actually what it professes to be, a short compendium of Apostolic teaching. Irenaeus, a writer in the second century, and a careful observer of Apostolic tradition, gives a very similar summary in his treatise against Heresies, Book iii. c. 4. Dean Stanley calls attention to the fact that this bold affirmation of the truth of the Resurrection, possibly the earliest we have (see above ch. 1 Corinthians 11:23) was written barely twenty-five years after the event St Paul does not state here from whom he received his doctrine, but he must have acquired some elementary instruction in the first principles of the Christian faith from his intercourse with the disciples (Acts 9:19), and even at his admission into the Christian body. And what he had received from others he tested by examination of the Scriptures, by prayer and silent communing with God, till it became his own, by revelation and by that inward conviction which none but God can give. See Galatians 1:12; Galatians 1:16. died for our sins] Cf. ch. 1 Corinthians 1:18, 1 Corinthians 5:7, 1 Corinthians 8:11. Also St Matthew 20:28; St Mark 10:45; Romans 5:8-10; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; 1 Timothy 2:6; 1 Peter 1:19, &c. according to the scriptures] What Scriptures? Those of the O. T., clearly. Those of the New (see ch. 1 Corinthians 4:6 and note) were hardly any of them in existence. If it be asked what Scriptures of the O. T. are meant, we may refer to Psalms 22.; Isaiah 53., as well as to Genesis 22.; Deuteronomy 9:24-26; Zechariah 12:10. For the same words in the next verse see Psalm 16:10; Isaiah 53:10; Hosea 6:2; Jonah 2:10. This latter passage having been applied to the Resurrection by Christ Himself (St Matthew 12:40; Matthew 16:4), may not unnaturally be conceived to be among those St Paul had in his mind here.”
1 Corinthians 15:4. Ἐτάφη, He was buried) Matthew 12:40. [Here the burial of Christ is more closely connected with His resurrection, than with His death. Assuredly, about the very moment of His death, the power of His life incapable of dissolution exerted itself, 1 Peter 3:18; Matthew 27:52. The grave was to Christ the Lord not the destined receptacle of corruption, but an apartment fitted for entering into life, Acts 2:26.—V. g.]—ἐγήγερται, was raised again [rose again]) This enlarging on the resurrection of Christ is the more suitable on this account, that the epistle was written about the time of the passover; ch. 1 Corinthians 5:7, note. We must urge the weight of the subject of the resurrection, inasmuch as it is one which is made light of in the present day under various pretexts.—κατὰ τὰς γραφὰς, according to the Scriptures) which could not but be fulfilled.”
Verse 5. – Was seen of Cephas (Luke 24:34). The appearances to the women (John 20:14, etc.) are omitted, as being evidential rather to the apostles than to the world. The twelve (John 20:19, 26). Some officious scribes have in some manuscripts altered the word into” the eleven.” But “the twelve” is here the designation of an office, and great ancient writers are always indifferent to mere pragmatic accuracy in trifles which involve nothing. To witness to the Resurrection was a main function of “the twelve” (Acts 2:23; Acts 3:15; Acts 10:40, etc.). 1 Corinthians 15:5.”
Verse 6. – Above five hundred brethren at once. We cannot be certain whether this memorable appearance took place in Jerusalem or in Galilee. It is, however, most probable that this was the appearance on the mountain (Matthew 28:16, 17; comp. Matthew 26:32). Of whom the greater part remain unto this present. This sentence – a confident contemporary appeal to a very large number of living witnesses, by one who would rather have died than lied – is of the highest evidential value. It shows that the Resurrection was not “a thing done in a corner “(Acts 26:26). Fallen asleep. The beautiful and common word for death in the New Testament (Matthew 27:52; John 11:11; Acts 7:60, etc.). Hence the word “cemetery” – “a sleeping place.” 1 Corinthians 15:6.”
Verse 7. – Seen of James. The “James” intended is undoubtedly the only James then living, who was known to the whole Christian Church, namely, “the Lord’s brother,” the author of the Epistle, and the Bishop of Jerusalem (Galatians 2:9; Acts 15:13; Acts 21:18). James the son of Zebedee had by this time been martyred, and James the son of Alphaeus was never much more than a name to the Church in general. There is no mention of this appearance in the Gospel; but in the Gospel of the Hebrews was a curious legend (preserved in St. Jerome, ‘De Virr. Illust.,’ 2.) that James had made a vow that he would neither eat nor drink till he had seen Jesus risen from the dead, and that Jesus, appearing to him, said, “My brother, eat thy bread, for the Son of man is risen from the dead.” The truth of the appearance is strongly supported by the fact that James, like the rest of the Lord’s “brothers,” “did not believe” in Christ before the Crucifixion, whereas after the Resurrection we find him and the rest of “the Lord’s brothers” ardently convinced (John 12:3-5; Acts 1:14; Acts 9:5, etc.). Of all the apostles (Acts 1:3; Luke 24:50). James the Lord’s brother was only an apostle in the wider sense of the word. 1 Corinthians 15:7.”
of me also, as of one born out of due time] Deed borun, Wiclif. The word here (after Tyndale) translated born out of due time refers to a birth out of the usual course of nature (cf. Psalm 58:8), about which there is therefore, (1) something violent and strange. Such was the nature of St Paul’s conversion, an event unparalleled in Scripture. Moreover, (2) such children are usually small and weakly, an idea which the next verse shews St Paul also had in mind. St Paul saw the Lord on more than one occasion. See note on ch. 1 Corinthians 9:1.”
The historical Jesus was born the Son of God, died for our sins, buried, rose from the death on the third day by the power of God, ascended to the highest Heaven and seated on the right hand of God. He is coming again to reign because He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
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
For godly sorrow worketh repentance] Rather, For the sorrow which is according to God (that is aftir God, Wiclif) worketh change of mind. The difference between the true repentance and the false remorse may be illustrated by the cases of David and Saul, St Peter and Judas. to salvation not to be repented of] Or not to be regretted, the word here used involving the idea of sorrow or anxiety. It is by most commentators connected with salvation, as though that were the result not to be regretted. But it may as naturally be referred to the change of mind. “The beautiful law is,” says Robertson, “that in proportion as the repentance increases, the grief diminishes. ‘I rejoice,’ says St Paul, ‘that I made you sorry, though it were but for a time.’ Grief for a time, but repentance for ever.” but the sorrow of the world] i.e. of the world untouched and un-regenerated by the Spirit of God—the sorrow of the natural man, “the opposite of the sorrow according to God.” Stanley. See 1 Corinthians 2:14. worketh death] Death of the body, sometimes, as when despair tempts to suicide, or brings on deadly sickness. Death of the soul, when sorrow fails to melt the heart, but leads it to that state of rebellious stubbornness, of entire alienation from God, which is expressed in the words “hardness of heart and contempt of His word and commandment.” Cf. Proverbs 17:22.”
No godly sorrow, no true repentance.
Gal 3:29, “And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.”
3:26-29 Real Christians enjoy great privileges under the gospel; and are no longer accounted servants, but sons; not now kept at such a distance, and under such restraints as the Jews were. Having accepted Christ Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, and relying on him alone for justification and salvation, they become the sons of God. But no outward forms or profession can secure these blessings; for if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. In baptism we put on Christ; therein we profess to be his disciples. Being baptized into Christ, we are baptized into his death, that as he died and rose again, so we should die unto sin, and walk in newness and holiness of life. The putting on of Christ according to the gospel, consists not in outward imitation, but in a new birth, an entire change. He who makes believers to be heirs, will provide for them. Therefore our care must be to do the duties that belong to us, and all other cares we must cast upon God. And our special care must be for heaven; the things of this life are but trifles. The city of God in heaven, is the portion or child’s part. Seek to be sure of that above all things.”
Whenever I meet Jewish people, I tell them I am also a descendant of Abraham.
But] R.V., “And.” But surely there is a slight contrast meant, to an implied wish that he could send back some material requital of his own to alleviate their “deep poverty” (2 Corinthians 8:2). my God] Words deeply characteristic of St Paul. See on Php 1:3 above. Bp Lightfoot well remarks that the phrase is specially in point here; the Apostle is thinking of what God on his behalf shall do for others. shall supply] Promise, not only aspiration. He is sure of His faithfulness.—“Supply”:—lit., “fill,” pouring His bounty into the void of the “need.” all your need] R.V., somewhat better, every need of yours. See again, 2 Corinthians 8:2, where the exceptional poverty of the converts of Northern Greece is referred to. The prominent thought here is, surely, that of temporal poverty. Cp. particularly 2 Corinthians 9:8, where the first reference seems to be to God’s ability to supply to His self-denying servants always more from which they may still spare and give. But neither here nor in 2 Cor. are we for a moment to shut out the widest and deepest applications of the truth stated. his riches in glory] His resources, consisting in, and so lodged in, His own “glory” of Divine power and love. Cp. Romans 6:4, and note in this Series, for a similar use of the word “glory.”—Bp Lightfoot prefers to connect “shall supply, in glory, your need, according to His riches,” and he explains the thought to be, “shall supply your need by placing you in glory.” But we venture to think this construction needlessly difficult.—Anything in which God is “glorified” (see e. g. Galatians 1:24) is, as it were, a reflection of His holy glory, and a result of it. Tender providential goodness to the poor Philippians would be such a result. On St Paul’s love of the word “riches” in Divine connexions, cp. Ephesians 1:7, and note in this Series. in Christ Jesus] “in whom dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead,” “in whom” the saints are “filled,” as regards all their needs (Colossians 2:9-10). The “glory” of both grace and providence is lodged, for His people, in Him.”
Tit 3:7, “so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
According to the hope of eternal life – In reference to the hope of eternal life; that is, we have that hope in virtue of our being adopted with the family of God, and being made heirs. He has received us as his children, and permits us to hope that we shall live with him forever.”
Heb 7:16, “who has become a priest not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life.”
Eternal life is an indestructible life.
2Pe 3:13, “But according to His promise we are looking for New Heavens and a New Earth, in which righteousness dwells.”
we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth] The promise of which the Apostle speaks is that of Isaiah 65:17; Isaiah 66:22, where we have the very words, “new heavens and a new earth,” the context there connecting it with the restoration of Israel to their own land and the renewed glory of Jerusalem. The same hope shews itself in the visions of the Apocalypse (Revelation 21:1) as connected with the “new Jerusalem” coming down from God, and appears in a fuller and more expanded form in the Apocryphal Book of Enoch. “The former heaven shall pass away and a new heaven shall shew itself” (chap. xcii. 17). “The earth shall be cleansed from all corruption, from every crime, from all punishment” (c. x. 2–7). wherein dwelleth righteousness] This again reproduces the thought of Isaiah (Isaiah 65:25) that “they shall not hurt (LXX. “act unrighteously”) nor destroy in all my holy mountain,” and St John’s account of the new Jerusalem that “there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth” (Revelation 21:27). It is implied in St Paul’s belief that “the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption” (Romans 8:21). Earth itself, purified and redeemed, is to be the scene of the blessedness of the saved, as it has been, through the long æons of its existence, of sin and wretchedness.”
1Co 2:9, “but just as it is written: “THINGS WHICH
EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD,AND WHICH HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HUMAN
HEART,ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED
FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.”
Jhn 14:2, “In My Father’s home are many mansions; if that were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you.”
I believe with all my heart, the Holy City, New Jerusalem, Rev. Chapter 21, is the place Jesus Christ has prepared for the saints.
Verse 1. – And I saw. The usual introduction to a new vision (cf. Revelation 20:11, etc.). Having described the origin and progress of evil in the world, the final overthrow of Satan and his adherents, and the judgment when every man is rewarded according to his works, the seer now completes the whole by portraying the eternal bliss of the redeemed in heaven (cf. on Revelation 20:10). The description is based upon Isaiah 60. and Ezekiel 40, et seq.; especially the latter, which follows the account of God and Magog, as does this. A new heaven and a new earth. The dispute as to whether a new creation is intended, or a revivified earth, seems to be founded on the false assumption that the dwellers in heaven must be localized in space (cf. Isaiah 65:17, “I create new heavens and a new earth;” also Isaiah 66:22; 2 Peter 3:13). For the first heaven and the first earth were passed away. The Revisers follow B and others in reading ἀπῆλθον, and render it by the English perfect tense. In א, A, is read ἀπῆλθαν, while other manuscripts give ἀπῆλθεν and παρῆλθε. The first heaven and earth; that is, those now existing pass away as described in Revelation 20:11. And there was no more sea; and the sea no longer exists. The threefold division of heaven, earth, and sea represents the whole of this world (cf. Revelation 10:6). Some interpret the sea symbolically of the restless, unstable, wicked nations of the earth, which now exist no longer; others understand the absence of sea to typify the absence of instability and wickedness in the New Jerusalem. Revelation 21:1.”
The grace of God prompts you to repent of your sins and believe in the Lord Jesus as your God and savior in order to get forgiveness of sins and inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. You must not neglect so great a salvation.
You can do it now. For today is the day of salvation. Tomorrow may be too late for you.
To receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior is to receive the eternal life.
EUROPEAN Nations that foolishly recognize statehood of Palestine should take Palestinians in and give them aid of all kinds free. What is the use of recognizing the state of Palestine when Palestine does not have territory or sovereignty?
Ukraine nincompoop wants to use USA to fight against Russia. US must ditch Ukraine, EU and abolish NATO. EU alliance has proven meaningless. America must not guarantee security for any nation. International community, knowingly or unknowingly, is greatly mistaken. Gaza does not belong to Palestinians. Gaza belongs to Israeli. Palestinians are originally Arabs who invaded Palestine under British rule. It is good and right for Palestinians to relocate permanently in lands of Arabs to establish a Palestinian State of their own.
Hamas who killed hostages must be killed. Hamas who mistreated hostages must be punished.
Palestinians do not have homeland. Gaza, West Bank, Golan Heights, etc. belong to the Jews. It is good and right that Palestinians be resettled permanently in any Arab land to build a Palestinian State of their own.
Palestinians must be evacuated from the Jewish lands and resettle permanently in Arab lands to build their own Palestinian state. Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthis are terrorists to be destroyed completely. That is the only way to peace.
The world intentionally believes in a lie. Palestinians are originally Arabs who surreptitiously moved to Israel without pay under the British colony called Palestine. Arabs bred like rabbits and called themselves Palestinians. It is most reasonable for Arabs to move to lands of Arabs. For Palestinians do not have claim or resettlement right in the Jewish land of Gaza, West Bank, etc. No one would object for Palestinians to build a Palestinian state in lands of Arabs, but Palestinians cannot build a Palestinian state in the Jewish land. Palestinians prefer to be called refugees in order to receive international aid every thing for free. Palestinians must move out or be removed from the Jewish land. TERRORISTS HAMAS, Hezbollah and Houthis MUST be destroyed completely.
Some fools believe and practice martial arts, boxing, violence, sports such as foot ball to save impoverished and backward nations. The truth is only hard work, being good farmers, herdsmen, fishermen, teachnicians, repairmen, engineers can save poor, undeveloped and backward nations.
There has been undeclared war in the southern border between Mexico and America, which has been neglected by previous American administrations. Mexico flagrantly serves as the open conduit for illegal migrants to enter California and crossing the river to enter Texas. The US must bomb Mexico City to warn them there can not be business as usual; in particular Mexico rejected American airplanes which carried deported illegal migrants to land. America must use its powerful military and National Guards to patrol the borders 24 hours. Fire and shoot at unlawful migrants who climb the wall; who try to destroy the wall; who do graffiti on the wall; who congregate within 100 feet of the wall; who cross the river; who cut the wire to deter the invasion. America declares to REJECT all asylum applicants for 100 years. No humanitarian aid shall be given to any unlawful migrants. In addition to American troops, state National guards must also be used to end the unlawful migrants invasion of America. They are despicable and deplorable peoples who fail in their countries and dream of entering America to live happily and doing nothing on welfare. Immigration Officers must raid Los Angeles, East Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Santa Ana, San Diego, Miami, etc. — dens of illegal aliens; the Welfare Department has their names and addressees.
Palestinians are also useless, shameless and worthless peoples to loot and rob international aid trucks. They are violent and unproductive. Leaders and politicians of Palestinian Authority lead them to the path of destruction by illegally occupying the Jewish lands. They do not want to go to the Arab lands to build their Palestinian state. They rather stay in Jewish lands in order to receive aid for nothing. No aid should enter to help Palestinians.
Hamas should be held responsible for killing hostages and be punished. The UN chief, Arab, Islamic, Black, EU nations speak and support terrorists should be gone. All UN high-paid officials should be replaced; and UN to be reformed in 100 days. It is a false peace. Gaza, West Bank, Golan Heights, Rafah, etc. are Jewish lands. UN, WHO, Arab-Muslim-Black nations and Palestinian Authority speaks and supports terrorists Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis without making any demand. Palestinians do not have homeland in Jewish lands. They must evacuate from Jewish lands and go to lands of Arab to build a Palestinian state. That would be true peace but they do not want peace.
China generously aided more than 100 nations, while their politicians and leaders practice corruption and looting of national treasures, their unproductive people sing and dance, drink alcohol and produce many children they cannot support.
CHINA is the most unusual nation on earth. The craftsmen or artisans of Tang, Sung, Yuan, Ming, Qing dynasties created untold and immense treasures for China. Western nations like Britain, US, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Austria-Hungary, and Japan (8-nation alliance) attacked, burned, robbed and stole and looted China national treasures at market value of more than US$100,000 trillion dollars. It is better to return them to China now, not wait until China makes demands by military force. Shame on Western nations who claim or pretend to be Christian. For the last 500 years, the manifest evils of the West are imperialism, colonialism and capitalism.
Today Chinese rescue workers respond to any natural disaster, the speed and service they built tents and houses unmatched by any nation. The American homeless people would rejoice just to have the Chinese tents. China must not waste its resources on the lazy people and unproductive peoples who eat and get fat, drink alcohol, sing and dance, have sex and produce many unwanted children they cannot support; like to play, enjoy games and sports but dislike hard work and discipline; cannot even produce food and basic necessities.
Xizang earthquake demonstrates what the Chinese government cares and does for its people. What does the U.S. government do for Californians in Los Angeles wildfires? The world must know the truth.
Japan intends to swallow up the United States Steel in order to control the American economy. This should be an eye-opener to the U.S. government that Japan is not a genuine ally. The US government made a big mistake in rearming Japan. Singapore and Malaysia are wise to establish a special economic zone. Many underdeveloped nations fool China in holding one-China policy. By doing so they think they deserve China’s economic and financial aid. India has conflict of interest in Bricks, it is better to withdraw and Indonesia is wise to join Bricks.
Leaders and politicians of Palestinians are evil and guilty because they lead Palestinians to the path of death and destruction through illegal occupation of the Jewish land and support of the terrorists. They give false hope to Palestinians in so-called “two-state solutions”. Palestinians are Arabs, no one would object to Palestinians building a Palestinian state in an Arab land. When Palestinians want to build a Palestinian state in the Jewish land, that is the cause of conflict. Palestinians speak and support terrorists Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthis.Palestine leaders and politicians should evacuate all Palestinians from the land of the Jews and go to Arab lands to build a Palestinian state. That would be peace.
The Internet is a cesspool of corruption, fraud and iniquity. No nation polices and punishes their wrongdoings. Money making individuals and institutions would invade your computer to push their products even rejected. Many famous American universities and institutions are selling their fraudulent products for incurable problems. Many individuals and institutions claim to be Christian and shamelessly and aggressively ask for donations. Many sell famous works in public domain through subscriptions and purchases. Many distort and pervert the Word of God but ask for donations.
Any nation which restricts, bans, or interferes with China’s activities is illegal and unlawful. China can do anything within its sovereignty that does not violate the international law.
To appease the fury and wrath of South Koreans, the impeached Yoon and all those who blocked his arrest shall be executed once and for all. Maybe Yoon should experience the 4-horse treatment. South Korea is the nation the world should not be: all incompetent, chaotic and useless.
Henceforth beginning 2025 all undeveloped nations must work, discipline and be responsible to produce their own food and other necessities; all international aid will be terminated beginning November 2025. Undeveloped nations cannot do as usual in dancing, singing, drinking and sporting, have sex and produce many unwanted children they cannot support. They must work hard to support and save themselves. Based on the Biblical principle, 2Th 3:10, “For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.”
How can we be suspicious since we never ask for money, we only tell the truth absolutely free.
China has aided more than 100 nations costing hundreds of $ billions. Tell the truth, which nation has expressed act of gratitude? Won’t it better to spend on internal improvement or buying gold?
WHO IS WILLIE WONG?
I am a Christian by grace, a Chinese by grace, an American by nationality. I am neither a communist nor a capitalist. Above all I am a follower and servant of Jesus Christ. In English I am a Ruskinian, In Management I am a Koontzian. In Politics I am a Nixonian. In Philosophy I am Willie Wong Thought.
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THE WEST (US, BRITAIN, CANADA, EU) BEING EVIL AND FOUND GUILTY OF SANCTIONING CHINA ALL BECAUSE THEY COVET XINJIANG AND XICHANG AND HONG KONG, USE TAIWAN AND SOUTH CHINA SEA TO ATTACK CHINA’S SOVEREIGNTY.
On the one hand, some White experts pretend to make good suggestions to improve China economy; they may fool many Chinese, I can see malice, envy and ill will through their awkward faces. On the other hand, Black leaders and politicians play coy and con China to support their development for nothing. China needs to stop all foreign aid for two reasons: China needs to pay down deficits and debts. China must not be fooled and must use its hard-earned meager resources wisely to do the following strategic projects:
China should have unswerving commitment only to itself. China should not waste money on useless and unworthy undeveloped countries. Not one nation is grateful. Deficits and debts are bad. China cannot save the world, China must save itself.
2. Make deserts green and reduce sand storms.
3. Repair the Great Walls. Build sea walls around Hainan Island, Shanghai, etc. to prevent climate change that sea water will rise.
4. Promote night markets in big cities and promote domestic travel to expand the economy. Deficits and debts are bad; fiscal surplus is good.
5. Execute crooks and criminals who defraud through Telecom and Internet of more than ONE million yuan. IT is not known who polices the rampant international crooks and criminals who defraud the public by famous American universities and institutions who sell high-priced fake drugs such as to cure knee pain and prevent knee surgery and ear ringing, etc. Sweep clean fraudulent commercials on TV and the Internet.
6. Execute crooks and criminals who defraud in foreign nations and do not bring them home. Faces and names of deceivers must be published on TV to shame them and their families.
7. Increase and strengthen the development and deployment of nuclear weapons for self-defence.
8. Streamline and reduce national and local government debts and deficits.
9. Train 5 million doctors, dentists, nurses, teachers, professors and MANAGERS, machinists in the next 5 years.
10. Assist the poor Chinese in the rural areas first.
11. Improve mechanized agriculture, and upgrade technology in every field.
12. Streamline management of central and local governments.
13. Enforce laws to reduce the number of criminal individuals and organizations in many areas.
14. Execute crooks and criminals who create rumors and conduct espionage that harm national security.
15. Reorganize personnel of CGTN and restructure its programs.
16. Protect the environment and punish severely individuals and organizations who dump industrial waste and toxic materials on lands, soils, water ways, lakes and rivers, and seas.
17. Remove all fraudulent commercials and fake advertisements from TV and Internet and punish the culprits severely. Violent gaming produces violent culture. Violent culture destroys any nation.
18. Make it easy for Overseas Chinese to come to China and make their investments.
19. Reward universities that earn and win NOBEL prizes.
20. Conduct ditching and dredging of lakes and rivers to prevent flooding before extreme weather.
21. Innovate and increase therapeutic and pharmaceutical capabilities to produce various vaccines and preventive medicines.
22. Regulate foreign hospitals and clinics in China to prohibit monopoly and prevent high costs of healthcare.
23. Bargain down whole sale price with foreign drug companies to import effective foreign drugs to benefit Chinese consumers.
24. Subsidize elderly apartment renting by 30%, if elderly live with their children, their monthly mortgage will reduce also by 30%.
25. Severely punish companies that manufacture fake or low quality products.
26. The world must condemn the phony currency called Bitcoin and China should not fall into the financial trap.
27. Execute individuals and organizations that rob ancient cemeteries or tombs to sell precious national treasures.
28. Regulate foreign hospitals and clinics in China to prohibit monopoly and prevent high costs of healthcare.
29. Bargain down whole sale price with foreign drug companies to import effective foreign drugs to benefit Chinese consumers.
30. The world must condemn the phony currency called Bitcoin and China should not fall into the financial trap.
31. Mandate providing access to elderly and invalid wheelchairs.
32. Execute individuals and organizations that rob ancient cemeteries or tombs to sell precious national treasures.
33. Prohibit anyone to smoke on TV or in movies. Reduce individual gun violence except in war movies.
34. Execute Hong Kong residents who commit treason or to be exiled permanently. Hong Kong is fortunate to have food, fuel and water, etc. provided by Mainland China. Hong Kong should start de-Biritishization by changing all English street names, for example Victoria Peak should be replaced by Deng Xiaoping Peak.
35. No one speaks Portuguese except Portugal and Brazil. Macao should not hamstring its residents, but replace Portuguese with the English language the sooner the better.
36. Increase, innovate, and modernize public and private toilet facilities.
37. Punish severely those who violate smoking and drinking on buildings, trains, ferries, and airplanes; the third violation deserves to be executed.
38. China needs to make Christmas a national holiday to facilitate the big Christmas business in China.
39. Execute leading organized criminals, attack every form of terror, and destroy vigorous lawlessness.
40. Penalize severely those who have licenses but do not know how to drive or violate traffic rules and regulations on purpose.
41. To deter and destroy corruption, China needs to execute any officer who commits corruption of more than CNY one million.
42. Execute anyone who counterfeits money and seize all his/her assets.
43. Rebuild the Old Summer Palace, Yuanmingyuan Park ( 圆明园) which was burned down and destroyed by aggressive and intrusive 8-nation-troops; and DEMAND them reparations now through diplomacy or later by military force.
44. Use force to liberate Taiwan and execute traitorous leaders of the People’s Progressive Party (民進黨) publicly.
How to solve global hunger and poverty? There are nations and peoples who deserve to suffer hunger and poverty. For example, Palestinians do not want to go to lands of Arab to build a Palestinian state of their own. They would rather be in the Jewish land and label as refugees so that they can receive international aid for free. There are undeveloped nations and peoples whose leaders and politicians are corrupt, and the peoples are lazy and unproductive; they eat and get fat, sing and dance, drink beer and have sex, produce many children they cannot support. They like the way of life so that they can beg and receive aid freely. These nations will remain poor and suffer hunger in worse situation a hundred years from now!
STRANGEST THINGS HAPPEN! 1. UN and most OF ITS MEMBERS ENDORSE THE TWO-STATE solution. UN-INSIDERS ARE WORSE THAN outsiders. NO ONE OPPOSES THIS. PALESTINIANS ARE ARABS WHO DO NOT WANT TO GO TO LANDS OF ARABS TO MAKE A LIVING AND BUILD ITS OWN PALESTINIAN STATE. The problem is the fact Palestinians want to build state of Palestinians in Jewish lands. 2. UN and all ARAB, MUSLIM, BLACK, EU nations do not say a word against TERRORISTS HAMAS, HAZBOLLAH, and HOUTHIS. NOT ONE DEMANDS HAMAS RELEASE OF HOSTAGES. INDEED, THEY SUPPORT TERRORISTS.
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 80th anniversary of victory over Japanese aggression and fascism is a historical necessity and hard-earned victory. All foreigners who heroically sacrificed their lives for China in their fight against Japanese aggression must individually be commemorated and remembered, their relatives are eternal friends of China. I have never seen such a great parade before, the size and scope of it would overwhelm your mind; every aspect of it was systematically planned, every step of male and female soldiers was of uniform procedures, every military vehicle with all nuclear missiles and every war airplane in the sky well performed; the words such as grand, massive, superb, magnificent fail to describe the whole celebration. I wholeheartedly salute every Chinese military man and woman who participated. From 1931-1945, the brutal behavior of Japanese and its inhuman atrocities were worse than wild beasts and deserve ten atomic bombs in recompense. Even today Japanese government and leaders do not admit and repent of their war crimes, they worship executed war criminals as their national heroes and living gods. Japan never apologizes and pays compensation for killing 35 million Chinese, made hundreds of thousands sex slaves, millions of labor slaves and untold atrocities. Never again will China be oppressed. I am sure the militant Japan is deterred, but America is on the wrong side of history. Thank God it did not rain.
The mayors of Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and Chicago are for crooks and criminals, they must be dismissed and deported. All the facts point to the need, Ukraine must be destroyed and its leader executed in order to end the war. Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis are terrorists and the countries that harbor them must be destroyed all together.
Since Gaza, West Bank, etc. are the Jewish lands, Palestinians must evacuate from all Jewish lands and flee to Arab lands where they are safe to receive international aid and build a Palestinian state of their choice.
The leader of Ukraine is corrupt and evil. Ukrainians are stupid to follow the path of destruction. He was the one who instigated war with Russia. Now he asks for security guarantees. The nincompoop should be executed to end the war.
Palestinians, Africans, and others serve as example of peoples who want to eat and do not want to work. UN, WHO, EU, etc. champion their cause. Palestinians do not want evacuate from Gaza, Jewish lands to resettle in Arab lands. Because they will lose their status as refugees where they can get their food, fuel, water, medicine and everything for free from international community. These problems multiply with the passage of time.
UN, EU, GERMANY, UK, FRANCE, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZELAND, ETC. are strange and unreasonable peoples. Who is stopping Palestinians to build a Palestinian state in an Arab land? It is wrong and illegal to build a Palestinian state in Jewish land (Gaza, West Bank, etc.). That is the cause of conflict.
The fact that National Guards have to patrol Washington, D.C. with weapons speaks loudly and badly of the capital. The mayor of Washington, D.C. should be dismissed and deported. All the more urgent the national capital should move to Lincoln, Nebraska, without delay.
The mayor of Washington, D.C. bowed to the illegal acts of street people who set up tents on public streets. She should be dismissed and deported. The National Guards are empowered to trash the tents, clear the streets and vanish street people. Los Angeles is a disgraced city because the California Governor and Los Angeles mayor failed to solve the problems of street people who not only set up tents on public streets, but also urinate and defecate. All the more urgent for the national capital to move to Lincoln, Nebraska. In the face of national debt exceeding $37 trillion, the people can save money by abolishing the House, retain the unicameral legislation of Senate to move also to Lincoln Nebraska. All this can be accomplished legally by a national referendum. America is ruined by dark and evil forces.
Heroes of all races who sacrificed their lives for China in the war against Japanese aggression should be celebrated and remembered. The descendants of them are eternal friends of China. Descendants of American Flying Tiers whose forefathers had sacrificed their lives in the war against Japanese aggression and atrocities must always be honored and remembered. The Chinese government must treat them as eternal friends, and they are welcome to China anytime. Such blood bonds must be appreciated and maintained forever.
The world wrongly marks the anniversary of dropping atomic bomb on Hiroshima while neglecting the Japanese aggression and atrocities of killing 35 million innocent Chinese without remorse or reparations. UN over–appointed unqualified blacks and media have given too much coverage to unworthy black spoke-persons. It is amazing no matter how beautifully white organizations and individuals hail human rights, civil rights, democracy, development, technology, benefits, justice, etc., what they are actually after is MONEY. This can be said equally true about blacks.
Pet economy is wasted economy. Money should better be spent on nutrition and education of children and orphans. In cities all dogs must have annual license of Y5,000, cats Y4,000, and birds Y3,000. It is exempt for rural areas. If a dog defecates in public place, it shall be fined Y3,000 plus cleanup by owner or walker.
Global media highlight the number of Palestinians who have died, but fail to consider why Palestinian Authority and Palestinians do not want to evacuate from Jewish land and resettle in Arab land. Palestinians, men and women, young and old, are shameless beggars. They remain in Gaza to qualify for refugees so that they can get everything free from international community. The international community is ignorant of the fact that GAZA and related territories all belong to the Jews. Israel has every right to take back and take over Gaza and related territories. Palestinians must evacuate and relocate to Arab lands, make a living and establish its own Palestinian state without further delay.
French nincompoop Macron recognized Palestine as a state but failed to know that Palestine does not have territory and sovereignty. Leaders of UK, GERMANY, AUSTRLALIA would commit the same mistake by supporting terrorists. Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis are wicked terrorists, they should be destroyed without mercy. Leaders of Palestinian Authority are guilty for the death and malnutrition of children because they lead Palestinians to the path of destruction. They could have led Palestinians to lands of Arabs to earn a living and build their own Palestinian state. Palestinians (young & old, man & woman) are most shameless beggars for food & water, they don’t want to go to an Arab land to earn a living and build their own Palestinian state. Africa amid famine has the most fat people in the world, they are also shameless beggars. Ukrainians are shameless beggars for weapons, they do not have reason for existence. Harvard though the richest university in the world is a shameless beggar for US aid. Japan claims to practice democracy, its ruling party lost election miserably, yet its prime minister shamelessly wants to stay in power. The world must realize years of aid to Africa produced nothing, trillions of dollars went to black holes. Africa is corrupt, unmotivated and useless. Black leaders and politicians take advantage of it; dress well, eat well, and live a luxurious life style. Black problems can be solved only by Blacks. Let Africa alone to survive on its own. Blacks create most of the problems in the world, given too much coverage and platform in world media, over–appointed and given too many spokespersons and positions in UN. Any nation who shares destiny with Africa will be doomed. Nothing good comes out of Africa: primitive religion, superstition, spiritism, orgies, black magic, tribalism, voodooism.
If the Texas flooding is an act of God; Ukraine conflict, and conflicts of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthis must be acts of the devil.
India must coexist with China, at the same time India and South Africa must be expelled from BRICS besause they do not remain true to BRICS’ founding mission, they do not belong, must be replaced by Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. US and EU must not rearm Ukraine, let Russia destroy it, and never to be rebuilt. The leader of Ukraine must also be executed.
Palestinian Authorities are guilty for leading Palestinians to a path of death, children died and suffer malnutrition. Palestian Authorities do not lead Palestinians (who are Arabs) to a land of Arabs to work for a living and build the Palestinian state.
American forces have successfully wiped out three Iranian nuclear sites through B-2 bombers. The “everlasting consequence” is Iran cannot be a nuclear threat anymore. I stand with the overwhelming majority of Dutch people to demolish NATO — the war machine.
*Our mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ absolutely free. We do not want donation. We only want you to know the truth.
This article is written to let you know that Jesus Christ is unlike any man. Jesus Christ is incomparable, there is no other can compare with Him. Jesus Christ is One and Only Son of God, and Savior of mankind. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Anyone who compares Jesus with any OTHER famous or great man in history is indicative of his ignorance of who really Jesus Christ is. Needless to say, the eternal and incomparable Jesus is the most famous and the most influential and most revered in history and on Earth for good reasons:
FIRSTLY, even the secular world recognizes and counts the history of the world by the birth of Jesus Christ as B.C. or A.D. B.C. is an abbreviation for “Before Christ.” A.D. is an abbreviation for “anno Domini,” which is Latin for “in the year of our Lord.” So B.C. and A.D. are universally used to count years in time. The birth of Jesus Christ is used as the starting point to count historical years that existed before (B.C.) and after (A.D.) He was born. There is no one else in history like Jesus.
SECONDLY, the life of Jesus recorded in the New Testament, mostly the Gospels and Acts, is so unique, incomparable, matchless, immortal, glorious, noble, unforgettable, unusual, righteous, faultless, blameless, peerless, sinless, flawless, holy, and perfect that is one and only. Act 10:38-43, “You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. We are witnesses of all the things He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross. God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He become visible, not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead. Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins .”
Luk 24:19-27, “And He said to them, “What things?” And they said to Him, “The things about Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to the sentence of death, and crucified Him. But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened. But also some women among us amazed us. When they were at the tomb early in the morning, and did not find His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just exactly as the women also had said; but Him they did not see. And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures .”
Note: Most people know that the New Testament records all the mighty deeds and words of Jesus Christ, while Jesus beginning with Moses and with all the prophets explained the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. By that time the New Testament has not been written yet, all the Scriptures refer to the Old Testament. The authentic and consistent writings of the New Testament more exactly explain all the things concerning Jesus, His divinity and humanity, His work of redemption, His words and deeds, etc.
Heb 7:25-26, “ Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. For it was fitting for us to have such a High Priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens .”
Note: To be able in Greek is dynamai which means can; to be capable, strong and powerful; to have power to do; – which occurs 211 times in the New Testament. Save in Greek is sōzō which means to to rescue from danger or destruction ; to make whole or well; to heal; to make one a partaker of the salvation by Christ; to deliver from the penalties of sins and judgement; – which occurs 123 times in the New Testament. Jesus Christ is able to save all sinners who come to Him. Jesus always lives. I will live because My Redeemer lives forever. Fit in Greek is prepō which means to be becoming; to stand out; to be eminent; to be right; to be suitable; – which occurs 7 times in the New Testament. High Priest in Greek is archiereus which means chief priest; used of Christ because by undergoing death on the cross He offered Himself as an expiatory sacrifice to God, and has entered into the Heavenly Sanctuary where He continually intercedes on behalf of all believers; – which occurs 242 times in the New Testament. Holy in Greek is hosios which means undefiled by sin, free from wickedness, religiously observing every moral obligation, pure holy, pious ; (Strong’s Concordance); divine; a peculiar and pre-eminent character of the Messiah the Holy One; – which occurs 11 times in the New Testament. Innocent in Greek is akakos which means harmless; pure; without guile or fraud; free from guilt or sin; unsuspecting; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Undefiled in Greek is amiantos which means not defiled; free from that which is deformed or debased; unsoiled; pure from sin; without defect; without blemish; incorrupt; untainted; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament. Separate in Greek is chōrizō which means to depart; to put asunder; to separate oneself from; to keep apart; – which occurs 13 times in the New Testament. Exalted in Greek is hypsēlos which means highly esteemed; lofty; exalted on high; eminent; – which occurs 12 times in the New Testament. Jesus is the most fitting High Priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens who always lives and intercedes for Christians before God.
THIRDLY, the words and deeds of Jesus Christ are so amazing and wonderful that are unprecedented, having no antecedent or subsequent.
The following are just a sample of the Words of Jesus:
Jhn 8:32, “and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free .”
Mat 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. ”
Mat 7:7, “Ask, and it will be given to you ; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ”
Mat 5:44, “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you .”
Mat 11:28, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. ”
Luk 23:34, “But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them ; for they do not know what they are doing.”
Jhn 8:12 , “Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I AM the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness , but will have the Light of life. ”
Jhn 14:6, “Jesus said to him, “ I AM the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. ”
Jhn 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.”
The Pharisees heard many of the crowd believed in Jesus, the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to seize Him. The officers returned without arresting Jesus. The chief priests and the Pharisees then asked the officers why they did not bring Him.
Jhn 7:46 , “The officers answered, “Never has a man spoken the way this Man speaks.”
Mar 7:37, “They were utterly astonished, saying, “He has done all things well; He makes even the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”
Note: Utterly in Greek is hyperperissōs which means beyond measure; exceedingly; super-abundantly; scarcely found elsewhere; totally; absolutely; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. Astonish in Greek is ekplēssō which means to be amazed; to be pleasantly surprised; to be struck with great wonder; to strike with astonishment; – which occurs 13 times in the New Testament. The people who were eyewitnesses said, Jesus has done all things well. Well in Greek is kalōs which means good; full well morally; beautifully; excellently; finely; nobly; commendably; rightly so that there is no room for blame; fitly; truly; uprightly; – which occurs 41 times in the New Testament. Even is Greek is kai which means and specially. Jesus has done all things beautifully, excellently, nobly, etc. and specially He makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak. Honestly, you cannot say about anyone in history who has done all things well. Can anyone honestly say he has never done anything wrong or stupid even unintentionally? Up to the present, even in the future, except Jesus, no one ever raised a person who was dead four days, etc. The miracles that Jesus did no one has ever done before.
FOURTHLY, Jesus Christ made claims to be the Son of God, the Lord’s Anointed, the Messiah, the Savior of the world, and rose again from the dead the third day to prove it.
Mat 1:21, “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
Mat 1:25, “but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus. ”
Note: The birth of Jesus is the most unusual and unprecedented in the history of mankind. Never before and never will a virgin give birth. Because Mary was conceived by the Holy Spirit to give birth to Jesus, the Son of God, or God became Man. The virgin Mary will bear a son, not just any son, but the Son of God. His name is Jesus for He will save His people from their sins. Jesus in Greek is Iēsous which means “Jehovah is salvation”; the Son of God, the Savior of mankind, God incarnate ; – which occurs 914 times in the New Testament.
According to Online Etymology Dictionary – https://www.etymonline.com/
Jesus personal name of the Christian Savior, late 12c.; it is the Greek form of Joshua, used variously in translations of the Bible. From Late Latin Iesus (properly pronounced as three syllables), from Greek Iesous, which is an attempt to render into Greek the Aramaic (Semitic) proper name Jeshua (Hebrew Yeshua, Yoshua ) “Jah is salvation.”
Jesus is not an average or ordinary man. Jesus is not only a good and great man. If Jesus were only a good and great man, then there would be no hope for mankind and the world. Secular academics and unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers do not know Jesus Christ. In whose case the god of this world (the Devil) 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. Therefore their opinions about the historical Jesus are empty and not worth a dime. These are my observations of those impostors, you can verify for yourself. They are vain persons who shamelessly speak vain words, utter vain knowledge, imagine vain things and vain thoughts, live vain lives, labor in vain, walk after vanity and have become vain. They speak a vision of their own heart , they desire vain glory, they deceive the public with vain words. They spoil people through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, they practice vain jangling; and make profane and vain babblings, and propositions of science falsely so called. Beware, there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, seeking fame and fortune under many disguises and pretexts. After studying their works, I discover secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers are enemies of the truth.
The only authentic source of facts and information and the fundamental elements about the historical Jesus Christ can be found only in the New Testament of the Holy Bible. They are clear and plain truths which cannot be debated or doubted. Luk 1:1-4 , “Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the Word, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught. ”
Note: Theophilus in Greek is Theophilos which means “friend of God” ; the person to whom Luke addresses in the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts; apparently a high ranking official worthy of the title Most Excellent who was a Christian convert; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Investigate in Greek is parakoloutheō which means to follow closely; to know fully; to have understanding; to follow up a thing in mind so as to attain to the knowledge of it; to examine thoroughly; to trace out; to follow a matter up; to observe by close study or examination; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament. Carefully in Greek is akribōs which means diligently; perfectly; circumspectly; exactly; accurately; – which occurs 15 times in the New Testament. From the beginning in Greek is anōthen which means from above; from the very first; from a higher place; from the top; from origin; – which occurs 14 times in the New Testament. In consecutive order in Greek is kathexēs which means one after another, successively; consecutively; by or in order; in a consecutive manner; with each following the other without interruption; – which occurs 8 times in the New Testament. The New Testament were written by eyewitnesses and servants of the Word concerning the exact truth about Jesus Christ. Exact truth in Greek is asphaleia which means undoubted truth; truth of certainty; absolute truth; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament. Having investigated everything carefully from the beginning Luke wrote it out in consecutive order so that you may know the exact truth about Jesus Christ. You can know the exact truth about Jesus Christ from the only authentic source – the Holy Bible, and no other; not from apocrypha or false gospels or speculative literature. Luke wrote two books in consecutive order from historical point of view.
Jhn 20:28-31, “Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.” 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. ”
Note: The internal evidence proved the integrity and authenticity of the Scriptures. It did not say all the disciples just believed it. The doubting Thomas after he saw in Jesus’ hands the imprint of the nails, and put his finger into the place of the nails, and put his hand into His side, he said to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to Thomas, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed. ” The Apostles and the early disciples all saw Jesus and believed. Since then all disciples of all generations do not see and yet believe. Jesus Christ performed many other miracles which are not written, and there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written. We believe and know the Holy Bible is complete, 39 books in the Old Testament and 27 books in the New Testament. The Christian faith rests on the Word of God, no more no less.
Jhn 21:24-25, “This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written. ”
Also in the Old Testament as Jesus explained: Luk 24:27, “Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures .” Not many have the knowledge of the Old Testament; it is easier to start with the New Testament which is plain and clear historical record of Jesus Christ, especially the Gospels; but not the false gospels outside of the Bible. All the known facts, all you need to know, about Jesus Christ you can find by and for yourself, you do not need the opinions and speculations of impostors and deceivers. May I suggest you start with the Gospel of John.
Jesus is not only the PERSON at the center of Christianity, He is the founder of Christianity. Jesus Christ is Christianity. Without Jesus Christ there is no Christianity. Jesus Christ is the Alpha and the Omega of Christianity, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
Who was Jesus? Or rather, Who is Jesus? Jesus Christ is the only ONE who is the same yesterday and today and forever. Jesus Christ is the same, and His years will not come to an end.
No man can be said he is the same yesterday and today, not to say forever. You can ask who was Abraham? You cannot ask Who is Abraham? Abraham was yesterday, several thousand years ago. Abraham is not today because Abraham is no more.
The question was actually raised by Jesus Christ Himself in two aspects.
Who do people say that I am?
Who do you say that I am?
1Jo 1:1-4, “What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands , concerning the Word of Life —and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us—what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete. ”
Luk 10:22-24, “All things have been handed over to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” Turning to the disciples, He said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see, for I say to you, that many prophets and kings wished to see the things which you see, and did not see them, and to hear the things which you hear, and did not hear them. ”
Note: The Apostles and early disciples of Jesus Christ were supremely blessed because they heard the things and saw the things that many prophets and kings wished to see the things which they saw and did not see them, and to hear the things which they heard and did not hear them. Therefore, what the people said about Jesus was quite different from what the disciples said about Jesus. The disciples were supposed to have intimate knowledge of Jesus Christ because they followed and lived with Him. They knew everything Jesus said and watched every miracle Jesus performed. What they had heard, seen, and touched no others had.
Mat 16:13-17, “Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in Heaven.”
The Son of Man, according to Strong’s Concordance, used by Christ Himself, doubtless in order that He might intimate His Messiahship and also that He might designate Himself as the head of the human family, the Man, the one who both furnished the pattern of the perfect M an and acted on behalf of all mankind. Christ seems to have preferred this to the other Messianic titles, because by its lowliness it was least suited to foster the expectation of an earthly Messiah in royal splendor. I personally do not think this is a satisfactory explanation, but I do not have a better explanation. For me, I always prefer to use, the Son of God.
I also find the explanations of theologians inadequate and insufficient. The Son of Man is not a kind of circumlocution. I can honestly say after much deliberation and study, I do not know why Jesus called Himself, the Son of Man. I do not believe any man knows why. The same way I do not know why Jesus is referred to in the Bible as Jesus Christ and also referred to as Christ Jesus. This is indicated the limit of human intelligence or knowledge outside of revelation. What is not explained in the Word of God, no man should speculate. I do not like people who pretend to know what they actually do not know. No Apostle or disciple ever addressed Jesus as the Son of Man. I habitually and properly call Jesus Christ, the Son of God, my Lord and Savior.
It is interesting that the Jewish people then said Jesus was one of the prophets. We do not know what other Apostles said who Jesus was. Simon Peter was quick to confess that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God. Christ in Greek is Christos which means the Lord’s “anointed”; the Messiah; the Son of God; – which occurs 531 times in the New Testament. For Gentiles, the meaning of the epithet of Christ may not be apparent to everyone. For the Jews, the Christ was the One sent by God, the coming King whom the Jews expected to be the Savior of their nation, and the Author of their highest felicity and prosperity. Christ is the Messiah.
Blessed in Greek is makarios which means happy; supremely blest; fortunate; well off; holy; – which occurs 50 times in the New Testament. Flesh and blood means the totality of human beings, the natural man, no matter whether they are scientists, theologians or philosophers, who by nature do not and cannot know the divine truth. Peter knew that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God, because the Holy Father in Heaven revealed this truth to him. This truth is of great importance that no human being by nature can by his own wisdom or scientific inquiry to discover the knowledge of God. Reveal in Greek is apokalyptō which means to uncover; to take off the cover; to disclose what before was unknown; to make known; to make manifest; to lay open what has been veiled or covered up; is used of God revealing to men things unknown; – which occurs 27 times in the New Testament. So the Christian religion is the Revealed religion, not the opinions, views, traditions or imaginations of flesh and blood. Thus the Christian faith rests completely and absolutely on the Word of God.
The Apostle Paul would have you know, would have the world to know:
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.”
Note: Know in Greek is gnōrizō which means to make known; give to understand; declare; certify; to gain knowledge of; to have thorough knowledge of; to become known; to recognize; – which occurs 50 times in the New Testament. Gospel in Greek is euaggelion which means good tidings; good news; the Gospel of Christ; the Gospel of God; the Gospel of the Kingdom; the glad tidings of salvation through Christ; the glad tidings of the Kingdom of God soon to be set up, and subsequently Christ the Messiah would reign; good message; the preaching of Jesus Christ as having suffered death on the cross for sinners to procure eternal salvation for believers in the Kingdom of God, and rose from the dead and exalted to the right hand of God, thence to return in great power and glory to consummate the Kingdom of God; – which occurs 77 times in the New Testament. The word evangelization is derived from the Greek word. Preach in Greek is euaggelizō which means to proclaim the Gospel; to bring good tidings; to declare glad tidings; to show good news; to announce glad tidings; in the New Testament it is used especially of the glad tidings of the Kingdom that God sent His Son Jesus Christ into the world to save sinners by grace through faith in Jesus Christ to receive the eternal life; – which occurs 95 times in the New Testament. The Gospel which was preached by Paul was not according to man. Paul did not receive the Gospel from man or transmitted by man. Teach in Greek is didaskō which means to impart instruction; to instill doctrine into one; to explain or expound something; to deliver didactic discourses; to impart the knowledge of; to make known; – which occurs 97 times in the New Testament. The Gospel which Paul preached he was not taught it by man. You cannot be taught in seminary to invent a new gospel. Receive in Greek is paralambanō which means to take; to accept something transmitted; to learn from; acquire; – which occurs 57 times in the New Testament. The original and true Gospel of Jesus Christ was received by the Apostles through the revelation of Jesus Christ, they did not learn it from man or tradition. Revelation in Greek is apokalypsis which means manifestation; enlightenment; a disclosure of truth; instruction concerning divine things before unknown; something to be made visible or known; an uncovering; – which occurs 18 times in the New Testament. The Gospel which Paul preached he received it through the revelation of Jesus Christ. Many secular academics, unbelieving theologians and scientists and philosophers try to distort and pervert the Gospel.
Apostle Paul was making such statement because some false teachers had perverted and distorted the Gospel of Jesus Christ and preached a different gospel ( different from the true doctrine concerning Christian salvation ). The contents of the Gospel of Christ were decreed and revealed by God from eternity.
Gal 2:1-2, “Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the Gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain. ”
What is the nature of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
Rom 16:25-26, “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, 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 origin of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, 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. The Gospel, the Holy Scriptures, are not subject to be debated by men of vain thoughts and unbelief. According to the commandment of the eternal God, the Gospel leads believers of all generations to obedience of faith. Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers think they are somebodies because they can vent their private opinions and conceited thoughts and lofty theories against the Word of God.
Eph 3:3-10, “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, of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the Church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. ”
Note: The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the mystery of Christ and the manifold wisdom of God and the power of God working to bring salvation to those who believe in His name. This great mystery of godliness is beyond the reach of those who have a defiled and evil and unbelieving heart.
1Ti 3:16 , “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. ”
The secular academics claim that after his death Jesus came to be called Jesus Christ. Absolutely wrong. While Jesus was alive on earth, before the Crucifixion, before the Resurrection, He made the prayer to God:
Jhn 17:1-8, “ Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to Heaven, He said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life. This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do. Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. I have manifested Your name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world; they were Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. Now they have come to know that everything You have given Me is from You;for the words which You gave Me I have given to them; and they received them and truly understood that I came forth from You, and they believed that You sent Me. ”
Note: Clearly and plainly, here Jesus calls Himself, Jesus Christ. The enemies of truth can misinterpret and distort the Gospel of Christ or the Scriptures to their own destruction.
FIFTHLY, the saving power and positive influence of Jesus Christ manifested in the lives of billions of Christians in more than 2,000 years is immeasurable and inestimable.
1Ti 1:15-16, “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. 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: Paul was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet he was shown mercy because he acted ignorantly in unbelief. Paul is classic example how Christ Jesus saved and changed people. The following is the confession how Saul was transformed into Paul, two different persons by the power of God.
Act 22:3-15, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as you all are today. I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and putting both men and women into prisons, as also the high priest and all the Council of the elders can testify. From them I also received letters to the brethren, and started off for Damascus in order to bring even those who were there to Jerusalem as prisoners to be punished. But it happened that as I was on my way, approaching Damascus about noontime, a very bright light suddenly flashed from heaven all around me, and I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ And I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.’ And those who were with me saw the light, to be sure, but did not understand the voice of the One who was speaking to me. And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Get up and go on into Damascus, and there you will be told of all that has been appointed for you to do.’ But since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me and came into Damascus. A certain Ananias, a man who was devout by the standard of the Law, and well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, came to me, and standing near said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very time I looked up at him. And he said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear an utterance from His mouth. For you will be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard.”
Note: Zealous in Greek is zēlōtēs which means one burning with zeal; a zealot; characterized by zeal; – which occurs 6 times in the New Testament. Saul was persecuting Christians to death and he thought he was zealous for God. There are people who murder thinking they serve God. There are terrorists today who lie, kill, rob, and destroy people and property in the name of God. Persecute in Greek is diōkō which means to pursue or run after with hostility; to harass, punish or molest in any way whatever; to mistreat; to afflict; – which occurs 47 times in the New Testament. Way in Greek is hodos which means a way (i.e. manner) of thinking, feeling, deciding prescribed and approved by God; the Christian faith is a way of life; a journey; Jesus is the Way; used of the Christian religion; by which all who seek approach to God must enter into closest fellowship; – which occurs 100 times in the New Testament. Happen in Greek is ginomai which means to come to pass; of events to appear in history; of events come upon the stage; to come into existence; to occur; come to be; – which occurs 536 times in the New Testament. God controls whatever comes to pass. God is able to cause things or events to take place. No man controls events, events control men. When the Lord or the Holy Spirit speaks to a person, the person understands it, but the people around cannot hear it. There are enemies of Christ who are persecuting Jesus by killing Christians, they are deaf to hear the voice, “Terrorists, terrorists, why are you persecuting Me?” They are in darkness, they do not see the Light. Appoint in Greek is tassō which means to ordain; to choose someone officially to do something; assign; determine; order; addict; set officially; put in place; – which occurs 7 times in the New Testament. I believe the Lord Jesus appointed the Apostles and other disciples like Stephen. I believe even today our Lord appoints each Christian to do something special for Him. If you are a believer, ask the Lord what He wants you to do with your life. Blessed is the person who finds out what the Lord wants him/her to do and do it. Devout in Greek is eulabēs which means pious; committed; circumspect; fearing God; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament. Every devout Christian lives to the New Testament standard. Every Christian appointed by the Lord is devout. Ask God the Father to appoint you to know His will. Do you know what a privilege to witness for Christ wherever you are? I witness for Christ AND preach the Gospel through the Internet.
Rom 9:1-8, “I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises, whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen. But it is not as though the Word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but: “THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED.” That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. ”
Note: Paul had great sorrow and unceasing grief in his heart for his kinsmen who are Israelites that they might be saved. Here is a great truth: The Jews who did not believe not as though the Word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants. Jesus says to those who do not believe; Jhn 10:26 , “But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. ” Once I was sitting outside a church on a rainy day. I witnessed to an old man there who did not believe. But his wife came along and I witnessed to her, and she gladly accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. You should have a burden for the salvation of your relatives and friends.
One thing is of most importance is the fact that 1Co 2:11 , “ For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. ”
1Co 2:10-14, “For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, comparing spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. ”
Note: God revealed His wisdom and hidden things to His children through the Holy Spirit. Human wisdom is contrary to the wisdom of God. The things of God cannot be taught by human wisdom; for that reason, secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers cannot by human wisdom discover God. They do not have the Spirit of God, but the spirit of the world. The best of science and philosophy are the things taught by human wisdom, tentative, fallible and imperfect. Comparing in Greek is sygkrinō which means to join together fitly; to compare with; to interpret; to judge of one thing in connection with another; to adapt the discourse to the subject; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. One must compare spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. One must interpret spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. One must synchronize spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. The natural man is devoid of spiritual thoughts and spiritual words. Here lies the basic difference between the natural man and the spiritual man. Do you see the difficulty or problem of being a natural man? A natural man includes all who have not been born again by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers are natural men who do not accept the the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to them. For examples, the Virgin Birth, the Creation of the Universe and mankind, the miracles of Jesus Christ, the infallible and inerrant Word of God, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Kingdom of God, etc. are foolishness to them. They cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. Appraise in Greek is anakrinō which means to examine; discern; search; to investigate, inquire into, scrutinize; to judge of, estimate, determine, evaluate; – which occurs 19 times in the New Testament. The Christian faith is spiritually appraised. You cannot have a blind man to appraise a perfect diamond or the glorious sunset. You cannot have a tone-deaf person to appraise the sound of music. 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. ” The minds of secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers are blinded by the god of this world (the devil), so they cannot see the light of the Gospel or understand the Word of God. Not only they are blind, they walk in darkness and they are deaf to the truth. On the other hand, Christians have the mind of Christ.
Act 7:51 , “You stubborn people! You are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That’s what your ancestors did, and so do you!”
Note: Resist in Greek is antipiptō which means to oppose; to run against; to strive against; to be adverse; to fight against; – which occurs 1 times in the New Testament. God has given man free will and so he can make a choice. Everyone may make a decision. Some resist the Holy Spirit and reject Jesus Christ. It is sad to observe many stubborn people who are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth. I hope you are not like that. I am writing this article so that you might have a good and sincere heart to receive the truth in Jesus Christ.
2Co 10:12 , “For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding. ”
Note: There are things we should be bold, there are other things we should not be bold. I have never known secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers who are humble. Class in Greek is egkrinō which means to reckon among; to make of the number; to judge one worthy of being admitted to a certain class ; to count among; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. Do you notice that warmongers, aggressors, imperialists, supremacists, militarists, capitalists, monopolists, and terrorists belong to a certain class? Do you take note that secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers belong to another class? Compare in Greek is sygkrino which means to compare with; compare among; to interpret; combine; to judge of one thing in connection with another; collate; to examine to discover differences or similarities; to consider similarities; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. There are people who compare themselves with God, just like an ameba compares itself to man. Commend in Greek is synistēmi which means to approve; to stand with; to set in the same place; to set one with another; to set together; to hold together; to recommend as worthy; to praise; – which occurs 17 times in the New Testament. Pro 27:2 , “ Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth—a stranger, not your own lips. ” The rich and powerful like to blow their own horns. Measure in Greek is metreō which means to mete out to; to judge according to any rule or standard; to estimate; to ascertain in size by a fixed standard; to derive from oneself the standard by which one estimates oneself ; – which occurs 11 times in the New Testament. A five year old boy said to his mother, “I am 7 feet tall.” The mother asked how did he measure himself. The boy answered he used his shoe to measure himself, it is 7 shoes tall, so 7 feet. Those who compare themselves with themselves, measure themselves by themselves and commend themselves are without understanding. Miserable man, do not use your measure to measure God! Microscope cannot be used to observe the stars in the sky.
Paul was a scholar, in contrast to a blind illiterate man. Jesus healed a man born blind. There was a division among the people who witnessed the miracle. The Pharisees were saying Jesus is not from God because He does not keep the Sabbath. Others were saying how can a man who is a sinner perform such miracles? They asked the blind man about Jesus and he said, He is a prophet.
Jhn 9:24-30, “So a second time they called the man who had been blind, and said to him, “Give glory to God; we know that this man is a sinner.” He then answered, “Whether He is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see .” So they said to him, “What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?” He answered them, “I told you already and you did not listen; why do you want to hear it again? You do not want to become His disciples too, do you?” They reviled him and said, “You are His disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where He is from.” The man answered and said to them, “Well, here is an amazing thing , that you do not know where He is from, and yet He opened my eyes. ”
Note: The man born blind gave an amazing and powerful witness, “One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see. ” Every saved soul has a powerful witness. The Pharisees did not want to know the truth, so they believed a lie to say Jesus is a sinner. They could not and would not answer the challenge, How can a man who is a sinner perform such miracles? The same is true with secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers who do not want to know the truth, because they have the spirit of the world. A man’s reason can be blinded by his bias and prejudices.
Rom 1:20 , “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes , His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. ”
Note: The world was created by God, not by Big Bang. God is Spirit, He is invisible. Invisible in Greek is aoratos which means unseen; that cannot be seen; invisible nature; not perceptible by vision; impossible to see; – which occurs 5 times in the New Testament. God cannot be seen. Power in Greek is dynamis which means mighty work; strength; might; ability; force; – which occurs 124 times in the New Testament. Divine nature in Greek is theiotēs which means divinity; Godhead; divine essence; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Although God cannot be seen, but His eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made. For example, the Universe created by God is immeasurable and continuously expanding, and the stars and planets in heaven cannot be numbered and so we understand how great God is. God creates snowflakes and no two snowflakes are alike, and so we see the wonder of God’s power and perfect nature.
1Co 2:16 , “For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ. ”
Note: Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers are arrogant that they think they can instruct God, although they have no idea and know nothing about the mind of God or the mind of Christ.
Eph 4:17-19, “So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. ”
Note: Affirm in Greek is martyromai which means to testify; take to record; to declare solemnly; to cite a witness; to obtest; to call to witness; to bring forward a witness; to confirm; to state positively; – which occurs 5 times in the New Testament. How do the Gentiles walk? Walk in Greek is peripateō which means to live; to conduct one’s self; to regulate one’s life; to be occupied with; to behave; to pass one’s life; – which occurs 105 times in the New Testament. The live in futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. Futility in Greek is mataiotēs which means vanity; depravity; frailty; what is devoid of truth and appropriateness; perverseness; inutility ; uselessness; deprivation; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. Darkened in Greek is skotoō which means full of darkness; to cover with darkness; to obscure or blind the mind; to make dark; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. Exclude in Greek is apallotrioō which means to be alienated; to estrange; to be shut out from fellowship; to be non-participant; to expel or bar; used of those who have estranged themselves from God;- which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. Ignorance in Greek is agnoia which means lack of knowledge, especially of divine things; moral blindness; want of knowledge; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament. Hardness in Greek is pōrōsis which means blindness; the covering with a callus; dulled perception; blunted mind; obtrusiveness of mental discernment; porosis; stupidity or callousness; obduracy; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. Become callous in Greek apalgeō which means to be past feeling; to cease to feel pain or grief; to become insensible or apathetic; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Sensuality in Greek is aselgeia which means lasciviousness; wantonness; filthiness; unbridled lust; licentiousness; shamelessness; outrageousness; worldliness; flesh; insolence; – which occurs 10 times in the New Testament. Impurity in Greek is akatharsia which means uncleanliness; immorality; the impurity of lustful, luxurious, profligate living ; – which occurs 10 times in the New Testament. Homosexuality is kind of impurity. Greediness in Greek is pleonexia which means avarice; fraudulency; covetousness; greed; extortion; – which occurs 11 times in the New Testament. Many doctors, dentists, hospital owners, drug makers, lawyers, monopolists, politicians, bankers, imperialists, and terrorists, etc. practice extortion.
The Word of God performs a surgical analysis and describes the character or nature of a natural man:
(a) . Walk in the futility of their mind;
(b) . Being darkened in their understanding;
(c) . Excluded from the life of God;
(d) . Ignorance is in them;
(e) .The hardness of their heart;
(f) .Having become callous;
(g) .Have given themselves over to sensuality;
(h) .Practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.
With these 8 characteristics, the natural man is spiritually dead and buried.
Note: Every element of the cited above is deadly. Take excluded from the life of God, the natural man is spiritually dead; living in this world without God and without hope. Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers may be so proud of their works or writings, but God says they walk in the futility of their mind. Their mind is vain, depraved, useless and devoid of truth. God sees you may be entirely opposite of what you think of yourself. They are darkened or blind in their understanding. There is ignorance in them. The hardness of their heart becomes callous or apathetic. They have given themselves to sensuality and practice every kind of impurity with greediness. They are slaves of sin, the sinful passions. The whole world is infected with greediness which is especially prominent in capitalistic and imperial nations and entrepreneurs, even among prosperity gospel preachers and followers.
Heb 4:12-13, “ For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. ”
Note: Living in Greek is zaō which means quick; alive; lively; in full vigor; strong; powerful; efficacious; having vital power in itself; – which occurs 143 times in the New Testament. Active in Greek is energēs which means effectual; effective, powerful; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. Sharper in Greek is tomos which means more keen; more sharp; more cutting or piercing; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. The Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword. The above cited surgical analysis of the natural man by the Word of God is an example. Pierce in Greek is diïkneomai which means to penetrate; to go through; to reach through; to enter or thrust into; to discern; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. Just as there is a division between joints and marrow, so there is also a division between soul and spirit. Soul in Greek is psychē which means life, heart, mind; the breath of life; the vital force which animates the body; the seat of the feelings, desires, affections, aversions (our heart, soul etc.) ; an essence which differs from the body and is not dissolved by death (distinguished from other parts of the body) ; a person’s total self; self-consciousness; – which occurs 101 times in the New Testament. Spirit in Greek is pneuma which means the rational spirit, the power by which the human being feels, thinks, decides ; a human soul that has left the body ; the divine consciousness; the disposition or influence which fills and governs the soul of any one ; the power of perceiving and grasping divine and eternal things, and upon which the Spirit of God exerts its influence; Luther calls it “ the highest and noblest part of man, which qualifies him to lay bold of incomprehensible, invisible, eternal things; in short, it is the house where Faith and God’s word are at home ”; – which occurs 380 times in the New Testament. A man is a tripartite being: body, soul and spirit. The Word of God can pierce through a man’s soul and spirit. Able to judge in Greek is kritikos which means fit for judging; skilled in judging; able to discern; able to discriminate; tracing out and passing judgement on the thoughts of the mind; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Thought in Greek is enthymēsis which means a thinking; consideration; something in the mind; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament. Intention in Greek is ennoia which means intent; meditation; a thought, notion or conception; thoughtfulness; moral understanding; purpose; what one intends to do; an aim; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. The Word of God is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. You can hide nothing from God. Open in Greek is gymnos which means bare; naked; nude; without cover; not covered; completely free from concealment; – which occurs 16 times in the New Testament. Lay bare in Greek is trachēlizō which means to lay open, to make manifest to one, to expose; to uncover; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers usually think they are special elites, but there is no creature hidden from God’s sight, and all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of God who controls the Universe and with whom we have to do. God especially hates hypocrites because they pretend to be what they are not. Everyone (including you and I) is naked before God, and God knows all our thoughts and intentions.
Jesus Affirms His Deity Col 2:9, “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form. ”
Note: Deity in Greek is theotēs which means the state of being God, godhood, Godhead; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. God became Man in Jesus Christ in human form. Only God could have the mode of existence of God. By creation alone no one can know God; for that reason Jesus Christ, the Son of God came into the world to reveal God. God reveals Himself in His Son. Paul is declaring that in the Son there dwells all the fullness of absolute Godhead; they were no mere rays of divine glory which gilded Him, lighting up His person for a season and with a splendor not His own; but He was, and is, absolute and perfect God; and the Scripture teaches this essential and personal Godhead of the Son in bodily form. The Scripture means Jesus is God in human form. God is in the body of Christ.
For this reason Jesus declares,
Jhn 14:7 , “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also ; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.”
You may know the different etymologies of the Greek words, theiotēs (divinity) and theotēs (deity) and still do not know God and our Savior.
The divinity of Christ means “God was in Christ.” The divinity of Christ means Christ is divine, Christ is God. The divinity of Christ means Christ has divine nature. The divinity of Christ means Jesus Christ is my God and my Lord. Those who do not believe God are without excuse. God’s everlasting power and divinity dwells fully in Jesus Christ.
Unbelieving liberals or modernists, who are crafty in distorting the Bible, claim that in fact, mankind possesses a “spark of divinity,” a spark which relates him to God. If a “spark of divinity” means man was created in the image of God, that is true. If it means everyone can potentially become a son of God by his own efforts, it is false and un-Scriptural. A fallen man cannot perfect himself. A sinful man cannot save himself. The human conscience is NOT the “divine spark.”
Hbr 10:22,“Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”
Note: Conscience in Greek is syneidēsis which means the consciousness of right and wrong, the soul as distinguishing between what is morally good and bad, prompting to do the former and shun the latter, commending one, condemning the other; moral consciousness, free from guilt; – it occurs 32 times in the New Testament. Sinful man has an “evil conscience.” An unbeliever does not have a good conscience. American leaders violated China’s sovereignty and gave control of China’s Diaoyu Islands in 1971 to the war crime nation of Japan and passed law to defend Japan are liars and killers who have an evil conscience. The leaders of the evil empire of Japan who bought and nationalized China’s Diaoyu Islands and say they belong to Japan, not negotiable, and rely on the protection of the sole superpower and prepare war with China are liars and killers and have an evil conscience.
1Ti 1:19,“Keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.” Liars and killers do not have a “good conscience.”
1 Ti 4:2, “By means of the hypocrisy of liars their own conscience is seared as with a branding iron.” A dead conscience cannot have a “spark of divinity.” The conscience of America and Japan has been seared with a red hot iron. Japanese leaders are pagans and idol worshipers, liars and killers who are sons of the devil defined by Jesus Christ, Jhn 8:44 . Although American leaders and politicians claim to be Christians, they are proven liars and killers and robbers and children of the devil who have an evil conscience. People who have an evil conscience do not know God and Savior.
There is no doubt or debate or division, the divinity of Jesus Christ is clearly and definitely taught and written in the Bible. Let the Word of God explain the Word of God.
Mat 16:16 ,“Simon Peter answered: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jhn 6:69 ,“And we believe and are sure that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Cf. Jhn 11:27,“She said to him: Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, He who is coming into the world.”
Jhn 20:31 ,“But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”
Act 8:37,“And Philip said: If you believe with all your heart, you may. And he replied: I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
2 Cr 1:19, “For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we preached among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No; but in Him it is always Yes.”
1 Jo 1:3,“That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us; and our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.”
1 Jo 5:20,“And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, to know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.”
Note: Christ in Greek is Christos which means the Lord’s “anointed”, the Messiah, the Son of God; – it occurs 569 times in the New Testament. Christ is used in generic sense, unlike prophet, as an appellative, One and Only, the Messiah. There is no other Christ, there are anti-christs. Foolish unbelieving scientists and scholars, don’t you know by your own understanding you cannot know God who is true? You need Jesus Christ, the Son of God to give you understanding, spiritual understanding, not scientific understanding.
It does not matter if you do not know the difference between divinity and deity, it matters if you believe or not Jesus Christ is God. This is the fatal mistake of Unitarianism. Doubting Thomas made the confession after the convincing evidence,
Jhn 20:28-29, “ Thomas answered and said to Him, “ My Lord and my God! ” Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed. ”
Note: After Jesus ascended to the highest Heaven, all subsequent believers did not see, and yet believed. Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.
Jesus Christ says:
Jhn 10:30, “I and the Father are One. ” The Father and the Son are One. The Jehovah of the Old Testament is the Jesus of the New Testament. God and Jesus are One. The unbelieving Jews knew exactly what Jesus said and claimed that He and God are One, for that reason all the more they wanted to kill Him. There is no debate or doubt or division that Jesus Christ claims of His Divinity.
Mat 2:11 , “After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. ”
Note: Wise men from the East were truly wise men, they fell to the ground and worshiped the Child Jesus; unlike the Roman Catholics who worship Mary.
Mat 8:2-3, “ And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
Note: A leper came and worshiped Jesus even before He cleansed him. The leper’s prayer indicated his faith, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”
Mat 9:18 , “ While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshiped Him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. ”
Note: The ruler worshiped Jesus Christ even before He restored the life of his little girl.
Mat 14:33, “And those who were in the boat worshiped Him , saying, “You are certainly God’s Son !”
Note: After seeing Jesus walking on the sea, the disciples worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son.”
Mat 15:25 , “Then came she and worshiped Him , saying, Lord, help me. ”
Note: A Syrophoenician woman worshiped Jesus to ask the Lord to help her, whose daughter was cruelly demon-possessed. Her daughter was healed at once by the Word of the Lord.
Jhn 9:38 , “And he said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped Him . ”
Note: Jesus healed a man born blind. Because he testified for Jesus, the Jewish religious establishment excommunicated him. Jesus found him and asked him whether he would believe in Him. The former blind man said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped Jesus.
Mat 28:9 , “ And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him . ”
Note: On the day of Resurrection, the women who saw the angel and the empty tomb and ran to report to Jesus’ disciples, Jesus met them. They came up and took hold of Jesus’ feet and worshiped Him.
Mat 28:17, “When they saw Him, they worshiped Him ; but some were doubtful. ”
Note: During the Great Commission, the disciples saw and worshiped Jesus, but some were doubtful. Be doubtful in Greek is distazō which means to waiver mentally; to be fearful; to be uncertain; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. We can know with certainty that 1Pe 1:21 , “who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.”
Luk 24:51-52, “ While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy .”
Note: The disciples witnessed Jesus ascending to Heaven, as He blessed them and parted from them. After worshiping Jesus, they returned to Jerusalem with great joy. Joy in Greek is chara which means gladness; joyfulness; cheerfulness; blessedness; – which occurs 59 times in the New Testament. Why the great joy? Act 1:10-11, “And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” Cheer up, Jesus Christ is coming again with great power an glory. All Christians in the world, get ready to welcome the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
We may only worship God. Christians do not worship Apostles, Angels, Mary, idols, ancestors, Sun, Moon, Stars, the pope, dead saints, or any man or object. The people cited above all worshiped Jesus. When people worship Jesus they worship God. There is no slightest doubt or debate that the Divinity of Jesus Christ is a clear and sure doctrine taught in the Bible. Disciples universally practiced worshiping of Jesus Christ as God, the Son.
Rev 5:6-10, “And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You have made them to be a Kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.”
Note: Lamb in Greek is arnion, which is used of Christ, innocently suffering and dying to expiate the sins of men ; the Lamb of God who is the Son of God; – which occurs 30 times in the New Testament. In Heaven the four living creatures, the twenty-four elders, saints and angels, worship the Lamb. The Lamb purchased for God with His blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. Jesus Christ made them to be a kingdom and priests to God, and they will reign with Him upon the earth. In Heaven, Christians will sing the song of the Lamb.
Rev 5:11-14, “Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.” And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped.”
Note: Myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands mean innumerable, too many to be counted. Many angels, the living creatures, the elders, and innumerable number of the Elect, and every created thing which is in Heaven and on the Earth, under the Earth and on the sea, and all thing in them saying, “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever. They worship God and the Lamb.
Rev 7:9-12, “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”
Note: No one could count means no one could enumerate or number which is innumerable or countless. The stars in the sky are also innumerable, too many to be counted. So it is a wrong idea to think the numbers of the saved are few. Heaven will be a lonely place. For a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, will stand before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches are in their hands; and they cry our with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” Salvation belongs to our God the Father and to the Lamb the Son. The way of salvation is the way of God. Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. Outside of Christ, there is no other salvation. Countless saved believers, all the angels, the elders and the four living creatures fall on their faces and worship God the Father, and Lamb the Son forever and ever.
Debate about Jesus?
If you stand under the sun, do you debate the existence of the sun? If you walk in the light, do you debate about the existence of light? If you are full, do you debate the existence of food? If you know God, there is no debate about the existence of God.
Debate may be applicable to doubtful things. For example, you can debate whether the United State of America is a true democracy or not. One percent of the population rules over the 99 percent cannot be a democracy. Ninety-nine percent of population serve the 1% of the population cannot be a true democracy, for democracy serves the largest number of the population. I prefer to discuss issues with reasonable persons. Once a woman challenged me to prove her sins. Why would I be interested in how many fornication or adulteries, thefts and lies, malice and ill will, etc. she has committed? If I know a person is determined not to believe the truth, I would not waste my time on her/him. Jesus said, Jhn 8:45-47, “But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me. Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God.”
In my life experiences, I have encountered a group of people who do not and would not believe the truth, no matter what. I shun this kind of people because I do not want to waste my effort and time on them. I have learned a great truth from Jesus Christ that those who did not believe because they were not of His sheep. The truth strikes me how many deliberately and willfully send themselves to Hell!
Jhn 10:24-28, “The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.”
Note: Jesus said to the Jews, “I told you, and you do not believe…But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” This explains why some people will not believe no matter what. Because they are not of Jesus’ sheep. Whether you believe or not will determine whether you are of Jesus’ sheep or not.
Act 17:16-21, “While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply troubled by all the idols he saw everywhere in the city. He went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and he spoke daily in the public square to all who happened to be there. He also had a debate with some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. When he told them about Jesus and his resurrection, they said, “What’s this babbler trying to say with these strange ideas he’s picked up?” Others said, “He seems to be preaching about some foreign gods.” Then they took him to the high council of the city. “Come and tell us about this new teaching,” they said.“You are saying some rather strange things, and we want to know what it’s all about.”(It should be explained that all the Athenians as well as the foreigners in Athens seemed to spend all their time discussing the latest ideas.) ”
Note: Primitive people still worship idols today. In the Western world, however, people worship money, power and sex as their idols. Reason in Greek is dialegomai which means to dispute; discuss; argue; try to persuade; – which occurs 14 times in the New Testament. The Christian faith is reasonable. Christians are told in 1Pe 3:15 , “But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” Be prepared is to be ready. Defense in Greek is apologia which means an answer; a reasoned statement or argument ; clearing of oneself; making good of a cause; an argument for justification; – which occurs 8 times in the New Testament. The word apologetics is derived from the Greek word. Reason in Greek is logos which means ground; cause; justification; – which occurs 14 times in the New Testament. Paul had a debate with some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. Debate in Greek is zētēsis which means questioning; dispute; investigating; a contention by words or arguments; a formal discussion; – which occurs 9 times in the New Testament. Epicurean philosophers believe that pleasure or happiness is the highest good. So Epicureanism devotes to pleasure, comfort, and high living. Stoicism is somewhat the opposite of Epicureanism which is indifference to pleasure or pain. Stoic philosophers believe virtue as the highest good in life. The two groups of philosophers thought Jesus and His resurrection were strange ideas. Babbler in Greek is spermologos which means an empty talker; a seed-picker as a crow; a sponger, loafer; trifler; an excessive talker; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. These philosophers called Paul a babbler, but they seemed to be interested in this new teaching and wanted to know more about strange things. The footnote is interesting: (It should be explained that all the Athenians as well as the foreigners in Athens seemed to spend all their time discussing the latest ideas.) ” Interestingly, some countries ban Christianity on ground it is a foreign god. Some countries prefer superstitions over truth. Ignorant and superstitious people are easier to control, free people who know the truth cannot be enslaved. Jesus Christ does not belong to the Jews only. Jesus Christ is the Lord and Savior of the world.
Act 18:28 , “For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, demonstrating from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah. ”
Note: Apollos was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah. Refute in Greek is diakatelegchomai which means to prove downright; to prove wrong by argument; show to be false; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. Demonstrate in Greek is epideiknymi which means to show; exhibit; prove; to bring forth to view; – which occurs 7 times in the New Testament. The Scriptures prove that Jesus is the Messiah.
The Council at Jerusalem was a result of an important debate, the first debate among early Christians: Act 15:1-29, “ Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” And when Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue. Therefore, being sent on their way by the Church, they were passing through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and were bringing great joy to all the brethren. When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were received by the Church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them. But some of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses.”The apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter. 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.” All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating what miracles and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. ”
Note: Dissension in Greek is stasis which means a popular uprising; strong disagreement; sedition; uproar; an insurrection against; strife; controversy; contentious quarreling; – which occurs 9 times in the New Testament. Debate in Greek is zētēsis which means a questioning; a subject of questioning; a matter of controversy; a searching for solution; a dispute; a subject of subtle inquiry; – which occurs 9 times in the New Testament. When some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” Apostle Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them. The brethren decided to send Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem to the Apostles and elders concerning this issue.
Issue in Greek is zētēma which means a question; debate; a vital or unsettled matter; a matter that is in dispute; a subject or problem of disagreement; – which occurs 6 times in the New Testament. The Jerusalem Church after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ was the presiding Church. The Church received them. Some of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses.” Sect in Greek is hairesis which means a body of men following their own tenets (sect or party); dissensions arising from diversity of opinions and aims ; disunion; an opinion varying from the true exposition of the Christian faith (heresy); an opinion, doctrine, or practice which is contrary to the truth of Christian faith; – which occurs 9 times in the New Testament. It is a heresy to insist that Gentile believers necessary to be circumcised and to observe the Law of Moses. Since the early Church, there have been many heresies upon which cults and sects build their denominations. Roman Catholicism is the greatest heresy of them all. The apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter. 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.” Peter pointed out that God made no distinction between Jewish disciples and and Gentile disciples , cleansing their hearts by faith . God gave Gentile believers the Holy Spirit just as He also did to the Jewish believers. To demand Gentile believers of circumcision and observance of the Law of Moses is to put God to the test and placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither Jewish fathers and Jewish disciples have been able to bear. Yoke in Greek is zygos which means a yoke that is put on draught cattle; metaphorically used of any burden or bondage as of slavery; as of troublesome laws imposed on one one (commands of the Pharisees); servitude; – which occurs 7 times in the New Testament. All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating what miracle s and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. Paul and Barnabas testified what miracles and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. The Pharisees may think only the Jews were privileged to see miracles and wonders God performed.
James’s Judgment Act 15:13-29, “After they had stopped speaking, James answered, saying, “Brethren, listen to me.“ Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name.
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.
Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles, but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood.
For Moses from ancient generations has in every city those who preach him, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.
Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas—Judas called Barnabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren, and they sent this letter by them, “The Apostles and the brethren who are elders , to the brethren in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia who are from the Gentiles, greetings.
Since we have heard that some of our number to whom we gave no instruction have disturbed you with their words, unsettling your souls, it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.”
Note: Gal 2:9 , “ and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. ” James and Peter and John were reputed to be pillars of the Church. Apparently besides Peter and James others had spoken also, but they were not cited. Obviously, James was the presiding Elder of the Church of Jerusalem and who presided over the Jerusalem Council. At that time it seems the Church of Jerusalem is the headquarters of Christianity (all Christian churches) presiding by the Apostles. While Antioch is the headquarters of the Gentile Church. As the Scripture says, 1Co 12:27-28, “Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the Church, first Apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues.” Collectively, all believers or disciples, both Jewish and Gentiles, form the Body of Christ (the Church), and individually members of it. God appointed in the Church, first Apostles. There was no Gentile apostle. The twelve Apostles include Paul, excluded Judas the traitor. At the Church of Jerusalem there were other leading men also whose names were not mentioned. To judge in Greek is krinō which means to determine, resolve, decree; to be of opinion; to deem, think; to pronounce an opinion concerning right and wrong ; to rule, govern; to decide mentally or judicially; to conclude; – which occurs 123 times in the New Testament. Trouble in Greek is parenochleō which means to annoy; to harass; to cause trouble in a matter; to disturb; to oppress; to afflict; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. The sect of the Pharisees wanted to trouble the Gentile believers by demanding that they be circumcised and to observe the Law of Moses. Abstain in Greek is apechō which means to hold back, keep off, prevent; to hold oneself off; to keep oneself away; to choose not to do; – which occurs 23 times in the New Testament. Contamination in Greek is alisgēma which means pollution; defilement; condemnation; impurity; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Fornication in Greek is porneia which means illicit sexual intercourse; adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc. ; sexual intercourse with close relatives; sexual intercourse with a divorced man or woman; – which occurs 26 times in the New Testament. Strangled in Greek is pniktos which means suffocated; an animal choked to death not bled; an animal deprived of life without shedding its blood ; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament.
James’s judgment, agreed by all, was to command Gentile believers to abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood. All Christians must abstain from things offered to idols and therefore contaminated, from fornication, from what is strangled, and from blood. Chinese Christians in particular beware, not to eat any kind of blood, not to worship ancestors or any idol. Do well means to act rightly, to be well off, to prosper, considered “Well done!” Christians who abstain from the four things cited above have done we ll. Farewell in Greek is rhōnnymi which means good bye; the usual formula in closing a letter ; – which occurs 1 times in the New Testament.
Pro 13:10 , “A vain man through pride causes debate, but with ones who take advice is wisdom. ”
Note: A vain man through pride causes debate. Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers are vain by nature, they love debate to show off their worldly and empty arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge” — especially the way they distort the Word of God, or they are not afraid to insult the Glorious One. The most ludicrous and ridiculous is that some argued that Jesus never existed. This one thing is clear and sure, there was no division or debate or doubt by the Apostles and early disciples concerning the Divinity of Christ, and they never argued about the Person and Work of Jesus Christ.
2Pe 1:16-18, “For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, “This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased”—and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. ”
Note: Do not follow the cleverly devised tales made by secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers.
The term “Jesus” occurs 1,275 times in the New International Version (NIV) of the Holy Bible. Some pseudo-scholars and unbelieving scholars manufactured the idea of “historical Jesus.” The Jesus of the New Testament is the authentic historical Jesus. Any concept or explanation which is not based on the New Testament is not the historical Jesus, but false Jesus made by unbelievers to discredit the Bible and distort the truth. There is only one Jesus which is written in the New Testament, especially in the Gospels. There are four Gospels, namely, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. There are no discrepancies in the Gospels; there are only misconceptions and distorted interpretations of unbelieving scholars. There are four aspects the Gospel by which Jesus Christ is presented. There are no contradictions in the four Gospels; there is only different emphasis or focus. There are not four kinds of Gospel, there is only one Gospel, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus as the Messiah.
The Gospel of Mark presents Jesus as the Servant of God.
The Gospel of Luke presents Jesus as the Redeemer.
The Gospel of John presents Jesus as the Son of God.
If Jesus were only a good man and a great man, then there is no hope for the world. Jesus is everything as the Bible says He is.
There are four types of book. Books that indulge you are bad; books that inform you are useful; books that instruct you are good; and books that inspire you are great. All good books and great books are human. If I read a great book several times, it begins to tire me. The Bible is divine, the greatest of all books. I have studied the Bible many times all my life and still it does not make me tired or weary. Every time I read the Bible over again, I receive new revelation and inspiration. The Bible has the most instructive history, the most fascinating biography, the sweetest poetry, the most inspiring message, the most comfortable counsel, the most soul-searching prayer, the greatest sermon, the purest wisdom, the truest knowledge, and the powerful Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Book of all books is God’s Word, the Eternal Word of God. There is no other. You can find out for yourself.
Christianity is neither superstition nor science. Superstition is based on false and unfounded beliefs, rumors and fears. Science is limited by human and empirical and tentative knowledge at a time and place. Christianity is the revealed religion. Only God makes revelation of the ultimate truth and wisdom. Revelation cannot be achieved by human discovery or wisdom. Christianity is the revelation of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was God who became Man to reveal God and spiritual things to human beings.
The Church of Jesus Christ is the pillar of truth. The Roman Catholic Church is historically false, full of heresies and wrong doctrines and superstitions. Science cannot provide ultimate truth and wisdom because science at best is human tentative knowledge at a given time and place. Human philosophies cannot provide ultimate truth and wisdom because they are limited human thoughts confined to limited intelligence. All religions except Christianity are man-made.
Christianity – the revealed religion – explains and exalts the Supreme Being, Wisdom and Truth. Neither science nor religion can save mankind. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life – outside of Christ there is no salvation. The wisdom of the living is to know the Most High rules the universe and over the realm of mankind. It is of infinite truth and wisdom that human beings must submit themselves humbly to the Will of God.
Jhn 10:35,“If he called them gods, to whom the Word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken).” The Bible, the Scripture and the Word of God are synonymous. Word in Greek is logos which means speech, a living voice, a conception or idea, what is said, decree, dictum, mandate, declaration, instruction, reason, revelation, oracle or utterance, the sayings of God, the moral precepts given by God, doctrine, teaching, the essential Word of God, Jesus Christ, the personal Wisdom and Power in union with God; – it occurs 334 times in the New Testament. The Word of God came to holy prophets and apostles.
Luk 3:2,“In the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the Word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.”
Luk 5:1,“Now it happened that while the crowd was pressing around Him and listening to the Word of God, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret.”
The Word of Jesus is the Word of God.
Jhn 1:1,“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
Mat 24:35, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will not pass away.”
To pass away in Greek is parerchomai which means to perish, go out of existence, end, come to an end; – it occurs 46 times in the New Testament. If heaven and earth will pass away, how much sooner the American imperialism, Islamic terrorism and the evil empire of Japan? All things will pass away; the Words of Jesus will never pass away. The Word of God will not pass away.
The Word of God reveals God to mankind. Scripture in Greek is graphē which means a writing, thing written, the book itself, or its contents; a certain portion or passage or section of the Holy Scripture; – it occurs 51 times in the New Testament. To break in Greek is lyō which means to dismiss, break up, annul, subvert, undo, do away with, deprive of authority, demolish, destroy, overthrow, do away with; – it occurs 45 times in the New Testament.
Why does Jesus say, The Scripture cannot be broken?
Psa 119:89, “Lamedh.
Forever, O LORD,
Your Word is settled in Heaven.”
Word in Hebrew is dabar which means speech, saying, utterance, discourse, edict, oracle; – it occurs 1,414 times in the Old Testament. To settle in Hebrew is natsab which means to stand firm, establish, station, set, fix, put, place; – it occurs 79 times in the Old Testament. The Word of God is settled in Heaven where no missile, rocket, warplane, radar, etc. can reach. Whatever the rich and powerful do on earth does not affect the Word of God fixed in Heaven one bit.
To say the Bible says is the same to say the Scripture says. To say in the Bible is the same to say in the Scriptures. To say according to the Bible is the same to say according to the Scriptures. The Holy Bible means the Holy Scriptures. To say the Word of the Lord is the same as the Word of God. When Jesus speaks, God speaks. The Word of Jesus is the Word of God. The Holy Bible is the Holy Scripture and the Word of God.
Luk 24:25-27, “And He (Jesus) said to them: “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.”
Note: All the Scriptures proclaim one central message of the Bible which is Jesus Christ. Foolish in Greek is anoētos which means unintelligible, not understanding, unwise; – it occurs 7 times in the New Testament. To explain in Greek is diermēneuō which means to unfold the meaning of what is said, expound; – it occurs 6 times in the New Testament.
There is no such a thing called a liberal interpretation of the Bible, a broad interpretation of the Bible, or a rigid interpretation of the Bible, a narrow interpretation of the Bible, etc. There is only one correct interpretation of the Bible is to explain it accurately. The Bible interprets itself. Jesus Christ is the central message of the Bible.
There is an irreverent aspect of American culture. Many Americans knowingly or unknowingly take the name of Jesus Christ in vain. Whenever many Americans encounter or experience some disaster, distress, difficulty, discontent, dismay, displeasure, dispute, disappointment, dissatisfaction, etc. they would automatically lash out the name of Jesus Christ as curse words or interjection or exclamation. If you are a Christian, you should repent of your sin and ask God for forgiveness and stop using the name of the Lord in vain. If you are an unbeliever, unless you repent, this will be added to your sins which you will face God on the Day of Judgment.
Once a junior high student could not understand the Einstein’s formula of E=mc2 and boldly declared that the formula was wrong. There are many things in the Bible that no human could fully understand, not because they are wrong, but because they are beyond human capacity to understand. I do not know why the Bible uses the term Jesus Christ more often than Christ Jesus. I do not know if there is significance or not in the usage. For example, in English my name is Willie Wong, in Chinese it should be Wong Willie. That is the difference between two cultures having a different order of names. In English my last name is my surname or family name. In Chinese my first name is my surname or family name. For my name there is absolutely no difference in either order. No one knows for sure the order of Jesus’ name as Jesus Christ or Christ Jesus has any difference or significance. However, this knowledge of the order of Jesus’ name has no effect on your knowledge of Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. We should stress what the Bible stresses，and not to stress what the Bible does not stress.
A pseudo-scholar at Harvard Divinity School (Harvard College was founded by a good minister, his school turned out to be a secular and anti-Bible university) , in seeking fame and publicity, fraudulently announced the so-called finding that Jesus had a wife. Did she look for a virgin in a whore house? Did she consult the father of lies? There are so many false prophets, false teachers and false preachers since the days of Apostles who had fabricated and manufactured many false doctrines and teachings of men damnable. The most shocking about sinful nature of man is the truth people are not interested, lies and falsehoods they are very interested. The twelve Apostles and early disciples confirmed that Jesus never had a wife; the Son of God never had carnal relationship with any woman. Anyone who adds lies to the historical Jesus is an anti-christ. Anyone who sins against the Holy Spirit (I am afraid anyone who makes false claim that Jesus had a wife sins against the Holy Spirit) will never be forgiven. Knowing Jesus Christ is the Son of God, one distorts history by trampling on the truth and by saying things against Jesus Christ is a sin against the Holy Spirit, an unpardonable sin.
Hbr 7:26, “For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the Heavens.”
Note: Jesus Christ lived a life on earth which was holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners. John Harvard would be outraged because his college turned into a university of unbelievers and deniers of the Christian faith, a Modernist bastion of spreading heresy and false doctrine. Harvard Divinity School is a school of the devil. The woman who made fraudulent discovery based on a so-called papyrus is a liar and an anti-Christ. For the Bible says, 1Jo 2:22-23, “Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also.” The daughter of Jezebel will not have a good end.
There are quite a few difficult passages of the Bible, for examples:
(1). Gen 1:1,“In the beginning God created the Heavens and the earth.”
Note: It is not said whether this “beginning” was the commencement of time, or far back of the creation of man, and long before the present geological period. I believe the “beginning” refers to the physical beginning of the universe. The beginning was before the starting point of time and space.
(2). Rom 5:1,“Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – justified by faith.
Rom 5:9,“Since, therefore, we are now justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God.”- justified by His blood.
Jam 2:24,“You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.” – justified by works.
Note: There seems to be a contradiction, but not really. We are justified by Jesus’ blood because of the redemption accomplished by Christ meritoriously on the cross; by faith because in our hearts we believe in the Word of God instrumentally; by works because we confess Jesus our Lord and Savior with our mouths declaratively. Christ’s righteousness is the ground of our justification; faith is the medium or means by which that righteousness becomes ours, and an obedient life is the visible evidence of our acceptance with God and path to happiness.
The only real Jesus is the historical Jesus presented in the New Testament, especially narrated in the four Gospels. The Jesus recorded in the New Testament is the real Jesus and the historical Jesus. The real Jesus was not of human origin, for a man of human origin cannot be sinless and divine. Jesus was divine of a supernatural birth, the true Man and true God, the complete Man and complete God, the perfect Man and perfect God. Jesus is the unity of humanity and divinity. God became Man. There is no other Jesus made in the image or imagination of men. The historical Jesus presented in the New Testament is only and totally relevant to Christian faith. Christians put their faith in Jesus who was born of a virgin, God manifested in human flesh, died on the cross for sinners, rose from the dead for our justification, ascended to heaven to prepare a place for believers, and He is coming again to reign with the saints forever and ever. A reconstructed historical Jesus stripped of His divinity and supernatural power is a denial of faith, a pious fiction or mythology unworthy of acceptance. The Christian faith stands on the person and work of Jesus Christ as it is written in the New Testament. The Word of God does not require the consensus of men.
2Cr 9:15,“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”
Note: Indescribable in Greek is anekdiēgētos which means unspeakable, inexpressible, words fail to describe; – it occurs only once in the New Testament. Jesus is God’s indescribable gift. Jesus is indescribable because He is both human and divine. There is no one like Jesus. The Jehovah of the Old Testament is the Jesus of the New Testament. Jesus is Wonderful, the Wonder of all wonders, the mystery of God.
I. Jesus was born of virgin Mary.
Mat 1:16, “And Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.”
Note: Jesus in Greek is Iēsous which means “Jehovah is salvation”, the Son of God, the Savior of mankind, God incarnate; – it occurs 975 times in the New Testament according to the King James Version (KJV). Jehovah of the Old Testament is the Jesus of the New Testament.
Mat 1:18, “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.”
Note: A historical fact must be stressed that Mary was a virgin when she conceived Jesus, that was before Joseph and Mary had sex. Mary was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.
Mat 1:25, “But kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.”
Note: The doctrine of Incarnation and the doctrine of the Virgin Birth are inseparably linked together. Those who believe that Jesus was God who became Man for the purposes of man’s salvation invariably also believe the virgin Mary conceived of sinless Jesus by the Holy Spirit. One doctrine supports the other.
Isaiah 9:6,7, “For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, [Father of Eternity], The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”
This prophecy quoted was fulfilled in Christ’s birth in Matthew 1:23.
Note: Virgin in Greek is parthenos which clearly means a young girl who has never had sexual intercourse with a man; – it occurs about 14 times in the New Testament. Both the text and context of the Scriptures clearly lay an emphasis on a word which does mean “virgin.” As testified by Mary herself,
Luk 1:34-35, “Mary said to the angel: How can this be, since I am a virgin? The angel answered and said to her: The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.”
A real event took place in a real place. It was not a fable or legend.
In Bethlehem of Judea, as Micah had foretold, was born of a virgin mother, He whose “goings forth” were “from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:6). In detailed history, that Jesus, conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, was born of a pure virgin, Mary of Nazareth, espoused to Joseph, who later became his wife. The birth took place at Bethlehem, where Joseph and Mary had gone for enrollment in a census that was being taken. The announcement was made to Mary beforehand by an angel, and the birth was preceded, attended, and followed by remarkable events that are narrated (birth of John the Baptist, with annunciations, angelic vision to the shepherds, visit of wise men from the east, etc.). The narratives should be carefully read at length in order to understand the background material. Matthew tells about Joseph’s difficulties and action. Luke tells much about Mary—even her inmost thoughts. The narratives, in short, are independent and complementary. The one supplements and completes the other. Both together are needed to give the whole story. They bear in themselves the stamp of truth, honesty, integrity and purity, and are worthy of all acceptation, as they were evidently held to be in the early Church. The birth of Jesus was not, as in ordinary births, the creation of a new personality. It was a divine Person—already existing—entering on this new mode of existence. The pre-existence of Christ and the Virgin birth of Jesus fit together.
II. Jesus was born a Jew.
Mat 1:1, “A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham.”
Note: Genealogy in Greek is genesis which means source, origin, a book of one’s lineage, i.e. in which his ancestry or progeny are enumerated; – it occurs only 3 times in the New Testament. According to the flesh, that is according to human genealogy, Jesus was born a Jew.
Mat 2:1-2,“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying: Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East, and have come to worship Him.”
Note: Bethlehem is a real historical place, and Herod the king was also a real historical person. The time and place that Jesus was born was real time and real place. The first group of people who worshiped Jesus was wise men from the East, not from the West. The chronology of the history of mankind is counted from the birth of the historical Jesus as B.C. and A.D. B.C. means before Christ, and A.D. means anno Domini, “in the year of the Lord.” Most scholars believe the birth of Jesus was counted a few years short.
Jhn 18:37, “Therefore Pilate said to Him: So You are a king? Jesus answered: You say correctly that I am a King. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
Note: Recently I came across something most absurd and abnormal that a black man claims that he can prove from the Bible that Jesus was a Black man. There are too many false teachers, false prophets, and anti-christs already in the world. I do not know whether this black man has committed the unpardonable sin against the Holy Spirit or not. What he claims is false, untrue, and deceptive. The Jews are the ancient Hebrews, the descendants of Abraham. This is a historical fact of about 4,000 years old. Jesus was a public figure, known and recognized by millions of peoples in His country. Even a Samaritan woman knew and recognized Jesus,
Jhn 4:9, “
Therefore the Samaritan woman said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)
Jesus came into the world as no one ever came. For Jesus came into the world to die for sinners and to testify to the truth of God. Everyone who is of the truth believes in Jesus’ word.
Beware in these last days there are many anti-christs, false prophets, false teachers, and false brothers. Even the children of the devil may quote and use the Bible to serve their unholy purposes. For your information, in Heaven there are no black angels or black children of God. Do not get the wrong idea. I do not mean a black person cannot enter Heaven; a black child of God on earth in Heaven he will receive a glorious and immortal body which is not black anymore. And no one wears black in the Paradise of God.
III. Jesus was born the Savior.
Luk 2:11,“For today in the city of David there has been born for you the Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Note: Savior in Greek is sōtēr which means deliverer, preserver, the author of our salvation through Jesus Christ; – it occurs about 24 times in the New Testament. Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior of the world, through whom God gives salvation.
Mat 1:21,“She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
Note: The first advent of Jesus was to save people from their sins.
Mar 2:17,“And hearing this, Jesus said to them: It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Note: Those who think they have no sin cannot be saved. The first thing to be saved you must realize you are a sinner. Only sinners need the Savior, just as the sick needs a physician. There is no hope for self-righteous people. Self-righteous people cannot be saved because they will not repent of their sins and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Jesus is the Savior of the world; there is no other savior whereby we can be saved.
IV. Jesus existed before He was born a Man.
Mar 12:35-37,“Then Jesus answered and said, while He taught in the temple: How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the Son of David? For David himself said by the Holy Spirit: The LORD said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool. Therefore David himself calls Him ‘Lord’; how is He then his Son? And the common people heard Him gladly.”
Note: This can only be explained that Jesus had pre-existence. That means Jesus existed eternally with God before He became Man. According to flesh, Jesus is the Son of David based on human genealogy. According to Jesus’ divinity, Jesus is David’s Lord. Jesus is also the Lord of Abraham just as David was the son of Abraham. Often the common people are closer to the Kingdom of God than the arrogant scientists and scholars, the rich and powerful people. The elect is composed of most common people.
Luk 10:21, “In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said: I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.”
Note: Pharisees and the scribes thought they were wise and prudent, and yet the pre-existence of Jesus was hidden from them. They did not know to know Jesus is to know God. Unbelieving scientists think they are wise and prudent, and yet they do not know the Scriptures and the power of God. So they spread the myth of science called the evolution theory and the irrational theory of big bang. Jesus Christ is the only Man who had pre-existence. We exist the moment we are born. Before a man is born, he is nothing, he has no pre-existence. True, the history of the world begins counting with the birth of Jesus Christ, so we count the time and event as B.C. or A.D. But Jesus Christ did not begin to exist some 2,000 years ago. True, God became Man in Jesus Christ about 2,000 years ago. However, God existed before time and space eternally. God is Self-Existent from the eternal past to the eternal future, time without end, forever and ever. Thus, it is clear that Jesus Christ had pre-existence. The pre-existence of Jesus Christ means He existed before He came into the world. Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. Jesus Christ was born so that He may die for sinners and save us from eternal punishment. One thing that makes Jesus Christ different from all humans was the fact He had preexistence or prior existence before He was born (Incarnation). When a human being was born, that moment was the beginning of his or her existence. No human being has preexistence or prior existence. Reincarnation is a Hindu religious belief of the rebirth of the soul in another body. Such a belief is a myth, contrary to fact and Biblical teaching. Jesus Christ was, is, and will be the only Person who existed before His birth on earth.
Jhn 8:58, “Jesus said to them: Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”
Note: Historically speaking, the first man Adam could say: “Before Abraham was, I was.” It was a correct statement in time and place. But Adam could not say: “Before Abraham was, I am.” Because by the time of Abraham, Adam was no more. Time and place define everything, except God. Truly, Jesus is before Abraham was, before Adam was, before the universe was.
Jhn 17:5, “And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. ”
Note: Glory in Greek is doxa which means divine honor, radiance, magnificence, preeminence, dignity; – it occurs about 168 times in the New Testament Before in Greek is pro which means prior to, in front of, earlier than; – it occurs about 48 times in the New Testament. Christ had glory with the Father prior to the existence of the universe. This Scriptural statement alone covers both Christ’s divinity and preexistence with absolute certainty and clarity. “Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal.” (2Ti 1:9) Before times eternal in Greek means before the times of the ages. Although the Bible does not say when the world began, Jesus Christ was before the world began, before the existence of time and space. For Jesus Christ was God from the beginning, from eternity.
Jhn 1:1,“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” James Ussher (1581-1656) said, “According to our chronology, the creation of the world fell upon the entrance of the night preceding the twenty third day of October in the year of Julian Calendar, 710 [4004 B.C.].” The Ussher’s statement was both serious and presumptuous; serious because of an attempt to calculate the date of the creation of the world, presumptuous because no one has the full knowledge of complete chronology. Chronology is the scientific measurement of time and the arrangement of events in their order or proper sequence of occurrence. The Bible does not record all the events of creation in their chronological order. For example, the Bible does not provide any geological chronology of the planet earth, nor the solar system. God’s purpose and grace to call and save the elect was in Christ Jesus before the world began.
1Cr 2:7-8,“ But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”
Note: Jesus is the Lord of glory who existed before everything and before everyone.
V. Jesus was testified by the Spirit.
Mat 3:16-17, “When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying: This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Note: God testified that Jesus is His beloved Son.
Jhn 1:33, “I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me: Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.”
Note: John saw the Spirit descending and remaining on Jesus, and knew Jesus was baptized with the Holy Spirit.
Hbr 2:3-4, “How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard Him, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His own will.”
Note: God bore witness of Jesus by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit. If your heart is open, the Holy Spirit is testifying that Jesus Christ is the Lord and Savior.
Luk 24:46-49, “Then He said to them: Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
Note: The Holy Spirit is the power from on high; the disciples received the power from on high in order to witness for the Lord.
1Jo 4:14, “And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son as the Savior of the world.”
Note: God sent Jesus His Son as the Savior of the world. There is no other savior. There is no other way. There is no other truth.
Act 18:5,“When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.”
Note: Compel in Greek is synechō which means to urge, impel, press; – it occurs about 12 times in the New Testament. Paul was compelled by the Holy Spirit to testify to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah).
1Pe 1:11,“Searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.”
Note: The sufferings of Christ were necessary to redeem mankind, and the glories that would follow exalted Jesus Christ above all in the highest heavens.
VI. Jesus was tempted by the devil.
Mat 4:1, “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.”
Note: Tempt in Greek is peirazō which means to solicit to sin, the solicitations and suggestions of Satan intended to break one down under the proof; – it occurs about 39 times in the New Testament. Jesus overcame the tempter.
1. The first temptation.
Mat 4:2-3,“And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said: If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
Note: Jesus fasted forty days and forty nights. You cannot follow Jesus’ step to do the same because you would die. The devil uses the human basic need to tempt people. Notice, the devil assailed the person and challenged the deity of Jesus Christ, “if you are the Son of God.” Believers must never doubt the faith or do what the devil asks. The answer of Jesus is based on the Word of God.
Mat 4:4,“But He answered and said: It is written, Man does not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”
Eph 6:17,“And take the helmet of salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”
Note: Take up the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God – the most powerful weapon to fight the devil and his agents.
Hbr 4:12,“For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
2. The second temptation.
Mat 4:5-6,“Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him: If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: He shall give His angels charge over you, and, in their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.”
Note: When you reach the pinnacle of your life, that is the most dangerous point; beware lest you fall. The devil assailed Jesus’ position again, “if you are the Son of God.” Christians do not need to prove what they are by doing the bidding of the devil.
Mat 4:7,“Jesus said to him: It is written again, You shall not tempt the LORD your God.”
Note: Jesus again used the Sword of the Spirit to cut down the devil.
Do not put God to the test. Do not test God’s justice and patience by impious and wicked conduct.
3. The third temptation.
Mat 4:8-9,“Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him: All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”
Note: The weakest point of mankind is the prevailing Western values of money, power and sex, or what the Chinese call 荣华富贵. Many sell their souls to the devil for money, power and sex as Wall Street and Washington and Hollywood have demonstrated. For money, power and sex many kiss the devil’s ass like a dog licking its master’s hand. The rich and powerful people fall down and worship the devil.
Mat 4:10-11,“Then Jesus said to him: Away with you, Satan! For it is written: You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve. Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.”
Note: Once more time Jesus cut down the devil by the Sword of the Spirit.
Worship in Greek is proskyneō which means to do homage to one or make obeisance, whether in order to express respect or to make supplication; kiss like a dog licking his master’s hand; homage rendered to God and the ascended Christ; – it occurs about 60 times in the New Testament. Serve in Greek is latreuō which means do the service; – it occurs about 21 times in the New Testament. To serve God is the duty of all believers, children of God. Sinners cannot serve God. The saddest thing is many of Wall Street and Washington think they are Christians, but in fact they worship and serve the devil who is the ruler of this world. Preachers and followers of prosperity gospel also worship and serve the devil because they love money, power and sex. Corrupt officials everywhere love money, power and sex. The scandals of politicians are well-known all over the world.
Luk 4:1,“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness.”
Note: To be led by the Spirit is the life surrendered to God.
JESUS WAS TEMPTED BY THE DEVIL, BUT JESUS IS FREE FROM ALL SINS.
VII. Jesus’ threefold ministry.
Luk 3:23,“When He began His ministry, Jesus Himself was about thirty years of age, being, as was supposed, the son of Joseph, the son of Eli.”
Note: Begin the ministry in Greek is archō which means to discharge the Messianic office; – it occurs only 2 times in the New Testament. This does not mean every servant of God has to begin serving God at 30 years of age. We cannot follow in His step. God had a specific plan for Jesus’ life on earth according to His schedule.
The ministry of Jesus was multifold, but the main focus was preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom. Jesus did not come just to preach, He came to die for sinners and rise from the dead to redeem believers.
Mat 2:11,“On coming to the house, they saw the Child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.”
Note: Some think there was a significance in their gifts; they offered Him gold, as a king, paying Him tribute, to Caesar, the things that are Caesar’s; frankincense, as God, for they honored God with the smoke of incense; and myrrh, as the Savior that should die, for myrrh was used in embalming dead bodies. Frankincense was an aromatic used in sacrificial offerings; myrrh was used in perfuming ointments. These, with the gold which they presented, seem to show that the wise men from the East were persons of affluence. That the gold was presented to the infant King in token of His royalty; the frankincense in token of His divinity, and the myrrh, of His sufferings; or that they were designed to express His divine and human natures; or that the prophetical, priestly, and kingly offices of Christ are to be seen in these gifts; or that they were the offerings of three individuals respectively, each of them kings, the very names of whom tradition has handed down–all these are suppositions. But that the feelings of these devout givers are to be seen in the richness of their gifts, and that the gold, at least, would be highly serviceable to the parents of the blessed Child in their unexpected journey to Egypt and stay there–that much at least admits some significance. Anyway, gold signifies Jesus is the King, incense the great High Priest, and myrrh the Prophet sent by God to die as the Savior. Gold representing royalty, frankincense representing priesthood, and myrrh representing death.
The Person and work of the Savior has three aspects.
A. Prophet-Messiah.
Mat 9:35,“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the Kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.”
Mat 11:4-5,“Jesus answered and said to them, Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see 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: As the Word of God, Jesus was unlike all other prophets. When Jesus spoke, God spoke. All other prophets spoke for God, and spoke what God spoke using the famous formula: Thus says the Lord.
The term “Messiah” is the translation of the Hebrew term mashiyach, which is derived from the verb masah, meaning to smear or anoint. When grease or oil was applied to objects by Israelites and non-Israelites, they were said to be anointed. The term “Messiah” is not used to refer to “anointed” objects that were designated and consecrated for specific purposes but to persons only. Persons who were anointed had been elected, designated, appointed, given authority, qualified, and equipped for specific offices and tasks related to these. The Messianic concept also has a wider dimension than the royal, priestly, and/or prophetic person. Included in this wider view are the characteristics, tasks, goals, means, missions and consequences of the Messianic person. Isaiah was the prophet of Messianic gospel in the Old Testament and his prophetic proclamations are of great significance:
Isa 7:14,“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”
Note: Immanuel in Hebrew is `Immanuw’el which means “God with us” or “with us is God”, the prophetic name of the Messiah; – it occurs only twice in the Old Testament.
Isa 9:6,“For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”
Note: Jesus is Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. These titles indicate the divinity of Jesus proclaimed by Prophet Isaiah even in the Old Testament before God became Man.
Isa 11:1,“There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.”
Isa 49:6,“Indeed He says: It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a Light to the Gentiles, That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.”
Note: Jesus is God’s Servant, the Light to the Gentiles, and God’s Salvation to the whole world.
Isa 52:13,“Behold, My Servant shall prosper, He shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high.”
Note: This prophecy was fulfilled when by the power of God Jesus rose from the dead and ascended to the highest heavens.
Isa 53:12,“Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong, because He poured out His soul to death, and He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”
Note: This prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled in the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ.
Isa 61:1-3,“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”
Note: This prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled in Jesus as the Prophet-Messiah proclaiming the good tidings (Gospel) to the poor.
The hope for the Messiah is central to the life of the observant Jewish believer. The prayers of the faithful and the teachings of the rabbis down through the ages have focused on this promise. The hope for the Messiah actually predates the promise recorded by Moses in Deuteronomy chapter 18. For thousands of years the rabbis have recognized that the promise of a Redeemer for mankind goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden and is thereafter woven throughout the Tanakh, even up to the last prophet Malachi.
Mat 16:21,“From that time on Jesus began to explain to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”
Note: Every man is born to live. The mission of Jesus was unlike any prophet or any man. Jesus was born to die for sinners. That was the topic on the Holy Mount of Transfiguration when Moses and Elijah appeared talking with Jesus. (Mat 17:1-3)
Jhn 1:29,“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said: Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
Note: Jesus was the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the word, for this reason He is the Savior of the world.
The following Scripture sums up the ministry of Jesus as the Prophet:
Luk 24:19,“And He said to them: What things? So they said to Him: The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people.”
Jesus was the Prophet unlike all prophets. All prophets spoke what God told them to speak. When Jesus speaks, God speaks. Jesus is the Word of God. Jesus is the Messiah because He was sent by God to become the Savior of the world. What Moses and all prophets could not do, Jesus came to save sinners.
B. Priest.
Hbr 2:17-18,“Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.”
Note: High Priest in Greek is archiereus which means chief priest, used of Christ because by undergoing a bloody death on the cross He offered Himself as an expiatory sacrifice to God, and has entered into the heavenly sanctuary where He continually intercedes on behalf of believers; – it occurs 123 times in the New Testament. The chief duty of the high priest was, once a year on the day of atonement, to enter the Holy of holies (from which other priest were excluded) and offer sacrifice for his own sins and the sins of the people. Make atonement in Greek is hilaskomai which means to become propitious, expiate, make reconciliation, make propitiation for; – it occurs only twice in the New Testament.
Hbr 4:15,“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”
Note: From Aaron down, all human priests have their own sins; only Jesus the High Priest is without sin. Catholic priests have sins too; it is a folly to confess sins to people who are as sinful as we are.
Hbr 7:26-27,“For it was fitting for us to have such a High Priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.”
Note: Jesus the High Priest is unlike those high priests who had to offer up sacrifices for their own sins and then for the sins of the people.
Jesus offered Himself once for all on the cross. Our High Priest is holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens. Jesus, not Mary, not apostles, not angels, not any mediator, is interceding for His believers at the right hand of God.
Hbr 9:14-15,“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? 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: The eternal inheritance of believers was paid by the precious blood of Christ. Jesus inaugurates the new covenant, who serves as the Mediator between God and men, which supersedes the old. Jesus the High Priest continues in the presence of God, and His blood cleanses our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Christians now have confidence to come to the throne of mercy for help.
Hbr 9:28,“So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for Him.”
Note: The saving of the second coming of Jesus has to do with the body, transforming the bodies of saved souls into glorious and spiritual bodies fit for heaven and eternity.
C. King.
Mat 19:28,“Jesus said to them: I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
Note: Jesus was born in the time of Herod king of Judea (Mat 2:1; Luk 1:5) and Caesar Augustus who reigned over the Roman world (Luk 2:1), Magi from the East came to Jerusalem looking for “the one who has been born King of the Jews” (Mat 2:2).
After Jesus fed the 5,000, the crowd wanted to force Him to become their king (Jhn 6:15). Jesus entered Jerusalem like a King, riding on the colt of a donkey (Mat 21:5; Luk 19:38; Jhn 12:13,15; cf. Zec 9:9). The governor Pilate asked Jesus: “Are you the king of the Jews?” To which Jesus answered: “Yes, it is as you say”(Mar 15:2). Throughout the New Testament Jesus is described as the Son of David, the King.
After receiving the divine anointing at His baptism (Mark 1:9-11), Jesus begins to proclaim the inauguration of the Kingdom in Galilee:
Mar 1:15,“And saying: The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” This becomes the central theme in all that Jesus preaches, and He defines its nature in response to Pilate. Jhn 18:36,“Jesus answered: My Kingdom is not of this world. If My Kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be handed over to the Jews; but now My Kingdom is not from here.” The disciples, however, misunderstood the nature of the Kingdom to the day of crucifixion. Although the Kingdom is not a political, temporal or visible kingdom; it is eschatological and will be consummated when Jesus returns with power and glory to reign with the saints.
Jhn 1:48-49,“Nathanael said to Him: How do You know me? Jesus answered and said to him: Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you. Nathanael answered Him: Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel.”
Note: Nathanael confessed not only Jesus is the Son of God, but also the King of Israel.
Luk 23:38, “And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. ”
Note: When Jesus was crucified, the accusation against Him was: This is the King of the Jews.
Rev 15:3,“They sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the saints!”
Note: Jesus is the King of the saints.
Rev 17:14,“These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.”
Note: Jesus is the Lord of lords and King of kings who will overcome Satan and his agents. The Kingdom of God is not democracy that serves 1 percent at the expense of 99 percent. The Kingdom of God is absolute theocracy with absolute justice and joy.
VIII. Various forms of Jesus’ ministry.
Jesus’ ministry not only having the three-office of Prophet-Messiah, Priest and King, it involves many aspects.
A. Preaching.
Mat 4:17,“From that time on Jesus began to preach: Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is near.”
Note: Preach in Greek is kēryssō which means to proclaim openly, used of the public proclamation of the Gospel and matters pertaining to it; – it occurs about 61 times in the New Testament. Preaching is always with a suggestion of formality, gravity, and authority which must be listened to and obeyed.
Mat 4:23,“Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.”
Note: The subject of preaching is always the good news of the Kingdom.
Preaching of Jesus was accompanied by calling people to become His disciples.
Mat 4:18-20,“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. Come, follow Me, Jesus said, and I will make you fishers of men. They immediately left their nets and followed Him.”
Mat 4:21-22,“Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.”
Mar 3:14,“Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach.”
Luk 9:6,“So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the Gospel and healing everywhere.”
Note: Preaching here in Greek is euaggelizō which means to bring good news, to proclaim glad tidings specifically concerning the things that pertain to Christian salvation; to bring to one the good news concerning Jesus as the Savior (Messiah); to evangelize; – it occurs about 55 times in the New Testament. So many pastors today do not know how to evangelize or preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They like the Scribes teaching people how to live a Christian life without first getting out the message how to be born again, how to receive a new life. It is like teaching a drowning person the importance of swimming. A man must have the Spirit of Christ in him/her before he/she can live a spiritual life. There are so many dead sermons in many dead churches today like Selah used as a topic. The thing that shocked me most is that cathedrals in European nations are actually cemeteries of dead kings and queens and famous people. They are not centers of evangelization or proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus.
Mat 8:22, “But Jesus told him: Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
Note: Impotent pastors like to stress on rituals, even manifested in the way they read the Scriptures and sing lifeless hymns and pray long prayers or hold the Lord’s Supper. They like to call a church building the Temple of God or the Holy Sanctuary. They hypnotize the congregations by their lifeless and useless sermons.
Mat 9:9,“As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. Follow me, He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him.”
Mar 1:14,“Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Gospel of God.”
Mar 6:34,“When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things.”
B. Teaching.
Jesus has taught many doctrines unknown and unrevealed before.
Mar 1:27,“Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying: What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.”
Note: New in Greek is kainos which means as respects substance of a new kind, unprecedented, novel, uncommon, unheard of; – it occurs about 44 times in the New Testament. New should be viewed under the aspects of time and quality. Doctrine in Greek is didachē which means teaching, that which is taught, instruction; – it occurs about 30 times in the New Testament.
Jesus often says, Mat 5:27-28,“You have heard that it was said to those of old: You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” The crux of new doctrine is Jesus’ authority “I say to you” as no other prophets could or would dare to say. The new doctrine of Jesus puts all men and women under the condemnation of committing adultery in the heart. No one can escape the guilt and condemnation.
Mat 7:28,“When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astonished at His teaching.”
Mar 1:22,“And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.”
Note: Let me make a poor comparison. You can clearly see the difference between a preaching empowered by the Holy Spirit with those occupational preachers who put their congregations to sleep Sunday after Sunday. Even the Spirit-filled preachers are no comparison with Jesus who taught with authority.
Just a few new doctrines are mentioned here:
(1). Render to God the things that are God’s.
Mar 12:17,“And Jesus said to them: Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they were amazed at Him.”
Note: Western nations and Japan and other nations had robbed and looted China’s national treasures in the last 200 years or so. It is time they return China’s national treasures belonging to China worth market value of US$100,000 trillion dollars not counting the interest.. Corrupt preachers render church offerings as their own. I have known the head of a mission who used offerings to the mission to pay for higher education of all his children in America while the children of his missionaries in the field did not get one penny and lived in abject poverty. I have known preachers who used offerings to build universities in their names as inheritance for their descendants. Some evangelists built spiritual empire or cathedral for their children. A world-famous evangelist left $10 million dollars for his children at his death.
(2). You are mistaken because you do not understand the Scriptures or the power of God.
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: All false doctrines and heresies were born due to ignorance of the Scriptures or the power of God.
(3). You must be born again.
Jhn 3:5, “Jesus answered: Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.”
Note: Water symbolizes the Word of God. Eph 5:26,“That He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the Word.” A person is born again by believing in the Word of God and through the regenerative power of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus speaks, God speaks. Jesus is the Word of God.
(4). God is working.
Jhn 5:17, “But Jesus answered them: My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.”
Note: This Scripture rejects the idea propounded by unbelieving scholars that God created the universe like winding a clock and then let it go; and God is not doing anything ever since. Our heavenly Father is working according to His plan and will, although no one is wise enough to know the detail.
Some of the works God had done are written in the Scriptures, such as the creation, the calling of Abraham, the leading of Jewish nation, etc. There is one thing that no one knows what God is actually working.
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.”
Note: According to this Scripture, we know that God causes all things to work together. No one knows how many are children of God alive today. Say one billion. God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, and to those who are called according to His purpose. No one knows how marvelous and wonderful the way God causes all things to work together it is due to His Omnipotence and Omniscience. Man is so helpless and powerless, cannot even make a few things to work together. No one can control time and events. My journey of life is not finished yet, so I do not know what and how God causes all things to work together for my good. Of course I also do not know at all how and what God causes all things to work together for my dear ones. But Jesus tells us that God has been working. It is wonderful to know that my Heavenly Father is working to cause all things work for my good.
As William Cowper said,
God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform; He plants His footsteps in the sea And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines Of never failing skill He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.
God rules the universe and history is marching as God is directing. The end of the world is near. Jesus is coming again soon.
(5). Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
Jhn 14:6,“Jesus said to him: I AM the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father, but by Me.”
Note: Truth is exclusive, not inclusive. Christianity is the only revealed religion, all others are man-made religions. Truth is not narrow-mindedness. This is exactly what Jesus Christ claims to be. There is only one way to God, Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. It is up to you whether you believe or not, but do not fool yourself in believing there are many ways to God.
(6). Wise man building his house on the rock.
Mat 7:24-29,“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall. And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”
Note: Wall Street, Washington, and Hollywood represent the love of money, power and sex – they are building on the sand. They are falling. The American way of life is falling. Those who believe in faith, hope and love are building on the rock.
(7). You will die in your sins.
Jhn 8:23-24,”And He was saying to them, “You are from below, I AM from above; you are of this world, I AM not of this world. 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.”
Note: Jesus was from above who came down to be the Savior of the world. Unless you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, you will die in your sins. Sinners cannot save themselves, only Jesus Christ can save sinners.
C. Healing.
Mat 9:35,“Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.”
Note: Every in Greek is pas which means each, any, all, of every kind, all manner of, the whole; – it occurs about 1,243 times in the New Testament. Sickness in Greek is nosos which means infirmity, illness, unsound condition; – it occurs about 12 times in the New Testament. Disease in Greek is malakia which means malady, debility, bodily weakness, infinity; – it occurs only 3 times in the New Testament. When Jesus was on earth, He healed every kind of disease and illness, not just some sickness. All who came to Him were healed and healed immediately unlike some faith healing performed by charismatic people.
Mat 12:15,“Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Many followed Him, and He healed all their sick.”
Note: Unlike faith healers, Jesus healed all their sick.
(1). Healing ten lepers.
Luk 17:12-17,“Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said: Jesus, Master, have mercy on us! So when He saw them, He said to them: Go, show yourselves to the priests. And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. So Jesus answered and said: Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?”
Note: The vast numbers of human beings are ungrateful people.
(2). Healing the man born blind.
Jhn 9:1-3,“Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying: Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered: Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.”
Jhn 9:6-7,“When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. And He said to him: Go, wash in the pool of Siloam (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing.”
Jhn 9:11,“He answered and said: A Man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, Go to the pool of Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and I received sight.”
Note: Do not be confused, clay does not have power to open the eyes of the blind. Jesus healed with or without means. Jesus can heal by just His word.
Jhn 9:16-17,“Therefore some of the Pharisees said: This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath. Others said: How can a man who is a sinner do such signs? And there was a division among them. They said to the blind man again: What do you say about Him because He opened your eyes? He said: He is a prophet.”
Jhn 9:20-25,“His parents answered them and said: We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but by what means he now sees we do not know, or who opened his eyes we do not know. He is of age; ask him. He will speak for himself. His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that He was Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said: He is of age; ask him. So they again called the man who was blind, and said to him: Give God the glory! We know that this Man is a sinner. He answered and said: Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.”
(3). Healing the impotent man at Bethesda.
Jhn 5:2-11,“Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him: Do you want to be made well? The sick man answered Him: Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me. Jesus said to him: Rise, take up your bed and walk. And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath. The Jews therefore said to him who was cured: It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed. He answered them: He who made me well said to me: Take up your bed and walk.”
(4). Healing the dumb demoniac.
Mat 9:32-33,“As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a man, mute and demon-possessed. And when the demon was cast out, the mute spoke. And the multitudes marveled, saying: It was never seen like this in Israel!”
(5). Healing the deaf and dumb man.
Mar 7:32-37,“Then they brought to Him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they begged Him to put His hand on him. And He took him aside from the multitude, and put His fingers in his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue. Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him: Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly. Then He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it. And they were astonished beyond measure, saying: He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”
Note: Putting fingers in the ears of a deaf person does not cure him. The Lord cures by all means or no means. By command Jesus can heal any illness or disease. Jesus can do anything with a word. Jesus has done all things well.
(6). Healing Peter’s mother-in-law.
Mat 8:14-15,“Now when Jesus had come into Peter’s house, He saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever. So He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she arose and served them.”
Note: The Catholic church teaches the pope is the sole representative of Jesus on earth and the pope must be celibate. Both doctrines are false, the Holy Spirit is the Sole Representative of Jesus Christ on earth. The Bible does not recognize pope. Secondly, Peter the so-called fist pope, had a wife, and his mother-in-law was sick with a fever. Jesus touched her hand and the fever left her. Peter’s mother-in-law arose and served Jesus and the disciples.
D. Performing miracles.
Act 2:22,“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—”
Note: Here is this Scripture sums up the supernatural acts that Jesus did, they were miracles, wonders, and signs. Miracle in Greek is dynamis which means outcoming of that mighty power of God, outcoming of the greatness of God’s power and glory, the supernatural work wrought by Christ; – it occurs about 120 times in the New Testament. Wonder in Greek is teras which means something of extraordinary character is wont to be watched and observed; – it occurs about 16 times in the New Testament. Sign in Greek is sēmeion which means an unusual occurrence, transcending the common course of nature; a thing which is distinguished from others and known; – it occurs about 77 times in the New Testament. They are not so much to represent different kinds of miracles, as miracles contemplated under different aspects and from different points of view. A miracle is a wonder, a wonder may not be a sign, and a sign may not be a miracle. The translation of using the term “miraculous sign” is misleading and confusing.
The miracles Jesus performed were not only healing all kinds of diseases, although healing illness is a kind of miracle.
Jhn 21:25,“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written.”
The miracles that Jesus did were innumerous. There are many things including miracles that Jesus did were not recorded in the Gospels.
Arbitrarily, only a few miracles are selected for our edification:
(1). Raising Lazarus after had been dead four days.
Jhn 11:39-45,“Jesus said: Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him: Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days. Jesus said to her: Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God? Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said: Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me. Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice: Lazarus, come forth! And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with grave clothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them: Loose him, and let him go. Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him.”
(2). Raising the widow’s dead son.
Luk 7:11-16,“Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd. And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her: Do not weep. Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said: Young man, I say to you, arise. So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother. Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying: A great prophet has risen up among us; and, God has visited His people.”
(3). Raising Jairus’ dead daughter.
Luk 8:41-42,“And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at Jesus’ feet and begged Him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him…”
Luk 8:49-56,“While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him: Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher. But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying: Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well. When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl. Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said: Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping. And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead. But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying: Little girl, arise. Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat. And her parents were astonished, but He charged them to tell no one what had happened.”
(4). Feeding the five thousand.
Jhn 6:9-14,“There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many? Then Jesus said: Make the people sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. So when they were filled, He said to His disciples: Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost. Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten. Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said: This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.”
Feeding the five thousand is no big deal, but feeding the five thousand with five barley loaves and two small fish is a big miracle.
(5). Calming the winds and the sea.
Mat 8:24-27,“And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying: Lord, save us! We are perishing! But He said to them: Why are you fearful, O you of little faith? Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. So the men marveled, saying: Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”
(6). Walking on the sea.
Mat 14:25-33,“Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying: It is a ghost! And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying: Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid. And Peter answered Him and said: Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water. So He said: Come. And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying: Lord, save me! And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him: O you of little faith, why did you doubt? And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying: Truly You are the Son of God.”
E. Casting out demons.
Mar 1:39,“And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons.”
Note: Cast out in Greek is ekballō which means to drive out, compel one to depart, command or cause one to depart in haste; – it occurs about 82 times in the New Testament.
(1). The legion of demons.
Luk 8:27-35,“And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said: What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me! For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness. Jesus asked him, saying: What is your name? And he said, Legion, because many demons had entered him. And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss. Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned. When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.”
Note： Demons are afraid to be tormented by Jesus. Unbelievers out of ignorance are not afraid to be tormented in hell. Ignorance may embolden the wicked to do evil.
(2). Demons came out of many.
Luk 4:41,“And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying: You are the Christ, the Son of God! And He, rebuking them, did not allow them to speak, for they knew that He was the Christ.”
Note: Apparently demonic knowledge is superior to scientific knowledge because many unbelieving scientists do not know Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
(3). Deaf and dumb spirit came out of the boy.
Mar 9:20-27,“Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth. So He asked his father: How long has this been happening to him? And he said: From childhood. And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us. Jesus said to him: If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes. Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears: Lord, I believe; help my unbelief! When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it: Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more! Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said: He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.”
(4). Seven demons came out of Mary Magdalene.
Luk 8:2-3,“And certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.”
(5). The unclean spirit came out of the child.
Luk 9:42-44,“And as he was still coming, the demon threw him down and convulsed him. Then Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the child, and gave him back to his father. And they were all amazed at the majesty of God. But while everyone marveled at all the things which Jesus did, He said to His disciples: Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.”
Note: They were all amazed at the majesty of God because Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and the boy was healed.
(6). A man with an unclean spirit.
Mar 1:23-27,“Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, saying: Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God! But Jesus rebuked him, saying: Be quiet, and come out of him! And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him. Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying: What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him. ”
Note: Jesus has power over nature, illness, demons and unclean spirits.
IX. Jesus’ Dual Nature.
Jesus had dual nature because He was human and divine. Jesus was perfect Man and perfect God.
(A). Jesus’ humanity.
Luk 1:31,“And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.”
Note: The only difference was the fact the virgin Mary conceived of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Luk 2:21,“And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.”
Luk 2:27,“And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law.”
Luk 2:52,“And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”
Note: The Child Jesus kept growing indicates His humanity. This is a model of child development: grow in wisdom (intellectual and moral) and stature (physical), and in favor with God (spiritual) and men (social).
Luk 20:34, “Jesus answered and said to them: The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage.”
Note: Jesus never married and never had a woman. It is a sin against the Holy Spirit for those who lied that Jesus had a bunch of women.
Luk 8:22-25,“Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples. And He said to them: Let us cross over to the other side of the lake. And they launched out. But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying: Master, Master, we are perishing! Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. But He said to them: Where is your faith? And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another: Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!”
Note: There is nothing that more fully illustrates the dual nature of Jesus than the Scriptures cited above. The fact that Jesus fell asleep in a boat tells of His humanity. The fact that Jesus could sleep in the midst of the windstorm speaks clearly of His divinity. The fact the winds and waves obeyed the commands of Jesus tells His divinity.
Jhn 4:6,“Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.”
Note: The fact that Jesus was thirsty, hungry and tired, etc. prove He was human. The big difference is the fact Jesus was both human and divine.
Mat 27:54,“Now the centurion, and those who were with Him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were happening, became very frightened and said: Truly this was the Son of God!”
Note: The death of Jesus was so different because of the earthquake and the things that were happening that convinced the centurion that Jesus was truly the Son of God.
Luk 23:46,“And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said: Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit. Having said this, He breathed His last.”
Note: Jesus died a physical death for the sins of the world. He rose from the dead was a bodily resurrection.
(B). Jesus’ Divinity.
Mat 16:15-18,“He said to them: But who do you say that I am? Simon Peter replied: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered him: Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in Heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the he gates of Hades will not prevail against it.”
Note: Rock in Greek is Petra which means a large stone; – it occurs about 16 times in the New Testament.
1Cr 10:4,“And all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.”
Note: The Rock was Christ, upon the Rock revealed by the Father that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God – Jesus builds His church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. This Scripture is often misquoted by Catholics to refer to Peter; Peter was only a stone, not the Rock. The church of Jesus Christ could not be built on a man who denied Jesus three times. Jesus builds His church on the rock solid revelation of God that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the living God. The divinity of Jesus is the foundation of the church.
Mar 1:1,“The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”
Note: Jesus, the Son of God, is the beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There is no Gospel outside of Jesus.
Luk 3:21-22,“When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said: You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”
Note: God and the Holy Spirit testified for Jesus the Son of God.
Mar 9:2-7,“Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus: Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah—because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid. And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying: This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!”
Note: Jesus transfigured to show His glory before He became Man. God called Jesus His beloved Son, we must hear Him.
Jhn 2:24,“But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men .”
Note: You may not even know your friend only after you have known him for 30 years. You may not know your spouse only after you have lived with him/her a lifetime. How many marriages broke up after 30 years! Jesus knew all men from the beginning because He was God.
Jhn 4:28-30,“The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men: Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ? Then they went out of the city and came to Him.”
Note: Jesus knew all things that you and I ever did because He is omniscient. Jesus knew the end from the beginning of everything.
Mar 5:25-34,“Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said: If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well. Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said: Who touched My clothes? But His disciples said to Him: You see the multitude thronging You, and You say: Who touched Me? And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. And He said to her: Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”
Note: Only Jesus who is the power of God can heal people simply by touching His clothes.
Mar 10:32,“Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed they were afraid. Then He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them the things that would happen to Him.”
Note: The smartest people do not know what is going to happen to them.
Luk 23:34,“Then Jesus said: Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do. And they divided His garments and cast lots.”
Note: Here comes the famous saying, “To err is human, to forgive is divine.” Jesus asked the Father to forgive those who crucified Him, for they did not know what they did. As a human, I probably would ask to send the angel of death to slaughter them all.
Jesus’ power is displayed over nature（wind and sea), over demons， over illness, over the devil, over difficulties， etc.
X． Crucifixion.
Mat 27:1,“Now when morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus to put Him to death.”
Note: The chief priests and the elders represent the religious establishment. Why were they against Jesus and wanted to put Jesus to death?
Mar 15:10, “For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.”
Note: Pilate knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy. Envy in Greek is phthonos which means displeasure at another’s good, a mean passion used only in evil significance; – it occurs only 9 times in the New Testament. The chief priests envied Jesus because they could not preach or teach as Jesus did with authority, and they had no power to perform miracles, and people followed Jesus not them. By the same token, some Western powers and Japan envy of China’s rise and spectacular successes, plot to “divide and destroy” China using Taiwan, Tibet, Xinjiang and Hong Kong and under the pretexts of democracy, religious freedom, human rights, etc. White supremacists expressed their malice and ill will and hatred without cause overtly and covertly more against China since 1949.
Mat 27:26,“Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified.”
Note: Roman injustice not only scourged the innocent but handed Him over to be crucified. The criminal justice systems of many nations serve the rich and powerful at the expense of justice. When the corrupt officials violated the laws, they were called mistakes. When people made mistakes not understanding the laws, they were considered violations.
Mat 27:38,“Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left.”
Note: The Chinese character “come” 來 has prophetic and historic significance. 十 is the cross. There was a cross, a small man 人 who was a robber crucified on the left, and another small man 人 who was a robber crucified on the right. The big Man 人 was crucified in the center. So two robbers were crucified with Jesus, one on the right and another on the left, it forms the word 來. The Chinese have the character 來 a few thousands years B.C. – so it was prophetic. Jesus was crucified among two thieves as the character 來 says, so it was historic. Jesus died on the cross was an invitation of God to mankind:
Isa 1:18,“Come now, and let us reason together, says the LORD: Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
Note: Reason in Hebrew is yakach which means to prove, decide, judge; figuratively to be in the sunshine, to be clear; to dispute; – it occurs about 59 times in the Old Testament. The Christian faith is reasonable, not superstitious.
Isa 55:3,“Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you— The sure mercies of David.”
Mat 11:28,“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Jhn 7:37,“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying: If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.”
Mar 15:34,“At the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice: ELOI, ELOI, LAMA SABACHTHANI? which is translated: MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?”
Note: Bearing the sins of the world, Jesus cried out as if God had forsaken Him.
Luk 23:34,“Then Jesus said: Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do. And they divided His garments and cast lots.”
Note: The most compassionate words ever spoken: Father, forgive them!
Jhn 19:30,“So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said: It is finished! And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”
Note: The most important words Jesus uttered on the cross: It is finished. The redemptive work of Jesus was finished.
Mat 27:58,“This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him.”
Mar 15:43,“Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent member of the Council, who himself was waiting for the Kingdom of God; and he gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus.
Note: Jesus died a physical death, not a spiritual death. Joseph of Arimathea asked for the dead body of Jesus.
XI． Resurrection
Every time Jesus spoke about His death invariably He also stressed His resurrection on the third day. Empty tomb is the proof that differentiates Christianity from all other religions.
Mat 16:21,“From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.”
Mat 17:23,“And they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up. And they were exceedingly sorrowful.”
Note: The disciples were exceedingly sorrowful because they did not expect the Messiah to be killed.
Mat 20:19,“And deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again.”
Mar 9:31,“For He taught His disciples and said to them: The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day.”
Mar 10:34,“And they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.”
Luk 9:22,“Saying: The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.”
Luk 13:32,“And He said to them: Go, tell that fox, Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.”
Note: The redemptive work of Jesus was perfected when He rose from death.
Luk 24:7,“Saying: The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.”
Luk 24:46-48,“Then He said to them: Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things.”
Note: The work of disciples is to testify the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ so that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in Jesus’ name to all nations.
Act 10:40,“Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly.”
1Cr 15:4,“And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”
Luk 24:1-8,“Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them: Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying: The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered His words.”
Mat 28:9,“And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him.”
Jhn 20:27-29, “Then He said to Thomas: Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing. And Thomas answered and said to Him: “ My Lord and my God! Jesus said to him: Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Note: The Gospel of Jesus Christ is based on the death of Jesus on the cross for sinners and the resurrection to perfect the redemption. The early disciples had seen the resurrected Lord; we the latter believers have not seen and yet have believed. I know my Redeemer lives, and I will live because He lives forever.
1Pe 1:3,“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
XII． Ascension
Jhn 16:28,“I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.”
Note: Jesus came forth from the Father and came into the world, that is Incarnation, God became Man. Jesus left the world and went to the Father, that is ascension.
Jhn 20:17,“Jesus said to her: Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.”
Note: By ascension Jesus also elevated the position of His believers to ‘My God and your God.’
Mat 28:16-20,“Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying: All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.”
Note: The resurrected Jesus is glorified and received all authority in Heaven and on earth. The disciples worshiped Jesus as the Old Testament saints worshiped Jehovah.
Mar 16:19,“So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into Heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.”
Note: Jesus was received up into heaven means Jesus ascended into heaven. Sit down at the right hand of God means Jesus has been given all power and authority in Heaven and on earth.
Luk 24:50-53,“And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. And they worshiped Him , and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.”
Note: Jesus was carried up into Heaven means Jesus ascended into Heaven.
Act 1:9-11,“Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said: Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into Heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into Heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into Heaven.”
Note: Jesus was taken up means Jesus ascended; He went up to Heaven. The angels also proclaimed the prophecy of Jesus second coming, This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into Heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into Heaven. Just as Jesus bodily rose from the dead, and bodily ascended into Heaven, He will bodily come again.
Jhn 14:2-3, “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
Note: Jesus went to Heaven to prepare a place for His followers, that is Heaven or Paradise of God, the new Heaven and new earth, the New Jerusalem. I believe all have been prepared. Jesus may come imminently anytime. Heaven is not a state of mind, it is the real place of many mansions, the Paradise of God.
Eph 4:10,“He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the Heavens, that He might fill all things.”
XIII． Second Coming
Mat 26:64,“Jesus said to him: You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN.”
Mar 14:62, “And Jesus said: I am; and you shall see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING WITH THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN.”
Note: The most important event to take place in the universe is the second coming of Jesus Christ. The return of Christ will be a universally visible and glorious event. It will be the largest parade in the universe when the King of kings and Lord of lords leads the apostles and holy angels and countless saints descend from the space to the earth. Just as the ascension of Jesus Christ was bodily and visible, so the coming again of Jesus Christ will be bodily and visible. It will be with great power and glory. You do not know what power and glory until you see the coming of Jesus Christ.
Here are some awesome scenes will feature the second coming of Christ:
Rev 6:13-17,“And the stars of Heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks: Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”
Note: The arrogant supremacists, warmongers, dictators, corrupt leaders, Wall Street executives, terrorists, and monopolists, corrupt doctors and greedy hospital owners, etc., you will not be able to stand the wrath of God!
2Th 1:6-10,“Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.”
Note: Let the wicked tremble, and the righteous rejoice, for the Lord is coming again soon.
(1). Judgment.
Jhn 12:48,“He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him— the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.”
Note: Judge in Greek is krinō which means to pass judgment on the deeds and words of others, condemn; – it occurs about 114 times in the New Testament. The judgment of Jesus the Messiah will decide between the righteousness and unrighteousness of men. Sinners and evildoers will not be able to stand. The last day is the day Jesus returns. Those who reject Jesus will be judged in the last day.
Act 10:42,“And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead.”
2Ti 4:1,“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His Kingdom.”
1Pe 4:5,“They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.”
Note: Jesus was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. The living means those who are alive when Jesus returns. The dead means those who are already dead waiting to be raised for the final judgment. Corrupt politicians and officials do not give an account of what they have done to the people even among so-called democratic governments, they will have to give an account to Jesus who is the Judge. Western and Japanese leaders will not escape the wrath of God.
Act 17:31,“Because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”
Note: God has appointed the Day of Judgment on which Jesus will judge the world in righteousness. No one will escape the judgment of God, especially the wicked and evildoers and unbelievers, the greedy and warmongers. Jesus rose from the dead is the assurance God has given to the world.
Rom 2:16,“In the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my Gospel.”
Note: Secrets in Greek is kryptos which means the hidden things which are concealed; – it occurs about 19 times in the New Testament. The word “cryptic” is derived from the Greek word. So many intelligence operations are cryptic. Some classified secrets of some nations committed by dictators, warmongers, corrupt leaders, brutal agents, etc. have been leaked. God knows the secret bank accounts of so-and-so dictator or leader that defrauded the people. God knows all about them. God knows how many innocent people were killed by abusive and cruel officials. Not only God knows your secret deeds, God also know your secret thoughts, feelings and desires. The Lord will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. The Lord knows how many millions of children all over the world were sexually abused and raped by Catholic priests and nuns, and rapists. God knows how many millions of people were killed by white supremacists and recently terrorists. God knows how many trillions were defrauded by Wall Street and doctors and hospital owners and drug companies. God knows how many unnecessary surgeries and tests and treatments were performed by immoral doctors to maximize profits. God knows all the secrets of American leaders and politicians and all the evil deeds committed by the U.S. government and Japan no matter how the Japanese prime minister and his gang deny them. Mercy is available even for the wicked who want to repent now, but there will be no mercy in the Day of Judgment. God will judge the secrets of all men by Jesus Christ, except the forgiven believers who will not be condemned.
1Cr 6:2-3,“Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?”
Note: Not only there is no condemnation for the saved souls, the saints will judge the world with the Lord. The saints are those who have been saved and washed by the blood of Jesus. Saints are not dead people canonized by the Catholic church.
Jam 5:9,“Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!”
Note: Let the wicked tremble, the Judge is standing at the door!
(2). Reign.
1Cr 15:25,“For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.”
Note: Enemies in Greek is echthros which means men as at enmity with God by their sin; it occurs about 32 times in the New Testament. All evildoers including fraudulent Wall Street executives, supremacists, hegemonists, warmongers, dictators, terrorists, monopolists, capitalists, imperialists, predatory doctors, hospital owners, lawyers, oppressors, corrupt and abusive officials, etc. are enemies of Christ. When Jesus Christ reigns, all enemies will be under His feet.
2 Ti 2:12, “If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.”
Note: If we suffer for Christ, we shall also reign with Him.
Rev 5:10, “And have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.”
Note: Believers in Christ are children of God. God has made Christians kings and priests to our God. Saints shall reign with Christ for a thousand years on earth.
Rev 20:6,“ Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.”
Rev 11:15,“Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying: “ The kingdoms of this world have become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”
Rev 22:5,“There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.”
In my opinion Martin Luther was the greatest man ever lived in history outside the Holy Bible. I recently came across the fine statement made by Martin Luther. I paraphrase it and make small changes as follows to sum up the Incomparable Jesus:
In a Christian life on earth, Jesus Christ is our Example, showing us how to live in His Death, by His obedience and sacrifice, justifying for our sins in His Resurrection, the Conqueror of the universe in His Ascension to the highest Heavens, and as the High Priest and Mediator, in His intercession at the right hand of God.
Jesus Christ is the wonderful Savior, you will know Him if only you believe in Him. No one is like Jesus, the Son of God, the coming King of kings and Lord of lords. Would you now accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Today is the day of salvation, would you do it now?
You have learned a lot about the Incomparable Jesus, there was and there is and there will be no one like Him. Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Savior of the world.
To receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior is to receive the eternal life.
ON September 3, 2025 for China to mark 80th anniversary of victory over Japanese aggression and fascism is a historical necessity and hard-earned victory. 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 well performed, the words such as grand, massive, superb, magnificent fail to describe the whole celebration. I wholeheartedly salute every Chinese uniform man and woman who participated. Never again will China be oppressed. I am sure the militant Japan is deterred, and no nation on earth would dare to attack China again.
The mayors of Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and Chicago are for crooks and criminals, they must be dismissed and deported. All the facts point to the need, Ukraine must be destroyed and its leader executed in order to end the war. Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis are terrorists and the countries that harbor them must be destroyed all together.
Since Gaza, West Bank, etc. are the Jewish lands, Palestinians must evacuate from all Jewish lands and flee to Arab lands where they are safe to receive international aid and build a Palestinian state of their choice.
The leader of Ukraine is corrupt and evil. Ukrainians are stupid to follow the path of destruction. He was the one who instigated war with Russia. Now he asks for security guarantees. The nincompoop should be executed to end the war.
Palestinians, Africans, and others serve as example of peoples who want to eat and do not want to work. UN, WHO, EU, etc. champion their cause. Palestinians do not want evacuate from Gaza, Jewish lands to resettle in Arab lands. Because they will lose their status as refugees where they can get their food, fuel, water, medicine and everything for free from international community. These problems multiply with the passage of time.
UN, EU, GERMANY, UK, FRANCE, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZELAND, ETC. are strange and unreasonable peoples. Who is stopping Palestinians to build a Palestinian state in an Arab land? It is wrong and illegal to build a Palestinian state in Jewish land (Gaza, West Bank, etc.). That is the cause of conflict.
The fact that National Guards have to patrol Washington, D.C. with weapons speaks loudly and badly of the capital. The mayor of Washington, D.C. should be dismissed and deported. All the more urgent the national capital should move to Lincoln, Nebraska, without delay.
The mayor of Washington, D.C. bowed to the illegal acts of street people who set up tents on public streets. She should be dismissed and deported. The National Guards are empowered to trash the tents, clear the streets and vanish street people. Los Angeles is a disgraced city because the California Governor and Los Angeles mayor failed to solve the problems of street people who not only set up tents on public streets, but also urinate and defecate. All the more urgent for the national capital to move to Lincoln, Nebraska. In the face of national debt exceeding $37 trillion, the people can save money by abolishing the House, retain the unicameral legislation of Senate to move also to Lincoln Nebraska. All this can be accomplished legally by a national refrerendum. America is ruined by dark and evil forces.
Heroes of all races who sacrified their lives for China in the war against Japanese aggression should be celebrated and remembered. The descendants of them are eternal friends of China. Descendants of American Flying Tiers whose forefathers had sacrified their lives in the war against Japanese aggression and atrocities must always be honored and remembered. The Chinse government must treat them as eternal friends, and they are welcome to China anytime. Such blood bonds must be appreciated and maintained forever.
The world wrongly marks the anniversary of dropping atomic bomb on Hiroshima while neglecting the Japanse aggression and atrocities of killing 35 million innocent Chinese without remorse or reparations. UN overappointed unqualified blacks and media have given too much covergage to unworthy black spoke-persons. It is amazing no matter how beautifully white organizations and individuals hail human rights, civil rights, democracy, development, technology, benefits, justice, etc., what they are actually after is MONEY. This can be said equally true about blacks.
Pet economy is wasted economy. Money should better be spent on nutrition and education of children and orphanes. In cities all dogs must have annual license of Y5,000, cats Y4,000, and birds Y3,000. It is exempt for rural areas. If a dog defecates in public place, it shall be fined Y3,000 plus cleanup by owner or walker.
Global media highlight the number of Palestinians who have died, but fail to consider why Palestinian Authority and Palestinians do not want to evacuate from Jewish land and resettle in Arab land. Palestinians, men and women, young and old, are shameless beggars. They remain in Gaza to qualify for refugees so that they can get everything free from international community. The international community is ignorant of the fact that GAZA and related territories all belong to the Jews. Israel has every right to take back and take over Gaza and related territories. Palestinians must evacuate and relocate to Arab lands, make a living and establish its own Palestinian state without further delay.
French nincompoop Macron reognized Palestine as a state but failed to know that Palestine does not have territory and sovereignty. Leaders of UK, GERMANY, AUSTRLALIA would commit the same mistake by supporting terrorists. Hamas, Hezebolla, Houthis are wicked terrorists, they should be destroyed without mercy. Leaders of Palestinian Authority are guilty for the death and malnutrition of children because they lead Palestinians to the path of destruction. They could have led Palestinians to lands of Arabs to earn a living and build their own Palestinian state. Palestinians (young & old, man & woman) are most shameless beggars for food & water, they don’t want to go to an Arab land to earn a living and build their own Palestinian state. Africa amid famine has the most fat people in the world, they are also shameless beggars. Ukranians are shameless beggars for weapons, they do not have reason for existence. Harvard though the richest university in the world is a shameless beggar for US aid. Japan claims to practice democracy, its ruling party lost election miserably, yet its prime minister shamelessly wants to stay in power. The world must realize years of aid to Africa produced nothing, trillions of dollars went to black holes. Africa is corrupt, unmotivated and useless.Black leaders and politicians take advantage of it; dress well, eat well, and live a luxurious life style. Black problems can be solved only by Blacks. Let Africa alone to survive on its own. Blacks create most of the problems in the world, given too much coverage and platform in world media, overappointed and given too many spokespersons and positions in UN. Any nation who shares destiny with Africa will be doomed. Nothing good comes out of Africa: primitive religion, superstition, spiritism, orgies, black magic, tribalism, voordoism.
If the Texas flooding is an act of God; Ukraine conflict, and conflicts of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthis must be acts of the devil.
India must coexist with China, at the same time India and South Africa must be expelled from BRICS besause they do not remain true to BRICS’ founding mission, they do not belong, must be replaced by Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. US and EU must not rearm Ukraine, let Russia destroy it, and never to be rebuilt. The leader of Ukraine must also be executed.
Palestinian Authorities are guilty for leading Palestinians to a path of death, children died and suffer malnutrition. Palestian Authorities do not lead Palestinians (who are Arabs) to a land of Arabs to work for a living and build the Palestinian state.
American forces have successfully wiped out three Iranian nuclear sites through B-2 bombers. The “everlasting consequence” is Iran cannot be a nuclear threat anymore. I stand with the overwhelming majority of Dutch people to demolish NATO — the war machine.
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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.
