FEAR

This article is written for you to know if you fear God, you have nothing to fear although the world is full of fears.

Gen 15:1, “After these things the Word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying,

“Do not fear, Abram,

I AM a shield to you;

Your reward shall be very great.”

God changed the name of Abram to Abraham.

Even Abraham had many fears, but Abraham believed in God; and the Word of the Lord came to Abraham in a vision. Nowadays Christians are fortunate to have access to the Holy Scriptures, they do not need to have a vision.

Gen 26:24, “And the LORD appeared to him the same night and said,

“I am the God of your father Abraham;

Do not fear, for I am with you.

I will bless you and multiply your descendants,

For the sake of My servant Abraham.”

Gen 32:11, “Save me, please, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, that he will come and attack me and the mothers with the children.”

Gen 35:17, “And when she was suffering severe 

difficulties in her labor, the midwife said to her, “Do not fear, for you have another son!”

In an unpleasant world, there are many fears.

1.)  Fear of evil.

Evil generally speaking is something abstract, something undesirable or unpleasant; something very bad. When it happens, everyone knows what it is! The Lord teaches Christians to pray; “Deliver us from evil.”

Mat 6:13, “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

•  Lead us not into temptation.—The Greek word includes the two thoughts which are represented in English by “trials,” i.e., sufferings which test or try, and “temptations,” allurements on the side of pleasure which tend to lead us into evil. Of these the former is the dominant meaning in the language of the New Testament, and is that of which we must think here. (Comp. Matthew 26:41.) We are taught not to think of the temptation in which lust meets opportunity as that into which God leads us (James 1:13-14); there is therefore something that shocks us in the thought of asking Him not to lead us into it. But trials of another kind, persecution, spiritual conflicts, agony of body or of spirit, these may come to us as a test or as a discipline. Should we shrink from these? An ideal stoicism, a perfected faith, would say, “No, let us accept them, and leave the issue in our Father’s hands.” But those who are conscious of their weakness cannot shake off the thought that they might fail in the conflict, and the cry of that conscious weakness is therefore, “Lead us not into such trials,” even as our Lord prayed, “If it be possible, let this cup pass away from me” (Matthew 26:39). And the answer to the prayer may come either directly in actual exemption from the trial, or in “the way to escape” (1Corinthians 10:13), or in strength to bear it. It is hardly possible to read the prayer without thinking of the recent experience of “temptation” through which our Lord had passed. The memory of that trial in all its terrible aspects was still present with Him, and in His tender love for His disciples He bade them pray that they might not be led into anything so awful.

Deliver us from evil.—The Greek may grammatically be either neuter or masculine, “evil” in the abstract, or the “evil one” as equivalent to the “devil.” The whole weight of the usage of New Testament language is in favour of the latter meaning. In our Lord’s own teaching we have the “evil one” in Matthew 13:19; Matthew 13:38; John 17:15 (probably); in St. Paul’s (Ephesians 6:16; 2Thessalonians 3:3), in St. John’s (1John 2:13-14; 1John 3:12; 1John 5:18-19) this is obviously the only possible interpretation. Romans 12:9, and possibly John 17:15, are the only instances of the other. Added to this, there is the thought just adverted to, which leads us to connect our Lord’s words with His own experience. The prayer against temptation would not have been complete without reference to the Tempter whose presence was felt in it. We may lawfully pray to be spared the trial. If it comes, there is yet room for the prayer, “Deliver us from the power of him who is our enemy and Thine.”

For thine is the kingdom. . . .—The whole clause is wanting in the best MSS. and in the earlier versions, and is left unnoticed by the early Fathers, who comment on the rest of the Prayer. Most recent editors have accordingly omitted it, as probably an addition made at first (after the pattern of most Jewish prayers) for the liturgical use of the Prayer, and then interpolated by transcribers to make the text of the discourse harmonise with the liturgies.”

According to https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Evil

“Evil is a term used to describe something that brings about harmful, painful, and unpleasant effects. It is understood to be of three kinds: Moral evil, natural evil, and metaphysical evil. Moral evil is evil human beings volitionally and intentionally originate, and its examples are their cruel, vicious, and unjust thoughts and actions, such as murder. Natural evil is evil which occurs independently of human thoughts and actions, but which still causes pain and suffering, and it refers to earthquakes, volcanos, storms, droughts, disease-causing bacilli, and so on. “Metaphysical evil,” a term coined by Gottfried Leibniz (1646-1716), refers to the finite and limited condition of the created spatio-temporal world, thus being usually understood not to be evil in and of itself.”

Only God knows in 14 years of Japanese aggression against China how much evil Japanese had done to the Chinese. We know the Nanjing Massacre was evil. We know thousands and thousands of young women were made Comfort Women by Japanese troops were evil. We KNOW millions and millions of Chinese were made slave workers. We know the sudden attack of Pearl Harbor was evil. We also know in the last 500 years the peoples of White race are sill doing evil. It is not surprising that gun culture produces many incidents of violence. Terrible and traumatic events will continue to happen in a violent America. But Christians have nothing to fear.

2.)  Fear of unemployment.

In America, fear of unemployment is big and real. Because the cost of living is high, when you are unemployed what can you do. When you have no employment, you have no income. When you have no income, you have no money. How can you live in America with the highest cost of living when you have no money?

According to https://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/0811/the-cost-of-unemployment-to-the-economy.aspx

“Key Takeaways

• Unemployment imposes costs on a society that are more than just financial.
• Unemployed individuals not only lose income but also face challenges to their physical and mental health.
• There are societal costs of high unemployment.
• Governmental costs go beyond the payment of benefits and include the loss of the production of workers which reduces the gross domestic product (GDP).
• Unemployment affects not only the individual but also spouses, partners, and children.

Costs to the Individual

There’s often an immediate impact on an individual’s standard of living when they lose their job. The average savings rate in the U.S. had been drifting down toward zero and sometimes below before the Great Recession. There are anecdotal reports that the average person is only a few weeks away from serious financial trouble without a paying job.3”

There are people who are called house slaves. They are young people who have bought a house through borrowing from the bank. They must pay monthly mortgage. If they lose employment, they cannot afford to pay mortgage. If they cannot afford to pay mortgage, they will lose their house. That is why the couple must both work, to insure against unemployment. Maybe a single wage can keep them going for some months. For that reason they are called house slaves in relation to almost all corporations have psychopathic supervisors. These psychopathic supervisors acted like they were the owners of the corporation, they treated their subordinates harshly and humiliated them. The house slaves are very afraid to lose their jobs, because losing their jobs are tantamount to losing their homes. For that reason the house slaves are willing to bear  any burden, endure any hardship and humiliation in order to keep their jobs. The cost of unemployment is very high in America, only the rich is free from it. Do you want to see the homeless people in Los Angeles? Just take a walk in Downtown at your own risk. You may be surprised Christians are citizens of Heaven, we are pilgrims on earth.

Phl 3:20, “For our citizenship is in Heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Benson Commentary

Php 3:20-21. For our conversation is in heaven — We that are true Christians are of a very different spirit, and act in a quite different manner. The original expression, πολιτευμα, rendered conversation, is a word of a very extensive meaning, implying our citizenship, our thoughts, our affections, are already in heaven; or we think, speak, and act, converse with our fellow-creatures, and conduct ourselves in all our intercourse with them, as citizens of the New Jerusalem, and as being only strangers and pilgrims upon earth. We therefore endeavour to promote the interests of that glorious society to which we belong, to learn its manners, secure a title to its privileges, and behave in a way suitable to, and worthy of our relation to it; from whence also we look for the Saviour — To come and carry us thither according to his promise, (John 14:3,) namely, our spirits, at the dissolution of this earthly tabernacle; yea, and afterward to transform our vile body, το σωμα της ταπεινωσεως, the body of our humiliation; which, in consequence of the fall of our first parents, sinks us so low, is subject to, and encompassed with, so many infirmities, is such a clog to our souls, and so greatly hinders our progress in the work of faith and labour of love: this body we expect he will transform into the most perfect state and the most beauteous form, when it will be purer than the unspotted firmament, brighter than the lustre of the stars, and, which exceeds all parallel, which comprehends all perfection, like unto his glorious body — Of which an image was given in his transfiguration, yea like that wonderfully glorious body which he wears in his heavenly kingdom, and on his triumphant throne. So that here, as Romans 8:23, the redemption of the body from corruption, by a glorious resurrection, is represented as the especial privilege of the righteous. According to that mighty working — That energy of power; whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself — To show himself to the whole intelligent creation of God completely victorious over all his enemies, even over death and the grave, the last of them.”

3.)  FEAR OF OLD AGE.

The fear of old age includes the fear of getting old.

The people who are most afraid of old age are the beautiful Hollywood actresses.  Obviously, old age will take beauty away. What is an actress without beauty? It seems yesterday I was young: I studied ten thousand books and walked 10,000 miles. Today I am old. I am restricted by activities used to be easy and simple. I pray without ceasing: Heavenly Father, have mercy on me! Heavenly Father, have pity on me! Heavenly Father, have compassion on me! God save me, your old servant! An old servant is engaged in the ministry of life.  Old age brings many problems: diseases and disabilities. There are a thousand and one things to kill you. To die is easy; to live is hard. The most

common disability is unable to walk. I cannot thank God enough for giving me a good wife. Without my wife I would have been dead long ago.

According to https://www.griswoldcare.com/blog/what-are-the-problems-faced-by-elderly-in-our-society/

“The biggest challenge to older adults can often be their health. To monitor these old-age problems, it’s best to get regular checkups and monitor your body for changes. Depending on the health concern, possible solutions to these problems can include a healthy diet, exercise, and/or medications. Some of these health concerns include:

Heart disease

Diabetes

Hearing loss

Cataracts

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Heart attack and/or stroke

Extra susceptibility to sexually transmitted diseases

Muscle weakness

Fatigue

Loss of balance, which can result in falls

Malnutrition

Oral health issues, such as dry mouth and gum disease

Incontinence and constipation”

Samuel Taylor Coleridge said, “A man’s as old as he’s feeling. A woman as old as she looks.”

That is why a beautiful Hollywood actress is more afraid of old age.

Gen 18:11, “Now Abraham and Sarah were old 

and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.”

Only the old know fully well what well stricken in age means.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “All diseases run into one, old age.”

Abraham Lincoln said, “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”

Aldous Huxley said, “The secret of genius is to carry the spirit of the child into old age, which mean never losing your enthusiasm.”

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said, “For age is opportunity no less Than youth itself, though in another dress, And as the evening twilight fades away The sky is filled with stars, invisible by day.”

Gen 24:1, “And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.”

Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age,…. Being now one hundred and forty years of age, for as he was an hundred years old when Isaac was born, and Isaac was forty years of age when he married Rebekah, which was at this time, Abraham must be of the age mentioned, see Genesis 21:5,

and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things; with all kind of blessings, with temporal and spiritual blessings; the former seems chiefly designed here, because of what follows; God had blessed him, as Aben Ezra observes, with long life, and riches, and honour, and children, things desirable by men.”

4.)  FEAR OF LOSS.

There are many kinds of loss. Loss of spouse is unbearable.  Business owners are afraid of loss and bankruptcy. Most people are afraid of fire, fire may burn down their homes and possessions. My mother told me when they had a fire, my grand father was paralyzed that he could do nothing to rescue.

Types of loss are various and many. How can a mother acquit herself of guilt because of her phone call caused her daughter to have a driving accident and died?  Some Chinese adults told me personally they lost the prime time of their lives not studying at universities due to Cultural Revolution. Some loss not only has monetary measurement, it has a psychological dimension. Sense of loss is a strange phenomenon because it is personally and individually defined.  Probably the greatest loss is the loss of a spouse. Some women deplore of not being able to sleep alone. Loss of home or business is very serious and unbearable.  Bankruptcy is a personal shame to many. Moral failure is not only a loss of reputation. The Chinese has a saying, Once a slip becomes a regret for a thousand years.

Mat 16:26, “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?”

Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

For what is a man profited … – To gain the whole world means to possess it as our own – all its riches, its honors, and its pleasures.

“To lose his own soul” means to be cast away, to be shut out from heaven, to be sent to hell. Two things are implied by Christ in these questions:

1. That they who are striving to gain the world, and are unwilling to give it up for the sake of religion, will lose their souls; and,

2. That if the soul is lost, nothing can be given in exchange for it, or that it can never afterward be saved. There is no redemption in hell.”

Many still do not know, if you gain the whole world, but you end up in Hell, that is the greatest loss, the greatest failure. As John Chrysostom said, “The pains of hell are not the greatest part of hell; the loss of Heaven is the weightiest woe of hell.”

Why? Hell is eternal.

5.)  FEAR OF GUN VIOLENCE.

Americans have good reason to be afraid of gun violence. There is no safe place in America. How many innocent people including children were gunned down. For that reason, opening door becomes a very sensitive matter. Almost every home has a peephole, to peep through who is knocking at the door.  An English man told me he had 3 locks. A white old lady who lived in the richest city of Orange County told me she had 9 doors! Imagine to get familiar with 9 keys, or if there is a fire you may be burned to death! Thanks to the two useless parties and the Congress and Administration and the Supreme Court who are held hostage by gun lobby, America does not have gun control. What is proper is to ban all weapons and guns of death, ban National Riffle Association, ban manufacturing and selling of all sorts of guns. This would not happen until you have correct leaders and correct government.

According to https://everytownresearch.org/report/the-economic-cost-of-gun-violence/

“Executive Summary

In an average year, gun violence in America kills 40,000 people, wounds twice as many, and has an economic consequence to our nation of $557 billion.

Without a doubt, the human cost of gun violence—the people who are taken from us and the survivors whose lives are forever altered—is the most devastating. In addition to this human impact, examining the serious economic consequences of gun violence offers a wider lens for understanding just how extensive and expensive this crisis is. 

This staggering $557 billion figure is five times the nation’s budget for the Department of Education, which funds preschool through college for millions of Americans.1 If shooting tragedies were prevented from occurring in the first place, the vast funds spent in the aftermath of gun violence could be directed toward beneficial and productive investments such as educating the next generation.

This $557 billion problem represents the lifetime costs associated with gun violence, including three types of costs: immediate costs starting at the scene of a shooting, such as police investigations and medical treatment; subsequent costs, such as treatment, long-term physical and mental health care, earnings lost to disability or death, and criminal justice costs; and cost estimates of quality of life lost over a victim’s life span for pain and suffering of victims and their families.

As survivors, families, communities, employers, and taxpayers, we all pay for the enormous costs associated with this violence, whether we own a gun or not. The daily toll is staggering: 

Taxpayers, survivors, families, and employers pay an average of $7.79 million daily in health care costs, including immediate and long-term medical and mental health care, plus patient transportation/ambulance costs related to gun violence, and lose an estimated $147.32 million per day related to work missed due to injury or death. 

American taxpayers pay $30.16 million every day in police and criminal justice costs for investigation, prosecution, and incarceration. 

• Employers lose an average of $1.47 million on a daily basis in productivity, revenue, and costs required to recruit and train replacements for victims of gun violence.
• Society loses $1.34 billion daily in quality-of-life costs from the suffering and lost well-being of gun violence victims and their families.

The large variation in rates of gun deaths and injuries in the 50 states and Washington, DC, translates into substantial differences in the economic burden from this violence. 

Compiling this information is vital so that policymakers and constituents can understand how resources are currently being spent and to provide direction for a different tomorrow. The average annual cost for overall gun violence in the United States is $1,698 for every resident in the country. However, in states with stronger gun laws, the economic toll of gun violence is less than half this amount, whereas in states where gun laws are weaker and gun injuries and fatalities are higher, gun violence costs residents double or more this amount per person.”

When it comes to individual cases, the dollar costs will be totally skewed. Say to a parent who lost his child, would he/she exchange their child for $10 billions? I say they would prefer to have their child back than $10 billions. A Korean family lost their son during the Los Angeles Riot. They moved from Seoul to Los Angeles thinking it was for a better future.

Recent school shooting in Wisconsin is an example why people fear gun violence. There is no safe place anywhere in America. I sympathize with the Governor Tony Evers who said he was praying for the families and loved ones whose lives were “so senselessly taken” and called the shooting a “gut-wrenching tragedy.” “As a father, a grandfather, and as governor, it is unthinkable that a kid or an educator might wake up and go to school one morning and never come home. This should never happen, and I will never accept this as a foregone reality or stop working to change it.” I sympathize but sorry to say the Governor is wrong. Can state laws be higher than federal laws? American Gun violence is a national problem, a cultural problem and a political problem. The two parties, the Congress, the Administration, and the Supreme Court are held hostage by the powerful gun lobby. America should have a  New Constitution which bans all weapons and guns of death, outlaw National Riffle Association, prohibit manufacture and sale of guns by civilians. As a nation, America must nullify and crucify gun culture. When will that happen? Until the Kingdom comes!

6.)  FEAR OF NUCLEAR WAR.

I used to fear the nuclear war. I am no more because the Scriptures say:

2Pe 3:7, “But by His Word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly people.”

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!”

Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God,…. The same with the day of the Lord, 2 Peter 3:10, and so the Vulgate Latin and Arabic versions here read; and it intends the day of Christ’s second coming to judgment, and so is a proof of the deity of Christ; and is called “the day of God”, in distinction from man’s day, or human judgment, 1 Corinthians 4:3, which is often fallacious; whereas the judgment of God is according to truth; and because in that day Christ will appear most clearly to be truly and properly God, by the manifest display of his omniscience, omnipotence, and other glorious perfections of his; and because it will be, as the day of God is, a thousand years; and also the day in which God will finish all his works, as on the seventh day the works of creation, on this the works of Providence; when all his purposes, promises, and threatenings, relating to the final state of all persons and things, will be fulfilled, and every work be brought to light, and into judgment, and everything will stand in a clear light; for the day will declare it, either respecting God, or men; and there will be a display, as of his grace and mercy, to his church and people; for it will be the day of his open espousals to them, and of the gladness of his heart; so of his wrath and anger towards the wicked: for this great and dreadful day of the Lord shall burn like an oven, and destroy the wicked, root and branch: and it will be the day of Christ’s glorious appearing, and of his kingdom, in which he will reign, before his ancients, gloriously; and when it is ended, God, Father, Son and Spirit, will be all in all: now “the coming” of this day saints should be “looking for” by faith; believing that it certainly will come, since the patriarchs, prophets, Christ himself, the angels of heaven, and the apostles of the Lamb, have all declared and asserted the coming of this day; and they should look for it, and love it, as with the strongest affection for it, and most vehement desire of it, since they will then appear with Christ in glory; and they should look out, and keep looking out for it, as what will be quickly; and though it is not as soon as they desire and expect, yet should still look wistly for it, and with patience and cheerfulness wait for it: yea, they should be “hasting unto” it, or “hastening” it; for though the day is fixed for the coming of Christ, nor can it be altered, as his coming will not be longer, it cannot be sooner, yet it becomes the saints to pray earnestly for it, that it may be quickly, and for the accomplishment of all things that go before it, prepare for it, and lead unto it; such as the conversion of the Jews, and the bringing in of the fulness of the Gentiles; and by putting him in mind of, and pleading with him, his promises concerning these things, and giving him no rest till they are accomplished; there seems to be some reference to the prayers of the Jews for the Messiah’s coming, which they desire may be “in haste”; which will show that they are in haste for the coming of this day; and all which things God will hasten, though it will be in his own time: and moreover, saints should be hasting to it by their readiness for it, having their loins girt, and their lights burning, and their lamps trimmed, and they waiting for their Lord’s coming, and going forth in acts of faith and love, and in the duties of religion, to meet him, and not slumber and sleep:

wherein; in which day, as in 2 Peter 3:10; or by which; by which coming of Christ, or of the day of God,

the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat; at whose coming and presence, and from whose face the heavens and earth shall flee away, just as the earth shook, and the heavens dropped, and Sinai itself moved, when God appeared upon it; see Revelation 20:11. This is a repetition of what is said in 2 Peter 3:10, exciting attention to the exhortation given.”

According to https://www.amazon.ca/Nuclear-War-Scenario-Annie-Jacobsen/dp/1911709593

“Nuclear war begins with a blip on a radar screen.
This is a minute-by-minute account of what comes next.
It has to be read to be believed.
There is only one scenario other than an asteroid strike that could end the world as we know it in a matter of hours: nuclear war.
Until now, no one outside official circles has known exactly what would happen if a rogue state launched a nuclear missile at the Pentagon. Second by second and minute by minute, these are the real-life protocols that choreograph the end of civilization as we know it.
Decisions that affect hundreds of millions of lives need to be made within six minutes, based on partial information, in the knowledge that once launched, nothing is capable of holding the destruction.
Based on dozens of new interviews with military and civilian experts who have built the weapons, been privy to the response plans, and taken responsibility for crucial decisions, this is the only account of what a nuclear exchange would look like.
Nuclear War is at once a compulsive non-fiction thriller and a powerful argument that we must rid ourselves of these world-ending weapons for ever.”

Yes, nuclear war is coming; there are less than 12 persons who will determine the fate of the world. True Christians have no fear, if you die, today you will be in the Paradise of God. Jesus told the converted robber,

Luk 23:43, “And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

7.)  Fear of poverty.

There are many factors or reasons which may cause poverty.  One thing is clear: nobody wants poverty.

Most people fear of poverty because the cost of living is high in America. Do you want to see the most undesirable homeless people in America? You can pay a visit to Downtown Los Angeles at your own risk.

Poverty not only deprives you the necessities of life, it gives you something you do not want — the degradation.

According to https://open.lib.umn.edu/socialproblems/chapter/2-4-the-consequences-of-poverty/

“Why is there so much more poverty in the United States than in its Western counterparts? Several differences between the United States and the other nations stand out (Brady, 2009; Russell, 2011). First, other Western nations have higher minimum wages and stronger labor unions than the United States has, and these lead to incomes that help push people above poverty. Second, these other nations spend a much greater proportion of their gross domestic product on social expenditures (income support and social services such as child-care subsidies and housing allowances) than does the United States. As sociologist John Iceland (Iceland, 2006) notes, “Such countries often invest heavily in both universal benefits, such as maternity leave, child care, and medical care, and in promoting work among [poor] families…The United States, in comparison with other advanced nations, lacks national health insurance, provides less publicly supported housing, and spends less on job training and job creation.” Block and colleagues agree: “These other countries all take a more comprehensive government approach to combating poverty, and they assume that it is caused by economic and structural factors rather than bad behavior” (Block et, al., 2006).

The experience of the United Kingdom provides a striking contrast between the effectiveness of the expansive approach used in other wealthy democracies and the inadequacy of the American approach. In 1994, about 30 percent of British children lived in poverty; by 2009, that figure had fallen by more than half to 12 percent. Meanwhile, the US 2009 child poverty rate, was almost 21 percent.

Britain used three strategies to reduce its child poverty rate and to help poor children and their families in other ways. First, it induced more poor parents to work through a series of new measures, including a national minimum wage higher than its US counterpart and various tax savings for low-income workers. Because of these measures, the percentage of single parents who worked rose from 45 percent in 1997 to 57 percent in 2008. Second, Britain increased child welfare benefits regardless of whether a parent worked. Third, it increased paid maternity leave from four months to nine months, implemented two weeks of paid paternity leave, established universal preschool (which both helps children’s cognitive abilities and makes it easier for parents to afford to work), increased child-care aid, and made it possible for parents of young children to adjust their working hours to their parental responsibilities (Waldfogel, 2010). While the British child poverty rate fell dramatically because of these strategies, the US child poverty rate stagnated.

In short, the United States has so much more poverty than other democracies in part because it spends so much less than they do on helping the poor. The United States certainly has the wealth to follow their example, but it has chosen not to do so, and a high poverty rate is the unfortunate result. As the Nobel laureate economist Paul Krugman (2006, p. A25) summarizes this lesson, “Government truly can be a force for good. Decades of propaganda have conditioned many Americans to assume that government is always incompetent…But the [British experience has] shown that a government that seriously tries to reduce poverty can achieve a lot.”

Pro 10:15, “The rich person’s wealth is his fortress,

the ruin of the poor is their poverty.”

Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

The rich man’s wealth is his strong city,…. What a fortified city is to persons in time of war, that is a rich man’s wealth to him; by it he can defend himself from the injuries of others, and support himself and family in times of public calamity; for money is a defence, and answers all things, Ecclesiastes 7:12. Or his wealth is so in his own apprehension and conceit; he puts his trust and confidence in it, and thinks himself safe and secure by it; when he is trusting to uncertain riches, which will fail him; these may fly away from him in life, and leave him exposed to distress and danger; and, however, will not secure him at death from the wrath of God and everlasting destruction. Or he is lifted up with his riches, is in high spirits, and despises others; thinking himself safe, as in a strong castle, and fears nothing, distresses, diseases, or death;

the destruction of the poor is their poverty: or their poverty is their consternation, as the word (h) signifies, it frightens them; they, knowing their circumstances, are afraid of everybody and of every thing; not being able to defend themselves against their enemies, or support themselves in times of public calamity, as war, famine, or pestilence.”

Poverty ruins the poor. The poor have no choice.

I had been poor, so I knew what poverty is. Try to work your way through college in America, earning the minimum wage of $1.25 and you were responsible to pay for everything and did everything yourself and at the same time went to college.

8.)  Fear of catastrophic disease.

The fear of cancer is also called Carcinophobia. The single factor that most Americans are so afraid of catastrophic diseases is the cost.

According to https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/data-research/facts-stats/index.html

“Nothing kills more Americans than heart disease and stroke. More than 944,800 Americans die of heart disease or stroke every year—that’s more than 1 in 3 deaths.3 These diseases take an economic toll, as well, costing our health care system $254 billion per year and causing $168 billion in lost productivity on the job.4 Costs from cardiovascular diseases are projected to hit roughly $2 trillion by 2050.5”

When I was very poor working my way in college, I could not afford even one doctor when I was sick. I worked at a hospital and discovered a great injustice. A young black woman was having an abortion, and all paid by Medicaid. The American healthcare worked like an organized crime. Three doctors were assigned to take care of her. A doctor got pay by doing nothing or said hello to her. When one doctor changed the dressing, another doctor did the same. The system made sure three doctors were paid.

Recently, a health insurance executive was gunned down in New York. Strange thing happened that many donated money for the defense of the killer. Why? Many Americans know the current healthcare system is a terrorism. The doctors, hospitals, drug and insurance companies make so much, and many Americans went bankrupt because the highest healthcare cost in the world! The two parties, the Congress, the Administration, the Supreme Court are held hostage by rich and powerful healthcare lobby. We need a national healthcare insurance scheme that everybody can afford, but that is not going to happen until the Kingdom comes!

9.)  Fear of betrayal.

Jesus Christ knew before the fact who would betray him. I was stupid that I did not know before the fact that three persons in my life would betray me. It is written, Psa 41:9, “Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.”

The terrible thing about treason, your enemies could not betray you, only your close friends can.

Isa 21:2, “I see a terrifying vision:
I see the betrayer betraying,
the destroyer destroying.
Go ahead, you Elamites and Medes,
attack and lay siege.
I will make an end
to all the groaning Babylon caused.”

Isa 24:16, “From the ends of the earth we hear songs of praise, of glory to the Righteous One.
But I say, “I waste away, I waste away. Woe is me!
For the traitors have betrayed,
with betrayal the traitors have betrayed.”

Jhn 2:24-25, “But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, because He knew 

all people, and because He did not need anyone to testify about mankind, for He Himself knew what was in mankind.”

For our parts, we do not know all people, and we do not know what is in mankind. We do not  know who will betray us.

Jhn 13:18, “I am not speaking about all of you. I know the ones whom I have chosen; but this is happening so that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘HE WHO EATS MY BREAD HAS LIFTED UP HIS HEEL AGAINST ME.”

Mat 26:49, “Immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, “Greetings (rejoice), Rabbi!” And he kissed Him [in a deliberate act of betrayal].”

Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

Hail, Master – The word translated “hail,” here, means to “rejoice,” to have joy, and also to have “cause” of joy.

It thus expresses the “joy” which one friend has when he meets another, especially after an absence. It was used by the Jews and Greeks as a mode of salutation among friends. It would here seem to express the “joy” of Judas at finding his Master and again being “with him.”

Master – In the original, “Rabbi.” See the notes at Matthew 23:7.

Kissed him – Gave him the common salutation of friends when meeting after absence. This mode of salutation was more common among Eastern nations than with us.”

10.)  Fear of loneliness.

Fear of loneliness is also called Monophobia.

According to https://www.scienceofpeople.com/loneliness-statistics/

“Are you lonely? Loneliness is steadily rising in the United States, which has created a loneliness epidemic. Two thousand eighteen loneliness statistics show that 30% of older adults reported loneliness.Survey data from 2019 shows that 58% of Americans often felt like no one in their life knew them well. In 2020, young women in the US were most likely to report losing touch with friends. Most Americans are seeking more friendships and connectedness than ever.”

According to https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2024-02-01/loneliness-is-plaguing-americans-in-2024-poll

“THURSDAY, Feb. 1, 2024 (HealthDay News) — Americans are terribly lonely, a new poll reveals.

Among U.S. adults, about one in three said they feel lonely at least once a week. Worse, one in 10 Americans say they feel lonely every day, results show.

Younger people are more likely to experience loneliness, which is defined as a lack of meaningful or close relationships or sense of belonging, according to the American Psychiatric Association’s latest Healthy Minds Monthly Poll.

About 30% of respondents ages 18 to 34 said they feel lonely every day or several times a week.

The poll “confirms loneliness is widespread, especially in young people,” said APA President Dr. Petros Levounis.

“Doctors and other clinicians can make a major difference in their patients’ well-being and physical health when they ask about loneliness and how to mitigate its effects,” Levounis added in an APA news release. “Helping people feel less lonely is straightforward and deeply gratifying.”

The poll, which was conducted online from Jan. 10 to Jan. 12 among 2,200 adults, also found that:

Single adults are nearly twice as likely as married adults to feel lonely on a weekly basis, 39% versus 22%

About 50% of respondents ease their loneliness with distractions like TV, podcasts or social media

Another 41% said they go for a walk to feel less lonely, while 38% said they reach out to family or friends

Overall, 13% said they use drugs or alcohol to east their loneliness, with adults 18 to 34 more likely to use substances than those 45 to 64 (21% versus 8%).

Respondents’ highest sense of community and belonging comes from being among family (65%), friends (53%) or neighbors (20%).

The least helpful places to feel less lonely were online communities and discussion forums (3%), sports and recreational teams (4%), and gym or fitness classes (5%).”

According to https://www4.bing.com/search?q=what%20percentage%20of%20Anericans%20stay%20singles%20because%20unable%20%20to%20find%20mates&qs=n&form=QBRE&sp=-“Based on a national, random sampling of Americans 18 and older, they found that 50 percent of those 

single people are not interested in a committed 

romantic relationship, and they are not even 

interested in a date.”

According to https://usafacts.org/articles/state-relationships-marriages-and-living-alone-us/

“The number of unmarried men and women increased during the same time. In 2022, 37% of men and 31% of women had never been married. In 1990, 30% of men and 23% of women had never been married.

The shift is larger among Black and Hispanic people. In 1990, 43% of Black men had never been married. In 2022, it was 52%. During that period, the percent of Black women who were never married increased from 37% to 49%. For Hispanic women, it increased from 27% to 39%; the percent of Hispanic men who were never married increased from 37% to 46%.

In 1980, white men and women made up 80% of the US population and were the most likely demographic to be married.

According to heharrispoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Singles-in-America-Survey-January-2023-.pdf

“Top Highlights SINGLES IN AMERICA SURVEY • 117.6 million Americans or 46% of those aged 18 and over are single, according to the U.S. Census Bureau statistics • A quarter of Americans, including 35% of Gen Z, say “I am not looking for a relationship” • Eight in 10 Americans say that “you don’t need to get married to have a happy and fulfilling life,” with half of singles explicitly saying that they prefer to be alone, and that “singlehood is the most meaningful, authentic, and fulfilling way of life” • Almost seven in 10 (68%) believe that in our society, the stigma of being single is gradually diminishing, as half say “I’m noticing that more and more people in my circle are deliberately choosing to be single” • Single Americans enjoy having more time to focus on their passions, growth, and career, with 86% saying they love “having more time to pursue my interests and passions.” Many like the freedom to design a fulfilling lifestyle and financial autonomy, with 82% stating that they enjoy “not worrying about a partner’s debt or financial obligations” • Being single appears to help Americans navigate their finances, as seven in 10 say that “being single taught me how to work with my money really well” and a similar percentage say “I feel financially empowered and more in control by being single” • Three-quarters of Americans say that it can be more affordable to be in a relationship (e.g., splitting rent, bills, etc.), with eight in 10 singles saying they’d like to see the government offer more tax brakes for single people • Eight in 10 Americans believe that finding the right partner is harder than finding the right job • Six in 10 singles say that “dating is becoming an unaffordable luxury” • Inflation is impacting dating choices, as seven in 10 are choosing an activity, such as hiking, instead of going out to eat or drink, 55% are open to hosting a first date at home, and 44% are open to going on a virtual date • 41% of men say they wouldn’t be open to splitting the check due to rising inflation.”

Psa 25:16, “Turn to me and be gracious to me,

For I am lonely and afflicted.”

Loneliness is a grave affliction.

11.)  Fear of failure.

Fear of failure is also called Atychiphobia. If you ask students who take college entrance exams, if you ask students who take final exams, if you ask applicants who go for an interview, if you ask applicants who take a professional licensing exams, all have something in common, they worry about failing.

At a top American university, I said it was lucky we had final exams for two weeks. If we had final exams for three weeks, we all would have died of anxiety.

According to https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-fear-of-failure-5176202

“Characteristics of the Fear of Failure

A fear of failure can produce emotional and behavioral symptoms. Some of the common signs of this fear include:

• Anxiety
• Avoidance
• Feeling a loss of control
• Helplessness
• Powerlessness

In addition to emotional and behavioral symptoms, people with a fear of failure may also experience physical symptoms including rapid heart rate, chest tightness, trembling, dizziness, lightheadedness, sweating, and digestive problems.”

Psa 78:33, “So he ended their lives in failure,
their years in terror.”

Do you want not to end your life in failure?

Jesus says, Jhn 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly.”

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

•  The thief cometh not, but for to steal.—Comp. Notes on John 10:1; John 10:8. The description of the thief is opposed to that of the shepherd, who constantly goes in and out and finds pasture. His visits are but rare, and when he comes it is but for his own selfish purposes, and for the ruin of the flock. Each detail of his cruel work is dwelt upon, to bring out in all the baseness of its extent the corresponding spiritual truth.

I am come that they might have life.—More exactly, I came that they might have life. The pronoun should be emphasised. I came, as opposed to the thief. He does not further dwell upon the shepherd, but passes on to the thought of Himself, and thereby prepares the way for the thought of Himself as the Good Shepherd in the following verse. The object of His coming is the direct opposite of that of the thief, who comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. He came once for all, that in Him the sheep may have life. (Comp. John 6:50-51.) The Sinaitic MS. inserts the word “eternal” here—“that they might have life eternal.” The word is probably not part of the original text, and the thought is rather of the present spiritual life which every believer now hath, and which will issue in eternal life. But comp. Note on John 10:28.

And that they might have it more abundantly.—Better, and that they might have it abundantly. The word “more” is an insertion of the English version without any authority, and it weakens the sense. It is not that a greater is compared with a less abundance, but that the abundance of life which results through Christ’s coming is contrasted with the spiritual wants and death which He came to remove. This life is through Him given to men abundantly, overflowingly. We are reminded of the Shepherd-King’s Psalm singing of the “green pastures,” and “waters of rest,” and “prepared table,” and “overflowing cup”; and carrying all this into the region of the spiritual life we come again to the opening words of this Gospel, “And of His fulness did we all receive, and grace for grace” . . . “grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:16-17).”

12.)  Fear of the unknown.

Fear of the unknown is also called Xenophobia.

No one is able to know about his/her future. Tomorrow is unknown. Even the richest and most powerful man cannot be sure of his future. Whoever thought Assad of Syria would flee to Russia? The wisest scientist does not what would happen tomorrow.

According to https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0887618516300469

“Perhaps the earliest direct written reference to FOTU as the fundamental fear came from Lovecraft in 1927: “The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown” (as cited in Joshi & Schultz, 2001; p. 255). The quote remains relevant, with colloquialisms referencing not knowing as the worst part of distressing situations. FOTU tautologically does not require a priori learning; indeed, the first thing that could be feared would be “the perceived absence of information at any level of consciousness” (Carleton, 2016; p. 31). All other fears appear to require learning involving the perceived presence of perceived or recalled information (Bandura, 1965, Bandura, 1971, Mowrer, 1947, Muris et al., 2002, Pinker, 1997; Powell et al., 2012, Skinner, 1953).”

Why all mankind fear death? Because death is the greatest unknown.

13.)  Fear of darkness.

Fear of darkness is also called Nyctophobia. Children are more afraid of the dark or the night than adults.

Gen 1:4, “God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness.”

Darkness is by nature not good.

Exo 10:21, “Then the LORD said to Moses, “Reach out with your hand toward the sky, so that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even a darkness which may be felt.”

The worst kind of darkness is the kind which may be felt. I never had such experience.

Spiritual darkness is worse than physical darkness.

2Sa 22:29, “For You are my lamp, LORD;

and the LORD illuminates my darkness.”

Pulpit Commentary

Verses 29-31. –
“For thou, Jehovah, art my Lamp;
And Jehovah will make my darkness light.
For by thee do I run upon a troop;
In my God I leap over a wall.
God – his way is perfect;
The word of Jehovah is purified.
He is a Shield to all that trust in him.” Lamp. The lamp burning in the house is the proof of life and activity present there; and thus the extinguishing of the lamp means ruin and desolation (Job 21:17). So David is called “the lamp of Israel” (2 Samuel 21:17), because the active life of the nation centred in him. In a still higher sense the life and being of his people centres in God, and without him the soul is waste and void, like the universe before God said, “Let there be light.” I run. To the warrior in old time speed was as important as strength, and thus Homer constantly calls Achilles “fleet of foot.” It was his fleetness which gave Asahel a high place among the mighties (2 Samuel 2:18), and to this quality David now refers. The troop signifies a light armed band of marauders, whom with God’s aid David could overtake, and stop in their course of rapine. The wall means fortifications like those of Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:7). Sieges were tedious affairs in old time, but David had captured that city with a rapidity so great that the metaphor in the text is most appropriate. Purified; or, refined. This does not mean that it is proved by experience and found true, but that it is absolutely good and perfect like refined gold (see Psalm 12:6). 2 Samuel 22:29.”

Psa 18:28, “For You light my lamp;

The LORD my God illumines my darkness.”

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

• For thou dost light my lamp,
  Jehovah my God maketh my darkness bright.
  The burning lamp is a natural metaphor for the continuance of life and prosperity, derived, it is said, from the Oriental practice of keeping a light constantly burning in the tent or house, which symbolised the maintenance of the life and prosperity of the family. Cp. Job 18:6; Proverbs 13:9. The second line of the verse indicates that the figure here refers to the preservation of David’s own life, rather than to the permanence of his dynasty, as in Psalm 132:17; 1 Kings 11:36; 1 Kings 15:4.
  The text of 2 Sam. has “For thou art my lamp, O Lord.” Cp. Psalm 27:1.
  28–30. These general principles of God’s dealing with men are confirmed by David’s own experience.”

At least there are three kinds of darkness, physical darkness, mental darkness, and spiritual darkness. Physical darkness is easy to solve. Mental darkness is harder referring to people who do not have wisdom. Spiritual darkness is the worst, all who do have the knowledge of God, all who do not know Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Light of the world.

14.)  Fear of fire.

The fear of fire is also called Pyrophobia.

My mother when her house was on fire, her father was debilitating and paralyzed that he did not do anything.

The first vision of Moses had something to do with fire.

Exo 3:2, “Then the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not being consumed.”

This was how God led the people 22Israel through the wilderness.

Exo 13:21-22, “And the LORD was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, so that they might travel by day and by night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from the presence of the people.”

Exo 24:17, “And to the eyes of the sons of Israel, the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the mountain top.”

But the Lord God is not a fire God, to worship fire as God is wrong.

2Pe 3:6-7, “through which the world at that time was destroyed by being flooded with water. But by His Word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly people.”

When I told this Scriptures to a 12-year old girl, she was terrified that she cried. I had preached this Biblical truth many times, not one adult ever cried.

2Pe 3:12-13, “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! But according to His promise we are looking for new Heavens and a new Earth, in which righteousness dwells.”

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(12) Hasting unto.—There is no “unto” in the Greek. The margin is probably right, hasting the coming—i.e., hastening Christ’s coming by holy lives, by helping to make the Gospel known to all nations (Matthew 24:14), so as to “accomplish the number of the elect,” and by praying “Thy kingdom come.” (Comp. 2Timothy 4:8; Revelation 22:20.) The thought is singularly parallel to St. Peter’s speech in Solomon’s Porch (Acts 3:19-21, where see Notes); and as the thought is striking and unusual—perhaps nowhere else in the New Testament distinctly—this coincidence may fairly be admitted as a note of genuineness.”

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

•  Nevertheless we, according to his promise.—“Nevertheless” is too strong, and the emphasis is on “new,” not on “we.” But new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness, we look for, according to His promise. (Comp. Revelation 21:1.) On the repetition of “look for,” three times in three verses, see above on 2Peter 2:7. The promise of the new heavens and new earth is given in Isaiah 65:17; Isaiah 66:22. There are two words for “new” in Greek; one looks forward, “young” as opposed to “aged;” the other looks back, “fresh” as opposed to “worn out.” It is the latter word that is used. here and in Revelation 21:1-2. Both are used in Matthew 9:17, but the distinction is not marked in our version—“They put new wine into fresh wine-skins.”

Wherein dwelleth righteousness.—Comp. Isaiah 65:25; Revelation 21:27. Righteousness has its home there; is not a wanderer and changeful guest, as on earth, therefore by righteousness must ye make yourselves worthy of entering therein.

With this whole verse compare 1 Peter 1, where (2Peter 3:4) a similar thought is expressed with equal beauty, and where (2Peter 3:13) a similar conclusion is drawn from it. (See next verse.)

The coming of the day of God.—A phrase which occurs here only. It is doubly remarkable: (1) “coming,” in the special sense indicated by the particular word used in the Greek, is elsewhere used of Christ Himself, not of the day; (2) “the day of God” is a very unusual expression.

Wherein.—Rather, by reason of which, either “the day” or “the coming” being meant.

Shall melt.—“Melt” is here correct, being quite a different word from that rendered “melt” in 2Peter 3:10, which is the same as that here translated “be dissolved.” In the so-called Second Epistle of Clement (chap. 16) we have a somewhat similar passage—“The day of judgment cometh even now as a burning oven (Malachi 4:1), and [the powers] of the heavens shall melt, and all the earth as lead melting on the fire.”

15.)  Fear of crime.

Fear of crime is also called Scelerophobia. Most Americans are afraid of criminals who have guns to commit robbery, rape, or crime in general. Almost every crime in America is a violent crime.

Act 18:14, “But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of some crime or vicious, unscrupulous act, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to put up with you.”

Fear of crimes entails fear of gun violence. Fear of gun violence involves fear of criminals.  Fear of crime is actually fear of criminals. Laws that do not deter criminals are useless. Justice that does not deter criminals is useless.  There is a fierce and false religion that practices beheading Christians.

According to https://www.britannica.com/topic/crime-law/Classification-of-crimes

“All types of criminal codes account for a variety of crimes, including those generally committed by individuals or unorganized groups, as well as other modes of criminal activity. For discussions of particular crimes and types of criminal activity, see arson; assault and battery; bribery; burglary; child abuse; counterfeiting; cybercrime; drug use; embezzlement; extortion; forgery; fraud; hijacking; homicide; incest; kidnapping; larceny; organized crime; perjury; piracy; prostitution; rape; robbery; sedition; smuggling; terrorism; theft; treason; usury; and white-collar crime.”

16.)  Fear of ghosts.

Fear of ghosts may be called Phasmophobia or Spectrophobia.

You may think it is nothing. Even the disciples were afraid of ghosts. Mat 14:26, “When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear.”

Ghost in Greek is phantasma which means

an apparition, spectre (Strong’s Concordance); demon; spirit; — which occurs 2 times in the New Testament.

Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea,…. It being now morning, and perhaps might have moon light; and besides, there is always more light upon the water than land; they were able to discern something like a man, walking upon the surface of the sea, but had not light enough to distinguish what, or who it was; and, moreover, had no thought of Christ, or expectation of seeing him; and the appearance of a man walking upon the waters being so unusual, and astonishing,

they were troubled, saying it is a spirit: a nocturnal apparition, a demon in human form. The Jews, especially the sect of the Pharisees, had a notion, from whom the disciples might have their’s, of spirits, apparitions, and demons, being to be seen in the night; hence that rule (u),

“it is forbidden a man to salute his friend in the night, for we are careful, lest , “it should be a demon”.”

They say a great many things of one “Lilith”, that has its name from “the night”, a she demon, that used to appear in the night, with an human face, and carry off young children, and kill them. Some such frightful notions had possessed the minds of the disciples:

and they cried out for fear, as persons in the utmost consternation, in the greatest danger, and in want of help: the fear of spirits arises from the uncommonness of their appearance; from their superiority to men in power and strength; from the enmity there is between men and evil spirits; and from a general notion of their doing hurt and mischief: hence, demons are, by the Jews, called “hurtful”, or “hurting”, all their study being to do hurt to men; and the same word is here used in Munster’s Hebrew Gospel: add to all this, that the fear of the disciples might be increased, through a vulgar notion among seafaring men, that such sights are ominous, and portend evil to sailors; and they might the more easily be induced to give credit to this, and fear, since they were already in such imminent danger.”

Gen 25:8, “Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.”

Give up the ghost in Hebrew is gāvaʿ which means to expire and die; to breathe out one’s life; — which occurs 24 times in the Old Testament.

Pulpit Commentary

Verses 8-10. – Then Abraham gave up the ghost (literally, breathed out, a the breath of life), and died in a good old age, – literally, in a flood hoary age, i.e. “with a crown of righteousness upon his hoary head” (Hughes) – an old man, and full of years. Literally, and satiated, i.e. satisfied not merely with life and all its blessings, but with living. The three clauses give an elevated conception of the patriarch s life as that of one who had tasted all the sweets and realized all the ends of a mundane existence, and who accordingly was ripe and ready for transition to a higher sphere. And was gathered to his people. An expression similar to “going to his fathers” (Genesis 15:15, q.v.), and to “being gathered to one’s fathers” (Judges 2:10). “The phrase is constantly distinguished from departing this life and being buried, denotes the reunion in Sheol with friends who have gone before, and therefore presupposes faith in the personal continuance of a man after death” (Keil). Abraham died in the hope of a better country, even an heavenly (Hebrews 11:13-16). And his sons Isaac and Ishmael – Isaac as the heir takes precedence; but Ishmael, rather than the sons of Keturah, is associated with him at his father’s funeral; probably because he was not so distant as they from Hebron (Lunge), or because he was the subject of a special blessing, which they were not (Keil, Murphy); or perhaps simply Ishmael and Isaac united as the eldest sons to perform the last rites to a parent they revered (Kalisch). “Funerals of parents are reconciliations of children (Genesis 35:29), and differences of contending religionists are often softened at the side of a grave” (Wordsworth) – buried him (vide on Genesis 23:19) in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is before Mamre (vide on Genesis 23:3-20); the field which Abraham purchased of the sons of Heth (a repetition which augments the importance of the statement that Abraham did not sleep in a borrowed tomb): there was Abraham buried, and Sarah his wife. Genesis 25:8.”

The more superstitious a person is, the more he/she is afraid of ghosts. Many Chinese believe that a person who dies turns into a ghost or demon.

17.)  Fear of pain.

Fear of pain is also called Agliophobia. Even children know what pain is because they experience toothache and colic. Kidney stone pain makes you feeling you are going to die. Once I had kidney stone pain attack, the doctor gave me a shot with mild dosage. It was so painful that I told the doctor if he did not give me another shot, I shall fall down and die. I asked a young mother who experienced both kidney stone pain and labor pain, which was worse. She said kidney stone pain.

According to https://medlineplus.gov/heartattack.html#:~:text=A%20heart%20attack

“You should call, even if you are not sure that it is a heart attack.The most common symptoms in men and women are:

• Chest discomfort. It is often in center or left side of the chest. It usually lasts more than a few minutes. It may go away and come back. It can feel like pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain. It also can feel like heartburn or indigestion.
• Shortness of breath. Sometimes this is your only symptom. You may get it before or during the chest discomfort. It can happen when you are resting or doing a little bit of physical activity.
• Discomfort in the upper body. You may feel pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, shoulders, neck, jaw, or upper part of the stomach.

You may also have other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and lightheadedness. You may break out in a cold sweat. Sometimes women will have different symptoms then men. For example, they are more likely to feel tired for no reason.

The most common cause of heart attacks is coronary artery disease (CAD). With CAD, there is a buildup of cholesterol and other material, called plaque, on their inner walls or the arteries. This is atherosclerosis. It can build up for years. Eventually an area of plaque can rupture (break open). A blood clot can form around the plaque and block the artery.

A less common cause of heart attack is a severe spasm (tightening) of a coronary artery. The spasm cuts off blood flow through the artery.”

According to https://www4.bing.com/search?q=Clinical+description+of+a+stroke

“Symptoms of stroke include:

• Trouble speaking and understanding what others are saying. A person having a stroke may be confused, slur words or may not be able to understand speech.
• Numbness, weakness or paralysis in the face, arm or leg. This often affects just one side of the body. …
• Problems seeing in one or both eyes. …
• Headache. …
• Trouble walking. …”

Pro 14:13, “Even in laughter the heart may be in pain,

And the end of joy may be grief.”

In this world, your sinful body is your liability. In America you are the victims of the terrorism committed by doctors, hospitals, drug and insurance companies. Even saints must suffer until the Kingdom of Heaven comes when there will be no pain, no itch, no suffering, no death.

Rev 21:4, “and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”

Benson Commentary

Revelation 21:4-5. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes — Though here their tears have flowed plentifully, not one shall ever be found on the face of any of them; and there shall be no more death — This is a full proof that this whole description belongs to eternity and not to time. Neither shall sorrow, or crying, or pain be any more — Under the former heavens, and upon the former earth, there were death and sorrow, crying and pain; all which occasioned many tears. But now pain and sorrow are fled away, and the saints have everlasting life and joy; for the former things — All the mournful scenes, which were on earth so familiar to their eyes; are passed away — To return no more for ever. And he that sat upon the throne said — Not to St. John only; Behold, I make all things new — From the first mention of him that sat upon the throne, (Revelation 5:1) this is the first speech which is expressly ascribed to him. He is the author of this second, as he was of the first creation; and he commands these things to be written for the edification, support, and consolation of his people, with a full assurance of their certainty and importance. And he — The same person; saith to me, Write — Namely, as follows: These words are true and faithful — This includes all that went before. The apostle seems again to have ceased writing, being overcome with ecstasy and the voice of him that spake.”

If you want to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven, you must repent of your sins and believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as your Lord and Savior.

18.)  Fear of future.

Fear of future is also called Chronophobia. In particular to those who have no hope, the fear of what is to come is persistent. Unbelievers have no hope, and no future.

Luk 21:26, “people fainting from fear and the expectation of the things that are coming upon 

the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.”

Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

Men’s hearts failing them – This is an expression denoting the highest terror. The word rendered “failing” commonly denotes to “die,” and here it means that the terror would be so great that people would faint and be ready to die in view of the approaching calamities. And if this was true in respect to the judgments about to come upon Judea, how much more so will it be in the day of judgment, when the wicked will be arraigned before the Son of God, and when they shall have before them the prospect of the awful sufferings of hell – the pains and woes which shall continue forever! It will be no wonder, then, if they call on the rocks and mountains to hide them from the face of God, and if their hearts sink within them at the prospect of eternal suffering.”

19.)  Fear of worms.

Fear of worms is also called Scoleciphobia. By nature more girls are afraid of worms than boys. People who are afraid of worms may be due to their unhygienic conditions. There are people who are afraid of worms simply because of their appearance and motion.

Act 12:23, “And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died.”

According to https://a-z-animals.com/animals/worm/

“With over one million species, the bilateral symmetry of their elongated bodies makes them easy to identify. They can live on land and in the sea, moving along any surface with a slimy substance that comes from their skin. Worms are hermaphrodites, but they need a partner to reproduce.

Though the worm may seem harmless, many species have ways to hurt their predators with stinging or the release of poison.

There are too many species to list, but here is just a small sample of the different types of worms:

• Earthworm
• Hammerhead Worm
• Antarctic Scale Worm
• Flatworm
• Asian Jumping Worm
• Bootlace Worm”

Jesus warns of Hell,  

Mar 9:48, “where THEIR WORM DOES NOT DIE, AND THE FIRE IS NOT EXTINGUISHED.”

Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. This is repeated again, not only to assure the truth of the thing, but to raise the attention of the mind unto it, and fix an awful impression upon it: the Persic version renders it, “from whence thou shall never find redemption”: there is no redemption from hell, as Origen and others have thought.”

20.)  Fear of thunders and lightnings.

Fear of thunder and lightning is also called Brontophobia, Tonitrophobia, Ceraunophobia.

According to https://lutheranspokesman.org/2017/03/01/caught-in-a-storm-1504-1505/

“Have you ever been caught in a severe storm? It can make one feel alone and helpless. It can bring home the reality of mortality. Martin Luther experienced this when he was caught in a thunderstorm as he journeyed back to Erfurt after visiting his family in Mansfeld, a short distance away. The lightning struck so close to Luther that it may have knocked him down and injured his leg. To whom did he turn for help in this imminent danger? “Help me, St. Anne, I will become a monk.” Luther uttered these words on Wednesday, July 2, 1505. They were to change his life forever.”

Even Martin Luther was afraid of thunders and lightnings. Once there was a great thunder and lightning in my balcony, I was so afraid that I might be electrocuted.

Pharaoh was also afraid of thunder and hail that he said, Exo 9:28, “Plead with the LORD, for there has been enough of God’s thunder and hail; and I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer.”

Exo 19:16, “So it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud over the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled.”

I do not know anybody who would not tremble of thunder and lightning flashes.

Psa 77:18, “The voice of thy thunder was in the Heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.”

20.)  Fear of blood.

The fear of blood is also called Homophobia. That is why I cannot be a doctor. When I see blood gushing, I do not faint but I do not feel good and cannot function normally. I cannot use a surgical knife on a patient because I would feel pain first. There is only One Blood which is precious, and there is nothing to fear. Soap cannot cleanse you from all sin. Detergent cannot cleanse you from your sins. Nothing can cleanse you from your sins.

Rev 1:5, “and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the Firstborn of the dead, and the Ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood—”

1Jo 1:7, “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.”

Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

But if we walk in the light,…. Are persons enlightened by the Spirit of God, so as to have a true sight and sense of sin, to know Christ, and the way of salvation by him; and are children of the light, and are going on and increasing in spiritual light and knowledge; walk on in Christ, the light, by faith, and in the light and truth of the Gospel, and as becomes it, and as children of light; and as such who are called out of darkness into marvellous light:

as he is in the light; according to the light which he has given, who is light itself, is in it, and dwells in it. This “as” denotes not equality, but likeness: when this is the case, then it is a clear point, that

we have fellowship one with another; not with the saints, with the apostles, and other Christians, but with God: “we have mutual communion”, as the Arabic version renders it; God with us, and we with him. Some copies read, “with him”, as in 1 John 1:6; and such a reading the sense requires; and agreeably to this the Ethiopic version renders it, “and we are partakers among ourselves with him”; that is, we all jointly and mutually appear to be like him, and partake of his nature, and have communion with him; and not only so, but with his Son Jesus Christ, as appears from our having a share in the cleansing efficacy of his blood:

and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all sin: there is a pollution on human nature, which is original, natural, universal, and internal, and is such that nothing can remove but the blood of Christ; not ceremonial ablutions and sacrifices, nor moral duties, nor evangelical performances, or submission to Gospel ordinances, and particularly baptism, which is not the putting away the faith of the flesh; nor even the graces of the Spirit, no, not faith, no otherwise than as it has to do with this blood; for this cleansing is not to be understood of sanctification, for that more properly belongs to the Spirit of God, and besides, does not cleanse from all sin; for notwithstanding this, sin is in the saints: but either of the atonement of sin, by the sacrifice of Christ, and so of a complete justification from it by his blood, which is put for both his active and passive obedience, the one being finished in the other; or rather of the pardon of sin, procured by the blood of Christ, and the application of that blood to the conscience, which purges it from dead works, and which has a continued virtue in it for that purpose. Christ’s blood, being applied by the Spirit of God, has been always cleansing from sin; it had this virtue in it, and was of this use, even before it was actually shed, to the Old Testament saints; whence Christ is said to be the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world; and it has the same efficacy now as when first shed, and will have to the end of the world; and being sprinkled upon the conscience, by the Spirit of God, it takes away the sins of believers, and cleanses from them, as fast as the corruption of nature rises, or sins appear; and removes them out of their sight, and speaks peace to their souls; and which is owing, as to the dignity of Christ’s person and the value of his sacrifice, so to his continual intercession, advocacy, and mediation; and which reaches to all sin, original and actual, secret and open sins; sins of heart, thought, lip, and life; sins of omission and commission, greater or lesser sins, committed against light and knowledge, grace and mercy, law and Gospel, all but the sin against the Holy Ghost; and in this Christ was the antitype of the scape goat, of which the Jews say (g), that

“it atoned for all the transgressions of the law, whether small or great, sins of presumption, or of ignorance, known, or not known, which were against an affirmative or negative command, which deserved cutting off (by the hand of God), or death by the sanhedrim.”

the Arabic and Ethiopic versions render it, “from all our sins”; and this must be ascribed to the greatness of his person, as the Son of God; wherefore the emphasis lies on these words, “his Son”: the Son of God, who is equal with God, and is truly and properly God: as it must be the blood of man that must, according to the law, be shed, to atone for and expiate sin, and cleanse from it, and that of an innocent man, who is holy, harmless, and without sin; so it must not be the blood of a mere man, though ever so holy, but the blood of one that is God as well as man; see Acts 20:28. The divine nature of the Son of God, being in union with the human nature, put virtue into his blood to produce such an effect, which still continues, and will, as long as there is any occlusion for it.”

21.)  Fear of death.

Fear of death is also called Thanatophobia. Fear of s death is the fear of all fears. Chinese people are superstitious, it is neither auspicious nor propitious to talk about death. When I was a professor at a Chinese university, I noticed the custom of the local people. A poor man who died had little music. A more important and richer person died had big and loud music. In Israel, the days of weeping and mourning depend on the importance of an individual. Deu 34:8, “So the sons of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab for thirty days; then the days of weeping and mourning 

for Moses came to an end.”

I do not know any culture that explains the reason why people die. All cultures assume man is mortal.

Rom 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Only Christianity explains the wages of sin is death.

Rom 7:5, “For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were brought to light by the Law, were at work in the parts of our body to bear fruit for death.”

Heb 2:14-15, “Therefore, since the children share in 

flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, so that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,

and free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.”

Benson Commentary

Hebrews 2:14-15. Forasmuch then as the children — Believers, who are Christ’s spiritual seed; are partakers of flesh and blood — Of human nature with all its infirmities; he also took part of the same — See on Php 2:8; that through his own death, he might destroy the tyranny of him that had — By God’s permission; the power of death — The power of bringing death on all mankind by tempting our first parents to sin. Hence he is called a murderer from the beginning, and a liar, and the father of it, John 8:41. It is observable that the power of death, ascribed to the devil, is called κρατος, and not εξουσια, because he had no right to it. It was a power usurped by guile. And all the baneful effects of this power Christ at the resurrection will remove, as far as they relate to the righteous. The word καταργηση, rendered that he might destroy, properly signifies, that he might render ineffectual. “Since the Son of God is said to have partaken of the flesh and blood of the children in the same manner that they themselves partake of these, namely, by being born of a woman; and since he was born into the world in that manner, to render him capable of dying, that through his death in the flesh he might frustrate the malicious contrivance of the devil, who first introduced death into the world; we are thereby taught that he is the seed of the woman, which at the fall was promised to bruise the head of the serpent; and that the serpent who deceived Eve was not a natural serpent, but the devil, who, because he assumed the form of a serpent on that occasion, is called (Revelation 20:2) the great dragon, or serpent; and that old serpent, the devil. See on 2 Corinthians 11:3. The intention of the devil, in seducing our first parents, was to destroy them, and thereby put an end to the human species. This malicious design the Son of God rendered ineffectual, by assuming our nature, and in that nature dying as a sacrifice for sin.” — Macknight. And — By his death making atonement for their sins, and procuring for them pardon and holiness; that is, both justification and sanctification, both a title to heaven and a meetness for it, and also an earnest of it by the Holy Spirit in their hearts, he delivers them — Even all who are made God’s children by faith in him; who — Before they received this deliverance; were all their life-time, through tormenting fear of death, subject to bondage — In a slavish uncomfortable state of mind. And every man fears death, more or less, who is not savingly acquainted with, and united to Christ; who is not justified through faith in his blood, and regenerated by the influence of his Spirit, and therefore is not begotten again to a lively hope of a heavenly inheritance. Death is unwelcome to him if he knows what death is. But he delivers all true believers from this bondage.”

Fear of death is probably the fear of all fears.

Many people are so afraid of death that they through

fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.

Fear of death can subject a person to slavery all his life. Jesus Christ who is life and resurrection can deliver believers from this bondage.

1Co 15:26, “The last enemy that will be abolished is death.”

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.

Job 19:25, “Yet as for me, I know that my 

Redeemer lives, and at the last, He will take His stand on the earth.”

Benson Commentary

Job 19:25. For I know, &c. — Job proceeds now to assign the reason of his confidence in the goodness of his cause, and of his willingness to have the matter depending between him and his friends published and submitted to any trial. I know that my Redeemer liveth — I have no knowledge, nor confidence, nor hope of being restored to the prosperities of this life; yet this one thing I know, which is much more comfortable and considerable, and therein I rejoice, though I be now a dying man, and in a desperate condition for this life; I know that I have a living and powerful Redeemer to plead my cause, and vindicate my person from all severe and unjust censures, and to give sentence for me: a Redeemer, whom I call mine, because I have a particular interest in him, and he hath a particular care of me. Hebrew, ידעתי גאלי חי, jadangti goali chai, I know my living Redeemer; that is, My Redeemer is living, is now living, and I know him: I am acquainted, truly, experimentally, and savingly acquainted with him, because he hath revealed himself to me, and hath given me an understanding to know him. Remember, reader, this knowledge of him, this acquaintance with him, is absolutely necessary to thy salvation. But what Redeemer, and what deliverance, does Job speak of in this and the two following verses? Answer: Some late interpreters understand this passage metaphorically, of God’s delivering Job out of his afflictions and troubles, and restoring him to his former splendour and happiness in this world; it being, they say, a usual thing in Scripture, to call eminent dangers and calamities death, and great and glorious deliverances a quickening or resurrection. But most interpreters, both ancient and modern, understand it of Christ, and of his resurrection, and of Job’s resurrection to life by his power and goodness. And this seems most probable, for many reasons: 1st, Because a proper and literal interpretation of any passage of Scripture is always to be preferred before the metaphorical, where it suits with the text and with other passages. 2d, Because the Hebrew word, גאל, goel, here used, although sometimes used of God, absolutely or essentially considered, yet most properly agrees to Jesus Christ: for this word is primarily spoken of the next kinsman, whose office it was to redeem, by a price paid, the sold or mortgaged estate of his deceased kinsman, Leviticus 25:25; and to revenge his death, Numbers 35:12, and to maintain his name and honour by raising up a seed to him, Deuteronomy 25:5. All which most fitly agrees to Christ, who is our nearest kinsman and brother, as having taken our nature upon him, Hebrews 2:11; who hath redeemed that everlasting inheritance which our first parents had utterly lost, by the price of his own blood; and hath revenged the death of mankind upon the contriver of it, the devil, by destroying him and his kingdom; and hath taken a course to preserve our name, and honour, and persons, to eternity. 3d, Because Job was so far from having a firm confidence, such as is here expressed, that he had not the least degree of hope of any such temporal restoration as that which his friends promised him, as we have often observed in his former discourses, as Job 16:22; Job 17:12-13. And, therefore, that hope which every righteous man hath in his death, and which Job often professes that he had, must necessarily have been fixed on his happiness in a future life. 4th, Because this is a more lofty and spiritual strain than any in Job’s former discourses; which generally savour of dejection and diffidence, and either declare or increase his grief; whereas, this puts him into another and much better temper. And, therefore, it is well observed, that after he uttered these expressions we meet not with any such impatient or despairing passages as we had before, which shows that he was now inspired with new life and comfort. 5th, Because this well agrees with several other passages in this book; wherein Job declares that, although he had no hope as to this life, and the comforts thereof, yet he had a hope beyond death, which made him profess, Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him, Job 13:15. Trust in him for what? Surely, for comfort and happiness. Where? Not in this life, for that he supposes to be lost; therefore it must have been in the next life. And this was one reason why he so vehemently desired death, because he knew it would bring him unto God, and unto true felicity. And this his hope and confidence in God, and in his favour to him, Job opposes to those foul and false aspersions which his friends had cast upon him, as if he had forsaken God, and cast off all fear of him, and hope in him. But it is objected, How is it credible, that Job, in those ancient times, and in that dark state of the church, should know these great mysteries of Christ’s incarnation, and of the resurrection and life to come? Answer, 1st, The mystery of the Messiah’s incarnation was revealed to Adam by that first and noted promise, that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent’s head, Genesis 3:15; which, being the only foundation of his hopes, for the recovery and salvation of himself and of all his posterity, he would doubtless carefully and diligently explain, as need required, to those that descended from him. 2d, That the ancient patriarchs and prophets were generally acquainted with these doctrines is undeniably evident, from Hebrews 11. and 1 Peter 1:9-12. 3d, Particularly Abraham, from whom Job is supposed to have descended, had the promise made to him, that Christ should come out of his loins, Genesis 12:3; and is said to have seen Christ’s day, and to have rejoiced to see it, John 8:56; and had his hopes and desires fixed upon a divine and heavenly city and country, Hebrews 11:10; Hebrews 11:16. And as Abraham knew and believed these things himself, so it is manifest that he taught them to his children and servants, Genesis 18:19, and to his kindred and others, as he had occasion; and, therefore, it cannot seem strange that Job professes his faith and hope in these things.
That my Redeemer liveth — I am a dying man, and my hopes as to this life are dying, but he liveth, and that for ever; and, therefore, though I die, yet he both can and will make me to live again in due time, though not in this world, yet in the other, which is much better. And, though I am now highly censured and condemned by my friends as a great dissembler and secret sinner, whom God’s hand hath found out; yet there is a day coming wherein my cause shall be pleaded, and my name and honour vindicated from all these reproaches, and my integrity brought to light. And that he shall stand in the latter day — In the days of the Messiah, or of the gospel, which are often called the latter or last days, or times, as Isaiah 2:2; Hosea 3:5; Joel 2:28; compared with Acts 2:17; 1 Timothy 4:1; and 2 Timothy 3:1; Hebrews 1:1. Or at the day of the general resurrection and judgment, which, as those holy patriarchs well knew, and firmly believed, was to be at the end of the world; for this was the time when Job’s resurrection, of which he here speaks, was to take place. So that, in these words, Job may either be considered as professing his faith in the incarnation of the Messiah; that, as certainly as he then lived, as God was in existence, and had been from eternity, he should, in due time, be made man, and stand in human nature upon the earth: or, that he should rise out of the dust, and stand up the first-fruits of them that sleep, by his resurrection. Or he may refer to the day of general resurrection and final judgment, which, as those holy patriarchs well knew and firmly believed, was to be at the end of the world; and which is often termed the last day: see John 6:39-54; John 11:24; John 12:48; 1 Peter 1:5. Then shall Christ appear and stand upon the earth, or dust, as עפר, gnaphar, properly means; namely, the dust in which his saints and members lie or sleep, whom he will raise up out of it. And therefore he is fitly said to stand upon the dust, or the grave, or death; because then he will subdue and put that, among other enemies, under his feet, as it is expressed 1 Corinthians 15:25 : or, as the Hebrew, ואחרון על עפר יקום, vaacharon gnal gnaphar jakum, may properly be rendered, The last, or he, the last, shall arise, or stand up against the dust, and fight with it, and rescue the bodies of the saints, which are held in it as prisoners, from its dominion and territories.”

The days are coming when Jesus Christ shall return in glory and power.

Rom 6:9, “knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him.”

1Jo 2:17, “The world is passing away and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God continues to live forever.”

No one can intend to live forever.

The saints will live forever in the Kingdom of Heaven.

You can have eternal life and inherit the Kingdom of Heaven if you repent of your sins and believe in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

In summary, if you fear and know God, you have nothing to fear. Psa 56:9, “Then my enemies will turn back on the day when I call; this I know, 

that God is for me.”

Psa 56:11, “in God I trust, I am not afraid. 

What can mere men do to me?”

Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

In God have I put my trust,…. See Gill on Psalm 56:4;I will not be afraid what man can do unto me; the same with flesh in Psalm 56:4, and is opposed to God, in whom he trusted; and it suggests that he was not, and would not, be afraid of the greatest of men, as well as of the meanest; See Gill on Psalm 56:4; Arama distinguishes between “flesh” and “man”; the former, he says, means the Philistines, and the latter Saul and his army.”

2Ti 4:18, “The Lord will rescue me from every 

evil deed, and will bring me safely to His Heavenly Kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 18. – The Lord for and the Lord, A.V. and T.R.; will for shall, A.V.; save for preserve, A.V.; the glory for glory, A.V. Deliver me… save me (see preceding note). The language here is also very like that of the Lord’s Prayer: Ῥῦσαι ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ τοῦ πονηροῦ σοῦ γὰρ ἐστιν ἡ βασιλεία… καὶ δόξα εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας Ἀμήν (Matthew 6:13). Every evil work. Alford goes altogether astray in his remarks on this passage. Interpreted by the Lord’s Prayer, and by its own internal evidence, the meaning clearly is, “The Lord, who stood by me at my trial, will continue to be my Saviour. He will deliver me from every evil design of mine enemies, and from all the wiles and assaults of the devil, in short, from the whole power of evil, and will bring me safe into his own kingdom of light and righteousness.” There is a strong contrast, as Bengel pithily observes, between “the evil work” and “his heavenly kingdom.” A triumphant martyrdom is as true a deliverance as escape from death. Compare our Lord’s promise, “There shall not an hair of your head perish” (Luke 21:18 compared with ver. 16). St. Paul’s confidence simply is that the Lord would, in his own good time and way, transfer him from this present evil world, and from the powers of darkness, into his eternal kingdom of light and righteousness. 2 Timothy 4:18”

A person’s goodness or badness, cleverness or stupidity, has direct relationship with his/her thought or thinking. To all oppressors, masochists and murderers, I want them to remind the Word of Jesus,  Mar 9:48, “where 

THEIR WORM DOES NOT DIE, AND THE FIRE IS NOT EXTINGUISHED.”

No matter what you had done or what you had achieved, if you ended up in Hell, that is the greatest failure. This is written to let you know, repent of your sins and believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you may have your sins forgiven, and inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.

To receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior is to receive the eternal life.  

WILLIE WONG THOUGHT
WILLIE WONG
AUGUST 8, 2025
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