I’m no Quincy…
Now I’m no Quincy.
However, I can clue you in as to the 3 greatest causes of death at the end of the age.
The first one is:
1. Seeing other Christians die.
Matt 24:9 says,
“Then they will hand you over to tribulation and they will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations, on account of My name.
And then many will fall away, and they will betray one another, and they will hate one another.”
At the mere sight of this, all those that are sitting on the fence, and those that are lukewarm, will be heading for the hills when they see this. (And probably muttering under the breath, “I never signed up for this!”)
2. Lying wonders performed by the False Prophet.
(Revelation 13:13) And he works great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth before men.
(Revelation 13:14) And he deceives my own people who dwell on the earth by the signs which were given to him to do before the beast, saying to those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound of the sword and came to life.
This event, calling fire down out of heaven, I reckon will deceive over a BILLION people!
And number 3, and the most heart wrenching:
3. Refusing Love (2 Thess 2:9-12)
9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all deceit of unrighteousness among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And because of this, God will send them a strong delusion, in order for them to believe the lie, 12 so that they all might be damned who did not believe the truth, but delighted in unrighteousness.
What a terrible thing to die for–refusing love!
Not for sins committed! All of our sins have already been atoned for, on the cross. But people perish at the end of the age, for refusing love!
Makes for an interesting study.
Blessings
Pastor Paul
The Return of Christ
“So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”
I love the way the King James Version reads here in Hebrews 9:28. But is it accurate?
Here’s a few definitions of the Greek word apekdechomai:
“To expect, to look for, to wait for with patience and confident expectancy.”
What the text is saying, is that those who are looking for Him won’t miss His return; because the person who misses His return, and is not ready for it, will suffer the same fate as the 5 virgins in Matthew 25, which also were not prepared.
Are you looking for His return?
“Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” (Luke 21:36)
Gaining entrance into the Kingdom of God requires a vigilant perseverance, and abiding in Christ. (Luke 13:24–STRIVE to enter into the narrow gate.)
The Return of Elijah
Notice please this fascinating coincidence (if you believe in them–I don’t!)
1Kings 17:1 “And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.”
Also, Revelation 11:6
(6) These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.
(7) When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them.
Also, James 5:17
(17) Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.
Interesting, isn’t it? The thing to remember the most, is that once these 2 men appear, it will NOT rain on the earth for 3 1/2 years!
And I also believe that Elijah is going to be one of these mysterious “witnesses”!
“One will be taken, one will be left.” (Matt 24:40-41)
What is it about the Rapture that inspires good, godly men to…not divulge the whole truth?
It’s beyond me–I am left scratching my head. (Also, check out the Scofield 1917 Study Bible, and read his erroneous notes introducing 2 Thessalonians)
Understanding this text is simple–the words have obvious, plain meanings to them.
“Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. “Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.”
My point of contention is this. The teaching that the person taken, is taken in judgment, and the person that is left behind, is left behind in blessing.
Now don’t get me wrong. People may interpret this text this way if they choose to, but after looking at what the underlying Greek words mean, it leads me to a solid understanding.
But first, this note from Dr. Charles Ryrie: “The ones taken will be taken to judgment and death. The ones left will be left to enter the blessings of the Millennial kingdom.”
Many others interpret this phrase the same way.
I want to look at this text, and see if I can find the “blessings” for those left behind, according to this theologian.
But let’s look at these 2 Greek words behind this text, and see what they mean.
The word for taken is the word Paralambano. The word means “to receive near.” Same word used by Christ, in John 14:3, “I will come again, and receive you unto Myself.”
Paralambano is to receive to one’s side.
The other word is Aphiemi. This word means:
1. To disregard
2. To abandon
3. To divorce
4. To leave behind
5. To forsake.
I believe that the word of God is saying, from seeking to understand the original language, that the person that is “taken,” is a direct result of John 14:3, and Bible prophecy being fulfilled, as the Lord returns for His saints. Also, the one that is left, as the Greek word suggests, has been “left behind,” and abandoned.
This is a great study! I highly recommend it!
God bless
Paul E.
The Resurrection and the Rapture
A few facts/reminders concerning the Rapture and the Resurrection, and their order.
1. Christ the Firstfruits (1 Corinthians 15:23)
2. “The Dead in Christ will Rise First” (1 Thess 4:16)
3. “At His Coming’ (1 Cor 15:23)
4. “At the Last Day” (John 6:39,40,44,54).
These are little known, or mostly forgotten facts concerning the
resurrection. For the most part, Christians forget that the “rapture,” as it’s
called, is the Resurrection. Read 1 Thess 4:15-17 “And the dead in Christ will rise first.”
In 1 Corinthians chapter 15, Paul gives all the believers the
“order of services,” starting with The Lord’s own resurrection—“Christ the
firstfruits…”
You’ve heard it mentioned before that no one knows when the
Rapture is going to occur, but that’s not true! We most assuredly know when
it’s going to occur, as I have listed on point 4: “At the Last Day.”
1Th 4:15-17 “For this we say to you by the word of the
Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no
means precede those who are asleep.
(16) For the Lord Himself will
descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the
trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. (17) Then we who are alive and remain
shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the
air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”
John 6:39 “This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that
of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.
John 6:40 “And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him
may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
John 6:44 “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:54 “Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.
One last verse—1 Cor 15:22-24
(22) For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.
(23) But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His
coming.
(24) Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule
and all authority and power.
John 6:39,40,44 & 54 tells us that 1 Cor 15:23 takes place on the Last Day. Now whenever that day may be, Lord only knows!
Could the Rapture be today?
Sure.
If today is Resurrection Day, and the Last Day!
God bless your studies!
Pastor Paul
Unanswered Prayer? Or Answered Prayer?
I read this poem recently that was written by a Confederate soldier in the Civil War:
I asked God for strength, that I might achieve;
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked God for health, that I might do greater things;
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.
I asked for riches, that I might be happy;
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men;
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life;
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for but everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am among men, most richly blessed.
Why Trials?
Why trials?
I’ve heard it said too many times, unfortunately, that God does not cause, or bring, trials into the life of a believer.
However, Psalm 66:9-10 sheds some light on this question:
Psa 66:8-12 Oh, bless our God, you peoples! And make the voice of His praise to be heard, (9) Who keeps our soul among the living, And does not allow our feet to be moved. (10) For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined. (11) You brought us into the net; You laid affliction on our backs. (12) You have caused men to ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water; But You brought us out to rich fulfillment.
Notice some of the things that the Psalmist says that God does in the life of a believer:
1. He does not allow our feet to be moved.
2. God tests us.
3. God refines us, by turning up the heat in our lives, to burn away any impurities from us, to make us more like Jesus Christ.
4. He leads us into the net–that is, into the trial of affliction.
5.He causes men to ride over us. Perhaps to totally rid us of ourselves, and any pride.
6. He causes us to go through the fire (Dan 3:21)
7. He delivers us in due time.
This shouldn’t surprise us. The Bible said that this was part of the sanctification process:
Romans 8:29 says, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”
Why trials?
To make us more like the Son of God!
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not permit you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation, He will also make the way out, so as for you to be able to bear it.” (1 Cor 10:13)
God is sovereign. He reserves the right to use any means necessary to bring about His will.
God is the One who refines us. Not Satan.
“My Own People”
After intense study for many years regarding this verse, I have come to the educated conclusion that the Byzantine Majority Text has the correct reading in Revelation 13:14.
Here it is:
Revelation 13:14 “And he deceives my own people who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived.”
The Majority Text just adds the personal pronoun to this verse, enhancing this verse from “he deceives those” to “he deceives mine.” (literally, those belonging to me, or, tous emous in Greek.)
Now humor me for a moment, and agree with me, that this is the correct reading…
In your opinions, what would that mean, the phrase, “My own people”?
Who constitutes “his own people”?
1. Jews or
2. Christians
14 And he deceives my own people who dwell on the earth by the signs which were given to him to do before the beast, saying to those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound—and came to life! –from the sword.
Notice this is John speaking, not God.
Please send me your thoughts on this to: paul@gospelstudy.net
Psalm 14:3 and Romans 3:10-18
Here is Psalm 14:3 in the New King James Version:
Psa 14:3 They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one.
Here’s Psalm 14:3 out of my Greek Septuagint translation:
Psa 14:3 They have all gone out of the way, they have together become corrupt, there is none that does good, no not one. Their throat is an open tomb; with their tongues they have used deceit. The poison of asps is under their lips: whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness; their feet are swift to shed blood: destruction and misery are in their ways; and the way of peace they have not known: there is no fear of God before their eyes.
Sound familiar? It should–Here’s Romans 3:10-18 out of ANY translation: (EMTV)
Rom 3:10-18
(10) Just as it is written: “There is none righteous, no not one,
(11) There is none who understands; there is none who seeks God.
(12) All have turned aside; together they became unprofitable; there is not one doing kindness, there is not so much as one.”
(13) “Their throat is an opened grave; with their tongues they deceived”; ” the poison of asps is under their lips”;
(14) “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.
(15) Their feet are swift to shed blood;
(16) Ruin and misery are in their ways;
(17) And the way of peace they did not know.
(18) There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
Man o man, what happened here??
How did this Greek Old Testament become so absolete like this?
These guys (the Apostles) carried this text around with them, in their back pockets! For cryin’ out loud, Paul was a Pharisee! And he quotes from this, instead of the Hebrew OT?
Just sayin’
The Qualifications for Pastor
The most common Scripture reference to help determine a minister’s qualifications for pastor is found in 1 Tim 3:1-7.
Here it is:
“Faithful is this word: If anyone aspires to the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. 2 It is necessary, therefore, for a bishop to be irreproachable, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, well-behaved, hospitable, skillful at teaching; 3 not given to wine, not a bully, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not loving money; 4 one ruling his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence; 5 (for if one does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); 6 not a new convert, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”
Here’s the 16 points that Paul uses to be a good yardstick in finding a qualified pastor:
1. Irreproachabe (blameless)
2. One woman man
3. Temperate
4. Sober
5. Well behaved
6. Hospitable
7. Good Teacher
8. Not a drinker
9. Not a bully
10. Not greedy for money
11. Gentle
12. Doesn’t quarrel
13. Doesn’t love money
14. Keeps his house in order
15. Not a new convert
16. Has a good testimony in town.
I would take number 16 to mean, people who knew the potential pastor before Jesus Christ changed his life.
And I was thinking, has there EVER been a person who has ever set foot on God’s green earth, who can claim that these 16 things describes them before they were a Christian?
What happens if a person wasn’t a good teacher before Christ saved them?
How about the person who had a bad habit of loving money a little bit too much, before Christ saved them?
How about the person who was a bully all of their lives, because they were insecure, because their father hated them when they were growing up, and didn’t love them?
How about the person who was divorced before they ever gave a rip about the commands of God?
Ah…now we’re talkin!
Sorry…
Next.
The moral of the story is this: Certainly these prerequisites apply to a person AFTER their conversion, otherwise NO ONE would be qualified to shepherd the flock of God.
“And such were some of you.” (1 Cor 6:11)
