1 Ch 12:32 Of the sons of Issachar, men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their kinsmen were at their command.

The sons of Issachar were intelligent men, who understood the signs of the times, well versed in political affairs, and knew what was proper to be done in all the exigencies of human life; and who now perceived that it was both the duty and political interest of Israel to advance David to the throne.Today we seek sons and daughters of Issachar, men and women who understand the times we are living in and know what is to be done in all the exigencies of human life to advance King Jesus to His throne.

This blog is devoted to seeking Biblical truth related to current world events.


Showing posts with label Discipleship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Discipleship. Show all posts

Friday, April 15, 2011

Finding hope, comfort, and peace in a troubled world


Being a source of Hope, Comfort, and Peace, encouraging and building others up in times of turmoil and trouble
D.P. Weary
April 2011

What is the special “hope, comfort, and peace” that we as Christians are supposed to have? How do we get them? How do we give them to others?
 Our hope is found in Christ Jesus and His promises to those that believe and trust in Him. It is a hope of obtaining righteousness. It is a hope of salvation and eternal life. It is a hope of His calling. It is a hope of a new world and a new life. It is a hope of the Lord coming for both the living and the dead at the end this current age. It is a hope of exultation in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming. It is the hope that He will help us through the tough times in life. It is the promises that He is our protector and our hiding place in times of trouble. It is Christ that is our hope. It is Christ in us that is the hope of glory. It is the Lord and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace. We have hope because we have been born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. This hope is within us through the Holy Spirit. This hope is God.

We obtain hope through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures. We obtain hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. We obtain this hope by giving our lives to God by believing in Jesus the Son and being filled with His Holy Spirit.

Hope
Rom 5:1 NASB - Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Rom 5:2 NASB - through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.
Rom 5:3 NASB - And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;
Rom 5:4 NASB - and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;
Rom 5:5 NASB - and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Rom 8:25 NASB - But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.
Rom 12:12 NASB - rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,
Rom 15:4 NASB - For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Rom 15:13 NASB - Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
2Cr 1:10 NASB - who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us,
Gal 5:5 NASB - For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.
Eph 1:12 NASB - to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.
Eph 1:18 NASB - I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
Eph 4:4 NASB - There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;
Col 1:5 NASB - because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel
Col 1:23 NASB - if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.
Col 1:27 NASB - to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
1Th 1:3 NASB - constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father,
1Th 2:19 NASB - For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?
1Th 4:13 NASB - But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.
1Th 5:8 NASB - But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.
2Th 2:16 NASB - Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace,
1Ti 1:1 NASB - Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, who is our hope,
Tts 1:2 NASB - in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago,
Tts 2:13 NASB - looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,
Tts 3:7 NASB - so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Hbr 6:18 NASB - so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us.
Hbr 6:19 NASB - This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil,
Hbr 10:23 NASB - Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;
1Pe 1:3 NASB - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1Pe 1:13 NASB - Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1Pe 1:21 NASB - who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
1Pe 3:15 NASB - but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;

The Scriptures admonish us to “comfort and encourage” one another. What is this comfort and how do we “comfort and encourage” others?

It is God who comforts us in all our afflictions so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction. This comfort comes through Christ. God comforts us when we are filled with comfort.  The comfort is Jesus working through the Holy Spirit. We are comforted by knowing that God loves us, will never leave us or forsake us, takes care of us, protects us, heals us, provides for us, and whether dead or alive will come for us to take us to be with Him forever at the end of this age. We are comforted when we believe that God has a plan and has made that plan known to those that love Him. We are comforted when we believe that He is always in control no matter what the worldly circumstances look like. We are comforted when we know God’s plan and know the outcome of that plan for it is very good! We are comforted when we know that His Kingdom is coming and that His will, will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. We are comforted when we know that we are citizens of that Kingdom and will sit beside Him upon His Throne to rule and reign with Him for all eternity as His Bride. We are encouraged when we realize who we are in Christ Jesus!

Comfort
Act 9:31 NASB - So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.
2Cr 1:3 NASB - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
2Cr 1:4 NASB - who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
2Cr 1:5 NASB - For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.
2Cr 7:4 NASB - Great is my confidence in you; great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort; I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction.
2Cr 7:13 NASB - For this reason we have been comforted. And besides our comfort, we rejoiced even much more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.
1Th 4:18 NASB - Therefore comfort one another with these words.
2Th 2:16 NASB - Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace,
2Th 2:17 NASB - comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.

Encourage

Col 4:8 NASB - For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts;
1Th 3:2 NASB - and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith,
1Th 5:11 NASB - Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.
Hbr 3:13 NASB - But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Act 20:32 NASB - "And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

In a world full of strife, turmoil and evil, real peace is a hard commodity to find. Real “peace” is peace in the midst of the storms of life. This peace is not freedom or absence of trouble. This peace is a gift from God to those that love and obey Him. In the world we will have trouble but in Jesus we have peace because He has overcome the world. This peace quiets the troubled and fearful heart. This peace is a gift from the God of hope who fills us with joy and peace in believing, so that we will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. When we are filled with the Spirit we will have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. God through Jesus has made peace through the blood of His cross. Now the Lord of peace Himself grants us peace in every circumstance because He is Peace. This peace is given and multiplied to us in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Peace
Jhn 14:27 NASB - "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
Jhn 16:33 NASB - "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."
Act 10:36 NASB - "The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all)—
Rom 5:1 NASB - Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Rom 14:17 NASB - for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Rom 15:13 NASB - Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Gal 5:22 NASB - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Gal 5:23 NASB - gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Col 1:20 NASB - and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.
2Th 3:16 NASB - Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!
1Pe 3:11 NASB - "HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; HE MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT.
2Pe 1:2 NASB - Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;

We give hope, comfort and peace to others by telling them about Jesus. We preach the Gospel, we teach others the Scriptures, we share God’s love with them, we lead them into a loving relationship with Jesus and we teach them about being filled with the Holy Spirit. People get hope, comfort and peace when they are born again and filled with the Holy Spirit.

When we have the hope, comfort and peace that come from God through a loving relationship with Jesus, We find true joy. We find joy when we think that the God became a human and loved us so much as to give Himself as a sacrifice for us. Jesus, the angels and we are filled with joy when people give their lives to Him and make Him the Lord of their lives. We have joy when we consider the reward that is stored up for us in Heaven. We find joy when we realize the great authority and power that God has entrusted in us through the Holy Spirit who indwells us. Our joy is made full when we realize the power of prayer. We have great joy in knowing that Jesus has chosen us to be His Bride and to rule and reign with Him for all eternity. It is the God of hope that fills us with all joy and peace. Though we have not seen Him, we love Him, and though we do not see Him now, but believe in Him, we greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.
Joy
Mat 25:21 NASB - "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.'
Luk 1:14 NASB - "You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.
Luk 2:10 NASB - But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;
Luk 6:23 NASB - "Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets.
Luk 10:17 NASB - The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name."
Jhn 3:29 NASB - "He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. So this joy of mine has been made full.
Jhn 15:11 NASB - "These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
Jhn 16:20 NASB - "Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy.
Jhn 16:22 NASB - "Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.
Jhn 16:24 NASB - "Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.
Jhn 17:13 NASB - "But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves.
Act 13:52 NASB - And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Act 15:3 NASB - Therefore, being sent on their way by the church, they were passing through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and were bringing great joy to all the brethren.
Rom 14:17 NASB - for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Rom 15:13 NASB - Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Gal 5:22 NASB - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Phl 2:2 NASB - make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.
1Th 2:19 NASB - For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?
1Th 2:20 NASB - For you are our glory and joy.
Phm 1:7 NASB - For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
Hbr 12:2 NASB - fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
1Pe 1:8 NASB - and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
  
Therefore comfort and encourage one another with these words.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Knowing the Real Jesus

The Revelation of God to Mankind –
Meet the Real Jesus
D.P. Weary
January 2011 – The Year of the King

God has revealed himself to mankind in many ways but primarily by appearing to men in various encounters throughout the Bible. It is these encounters that we will deal with in this article. What did God show us about himself through these various encounters?

We begin with a dilemma. The Bible tells us that no one has ever seen God.

 JOHN 1:18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. (NKJV)

 JOHN 5:37 "And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form." (NKJV)

      JOHN 6:46 “Not that any man hath seen the Father, except he who is from God, he hath seen the Father.” (RWB)
      I TIMOTHY 6:14 . . . Our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 who at the due time will be revealed by God, the blessed and only Ruler of all, the King of kings and the Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal, whose home is in inaccessible light, whom no man has seen and no man is able to see: to him be honor and everlasting power. Amen. (Jerusalem Bible)
     I JOHN 4:12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. (NKJV)

As you can see, the New Testament makes it abundantly clear that mankind has never seen the Father. So who was the one called "God" (Heb. 'elohim) or "the LORD" (Heb. YHVH) who appeared and spoke to Noah, Abraham, Moses and others in the Old Testament?

The ancient Aramaic translations of the Hebrew Scriptures are called Targums. These will shed much light on the issue of the manifestations of God on the earth.

“The Tartums reflect early Jewish ideas, customs, and Halakah as well as Jewish interpretation of Scripture. Hence the Targums are relevant sources for the study of the Hebrew OT not only because they demonstrate how the text was translated and understood, in much the same way as the LXX and other ancient Bible translations, but also because the Targums preserve remnants of Jewish thought from late antiquity. In this respect . . . they can elucidate Jewish life and understanding of the Scripture from the time of nascent Christianity. (pp. 727, 728, 729, vol. 4, "Targum") As the ISBE (The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia) points out, the Targums can be helpful in understanding the way a first- century Jew at the time of Christ would have understood the Hebrew Scriptures. When the Tanakh shows God ('elohim) or the LORD (YHVH) conversing with human beings, who would Yeshua's Jewish contemporaries have understood this to be?” (Bryan T. Huie)

The Angel of the Lord
In Genesis we find Hagar speaking with the Angel of the Lord, also called the Lord or YHVH.
GENESIS 16:7 Now the Angel of the LORD found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur.
13 Then she called the name of the LORD [YHVH] who spoke to her, You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees; for she said, "Have I also here seen Him who sees me?" (NKJV)
The phrase “the angel of the Lord” is used 53 times in 12 books of the Bible referring to the presence of God or the Lord in the form or appearance of a man.

The Word of the Lord
The Targum translation says that this Angel of the Lord or YHVH was the Word of the Lord, Eloha, the Loving one of all Ages.

GENESIS 16:13 And Hagar gave thanks, and prayed in the Name of the Word of the Lord, who had been manifested to her, saying, Blessed be Thou, Eloha, the Living One of all Ages, who hast looked upon my affliction. (Jerusalem Targum, translated by J.W. Etheridge)

Then in GENESIS 18:1 Then the LORD [YHVH] appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day. (NKJV)
The Hebrew text of Genesis 18:1 says that YHVH was the one who appeared to Abraham. However, the Jerusalem Targum gives us further identification of who came to him:
GENESIS 18:1 Therefore was there a word of prophecy from before the Lord unto Abraham the Just, and the Word of the Lord was revealed to him in the valley of vision; and he sat in the door of the tabernacle, comforting himself from his circumcision in the fervor (or strength) of the day. (Jerusalem Targum, translated by J.W. Etheridge)
Jacob also had an encounter with God. GENESIS 32:24 - Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. 25 Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. 26 And He said, "Let Me go, for the day breaks." But he said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me!" 27 So He said to him, "What is your name?" He said, "Jacob." 28 And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God ['elohim] and with men, and have prevailed." 29 Then Jacob asked, saying, "Tell me Your name, I pray." And He said, "Why is it that you ask about My name?" And He blessed him there. 30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: "For I have seen God ['elohim] face to face, and my life is preserved." (NKJV)
The Targums give us a better understanding of who this Angel was that Jacob wrestled with, and why he could say that he had seen "God" ('elohim) face to face:
GENESIS 32:24 - And Jakob remained alone; and a Man wrestled with him till the morning ascended. 25 And he saw that he prevailed not with him, and he touched the hollow of his thigh, and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was dislocated in wrestling with him. 26 And he said, Let me go; for the morning ascendeth. And he said, I will not let Thee go, unless Thou bless me. 27 And He said to him, What is thy name? And he said, Jakob. 28 And He said, Thy name shall be no longer Jakob, but Israel; for a prince art thou before the Lord, and with men, and thou hast prevailed. 29 And Jakob asked Him, and said, Show me now Thy Name! And He said, Why dost thou ask My Name? And He blessed him there. 30 And Jakob called the name of the place Peniel: because I have seen the Angel of the Lord face to face, and my soul hath been saved! (Targum Onkelos, translated by J.W. Etheridge)

The Creator
Now we know who is “the Word of the Lord”.
JOHN 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (NKJV)
Jhn 1:2 NASB - He was in the beginning with God.
Jhn 1:3 NASB - All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.
            Gen 1:1 NASB - In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Jhn 1:4 NASB - In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.
JOHN 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (NKJV)
REVELATION 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. 13 He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. 15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. 16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." (NASU)
The use of the phrase “the Word of God, or of the Lord” and “the Angel of the Lord” in the Old Testament for physical appearance of “God” are clear evidence that Jesus did appear on Earth, before His incarnation as a human being (in the flesh of man). Jesus is the Word of the Lord, the Angel of the Lord, God ('elohim), the LORD (YHVH), and the Creator.
These appearances are called a Christophany. A Christophany is an appearance of Jesus in human form, which happens in the Old Testament. We need to recognize that none of these actually were God the Father.

The Rock
We also have clear evidence that Jesus manifested himself to the Hebrews in the wilderness as they escaped from Egypt (Num. 20:8-12).
I CORINTHIANS 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. (NKJV)

The Commander of the Army of the Lord
Joshua also had an encounter with Jesus.
Jos 5:13 NKJV - And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, "Are You for us or for our adversaries?"
Jos 5:14 NKJV - So He said, "No, but as Commander of the army of the LORD I have now come." And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, "What does my Lord say to His servant?"
Jos 5:15 NKJV - Then the Commander of the LORD's army said to Joshua, "Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy." And Joshua did so.
Angels are not worshipped, they are not called Lord, and there presence does not make holy ground. Here we see another pre-incarnation of Jesus. But here He is the Commander of the armies of Heaven.
In their commentary on this passage of Scripture, Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown state: "The address and the adoration of Joshua, the holiness communicated to the spot by the presence of this Personage, and the application to him of the name Jehovah (ch. vi. 2), identify Him with the Angel of the Lord . . . " (p. 13, vol. I, part 2, A Commentary: Critical, Experimental, and Practical).
Jesus is the Commander of the armies in Heaven. He is the Warrior King.
REVELATION 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. 13 He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. 15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. 16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." (NASU)
JUDE 14 It was also about these that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, "See, the Lord is coming with ten thousands of his holy ones, 15 to execute judgment on all, and to convict everyone of all the deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him." (NRSV)
MATTHEW 25:31 "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory." (NKJV)

The Archangel Michael
This revelation of Jesus as the Commander of the Armies of Heaven gives rise to an interesting speculation. Bryan T. Huie in his article “Christ in the Old Testament” makes a case that perhaps Michael, the archangel, is a reference to Jesus. He says:
“The Messiah's position as the commander of the army of holy angels goes hand-in-hand with his role as guardian of the nation of Israel.
Is there any other character identified in the Bible as the commander of the holy angels and the protector of the nation of Israel?
DANIEL 12:1 "At that time Michael, the great prince, the protector of your people [Israel], shall arise. There shall be a time of anguish, such as has never occurred since nations first came into existence. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. (NRSV)
REVELATION 12:7 Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon [Satan]; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they were defeated and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. (RSV)
Most people believe that Michael is one of several high-ranking "archangels" that serve God. Yet a look at what the Bible says about this topic shows that this belief is not scripturally substantiated. The term "archangel" is found only twice in the Bible.
 JUDE 9 - But Michael the archangel [ho archaggelos], when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" (NASU)
I THESSALONIANS 4:16 - For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel [archaggelou] and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. (NASU)
The word "archangel" is simply a transliteration into English of the Greek word archaggelos. This compound word is comprised of the Greek words arche and aggelos. Arche means primacy, either in relation to time or rank; aggelos has the same meaning as the Hebrew word mal'ak; it refers to a messenger or an envoy. The literal meaning of archaggelos is "chief messenger." The Bible clearly shows that Christ was God's "chief messenger" to mankind.
JOHN 8:26 " . . . He who sent Me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I heard from Him." (NKJV)
JOHN 12:49 [Christ said] "For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak." (NKJV)
In I Thessalonians 4:16, we see that the Lord Yeshua will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel. It is Yeshua who is shouting, and it is his voice that will raise "the dead in Christ." This is confirmed by Yeshua's own words, recorded in John 5:25:
JOHN 5:25 "Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. (NASU)
This Scripture clearly shows that ONLY Yeshua's voice will initiate the resurrection of the dead. Paul tells us in I Thessalonians 4:16 that it is the voice of "archangel" that sounds at Yeshua's return and raises "the dead in Christ." Therefore, logic leads us to the conclusion that "the voice of the archangel" belongs to Yeshua. Additionally, Daniel records that the appearance of Michael the archangel at the end of the age will be accompanied by a resurrection (Dan. 12:1-2).
As we saw in the Scriptures above, Michael is the only "archangel" specifically referenced in the Bible. The belief in multiple "archangels" is not scriptural. A belief in archangels appears to have developed in early Judaism; a similar belief evolved in the Catholic Church. The concept seems to have been derived from a passage in the book of Daniel:
DANIEL 10:13 "But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one ['echad] of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia." (NKJV)
In this verse, Michael is called "one" of the chief princes. The majority of translations render the Hebrew word 'echad as "one" here. Most scholars take this to mean that he is only one of an unspecified group of equivalent rank. However, 'echad can also be translated "first," as it is in Young's Literal Translation, shown below:
DANIEL 10:13 'And the head of the kingdom of Persia is standing over-against me twenty and one days, and lo, Michael, first ['echad] of the chief heads, hath come in to help me, and I have remained there near the kings of Persia;' (YLT)
When this meaning of 'echad is applied, Daniel 10:13 takes on an entirely different context. In Young's translation, Michael's position is shown to be above the other "princes." The Bible reveals that these rulers are actually powerful spirit beings (commonly called "angels") who have been given authority over the various nations of the earth. For additional details on this topic, see my article "The Heavenly Divine Council."
In Daniel 10:21 and 12:1, Michael is designated as the spiritual prince ruling over the nation of Israel:
DANIEL 10:20 Then he said, "Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the prince of Persia; and when I am through with him, lo, the prince of Greece will come. 21 But I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth: there is none who contends by my side against these except Michael, your prince. (RSV)
DANIEL 12:1 "At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time; but at that time your people shall be delivered, every one whose name shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. (RSV)

When all the Scriptures on this topic are objectively examined, we can see that the belief Michael is one of several archangels is not supported. In fact, The Eerdmans Bible Dictionary states this about the Jewish understanding of the identity of Michael in first-century Judaism:
Michael was sometimes spoken of as the angel who mediated between God and Moses in the giving of the law at Sinai (cf. Jub. 1:27; 2:1) and so may be the angel mentioned at Acts 7:38. (p. 716, "Michael")
As we have already seen, the angel mentioned by Stephen in Acts 7:38 is the Angel of the LORD, who has been identified with Yeshua the Messiah. Additionally, Targum Pseudo-Jonathan says the Angel who wrestled with Jacob was Michael.
The first-century messianic Jewish understanding of who Yeshua had been before his incarnation was one of the reasons the distinction between the Messiah and the other angels had to be drawn in the first chapter of Hebrews. Rather than denigrating the position of the angels, this chapter was meant instead to elevate the status of Michael (Christ) in order to clarify his role to the messianic Jews of that day.
There is another pair of Scriptures, one from the Old Testament and the other from the New Testament, that seem to connect the Angel of the LORD with Michael:
ZECHARIAH 3:1 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. 2 And the LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?" (NKJV)
JUDE 9 But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" (NASU)
As you can see, in both instances Michael and the Angel of the LORD reacted identically to Satan. Taken with the other Scriptures we've examined, this is further evidence that Michael is another name for the Angel.
In fact, the Hebrew name "Michael" literally means "one who is like God." This name fits perfectly with the Angel of the LORD, who had God's name in him (Exo. 23:21) and was the "Presence" of YHVH (Exo. 33:14; Deu. 4:37; Isa. 63:9). It also fits perfectly with Christ, who was the exact image of God (II Cor. 4:4; Col. 1:15; Heb. 1:3). Michael, the one who will "appear" at the time of trouble at the end of this age and raise the dead with his voice, is surely another name for Yeshua the Messiah. The Bible shows it is the Messiah who will return at the end of the age and rule over his people, all the tribes of Israel, after they have been brought back into the Promised Land.
As we've seen from various translations of the Old Testament, the Messiah has had numerous roles in God's plan for mankind. He acted as the guardian of Israel when they came out of Egypt, traveling with them in the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. The Messiah was the one who delivered God's words to the Israelites from Mount Sinai. He protected them in the wilderness and punished them when they sinned. This Angel stood up for God's people when Satan slandered them before the heavenly throne. As the commander of the holy host, Christ has battled against Satan and his demons and triumphed. It's time to realize and appreciate the central role that God designated in His plan for the one we know as Jesus Christ, Yeshua the Messiah. He's our Savior, Redeemer, Shepherd, Protector, Brother, and Lord.” (Bryan T. Huie)

What all of this is telling us is that it is Jesus that manifests God’s presence on the earth. In the Old Testament, Jesus appeared in human form but not in the actual flesh of a human being. Even angels have the ability to do this. Jesus appeared as “the Angel of the Lord”, “the Word of the Lord or of God”, as the one called "God" (Heb. 'elohim) or "the LORD" (Heb. YHVH) who appeared and spoke to Noah, Abraham, Moses and others in the Old Testament.

Then came the incarnation

John 1:14 NASB - And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
 
The Baby
Jesus manifested himself on earth as a human baby. He was totally God, but at the same time totally human. He appeared to be a six-pound or so, helpless human baby, totally dependant on Mary and Joseph to care for him, protect him, and feed him.
Luk 2:11 NASB - for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Luk 2:12 NASB - "This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
But, things were not as they seemed. This baby was a manifestation of God on earth. This baby was the Messiah!

The Boy
After His birth, God is revealed on earth as a twelve year old boy visiting Jerusalem.
Luk 2:42 NASB - And when He became twelve, they went up there according to the custom of the Feast;
Luk 2:46 NASB - Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.
Luk 2:47 NASB - And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers.
Luk 2:49 NASB - And He said to them, "Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father's house?"
Luk 2:50 NASB - But they did not understand the statement which He had made to them.
Luk 2:52 NASB - And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
 Even as a young boy, Jesus know that he was “the Son of God”. He was “God” manifested in human flesh. His understanding and wisdom, even at this young age astounded the religious teachers of his day. But, as a human boy, he was growing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God the Father and men.

The Man
We next find Jesus being baptized by John the Baptist.
Luk 3:21 NASB - Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened,
Luk 3:22 NASB - and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, "You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased."
Luk 3:23 NASB - When He began His ministry, Jesus Himself was about thirty years of age, being, as was supposed, the son of Joseph, the son of Eli,
Jhn 1:39 NASB - He said to them, "Come, and you will see." So they came and saw where He was staying; and they stayed with Him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.
Jhn 1:40 NASB - One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.
Mat 3:16 NASB - After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him,
Mat 3:17 NASB - and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased."
Mar 1:12 NASB - Immediately the Spirit impelled Him to go out into the wilderness.
Mar 1:13 NASB - And He was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts, and the angels were ministering to Him.
Mar 1:14 NASB - Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God,
Mar 1:15 NASB - and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."
Mar 1:16 NASB - As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen.
Mar 1:17 NASB - And Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men."

The Rabbi
Jhn 1:38 NASB - And Jesus turned and saw them following, and said to them, "What do you seek?" They said to Him, "Rabbi (which translated means Teacher), where are You staying?"
Jhn 1:49 NASB - Nathanael answered Him, "Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel."
In these verses we see Jesus being released to begin His official ministry. As He is baptized, He is announced by God the Father’s voice out of the heavens saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” As the Spirit came upon Him “as a dove”, Jesus was empower and released to begin to proclaim the gospel of salvation in his name. the name of Jesus. Jesus spent the next forty days in the wilderness being tempted by Satan. As a man, Jesus was to live as men do, being tempted by the devil. But Jesus overcame each temptation giving us an example of how we too are to overcome the temptations of the world (the devil). Jesus next goes about gathering His disciples. His first task was to gather together and build relationships with a group of select men who were to be the vehicles to begin the process of spreading the Gospel throughout the world. After this Jesus began teaching and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom. (Matt. 4)
Jesus’ first miracle was to turn water into wine at a wedding (John 2:1-11). After this Jesus began teaching, training his disciples, and doing many miracles, signs and wonders. Things changed after about three years. As Passover approached, we find Jesus with his disciples celebrating the Passover meal. It is here that Jesus initiates the ritual of communion. To the Jews gathered in the room that night, as Jesus broke the bread and shared it with his disciples, they understood that the bread represented a bride price. And as Jesus offered then the cup of wine, they understood that it represented the wine cup of a Jewish wedding. As they drank the wine, they understood that they were accepting a proposal of marriage and committing them selves to serve Jesus and be committed to him as a Jewish bride to her espoused.
That night Jesus became the “sacrificial lamb of god”. That night the disciples became the first of many who were to become the Bride of Christ Jesus.

The Lamb of God
After the meal, Jesus and his disciple walked to a garden on the east side of the Temple Mount. There in that garden Jesus faced the great sacrifice that was before him. It was the “joy set before him” that kept him going that night (Hew. 12:2). Jesus was freely giving up his own life as the “bride Price" for his Bride. The joy set before his was his Bride. Jesus the teacher, the healer, the friend, became the “sacrificial lamb of god”, the suffering servant, that night (Isa. 53). The next day, Jesus was nailed to the tree, a Roman cross, where he died at exactly 3:00 in the afternoon, the same moment that the High Priest was slitting the throat of the Passover Lamb on the altar of sacrifice in the Temple. At that moment, the price for mankind’s sins was paid in full.
Jhn 1:29 NASB - The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
Jhn 1:36 NASB - and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!"

The Resurrected Jesus
It was the morning of the third day after Jesus’ crucifixion that death was defeated forever. On that morning, the dead human body of a man called Jesus was transformed into a new body, a heavenly body, a body that had never been seen before, on earth or in heaven. Jesus is now seen on earth in a new form. He was not a ghost or spirit. He was not in the form of an angel. He was not in the form of a natural human body. He was the first-born from the dead, the first of many yet to come. He revealed to us what we are to become at His coming when the perishable will put on the imperishable.
1Cr 15:42 NASB - So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body;
1Cr 15:53 NASB - For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1Cr 15:54 NASB - But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory.
Jesus walked the earth in this new body for forty days. What a marvelous body it is. He let people touch him. He ate with them. He could change his countenance before them. He could walk through walls. This was the resurrected Jesus showing us what we are to become at his coming.

The Holy Spirit
Then one day on the Mount of Olives, he ascend up into a cloud before the eyes of his disciple (Acts 1).  But in Acts 2, Jesus returned to earth, this time not in human form, but as the Holy Spirit. Jesus was not to just be with his disciples, and with us, but he was to be in his disciples, and in us as we receive him as our Lord, Savior, and Master. Today Jesus manifested himself to us in a spiritual form, the form of the Holy Spirit. In this form, he empowers us to be his witnesses and to carry on the work be began when he walked the earth in a human body.
John 14:16 NASB - "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;
John 14:17 NASB - that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.
John 14:18 NASB - "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
John 14:19 NASB - " After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also.
John 14:20 NASB - "In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.
John 14:23 NASB - Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.

The Bridegroom
But this is not the end of the story. Jesus promised to reveal himself to his disciple once again. He promised to come for them, and for all of his disciples that are alive at this time, and call all of us, whether dead or alive, up to meet him in the air.
1Th 4:13 NASB - But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.
1Th 4:14 NASB - For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.
1Th 4:15 NASB - For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.
1Th 4:16 NASB - For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
1Th 4:17 NASB - Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.
1Th 4:18 NASB - Therefore comfort one another with these words
For those that belong to him, Jesus will reveal himself to us as the Heavenly Bridegroom and we will be taken to heaven for a wedding, our wedding to Jesus. What we will find is that our Bridegroom, Jesus, is the King of kings and Lord of lords and we will be his bride, his queen and we will rule and reign with him forever.
Mat 25:1 NASB - "Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Mat 25:5 NASB - "Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep.
Mat 25:6 NASB - "But at midnight there was a shout, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.'
Rev 19:7 NASB - "Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready."
Rev 21:9 NASB - Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and spoke with me, saying, "Come here, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb."
Rev 3:21 NASB - 'He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
Rev 5:10 NASB - "You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth."
Rev 20:6 NASB - Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.

The Judge
On earth though, the dwellers there will encounter Jesus in another way.
Rev 1:12 NASB - Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands;
Rev 1:13 NASB - and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a golden sash.
Rev 1:14 NASB - His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire.
Rev 1:15 NASB - His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters.
They will encounter a righteous judge, one who comes to judge the earth and the dwellers thereon. He comes in awesome power and with the wrath of God for those who rebel against him and have brought evil and injustice to the earth.

The Warrior 
Then after seven years, the earth dwellers will encounter a warrior, the Commander of the Armies of Heaven.
Rev 19:11 NASB - And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.
Rev 19:12 NASB - His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself.
Rev 19:13 NASB - He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
Rev 19:14 NASB - And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses.
Rev 19:15 NASB - From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.
Rev 19:16 NASB - And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."
As he comes as lightening from the east, every eye will see him. He comes with the armies of heaven and with the saints of God, his bride, at his side.
Zec 9:14 NASB - Then the LORD will appear over them, And His arrow will go forth like lightning; And the Lord GOD will blow the trumpet, And will march in the storm winds of the south.
Mat 24:27 NASB - "For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.
Luk 17:24 NASB - "For just like the lightning, when it flashes out of one part of the sky, shines to the other part of the sky, so will the Son of Man be in His day.
JUDE 14 It was also about these that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, "See, the Lord is coming with ten thousands of his holy ones, 15 to execute judgment on all, and to convict everyone of all the deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him." (NRSV)
MATTHEW 25:31 "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory." (NKJV)

The King
On this day, the Warrior King, Jesus, takes his rightful place as King of kings. He will sit on the “Throne of David” and rule and reign from Jerusalem for 1000 years with his Bride (the Queen, the Church) sitting at his right side.
Isaiah 9:7 NASB - There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.
Luke 1:32 NASB - "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David;
Revelation 20:6 NASB - Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.
Rev 17:14 NASB - "These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful."
Matthew 25:31 NASB - "But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne.
Hebrews 1:8 NASB - But of the Son He says, "YOUR THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER, AND THE RIGHTEOUS SCEPTER IS THE SCEPTER OF HIS KINGDOM.
Quoting a beloved beaver from Narnia, “He is the King you know”.

The Eternal Judge
After ruling upon the earth for 1000 years, Jesus will sit as the eternal righteous judge upon a great white throne to judge the dead according to their deeds.
Rev 20:7 NASB - When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison,
Rev 20:8 NASB - and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore.
Rev 20:9 NASB - And they came up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, and fire came down from heaven and devoured them.
Rev 20:10 NASB - And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
Rev 20:11 NASB - Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them.
Rev 20:12 NASB - And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds.
Rev 20:13 NASB - And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds.
Rev 20:14 NASB - Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.
Rev 20:15 NASB - And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

The Creator once again
After this Jesus makes all things new.
Rev 21:1 NASB - Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.
Rev 21:2 NASB - And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.
Rev 21:3 NASB - And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them,
Rev 21:4 NASB - and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away."
Rev 21:5 NASB - And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true."
Rev 22:20 NASB - He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Rev 22:21 NASB - The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.


Physical appearances of God in the Old Testament and what He was doing.
Gen. 3:8 – Walked with Adam and Eve – A companion and friend
Gen. 14:17-20 – Melchizedek – A priest and King
Gen. 16:7-13 – Blessed Hagar – A prophet, priest and miracle worker
Gen. 18:1-14 – Blessed Abraham – A prophet, priest and covenant maker
Gen. 32:24-30 – Blessed Jacob – One who strives with and tests men
Num. 22:22-35 – Warned Balaam – An adversary and instructor
Josh. 5:13-15 – Fought for Joshua and Israel – A warrior
Judges. 2:1-4 – Rebuked Joshua and Israel – A rebuker and judge
Judges. 6:11-22 – Fought for Gideon and Israel – A warrior and miracle worker
Judges. 13:1-22 – Raised up Samson for Israel – A judge, provider and deliverer
2 Sam. 24:13-17 – Chastened King David and Israel – A righteous but merciful judge
1 Kings 19:1-7 – Strengthened Elijah – An encourager, strengther and instructor
Dan. 3:23-28 – Protected Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego – A protector
Zech. 1:7-19, 2:1-3, 3:1-6, 4:1-5, 5:5-10, and 6:4-5 – Revealed truth to Zechariah – A prophet and revealer of mysteries

Appearances of The Angel of the Lord

Gen 16:7 NKJV
Gen 16:9 NKJV
Gen 16:10 NKJV
Gen 16:11 NKJV
Gen 22:11 NKJV
Gen 22:15 NKJV
Exd 3:2 NKJV
Num 22:22 NKJV
Num 22:23 NKJV
Num 22:24 NKJV
Num 22:25 NKJV
Num 22:26 NKJV
Num 22:27 NKJV
Num 22:31 NKJV
Num 22:32 NKJV
Num 22:34 NKJV
Num 22:35 NKJV

Jdg 2:1 NKJV
Jdg 2:4 NKJV
Jdg 5:23 NKJV
Jdg 6:11 NKJV
Jdg 6:12 NKJV
Jdg 6:21 NKJV
Jdg 6:22 NKJV
Jdg 13:3 NKJV
Jdg 13:13 NKJV
Jdg 13:15 NKJV
Jdg 13:16 NKJV
Jdg 13:17 NKJV
Jdg 13:18 NKJV
Jdg 13:20 NKJV
Jdg 13:21 NKJV
2Sa 24:16 NKJV
1Ki 19:7 NKJV
2Ki 1:3 NKJV

2Ki 1:15 NKJV
2Ki 19:35 NKJV
1Ch 21:12 NKJV
1Ch 21:15 NKJV
1Ch 21:16 NKJV
1Ch 21:18 NKJV
1Ch 21:30 NKJV
Psa 34:7 NKJV
Psa 35:5 NKJV
Psa 35:6 NKJV
Isa 37:36 NKJV
Zec 1:11 NKJV
Zec 1:12 NKJV
Zec 3:1 NKJV
Zec 3:5 NKJV
Zec 3:6 NKJV
Zec 12:8 NKJV
Mat 1:24 NKJV




The Names and Titles of Jesus in the Bible

            The names and titles of Jesus as recorded in the Bible reveal who Jesus was and what he did, who Jesus is and what he is doing, and who he is to be and what he will be doing. It is Jesus who reveals God to mankind throughout the entire Bible.

Hebrews 1:3 NASB - And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

·         Adam, 1 Cor. 15:45. Advocate, 1 John 2:1. Almighty, Rev. 1:8. Alpha and Omega, Rev. 1:8. Amen, Rev. 3:14. Angel, Gen. 48:16; Ex. 23:20,21. Angel of his presence, Isa. 63:9. Anointed, Psa. 2:2. Apostle, Heb. 3:1. Arm of the Lord, Isa. 51:9,10. Author and finisher of our faith, Heb. 12:2.
·         Beginning and end of the creation of God, Rev. 3:14; 22:13. Beloved, Eph. 1:6. Bishop, 1 Pet. 2:25. Blessed and only Potentate, 1 Tim. 6:15. Branch, Jer. 23:5; Zech. 3:8. Bread of life, John 6:48. Bridegroom, Matt. 9:15. Bright and morning star, Rev. 22:16. Brightness of the Father's glory, Heb. 1:3.
·         Captain of the Lord's host, Josh. 5:14. Captain of salvation, Heb. 2:10. Carpenter, Mark 6:3. Carpenter's son, Matt. 13:55. Chief Shepherd, 1 Pet. 5:4. Chief corner stone, 1 Pet. 2:6. Chiefest among ten thousand, Song 5:10. Child, Isa. 9:6; Luke 2:27,43. Chosen of God, 1 Pet. 2:4. Christ, Matt. 1:16; Luke 9:20. The Christ, Matt. 16:20; Mark 14:61. Christ, a King, Luke 23:2. Christ Jesus, Acts 19:4; Rom. 3:24; 8:1; 1 Cor. 1:2; 1 Cor. 1:30; Heb. 3:1; 1 Pet. 5:10,14. Christ Jesus our Lord, 1 Tim. 1:12; Rom. 8:39. Christ of God, Luke 9:20. Christ, the chosen of God, Luke 23:35. Christ the Lord, Luke 2:11; Christ the power of God, 1 Cor. 1:24. Christ the wisdom of God, 1 Cor. 1:24. Christ, the Son of God, Acts 9:20. Christ, Son of the Blessed, Mark 14:61. Commander, Isa. 55:4. Consolation of Israel, Luke 2:25. Corner stone, Eph. 2:20. Counselor, Isa. 9:6. Covenant of the people, Isa. 42:6.
·         David, Jer. 30:9. Daysman, Job 9:33. Dayspring, Luke 1:78. Daystar, 2 Pet. 1:19. Deliverer, Rom. 11:26. Desire of all nations, Hag. 2:7. Door, John 10:7.
·         Elect, Isa. 42:1. Emmanuel, Isa. 7:14. Ensign, Isa. 11:10. Eternal life, 1 John 5:20. Everlasting Father, Isa. 9:6.
·         Faithful and True, Rev. 19:11. Faithful witness, Rev. 1:5. Faithful and true witness, Rev. 3:14. Finisher of faith, Heb. 12:2. First and last, Rev. 1:17; 2:8; 22:13. First begotten, Heb. 1:6. First begotten of the dead, Rev. 1:5. Firstborn, Psa. 89:27. Foundation, Isa. 28:16. Fountain, Zech. 13:1. Forerunner, Heb. 6:20. Friend of sinners, Matt. 11:19.
·         Gift of God, John 4:10. Glory of Israel, Luke 2:32. God, John 1:1. God blessed forever, Rom. 9:5. God manifest in the flesh, 1 Tim. 3:16. God of Israel, the Savior, Isa. 45:15. God of the whole earth, Isa. 54:5. God our Savior, 1 Tim. 2:3. God's dear Son, Col. 1:13. God with us, Matt. 1:23. Good Master, Matt. 19:16. Governor, Matt. 2:6. Great shepherd of the sheep, Heb. 13:20.
·         Head of the church, Eph. 5:23. Heir of all things, Heb. 1:2. High priest, Heb. 4:14. Head of every man, 1 Cor. 11:3. Head of the church, Col. 1:18. Head of the corner, Matt. 21:42. Holy child Jesus, Acts 4:30. Holy one, Psa. 16:10; Acts 3:14. Holy one of God, Mark 1:24. Holy one of Israel, Isa. 41:14; 54:5. Holy thing, Luke 1:35. Hope [our], 1 Tim. 1:1. Horn of salvation, Luke 1:69.
·         I Am, John 8:58. Image of God, Heb. 1:3. Israel, Isa. 49:3.
·         Jehovah, Isa. 40:3. Jehovah's fellow, Zech. 13:7. Jesus, Matt. 1:21. Jesus Christ, Matt. 1:1; John 1:17; 17:3; Acts 2:38; 4:10; 9:34; 10:36; 16:18; Rom. 1:1,3,6; 2:16; 5:15,17; 6:3; 1 Cor. 1:1,4; 1 Cor. 2:2; 2 Cor. 1:19; 4:6; 13:5; Gal. 2:16; Phil. 1:8; 2:11; 1 Tim. 1:15; Heb. 13:8; 1 John 1:7; 2:1. Jesus Christ our Lord, Rom. 1:3; 6:11,23; 1 Cor. 1:9; 7:25. Jesus Christ our Savior, Tit. 3:6. Jesus of Nazareth, Mark 1:24; Luke 24:19. Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews, John 19:19. Jesus, the King of the Jews, Matt. 27:37. Jesus, the Son of God, Heb. 4:14. Jesus, the Son of Joseph, John 6:42. Judge, Acts 10:42. Just man, Matt. 27:19. Just one, Acts 3:14; 7:52; 22:14. Just person, Matt. 27:24.
·         King, Matt. 21:5. King of Israel, John 1:49. King of the Jews, Matt. 2:2. King of saints, Rev. 15:3. King of kings, 1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 17:14. King of glory, Psa. 24:7-10. King of Zion, Matt. 21:5. King over all the earth, Zech. 14:9.
·         Lamb, Rev. 5:6,8; 6:16; 7:9,10,17; 12:11; 13:8,11; 14:1,4; 15:3; 17:14; 19:7,9; 21:9,14,22,23,27. Lamb of God, John 1:29. Lawgiver, Isa. 33:22. Leader, Isa. 55:4. Life, John 14:6. Light, John 8:12. Light, everlasting, Isa. 60:20. Light of the world, John 8:12. Light to the Gentiles, Isa. 42:6. Light, true, John 1:9. Living bread, John 6:51. Living stone, 1 Pet. 2:4. Lion of the tribe of Judah, Rev. 5:5. Lord, Rom. 1:3. Lord of lords, Rev. 17:14; 19:16. Lord of all, Acts 10:36. Lord our righteousness, Jer. 23:6. Lord God Almighty, Rev. 15:3. Lord from heaven, 1 Cor. 15:47. Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, 2 Pet. 1:11; 3:18. Lord Christ, Col. 3:24. Lord Jesus, Acts 7:59; Col. 3:17; 1 Thes. 4:2. Lord Jesus Christ, Acts 11:17; 16:31; 20:21; Rom. 5:1,11; 13:14. Lord Jesus Christ our Savior, Tit. 1:4. Lord of glory, Jas. 2:1. Lord of Hosts, Isa. 44:6. Lord, mighty in battle, Psa. 24:8. Lord of the dead and living, Rom. 14:9. Lord of the Sabbath, Mark 2:28. Lord over all, Rom. 10:12. Lord's Christ, Luke 2:26. Lord, strong and mighty, Psa. 24:8. Lord, the, our righteousness, Jer. 23:6. Lord, your holy one, Isa. 43:15. Lord, your redeemer, Isa. 43:14.
·         Man Christ Jesus, 1 Tim. 2:5. Man of sorrows, Isa. 53:3. Master, Matt. 23:8. Mediator, 1 Tim. 2:5. Messenger of the covenant, Mal. 3:1. Messiah, John 1:41. Messiah the Prince, Dan. 9:25. Mighty God, Isa. 9:6. Mighty one of Israel, Isa. 30:29. Mighty one of Jacob, Isa. 49:26. Mighty to save, Isa. 63:1. Minister of the sanctuary, Heb. 8:2. Morning star, Rev. 22:16. Most holy, Dan. 9:24. Most mighty, Psa. 45:3.
·         Nazarene, Matt. 2:23.
·         Offspring of David, Rev. 22:16. Only begotten, John 1:14. Only begotten of the Father, John 1:14. Only begotten son, John 1:18. Only wise God, our Savior ( Jude 25).
·         Passover, 1 Cor. 5:7. Plant of renown, Ezek. 34:29. Potentate, 1 Tim. 6:15. Power of God, 1 Cor. 1:24. Physician, Matt. 9:12. Precious corner stone, Isa. 28:16. Priest, Heb. 7:17. Prince, Acts 5:31. Prince of life, Acts 3:15. Prince of peace, Isa. 9:6. Prince of the kings of the earth, Rev. 1:5. Prophet, Deut. 18:15,18; Matt. 21:11; Luke 24:19. Propitiation, 1 John 2:2.
·         Rabbi, John 1:49. Rabboni, John 20:16. Ransom, 1 Tim. 2:6. Redeemer, Isa. 59:20. Resurrection and life, John 11:25. Redemption, 1 Cor. 1:30. Righteous branch, Jer. 23:5. Righteous judge, 2 Tim. 4:8. Righteous servant, Isa. 53:11. Righteousness, 1 Cor. 1:30. Rock, 1 Cor. 10:4. Rock of offence, 1 Pet. 2:8. Root of David, Rev. 5:5; 22:16. Root of Jesse, Isa. 11:10. Rose of Sharon, Song 2:1. Ruler in Israel, Mica. 5:2.
·         Salvation, Luke 2:30. Sanctification, 1 Cor. 1:30. Sanctuary, Isa. 8:14. Savior, Luke 2:11. Savior, Jesus Christ, 2 Tim. 1:10; Tit. 2:13; 2 Pet. 1:1. Savior of the body, Eph. 5:23. Savior of the world, 1 John 4:14. Scepter, Num. 24:17. Second man, 1 Cor. 15:47. Seed of David, 2 Tim. 2:8. Seed of the woman, Gen. 3:15. Servant, Isa. 42:1. Servant of rulers, Isa. 49:7. Shepherd, Mark 14:27. Shepherd and bishop of souls, 1 Pet. 2:25. Shepherd, chief, 1 Pet. 5:4. Shepherd, good, John 10:11. Shepherd, great, Heb. 13:20. Shepherd of Israel, Psa. 80:1. Shiloh, Gen. 49:10. Son of the Father, 2 John 3. Son of God, see Son of God. Son of Man, see Son of Man. Son of the blessed, Mark 14:61. Son of the highest, Luke 1:32. Son of David, Matt. 9:27. Star, Num. 24:17. Sun of righteousness, Mal. 4:2. Surety, Heb. 7:22. Stone, Matt. 21:42. Stone of stumbling, 1 Pet. 2:8. Sure foundation, Isa. 28:16.
·         Teacher, John 3:2. True God, 1 John 5:20. True vine, John 15:1. Truth, John 14:6.
·         Unspeakable gift, 2 Cor. 9:15.
·         Very Christ, Acts 9:22. Vine, John 15:1.
·         Way, John 14:6. Which is, which was, which is to come, Rev. 1:4. Wisdom, Prov. 8:12. Wisdom of God, 1 Cor. 1:24. Witness, Isa. 55:4; Rev. 1:5. Wonderful, Isa. 9:6. Word, John 1:1. Word of God, Rev. 19:13. Word of life, 1 John 1:1.


Do you know the real Jesus?

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Changing Our World View

Changing Our World View
D.P. Weary


True Christians all over the world are facing a huge personal challenge. This is especially true in the western world. The issue we are dealing is one of citizenship. In the natural, people are citizens of one country or another. For us in the USA, many of us are fiercely patriotic and appreciate the blessing it is to live in the USA. The idea of giving up the life we have as citizens of the USA is frightening and abhorring. We cling to this life with great tenacity. But, this can lead to a problem for true Christians. If our love of the kingdom of the USA (really for the world and the things in it) and the life we live because we are citizens of the USA is greater than our love of the Kingdom of God, we can easily find ourselves praying and working against God’s plans for His coming Kingdom.

In the natural world, our governments and to a great extent our leadership is rapidly declining into a state of rebellion against God and chaos. We feel despair, anger, hopelessness, and sadness as we watch our nations turn from “in God we trust”, to “in us we trust”. But, should it be so? The Bible tells us that we are not citizens of the world, but are citizens of the Kingdom of God. The course of this world is clearly spelled out in the Word and we are watching it happen all around us. As citizens of God’s Kingdom, we are seeing the events that are all a part of establishing God’s Kingdom on earth. So, should we be downcast and depressed, or excited and full of expectation and hope? It all depends on how we look at things, our “worldview”.

We need a “renewing of the mind”.

Rom 12:1 NASB - Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, {which is} your spiritual service of worship.
Rom 12:2 NASB - And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

This article by Heidi Swander is an excellent commentary on this issue. While it is directed at America, I think that it is appropriate for most the nations of the world.







A Word on Citizenship
by Heidi Swander


It's been many years since I've been able to sing The Star Spangled Banner without choking up. Given the opportunity to do it today, I doubt I could actually enunciate the words for weeping.

America is sinking fast. Chuck Missler, in his new DVD, Twilight's Last Gleaming, says, "America is in moral freefall. We are victims of spiritual warfare." Only too true.

How did this happen? For that answer, I refer you to Jan's recent radio program with Brannon Howse (you simply must hear this broadcast!!!), where they discuss cultural and political Marxism and how it snuck into our country many years ago. It explains a lot. Brannon also points to a period in Israel's history when the sins of the nation became so abhorrent to God that He told the prophet Jeremiah, "Therefore do not pray for this people, nor lift up a cry or prayer for them, nor make intercession to Me; for I will not hear you" (Jer. 7:16). Has America become this abhorrent to Almighty God?

We cannot know the mind of God, but Romans 1:18-32 shows a series of judgments that God will bring to a society that forsakes Him. John MacArthur expertly clarifies this passage in his sermon, When God Abandons a Nation. A glance at your favorite news source these days will confirm that our country is well down this path of destruction. We are not only in moral decline, but headed toward political, financial, and social ruin.

Our founding fathers, though saddened by this turn of events, would have gravely nodded their heads at what is taking place in America today. Thomas Jefferson once wrote, "God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are a gift from God? That they are not to be violated, but with His wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, and that His justice cannot sleep forever."

Jack Kelley, founder of www.gracethrufaith.com, recently wrote an excellent article about this very thing. The title of the article stings a bit, but the truth in the text is beyond question. In it Jack says: "According to no less an authority than our President (and he's right) America is not a Christian nation. The only connection between God and America today is that a bunch of us who believe in Him happen to live here. . . . America is a secular gentile nation that will soon be no more comfortable a home for the church than pre-war Germany was for the Jews."

When I think of my beloved America, I grieve. But God has recently made poignant to me this truth: I am not a citizen of this country. I am an ambassador to this country and a citizen of another. So are you if you are a child of God by faith in Jesus Christ! Paul told the Philippians, "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Phil. 3:20).

Can you, today, get your mind around that concept? If you can, it will make a world of difference in how you view the news, how you respond to the dangers of our world, and how you look to the future.

We are actually commanded to set our mind on things above (Col. 3:1-3; but also Matt. 6:33), not on things on the earth. Now would be a very good time to recognize and obey this command!

Thinking of myself as an ambassador does three things for me.

First of all, it gives perspective to the freefall that America is in. I am still saddened, because I've lived here a long time and America has been a wonderful place to reside. But America isn't really home, so I find that I'm often looking at all that is going on with a kind of emotional/spiritual detachment.

Secondly, it reminds me that I have a job to do and that I may not have much longer to get it done! Our "special and temporary diplomatic assignment" (from Webster's definition of "ambassador") is to introduce as many people to the Lord Jesus Christ as possible (II Cor. 5:20).

Lastly, as I see all that is happening around me, I anticipate being recalled to my Home Country! There are many reasons for an ambassador to be recalled, not the least of which is the anticipation of a declaration of war. One day -- perhaps very soon -- war will be declared on this earth (Rev. 6:4ff), but before that takes place, the Lord's ambassadors will be recalled to Heaven!

So what do we do with all the horrible events that are swirling around us which seem to spell the demise of our beloved America? We pray (Eph. 6:18), we witness to others of the love of God in sending his Son (Matt. 28:18-20), we encourage one another (Heb. 10:24-25), and we look forward to going Home to the City God has prepared for us (Heb. 11:16; Rev. 21:2, and 21:9 -- 22:3). We have no idea how great it's going to be to be Home (I Cor. 2:9)! Even so, come, Lord Jesus!





The challenge for us as individuals and especially for leaders in the true Church is how to really get the mind set that we truly are citizens of the Kingdom of God and not citizens of this world? Obviously it must first be preached and taught.
Are we teaching the truth about this present world? Consider these scriptures.

Book Description Context
NKJV Mt 13:22Chapter 13 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.The cares of this world choke out the Word of God. Worldy issues and concerns fight against God.
NKJV Lk 16:8Chapter 16 8 So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light. The shrewdness of this world is not a good thing.
NKJV Jn 8:23Chapter 8 23 And He said to them, "You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. Jesus is not of this world.
NKJV Jn 12:31Chapter 12 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. The world is to be judged and the ruler of this world (Satan) will be cast out (sent to Gehenna, then into the Lake of Fire)
NKJV Jn 14:30Chapter 14 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. Satan is the ruler of this world.
NKJV Jn 18:36Chapter 18 36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here." God’s Kingdom is not of this world.
NKJV 1Co 1:20Chapter 1 20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? This wisdom of this world is foolishness.
NKJV 1Co 7:31Chapter 7 31 and those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away. This world is temporary and is passing away.
NKJV Eph 2:2Chapter 2 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, Those that walk according to the course of this world are walking according to the devil (Satan).
NKJV Rev 11:15Chapter 11 15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" The kingdoms of this world will one day all become the kingdoms of our Lord (the Kingdom of God).

The truth is that all the kingdoms and people of this world are under the rule of Satan, they are to be judged, they are passing away, they will one day all become the Kingdoms of Jesus, and worldly wisdom is foolishness.

Book Description Context
NKJV 1Jn 2:15Chapter 2 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. We are not to love the world or the things in the world.
NKJV 1Jn 2:16Chapter 2 16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. All that is in the world is not of the Father but is of the world (of the devil).
NKJV 1Jn 4:3Chapter 4 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. The spirit of the Antichrist is already in the world.
NKJV 1Jn 4:4Chapter 4 4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. The Holy spirit that is in us is greater than Satan, the ruler of the world.

NKJV Jn 15:19Chapter 15 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. The world hates true believers because we have been chosen out of the world (we are not of the world).
NKJV Jn 17:14Chapter 17 14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

Book Description Context
NKJV Jn 9:39Chapter 9 39 And Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind." Jesus came into this world for judgment.
NKJV Jn 12:25Chapter 12 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. We are admonished to hate life in this world not love it.
NKJV Ro 12:2Chapter 12 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Do not be conformed to this world. If we are we can’t prove the will of God.
NKJV 1Ti 6:7Chapter 6 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. Nothing material of ours in this world will go with us into the Kingdom of God.
NKJV 1Jn 4:17Chapter 4 17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. We are to be in this world, but not of it.
NKJV Mt 10:34Chapter 10 34 "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. Jesus came to bring a sword into this world.

Book Description Context
NKJV 1Pe 2:9Chapter 2 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; We are chosen ones, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. We have been called out of the darkness of this world and into His Kingdom.

Book Description Context
NKJV Eph 2:19Chapter 2 19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, We are citizens of God’s Kingdom and members of the household of God.

True believers are not of this world. We are told not to love the world and even to hate it and the things in it like lust and pride. We are warned that the world will hate us because the Lord chose us out of the world and we are not of the world. We are told the spirit of the Antichrist is in the world, but that the Holy Spirit in us is greater that Satan who is in the world.

Jesus came into the world for judgment and to bring a sword. We are not to be conformed to this world. This current world is basically evil and controlled by the evil one (Satan). It is destined for judgment and destruction. Is this what we are preaching and teaching in our churches today?

Once we are convinced that we are really citizens of God’s Kingdom and not citizens of this present world, then we need to know what that means in our daily lives. To understand current events from a Kingdom mindset, we must know the prophecies concerning the events preceding God’s Kingdom coming to earth physically. In order to partner with God in this process, we need to know the “plan”. Each member of the Kingdom has a role to play in these days. To know the role requires that we know the plan. Are we preaching and teaching God’s plan for the days we are living in?

In deed we can pray, but how do we pray? If we are not careful we can find ourselves praying against God’s plan and for our own interests, desires, and fears. We can encourage one another, but with what words? The Word gives us the answer, but we must know the Word. 1 Thess. 4:13 – 1 Thess. 5:11 specifically addresses these issues, but how often is it preached or taught? Do we adequately teach and preach about our “hope of Glory”, heaven, and our ultimate destiny? We are actually commanded to set our mind on things above (Col. 3:1-3; and also Matt. 6:33), not on things on the earth. But do we preach and teach on “the things above”? And, are we trying with all our heart, soul and energies to “rescue” people out of the world and into God’s Kingdom by preaching and teaching Jesus and the good news of eternal life through His death and resurrection (II Cor. 5:20, Matt. 28:18-20)?

We are citizens of the Kingdom of God and members of the household of God. We are in the world, but not of it. Our love and loyalties now should lie with God and His Kingdom. We are in reality Ambassadors of the Kingdom of God here on earth. From Webster’s definition, an ambassador is “an official envoy ; especially : a diplomatic agent of the highest rank accredited to a foreign government or sovereign as the resident representative of his or her own government or sovereign or appointed for a special and often temporary diplomatic assignment.”
Is this the “mind set” or worldview of those professing to be Christians today? Getting, then preaching, teaching, and modeling this worldview is the challenge of the leaders in the true Christian communities today.

We all need a renewing of our minds!
Rom 12:1 NASB - Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, {which is} your spiritual service of worship.
Rom 12:2 NASB - And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.