It is wrong to ask what is God? For God is not a thing. It is also wrong to ask who is God? For God is not a man. Scientists do not know God and so avoid the subject of God. But God is not a subject. This article is written to let you know God is who God is. For God says, I AM WHO I AM. It is better at the outset to state that science is ignorant about God. God is beyond science. Science does not know anything about the spiritual, supernatural, invisible, absolute, ultimate and eternal. As far as philosophy is concerned, no philosopher would claim to be an expert in the spiritual, invisible, absolute, ultimate and eternal. Philosophers can speculate in many realities which cannot be verified. The Holy Bible says, Psa 14:1, “For the choir director. A Psalm of David.
The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds;
There is no one who does good.” A fool does not know what he is saying when he has said in his heart, “There is no God.” It is like a blind man who says there is no sun because he cannot see it. The following historical account illustrates how a story can evolve beyond fact: Mat 28:11, “Now while they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. And when they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, and said, “You are to say, ‘ His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’ “And if this should come to the governor’s ears, we will win him over and keep you out of trouble. ” And they took the money and did as they had been instructed ; and this story was widely spread among the Jews, and is to this day. ” And so the real Resurrection of Jesus Christ was distorted by the soldiers who were paid a large sum of money to lie about the disciples of Jesus Christ came by night and stole the body away while they were asleep. For example, Western mass media are paid by Western powers and special interests to publish fake news, fake reports, fake views, false accusations, disinformation, etc. to target, tarnish, smear, and slander countries, peoples, individuals and corporations like Huawei that they don’t like or they view as national threats to them. No cathedral, no library, no monument, no science, no man, no angel, no organization, nothing can tell the whole story of God. Jesus Christ came into the world to reveal God the Father. The Word of God tells all the things about God. Note: When Jesus rose from the dead, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from Heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it, whose appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. The guards shook for fear of the angel and became like dead men. Some of the guards came into Jerusalem and reported to the chief priest all that had happened. The chief priests and the elders gave a large sum of money to the soldiers and told them what to say: The disciples of Jesus came by night and stole Him away while they were asleep. You know in ancient time what would happen to soldiers (the guards) who were asleep on their job? Execution. The chief priests and the elders guaranteed to win the governor over and keep them out of trouble. So the guards took the money and did as they had been instructed. Thus the fake story (a fictitious narrative) of Jesus’ disciples stealing His body away by night was widely spread among the Jews. Even today, a large sum of money can do many evil deeds. For trillions of dollars, executives of Washington, Wall Street, Hollywood, military-industrial-security complex, corrupt doctors and hospital owners, drug and insurance companies have done much evil in the world. Western mass media are paid agents of their governments to spread fake news, fake reports and fake views about other countries and peoples they do not like. Humanly speaking, I am not worthy to tell the Story of God, His Story. Because the secular academics and atheists blaspheme against the Almighty God of the universe and deny His existence, I am compelled to acknowledge the Incorruptible and Eternal God in a “story” in a true positive sense of narrative, in the Greek sense of logos, a narration of exact truth, and nothing but the truth–to glorify God. What is presented here is entirely based on the Word of God, not opinions of man. I pray that you may come to know God, or rather to be known by God. This is such as huge subject, but God is not a subject. This will be the greatest story, but God is not a story. I say all this beforehand, so that it will not be misunderstood. I am not worthy to tell the story of God, His Story. But I am trying to rightly present the Word of God in telling the story of God, the things about God. Since I use the Word of God to tell the Story of God, it cannot be wrong. The Scripture cannot be broken.
Deu 29:29, “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law. ” Note: There are three kinds of things: the secret things, the revealed things and the knowable things. Secret in Hebrew is cathar which means concealed; hidden; covered over; beyond general knowledge or understanding; mysterious; – which occurs 82 times in the Old Testament. The secret things belong to the Lord our God. What God has hidden, no man can find out. Revealed in Hebrew is galah which means uncovered; discovered; open; disclosed; appeared; manifested; made known through divine inspiration; plain; – which occurs 271 times in the Old Testament. The things God revealed to men are written in the Holy Bible through enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ came into the world to reveal God and the things pertaining to God. It does not mean man by nature knows automatically the revealed things. Unlike the secrets things which cannot be known, the revealed things can be known by man through faith. God revealed things to mankind which is written in the Holy Bible. The knowable things usually can be inquired by science, senses and research.
Act 3:21, “whom Heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time. ” Note: This is a historical fact that God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.
1Co 1:27-29 , “but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God. ”
Note: God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers claim to be wise. Shame in Greek is kataischynō which means to confound; to put to shame; to dishonor; to disgrace; to make ashamed; – which occurs 16 times in the New Testament. Base in Greek is agenēs which means low born; ignoble; low or inferior; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Nullify in Greek is katargeō which means to destroy; do away; abolish; cease; to render inoperative; to put an end to; to pass away; to terminate; to bring to nought; to make void; to vanish away; which occurs 38 times in the New Testament. Those who consider themselves wise and strong, the establishment – God can simply nullify them. Where are the great empires and mighty rulers now? Boast in Greek kauchaomai which means to glory; rejoice; to vaunt; to speak of oneself with excessive pride; to exalt oneself; – which occurs 39 times in the New Testament. What man can boast before God since he does not even know when he is going to die? The knowledge of a man cannot save him from death.
1Co 2:14 , “But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. ”
Note: Natural in Greek is psychikos which means sensual; of or belonging to breath; having the nature and characteristics of breath; the principal of animal life, which men have in common with the brutes; the sensuous nature with its subjection to appetite and passion; the lower and bestial nature; an earthly nature in harmony with the corrupt desires of flesh and lust; ungodly; formulated by human reason alone rather than revelation; – which occurs 6 times in the New Testament. Accept in Greek is dechomai which means to receive willingly; to take up; not to refuse; to give ear to; to learn; to embrace; – which occurs 56 times in the New Testament. For whatever they may claim to be, secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers are natural men who do not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to them, and they cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. Appraise in Greek anakrinō which means to examine; to judge; to search; to discern; to investigate; to scrutinize; to inquire into; to determine; to evaluate; – which occurs 19 times in the New Testament. The judgment of a natural man is faulty and fallible. The natural man is equipped with the wrong tools to appraise the spiritual things; like a man is using a telescope to examine diamonds, or using a microscope to study the stars. Here the mismatch is as vast as the earth, as high as the sky.
The word “God” occurs 4,458 times in the KJV.
I. THE ETERNAL SELF-EXISTENCE OF GO
When a man walks on a sunny day in a plain and shouts where is the sun, he must be blind or worse. It is even more blasphemous, malicious and vicious for a creature to deny the existence of the Creator. Just as the shining sun is self-evident, so God the Almighty is Self-Evident eternally. When the Sun of Righteousness shines upon a man, his response is to bow down and worship to acknowledge the Light of life. Even a dog instinctively acknowledges and greets its master, but a natural man does not know God. Man’s ultimate concern toward God needs not to be religious, it must be pious. In comparison to all earthly and ordinary realities, God is absolutely and supremely real, valuable, eternal and wonderful that all worldly things appear empty, meaningless and vain. God is optimally so great, glorious, holy, perfect, marvelous, and righteous that nothing is comparable or conceivable. Therefore, it is absurd and ridiculous to argue or question the existence of God.
Exo 3:13 -15, “Then Moses said to God, “Behold, I am going to the sons of Israel, and I will say to them, The God of your fathers has sent me to you.’ Now they may say to me, ‘What is His name?’ What shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “ I AM WHO I AM ”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, I AM has sent me to you.’ God, furthermore, said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is My memorial-name to all generations. ”
Note: Name in Hebrew is shem which means fame; reputation; glory; the Name (as designation of God); memorial; monument; a mark of memorial or individuality; the distinct designation of a person of thing; – which occurs 852 times in the Old Testament. ‘ I AM WHO I AM ” apparently implies ‘ GOD IS WHO GOD IS ’. GOD exists in Himself eternally and sufficiently. GOD IS, GOD WAS, AND GOD IS eternally the same. God’s existence does not depend on anyone or anything else. For GOD HAS LIFE IN HIMSELF , not contingent upon anyone or anything or circumstances. The Holy Bible does not exactly explain the meaning of “ I AM WHO I AM ’; for natural man cannot understand God. However, it is safe and sound to let the Bible interpret itself.
The name of God does not have a metaphysical meaning. To say the Name of God has a metaphysical meaning is to have a private interpretation. 1Co 2:13 , “which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.” Not many knows how to combine spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.
Christianity is the revealed religion of God, not a school of philosophy. No man has the right to speculate on what the Bible does not say. Anyone who pretends to know what he does not know is an impostor and a fool. I do not have issue with God’s Name. No one can take issue with the Name of God. We can only respect and revere the Name of God. Mal 3:6, “For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed. ” God does not change. No circumstances, no events, nothing can change God. In fact that ‘ I AM WHO I AM ’ is used constantly and eternally in the present confirms the Scripture, Rev 1:8 , “ I AM the Alpha and the Omega ,” says the Lord God, “ Who is and Who was and Who is to come, the Almighty.” Thus, the Bible interprets itself.
No man can rightly say, “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul. ” Only the Eternal Self-Existent, Self-Sufficient Almighty God can say, ‘ I AM WHO I AM. ’ This is God’s memorial-name to all generations. Memorial in Hebrew is zeker which means remembrance; praise; commemoration; celebration; an object of honor; something to preserve remembrance; – which occurs 23 times in the Old Testament. The Chinese is guilty of calling God, “the Old Heavenly Father.” God is eternal, not old. For GOD IS WHO GOD IS. God exists, and God always exists. The existence of God is not defined or restricted by time and space or event. God is all our resources–God is able, God is faithful, God is present, God is holy, God is true, God is for us. As the Scripture says, Psa 9:10 , “And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, for You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.” I want you to know that I put my trust in God.
God has many names and titles written in the Bible. It is not God is there, God is also here, and God is everywhere. Nothing exists before or behind God.
It seems ‘ I AM WHO I AM’ of the Old Testament is the same ‘ I AM ’ of the New Testament. For Jesus says, Jhn 10:30, “I and the Father are One.” Jhn 8:58 , “ Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I AM.” Also, Jhn 14:6 , “ Jesus said to him, “I AM the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. ” Heb 13:8, “ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. ” And again, Jhn 10:30 , “ I and the Father are ONE. ” Jesus and God are ONE. God is ONE, there is no other. Jhn 17:22 , “The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are ONE .” The Holy Father, the Holy Son, and the Holy Spirit are ONE.
Jhn 14:11, “Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves.” Jesus speaks of the great mystery of God.
Job 11:7 , “Can you discover the depths of God?
Can you discover the limits of the Almighty? ”
Note: Atheists avoid the two questions cited above by simply denying the existence of God. The truth is, no one can discover the depths of God. No one can discover the limits of the Almighty. For the Almighty God has no limits or limitations.
Psa 10:3-4 , “For the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire,
And the greedy man curses and spurns the LORD. The wicked, in the haughtiness of his countenance, does not seek Him.
All his thoughts are, “There is no God.”
Note: Wicked in Hebrew is rasha` which means ungodly; one hostile to God; bad person; unrighteous man; guilty person; evil man; – which occurs 293 times in the Old Testament. Boast in Hebrew is halal which means to glory; praise; shine; celebrate; make a show; rave; stultify; to praise oneself excessively; – which occurs 183 times in the Old Testament. The wicked boasts of his heart’s desire. To be greedy in Hebrew is batsa` which means to gain by unrighteous violence; to be covetous; to gain wrongfully or by violence; to plunder figuratively; to tear in pieces; to spoil; to get gain; to despoil others; – which occurs 24 times in the Old Testament. The greedy American doctors, hospital owners, drugs and medical suppliers, insurance companies plunder and bankrupt millions of patients. Curse in Hebrew is barak which means to blaspheme, to use impious words against God; – which occurs 332 times in the Old Testament. Spurn in Hebrew is na’ats which means to despise; to provoke; abhor; blaspheme; contemn; scorn; to deride; to reject with contempt and derision; to speak evil; – which occurs 24 times in the Old Testament. It is a well-known fact that secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers deny Jesus Christ is the Son of God, curse and spurn the Lord. Haughtiness in Hebrew is gobahh which means pride; loftiness; grandeur; elation; arrogance; – which occurs 16 times in the Old Testament. The wicked, in the haughtiness of his countenance, does not seek God. All his thoughts are, “There is no God.”
Psa 14:1, “For the choir director. A Psalm of David.
The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds;
There is no one who does good. ”
Note: A fool who says there is no God is corrupt, abominable, and no good. Fool in Hebrew is nabal which means foolish man; vile person; senseless person; stupid man; impious person; a person lacking wisdom; – which occurs 20 times in the Old Testament. To corrupt in Hebrew is shachath which means to destroy; to go to ruin; decay; spoil; ruin; pervert; batter; cast off; mar; waste; degrade; rot; – which occurs 164 times in the Old Testament. The fool has said in his heart, not in his mind, “There is no God.” It is possible the fool may know there is God in his mind, but refuses to admit God in his heart because his deeds are evil. Abominable in Hebrew is ta`ab which means abhorrent; detestable; loathsome; – which occurs 27 times in the Old Testament. Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds in denying the divinity of Jesus Christ and existence of God. There is no one who does good.
Psa 68:33, “To Him who rides upon the highest Heavens, which are from ancient times;
Behold, He speaks forth with His voice, a mighty voice. ”
Note: God speaks with a mighty voice through His creation, through His prophets and holy men, and finally through His Son Jesus Christ.
Pro 8:23 , “From everlasting I was established,
From the beginning, from the earliest times of the earth. ”
Note: God is from everlasting to everlasting. God is.
Isa 46:10, “Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘ My purpose will be established ,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure.”
Note: God knows the end from the beginning, for that reason God can declare the end from the beginning. Purpose in Hebrew is `etsah which means counsel, advice, purpose; plan; prudence; intention or aim; determination; resolution; – which occurs 88 times in the New Testament. Establish in Hebrew is quwm which means to accomplish; stand up; perform; rise up; confirm; abide; endure; persist; to fulfill; to set up; to carry out; to make good; to bring into existence; to succeed; – which occurs 630 times in the Old Testament. Accomplish in Hebrew is `asah which means to do; execute; make; to act with effect; to come to pass; to complete; – which occurs 2,642 times in the Old Testament. God will establish His purpose. God does whatever He pleases. God will accomplish His good pleasure. No one can withstand, defy or thwart God.
Mat 5:36 , “Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. ”
Note: I often wonder why secular academics and atheists are so arrogant. They cannot even make one hair white or black. Liars can dye their hair!
Mat 6:27 , “And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? ”
Note: No matter who he is, rich and powerful, he cannot add a single hour to his life.
Jhn 6:64 , “But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. ”
Note: Jesus Christ had two natures, divine and human. Due to His human nature, Jesus was hungry or thirsty. But because of His divinity, Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. Consequently, Jhn 2:24-25, “But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man. ” Entrust in Greek is pisteuō which means to put in trust with; to commit to one’s trust; to believe; to put confidence in; to have faith in; to trust; to confer a trust on; – which occurs 244 times in the New Testament. Jesus knew all men and so He was not entrusting Himself to them. Jesus knew what was in man. There is nothing good dwells in man, that is in his flesh. Men may outwardly appear righteous, inside they are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness, uncleanness and self-indulgence. The Almighty God does not depend on anyone or anything. God is eternally Self-Sufficient.
Rom 1:19-22, “because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools.”
Note: Evident in Greek is phaneros which means manifest openly; apparent; plainly recognized or known; clear to the vision or understanding; obvious; easily seen or understood; – which occurs 20 times in the New Testament. The Bible claims that which is known about God is evident within them, for God made it evident to them. God is invisible. Through creation of the world God’s invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, can be clearly seen without excuse. God can be understood by the things He has created. Without excuse in Greek is anapologētos which means without defense; inexcusable; that which cannot defended; indefensible; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament. Thus, secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers did not honor God, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened by the smoke of the Bottomless Pit and blinded by the Devil. Professing to be wise, they became fools who said in their heart, there is no God.
1Co 1:20 , “ Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ”
Note: God has made foolish the wisdom of the world. Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers represent the wisdom of the world. American and European white supremacists represent the world.
Heb 1:3 , “He reflects the Glory of God and bears the very stamp of His nature, upholding the universe by His Word of power. When He had made purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”
Note: It is Jesus Christ who is the Glory of God, upholding the universe by His Word of power, not by gravity. By the way, do scientists know who created gravity? Of course, they may say again, Big Bang!!!
Rev 21:6 , “Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. ”
Note: The attitudes of man do not determine or measure the attributes of God. Whatever a man thinks of God does not influence who God is one bit. Ultimate concern of God is not influenced by whatever form a or any religious community may take toward God. Christianity requires complete obedience of believers or followers to the will of God, and at the same time grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ in conforming to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. Whatever the conception or conviction of a religious community does not alter or affect how God is to be worshiped. Jesus Christ says, Jhn 4:24 , “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” Apparently, the Roman Catholic Church wrongfully determines the form how its followers worship God. In the Christian Church, Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, has the absolute highest authority. The Holy Bible, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, has authority over any church or man.
The highest regard of divine reality in the Christian faith is personal. Christianity is the personal relations of Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior, with His believers and followers. Jesus Christ is my Lord and my God. Jhn 7:38, “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.” Jhn 11:25, “ Jesus said to her, “I AM the Resurrection and the Life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies. ” Jhn 12:44, “And Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, does not believe in Me but in Him who sent Me. ” Jhn 14:11, “Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves.” Jhn 14:20 , “In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. ” Jesus Christ is in God the Father, Christians are in Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ is in Christians. This is a great mystery.
Exo 15:2 , “The LORD is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation;
This is my God , and I will praise Him;
My father’s God, and I will extol Him. ”
All Christians from the beginning to the end of the world believe God is Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient, and all good and holy and righteous. There are no disagreements over the divine attributes.
Job 28:24 , “For He looks to the ends of the Earth
And sees everything under the Heavens. ”
Note: There is nothing that blocks the vision of God. God looks to the ends of the Earth and sees everything under the Heavens. Nothing is hidden from God. White and black supremacists, you cannot escape the sovereignty and judgement of God.
Rev 19:6 , “And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!”
Note: God is Omnipotent. Omnipotent in Greek is pantokratōr which means Almighty; the all-ruling; the ruler of all; He who hold sways over all things; the absolute and universal sovereign; – which occurs 10 times in the New Testament. Luk 1:37 , “For nothing will be impossible with God .” Mar 10:27 , “Looking at them, Jesus said, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.” God is able and capable; nothing is impossible with God.
God is Omnipresent. Omnipresent is the idea that God is present everywhere. God’s omnipresence is closely related to His omnipotence and omniscience. Psa 139:8, “If I ascend to Heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. ” Mat 18:20, “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst. ” Mat 28:20, “teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world.” Isa 66:1 , “Thus says the LORD, “Heaven is My throne and the Earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest? ” 1Ki 8:27, “But will God indeed dwell on the Earth? Behold, Heaven and the highest Heaven cannot contain You,
how much less this house which I have built!” Psa 8:1 , “For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by a stringed instrument. O LORD, our Lord, Your majestic name fills the Earth! Your glory is higher than the Heavens. ”
God is Omniscient means God eternally and perfectly and totally knows all things, past, present and future. This includes God’s foreknowledge. Luk 16:15 , “And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God. ” Psa 44:21 , “ Would not God find this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart. ” 2Ti 2:19, “Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.” 1Jo 3:20, “in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things. ”
Job 11:7-8 , “Can you discover the depths of God?
Can you discover the limits of the Almighty? They are high as the Heavens, what can you do? Deeper than Sheol, what can you know?”
Note: God the Almighty has no limits, no limits in anything or everything. God has no limits in wisdom, knowledge, or power. Do not try the patience of God. Why?
Rom 2:4 , “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? ”
Note: Kindness in Greek is chrēstotēs which means goodness; gentleness; integrity; moral excellence; benignity; – which occurs 10 times in the New Testament. Tolerance in Greek is anochē which means forbearance; toleration; self-restraint; endurance; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Patience in Greek is makrothymia which means long-suffering; steadfastness; longanimity; forbearance; – which occurs 14 times in the New Testament. Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers, do you know that kindness of God is to lead you to repentance?
Rom 9:22 , “What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? ”
Note: Unless the wicked and unbelievers repent, they are vessels of wrath prepared for destruction.
1Pe 3:20 , “ who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons , were brought safely through the water. ”
Note: The Deluge (Noah’s Flood) is the greatest historical example of the patience of God, for only eight persons were saved.
II. THE CREATION OF GOD
The creation of God manifests especially the WISDOM of God. Behind the creation there must be the Creator.
Gen 1:1 , “In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth. ”
This is the origin of the universe. God created. It did not come by big bang or small bang.
Note: Beginning in Hebrew is re’shiyth which means the first in place and time; the point at which something starts; – which occurs 58 times in the Old Testament. In the beginning means before time and space. Create in Hebrew is bara’ which means to make; shape; form; fashion; produce; to create always with God as the subject; to bring into existence; – which occurs 57 times in the Old Testament. Only God creates, man makes. Heavens in Hebrew is shamayim which means the universe; Heaven (as the abode of God and angels); where the celestial bodies revolve; the infinite expanse of space; cosmos; – which occurs 418 times in the Old Testament. Only recently scientists discovered the expanding universe which was revealed in the Bible long time ago. Isa 42:5, “Thus says God the LORD, Who created the Heavens and stretched them out, Who spread out the Earth and its offspring, Who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it.” The beginning refers to the beginning of the physical universe. Jhn 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ” Beginning in Greek is archē which means the first; origin; the active first cause; used absolutely, of the beginning of all things; – which occurs 57 times in the New Testament. There were two beginnings: Gen 1:1 speaks of the beginning of the physical universe, before time and space. Jhn 1:1 speaks of the beginning of God, who is before the physical universe, before all things, everything or anything. For God has no beginning, Self-Existent, from everlasting to everlasting.
Gen 1:16 , “God made the two great lights, the greater light to govern the day, and the lesser light to govern the night; He made the stars also. ”
Note: God made Sun and Moon, Earth and the stars. Do you know how much all this involves? The Sun is the the center of the Solar System. It is the most important source of energy for life on Earth. The Sun is 330,000 times larger than the Earth. Have you ever thought if the distance of the Sun is a little closer to the Earth, the Earth will be burned up? Or if the Sun is little farther away from the Earth, the Earth will be frozen to death? Now do you think this is just a coincidence, or the exact design of God the Creator. If God by mistake created the Earth first without the Sun, do you imagine what would be the consequences to the Earth? What an Earth would be without the Sun, Moon and Stars? No, God cannot and does not make mistake. Just a glance of the Universe, no one can dismiss the intelligent design of the Universe. Not long ago, scientists thought there were several thousand stars in the universe. Of course with the help of strong infrared space telescopes they now realize the stars are too many to be counted. Yet about 2000 B.C. God revealed to Abraham: Gen 15:5, “And He took him outside and said, “Now look toward the Heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them .” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” Gen 22:17, “indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the Heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. ”
Gen 1:21 , “God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind; and God saw that it was good. ”
Gen 1:24-25, “Then God said, “Let the Earth bring forth living creatures after their kind: cattle and creeping things and beasts of the Earth after their kind”; and it was so. God made the beasts of the Earth after their kind, and the cattle after their kind, and everything that creeps on the ground after its kind; and God saw that it was good. ”
Note: Kind in Hebrew is miyn which means sort; species; a specific kind; a class of thing; a set of animals or plants; – which occurs 31 times in the Old Testament. God creates living creatures after their own species. God created cattle and creeping things and beasts after their species. God created animals after their own species. Each species does not evolve into another species. If you are a dog, you will always be a dog. If you are a sheep, you will not turn into a goat. If you are a monkey, for thousands of years you will not evolve into a man. A monkey has monkey’s blood, a human has human blood. No matter how long a monkey does not and cannot evolve into a man. A man may degenerate morally into a monkey.
Gen 1:28 , “God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the Earth.”
Note: No one knows exactly how many animals, fish and birds, and plants on Earth. Scientists estimate insects the most diverse group of animals, 6-10 million species; 8.7 million species of animals; 33,100 species of fish; 9,000-10,000 species of birds; and 391,000 plants. By the way, these are only estimates, not exact knowledge.
Gen 2:4 , “This is the account of the Heavens and the Earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made Earth and Heaven. ”
Gen 1:7 , “God made the expanse, and separated the waters which were below the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse; and it was so. ”
Gen 1:16 , “God made the two great lights, the greater light to govern the day, and the lesser light to govern the night; He made the stars also. ”
Gen 1:25 , “God made the beasts of the Earth after their kind, and the cattle after their kind, and everything that creeps on the ground after its kind; and God saw that it was good. ”
Gen 1:31 , “God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. ”
Gen 2:4 , “This is the account of the Heavens and the Earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made Earth and Heaven. ”
Gen 2:9, “Out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. ”
Note: No secular academics or scientists can cause trees to grow.
Psa 24:1-2, “A Psalm of David.
The Earth is the LORD’S, and all it contains,
The world, and those who dwell in it. For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. ”
Rom 11:33 , “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! ”
Note: The wisdom and knowledge of God is unlike the wisdom and knowledge of man. Unsearchable in Greek is anexeraunētos which means that cannot be searched out; inscrutable; – which occurs 1 time in the New Testament. Judgment in Greek is krima which means a decree; formal decision; sentence; condemnation; – which occurs 29 times in the New Testament. The judgments of God are unsearchable, this is where science cannot go. Unfathomable in Greek is anexichniastos which means past finding out; unsearchable; that cannot be searched out; that cannot be comprehended; that cannot be tracked out; untraceable; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Science cannot reach the unfathomable. Way in Greek is hodos which means a road; metaphorically a course of conduct; a course of action; a mode or means; the way in which one walks; manner of thinking, feeling and deciding; – which occurs 100 times in the New Testament. The ways of God are unfathomable, this is where science cannot enter.
Eph 4:10 , “He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the Heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) ”
Note: Our Lord and Redeemer is greater than the whole universe because He fills the whole universe.
1Ti 4:4 , “For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude.”
Heb 11:3, “By faith we understand that the universe was created by the Word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible. ”
Note: Science can deal only with things seen or visible, even that poorly. No scientist can research on the invisible.
Rev 4:11 , “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”
Note: The creation not only manifested the Wisdom of God, it is also because of the Will of God they existed and were created.
Rom 4:17, “That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.” This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing. ”
Note: This is the difference between create and make. God creates new things out of nothing. Man makes things out of some things.
Heb 1:7 , “And of the angels He says,
“WHO MAKES HIS ANGELS WINDS,
AND HIS MINISTERS A FLAME OF FIRE. ”
Note: This is beyond science. God makes His angels winds, and His ministers a flame of fire.
1Ki 10:22 , “For the king had merchant ships at sea with the fleet of Hiram. Once every three years the merchant ships came bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and monkeys. ”
Note: In the time of King Solomon, he had merchant ships at sea with the fleet of Hiram. Once every three years the merchant ships came bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and monkeys. Even then apes were different from monkeys. Monkeys have tails and are smaller than apes. Apes are bigger than monkeys and do not have tails. Apes remain apes, and monkeys remain monkeys.
Gen 5:1 , “This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day when God created man, He made him in the likeness of God. ”
Gen 1:27 , “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. ”
Note: Create in Hebrew is bara’ which means to make; shape; form; fashion; to create (always with God as subject); to carve out; to produce; to bring into existence; – which occurs 57 times in the Old Testament. Man in Hebrew is adam which means Adam; human being; mankind; person; the human race; – which occurs 556 times in the Old Testament. Image in Hebrew is tselem which means likeness; resemblance; illusion; resemblance; a representative figure; – which occurs 16 times in the Old Testament. What is the image of God? There have been many speculations. The image of God does not consist of two eyes, two ears, one nose and one mouth. God is Spirit, not flesh and blood. Eph 4:24 , “and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. ” The image of God and the likeness of God mean the same thing. As it is written, I believe the image of God consists of righteousness, holiness and truth. Righteousness in Greek is dikaiosynē which means the condition or state acceptable to God; integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting; justice and virtue; equity; the state of one ought to be; uprightness; moral correctness; – which occurs 91 times in the New Testament. Holiness in Greek is hosiotēs which means piety towards God; fidelity; purity; veracity; the quality of being holy; sanctification; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Truth in Greek is alētheia which means verity; what is true in any matter under consideration; in reality; in fact; truth as personal excellence; truth as taught in the Christian faith; – which occurs 110 times in the New Testament. The more we possess righteousness, holiness, and truth the more we are like God.
God did not create any animal in His own image. God only created man in His own image.
Act 17:26 , “And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the Earth, and has determined their pre-appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings .”
Note: Blood in Greek is haima which means blood whether of men or animals; the red fluid that circulates in the body of man or animal; – which occurs 99 times in the New Testament. The word hematology is derived from the Greek word. The blood of animal is different from the blood of man. A monkey’s blood is different from a human blood. Human blood is the same even among the races. Humans have four different blood types: A, B, AB and O. God has made from one blood every nation of men to live on the face of the Earth.
Gen 2:3 , “Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. ”
Exo 20:11 , “For in six days the LORD made the Heavens and the Earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. ”
Note: Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers have problem in the fact that God created the universe and man in six days; because they do not know God or the power of God. I would not have any problem that the Omnipotent, Omnipresent and Omniscient God created the universe and mankind in six hours or less. I have big problem though to believe the universe was created by big bang or man was evolved from lower species in billions of years. I have big problem to believe the creation exists without the Creator, or the universe without design.
Deu 4:32 , “Indeed, ask now concerning the former days which were before you, since the day that God created man on the Earth, and inquire from one end of the Heavens to the other. Has anything been done like this great thing, or has anything been heard like it?”
Note: Do scientists know how many miles from one end of the Heavens to the other? The limits of science and the limits of human knowledge become so apparent.
Job 22:12 , “Is not God in the height of Heaven?
Look also at the distant stars, how high they are! ”
Note: The height of Heaven is beyond the bounds of space and time, beyond the range and sphere where scientists can explore.
Job 26:7 , “He stretches out the north over empty space
And hangs the earth on nothing. ”
Note: This is a most scientifically accurate statement. Some 3,400 years ago Job knew by inspiration that the Earth is hanging on nothing. Space is empty place, nothing.
Job 37:5 , “God thunders with His voice wondrously,
Doing great things which we cannot comprehend. ”
Note: Do scientists comprehend what great things God is doing when He thunders with His voice wondrously?
Psa 135:7 , “He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth;
Who makes lightnings for the rain ,
Who brings forth the wind from His treasuries. ”
Note: God causes many things to happen beyond science can understand. God causes vapors to ascend. God makes lightnings for the rain is a scientific fact. No scientist knows where are God’s treasuries of the wind. No man can bring the wind from God’s treasuries.
Pro 3:19-20, “ The LORD by wisdom founded the Earth, by understanding He established the Heavens. By His knowledge the deeps were broken up and the skies drip with dew. ”
Isa 40:21-22, “Do you not know? Have you not heard?
Has it not been declared to you from the beginning?
Have you not understood from the foundations of the Earth? It is He who sits above the circle of the Earth,
And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers,
Who stretches out the Heavens like a curtain
And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. ”
Note: Significantly 8 th century B.C. the Prophet Isaiah by inspiration already knew the earth was round.
Isa 40:28 , “Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the Earth
Does not become weary or tired.
His understanding is inscrutable. ”
Note: Everlasting in Hebrew is `owlam which means perpetual; ancient; eternal; always; evermore; for ever; continuous existence; unending future; lasting forever; world without end; enduring through all time; continuing indefinitely; – which occurs 448 times in the Old Testament. God in Hebrew is ‘elohiym which means the true God; the Supreme God; the Mighty One; – which occurs 2,606 times in the Old Testament. Lord in Hebrew is Yĕhovah which means Jehovah; Jehovah = “the Existing One”; God; the Self-Existent God; the Lord; the Immutable; – which occurs 6,825 times in the Old Testament. Creator in Hebrew is bara ‘ which means the One who creates always with God as the subject; – which occurs 57 times in the Old Testament. To be weary in Hebrew is ya`aph which means to be fatigued; to tire; to faint; to be tired; – which occurs 17 times in the Old Testament. To be tired in Hebrew is yaga` which means to be fainted; to be exhausted; to be wearisome; – which occurs 28 times in the Old Testament. Inscrutable in Hebrew is cheqer which means cannot be searched out; cannot be finding out; that which is not known by investigation; very difficult to understand; mysterious; – which occurs 14 times in the Old Testament. Do you know and have you heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the Earth
Does not become weary or tired.
His understanding is inscrutable.
Isa 44:24 , “Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, and the One who formed you from the womb ,
“I, the LORD, am the Maker of all things,
Stretching out the Heavens by Myself
And spreading out the Earth all alone .”
Note: By revelation the Prophet Isaiah (who lived 700 years B.C.) knew that God was stretching out the Universe. The expanding universe was only recently discovered by scientists.
Amo 4:13 , “For behold, He who forms mountains and creates the wind
And declares to man what are His thoughts,
He who makes dawn into darkness
And treads on the high places of the Earth,
The LORD God of hosts is His name. ”
Note: God forms mountains and creates the wind. There are wicked people who try to make the wind a weapon. They fail because the winds are messengers of God, not man.
Mat 19:4-5, “And He (Jesus) answered and said, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE, and said, ‘FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH’? ”
Note: Know this, Jesus Christ validates the creation of Adam and Eve by direct act of God and the authenticity of the Old Testament as the Word of God. An American president who advertises himself as a “born again” Christian but he is also an evolutionist. You cannot claim to be a Christian and an evolutionist at the same time. An evolutionist can be converted to become a Christian, a Christian can never become an evolutionist. All Christians believe God created men and all things.
Col 1:16 , “For by Him all things were created, both in the Heavens and on Earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.”
Note: For thousands of years, scientists and philosophers can study only things on Earth even poorly, hardly things in the Heavens, only the visible, and never the invisible. Scientific inquiry is restricted to the nature only. The supernatural and the spiritual are beyond the realm and capacity of secular academics. The finite can never know the infinite.
Rev 5:13 , “And every created thing which is in Heaven and on the Earth and under the Earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever .”
Job 38:4 , “ Where were you when I laid the foundation of the Earth?
Tell Me, if you have understanding.”
Something most upsetting about so-called scientists who claim to know things billions and billions ago. Where were they? How can you tell something long ago when you were not there?
Heb 1:10-12, “And,
“YOU, LORD, IN THE BEGINNING LAID THE FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH, AND THE HEAVENS ARE THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS; THEY WILL PERISH, BUT YOU REMAIN; AND THEY ALL WILL BECOME OLD LIKE A GARMENT, AND LIKE A MANTLE YOU WILL ROLL THEM UP; LIKE A GARMENT THEY WILL ALSO BE CHANGED.
BUT YOU ARE THE SAME, AND YOUR YEARS WILL NOT COME TO AN END.”
2Sa 22:11, “And He rode on a cherub and flew;
And He appeared on the wings of the wind. ”
Note: Cherub in Hebrew is kĕruwb which means cherubim; an order of angelic being who has wings who is near to God and ministers to Him; – which occurs 90 times in the Old Testament. Can any scientist ride on a cherub and fly, or to appear on the wings of the wind?
1Ki 19:11, “So He said, “Go forth and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD was passing by! And a great and strong wind was rending the mountains and breaking in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake . ”
Note: This Scripture points Pantheism is wrong. No man should worship the nature, or things created. The Lord was not in the wind. The Lord was not in the earthquake.
Psa 78:26 , “He caused the east wind to blow in the Heavens
And by His power He directed the south wind. ”
Note: No scientist or any man ever caused the east wind to blow in the Heavens and directed the south wind.
Psa 104:3 , “He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters;
He makes the clouds His chariot;
He walks upon the wings of the wind. ”
Note: No scientist or any man ever makes the clouds his chariot, or walks upon the wings of the wind.
Psa 148:8 , “Fire and hail, snow and clouds;
Stormy wind, fulfilling His Word.”
Note: No man ever commands fire and hail, snow and clouds and stormy wind.
Pro 30:4, “Who has ascended into Heaven and descended?
Who has gathered the wind in His fists?
Who has wrapped the waters in His garment?
Who has established all the ends of the Earth?
What is His name or His son’s name?
Surely you know! ”
Note: Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers surely do not know the questions cited above.
Ecc 11:5 , “Just as you do not know the path of the wind and how bones are formed in the womb of the pregnant woman, so you do not know the activity of God who makes all things.”
Note: Weather radar and satellite photos are tools to track the path of the incoming hurricane. I do not know whether scientists know the path of the wind without instrument or equipment. Does anyone know how bones are formed in the womb of the pregnant woman? So secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers do not know the activity of God who makes all things. The activity of God is a great mystery to mankind.
Jer 10:13 , “When He utters His voice, there is a tumult of waters in the Heavens, and He causes the clouds to ascend from the end of the Earth; He makes lightning for the rain, and brings out the wind from His storehouses. ”
Note: Can anyone bring out the wind from God’s storehouses? Do you know where are God’s storehouses?
Jhn 3:8, “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Note: No man knows where the wind comes from and where it is going.
Job 36:29-30, “Can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds,
The thundering of His pavilion? Behold, He spreads His lightning about Him, and He covers the depths of the sea. ”
Job 38:16-20, “Have you entered into the springs of the sea or walked in the recesses of the deep? Have the gates of death been revealed to you, Or have you seen the gates of deep darkness? Have you understood the expanse of the earth? Tell Me, if you know all this. Where is the way to the dwelling of light ? And darkness, where is its place, that you may take it to its territory and that you may discern the paths to its home?”
Note: Does anyone know all this cited above?
Job 38:22 , “Have you entered the storehouses of the snow ,
Or have you seen the storehouses of the hail ?”
Job 41:31 , “He makes the depths boil like a pot;
He makes the sea like a jar of ointment. ”
Ecc 1:7 , “All the rivers flow into the sea,
Yet the sea is not full.
To the place where the rivers flow,
There they flow again. ”
Jer 31:35 , “Thus says the LORD,
Who gives the sun for light by day
And the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night,
Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar;
The LORD of hosts is His name.”
Note: Can anyone answer the questions raised above?
Mar 4:41, “They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”
Note: Jesus Christ is the Creator and Lord of the universe, so even the wind and the sea obey Him.
Psa 147:4-5, “He counts the number of the stars; He gives names to all of them. Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite. ”
Gen 15:5 , “And He took him outside and said, “Now look toward the Heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them. ” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.”
Job 36:29 , “Can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds,
The thundering of His pavilion? ”
Job 37:14-16 , “Listen to this, O Job,
Stand and consider the wonders of God. Do you know how God establishes them, and makes the lightning of His cloud to shine? Do you know about the layers of the thick clouds,
The wonders of one perfect in knowledge .”
No doubt, the universe and the Heavens are the wonders of God. Can anyone answer the questions cited above?
Job 38:31-38, “Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades,
Or loose the cords of Orion? Can you lead forth a constellation in its season, and guide the Bear with her satellites? Do you know the ordinances of the Heavens, or fix their rule over the earth? Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, so that an abundance of water will cover you? Can you send forth lightnings that they may go and say to you, ‘Here we are’?“ Who has put wisdom in the innermost being or given understanding to the mind? Who can count the clouds by wisdom, or tip the water jars of the Heavens, when the dust hardens into a mass and the clods stick together? ”
Note: Pleiades in Hebrew is Kiymah which means a constellation of seven stars; a group of stars that is one of the nearest to Earth – which occurs 3 times in the Old Testament. Orion in Hebrew is Kĕciyl which means the name of a star or constellation; – which occurs 4 times in the Old Testament. Bear in Hebrew is ` Ayish which means Arcturus; a very bright Northern constellation; a giant fixed star; – which occurs 2 times in the Old Testament. The ordinances of the Heavens refer to the physical laws of the Heavens. Who knows them?
Psa 104:3-4, “He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters;
He makes the clouds His chariot; He walks upon the wings of the wind; He makes the winds His messengers, flaming fire His ministers. ”
Rom 11:33-36, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways ! For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. ”
Isa 42:5 , “Thus says God the LORD,
Who created the Heavens and stretched them out,
Who spread out the earth and its offspring,
Who gives breath to the people on it
And spirit to those who walk in it.”
Isa 45:18 , “ For thus says the LORD, who created the Heavens (He is the God who formed the Earth and made it, He established it and did not create it a waste place, but formed it to be inhabited),
“I am the LORD, and there is none else. ”
Eph 3:9 , “and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things . ”
Note: No scientists know the mystery hidden in God. God is beyond the realm of science.
III. THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD
The sovereignty of God manifests especially the POWER and Wisdom of God. The sovereign power of God historically is used to protect His children from calamity, to provide means to meet the needs of God’s people, to prevent bad things from happening or to punish the wicked or evildoers.
The concept of the sovereignty of God must be viewed in terms of the omnipotence, omnipresence, and omniscience of God coupled in the framework of His will and the providence of God.
Exo 15:18 , “The LORD shall reign forever and ever .”
Note: Reign in Hebrew is malak which means to rule; to induct into royalty; to be king; to govern; to exercise sovereign power; to exercise authority as a monarch; to rule a country; – which occurs 520 times in the Old Testament. The Lord shall reign forever and ever.
Psa 77:14 , “You are the God who works wonders;
You have made known Your strength among the peoples. ”
Note: Wonder in Hebrew is pele’ which means marvel; extraordinary and hard to understand thing; miracle; something wonderful and admirable; something awesome and mysterious; – which occurs 12 times in the Old Testament. Scientists do not even know how many wonders God works in nature, not to say the supernatural. Strength in Hebrew is `oz which means power; might; security; majesty; praise; splendor; glory; – which occurs 93 times in the Old Testament. Christian peoples know something about the power and strength of God. Unbelievers do not know God or His power and glory.
Psa 103:19 , “The LORD has established His throne in the Heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all. ”
Note: Sovereignty in Hebrew is malkuwth which means reign; empire; realm; royalty; royal power; supreme power; sovereign power over a country; royal dominion; kingdom; the power of authority to rule; – which occurs 92 times in the Old Testament. Rule in Hebrew is mashal which means to reign; to govern; to have dominion; to exercise authority or power; – which occurs 84 times in the Old Testament. God’s sovereign power is not over a country, over a sphere, or over a people. The sovereignty of God rules over all, the whole universe.
As a comparison in the much lower level, American leaders and politicians proudly promulgate so-called democracy, but they do not believe or practice the sovereignty of American citizens. So the US CONSTITUTION does not vest the national sovereignty with the American people. There is no practice of national referendum to determine and decide the most important issues and matters of the country. For that reason American leaders and politicians execute America as an empire even though the vast majority of American citizens do not want wars of aggression or interference in the affairs of other nations. They do not respect the will and wishes of American citizens. For this reason, American democracy is not true democracy.
Dan 4:35 , “All the inhabitants of the Earth are accounted as nothing,
But He does according to His will in the host of Heaven
And among the inhabitants of Earth;
And no one can ward off His hand
Or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’ ”
Note: Nothing is la’ (Aramaic) which means no; none; without; not anything; no thing; – which occurs 24 times in the Old Testament. In comparison to the Almighty God, the inhabitants of the earth (including secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers) are accounted as nothing. This kills the ego of atheists to count them as nothing.
Deu 4:39 , “Know therefore today, and take it to your heart, that the LORD, He is God in Heaven above and on the Earth below; there is no other. ”
Note: Unbelievers and atheists, know therefore today, and take it to your heart, that the Lord, He is God in Heaven above and on the Earth below, there is no other. In time of death, you will know too late.
1Ch 29:11-12, “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the Heavens and the Earth; Yours is the dominion, O LORD, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone. ”
Job 9:10 , “Who does great things, unfathomable,
And wondrous works without number. ”
Note: The great things God does are unfathomable, and the wondrous works are without number.
Job 9:12, “Were He to snatch away, who could restrain Him?
Who could say to Him, ‘What are You doing?’
Psa 29:10 , “The LORD sat as King at the flood;
Yes, the LORD sits as King forever. ”
Note: The Lord sat as King at the flood means nothing disturbs God. The Lord sits as King forever means the Lord reigns and rules forever. Can any white supremacist dictator sit at flood or snow storm?
Psa 83:18 , “That they may know that You alone, whose name is the LORD, Are the Most High over all the earth. ”
Psa 93:1, “The LORD reigns, He is clothed with majesty;
The LORD has clothed and girded Himself with strength;
Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved. ”
Psa 135:5-6, “For I know that the LORD is great
And that our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the LORD pleases, He does, in Heaven and in Earth, in the seas and in all deeps. ”
Note: Let all the peoples in the world know this, especially the atheists and unbelievers, Whatever the Lord pleases, He does, in Heaven and in Earth.
Isa 66:1, “Thus says the LORD,
“Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool.
Where then is a house you could build for Me?
And where is a place that I may rest? ”
Dan 2:47 , “The king answered Daniel and said, “Surely your God is a God of gods and a Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, since you have been able to reveal this mystery.”
Mat 6:13 , “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”
Note: The Kingdom, and the power, and the glory belong to the Lord Almighty forever. God is able to deliver His children from evil.
Act 17:24-25, “The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of Heaven and Earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things .”
Note: God is the Lord of Heaven and Earth. God does not need anything or anyone. God is eternally Self-Sufficient. He gives to all people life and breath and all things.
Rom 9:19, “You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?”
Note: Because GOD IS WHO GOD IS, His sovereignty is absolute and ultimate and eternal. No one and nothing can resist the will of God.
It is meaningless to say God has the right to rule the universe. That is neither an issue nor a question. Who is to challenge the right of God? Supreme power belongs to God. Some notion that God has to pledge allegiance to someone or something is absolutely stupid, even if it is not blasphemous. Therefore, to understand the concept of the Sovereignty of God, it must be viewed in the overall framework of God’s omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence, coupled with the Will of God and Divine Providence that God does whatever He pleases. God does not please anyone or anything. God does as He pleases.
The concept of God’s sovereignty must include the omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence of God within the Will of God and the providence of God.
The sovereignty of God can be defined as the Lord God rules over all, over all mankind, nature, kingdoms, all things in Heavens or on Earth, visible and invisible, forever. God’s sovereignty manifests in the control of men or mankind, control of events, control of kingdoms, control of nature, control of events or whatever comes to pass, and control of the whole universe (Heavens and Earth). All things and everything are in the hands of God.
Psa 45:6 , “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever;
A scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your Kingdom. ”
Note: God’s throne is forever and ever. God’s sovereignty is forever and ever. A scepter of uprightness is the scepter of God’s Kingdom.
(A.) God rules over the Universe
Psa 59:13 , “Destroy them in wrath, destroy them that they may be no more; that men may know that God rules in Jacob
To the ends of the earth. Selah. ”
Ecc 11:5 , “Just as you do not know the path of the wind and how bones are formed in the womb of the pregnant woman, so you do not know the activity of God who makes all things. ”
Note: Man includes secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers do not know many things. For whatever they claim to know, they do not even know a little thing such as when they are going to die. Much less they do not know the activity of God who makes all things.
Amo 4:13 , “For behold, He who forms mountains and creates the wind
And declares to man what are His thoughts,
He who makes dawn into darkness
And treads on the high places of the earth,
The LORD God of hosts is His name. ”
2Ki 19:15, “Hezekiah prayed before the LORD and said, “O LORD, the God of Israel, who are enthroned above the cherubim, You are the God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made Heaven and Earth. ”
(B.) God rules over the nations.
Psa 47:8 , “God reigns over the nations ,
God sits on His holy throne. ”
Not even the sole superpower can escape the rule and control of God. ASK American leaders and politicians, why after spending trillions of dollars and over 20 years, they could not win the war in Afghanistan, and run away in defeat and disgrace?
Note: Reign in Hebrew is malak which means to be king; to rule over; to ascend the throne; to induct into royalty; to exercise authority as monarch; – which occurs 520 times in the Old Testament. Nation in Hebrew is gowy which means state; country; people; the nations besides Israel; – which occurs 561 times in the Old Testament. Throne in Hebrew is kicce’ which means seat of honor; figuratively royal dignity, authority, power; sovereignty; – which occurs 136 times in the Old Testament. No throne is like God’s throne because it is holy. Holy in Hebrew is qodesh which means hallowed; consecrated; sacred; divine; perfect in goodness and righteousness; – which occurs 519 times in the Old Testament. God rules over the nations, let all world leaders beware. Western and American powers have dictated and dominated the world for the last 500 years, God can destroy super powers in a day!
Deu 11:12 , “a land that the LORD your God cares for. He watches over it through each season of the year! ”
Note: The State of Israel was originally given by God to Abraham and his descendants. Care for in Hebrew is darash which means to inquire; to resort to; to seek with care; to frequent it; to ask for; to take the care of; to feel interest or concern; – which occurs 167 times in the Old Testament. Watch over means the eyes of the LORD your God are continually on it. It is called the Promised Land, a land that the Lord cares for. The State of Israel is surrounded by enemies, but God watches over it through each season of the year. Palestine and Palestinians are the evil legacy of British empire. When God gave the Promised Land to Abraham and his descendants, there were no Palestine and Palestinians. There will be no Palestine or Palestinians in the Promised Land. So it is right and wise for Palestinians to seek their statehood in the neighboring Arab states. I wish them well.
The British empire historically had done many evil deeds. There are two things that the leaders of United Kingdom if they have moral character and courage to do right. (1.) When the British empire colonized Israel it turned to be Palestine where illegal Arabs moved in and occupied the Holy Land without payment. In the beginning was Israel and Jewish people when God gave the land to Abraham and his descendants. It is right for leaders of UK to inform the Palestinians and Hamas and all Arabs that they have no part or portion in the Promised Land. They cannot build a state in the land of the Jews. No authority under Heaven can give the Promised Land to Palestinians who are actually Arabs. The United Nations has no authority to give the land that God gave to Abraham and his descendants for over 4,000 years to so-called Palestinians. Therefore the so-called Palestinian authority can find Arab land to build its state or for Palestinians to join other Arab states. (2). When the British empire colonized India, to make its colony look bigger, the British government illegally and unilaterally incorporated large territories of China into the Indian Map. Thus it created today the border conflict between India and China. It is up to the leaders of United Kingdom to inform its former colony India that the British government was wrong in robbing the land of China, and so solve the conflict once and for all. The world is witnessing and watching whether the government of UK will do right or not.
Deu 8:20 , “Like the nations that the LORD makes to perish before you, so you shall perish; because you would not listen to the voice of the LORD your God. ”
Note: Study history to find so many nations the Lord makes to perish. The sole Superpower is so arrogant, being a liar, aggressor, murderer and robber — threatening and oppressing, sanctioning and attacking many nations. Beware, God is able to make the sole Superpower to perish and vanish from the world because its leaders would not listen to the voice of God.
Psa 82:1, “A Psalm of Asaph.
God takes His stand in His own congregation;
He judges in the midst of the rulers. ”
Note: God judges in the midst of the rulers, He will punish the wicked rulers and their nations.
Rev 18:8 , “For this reason in one day her plagues will come, pestilence and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for the Lord God who judges her is strong. ”
Job 34:29, “But when God is silent, who can declare Him guilty? When He hides His face, who can see Him? Yet He watches over both individuals and nations .”
Note: Some world leaders and nations are doing evil for hundreds of years, for example Western imperialist and colonialist nations have done in the last 500 years or more. God watches over both individuals and nations for their words and deeds.
2Ch 20:6 , “and he said, “O LORD, the God of our fathers, are You not God in the Heavens? And are You not Ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You. ”
Note: No one can stand against God. For God are the Ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations, including the sole superpower and evil empires.
Psa 22:28 , “For the kingdom is the LORD’S. And He rules over the nations. ” Psa 66:7, “He rules by His might forever; His eyes keep watch on the nations; Let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah. ”
Note: Kingdom in Hebrew is mĕluwkah which means kingship; royalty; a realm; dominion; a country ruled by a king or queen; – which occurs 24 times in the Old Testament. Rule over in Hebrew is mashal which means to reign; to govern; to have dominion; to exercise dominion; to have power; to exercise authority or power over; – which occurs 84 times in the Old Testament. The sovereignty of God includes ruling over the nations. The eyes of God keep watch on terrorist and warmongering nations. Let not the rebellious exalt themselves.
Psa 103:19 , “The LORD has established His throne in the Heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all. ”
Note: Sovereignty in Hebrew is malkuwth which means empire; kingdom; realm; royalty; sovereign power; royal power; royal dominion; supreme power over a country; the power or authority to rule; – which occurs 92 times in the Old Testament. God has supreme power over all, all inclusive. God rules over all. The sovereignty of God includes controlling the kingdoms of mankind. Can the U.S. Space Force Troops attack or invade the throne of God?
Dan 2:20-22, “Daniel said,
“Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever,
For wisdom and power belong to Him. It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings;
He gives wisdom to wise men and knowledge to men of understanding. It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things;
He knows what is in the darkness,
And the light dwells with Him. ”
Note: Wisdom and power belong to God. Some countries rely on their nuclear weapons and boast of their military power. God removes and establishes kings. God knows the secrets of nations.
Dan 5:21 , “He was driven from among the children of mankind, and his mind was made like that of a beast, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. He was fed grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of Heaven, until he knew that the Most High God rules the kingdom of mankind and appoints over it whomever He chooses. ”
Note: The king of Babylon Nebuchadnezzar learned the hard lesson; he was made like a beast, until he knew that the Most High God rules the kingdom of mankind and appoints over it whoever He chooses.
Job 12:23 , “He makes the nations great, then destroys them;
He enlarges the nations, then leads them away.”
Note: There are those who still do not realize that God can destroy great nations, even the sole superpower.
2Ki 19:28 , “Because of your raging against Me,
And because your arrogance has come up to My ears,
Therefore I will put My hook in your nose,
And My bridle in your lips,
And I will turn you back by the way which you came. ”
Isa 37:29, “Because of your raging against Me
And because your arrogance has come up to My ears,
Therefore I will put My hook in your nose
And My bridle in your lips,
And I will turn you back by the way which you came.”
Note: God is warning against arrogant and aggressive dictators and warmongers. Because their arrogance has come up to the ears of God, therefore God may put His hook in their noses and His bridle in their lips. They may turn back to folly, turn into dust, turn back and suddenly be ashamed, turn aside to their crooked ways; turn pale; turn to wailing, turn away from the truth.
Job 12:17-19, “He makes counselors walk barefoot
And makes fools of judges. He loosens the bond of kings
And binds their loins with a girdle. He makes priests walk barefoot
And overthrows the secure ones. ”
Note: God can put down the rich and powerful. God can overthrow the imperialists, hegemonists, supremacists, monopolists, militarists and terrorists. Those who think their nuclear weapons make them secure, beware think and think again.
Pro 21:1-2 , “The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes. Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts. ”
Note: The Lord weighs the hearts of warmongers and dictators. The most interesting and significant historical example was that of Nebuchadnezzar (reigned 605-562 B.C.) who was the great king of Babylon, the first greatest empire. The Biblical story in Daniel 4, which recounts how Nebuchadnezzar’s pride and wickedness were punished by God. Nebuchadnezzar was being driven mad and he was driven from men, and did eat the grass like cattle.
Dan 5:17-30, “Then Daniel answered and said before the king, “Keep your gifts for yourself or give your rewards to someone else; however, I will read the inscription to the king and make the interpretation known to him. O king, the Most High God granted sovereignty, grandeur, glory and majesty to Nebuchadnezzar your father. Because of the grandeur which He bestowed on him, all the peoples, nations and men of every language feared and trembled before him; whomever he wished he killed and whomever he wished he spared alive; and whomever he wished he elevated and whomever he wished he humbled. But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit became so proud that he behaved arrogantly, he was deposed from his royal throne and his glory was taken away from him. He was also driven away from mankind, and his heart was made like that of beasts, and his dwelling place was with the wild donkeys. He was given grass to eat like cattle, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until he recognized that the Most High God is ruler over the realm of mankind and that He sets over it whomever He wishes. Yet you, his son, Belshazzar , have not humbled your heart, even though you knew all this, but you have exalted yourself against the Lord of Heaven; and they have brought the vessels of His house before you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines have been drinking wine from them; and you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which do not see, hear or understand. But the God in whose hand are your life-breath and all your ways, you have not glorified. Then the hand was sent from Him and this inscription was written out. Now this is the inscription that was written out: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.’ “This is the interpretation of the message: ‘MENE’—God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it. ‘TEKEL’— you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient .‘PERES’—your kingdom has been divided and given over to the Medes and Persians.” Then Belshazzar gave orders, and they clothed Daniel with purple and put a necklace of gold around his neck, and issued a proclamation concerning him that he now had authority as the third ruler in the kingdom. That same night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was slain. ”
Note: There are not a few world leaders today whose hearts are made like that of beasts. They have no truth and no integrity. Where is the Babylon empire now? Where is the Roman Empire now? Where is the British Empire now? Where is… The leaders of the super powers are so arrogant and wicked, lying, killing and robbing. Pretty soon they will see the handwriting on the wall, MENE, MENE… TEKEL, they have been weighed on the scales and found deficient.
Deu 28:25 , “The LORD shall cause you to be defeated before your enemies; you will go out one way against them, but you will flee seven ways before them, and you will be an example of terror to all the kingdoms of the Earth. ”
Note: God can cause a superpower to be defeated, an example of terror to all the nation of the Earth.
Psa 22:28 , “For the kingdom is the LORD’S
And He rules over the nations. ”
Psa 132:17 , “There I will cause the horn of David to spring forth;
I have prepared a lamp for Mine anointed.”
Jer 33:15 , “ In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch of David to spring forth; and He shall execute justice and righteousness on the earth. ”
Note: There is a nation that declares to wipe out Israel from the face of the earth. I am not worried because the Lord will cause the horn of David to spring forth. God’s sovereignty includes controlling and ruling over the affairs of nations.
Neh 13:26, “Did not Solomon king of Israel sin regarding these things? Yet among the many nations there was no king like him, and he was loved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel; nevertheless the foreign women caused even him to sin. ”
Note: Foreign women (women who are idolaters) are dangerous, they even cause Solomon to sin.
(C.) God controls men, events or things come to pass.
Job 34:21, “For God watches how people live;
He sees everything they do. ”
Note: Do you see imperialist and capitalist nations live in pleasure and luxury from the wealth they robbed from their colonies and practices of monopoly, sanction and oppression, live in the flesh and injustice??? God sees everything the unrighteous nations do.
Deu 32:39 , “See now that I, I am He,
And there is no god besides Me;
It is I who put to death and give life.
I have wounded and it is I who heal,
And there is no one who can deliver from My hand. ”
Note: God is One, there is no other. God puts to death and gives life. God wounds and He heals. There is no one who can escape the hand of God. There is nothing or no event can withstand the sovereign power of God. No one and nothing can restrain God.
Job 38:33, “Do you know the laws of the universe?
Can you use them to regulate the Earth?”
Note: NO man knows the laws of the universe. No man can regulate the Earth.
Psa 14:2 , “The LORD looks down from Heaven upon the entire human race, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. ”
Psa 53:2 , “God looks down from Heaven on all humankind to see if anyone who is truly wise, if anyone seeks after God.”
Western leaders and supremacists are wise in their own estimate. Do you know who is truly wise?
Psa 147:17 , “He casts forth His ice as fragments;
Who can stand before His cold? ”
Note: The ungodly do not realize that God looks down from Heaven upon the entire human race, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. Today all over the world peoples seek money, power and sex. Do you seek after God? Do you seek righteousness? Do you seek things above? Man is so feeble and weak, he cannot stand cold or heat.
Ecc 6:12 , “For who knows what is good for a man during his lifetime, during the few years of his futile life? He will spend them like a shadow. For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun?”
Note: Even secular academics and atheists do not know what is good for a man during his lifetime, during the few years of his futile life. No one can tell a man what will be after him under the sun.
Ecc 8:7 , “If no one knows what will happen, who can tell him when it will happen?”
Note: Secular scientists claim to know a lot, things happening billions of years ago. Yet, really no one knows what will happen tomorrow. No one can tell when death will happen.
Isa 33:14 , “Sinners in Zion are terrified;
Trembling has seized the godless.
“Who among us can live with the consuming fire?
Who among us can live with continual burning? ”
Note: Sinners should be terrified and the godless should be trembling. In the last days the wicked are arrogant and get worse and worse. God is the Consuming Fire. Hell fire is continual burning. Hell fire cannot be quenched.
Dan 5:23 , “For you have proudly defied the Lord of Heaven and have had these cups from his Temple brought before you. You and your nobles and your wives and concubines have been drinking wine from them while praising gods of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone—gods that neither see nor hear nor know anything at all. But you have not honored the God who gives you the breath of life and controls your destiny! ”
Note: Destiny means fate, something to which a person or thing is destined. God controls what happens in the future. Many are not aware that controls the whole course of everybody’s life is God. God controls your destiny. God controls the destiny of any nation, including the sole superpower.
Psa 18:32 , “The God who girds me with strength
And makes my way blameless? ”
Hab 3:19 , “The Lord GOD is my strength,
And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet,
And makes me walk on my high places.
For the choir director, on my stringed instruments. ”
1Sa 16:7, “But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
Note: God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. Appearances are deceptive. No man can fool God.
1Th 2:4 , “but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts. ”
Note: Those who have been entrusted with the Gospel must not please men. God examines our hearts to see the motive.
Psa 55:19, “God will hear and answer them —
Even the one who sits enthroned from of old— Selah.
With whom there is no change,
And who do not fear God. ”
Job 21:22 , “Can anyone teach God knowledge,
In that He judges those on high? ”
Psa 58:11, “And men will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; Surely there is a God who judges on Earth! ”
Note: You may doubt or disbelieve. Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on Earth. As you see more and live longer you will know.
Psa 95:7 , “for He is our God.
We are the people He watches over,
the flock under His care.
If only you would listen to His voice today! ”
Gen 9:6, “Whoever sheds man’s blood,
By man his blood shall be shed,
For in the image of God
He made man. ”
Note: The Sovereign God decreed that whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed. God instituted death penalty for murderer. Whoever opposes death penalty (capital punishment) opposes the authority of God. If you oppose God, do not call yourself a Christian. Those who oppose God are enemies of God.
Gen 41:51 , “Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, “For,” he said, “God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.”
Note: Most wonderful is the fact God can make His children forget all their troubles. God not only made Joseph lord of all Egypt; God made him to forget all his trouble.
Psa 37:31 , “The law of their God controls their thinking; their feet do not slip. ”
Psa 68:6 , “God makes a home for the lonely;
He leads out the prisoners into prosperity,
Only the rebellious dwell in a parched land. ”
Lev 26:13, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt so that you would not be their slaves, and I broke the bars of your yoke and made you walk erect. ”
Note: God brought the Jewish people out of the slavery of Egypt and broke the bars of their yoke and made them walk erect. A free man can walk erect.
1Ki 12:15 , “So the king did not listen to the people; for it was a turn of events from the LORD, that He might establish His Word, which the LORD spoke through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat. ”
Note: Turn of event in Hebrew is cibbah which means turn of affairs; a change of course; a cause to change; a change of what is happening; a sudden change in circumstance; – which occurs 1 time in the Old Testament. Mind you, the Supreme Lord can make a turn of events. No one controls events, events control men. Warmongers, imperialists, supremacists, monopolitsts, militarists, and terrorists may think they are strong and powerful, actually they do not control events, events control them. COVID-19 in 2020 proves how desperate and powerless are nations and peoples of the world.
1Ki 22:34 , “Now a certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel in a joint of the armor. So he said to the driver of his chariot, “Turn around and take me out of the fight; for I am severely wounded.”
Note: God can use what seems to be at random or without definite aim or direction, rule or method to serve His purpose. There are myriads of events or happenings in the world and some may be thought of as accidents, incidents or chances. How can secular academics and atheists know which ones are not turns of events from the Lord? God had decided the wicked Saul must die. A certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel in a joint of the armor. It is awesome to know the Supreme God controls whatever comes to pass.
1Ch 12:23 , “Now these are the numbers of the divisions equipped for war, who came to David at Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the Word of the LORD. ”
Note: God turned the kingdom of Saul to David according to His Word. God can vanish the greatest evil empire any time.
2Ch 10:15 , “So the king did not listen to the people, for it was a turn of events from God that the LORD might establish His Word, which He spoke through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat. ”
Note: King Rehoboam did not listen to the people, it appeared he was willingly made his decision. But it was a turn of events from God that the Lord might establish His Word.
1Ki 14:1-20, “At that time Abijah the son of Jeroboam became sick. Jeroboam said to his wife, “Arise now, and disguise yourself so that they will not know that you are the wife of Jeroboam, and go to Shiloh; behold, Ahijah the prophet is there, who spoke concerning me that I would be king over this people. Take ten loaves with you, some cakes and a jar of honey, and go to him. He will tell you what will happen to the boy.” Jeroboam’s wife did so, and arose and went to Shiloh, and came to the house of Ahijah. Now Ahijah could not see, for his eyes were dim because of his age. Now the LORD had said to Ahijah, “Behold, the wife of Jeroboam is coming to inquire of you concerning her son, for he is sick. You shall say thus and thus to her, for it will be when she arrives that she will pretend to be another woman.” When Ahijah heard the sound of her feet coming in the doorway, he said, “Come in, wife of Jeroboam, why do you pretend to be another woman? For I am sent to you with a harsh message. Go, say to Jeroboam, ‘Thus says the LORD God of Israel, “Because I exalted you from among the people and made you leader over My people Israel, and tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you—yet you have not been like My servant David, who kept My commandments and who followed Me with all his heart, to do only that which was right in My sight; you also have done more evil than all who were before you, and have gone and made for yourself other gods and molten images to provoke Me to anger, and have cast Me behind your back—therefore behold, I am bringing calamity on the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam every male person, both bond and free in Israel, and I will make a clean sweep of the house of Jeroboam, as one sweeps away dung until it is all gone. Anyone belonging to Jeroboam who dies in the city the dogs will eat. And he who dies in the field the birds of the heavens will eat; for the LORD has spoken it. Now you, arise, go to your house. When your feet enter the city the child will die. All Israel shall mourn for him and bury him, for he alone of Jeroboam’s family will come to the grave, because in him something good was found toward the LORD God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam. Moreover, the LORD will raise up for Himself a king over Israel who will cut off the house of Jeroboam this day and from now on. For the LORD will strike Israel, as a reed is shaken in the water; and He will uproot Israel from this good land which He gave to their fathers, and will scatter them beyond the Euphrates River, because they have made their Asherim, provoking the LORD to anger. He will give up Israel on account of the sins of Jeroboam, which he committed and with which he made Israel to sin.” Then Jeroboam’s wife arose and departed and came to Tirzah. As she was entering the threshold of the house, the child died. All Israel buried him and mourned for him, according to the Word of the LORD which He spoke through His servant Ahijah the prophet. Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, how he made war and how he reigned, behold, they are written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel.The time that Jeroboam reigned was twenty-two years; and he slept with his fathers, and Nadab his son reigned in his place. ”
Note: Calamity in Hebrew is ra` which means evil; mischief; trouble; harm; affliction; adversity; unhappiness; misery; bad thing; painful thing; injury; sorrow; wretchedness; badness; disaster; lasting distress or suffering; major misfortune; – which occurs 690 times in the Old Testament. God is able to bring calamity on the house of any one, including the royalties. God is able to bring calamity on any evil nation.
Isa 44:25, “Causing the omens of boasters to fail,
Making fools out of diviners,
Causing wise men to draw back
And turning their knowledge into foolishness. ”
Note: Cause to fail in Hebrew is parar which means to break; break in pieces; make void; defeat; disannul; frustrate; come to naught; break asunder; cause to cease; make ineffectual; shatter; make of none effect; crack through; annul; bring to nothing; – which occurs 51 times in the Old Testament. Just as Jesus Christ turned water into wine, so God can turn the knowledge of wise men into foolishness. God can make fools out of strategists, causing wise men to draw back.
2Ch 30:7 , “Do not be like your fathers and your brothers, who were unfaithful to the LORD God of their fathers, so that He made them a horror, as you see. ”
Note: White supremacists, imperialists, militarists, monopolists, hegemonists, capitalists, and terrorists — don’t be so arrogant, God can make you a horror.
2Ch 18:33 , “A certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel in a joint of the armor. So he said to the driver of the chariot, “Turn around and take me out of the fight, for I am severely wounded.”
Note: God’s sovereignty includes controlling whatever comes to pass. The wonder is the fact that a certain man drew his bow at random, God made it to strike King Saul in a joint of the armor. When God wants to destroy a man, no weapons or military can protect him.
Isa 29:16 , “You turn things around!
Shall the potter be considered as equal with the clay,
That what is made would say to its maker, “He did not make me”;
Or what is formed say to him who formed it, “He has no understanding”?
Note: God turns things around means God reverses things. The clay is not equal with the potter. God is the potter, man is the clay. God’s sovereignty includes the power of God to turn things around. God controls events.
Eze 14:17, “Or if I should bring a sword on that country and say, ‘Let the sword pass through the country and cut off man and beast from it.”
Eze 14:19 , “Or if I should send a plague against that country and pour out My wrath in blood on it to cut off man and beast from it .”
Note: God can bring a sword on any country or send a plague (epidemics) against any nation. COVID-19 powerfully proves the case.
Eze 14:21 , “For thus says the Lord GOD, “How much more when I send My four severe judgments against Jerusalem: sword, famine, wild beasts and plague to cut off man and beast from it! ”
Note: God can use sword, famine, wild beasts and plague as severe judgments against any country to cut off man and beast from it.
2Ki 19:28 , “Because of your raging against Me,
And because your arrogance has come up to My ears,
Therefore I will put My hook in your nose,
And My bridle in your lips,
And I will turn you back by the way which you came. ”
There is no doubt that the arrogance of American and European leaders and politicians has come up to the ears of God.
Job 12:17-21, “He makes counselors walk barefoot
And makes fools of judges. He loosens the bond of kings
And binds their loins with a girdle. He makes priests walk barefoot
And overthrows the secure ones. He deprives the trusted ones of speech and takes away the discernment of the elders. He pours contempt on nobles and loosens the belt of the strong. ”
Note: Counselors, judges, kings, priests, secure ones, trusted ones, elders, nobles, the strong cannot escape the sovereignty of God.
Pro 21:1 , “ The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes. ”
Note: Everyone and everything is in the hand of the Lord. God turns everyone and everything wherever He wishes.
1Co 1:19 , “For it is written,
“I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE,
AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE .”
Note: Destroy in Greek is apollymi which means to perish; to abolish; to put out of the way entirely; to put an end to ruin; to render useless; to kill; to put to death; to ruin; to annihilate; to vanish away; to blot out; to vanquish; to put out of existence; – which occurs 94 times in the New Testament. Set aside in Greek is atheteō which means to bring to nothing; to despise; to reject; to disannul; to cast off; to do away with; to disregard; to nullify; to make void; to slight; – which occurs 21 times in the New Testament. God will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and set aside the cleverness of the clever. Study Biblical history you will find many interesting illustrations.
Psa 55:23 , “But You, O God, will bring them down to the Pit of Destruction; men of bloodshed and deceit will not live out half their days. But I will trust in You. ”
Note: You can be sure God will bring down the wicked to the Pit of Destruction (Hell), and deal with men of bloodshed and deceit not to live out half their days. Yes, I trust in God.
Num 9:18 , “At the command of the LORD the sons of Israel would set out, and at the command of the LORD they would camp; as long as the cloud settled over the tabernacle, they remained camped. ”
Note: God cares and controls the state and sons of Israel. God is known as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God brought the sons of Israel out of Egypt and led them through the great wilderness to the Promised Land.
Dan 4:37, “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride.”
Note: Nebuchadnezzar spoke in experience about the sovereignty of God. God was able to humble the arrogant Nebuchadnezzar. God is able to humble American and European leaders and politicians who walk in pride and dictate the world.
Jas 4:4 , “ You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. ”
Note: Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. The ways of the world are contrary to the way of God.
Mar 7:37 , “They were utterly astonished, saying, “He has done all things well; He makes even the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”
Note: It is wonderful to know ultimately all will acknowledge that God in His sovereignty does all things well. People were utterly astonished that Jesus Christ has done all things well.
(D.) God Rules Over Nature.
Exo 15:1-21, “Then Moses and the sons of Israel sang this song to the LORD, and said, “I will sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted; The horse and its rider He has hurled into the sea. The LORD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise Him; my father’s God, and I will extol Him. The LORD is a Warrior; the LORD is His name. Pharaoh’s chariots and his army He has cast into the sea; and the choicest of his officers are drowned in the Red Sea. The deeps cover them; they went down into the depths like a stone. Your right hand, O LORD, is majestic in power, Your right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy. And in the greatness of Your excellence You overthrow those who rise up against You; You send forth Your burning anger, and it consumes them as chaff . At the blast of Your nostrils the waters were piled up, the flowing waters stood up like a heap; the deeps were congealed in the heart of the sea. The enemy said, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my desire shall be gratified against them; I will draw out my sword, my hand will destroy them.’ You blew with Your wind, the sea covered them; they sank like lead in the mighty waters. Who is like You among the gods, O LORD? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders? You stretched out Your right hand, the earth swallowed them. In Your lovingkindness You have led the people whom You have redeemed; In Your strength You have guided them to Your holy habitation. The peoples have heard, they tremble; anguish has gripped the inhabitants of Philistia. Then the chiefs of Edom were dismayed; the leaders of Moab, trembling grips them; all the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away. Terror and dread fall upon them; by the greatness of Your arm they are motionless as stone; until Your people pass over, O LORD, until the people pass over whom You have purchased. You will bring them and plant them in the mountain of Your inheritance, the place, O LORD, which You have made for Your dwelling, the sanctuary, O Lord, which Your hands have established. The LORD shall reign forever and ever. For the horses of Pharaoh with his chariots and his horsemen went into the sea, and the LORD brought back the waters of the sea on them, but the sons of Israel walked on dry land through the midst of the sea. Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’ s sister, took the timbrel in her hand, and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dancing. Miriam answered them,“ Sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted; The horse and his rider He has hurled into the sea.”
Note: Moses and the sons of Israel sang this song because God delivered them from the powerful Pharaoh in ruling over nature. By nature it means the natural, physical, or material world. Sea, winds, waters, earth, mountains, wilderness, birds, rock, weather, sun, moon, stars, storm, animals, fire, etc. are parts of nature. God controls over nature and the law of nature.
Deu 11:4 , “and what He did to Egypt’s army, to its horses and its chariots, when He made the water of the Red Sea to engulf them while they were pursuing you, and the LORD completely destroyed them.”
Note: Here is another historical example how God used His sovereign power to protect His children and prevent them from disaster or destruction and at the same time God punished and destroyed the enemies of Israel the Egypt’s army.
Exo 15:22-26, “Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter; therefore it was named Marah. So the people grumbled at Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” Then he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree; and he threw it into the waters, and the waters became sweet. There He made for them a statute and regulation, and there He tested them. And He said, “If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the LORD your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the LORD, am your Healer. ”
Note: Here is another historical example of how God used His sovereign power to change bitter waters into sweet for His children to drink in the wilderness.
Exo 16-7, “Then they set out from Elim, and all the congregation of the sons of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departure from the land of Egypt. The whole congregation of the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The sons of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the LORD’S hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat, when we ate bread to the full; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from Heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.” So Moses and Aaron said to all the sons of Israel, “At evening you will know that the LORD has brought you out of the land of Egypt; and in the morning you will see the glory of the LORD, for He hears your grumblings against the LORD; and what are we, that you grumble against us?”
Note: Here is another historical example how God used His sovereign power to provide Manna (bread from Heaven) to eat in the wilderness of Sin. The Lord hates grumblings against Him. Therefore, Christians do not grumble against the Lord.
Exo 16:8-15, “Moses said, “This will happen when the LORD gives you meat to eat in the evening, and bread to the full in the morning; for the LORD hears your grumblings which you grumble against Him. And what are we? Your grumblings are not against us but against the LORD.” Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, ‘Come near before the LORD, for He has heard your grumblings.’” It came about as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the sons of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud. And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “I have heard the grumblings of the sons of Israel; speak to them, saying, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread; and you shall know that I am the LORD your God.’ ”So it came about at evening that the quails came up and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the layer of dew evaporated, behold, on the surface of the wilderness there was a fine flake-like thing, fine as the frost on the ground. When the sons of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, “It is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat. ”
Note: Here is another historical example how God used His sovereign power to provide bread and meat for the children of Israel to eat in the wilderness.
Deu 8:15 , “He led you through the great and terrible wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water; He brought water for you out of the rock of flint.”
Note: Here is another historical example how God used His sovereign power to lead the children of Israel through the great and terrible wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water. God provided and brought water for them out of the rock of flint. Imagine water out of the rock of flint, never before had it happened.
1Ki 17:3-7, “Go away from here and turn eastward, and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. It shall be that you will drink of the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to provide for you there.” So he went and did according to the Word of the LORD, for he went and lived by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he would drink from the brook. It happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land. ”
Note: Here is a marvelous historical example how God used His sovereign power to command the ravens to provide bread and meat for the prophet Elijah.
1Ki 17:9-16, “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and stay there; behold, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” So he arose and went to Zarephath, and when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks; and he called to her and said, “ Please get me a little water in a jar , that I may drink.” As she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a piece of bread in your hand.” But she said, “As the LORD your God lives, I have no bread, only a handful of flour in the bowl and a little oil in the jar; and behold, I am gathering a few sticks that I may go in and prepare for me and my son, that we may eat it and die.” Then Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go, do as you have said, but make me a little bread cake from it first and bring it out to me, and afterward you may make one for yourself and for your son. For thus says the LORD God of Israel, ‘ The bowl of flour shall not be exhausted, nor shall the jar of oil be empty, until the day that the LORD sends rain on the face of the earth.’ So she went and did according to the word of Elijah, and she and he and her household ate for many days. The bowl of flour was not exhausted nor did the jar of oil become empty, according to the Word of the LORD which He spoke through Elijah.”
Note: Here is another historical example how God used His sovereign power to provide for Elijah, the widow and her son for many days. God overruled the nature to make the bowl of flour never exhausted nor did the jar of oil become empty. God works wonders.
2Ki 2:19-22 , “Then the men of the city said to Elisha, “Behold now, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees; but the water is bad and the land is unfruitful.” He said, “Bring me a new jar, and put salt in it.” So they brought it to him. He went out to the spring of water and threw salt in it and said, “Thus says the LORD, ‘ I have purified these waters; there shall not be from there death or unfruitfulness any longer.” So the waters have been purified to this day, according to the word of Elisha which he spoke. ”
Note: Here is another historical example how God used His sovereign power to purify the waters.
2Ki 6:1-7, “Now the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “Behold now, the place before you where we are living is too limited for us. Please let us go to the Jordan and each of us take from there a beam, and let us make a place there for ourselves where we may live.” So he said, “Go.” Then one said, “Please be willing to go with your servants.” And he answered, “I shall go.” So he went with them; and when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. But as one was felling a beam, the ax head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, “Alas, my master! For it was borrowed.” Then the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” And when he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there, and made the iron float. He said, “Take it up for yourself.” So he put out his hand and took it. ”
Note: Here is an interesting historical example how God used His sovereign power and overruled the laws of physics to make the iron (axe) float to relieve the son of the prophets from losing his borrowed axe.
Job 37:15 , “Do you know how God controls the storm
and causes the lightning to flash from His clouds?”
Psa 107:29 , “He caused the storm to be still,
So that the waves of the sea were hushed.”
Note: Cause in Hebrew is quwm which means to perform; accomplish; establish; set; fix; impose; make; carry out; give effect to; to make something happen; – which occurs 630 times in the Old Testament. God has power over nature to cause things to happen.
Jer 13:16 , “Give glory to the LORD your God,
Before He brings darkness
And before your feet stumble
On the dusky mountains,
And while you are hoping for light
He makes it into deep darkness,
And turns it into gloom. ”
Amo 4:13 , “For behold, He who forms mountains and creates the wind
And declares to man what are His thoughts,
He who makes dawn into darkness
And treads on the high places of the earth,
The LORD God of hosts is His name.”
Num 16:25-35 , “Then Moses arose and went to Dathan and Abiram, with the elders of Israel following him, and he spoke to the congregation, saying, “ Depart now from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing that belongs to them, or you will be swept away in all their sin. ” So they got back from around the dwellings of Korah, Dathan and Abiram; and Dathan and Abiram came out and stood at the doorway of their tents, along with their wives and their sons and their little ones. Moses said, “By this you shall know that the LORD has sent me to do all these deeds; for this is not my doing. If these men die the death of all men or if they suffer the fate of all men, then the LORD has not sent me. But if the LORD brings about an entirely new thing and the ground opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that is theirs, and they descend alive into Sheol, then you will understand that these men have spurned the LORD.” As he finished speaking all these words, the ground that was under them split open; and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, and their households, and all the men who belonged to Korah with their possessions. So they and all that belonged to them went down alive to Sheol; and the earth closed over them, and they perished from the midst of the assembly. All Israel who were around them fled at their outcry, for they said, “The earth may swallow us up!” Fire also came forth from the LORD and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who were offering the incense.”
Note: These two examples show how God used His sovereign power to punish the wicked men by splitting open the ground under them, swallowed them up, then the earth closed over them. And fire came forth from the Lord to consume the two hundred and fifty men who were offering the incense presumptuously.
Isa 38:8 , “Behold, I will cause the shadow on the stairway , which has gone down with the sun on the stairway of Ahaz, to go back ten steps.” So the sun’s shadow went back ten steps on the stairway on which it had gone down. ”
Note: God caused the sun’s shadow go back ten steps on the stairway on which it had gone down. God rules over nature.
Jos 10:12-13 , “Then Joshua spoke to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel,“O sun, stand still at Gibeon, and O moon in the valley of Aijalon.” So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation avenged themselves of their enemies. Is it not written in the book of Jashar? And the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day. ”
Note: God’s sovereignty includes God made the sun stand still and the moon stopped for about a whole day.
Psa 104:19, “He made the moon for the seasons;
The sun knows the place of its setting. ”
Note: God’s sovereignty includes controlling the seasons.
Jon 4:8 , “When the sun came up God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on Jonah’s head so that he became faint and begged with all his soul to die, saying, “Death is better to me than life.”
Note: God’s sovereignty includes controlling a scorching east wind.
Jon 1:4 , “The LORD hurled a great wind on the sea and there was a great storm on the sea so that the ship was about to break up. ”
Note: God’s sovereignty includes the Lord hurling a great wind on the sea.
Dan 3:8-30, “For this reason at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and brought charges against the Jews. They responded and said to Nebuchadnezzar the king: “O king, live forever! You, O king, have made a decree that every man who hears the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, and bagpipe and all kinds of music, is to fall down and worship the golden image. But whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire. There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the administration of the province of Babylon, namely Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. These men, O king, have disregarded you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up.” Then Nebuchadnezzar in rage and anger gave orders to bring Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego; then these men were brought before the king. Nebuchadnezzar responded and said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? Now if you are ready, at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery and bagpipe and all kinds of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, very well. But if you do not worship, you will immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire; and what god is there who can deliver you out of my hands?” Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up. ” Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with wrath, and his facial expression was altered toward Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. He answered by giving orders to heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. He commanded certain valiant warriors who were in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego in order to cast them into the furnace of blazing fire. Then these men were tied up in their trousers, their coats, their caps and their other clothes, and were cast into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire. For this reason, because the king’s command was urgent and the furnace had been made extremely hot, the flame of the fire slew those men who carried up Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. But these three men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, fell into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire still tied up. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astounded and stood up in haste; he said to his high officials, “Was it not three men we cast bound into the midst of the fire?” They replied to the king, “Certainly, O king.” He said, “Look! I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!” Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the furnace of blazing fire; he responded and said, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, come out, you servants of the Most High God, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego came out of the midst of the fire. The satraps, the prefects, the governors and the king’s high officials gathered around and saw in regard to these men that the fire had no effect on the bodies of these men nor was the hair of their head singed, nor were their trousers damaged, nor had the smell of fire even come upon them. Nebuchadnezzar responded and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who put their trust in Him, violating the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies so as not to serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation or tongue that speaks anything offensive against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego shall be torn limb from limb and their houses reduced to a rubbish heap, inasmuch as there is no other god who is able to deliver in this way.” Then the king caused Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego to prosper in the province of Babylon. ”
Note: Here is another most dramatic example how God used His supreme power to protect Shadrach, Meschach and Abed-nego and prevent fire from consuming them, and used the same fire to punish and slay His enemies.
Dan 6:10-24, “Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously. Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God. Then they approached and spoke before the king about the king’s injunction, “Did you not sign an injunction that any man who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, is to be cast into the lions’ den?” The king replied, “The statement is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked.” Then they answered and spoke before the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the injunction which you signed, but keeps making his petition three times a day.” Then, as soon as the king heard this statement, he was deeply distressed and set his mind on delivering Daniel; and even until sunset he kept exerting himself to rescue him. Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, “Recognize, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or statute which the king establishes may be changed.” Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions’ den. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you.” A stone was brought and laid over the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing would be changed in regard to Daniel. Then the king went off to his palace and spent the night fasting, and no entertainment was brought before him; and his sleep fled from him. Then the king arose at dawn, at the break of day, and went in haste to the lions’ den. When he had come near the den to Daniel, he cried out with a troubled voice. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you constantly serve, been able to deliver you from the lions? ” Then Daniel spoke to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime.” Then the king was very pleased and gave orders for Daniel to be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den and no injury whatever was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. The king then gave orders, and they brought those men who had maliciously accused Daniel, and they cast them, their children and their wives into the lions’ den; and they had not reached the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones. ”
Note: This is a classic example how God used His sovereign power to prevent the lions from harming Daniel, at the same time using His power to punish those malicious men (with their children and wives) crushed by the same lions.
Jer 10:13 , “When He utters His voice, there is a tumult of waters in the Heavens,
And He causes the clouds to ascend from the end of the Earth;
He makes lightning for the rain ,
And brings out the wind from His storehouses. ”
Zec 7:14 , “but I scattered them with a storm wind among all the nations whom they have not known. Thus the land is desolated behind them so that no one went back and forth, for they made the pleasant land desolate.”
Note: God’s sovereignty includes scattering among all nations with a storm wind and making the pleasant land desolate.
2Ch 6:28, “If there is famine in the land, if there is pestilence, if there is blight or mildew, if there is locust or grasshopper, if their enemies besiege them in the land of their cities, whatever plague or whatever sickness there is.”
Note: God’s sovereignty includes creating famine, pestilence, blight or mildew, locust or grasshopper, plague and sickness. The whole world witnesses the CORONAVIRUS pandemic in 2020-2021 as well as locusts that devastate some countries. At first American leaders and politicians brazenly and falsely accused China of making COVID-19 at Wuhan Lab. Pestilence or plague cannot be man-made. I believe God is using CORONAVIRUS to punish the world of their sins and iniquities and warn them that coming of Jesus Christ to judge the world is at hand. According to John Kelly, Senior Research Editor at Dictionary.com, “A pandemic is a disease prevalent throughout an entire country, continent, or the whole world. A pandemic is an epidemic that has spread over a large area. The World Health Organization (WHO) specifically uses pandemic to refer to new diseases people do not have immunity for and that have spread worldwide. The WHO has declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.” We are not going here to debate whether CORONAVIRUS is a pestilence or plague.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) statistics
Last updated 2 minutes ago. All times are UTC/GMT (Now it’s Nov 16 07:02).
World stats 651,123,528
Total confirmed cases
6,717,887
Total deaths
United States
Infected 99,974,387 Deaths: 1,100,631
582,456
A fool said he believed in nature, and nature was his god. But God controls the nature and everything God created in the universe. Do you know God controls COVID-19?
Since the World War II, the world has not faced anything more calamitous and disastrous. Furthermore, no one knows exactly when will COVID-19 end and how will it end. It is immoral for some Western leaders to politicize the pandemic and blame China for nothing, while neglecting their duties and responsibilities to protect their own peoples and human lives. Some Western leaders plan and plot to dictate and dominate the world, but they contribute nothing to protect and preserve the world. For geopolitical reasons, these white supremacists “divide and rule” the world. They are not interested in solving the world’s problems and working together to build a better world.
Mar 4:39-41, “And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him? ”
Luk 8:24 , “They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and it became calm. ”
Note: Jesus is God, even the wind and the sea obey Him. God’s sovereignty makes the natural world obey Him. The nature obeys God.
Eze 14:15 , “If I were to cause wild beasts to pass through the land and they depopulated it, and it became desolate so that no one would pass through it because of the beasts .”
Note: The Lord controls wild beasts to depopulate the land.
Isa 44:24 , “Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, and the One who formed you from the womb. I, the LORD, am the Maker of all things,
Stretching out the Heavens by Myself
And spreading out the Earth all alone.”
Note: The Lord your Redeemer is the One who formed you from the womb, the Maker of all things. God is stretching out the Heavens and spreading out the Earth all by Himself. The expanding universe is not caused by Big Bang.
(E.) HOW TO PLEASE THE SOVEREIGN GOD.
Rom 15:3 , “For even Christ did not please Himself ; but as it is written, “THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME.”
Note: Christ sets an example for Christians to submit to the Will of God in obedience.
1Co 7:32 , “But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord .”
Note: Christians please the Lord by being concerned about the things of the Lord.
Gal 1:10 , “For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ . ”
Note: A servant of Christ is not seeking the favor of men, or striving to please men. Servants of the Lord need to learn from Nathan the prophet and John the Baptist who were not afraid of kings.
Col 1:10 , “so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God .”
Note: To please God in all respects is to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. To walk means to live.
1Th 4:1 , “Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more. ”
Note: To live and please God is the ultimate goal of a Christian life.
Heb 11:6 , “and without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. ”
Note: There is no hope for unbelievers because without faith it is impossible to please God. He who comes to God must believe that He is. GOD IS WHO GOD IS.
Psa 67:7 , “God blesses us,
That all the ends of the Earth may fear Him. ”
Note: To fear God is to be blessed.
Psa 69:30-32, “I will praise the name of God with song
And magnify Him with thanksgiving. And it will please the LORD better than an ox Or a young bull with horns and hoofs. The humble have seen it and are glad; You who seek God, let your heart revive. ”
Note: Praise God with sons and magnify Him with thanksgiving. Those who seek God, let you heart be glad and rejoice.
Rom 8:6-8, “For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. ”
Note: Secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers cannot please God because they are in the flesh. Their mind does not subject itself to the Word of God.
Psa 47:2 , “For the LORD Most High is to be feared,
A great King over all the earth. ”
1Ti 1:17 , “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. ”
Note: The only God is eternal, immortal and invisible. No man can by science or human wisdom to find God. God is beyond and above science and human mind.
Psa 72:11 ,“And let all kings bow down before Him,
All nations serve Him. ”
IV. THE SALVATION OF GOD.
The salvation of God manifests especially the LOVE of God.
God has made a revelation, the revelation of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. God sent His Son to save the world.
1Ch 16:23 , “Sing to the LORD, all the Earth;
Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day. ”
Note: Good tidings are glad tidings are good news. The salvation of God is the good tidings. In the New Testament it is understood as the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Psa 3:8 , “Salvation belongs to the LORD;
Your blessing be upon Your people! Selah. ”
Note: Salvation belongs to the Lord. All other religions salvation belongs to men. No man, no founder or religion, can save. No way of man can save.
Psa 24:5 , “He shall receive a blessing from the LORD
And righteousness from the God of his salvation. ”
Note: To receive the righteousness of God, a man is justified. When a man is justified, he is saved because all his sins are forgiven. A believer is counted or credited as righteous before God.
Psa 98:2 , “The LORD has made known His salvation;
He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations. ”
Note: The righteousness of God is revealed in Jesus Christ the Righteous One so that all who believe in Him is justified before God.
Isa 51:6 , “Lift up your eyes to the sky,
Then look to the Earth beneath;
For the sky will vanish like smoke,
And the Earth will wear out like a garment
And its inhabitants will die in like manner;
But My salvation will be forever,
And My righteousness will not wane. ”
Note: The salvation accomplished by Jesus Christ is eternal. Those who believe in His name will never perish but have the everlasting life.
Zec 9:9 , “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your king is coming to you;
He is just and endowed with salvation,
Humble, and mounted on a donkey,
Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey. ”
Note: The cited prophecy was fulfilled in the New Testament.
Mat 21:6-11, “The disciples went and did just as Jesus had instructed them, and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid their coats on them; and He sat on the coats. Most of the crowd spread their coats in the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them in the road. The crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting,
“Hosanna to the Son of David;
BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD;
Hosanna in the highest!” When He had entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Luk 1:77 , “To give to His people the knowledge of salvation
By the forgiveness of their sins .”
Note: The knowledge of salvation is the most important knowledge. Knowledge of science falsely so called cannot save you. Knowledge of biology does not give you life. Knowledge of astronomy does not bring you to Heaven. Knowledge of calculus does not add one hour to your life. Knowledge of philosophy does not give you wisdom. Knowledge of Jesus Christ gives you knowledge of salvation and the forgiveness of your sins.
Luk 19:9 , “And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. ”
Jhn 4:22 , “You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. ”
Note: God promised the Messiah to be born a Jew. Act 28:28 , “Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen.”
Act 4:12 , “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under Heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
Note: Salvation is only in Jesus Christ, there is salvation in no one else. There is no other name under Heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved. Jhn 1:12 -13, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. ” As many as received Jesus Christ, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. Jesus saves us through sacrifice of Himself, the Righteous for the unrighteous, the Sinless for the sinful and died on the cross for the sins of the world.
Act 16:17 , “Following after Paul and us, she kept crying out, saying, “These men are bond-servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation .”
Note: Even a spirit of divination knows that Paul and Silas are proclaiming the way of salvation. The way of salvation is the way of God, salvation comes from God.
Rom 1:16 , “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Gentiles. ”
Rom 10:9 -10, “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. ”
2Co 6:2 , “for He says,
“AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU,
AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU.”
Behold, now is “THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,” behold, now is “THE DAY OF SALVATION”—
2Co 7:10 , “For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. ”
Eph 1:13 , “In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the Gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise.”
1Th 5:9 , “For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ .”
Note: The Gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes in Jesus Christ. To believe you must repent of your sins and confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord. Now is the day of salvation. Having believed, you will receive the Holy Spirit to live in you.
2Th 2:13 , “But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. ”
Note: Having salvation through Jesus Christ, believers are sanctified by the Holy Spirit and faith in the truth.
2Ti 2:10 , “For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory. ”
Note: The final consummation of salvation is eternal glory with Jesus Christ in the Kingdom of Heaven.
2Ti 3:15 , “and that from childhood you have known the Sacred Writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. ”
Note: The Sacred Writings are the Holy Scriptures. The Holy Scriptures is the Holy Bible. Having known the Holy Scriptures will give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Heb 2:3 , “how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard.”
Note: Neglect in Greek is ameleō which means to make light; to be careless of; to regard not; to disregard; to be negligent; – which occurs 6 times in the New Testament. Those who neglect their health consequently suffer sickness. But those who neglect so great a salvation will die in their sins eternally.
Heb 2:10, “For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the Author of their salvation through sufferings. ”
Heb 5:9 , “And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation. ”
Note: The salvation accomplished by Jesus Christ is eternal salvation.
Heb 9:28 , “so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him. ”
Note: Jesus Christ is coming again to redeem the body of Christians to be transformed into spiritual and glorious body fit for Heaven and eternity.
Heb 11:7 , “By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. ”
Note: In the Great Flood, the world was condemned, and only eight persons of Noah’s household were saved.
1Pe 1:5 , “who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ”
1Pe 1:9, “obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. ”
1Pe 1:10 , “As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries.”
Note: Believers are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We are not saved by what we have done, we are saved by what Jesus Christ has done for us. We do not deserve anything, it is the grace of God.
1Pe 2:2 , “like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the Word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.”
2Pe 3:15 , “and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you.”
Note: Christians who are saved must grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. The Word of God is like the pure milk for newborn Christians.
Jde 1:3 , “Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. ”
Note: Christians are told to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and contend earnestly for the faith. Contend earnestly for in Greek is epagōnizomai which means to struggle for; to assert; to maintain earnestly; to strive in debate; to contest; to state strongly as the truth; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament.
Rev 7:10 , “and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”
Rev 12:10 , “Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night. ”
Rev 19:1 , “After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in Heaven, saying, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God.”
Note: Salvation in Greek is sōtēria which means deliverance from the power and the effects of sin; preservation; safety; Messianic salvation; salvation as the present possession of all true Christians; – which occurs 45 times in the New Testament. The word soteriology is derived from the Greek word. To prevent confusion, the New Testament explains salvation in terms of past, present, and future time. Salvation is personal, a historical package of an ongoing process to the final consummation.
Eph 1:3-6, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. ”
The Past: In Christ God the Father chose us in Him before the foundation of the world. In love God predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the kind intention of His will. This is all to the praise of the glory of His grace we received freely.
Rom 8:28-30, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified . ”
HOW TO BE SAVED
It is as easy as ABCD
(A.) God loves the people of the world.
God created the mankind, but man disobeyed God, so all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. The wages of sin is death, so we all have to die. After death is judgement. But God sent His Son Jesus Christ to the world to save sinners.
(B.) Man cannot save himself. No matter how good he is, he is not good enough to go to Heaven. No man can by his own good deeds to be justified before the Righteous God.
(C.) To atone the sin of the world, Jesus Christ willingly sacrificed Himself to die on the cross for sinners. The Righteous for the unrighteous in order to bring man to reconcile to God. Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead the third days so that the salvation of God is made available to all men.
(D.) If you confess your sins and repent, and believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior, you shall be saved by grace to receive the forgiveness of sins, and to receive a new life by the regeneration of the Holy Spirit.
Would you say the following prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus,
I am a sinner unable to save myself. No one can save me, but I believe you are the Son of God and my Lord and Savior. With all my heart I accept You and ask You to save me from my sins, from death in Hell. Please send your Spirit to come into my heart, give me a new life and lead me. From now on, I am your disciple and follow You. Amen.
The following seven key words explain the whole historical and personal process of salvation:
(1.) Foreknow:
Rom 8:29 , “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren.”
Note: Foreknow in Greek is proginōskō which means to know before; foreordain; to have knowledge before hand; to predestinate; to foresee; to foreknow of those whom God elected to salvation; to ordain; to know before it happens; – which occurs 6 times in the New Testament. God knows everything and so He foreknew. The mind of the Lord foreknew. No one has known the mind of the Lord. No one can become His counselor. No man can instruct the Lord. Except the Mind of Christ knows the Mind of the Lord. For the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. Thanks be to God who foreknew the elect. God does not change His mind. God foreknew who would believe and who would not believe. God foreknew the elect and predestined them to conform to the image of His Son Jesus Christ.
Rom 11:34 , “For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD , OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR ? ”
Note: Mind in Greek is nous which means understanding; the intellectual faculty; the faculties of perceiving and understanding and those of feeling, judging, determining; the conscious mental capabilities; the power of considering and judging soberly, calmly and impartially; – which occurs 24 times in the New Testament. Counselor in Greek is symboulos which means adviser; consultor; a person who gives advice;- which occurs 1 time in the New Testament.
1Co 2:16 , “For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ. ”
Note: The arrogance of secular academics, unbelieving theologians, scientists and philosophers is to think they can become counselor of God or instruct God.
1Sa 15:29 , “Also the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man that He should change His mind.”
Note: God will not lie or change His mind.
Rom 11:2-6, “God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? “Lord, THEY HAVE KILLED YOUR PROPHETS, THEY HAVE TORN DOWN YOUR ALTARS, AND I ALONE AM LEFT, AND THEY ARE SEEKING MY LIFE.” But what is the divine response to him? “ I HAVE KEPT for Myself SEVEN THOUSAND MEN WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO BAAL.” In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s gracious choice. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace. ”
Note: According to God’s gracious choice, all whom God foreknew will be saved. Man does not have foreknowledge; he does not even know what is happening right before his eyes. The smartest scientists and scholars do not know when they are going to die.
(2.) Choose:
Jhn 15:16 , “You did not choose Me but I chose you , and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. ”
Note: Choose in Greek is eklegomai which means to make choice; to pick out for oneself; to select freely; to have a preference for; to elect; – which occurs 23 times in the New Testament. God made gracious choice, God chose the elect.
Eph 1:3-4, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love ”
Note: God chose the elect in Him before the foundation of the world so that we would be holy and blameless before Him.
Neh 9:7, “You are the LORD God,
Who chose Abram and brought him out from Ur of the Chaldees,
And gave him the name Abraham. ”
Note: God chose Abraham, “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Rom 4:16 , “For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.”
Deu 7:6 , “For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the Earth. ”
Note: No one would presume to know why God has chosen the Jewish people to be a people for His possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. More wonderful God has chosen unworthy me out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.
Deu 10:15 , “Yet on your fathers did the LORD set His affection to love them, and He chose their descendants after them, even you above all peoples, as it is this day. ”
1Ki 11:34 , “Nevertheless I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand, but I will make him ruler all the days of his life, for the sake of My servant David whom I chose, who observed My commandments and My statutes.”
Jhn 15:19 , “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. ”
Note: Jesus Christ chose Christians out of the world. Christians are not of the world. Do you know any world leader who is a true Christian? You cannot be a Christian if the world loves you.
Eph 1:4-6, “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. ”
Note: Those who God chose in Him before the foundation of the world, in love He also predestined to become children of God through Jesus Christ.
Act 13:17 , “The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He led them out from it. ”
Note: God chose the people Israel, made them great, and with power He led them out of Egypt.
Mar 13:20 , “Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days. ”
Note: The elect in Greek is eklektos which means the chosen; favorite; chosen by God; the picked out; Christians are called “chosen or elect” of God; those who are called and chosen to be partakers of salvation; – which occurs 24 times in the New Testament. For the sake of the elect, God will shorten the days of tribulation.
Isa 42:1 , “Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold;
My Chosen One in whom My soul delights.
I have put My Spirit upon Him;
He will bring forth justice to the nations. ”
Note: This Scripture refers My Servant, My Chosen One as Jesus Christ the Son of God.
Luk 9:35 , “Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!”
Note: Jesus Christ is the Son of God, God’s Chosen One; we must listen to Him. Listen in Greek is akouō which means to give audience; to hearken; to attend to; to understand of what is said; to obey; to give ear to; to yield to; to yield obedience to the voice; – which occurs 436 times in the New Testament. We must listen to Christ as we listen to no other.
Jhn 13:18 , “I do not speak of all of you. I know the ones I have chosen; but it is that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘HE WHO EATS MY BREAD HAS LIFTED UP HIS HEEL AGAINST ME.’
Note: Jesus says, Jhn 10:27, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me .” The sheep of Jesus hear the voice of Jesus, and Jesus knows them, and they follow Jesus. If you do not listen and follow Jesus because you are not His sheep.
Act 10:41 , “not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. ”
Note: The Apostles and disciples were chosen beforehand by God to be firsthand witnesses of Jesus Christ because they ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.
Col 3:12 , “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Note: Put on in Greek is endyō which means to be clothed with or in; to have on; to be endued; to be arrayed in; get into; – which occurs 29 times in the New Testament. Christians who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, must put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. A Christian heart is characterized by compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
2Th 2:13 , “But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. ”
Note: God has chosen believers from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. The ultimate stage of salvation is glorification when Christians will reign with Christ forever and ever in the Kingdom of Heaven.
2Ti 2:10, “For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory. ”
Note: Salvation can be obtained only in Christ Jesus, the ultimate end is eternal glory in the Kingdom of God.
1Pe 2:9 , “But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
Note: Race in Greek is genos which means kind; kindred; stock; nation; offspring; tribe; nationality or descent from a particular people ; the aggregate of many individuals of the same nature, kind, sort; a people belonging to the same stock; a category of people sharing the same interests and values; – which occurs 21 times in the New Testament. Christians must not be a racist in this world, but actually Christians belong to a Chosen Race. Based on the Word of God, I venture to make a distinction between the chosen people (the Jews) and the chosen race (Christians). Eventually, the Jews who become Christians will belong to the Chosen Race. The Jewish Christians and the Gentile Christians will become one in Christ, A Chosen Race, A Royal Priesthood, A Holy Nation, A People for God’s Own Possession. Christians now proclaim the excellencies of God who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Rev 17:14 , “These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful. ”
Note: A People for God’s Own Possession are the called and chosen and faithful who belong to the Lord of lords and the King of kings in the Kingdom of Heaven forever and ever.
(3.) Predestine:
Act 4:28 , “to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur. ”
Note: God predestined things and events to occur. Predestine in Greek is proorizō which means to determine before; to predestinate; to ordain; to predetermine; to decide beforehand; to foreordain; to appoint beforehand; God decreeing from eternity; – which occurs 6 times in the New Testament. God predestined whatever to occur according to His power and purpose. God predestined whatever to occur according to His hand and purpose. Hand in Greek is cheir which means figuratively applied to God symbolizing His might, activity, power; in determining and controlling the destinies of men; – which occurs 174 times in the New Testament. Purpose in Greek is boulē which means counsel; will; advice; all the contents of the divine plan; intention; object or end to be attained; – which occurs 12 times in the New Testament. Predestine in Greek is proorizō which means to predestinate; to determine before; to ordain; to predetermine; to decide beforehand; God decreeing from eternity; to foreordain; to appoint beforehand; to determine in advance; to destine beforehand; to foreordain destiny by divine decree; – which occurs 6 times in the New Testament. God foreknew whatever comes to pass and predestined to occur according to God’s purpose or will.
Rom 8:29 , “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren .”
Note: Become conformed in Greek is symmorphos which means to be fashioned like unto; having the same form as another; to be jointly formed; to be similar; to be in accordance with; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Image in Greek is eikōn which means likeness; figure; resemblance; statue; profile; representation; moral likeness; – which occurs 23 times in the New Testament. For those whom God foreknew would believe, God also predestined them to become conformed to the image of of Jesus Christ His Son. For Christians to be conformed to the Image of Jesus is to have the mind of Christ, created in righteousness, holiness, and truth. Among believers are many brethren. All children of God are brethren.
1Co 2:7 , “but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory.”
Note: Wisdom in Greek is sophia which means broad and full of intelligence; the varied knowledge of things human and divine; the knowledge and practice of the requisites for godly and upright living ; knowledge of very diverse matters; supreme intelligence that belongs to God; – which occurs 51 times in the New Testament. There are two kinds of wisdom: human wisdom which is lower and limited, divine wisdom which is higher, spiritual and supreme and infinite. Mystery in Greek is mystērion which means hidden thing; secret; a hidden or secret thing; something not obvious to understanding; the secret counsels of God which govern everything; – which occurs 27 times in the New Testament. God’s wisdom is a great mystery. God was in His hidden wisdom predestined the elect to glory before the ages (eternity past or the eternal past). Think how awful and absurd it is for secular academics and atheists of limited intelligence and of short existence to deny the Eternal God.
Eph 1:5 , “He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will.”
Note: Adoption in Greek is huiothesia which means the placing as a son; the taking by choice into a relationship; accepting formally; taking another person as one’s child legally; – which occurs 10 times in the New Testament. Jhn 1:12 , “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.”
Kind intention in Greek is eudokia which means good pleasure; good will; kindly intent; benevolence; delight; kindness; – which occurs 13 times in the New Testament. Wonderful Heavenly Father predestined believers to adoption as children of God through Jesus Christ. This was done according to the kind intention of His will.
Eph 1:11, “also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will.”
Note: Obtain an inheritance in Greek is klēroō which means to allot on to another as a possession; to make a heritage or private possession; to assign a possession to; – which occurs 2 times in the New Testament. Counsel in Greek is boulē which means will; advice; a policy or plan of action; deliberation; consultation; – which occurs 12 times in the New Testament. God predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will. Those believers who were predestined by God also obtained an inheritance, an inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God. It is important to know that God’s predestination works according to His purpose after the counsel of His will.
Isa 65:12 , “I will destine you for the sword,
And all of you will bow down to the slaughter.
Because I called, but you did not answer;
I spoke, but you did not hear.
And you did evil in My sight
And chose that in which I did not delight .”
Note: We have learned from the Scriptures that God predestined before ages. The above Scripture cited tells us God will destine. Whether in everlasting past, or everlasting present, or everlasting future, God rules over all.
There was a false teacher called John Calvin. He taught that God divides mankind into two groups: the Elect, who will be saved and go to Heaven; and the Reprobates, or damned, who will spend eternity in Hell. This doctrine is called predestination. But Calvin taught a false doctrine.
Don’t worry, in matter of salvation what God says matters. What false teachers, false prophets and unbelieving theologians say do not matter. This is the Word of God, Jhn 3:16,“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son Jesus Christ who came down from Heaven to save sinners. God loves you too. God wants to save you, only if you believe in Jesus Christ and accept Him as your Lord and Savior and you will be saved. The word “whoever” in Greek is pas which means all, all men and women and children; any; everyone; whatsoever; individually; collectively; the whole; as many as; any and every; the highest degree; the maximum; no matter who; – which occurs 1,410 times in the New Testament. So the word of God “whoever” must include you, and every and anyone who wants to be saved can be saved. John Calvin was a false teacher, he did not understand the word “whoever”.
What is more, Jesus Christ, the Savior of mankind, has the final say: Jhn 6:37,
“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.” Jesus Christ assures you, all that the Father gives Him and the one who comes to Him, He will certainly not cast out. All means any and everyone, whoever, that includes you. The one who comes to Jesus means anyone and everyone who comes to Jesus, that definitely includes you. Certainly not means never. “Cast out” in Greek is ekballō which means to pull out; to drive out; to send out; to kick out; to throw out with violence or force; to expel; to banish; to compel one to depart; to command to depart in haste; to tear out; to draw out; to reject with contempt; to pluck out; to boot out; to send away; – which occurs 84 times in the New Testament. It is very clear, if you come to Jesus Christ for salvation, He will certain not kick you out.
(4.) Call:
Rom 8:28 , “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. ”
Note: Cause all things to work together in Greek is synergeō which means to work with; to help with; to put forth power together; to cooperate; to unite; – which occurs 9 times in the New Testament. Be called in Greek is klētos which means to be invited; to be invited by God to obtain eternal salvation in the Kingdom through Christ; to be appointed a saint; to summon; to command to meet; to ask some one to come to you; – which occurs 10 times in the New Testament. God called those who love God according to His purpose.
Rom 8:30 , “and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. ”
Note: Call in Greek is kaleō which means to invite; bid; to call by name; to ask someone to come; to summon; to utter in a loud voice; – which occurs 149 times in the New Testament. Those whom God foreknew, He also chose; those whom God chose, He also predestined; those whom God predestined, He also called; those whom God called, He also justified; those whom God justified, He also sanctified; those whom God sanctified, He also glorified. These seven processes or stages complete the salvation of God. Glorification is the ultimate process and stage of God’s salvation occurring in the Kingdom of Heaven forever and ever. This will be explained latter.
Mat 9:13 , “But go and learn what this means: ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Luk 5:32 , “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
Note: Righteous in Greek is dikaios which means just; right; upright; morally correct; virtuous; innocent; guiltless; faultless; free from guilt or sin; – which occurs 96 times in the New Testament. Sinner in Greek is hamartōlos which means sinful man; not free from sin; all wicked men; man stained with vices and crimes; – which occurs 46 times in the New Testament. Human standard differs from divine standard. People may admit themselves sinful but not wicked. In the sight of God all sinful men are wicked. We all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Sin is not the same as crime. Sin is defined by God, crime is defined by the law of a nation. A sin may not be a crime in the sight of a state, all crimes are sins in the sight of God. For example, fornication or adultery may not be a crime in many nations; but they are sins in God’s sight. Repentance in Greek is metanoia which means a change of mind; compunction for guilt; feeling sorry for one’s errors or misdeeds; turning from sin; – which occurs 22 times in the New Testament. Jesus Christ had come to call sinners to repentance. The problems of secular academics and atheists are their self-righteousness and arrogance. They do not think they must repent of their sins and believe in Jesus Christ.
Isa 1:18 , “Come now, and let us reason together,”
Says the LORD,
“Though your sins are as scarlet,
They will be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They will be like wool. ”
Note: Reason in Hebrew is yakach which means to plead; to argue; to decide; to judge; to prove; to adjudge; to show to be right; to convince; to be in the sunshine; to be arbiter between; to be clear; – which occurs 64 times in the Old Testament. Although God is holy and righteous, God wants to reason with you because He is offering salvation by grace. Though your sins are as scarlet, God can wash them to be as white as snow. Though your sins are red like crimson, God will wash them to be like wool.
Mat 11:28 , “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. ”
Note: To be weary in Greek is kopiaō which means to toil and labor; to labor with wearisome effort; to grow tired and exhausted; to feel fatigue; to work hard; to be exhausted in strength; to be wearisome; – which occurs 28 times in the New Testament. To be heavy-laden in Greek is phortizō which means to be loaded with a burden; to overburden; to be weighted down with burden; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. To rest in Greek is anapauō which means to take rest; to refresh; to take ease; to repose; – which occurs 14 times in the New Testament. Jesus Christ gives an invitation, “Come to Me. All who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” Those who come to Jesus Christ, not only will get rest, they will have life eternal.
Come in Chinese is 來 which has an etymological meaning as follows:
十字架 十 ( cross )， 人 （ man ).
Jesus was crucified on the cross, there was a little man (thief) on the left and a little man on the right (robber). In the center there was a big Man (Jesus).
Jesus Christ was crucified and died on the cross for sinners, this was an invitation of God to man:
Isa 1:18 , “Come now, and let us reason together,”
Says the LORD,“Though your sins are as scarlet,
They will be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They will be like wool.”
Mat 18:11, “For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.”
Mat 11:28, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”
Jhn 6:37-38, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. For I have come down from Heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”
Note: Whoever comes to Jesus Christ, He will certainly not cast out. Do not believe John Calvin, believe in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ had come down from Heaven to do the will of the Father. Christians must imitate Jesus Christ, to do the will of God on earth.
Psa 18:6 , “In my distress I called upon the LORD,
And cried to my God for help;
He heard my voice out of His temple,
And my cry for help before Him came into His ears. ”
Note: Here the word “call” in Hebrew is qara’ which means to cry out; to call out; to cry for help; to seek the aid of God; – which occurs 739 times in the Old Testament. It is very different in my distress I called upon the Lord than God called me to be His adopted son.
Isa 1:26 , “Then I will restore your judges as at the first,
And your counselors as at the beginning;
After that you will be called the city of righteousness,
A faithful city.”
Note: Here “to be called”means to be named.
1Co 1:9 , “God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. ”
Note: Faithful in Greek is pistos which means trusty; true; sure; worthy of trust; that can be relied on; trustful; loyal; dependable; firm in adherence to promises; – which occurs 69 times in the New Testament. Fellowship in Greek is koinōnia which means communion; communication; association; community; joint participation; intimacy; partnership; intimate bond of fellowship; companionship; – which occurs 19 times in the New Testament. God is faithful and He called believers into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
1Co 1:24 , “but to those who are the called, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ the Power of God and the Wisdom of God. ”
Note: To those who are called, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the Power of God and the Wisdom of God.
Gal 5:13 , “For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. ”
Note: Freedom in Greek is eleutheria which means liberty; liberty to live as we should; freedom from the dominion of corrupt desires or lust; liberation from slavery or coercion; – which occurs 11 times in the New Testament. Flesh in Greek is sarx which means carnality; carnally mindedness; the sensuous nature of man; the earthly nature of man which is prone to sin; – which occurs 149 times in the New Testament. Christians must not turn our freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Eph 4:1 , “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called. ”
Note: Walk in Greek is peripateō which means to be occupied with; to make one’s way; to regulate one’s life; to live; to conduct oneself; to deport oneself; to follow the standard of life; to behave; to pursue a way of life; – which occurs 105 times. In the Bible the word “walk” usually does not mean to move along on foot; it significantly means to “live” or “behave” or to “conduct oneself.” Worthy in Greek is axiōs which means as becomes; suitably; worthily; properly; after a godly sort; – which occurs 12 times in the New Testament. Apostle Paul implored Christians to live or conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the Christian calling. Calling in Greek is klēsis which means vocation or profession; the divine invitation to embrace salvation in the Kingdom of God; the work one is called to do; – which occurs 11 times in the New Testament.
Eph 4:4 , “There is one Body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one Hope of your calling.”
Note: One body refers to the Body of Christ, the Church. One Spirit is the Holy Spirit. All Christians have the same hope, One Hope.
Col 3:15 , “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. ”
1Th 4:7 , “For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification. ”
Note: God called believers for the purpose of salvation through sanctification. Impurity is the nature of man. When a man is saved he is regenerated by the Holy Spirit to participate in divine nature.
2Th 2:14 , “It was for this He called you through our Gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. ”
Note: The final process of salvation is to gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ by reigning with Him forever and ever in the Kingdom of God.
1Ti 6:12 , “Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. ”
2Ti 1:9, “who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity.”
Heb 9:15, “For this reason He is the Mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. ”
Note: Mediator in Greek is mesitēs which means a go-between; an internunciator; a reconciler; one who intervenes between the two; an arbitrator; – which occurs 6 times in the New Testament. Jesus Christ is our Mediator. Redemption in Greek is apolytrōsis which means deliverance; liberation procured by the payment of a ransom; the action of saving from sin or evil; – which occurs 10 times in the New Testament. Those who have been redeemed also receive the eternal inheritance.
1Pe 1:15 , “but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior.”
1Pe 2:9 , “But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
Note: Christians are called to be holy, they are a Holy Nation.
1Pe 2:21, “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps.”
1Pe 3:9, “not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. ”
Note: Christians are called to follow in the steps of Jesus that we might inherit a blessing.
1Pe 5:10 , “After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. ”
2Pe 1:3, “seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. ”
1Jo 3:1 , “See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. ”
Rev 17:14, “These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.”
Note: The children of God are the called and chosen and faithful.
(5.) Justify:
Isa 53:11 , “As a result of the anguish of His soul,
He will see it and be satisfied;
By His knowledge the Righteous One,
My Servant, will justify the many,
As He will bear their iniquities. ”
Note: Isaiah the prophet prophesied that Jesus Christ, the Righteous One, would come to justify the many, and He will bear their iniquities. Justify in Hebrew is tsadaq which means to count as righteous; to be made right; to declare righteous; to make righteous; to render just; to be cleared; – which occurs 50 times in the Old Testament. Jesus Christ justifies those who come and believe in Him as righteousness. Jesus Christ bore our sins and iniquities and justifies us by His righteousness.
Rom 3:20 , “because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. ”
Note: To be justified in Greek is dikaioō which means to render righteous; to declare, pronounce one to be just; to be counted as righteous; to be acquitted of a charge; to be absolved; to be freed; to be cleared of sin; to deem right; – which occurs 40 times in the New Testament. No flesh will be justified by the works of the Law in God’s sight; for through the Law comes only the knowledge of sin. Law does not save, it only condemns. The believers are justified by faith in Christ Jesus.
Rom 3:24 , “being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.”
Rom 3:28 , “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. ”
Note: By the works of the Law, no man can be justified. Rom 8:7, “because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so.”
Gal 5:3 , “And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. ”
Note: Man is unable to keep the whole Law. He is not able to do so.
Rom 4:2 , “For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. ”
Rom 5:1 , “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ .”
Those who have peace with God will also have peace with men. Imperialists, colonialists, supremacists, racists, militarists, monopolists, capitalists, hegemonists, terrorists do not have peace with men because they do not have peace with God.
Rom 5:9 , “Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. ”
Note: Christians have been justified by faith to have peace with God, we also have been justified by His blood so that we shall be saved from the wrath of God, the judgment of God to come.
Rom 8:30 , “and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. ”
Rom 8:33 , “Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies.”
1Co 6:11 , “Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. ”
Gal 2:16, “nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. ”
Gal 2:17, “But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? May it never be! ”
Gal 3:11 , “Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.”
Gal 3:24 , “Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. ”
Note: Tutor in Greek is paidagōgos which means an instructor; schoolmaster; a guardian and guide of boys; – which occurs 3 times in the New Testament. Law is like a tutor because it arouses us the consciousness of sin and prepares the soul for Christ. The Law cannot justify, so it leads us to Christ so that we may be justified by faith.
Gal 5:4 , “You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. ”
Note: Those who are seeking to be justified by law have fallen from grace, severed from Christ.
Tit 3:7, “so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. ”
Note: Believers are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.Christians have one hope, the hope of eternal life.
Jas 2:21 , “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? ”
Jas 2:24 , “You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. ”
Jas 2:25 , “In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? ”
Note: Faith must be accompanied by work, work of obedience.
Rom 3:30 , “since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one. ”
Gal 3:8 , “The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU.”
Note: For Jews (the circumcised) and for the Gentiles (the uncircumcised) God would justify by faith in Jesus Christ.
(6.) Sanctify:
There are two sanctifications: positional and conditional. Once a believer is saved in Christ, he is positionally sanctified once and for all. The believer’s position in Christ is sanctified once and for all. Conditional sanctification is an ongoing process on earth for a believer until he meets the Lord. The position of believer is Christ is sanctified and secure. The condition of believer in the world needs to be sanctified daily and continuously through the study of the Word of God and prayer.
Jhn 17:19 , “For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. ”
Note: Sanctify in Greek is hagiazō which means to separate from profane things and dedicate to God; to dedicate to God; to consecrate; – which occurs 29 times in the New Testament. Jesus Christ is without sin, He does not need to be sanctified. For Christ to sanctify I think it means to consecrate to God, to obey God’s will in sacrificing Himself on the cross. Truth can sanctify believers. So believers need to be sanctified in truth.
Act 20:32, “And now I commend you to God and to the Word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”
Note: Even a believer is saved and begins a new life, he needs to grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. The Word of His grace is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
Act 26:18, “to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’
Note: Those who are saved have turned from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Christ. This refers to positional sanctification by faith in Christ.
Rom 15:16, “to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the Gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. ”
Note: Gentile believers who have been saved are sanctified by the Holy Spirit to participate in the divine nature and to have a new life.
1Co 6:11, “Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. ”
Note: Believers in Christ were washed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ to receive the forgiveness of sins, were sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.
1Ti 4:5 , “for it is sanctified by means of the Word of God and prayer. ”
Note: The condition of believers on earth may be sanctified by means of the Word of God and prayer daily and continuously. The more you have the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ, and the more you pray to God, the more you may become sanctified or holy.
2Ti 2:21, “Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. ”
A sanctified believer is prepared for every good work. A believer in sin is not prepared.
Note: To cleanse from these things means to abstain from wickedness and flee from youthful lusts, etc. to be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master.
Heb 10:10 , “By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. ”
Heb 10:14, “For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. ”
Note: The two Scriptures cited above refers to the Christian positional sanctification in Christ, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all, perfected for all time.
(7.) Glorify:
Jhn 12:26 , “If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him. ”
If anyone serves Jesus Christ, he must follow Jesus. If anyone serves Jesus Christ, the Father will honor him.
Jhn 17:22 , “The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one .”
Rom 2:7 , “to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life .”
Rom 2:10 , “but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. ”
Rom 8:18 , “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. ”
Note: The Scriptures cited above refers to how God will honor and glorify Christians who serve and follow Christ when He is coming again, and the eternal glory in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Rom 8:30 , “and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified . ”
1Co 15:43 , “it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.”
2Co 4:17, “For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison .”
Note: Although Christians may suffer for Christ in this world, our momentary and light affliction and sufferings, are not worthy to be compared with the eternal weight of glory.
Eph 1:18 , “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.”
Note: The hope of His calling is the hope of glory, the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.
Col 1:27, “to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. ”
Col 3:4 , “When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. ”
2Ti 2:10 , “For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory. ”
Tit 2:13 , “looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus .”
Note: The Christian hope of glory is the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.
1Pe 1:7 , “so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ .”
Note: The Christian faith is more precious than gold; gold is perishable but faith in Jesus Christ is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Through Jesus Christ also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.
1Pe 1:8 , “and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory .”
Note: Faith is seeing the invisible. Though we have not seen the Lord Jesus Christ, we Christians love the Lord; and though we do not see the Lord now, we believe in Him and greatly rejoice in the Lord.
1Pe 4:13 , “but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. ”
1Pe 5:1, “Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed.”
Note: Christians share the sufferings of Christ here on Earth, will also share the glory of Christ when He returns to reign with the saints.
1Pe 5:4, “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory . ”
Note: No one has yet seen the unfading crown of glory.
1Pe 5:10 , “After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. ”
As you have read, the New Testament explains the salvation of God in terms of past, present and future. In the past before the foundation of the world, God foreknew, chose, predestined, called the Elect whom would believe and obey God in Christ. At the present, when a believer accepts and believes in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, his sins are forgiven and justified by faith as righteous before God, saved by grace and sanctified by the Holy Spirit in Christ once and for all. In obedience to Christ, believers are to work out their salvation with fear and trembling, to be sanctified daily and continuously by means of the Word of God and prayer. Christians are now witnessing for Christ everywhere, looking and waiting for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, to redeem our body to be transformed into the spiritual and glorious body fit for Heaven and eternity. The future consummation of our salvation is the culmination of glorification in the Kingdom of Heaven where children of God will always be with the Lord in the blessed eternity.
V. THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
The Kingdom of God manifests especially the Reign and Glory of God.
Isa 9:7 , “There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his Kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this. ”
Note: The kingdoms of men came and went, even the sole superpower will vanish soon. There will be no end to the Kingdom of God, and forevermore. The Kingdom of God is at hand, believe and repent.
Isa 52:7 , “How lovely on the mountains
Are the feet of him who brings good news,
Who announces peace
And brings good news of happiness,
Who announces salvation,
And says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
Note: Today is the day of salvation. The good news of happiness is proclaimed all over the world.
Dan 7:14 , “And to Him was given dominion,
Glory and a kingdom,
That all the peoples, nations and men of every language
Might serve Him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
Which will not pass away;
And His Kingdom is one
Which will not be destroyed. ”
Note: The dominion of Christ is an everlasting dominion, glory and a kingdom, which will not pass away. The Kingdom of Christ is one which will not be destroyed.
Mat 25:34 , “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. ”
Note: God had prepared for His children to inherit the Kingdom from the foundation of the world. What kind of Kingdom?
1Co 2:9, “but just as it is written,
“THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD,
AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN,
ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.”
Note: Do you want a preview of the New Heave and New Earth? Read Revelation Chapter 21.
Luk 1:33 , “and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His Kingdom will have no end.”
Luk 12:32 , “Do not be afraid, Little Flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the Kingdom. ”
Note: The little flock of Jesus Christ, rejoice, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the Kingdom.
Luk 21:31, “So you also, when you see these things happening, recognize that the Kingdom of God is near. ”
Note: The signs of the second coming prophesied by Jesus Christ and Apostles are happening, recognize that the King of God is near.
Jhn 1:49 , “Nathanael answered Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel.”
Rom 13:11 , “Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. ”
1Co 15:27-28, “For HE HAS PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET. But when He says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all. ”
Gal 5:19 -21, “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. ”
Rev 7:15 , “For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them. ”
Rev 17:14 , “These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.”
Rev 20:9-10, “And they came up on the broad plain of the Earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved City, and fire came down from Heaven and devoured them. And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. ”
Note: The devil will lead his followers in the final war against the Lamb, the Lamb will overcome them. The devil and his agents will be cast into the Lake of Fire to be tormented forever and ever.
Rev 19:6 , “Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.”
Note: Hallelujah in Greek is hallēlouïa which means alleluia; praise ye the Lord, Hallelujah; a shout or song of praise or thanksgiving to God; – which occurs 4 times in the New Testament. The Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.
Rev 21:2 , “And I saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem, coming down out of Heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. ”
IN CONCLUSION
This is the wonderful story of God although God is not a story. Before time and space and before everything else, this Almighty God is Eternal Self-Existent. GOD IS WHO HE IS. This Omnipotent, Omnipresent and Omniscient God foreknew and knows everything from the everlasting past to the everlasting future. Having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, God decided to create the universe and mankind. God provided the perfect Garden of Eden for the first couple. The first man fell by disobeying God. God called Abraham who believed God and appointed the Jewish people to be the chosen people. God gave the Promised Land to Abraham and his descendants. Palestinians, Arabs and Hamas have no claim or resettlement right in the Holy Land. They must get out in peace and seek Palestinian statehood or residency in neighboring Arab states. The two-state proposal is not the two-state solution. The United Nations or any agency does not have authority to give away the Holy Land to Palestinians, Arabs or Hamas. Jerusalem is the Capital of the great King David forever. God will fight for Jerusalem. Do not become an enemy of God. God promised the coming of Messiah from the Jews to save mankind. God gave Law to Moses for the Jews to observe. All the prophets and holy men spoke as God told them to speak and they are written in the Old Testament.
More than two thousand years ago, God became Man in the person of Jesus Christ (INCARNATION), born of a virgin, born of a Jew, conceived by the Holy Spirit, without sin, having divine and human nature perfect. The first people who worshiped Jesus were the wise men from the East. Jesus Christ began His ministry on earth at the age of thirty. Jesus Christ was going throughout Judea, all the cities and villages, teaching in the Temple and in synagogues and proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, performing many miracles and casting out demons and evil spirits, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people. Jesus was attested to the Jewish people by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in public. Jesus called the twelve disciples and appointed them Apostles. The twelve Apostles who were Jesus firsthand witnesses, ate and drank with Him and large crowds followed Him in His short ministry on earth. All this is written in the Gospels in the New Testament.
As it is written, Jesus was delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, they nailed Him to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. But God raised Jesus up again the third day and Jesus appeared to all Apostles and at one time appeared to more than five hundred disciples, and finally appeared to Paul. As Jesus was ascended into the highest Heaven, He told His disciples to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation. Subsequently the Holy Spirit came at the Pentecost, the Church of Jesus Christ grew and spread the Gospel throughout the world to this day. Jesus Christ as promised is coming again and that will be the end of the world. Jesus Christ will sit on His glorious throne. All the peoples of nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right, “Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Then the King of kings and Lord of lords will also say those on His left, “Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the Devil and his angels.”
Jesus Christ as promised is coming again for the redemption of our body. The body of believers will be transformed into a spiritual and glorious body imperishable. The saints will reign with Jesus Christ forever and ever in the Kingdom of Heaven where He will wipe away every tear from the eyes of God’s children; and there will no longer be any death, there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the old things have passed away. This begins the blessed eternity where we will be with the Lord and God will be with His people forever and ever. The Story of God will continue in Heaven forever and ever.
Now since you have been told the story of God, the truth of Christ, and the knowledge of salvation, would you like to become a child of God to inherit the Kingdom of God?
You can do it now by accepting and believing in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
WILLIE WONG THOUGHT
WILLIE WONG
AUGUST 4, 2025
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