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As the Christian Church there are areas where we can all Agree to Agree!
Over the years the Christian Church has virtually been defined by its vast ability to disagree. In fact the quote "let's agree to disagree" can almost be the new banner of Christianity. Some people readily point out and wonder if there really is a Christian truth because the Church itself agrees on very few Christian tenants. But this is not really an accurate reflection because the Church does agree on many things and is united on many beliefs.
This is a discussion list where we as Christians can "Agree to Agree" and then the next time someone says "the Church doesn't even agree" well here are some areas of agreement.
These topics are starting beyond the already given basics of Christianity in that Jesus Christ is God born of the Virgin Mary, Himself a Godly encounter physically among humans yet remaining consistent with the Triune nature of God the Father, the Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Jesus is Divine and without sin. He was rejected by mankind crucified and died. His death is the Full Payment for all of the sins of the world. His resurrection is of Everlasting Life and provided to those who personally receive Him as God and their Savior. Jesus is the rightful and righteous Ruler of the world and He will physically return to righteously reign, rule and judge His creation that we call the universe.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
#2 Christianity is based on the Series of Actual Real Life Human Events
#3 Faith in Jesus is the Only Way to Eternal Life
#4 The Promises of God are the Laws of God
#5 Water Baptism is a Commandment of God to be obeyed by every Christian
#6 Christian Communion is Open to Everyone Who Wants to Participate
#7 Only Christians are the Children of God
#8 The Jewish People are the Chosen and Redeemed of God
#9 Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Christian Church
#10 The Church Ending - End Time Summary
#1 The Christian Church began on Sunday the (Easter) Day Resurrection of Jesus, by Jesus breathing, giving Life - His Spirit into each individual disciple who follows Him.
John 20:19-23 Then the same day (Resurrection Day) at evening, being the first day of the week (Sunday), when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, "Peace be unto you." And when He had so said, He showed unto them His hands and His side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me , even so send I you. And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and saith unto them, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost: (Become a Christian) Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
Luke 24:44-53 And He (Jesus) said unto them (Disciples), These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you [before the cross], that all (Scripture) things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning Me. Then opened He their understanding [Jesus imparted His Holy Spirit baptism into each of them], that they might [become Christians and] understand the scriptues, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise [that Jesus being that acceptable offering for all the sins of mankind the Father would send the Holy Spirit to comfort and accompany Christians] of My Father [(John 14:26)] upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power [empowerment of the Holy Spirit Acts 2:1-4] from on high. And He led them out as far as to [the town of] Bethany (house of figs, figs are a fruit of the Promise Land, the Christian Church partakes in the fruit of Heaven), and He lifted up His hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
The first area of Christian agreement can be that the Christian Church obviously does exist and that it has continually existed since it was first created and that the creation of the Christian Church is on the Sunday the (Easter) day of the Resurrection of Jesus, as Jesus is the Founder and head of His Church. In fact the Christian Church meets every Sunday in Commemoration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the Start of His Christian Church.
To separate Jesus and distance His sacrifice on the Cross and His glorious Resurrection Life from the formation of His Church and then to separate Jesus from the conclusion (Rapture) of His Church is to engage in the most cultish of exploits as all cults seek to separate Jesus from His Church.
The Christian Church is a unique gathering of people who acknowledge their sins and accept that their sins have been paid in full by Jesus on the cross. The word Church means "out- gathering" those that are taken out of the sinful condition and gathered together into the sinless image of Jesus by individually acknowledging the sinless eternal life resurrection of Jesus and receiving the Holy Spirit of God from Jesus and then having receiving the Holy Spirit of God from Jesus the Christian has passed from death in sin into eternal Life in Jesus.
The Church did not exist during the Old Testament times. In other words, Noah, Abraham, King David, Solomon, and even John the Baptist, although each was in a relationship with God, were not Christians, and for a very good reason, each of these people lived and died prior to the Cross of Jesus. Before the Cross of Jesus the remedy for Sin had not yet occurred and with sin a "Gathering of the Sinless (in Image)" was not available as God's Spirit is not intimately available with Sin.
Once Jesus came into humanity in the Virgin Birth and then died on the cross as full payment for all of the sins of the world then on His "Resurrection Day" the Church age could then begin. The Church could not be gathered prior to the cross and without the resurrection there would not be the Living Leader.
The Church/Christians are Identified as the ones who have Received by faith in Jesus the Spirit of God and by receiving the Spirit of God are now in the Sinless Image of Jesus and God the Father is now also our Father as the Christian is now a Child of God. This event of Jesus giving the Spirit and the individuals each receiving the Spirit of God began on Sunday the very day of the Resurrection of Jesus.
The Christian Church was formulated and grew in a deliberate and decisive way.
2 Corinthians 5:19-21 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.
The Apostle Peter was given the keys [knowledge that Jesus Christ is the Son of God] to the entire Kingdom of Jesus Christ here on earth.
Matthew 16:16-9 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock [confession that Jesus is the Son of God] I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Christianity went from the Jews first to the Samaritans [part Jewish] second and the Romans [Gentiles] third. Christianity did not advance to the next group of people until the Apostle Peter personally presented the Gospel to each individual group.
Acts 1:8 But ye (Christians) shall receive power [at Pentecost], after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me (Jesus) both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea (Israel), and in Samaria (part-Jewish), and unto the uttermost [Gentile] part of the earth.
Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
Acts 3:12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?
Acts 8:14-17 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them (Samaritans), that they might receive the Holy Ghost: For as yet He (Holy Spirit) was fallen upon none of them (Samaritans): only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then laid they (Peter and John) their hands on them, and they (Samaritans) received the Holy Ghost.
Acts 10:21-22 Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius [a Roman]; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come? And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.
Acts 10:34-45 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: He is Lord of all: That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the [countryside] land of the Jews, and in [the Jewish city of] Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed Him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with Him after He rose from the dead. And He commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is He which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick [living] and dead. To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them [Romans - Gentiles] which heard the word.
In Peter's lifetime the Gospel spread to the entire world comprising of Jews, Samaritans and Gentiles.
Sometimes people think that the Church did not start until fifty days after the Resurrection of Jesus during a Feast called "Pentecost" Acts 2:1-4 but remember it is the Cross and the Resurrection of Jesus that paved the way for the Church and the individual receiving (by faith in Jesus) the Holy Spirit of God, and not the waiting of Fifty days by the disciples that paved the way for the Church. There is a Feast of Pentecost every year but there is only one Cross and one Resurrection of Jesus Christ to initiate the one Church of Jesus Christ. There is not a fifty day gap between the Resurrection of Jesus and the start of the Church, the people in Acts 2:1-4 had already received the Holy Spirit back in John 20:19-23 and were later empowered by the same Holy Spirit in Acts 4:31.
Since it is the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus and Only the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus that paved the way for the Christian Church the Christian Church has continued and will continue until Jesus receives His Christian Church unto Himself in Heaven where He is. In order for the Church to have started and stopped and started again would Require that the Holy Spirit would no longer be available and then Jesus would have to be re-Crucified and the Holy Spirit re-given, events that could never happen again and would never happen again as the one Crucifixion of Jesus is sufficient for ALL time.
True Christianity means a Relationship with God and a Relationship with God is as old as Creation is so it can be said that Adam and Eve are the first Christians but then Sin separated mankind from God and therefore postponed Christianity until after the Redemption of mankind via the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus.
So we can readily "Agree to Agree" that The Christian Church began with Jesus, the Leader and Founder, giving (breathing) His Spirit into each of His Disciples on the day of His Resurrection Sunday and continuing as Jesus continues to breathe His Spirit into His followers and that the Church will continue until Jesus Himself returns and Receives His Christian Church up into Heaven where He is currently seated in Glory, Majesty, Power and Authority.
#2 Christianity is based on a series of physical and spiritual events that are overseen at the very hand and discretion of God.
Christianity is not a simple idea, philosophy or a notion of mankind but is in fact the events of God being carefully revealed to mankind through physical and spiritual phenomena.
Following are some of the physical and spiritual events that make Christianity reality-based events and not the fiction, fable or philosophies of mankind.
Creation: We exist in a created physical and spiritual environment, both of which had a beginning. (Genesis 1:1)
Sin: Sin, rebellion against God and therefore death both physical and spiritual are also undisputed physical and spiritual realities. The original sin of Adam and Eve was a visible physical event with spiritual and eternal implications. (Genesis 3:1-13)
Promise to save mankind: God promised to come Himself to recover (Redeem) mankind back to Himself. (Genesis 3:15, 22:8)
Virgin Birth: God came physically to mankind in the Virgin birth of Mary. The Virgin birth of Mary is unique and unlike any other human birth ever. There are many reasons why the Virgin birth is unique.
It is a Virgin birth meaning that No sexual relationship of any kind occurred. Mormons (LDS) falsely claim that Mary had a sexual relationship with God the Father though the Bible says the Holy Spirit overshadowed her, the shadow of one person (or the shadow of God) passing over another person is not a sexual-physical encounter. By definition any sexual relationship removes one's virginity and it was a "Virgin Birth" meaning Mary was a virgin the entire time from conception until the "Birth of Jesus."
Mary rejoiced that God had chosen her to be the vessel in which God would come to be with mankind as a man the way every human enters the world via a physical birth. The mystery isnt that Mary had the Miraculous Virgin birth as every human birth is a miracle of God. The mystery is that God chose to redeem mankind back into His holy presence and didn't decide to wipe mankind out and start over again with a different more obedient creation. (Matthew 1:18-25)
Miraculous Powers: Jesus physically demonstrated His Divinity in performing a variety of miracles including, knowing people's thoughts and intentions, raising the dead back to life, healing the sick and lame, feeding multitudes of people, calming nature's storms, and walking on water. (Mathew, Mark, Luke, John)
New Covenant: Jesus personally instituted the New Covenant whereby in the following death and resurrection of Jesus those repentant of their sins and trusting in God will be reunited with God in heaven. (Matthew 26:26-30)
Death: Jesus purposely suffered and died on the cross and He did it for us, to pay for our sins, so that we can be united Spiritually and Eternally with Him in His heavenly Kingdom. (John 19:17-42)
Resurrection: Jesus rose from death. The resurrection of Jesus is unique in that no other person has ever returned from death having actually conquered over death as Jesus has. (John 20:1 - 21:25) (1 Corinthians 15:4 28)
Church: Jesus instituted His Church by personally breathing baptizing His individual followers with His eternal life giving Spirit and currently the Christian Church is a living testimony to the existence, love, kindness, goodness, mercy and forgiveness of God. (John 20:22)
Judgment: Jesus will judge the world in righteousness, condemning individuals in their sin and rewarding individuals who accomplish compassion in His name. (Revelation 20:11-15)
These are just a few of the many Supernatural events and Divine encounters with God that make Christianity a series of events and not the imagination or philosophies of man.
Note: Something that everyone needs to know about the human existence is that there is a propensity of humans to do the wrong thing and for some even an evil thing and then to shift the blame for the wrong behavior over to someone or something else.
Satan did this blame shifting in the Garden of Eden when Satan tempted Eve (the woman) to disobey God and then Satan tried to convince Eve that she had disobeyed God by her own choice.
In some of the first events recorded in the Bible regarding mankind God talks to Adam first about eating the forbidden fruit and not the woman because had God talked to Eve first about what went wrong Eve would have blamed herself.
Genesis 3:9-13 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
God knew that Adam had slipped up himself in not being with Eve and that being embarrassed Adam would blame the woman for the disobedience. The woman hearing herself being blamed then realized that Satan had tricked her and revealed the false accusation of Satan.
Satan had both tricked Eve into sinning against God and Satan had tricked Eve into accepting the blame for what Satan had initiated in sinning against God.
Had God spoken to the woman first and she accepted full responsibility for the disobedience to God then any plan of God for mankind's redemption would have been rooted in a false accusation and not in truth. It is even uncertain if there would have been a plan of redemption if mankind had admitted to willingly sinning against God not to mention that Satan would have gotten away with his heinous ruin of mankind.
If mankind had willingly disobeyed God as Satan and the other fallen angels had would there then be redemption for mankind? Possibly not!
God knew what He was doing in dealing with Adam, Eve and Satan in the Garden of Eden and God knows what He is doing in dealing with all mankind, Satan, the fallen angels, demons, and the Antichrist here in the garden of End Times.
The next time someone claims that the Bible is a collection of man's ideas and man's edited writings ask them what part man had in creating the world or in giving life both spiritual and physical and ask what part man had in creating God or heaven.
It is readily apparent that there is a larger portion to life than man is currently capable of understanding and that larger portion of life is God Himself.
#3 We Christians are saved from Death (separation from God and separation from one another) and given Eternal Life by Faith in Jesus Christ and not by our own works, our abilities or our own capabilities but only by our Faith in the One true Living God Jesus Christ.
It is obvious that mankind is currently separated from the perceivable presence of God and as evidence of our sin and separation from God death plagues All of mankind. In fact because death does come to all it is said "that to be born is to die." It is obvious that mankind cannot save ourselves or one another from death and the separation which comes from death. Just as man cannot live, God cannot die therefore it is necessary for God to save us from our death by giving to us from His life.
Humans are created in the spiritual image of God and therefore we are intended to have a relationship an interactive life with God. But through sin we are all conceived in a disrespectful, rebellious, sinful nature towards God and as sinful we are separated (dead) from the Holy God and in need of having our sinful condition changed into a holy condition that results in allowing us into the perceivable Presence of God to have a Relationship (life) with the Holy God.
The remedy for our sin and death and the cleansing to make us holy and alive are not done by our abilities as individuals but were gladly accomplished by Jesus on the cross as He gave Himself in His death with His cleansing blood and His eternal life giving Resurrection for our new holiness. Our new holiness is being imparted to us by God as His free gift to all mankind for whoever will choose to receive forgiveness of their sins and enter into fellowship and life with God.
Romans 5:1-Therefore being justified (made holy) by Faith (Jesus' resurrection), we have Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By Whom also we have Access (relationship) by Faith into this Grace wherein we Stand, and Rejoice in Hope of the Glory of God.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by Grace are ye Saved through Faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the Gift of God Not of Works least any man should boast.
The word Faith is a special word in the Bible and it is a word that is used in its singularity meaning that there is only one meaning and only one defining moment for the word Faith.
The Faith that the Bible speaks about is our Faith in the Resurrection Life of Jesus, the faith that Jesus has indeed risen from death never to die again and that we Christians will also enter into the Eternal Resurrection Life of Jesus in our own resurrection provided in and by Jesus.
Galatians 3:23 But before Faith came we were kept under the law, shut up unto (until) the Faith which should after words be revealed.
With the Cross death, and Resurrection life, of Jesus came the "revealing" of our Faith. We are to have Faith in God that God is the God of Life. That is who God is, He is the creator, granter and sustainer of all Life even Spiritual life after death and even now in life after sin as is our current case.
Philippians 3:9-10 that which is through the Faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by Faith: That I may know Him and the Power of His Resurrection
We can agree to agree that Faith in God and not in mankind is what unites a separated mankind back to God and into Eternal Life. Faith is specifically the Fact that Jesus gave Himself to die for our sins and that in His own Righteousness being God He is Resurrected to Everlasting Life the same Everlasting life that we as Christians are now untied into with Jesus.
All of this is made possible for us because God is Life, Eternal, Immortal and Abundant.
Jesus came to save sinners therefore working for salvation is irrelevant.
Psalms 25:8 Good and upright is the LORD (YHWH): therefore will He teach sinners in the way.
Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him (Jesus) that Justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
Once saved it is not works that we offer to God but a relationship where our thoughts, efforts and accomplishments are all directed to God.
#4 The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made us free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:1-4 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the [Levitical] law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the (Holy) Spirit.
The Laws of God are precise, accurate, higher, stronger and more binding than the laws of nature (space, time, gravity) and much more accurate, meaningful and binding than the laws of men.
The Promises of God include all of His Kingdom, all of His creation, including both the present human physical realm and the eternal spiritual - angelic realm.
Luke 16:15-17 And He (Jesus) said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. The (physical) law and the prophets were until John (the Baptist): since that time the (Spiritual) kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.
John 18:36-37 Jesus answered, My Kingdom is not of this world: if My Kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is My Kingdom not from hence (here). Pilate therefore said unto Him, Art thou a King then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
John 4:23-24 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.
Jesus taught His disciples to transition from observing a purely physical law into observing the Laws Spiritually in nature and physically manifested. The laws of God start in our heart and mind then manifest into the physical realm. For instance emotional greed comes before the physical theft, emotional lust comes before physical fornication and emotional hate comes before a physical murder would occur.
Matthew 22:36-40 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
The teaching of the New Testament is that the Laws of God are to be obeyed in our spirit and our soul with our heart, mind, and emotions.
Romans 9:30-33 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion (Zion) a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on Him (Jesus) shall not be ashamed.
Mark 3:4 And He (Jesus) saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill?
Luke 10:25-28 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted Him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He (Jesus) said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And He said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
Luke 11:52 Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.
The Laws of the New Testament are therefore considered spiritual first and physical second while the laws of the Old Testament are considered physical first and spiritual second. This reversal in law is consistent with the Born Again reversal of human nature. Before the Born Again Spirit of Jesus man did not have the ability to appropriate Spiritual Laws into his being and therefore the Laws were physical in nature directing towards Spiritual standards. Now since the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus for the Born Again Christian with the Spirit (Seed) of God residing within them a Spiritual Christian can understand the Spiritual nature of the Laws of God and is more readily able to live according to the Spiritual implications with the Spiritual intentions of telling the truth - do not lie, love your neighbor - do not hate, live a pure moral lifestyle - do not commit sexual sin.
Matthew 5:17-19 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I (Jesus) say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
James 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
James 2:8-13 8 ye fulfil the royal law (love God, love your neighbor) according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
James 4:11-12 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?
1 John 3:4-11 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him (Jesus) is no sin. Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born (Again from Above) of God doth not commit sin; for His seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born (Again from Above) of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
1 John 3:13-16 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
Matthew 5:17-19 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I (Jesus) say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
#5 Water Baptism a Commandment of God to be obeyed by every Christian
Baptism, being immersed in or wet with water, is a commandment given directly from God to be observed and obeyed by all of the followers of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 28:17-20 And when they (Disciples) saw Him (Jesus), they worshipped Him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Luke 24:44-53 And He said unto them (Disciples), These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you [before the cross], that all (Scripture) things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning Me. Then opened He their understanding [(John 20:22) Jesus breathed His Holy Spirit baptism into each of them], that they might [become Christians and] understand the scriptues, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise [that Jesus being that acceptable offering for all the sins of mankind the Father would send the Holy Spirit to comfort and accompany Christians] of My Father [(John 14:26)] upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power [empowerment of the Holy Spirit Acts 2:1-4] from on high. And He led them out as far as to [the town of] Bethany (house of figs, figs are a fruit of the Promise Land), and He lifted up His hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
Acts 2:38-42 Then Peter said unto them (audience), Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the Apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Water Baptism is an act of obedience towards God it is a public declaration of one's Christian faith declaring openly to both the human physical realm and also to the Angelic spiritual realm that a person is now a child of God. Baptism is like communion in that it is also an act of participation in the Kingdom of God. Notably water Baptism does not save a person from their sin as only a belief in Jesus Christ particularly that His blood that He shed on the cross covers our sins and that His resurrection declares us to be righteous proving our sins are forgiven. Water Baptism is an act of obedience committed by an already believing, Spirit filled, submitted, child of God, disciple of Jesus Christ in obedience to Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 3:21-22 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us not [the water and] the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him.
Acts 8:35-38 Then (the Christian) Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
Acts 10:33-48 Immediately therefore I (Cornelius a Roman Centurian) sent to thee (Apostle Peter); and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we (Romans) all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: He is Lord of all: That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea (Israel), and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John (the Baptist) preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree (cross): Him God raised up the third day, and shewed Him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with Him after He rose from the dead. And He commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is He which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick (living) and dead. To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they (Jews) of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
When Jesus was Baptized it wasn't to take away sins, Jesus didn't have any it was to reveal Jesus as the Messiah and was for Jesus to set an example for us to follow as an opportunity for His followers to be baptized like Jesus was and in fact to enter into His one baptism.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For He (Heavenly Father) hath made Him (Jesus) to be sin for us, [Jesus] who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.
John 1:31-34 And I (John the Baptist) knew Him (Messiah) not: but that He should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the (Holy) Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon Him (Jesus). And I knew Him not: but He (Heavenly Father) that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, the same is He which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this (Jesus of Nazzareth) is the Son of God.
Note: Baptism by water does take away our sins it is only the blood of Jesus that removes our sins. Our Baptism in water represents our faith in the blood-death and resurrection life of Jesus the Messiah-Christ. Baptism represents that we are dead with Jesus (immersed in water) and buried to this world and then (reemerged) resurrected with Jesus and alive in heaven.
Romans 6:3-5 Know ye (Christians) not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection:
There are three types of Baptism; Water, Holy Spirit and Fire (Trials, Tribulation).
The baptism by water is usually a onetime occurrence but many Christians partake in more than one water baptism in their life. Christians visiting Israel will often get water baptized in the Jordan river and Christians who have grown significantly in their Christian walk can also build on their previous water baptism and be baptized in water continuing their one water baptism.
Where the water, washing baptism is usually a once or twice event in the life of the Christian the baptism of the Holy Spirit is continual and ongoing. First a person is baptized by Jesus with His Spirit, this first "Born Again" baptism is by faith and faith alone there is no speaking in tongues or flames of fire or any Holy Ghost experiences associated with this first baptism because it is a baptism of faith in the resurrection life of Jesus. The empowerment baptism of the Holy Spirit comes after the "Born Again" faith baptism and it might be more accompanied by feelings, emotions and experiences like speaking in tongues. The empowerment baptism usually comes at a time when it is needed for growth in the Christian walk especially in doing personal devotions and Christian ministry like witnessing to people or speaking to an audience.
Luke 24:44-49 And He (Jesus) said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning Me. Then opened He their understanding [inparted - breathed His Spirit individually into each of them, at this moment with the Spirit of Jesus inside of them they each became a Christian], that they might understand the scriptures, ... And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Acts 1:4-5 And, (Jesus) being assembled together with them (Christians), (Jesus) commanded them [Christians] that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith He, ye have heard of Me. For John (the Baptist) truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized [endued with power from on high] with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
The third type of baptism is the baptism of fire and it is the fire, trials and tribulations in life that also help to form, shape, mold and strengthen our Christian identity into the image of Jesus Christ. The trials by fire vary in intensity and in duration and are all directed personally by Jesus as Jesus baptizes His church with both the Spirit and the fire.
1 Peter 1:7-9 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in Whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
Matthew 3:11 I (Joh the Baptist) indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but He (Christ) that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
John 4:2 Though Jesus Himself baptized not [with water], but His disciples [did],
#6 Christian Communion is Open to Everyone Who Wants to Participate
Communion is to be open, available and accessible to everyone who wants to partake in communion between themselves and God.
Communion is a time to participate in the cross (broken bread) and resurrection (new life wine) of Jesus and in participating it is a time for reflection and self examination. We are to reflect on the past in "remembrance of Jesus" to look to the future "until Jesus returns" we are to look up and see God in heaven and to look into ourselves to see where we are at in our relationship with Jesus.
1 Peter 1:13-16 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as He which hath called you is Holy, so be ye Holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye Holy; for I am Holy.
Communion is a time and an opportunity for each person to participate in the Kingdom of God and to examine themselves. Communion is not the opportunity for one person to examine the worthiness of another person for all are fallen and all fail before the true glory of God.
1 Corinthians 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
1 Corinthians 11:1-34 Be ye followers of me (Apostle Paul), even as I also am of Christ. Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. ... But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night (Passover) in which He was betrayed took bread: And when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is My body, which is broken (cross) for you: this do in remembrance of Me. After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament (Eternal Life) in My blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come (second comming). Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily [by examining others and not themselves], shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body [that it is God alone who is Holy, God died as a sacrifice for an unholy, ungodly world full of sinful people]. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep [unconcise to the things of God]. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry (wait) one for another. And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.
While Jesus gave Himself on the cross as our sacrifice about the very moment that Jesus said "it is finished" the veil in the Temple was torn open from top to bottom signifying that the access for mankind that was blocked into the Holiest place with God is now open to mankind.
Matthew 27:50-53 Jesus [on the cross], when He had cried [It is finished: (John 19:30) and Father, into thy hands I commend My Spirit: (Luke 23:46)] again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And [after His resurrection] the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city (Jerusalem), and appeared unto many.
Hebrews 9:1-14 Then verily the first covenant (Old Testament) had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary (Temple). For there was a tabernacle [temporary tabernacle (tent) during their desert wanderings after leaving Egypt, later a permanent Temple (building) in Jerusalem] made; the first [room], wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil [3rd room], the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all [where the Shekinah Glory presence of God dwelt]; Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always [daily] into the first [room] tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into the second (mentioned place) [Holiest of all - 3rd room] went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood [and also with enough smoke that the High Priest could not see the Shekinah Glory of God (Leviticus 16:13)], which (blood and smoke) he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: Which was a figure for the (Old Testament) time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him (Levitical Priest) that did the service perfect (completed), as pertaining to the conscience (mind and soul); Which stood only in (physical) meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal (fleshly) ordinances, imposed on them until the time of (Spiritual) reformation (New Testament). But Christ being come an High Priest [Eternal order of Melchizedek] of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place (in Heaven), having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God [Jesus being God became a man to offer on behalf of mankind His sacrifice to God], purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Leviticus 16:11-17 And Aaron (Levitical High Priest) shall bring the bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and shall make an atonement for himself, and for his house, and shall kill the bullock [outside the door of the tabernacle by the burnt offering alter] of the sin offering which is for himself: And he shall take a sensor full of burning coals of fire from off the (incense) altar [2nd room] before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the veil [3rd room]: And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the testimony, that he (Levitical High Priest) die not: And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times. Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the veil, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat: And he shall make an atonement for the holy place [3rd room], because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness. And there shall be no man in the tabernacle of the congregation when he goeth in to make an atonement in the holy place, until he come out, and have made an atonement for himself, and for his household, and for all the congregation of Israel.
The concept of Christianity is that each individual person is their own Priest officiating at their own alter before God with Jesus being the one High Priest for all Christians.
1 Peter 2:1-6 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn (Christian) babes, desire the sincere milk of the word (Bible), that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have (Spiritually) tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual (Temple) house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone (Jesus), elect, precious: and he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded.
1 Peter 2:9-10 But ye (Christians) are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light: Which in time past (Gentiles) were not a people, but are now (Christians) the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Hebrews 16:15-16 By Him (Jesus) therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But do good to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Communion represents both the Physical and the Spiritual blood of Jesus.
Communion is an opportunity to participate with God in the Kingdom of God.
Communion is a reenactment of Jesus' cross (His broken body, bread) and resurrection (His new resurrection life, cup of wine). Communion is an act of obedience towards God and it is also an opportunity to participate in a new life with God and a way to appropriate the new Kingdom of God into our lives.
Jesus did not limit His blood to the physical realm.
Colossians 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
The blood of Jesus is physical and it is also Spiritual His blood has both Spiritual and physical implications therefore the message of the Bible is both Spiritual and physical.
Matthew 26:27 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Matthew 1:21 And she (Virgin Mary) shall bring forth a son ("her seed" Genesis 3:15), and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for He shall save his people from their sins.
Matthew 26:27-28 And He (Jesus) took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them (Disciples), saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is My blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Matthew 26:39 And He (Jesus) went a little farther, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O My Father (God), if it be possible, let this cup [death on the cross] pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
John 1:29 The next day John (the Baptist) seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb (Sacrifice) of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:31-36 ... but that He (Savior) should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I (John the Baptist) come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon Him (Jesus). And I knew Him not: but He (God) that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him (Jesus), the same is He which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as He walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! -- "Again the next day ... and looking upon Jesus as He walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!"
John the Baptist twice in two days proclaimed Jesus to be the Holy blood Sacrifice (Lamb) of God and Jesus did not challenge or even alter in any way the statement of the Prophet John the Baptist.
John 12:30-33 Jesus answered and said, This voice (from Heaven) came not because of Me, but for your sakes. Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world (Satan) be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up (crucifixion and resurrection) from the earth, will draw all men unto Me. This he said, signifying what (crucifixion) death He should die.
Genesis 3:14-15 And the LORD God said unto the serpent (Satan), Because thou hast done this [deceived mankind], thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: And I (God) will put enmity between thee (Satan) and the woman, and between thy (Satanic - Antichrist) seed and her (Jesus - Salvation) seed; it (cross of Jesus - "Golgotha") shall bruise thy head, and thou (Satan) shalt bruise His heel (nailed feet and a bruised heel on the cross at Golgotha (Matthew 27:33)).
Revelation 1:4-5 John (the Disciple) to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from Him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before His throne; And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten (Resurrected) of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood,
Revelation 5:6 And I (Disciple John) beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts (Spirit beings), and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain,
Revelation 5: 8-9 8 And when He (Jesus) had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they (Saints of Heaven) sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God [the Father] by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
Revelation, reveals the living resurrected Jesus Christ in Heaven and the resurrected Jesus in the final verses of the entire Bible puts His seal of approval on the entire Bible.
Revelation 22:20-21 He (Jesus) which testifieth these things saith, Surely I (Jesus) come [return] quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
The shed blood of Jesus covers both the physical on the earth and the Spiritual heavenly realms.
The Communion and the Communion elements the unleavened broken bread and the wine mixed with water represent the Promises of God to complete and finalize the Redemption (bread) and the Salvation (wine) process.
John 6:27 Labour not for the meat (food) which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of Man shall give unto you: for Him (Jesus) hath God the Father sealed.
John 6:34-35 Then said they (Disciples) unto Him, Lord, evermore give us this (everlasting life) bread. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.
John 6:53-63 53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is meat indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, dwelleth in Me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth Me, even he shall live by Me. This (the body of Jesus) is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples murmured at it, He said unto them, Doth this offend you? What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where He was before? It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I (Jesus) speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
Just like in the days of Abraham when the Promises of God came first before the actual shedding of the blood covenant with Abraham the Christian Communion bread and Cup are tokens and symbols coming first representing the Promises of God and then later enacted on the cross and with the resurrection. Abraham was given the promises of God to be blessed, to multiply, to possess the land and to have Jesus the Redeemer come through his lineage all while Abraham was yet uncircumcised then later at 99 years of age Abraham was circumcised shedding his own blood in confirming the covenant promises previously given to him by God.
Genesis 12:1-3 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country (Babylon-Iraq), and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land (Israel) that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
Genesis 15:1-6 After these things (after Lot was rescued) the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This (servant) shall not be thine heir; but he (son) that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. And He brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed (descendants) be. And he believed in the LORD; and He counted it to him for righteousness.
Genesis 17:1-14 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine (age of 99), the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before Me, and be thou perfect (completed). And I will make My covenant between Me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with Him, saying, As for Me, behold, My covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. And I will establish My covenant between Me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt Me and you. And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. And the uncircumcised [those without the covenant tokens] man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.
Romans 4:10-12 How was it (his faith counted for righteousness) then reckoned? when he (Abraham) was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith (belief in the promises of God) which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
#7 Only Christians are the Children of God, non-believers are separated from God by their own choice and actions and not by God's choice.
Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we (Christians) are the children of God.
Romans 9:8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh (physical), these are not the children of God:
Only Christians are "Born Again Born from Above" therefore only Christians have the Spirit of God making Christians "Children" of God and as Children in the Family of God partaking in an intimate relationship with God our Father.
Galatians 3:26-27 For ye (Christians) are all the children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been Baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
It is evident that people are humans and as humans we live within the limitations of humanity and as humans we also die within the limitations of humanity. There cannot be any dissension regarding the frailty of the human existence, no one physically lives much longer that about the span of 100 years.
The human lifecycle is clearly revealed in the Bible that All mankind has descended from Adam and Eve and therefore All mankind is inherently in the sinful condition passed on from Adam and Eve and All mankind is in need of an individual Spiritual rebirth from Jesus in order to overcome the physical death that is certain for everyone.
The Bible shows us that there are distinct and different categories of people.
Everyone is conceived in sin and therefore begins life separated from God.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God.
God is calling out to everyone to no longer continue in separation but to be reunited to God through the cross and Resurrection of Jesus.
John 12:32 And I (Jesus), if I be lifted up from the earth will draw all men unto Me.
Those that Respond to the Call of God by Faith acknowledging the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus, these people are cleansed of their own sins and Jesus then Breathes His Spirit into this person creating a new Child of God.
John 20:22 And when He (Jesus) had said this, He breathed on them and saith unto them, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost" (become a Christian).
The New Christian now has the Spirit of God and is now a Child of God no longer separated but is now in the family of God and in Spiritual fellowship with God Himself.
Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.
Romans 8:16-17 The (Holy) Spirit itself beareth witness with our [Christian] spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.
The Children of God are now Predestined (appointed outcome) to the Adoption of God to become Sons of God.
Ephesians 1:5 Having Predestined us [children] unto the Adoption of Sons (5206) by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.
A Child of God then becomes a Son of God in their own individual resurrection, after physical death, when the soul and spirit of the Christian enter into the perceivable presence of God in Heaven then God adopts the Child elevating the Child to a Son by giving the Son a new Spiritual body to replace the physical body that has just died. It is upon receiving the new unique Spirit body from God that the child (5043) of God become Sons (5206) of God and as a son (5207) the status and privileges of Sonship are then available.
Romans 8:23 And not only they (creation groans), but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit (Christians), even we ourselves groan within ourselves waiting for the Adoption, to wit the Redemption of our Body.
As a Son of God and now in Heaven (Perceivable presence of God) with God the Son receives an Inheritance from God his Father. The Inheritance includes an Abode (Place to live) an Occupation and resources to live and thrive on. We are Children of God while here on earth then we become Sons of God in Heaven in the Manifested presence of God. Another distinction between Children and Sons is that we Children on earth struggle with sin and the physical realm. Once a Son in Heaven we are freed from sin and enter the ease of the Spiritual realm.
Jeremiah 3:19 But I said, How shall I put thee among the children [lit. sons], and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage [lit. inheritance] of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call Me, my Father; and shalt not turn away from Me.
Jeremiah 4:22 For My people is foolish, they have not known Me; they are sottish (intoxicated) children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.
Colossians 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the Inheritance of the Saints in Light.
The people here on earth are either non-believers or they are believers and when believers they are children of God, the non-believers that have lived and have now died and died in their own sins are now separated from God forever as there is no longer a remedy for human sin after human death. While the people in Heaven are now Son's of God.
Note: Once a person becomes 'Born Again' by receiving the Spirit breath Baptism directly from the resurrected living Jesus Christ we become 'children of God' and the entire time we are in our physical body we remain children of God. It is only after physical death and we separate our spirit and soul from our fleshy body of sin that we enter into the presence of God. Once in the presence of God and having met God face to face, the non-believer departs from God while the child of God remains and God adopts His children of God to become His 'sons of God' in heaven. We become sons of God only when we are in a spiritual body in heaven. To be Born Again in our physical body is to be a child of God the entire time we are physically alive on earth later only after meeting God and having a new spiritual body in heaven do we become sons of God. It's possible to be an infant or a child of God and not know our Father face to face however it is not possible to be a son without having met and being able to recognize the Father through Jesus face to face.
Colossians 1:12-15 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son (Jesus): In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (Jesus) Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn [inheritor] of every creature:
Colossians 3:10-11 And (Christians) have put on the new (Spiritual) man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him (Jesus) that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all [children of God - sons of God].
It is the Holy Spirit that seeks to bring people to God (Jesus).
John 12:32 And I, if I (Jesus) be lifted up (cross and resurrection) from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.
Hebrews 3:7-8 Wherefore as the Holy Ghost saith, Today if ye will hear His voice, Harden not your hearts ...
Hebrews 10:15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us ...
The Holy Spirit covers the entire world and in conjunction with the work of the Holy Spirit all of creation also testifies to all of mankind about the glory, goodness and abilities of God.
Romans 1:18-20 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of Him (God) from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead [Father, Son Jesus, Holy Spirit]; so that they (sinners) are without excuse:
Because the Holy Spirit is everywhere pleading with all mankind, all mankind is without an excuse as to why they do not accept the love and a relationship with the one True God revealed to mankind in Jesus Christ.
We can agree to agree that not all people are the same in the sight of God yet it depends on the individual as to their relationship or lack of relationship with God because God has made it clear that He is available for everyone.
Note: The Jewish people are in the redeemed presence of God and are heirs (inheritors) in the Kingdom of God. The Jews become children - sons of God in the resurrection while the "Born Again" Christian Church are now children [in the Spiritual image] of God and as children Christians a part of the family of God.
John 5:25 Verily, verily, I (Jesus) say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall [become Christians and] live.
John 11:23-27 Jesus saith unto her (Martha), Thy [Jewish] brother (Lazarus) shall [physically] rise again. Martha saith unto Him, I know that he shall [spiritually] rise again in the [Jewish] resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the [Spiritual] resurrection, and the [Spiritual] life: he that believeth in Me, though he were [physically] dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never [Spiritually] die. Believest thou this? She saith unto Him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
Also Note: The Jewish people are heirs (inheritors) of God because of the promises of God and through their faith in the promises of God and not by abilities, works or their keeping of the law.
Romans 4:14-15 For if they (Jews) which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
Romans 9:3-5 ... my (Jewish) brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers [Abraham, Isaac, Jacob], and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
*Note this topic is mainly in reference to the Church and to the Gentiles as the Jews are a separate matter in regards to their relationship with God.
**Note the King James Version of the Bible often interchanges "child" (5043) and "son" (5207) a Greek language reference guide (Strong's Concordance) may be used to determine if the original word is son or child.
God is revealing, enacting and fulfilling His plan for mankind through the chosen Jewish people, the covenant nation of Israel and their holy city Jerusalem.
Luke 2:34-35 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary His mother, Behold, this child (Jesus) is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
#8 The covenants and promises of God belong to the Jews. The Gentiles have entered into the Jewish rewards via the death, blood and resurrection of Jesus.
Jeremiah 31:31-33 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a New Covenant with the house of Israel [Ten Northern Tribes], and with the house of Judah [Two Southern Tribes - Judah, Benjamin]: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Deuteronomy 26:16-19 This day the LORD thy God hath commanded thee (Israel) to do these statutes and judgments: thou shalt therefore keep and do them with all thine heart, and with all thy soul. Thou hast avouched (declared and affirmed a valid truth) the LORD this day to be thy God, and to walk in His ways, and to keep His statutes, and His commandments, and His judgments, and to hearken unto His voice: And the LORD hath avouched (declared and affirmed a valid truth) thee this day to be his peculiar people, as He hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments; And to make thee high above all nations which He hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as He hath spoken.
Ezekiel 11:17-20 Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even gather you (Jews) from the people [Nations], and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered (Diaspora), and I will give you the land of Israel (May 15, 1948). And they shall come thither, and they shall take away all the detestable things thereof and all the abominations thereof from thence. And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: That they may walk in My statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.
Romans 3:29 Is He the God of the Jews only? is He not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:
Ephesians 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the (Jews) commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh (near) by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Romans 3:22-31 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation (full payment) through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that He might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Is He the God of the Jews only? is He not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision (Jews) by faith, and uncircumcision (Gentiles) through faith. Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
Ultimately whether a Jew or a Gentile is saved it is from the Promises of God that redeems and saves a person while works do not make a person saved.
Romans Chapter 4: What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations, before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
Matthew 22:31-32 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
Mark 12:26-27 And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the [burning] bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living:
Abraham received the promises of God and the Covenant of circumcision 430 years before Moses received the 10 Commandments, the 613 Laws of God and the instructions for building the Tabernacle. Abraham, his son Isaac and his grandson Jacob are each clearly living in the resurrection though all three were born before the Laws were given to Moses so as the Bible says the Law does not save us but it does instruct us in Who God really is.
Genesis 15:18 In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:
Genesis 15:12 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him. And He said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also that nation [Egypt], whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. But in the fourth generation they shall come hither [return to Israel] again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces. In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:
Exodus 12:40-43 40 Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years. And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day [430 years to the day after the covenant with Abraham] it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt. It is a night to be much observed unto the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the LORD to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations. And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof:
Note: God made the covenant with Abraham it is a one-sided covenant as Abraham did not pass-through the offering only God passed through the offering therefore only God can break the covenant as only God passed through it, meaning that the actions, intentions or deeds of Abraham and his descendants could not nullify or void this covenant because it is one sided exactly like the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross is also a one-sided covenant and no one can interfere with the terms of the covenant of the cross the New Covenant. Like Abraham we can only take part in the covenant that exists with God but we cannot alter, void or null it as a whole as far as an agreement between God and people goes the covenant will always exist.
Genesis 17:7-11 And I will establish My covenant between Me and thee and thy seed (children) after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. This is My covenant, which ye shall keep, between Me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt Me and you.
Note: The children if Israel spent 430 years total being afflicted by several nations mostly in Canaan (Israel) and finally enduring the slavery in Egypt where Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. The slavery in Egypt lasted for four generations the four generations being Levi, Kohath, Amran and Moses.
Exodus 2:1 And there went a man (Amram a grandson of Levi) of the house of Levi, and took to wife (Jochebed) a daughter of Levi.
Numbers 26:57-59 57 And these are they that were numbered of the Levites after their families: of Gershon, the family of the Gershonites: of Kohath, the family of the Kohathites: of Merari, the family of the Merarites. ... and Kohath begat Amram and the name of Amram's wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, whom her mother bare to Levi in Egypt: and she bare unto Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister.
Genesis 46:8-12 And these are the names of the children of Israel (Jacob), which came into Egypt [when Joseph brought the whole family into Egypt], Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob's firstborn. And the sons of Reuben; Hanoch, and Phallu, and Hezron, and Carmi. And the sons of Simeon; Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanitish woman. And the sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. And the sons of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah, and Pharez, and Zarah: but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. ...
Biblically the Covenants of God given to mankind throughout history (Adam, Noah, Abraham, the Jews, and the Disciples of Jesus - comprising both the Old and New Testaments) are the Promises of God. There are not separate Covenants of God but one set of Promises of God.
Romans 4:9-14 Cometh this blessedness (Salvation) then upon the circumcision (Jews) only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
Looking at Adam and the woman (Eve) they both did sin against God, yet both of them are alive in the resurrection as well because they believed in the Promise of God to send His Redeemer.
Genesis 2:17 - 3:20 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. ... And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. ... And I will put enmity between thee (Satan) and the woman, and between thy seed (Antichrist) and her seed (Redeemer); it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel. ... And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.
After the fall and now that death had entered into creation and would afflict mankind Adam then named the woman Eve "the Mother of all living." Adam was acknowledging the Redemption Promise of God the Promise to bring mankind back into an Everlasting Living relationship with God.
Noah Lived before Abraham but like Abraham Noah was saved by the promises of God as God promised that He would not send the flood until Noah had the Ark ready.
Genesis 6:17-18 And, behold, I (God), even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. But with thee (Noah) will I establish My covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee.
Job lived before Abraham and like Noah Job believed the promises of God. Job believed that yet after his own death he would live in the resurrection and meet God face to face and it was counted to Job as righteousness.
Job 14:14-16 If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my (resurrection body) change come. Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: Thou wilt have a desire to the work of Thine hands. For now Thou numberest my steps: dost Thou not watch over my sin?
Job 19:23-27 Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever! For I know that My redeemer liveth, and that He (Jesus) shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after (death) my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins (desires, passions) be consumed within me.
Jesus believed in His Father and in Himself when He laid down His life to die on the Cross knowing full well that He would resurrect His life back to His full Glory and Majesty.
John 10:14-18 I am the good shepherd, and know My sheep, and Am known of Mine as the Father knoweth Me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down My life for the sheep and other (Gentile) sheep I have, which are not of this (Jewish) fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice; and there shall be one (Christian) fold, and one shepherd (Jesus). Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from Me, but I lay it down (on the cross) of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power (resurrection) to take it again. This commandment have I received of My Father.
Abraham: God's Chosen People
Genesis 12: 1-3 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land [Israel] that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
2 Chronicles 13:5 Ought ye not to know that the LORD God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt?
Psalms 89:34-37 My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of My lips. Once have I sworn by My holiness that I will not lie unto David. His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before Me. It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.
Acts 2:30-35 Therefore (King David) being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, He would raise up Christ to sit on His throne; he seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that His soul was not left in hell, neither His flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on My right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
Romans 9:4-5 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
Galatians 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
Acts Chapter 13: The transition from emphasis on Jewish converts to Gentile converts in Christianity
Acts 13:14-52 But when they (Paul and Barnabas) departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down. ... And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that He hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second Psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. And as concerning that He raised Him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, He said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. Wherefore He saith also in another Psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: But He, whom God raised again, saw no corruption. Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you. And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath. Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious (Gentile) proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy* of everlasting life, lo, we turn** to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles***, that thou shouldest be for salvation**** unto the ends of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region. But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts. But they shook off the dust of their feet against (in contrast to) them, and came unto Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.
*Jews have eternal life so it seems that the Apostle Paul is insinuating that their conduct "blaspheming" is to the point that it is calling into question their Jewish redemption. Then the comment "and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life" seems forward looking and is interesting because there is no doctrine that some are worthy and others are not worthy since Biblically no one is worthy of everlasting life. I wouldn't build doctrine around the verses in this exchange because it is like the "baptism for the dead" (1 Corinthians 15:29) verse in that the Apostle Paul is using a certain logic to refute an argument and he is not making doctrinal statements.
**God has always (Genesis 18:8) intended for the Gospel to be for both the Jews and the Gentiles. The Gospel was given first to the Jews and then later the Church included Gentiles. Even today the Gospel is not exclusive to either the Jews or the Gentiles but is available to all who call upon the name of Jesus Christ.
***Paul is appointed (Galatians 2:7) by God as an Apostle to the Gentiles in the same way that God appointed Peter as an Apostle to the Jews. Along with Peter and Paul the Disciple John (Revelation 4:1) is the representative for the Christian Rapture Church and James (Acts 12:2) the brother of John is the representative for the future Martyred Saints of Revelation.
****Salvation, healing - eternal life in God (Jesus: Je=Jehovah God is sus=Salvation) is the Gospel message. The Jews have God the Father and have redemption but require a future salvation in Jesus while the Gentiles need both redemption and salvation and get both redemption and salvation immediately by belief in Jesus.
Acts Chapter 15: The first Church Council - Don't eat blood as it will offend the Jews
Acts 15:6-21 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this [Gentile converts to Christianity] matter. And when there had been much disputing [over whether Gentiles could become Christians without first becoming Covenant, Circumcised Jews], Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke [of the Law] upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for His (Christian) name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this [Christian Church Era] I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom My name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world. Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. [Christians are not to offend the Jews] For Moses of old time hath in every city them (Jews) that preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath day.
The Jews are temporarily blinded from Salvation by God, while sinners are blinded from Redemption by Satan.
Romans 11:1- I say then, Hath God cast away His people? God forbid. For I (Apostle Paul) also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away His people which he foreknew. ... What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded [temporarily by God] According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear; unto this day.
2 Corinthians 4:3-7 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world (Satan) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
Unfortunately a not so uncommon Church error has been for the Church itself to blame the children of God and to persecute the children of God all the while the persecutor is thinking that they are doing God's work for God. The middle-ages and the dark-ages of Christianity were filled with Christian leaders torturing and burning other Christians at the stake, for the non-existent crime of belonging to a different denomination, all in the guise that they were doing it on behalf of God. Likewise today to oppose the safety of Israel or to harm a Jew is just as unnecessary and revolting as the needless and detrimental persecutions of the dark and middle ages and to presume that to oppose Israel is to be doing God's work is the height misconception.
Grape Vine - represents Jesus Christ
Olive Tree - represents the Holy Spirit
To become a Christian is to receive Salvation the "Born Again" Spirit of Jesus Christ by being grafted into the Grape Vine of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed (sperm), but of incorruptible (Spirit), by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
John 15:1-8 I (Jesus) Am the true [Grape] Vine, and My Father is the Husbandman. Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth (washes-cleanses) it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the Vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me. I Am the Vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in Him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in Me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
To remove oneself from the presence of Jesus and to no longer be a part of the Grape Vine is eternal damnation.
Hebrews 6:4-6 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift [Salvation], and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame.
The Holy Spirit empowers people and nations at different times, intensities and durations.
Romans 11:13-24 For I (Apostle Paul) speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: If by any means I may provoke to emulation them (Jews) which are my flesh, and might save (Salvation) some of them. For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the [Holy Spirit] olive tree; Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, The (Jewish) branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith (belief). Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest He also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in His goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off [from both the Olive Tree and the Grape Vine]. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?
Ezekiel 37:1-5 The hand of the LORD was upon me (Ezekiel), and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. And He said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest. Again He said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath (Spirit) to enter into you, and ye shall live:
Ezekiel 37:11-14 Then He said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts. Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O My people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. And ye shall know that I Am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up out of your graves, And shall put My spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.
It is the Martyred Saints of Revelation and the Jews that are dealing with and contending with the great end time events.
The Jews fulfill the End Times of God's plan as it is revealed in His Holy Bible. If all of the Jews became Christians then there would be no more Jews and no more End Times. Therefore God has blinded a portion of the Jews from the Gospel in order that a group of Jews remain Jews until the Second Coming of Jesus is completed. Jesus returns to the Jews as the Christian Church has been Raptured into heaven and returns with Jesus.
Matthew 24:3-24 And as He (Jesus) sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto Him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of Thy coming (Kingdom rule), and of the end of the world? ... When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation (Antichrist), spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the [Jeruaslem Temple] holy place, whoso readeth (NT Matthew), let him understand: Then let them (Jews) which be in Judaea (Israel) flee into the mountains (Petra, Jordan): Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Jews are the redeemed of God the Apostle Paul offered the Jews Salvation not Redemption as they are already redeemed. The Jews are currently 'redeemed' (physically redeemed - in the presence of God) by God, it is their 'salvation' (Spiritual healing) that is postponed.
It is first necessary for a person to be Redeemed by God and brought back into His Holy presence for God to then begin to do His work of healing (Salvation) in the life of the person. Redemption is completed at the cross of Jesus where through the shed blood and the death of Jesus sin was removed as a barrier between Holy God and sinful mankind. Salvation then begins at the Resurrection of Jesus where we now enter into eternal life for an eternal salvation healing.
Isaiah 43:1-2 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee...
The Apostle Paul offered Salvation to the Jews but he did not offer redemption to the Jews because they are already redeemed back to God. The cross of Jesus finalized the one sacrifice for all people for all time completing the Redemption that the Jews were already a part of.
Acts 28:23-28 And when they (Jewish elders in Rome) had appointed him (Apostle Paul) a day, there came many to him into his (jail cell) lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias (Isaiah) the prophet unto our fathers, Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal (Salvation) them. Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
The Jews have the Father; they are heirs in the Kingdom of God. The Jews have the promises of God and to them belong the covenants of God. Having the promises and the covenants of God if the Jews are then not redeemed and do not receive salvation then who is redeemed and who is saved? If the Jews are not saved then no one is saved.
1 John 2:23 Whosoever {Gentile} denieth the Son (Jesus), the same hath not the Father: but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
Conclusion:
1 Corinthians 10:32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the Church of God:
People think that because the Jews are God's chosen people that they are infallible but that is not the case. People also think that because the Jews make mistakes that then they are not God's chosen people but that is also not the case. The Bible in both the Old Testament and the New Testament goes to great lengths to point out the mistakes of the Jews all the while confirming that they remain God's chosen people.
Romans 11:31 Even so have these (Jews) also now not believed, that through your (Christian) mercy they (Jews) also may obtain mercy.
#9 It is the Martyred Saints of Revelation and the Jews that are dealing with and contending with the great end time events.
The three New Testament groups (Church, Jews, Martyred Saints of Revelation) are each represented at the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus (Matthew 17:1-2) where Jesus was glorified in their presence. These are the only groups of redeemed-sinless people that will ever be in the glorified presences of Jesus Christ.
It is the position of the Basic Christian material that the Gospel of John is the primary gospel to the Christian Church. The Gospels of Matthew, Luke and Mark are Gospels that also include "End Time" information intended for both the Jews and for the future Martyred Saints of Revelation, two groups that are separate from the born again Christian (raptured) Church. The error is in applying prophetic information in Revelation, Daniel, Isaiah, Matthew, Luke, Mark and other material that is intended for the application of the Martyred Saints and for the Jewish people (Israel) to the Christian Church. The Christian Church is not mentioned in the End Times Bible passages though the Church is mentioned in the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18), as the Church is raptured (taken up) into heaven and is in heaven during the tribulation events that are mentioned throughout both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. It is the Martyred Saints of Revelation and the Jews that are dealing with and contending with the great end time events.
The Christian Church is the unique time period beginning with the cross and resurrection of Jesus when on the day of the resurrection Jesus joined the presence of His disciples and breathed His eternal Holy Spirit life into each of them individually (John 20:21-23) creating the Born Again Christian Church. Membership in the Christian Church will come to a close and the Christian Church will end in the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:14-18) as all of the Holy Spirit filled Christians will be gathered together into heaven at the voice of the Archangel and the trumpet (announcement) of God.
Remember all of the Old Testament Saints up to and including John the Baptist were not Christians because they lived and died before the cross and resurrection of Jesus and did not have the opportunity to confess Jesus as the sufferer for their sins and were unable to receive by faith the Holy Spirit. The Old Testament Saints comprised the Jews who followed God and obeyed His commandments, ordinances and customs and the righteous gentiles who not personally knowing God like the Jews the righteous Gentiles obeyed their conscious towards God (Romans 2:14-15).
The Martyred Saints of Revelation will not be of the Christian Church as the Church is removed and the Holy Spirit is not available to be indwelt among people (2 Thessalonians 2:6-7) during the Tribulation time period. The Martyred Saints of Revelation will again be like the righteous Gentiles of the Old Testament times obeying God with their conscience and not like the Christians who were able to obey God with our conscience and in our Spirit.
The promise of Jesus (Matthew 16:18) to His Christian (Born again-Spirit filled) Church is that the Church will always stand and Satan will not prevail against Jesus' Church. However after the Church is raptured into heaven Satan is then given authority (Revelation 13:7) to overcome the precious Martyred Saints of Revelation. Not having the Born Again Spirit the Martyred Saints of Revelation and also the 144,000 Jewish witnesses will be overcome by the antichrist and will give their life to Jesus. It is not available for Satan to overcome the Born Again Christian Church.
Matthew 17:1-2 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter [Jews][Galatians 2:7 the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter], James [Martyred Saints of Revelation][Acts 12:2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword], and John [Born Again Raptured Church][Revelation 4:1 I (John) looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven] his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain [Mt. Nebo] apart, And (Jesus) was transfigured before them: and His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light.
Note: Mt. Nebo is very likely where Moses who had sinned against God and was unble to enter into the promise land died and where he was was burried. Mt. Nebo is in modern day Jordan and is located outside of Israel separate from the Holy Land it was also very likely the location of the Mt. of Transfiguration where Jesus, Moses and Elijah were all three transfigured into their Spiritual bodies. Because the Transfiguration of Jesus, including Moses and Elijah took place before the cross of Jesus the sins that kept Moses out of the Promise Land the first time would also keep Moses out of Israel this second time and this is likely the reason that Jesus and His Disciples traveled outside of Israel to Jordan to witness the Transfiguration of Jesus and of the two departed righteous men.
If Moses is one of the Two Witnesses of Revelation (Revelation 11:1-12) in Jerusalem during the Tribulation Period Moses will be allowed in Jerusalem the Holy City because it is after the cross of Jesus and the sins of Moses are now gone having been nailed to the cross with all the other sins of humanity so Moses can now enter Israel.
Colossians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances (sins) that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross;
Note: Jesus was without sin and therefore could be bodily Transfigured something sinful humans cannot do we need to die first like Moses and Elijah and be separated from our body of sin and then we Christians receive our new transfigured (1 Corinthians 15:35-55) bodies.
Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
1 Corinthians 15:35-55 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased Him, and to every seed his own body. All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. There are also (heavenly) celestial bodies, and bodies (earthly) terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a Spiritual body. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam (Jesus) was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man (Adam) is of the earth, earthy: the second man (Jesus) is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed [translated], In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
Two Separate 'End Times' Teachings of Jesus
Matthew 21-23 [Jesus teaching in the Temple]
And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money changers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them ...Matthew 23 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to His disciples (followers), Saying, ... Verily I say unto you, All these things (rejection and crucifixion of Christ, destruction of Jerusalem, scattering-diaspora) shall come upon this [current] generation.
Matthew 24-25 [Jesus teaching at the Mount of Olives, a new location and a new teaching]
And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: ... And as He sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto Him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these (Kingdom of Jesus) things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming (in power, 2nd coming), and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, ... Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch [Jewish Temple in Jerusalem - yet to be rebuilt] is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves (fig leaves, man's religious covering and activities, no fruit), ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these [Jerusalem, Jewish Temple] things, know that it (2nd coming) is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This [future] generation shall not pass, till all these (end times) things be fulfilled.
Just like the Christian Church needs the information in the Old Testament the Martyred Saints of Revelation and the end time Jews in Israel will need the information of the New Testament. The Bible is completely written and finished there is no more information or material to be added to the Bible. There will not be a Martyred Saints of Revelation addition to the Bible. The future Martyred Saints of Revelation and the end time Jews of Israel (Judea) will need to know the Biblical information and Biblical events of their day. For example in Matthew 24:16 in order to flee to the mountains when the antichrist is revealed in the temple in Jerusalem they will have to know the New Testament so the New Testament is also written to them like the Old Testament is also written to the Christian Church.
Currently much of the deception that is going on in the world is just manipulation and not miracles but when the Antichrist does come on the scene he will perform actual miracles in a combination with "all power and signs and lying wonders."
2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 Even him (Antichrist), whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
The manipulation of mankind is taking form with political lies, media deceit, statistical misrepresentation, digital imagery, fake photography, advanced science techniques, electromagnetic waves, sound, radio, digital TV, lights, space mirrors, rumors, stories, innuendos, accusations, ancient history rewrites, recent history rewrites, present time rewrites and a host of other methods.
After the "Born Again" Christian Church has departed in the Rapture then the "man of sin" the Antichrist will be revealed "whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness"
2 Thessalonians 2:1-10 Now we (Apostles) beseech you (fellow Christians), brethren, by the [2nd] coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together [Rapture] unto Him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit [demonic spirits], nor by word [false teachers], nor by letter [extra biblical writings - Gnostic gospels] as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day [Rapture] shall not come, except there come a falling away [backsliding - apostasy] first, and that man [Antichrist] of sin [666] be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the [Jerusalem] temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I (Apostle Paul) was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what [Holy Spirit] withholdeth that he [Antichrist] might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only He [Holy Spirit] who now letteth will let, until He be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
The coming Antichrist is completely separate and distinct from Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is God revealed to mankind, manifested as the Son of God, Divine, Holy and pure.
1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Romans 16:26-27 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.
Luke 10:18 And He (Jesus) said unto them (Disciples), I beheld (observed) Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
John 14:30-31 Hereafter I (Jesus) will not talk much with you (Disciples): for "the prince of this world" [Satan] cometh, and hath nothing in Me. But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave Me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
1 John 2:22-23 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He (denier) is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
The Antichrist is a "man of sin" a demonically cobbled together concoction of human flesh and demon possession who specializes in manifesting sin, death, lies, deceit, greed and manipulations.
Revelation 16:13-14 And I (Disciple John) saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon (Satan), and out of the mouth of the beast (Antichrist), and out of the mouth of the false prophet (Antichrist's personal prophet, like John the Baptist was for Jesus). For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
Jesus died for us, Jesus gave His life to us to save mankind. Satan never died for anybody, Satan only came to kill, steal and destroy mankind.
John 10:7-12 Then said Jesus unto them (Disciples) again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I Am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before Me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I Am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I Am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
Jesus has given His promise to be with us always!
Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I (Jesus) am with you alway, even unto the end of the *world (lit. end of the ages). Amen.
*It is sometimes translated "the end of the age" the Greek is "the end of the ages" the KJV translators instead of using ages plural translated it to "the end of the world." This encompasses all of God's ages, dispensations and eras for mankind. Some have hypothesized their own dispensations i.e. the Age of Pisces and the Age of Aquarius however the Bible is clear that Jesus Christ is and remains supreme forever and ever.
Conclusion:
Titus 1:15-16 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
#10 The second coming of Jesus is the gathering [rapture] and conclusion of His "Born Again" Christian Church Era
The Bible has much to say about the interactions of God with mankind and of the various times regarding mankind particularly the time during the first coming of Jesus and of the start of His "Born Again" Christian Church and also about the second coming of Jesus and the gathering and conclusion of His "Born Again" Christian Church.
It is the individual's belief in the complete sin cleansing cross and eternal life giving resurrection of Jesus Christ that then prepares the way for Jesus Christ to breath His life giving Spirit into each believing person.
The new presence of the Holy Spirit within the person now creates a new "Born Again" Christian. Each person is inducted into the Christian Church only by personally receiving the Holy Spirit within themselves through the personal act of baptism in the Holy Spirit by Jesus Christ.
Matthew 4:11 I (John the Baptist) indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but He (Jesus) that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He (Jesus) shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
John 1:32-33 And John (the Baptist) bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon Him (Jesus). And I knew Him not: but He (Father God) that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, the same is He which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
If the living resurrected Jesus Christ has not breathed His Eternal Life giving Spirit into an individual person then that individual person is not a Christian.
1 John 2:22-26 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah - Eternal Living One)? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son (Jesus). Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. Let that [Gospel] therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that He hath promised us, even eternal life. These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
1 John 5:9-13 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this [resurrection] is the witness of God which He hath testified of His Son (Jesus). He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made Him a liar; because he believeth not the [resurrection] record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name (Jesus) of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
After the conclusion of the "Born Again" Holy Spirit filled Christian Church era the attention of God and the focus of the Bible will remain on the Jews and also the Martyred Saints of Revelation a new group of redeemed people will enter the Biblical setting.
After the "Born Again" Christian Church is raptured into heaven the whole Christian Church starting since the day of the resurrection of Jesus over 2,000 years ago will be gathered together for the first time and in heaven will participate in the Eternal Rewards Ceremony and in the Marriage Banquet Feast.
Revelation 4:1-2 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither (Church Rapture), and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter [after the Church Rapture]. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
Revelation 11:15-19 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ (Jesus); and He shall reign for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in His temple the ark of His testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
Revelation 19:5-9 5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear Him, both small and great. And I heard as it were the voice of a great (Christian Church) multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife (Church) hath made herself ready. And to her (Church) was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of (Christian) saints. And he (Angel) saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
While the Christian "Born Again" Church is in Heaven there is here on earth a time period generally regarded to be about seven years long until Jesus returns to the earth with His Christian Church accompanying Him.
Daniel 9:24-27 Seventy weeks [70 seven year periods] are determined upon thy (Jewish) people and upon thy holy city (Jerusalem), to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting [Kingdom of Jesus] righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. ... And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah (Christ) be cut off (Cross, crucifixion), but not for Himself: and the (Roman) people of the prince (Caesars) that shall come shall destroy the city (Jerusalem) and the sanctuary (Temple); and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he (Antichrist) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week (seven years): and in the midst of the week (3 1/2 years) he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation [the antichrist will declare himself Christ and offer his 666 Mark of the Beast], and that determined [the judgments of Revelation] shall be poured [the bowl judgments of Revelation chapters 15 and 16] upon the desolate [kingdom of Antichrist].
The Martyred Saints of Revelation are precious to Jesus in that they give their life to be with Jesus where the Christian Church merely confessed faith in Jesus to be with Jesus.
The purpose of the rapture is to gather all of the Christian Spirit filled believers into heaven removing them from the earth and the End Times wrath to come. The Martyred Saints of Revelation remain on the earth after the rapture and are individually brought into the presence of Jesus by the great End Times persecutions.
The Martyred Saints of Revelation are a part of the Christian Church in that they belong to Jesus Christ but coming after the "Born Again" Church era they do not become members in the "Born Again" part of the Christian Church. After the "Born Again" Christian Church has been raptured-called into heaven by Jesus the Holy Spirit will not indwell each individual Martyred Saint remaining on the earth like the Holy Spirit did indwell each Christian starting with the Resurrection day of Jesus and continuing until the group rapture of the Church.
The Martyred Saints of Revelation are like the Jews and also like the righteous Gentiles during the Old Testament times in that they worship, know and obey God in their soul and in their conscience and not in the Spirit as the "Born Again" Church has been able to do.
Revelation 6:9-11 And when He (Jesus) had opened the fifth seal, I (Disciple John) saw under the altar the souls of them (Martyred Saints) that were slain for the word of God and for the testimony (confession of the resurrection of Jesus) which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying How long, O Lord, holy and true, doust thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto everyone of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season [7 years] until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
Revelation 17:6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus:
Revelation 13:7 And it was given unto him (Antichrist) to make war with the saints and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds and tongues and nations.
In the middle of the seven year time period without the Church the Antichrist will reveal himself forcing his 666 "mark of the beast" on the remaining people. The 666 mark of the beast event divides the seven year time period into two 3 1/2 year time periods the time before the mark and the time after the mark until Jesus returns to earth with His Church.
The Martyred Saints of Revelation will all give their life to Jesus and as a result will be martyred by the government here on earth. Corresponding with the two groups of 3 1/2 years in the seven year period there are two parts to the martyrdom of the Martyred Saints of Revelation. The first 3 1/2 years the Saints are martyred for holding to the words of God and then after the Antichrist more Martyred Saints of Revelation are martyred for wisely refusing to take the 666 mark of the beast.
Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb (Jesus) and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Revelation 15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast (Antichrist) and over his (Satanic fake born again) image and over his mark and over the number (666) of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.
When Jesus returns with his Church He will have His long awaited 1,000 year rule on earth it will be a Divine time when all of creation and all inhabitants will finally experience the true loving, righteous and just leadership of Jesus Christ as He reigns as King of the World.
Revelation 20:1-3 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him (Satan) into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them (Martyred Saints of revelation) that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
After the 1,000 year Kingdom reign of Jesus Christ here on earth there will then be a New Heaven and a New Earth.
Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
Revelation 21:3-7 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And He said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son.
This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Matthew 24:34 Verily I say unto you, This [1967 Jerusalem - Temple rebuilding] generation shall not pass, till all these [End Time] things be fulfilled.
1967 Jerusalem - Rabbi Shlomo Goren blowing a Shofar announcing the End Time generation and the heralding of all End Time events.
1967 Jerusalem - Rabbi Shlomo Goren blowing a Shofar (Video - YouTube)
A generation is a peer group of people who are alive during an event or time period and are old enough (minimum of about 12-14 years old) to comprehend the event's occurrence and significance. The great December 7, 1941 Pearl Harbor - WWII generation is rapidly passing, the 1967 Jerusalem - Temple rebuilding generation is rapidly maturing and the 9-11, 2001 WTC generation is just getting underway.
Matthew 24:32-35 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Genesis 3:6-7 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
Grape Vine - represents Jesus Christ
Olive Tree - represents the Holy Spirit
Fig Tree - represents man and the works of man
While Jesus was on the cross the Temple veil tore from top to bottom signifying the end to the physical Temple system and the perfecting of the Spiritual system yet man is now in the process of recreating the Jerusalem Temple including the tools, implements, instruments and the accompanying procedures. There is also a plan in place to rebuild the Jerusalem Temple. With the blood cleansing cross and the Holy Spirit life giving resurrection of Jesus the Jerusalem Temple is no longer needed as a place for God to meet with mankind. The coming Jerusalem Temple is therefore equated to man's religious (fig tree) practices and is not a part God's prescribed Holy instructions. It seems most likely that the "parable of the fig tree" in Matthew 24:32 is the rebuilding of the Jerusalem Temple.
Matthew 24:10-16 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation (Antichrist), spoken of by Daniel (Daniel 9:27) the prophet, stand in the Holy Place [rebuilt Jerusalem Temple], whoso readeth, let him understand: Then let them which be in Judaea (Israel) flee into the mountains:
Daniel 9:24-27 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy (Daniel's) people [Jews] and upon thy Holy City [Jerusalem], to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem [Holy City], he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
For almost 2,000 years (August 30, 70 A.D. - May 14, 1948) there was not an independent Jewish nation in Israel and no accompanying Jewish Temple in Jerusalem so some parts of the Christian Church began to engage in "replacement theology" by replacing the Church with the Jews in regard to the prescribed promises and prophecies given to the Jews. The replacement of the Jews with the Church in theology was done to help explain and fulfill End Time prophecies since so many of the prophecies include Israel however since 1948 and the reestablishment and re-gathering of the Jewish nation of Israel the replacement theology has become completely obsolete.
One of the most prominent End Time prophecies in the Bible is Isaiah and the promised "re-gathering of the Nation of Israel" re-gathered strictly to fulfill and complete all the End Time events. In End Time prophecy before Israel was back in the land it technically was not the End Times however with Israel back in their land in 1948 and especially since regaining control of Jerusalem prophetically we now live in the End Times.
Isaiah 11:11-12 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands [far away countries] of the sea. And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.
Daniel 7:7-8 After this I (Daniel) saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast [Roman - European Empire], dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse [European] from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns [rulers]. I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn [Antichrist], before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great [blasphemy] things.
Daniel 7:15-28 I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. I came near unto one of them [Angels] that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things. These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth. But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue (lit. left down behind) with his feet; And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows. I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints [Martyred Saints of Revelation], and prevailed against them; Until the Ancient of days [Jesus Christ] came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times (BC-AD) and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time (1 year) and times (2 years) and the dividing of time (1/2 a year) [3 1/2 years total]. But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High (Jesus Christ), whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him. Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations (reflective thoughts) much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.
Note: Israel was a family and not yet a Nation when they entered Egypt (Exodus 1:1-5) God promised Mosses that He would make Israel a Nation (Exodus 19:6) and then the day Israel departed Egypt (the first Passover) is the day Israel became a nation (Isaiah 66:8). The first captivity of Israel [722 B.C.] when the ten northern tribes of Israel went to the Assyrian Empire (Nineveh was the capital) and later Babylon (Iraq) conquered the two remaining southern tribes of Judah and Benjamin by attacking and destroying [9th day of the 5th Jewish month Av in 586 B.C.] the Temple in Jerusalem that Solomon had built and taking most of Israel into captivity in Babylon [586 B.C. - 538 B.C.]. Assyria represented strength with military and political power while Babylon represented mysticism and false religion. God sent each portion of Israel into captivity into nations that represented the false idol worship that the Israeli tribes were following. The northern tribes had forsaken God for political and military might and power so God sent them into captivity into Assyria then the reaming two tribes practiced mysticism and other false religion so God had them conquered and sent them into captivity in Babylon. The second dispersion of Israel began after August 30, 70 A.D. [9th day of the 5th Jewish month Av in 70 A.D.] when the Roman General Titus Flavius Vespasianus destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem. Then on May 14, 1948 A.D. Israel was given its independence signifying the second and final re-gathering of Israel back into the promise land that God had given to them.
The Second Coming of Jesus Christ:
The first coming of Jesus was divided into segments or dispensations of generations.
Matthew 1:16-17 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary (the Virgin), of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.
Since the beginning of the Christian Church in about 33 A.D. much has been written about the dispensation segments and of the timeframe for the second coming of Jesus.
Generally the timeframe for the second coming of Jesus consists of dispensations for the entire human existence and segments into a structure of eight 1,000 year sections of time for a total of 8,000 years. The structure is in part modeled after the creation week where for six days mankind was to labor and the seventh day is a day of Sabbath rest while the eighth day is a new day. Basically the 6,000 years of human history from Adam to the Antichrist equate to the fall and six days of labor and oppression for mankind. The coming 7,000 year starting approx 2033 A.D. is thought to be the Millennial Kingdom rule of Jesus Christ where mankind will finally be given rest from our oppression by the presence and righteous reign of Jesus Christ.
Then at the end of the thousand years of Jesus' rule the 8,000th year will be the begging of the New Heaven and the New Earth of eternal existence. The dispensations are divided into 1,000 year segments based on what the Apostle Peter wrote in his 2nd letter to the Church.
2 Peter 3:8-9 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise [to return], as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Eden B.C. 4000 -- Noah B.C. 3,000 -- Abraham B.C 2,000 -- King David 1,000 B.C --- Jesus Christ A.D. 0 --- Church Age A.D. 33-2,033? (an unknown amount of time thought to be about 2,000 years) Tribulation-Antichrist A.D. 2033-2040 (7 years total) New Millennium A.D. 2040-3,040 (1,000 years total) -- New Creation Eternity 3,040 A.D. (eternity) [a total of 8,000 years for all the dispensations of mankind and then comes the eternal existence].
Source: www.preservedwords.com
Hosea 6:1-3 Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for He hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up. After two days will He revive us: in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: His going forth is prepared as the *morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.
Clearly this verse is about the resurrection of Jesus Christ "His going forth is prepared as the morning" and it is thought that the first part of the verse is about the resurrection of the Church "After two days will He revive us" and of the Jews "in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight."
*It was in the twilight of the morning that Jesus the "Dayspring" resurrected from the grave.
The sacrifices and offerings of God all had time limits attached to them the Passover lamb was to be eaten that evening, peace offerings were to be consumed within two days, the atonement by the Jewish High Priest was to last exactly one year, etc.Leviticus 7:16-18 But if the sacrifice of his offering be a vow, or a voluntary offering, it shall be eaten the same day that he offereth his sacrifice: and on the morrow also the remainder of it shall be eaten: But the remainder of the flesh of the sacrifice on the third day shall be burnt with fire. And if any of the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings be eaten at all on the third day, it shall not be accepted, neither shall it be imputed unto him that offereth it: it shall be an abomination, and the soul that eateth of it shall bear his iniquity.
John 14:27-29 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved Me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for My Father is greater than I [Jesus in human form]. And now I have told you before it [crucifixion - resurrection] come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.
It is possible that the peace offering in the Bread of Life of Jesus Christ is only to be offered for the two days (2,000 years) and that there is an expiration date of approximately 2,033 A.D. for the gathering together of the Christian Church the body of Jesus Christ.
With the 1967 return of the Holy City of Jerusalem to Jewish possession and a possible last date of 2033 for the Christian Church to be gathered together it creates the one end time generation that Jesus spoke about in Matthew 24:34.
Considering that a fourteen year old young adult could have witnessed or certainly would have known about the June 7, 1967 return of Jerusalem to Jewish control via TV, radio or newspaper and knowing that it was way back in August 30, 70 A.D. about 42 generations ago that Jerusalem was taken from the Jews by the Romans making the return of Jerusalem a very significant event and even more significant in that it was very unlikely that the event would even occur at all let alone that it occurred within the lifetime of a Biblical last generation.
A fourteen year old in 1967 would only be about 65 years old in 2033 clearly an End Time timeframe of one generation.
Note: The year 2033 is being presented for consideration as a possible expiration date for the gathering together of the Christian Church. The Christian Church in its present earthly form does not continue on indefinitely it does conclude at some future point in time. The 2033 year date is not being presented as a Rapture or a Second Coming date as the Second Coming Rapture of the Christian Church could occur at any moment.
When the Christian Church does conclude it will be completely at the discretion, pleasure and direction of God. God is the only overseer of His Christian Church as God alone has the power, majesty and authority to begin and end His Christian Church era.
Woe to the inhabiters of the earth (humans) and of the sea (demons)! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
Revelation 12:12 ... Woe to the inhabiters of the earth (humans) and of the sea (demons)! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
Revelation 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth (humans) and of the sea (demons)! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
Revelation 12:7-13 And there was war in heaven: Michael (the Archangel) and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth (humans) and of the sea (demons)! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman (Jews) which brought forth the Man Child (Jesus Christ).
Jeremiah 31:22 How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the LORD hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman (Virgin Mary) shall compass a Man [not an infant in status at birth but a man the Son of God in status at birth].
That the Virgin Mary would give birth to Jesus who is the Christ already the Son of God (before birth), being the Son of God Jesus does not get adopted by God to become a "sons of God" like humans do. Humans start out unsaved, then once 'born again' humans become 'children of God' then after death and once in heaven children of God are 'adopted as sons of God' by God and receive from God an inheritance, a new Spirit body and a new home including a new occupation (projects and responsibilities) in heaven.
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.
Isaiah 9:6-7 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
First Posting: 10/14/2002 Basic Christian: Discussion Forum
Latest Update: 05/18/2009 - BasicChristian.org
Source: www.BasicChristian.info