Lesson #6
(2 Corinthians 11:1-4)
(V1) "Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me."
(V2) "For I am jealous over you with godly jealously: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ."
In order to better understand what Paul is saying we must go back and look at (V1). Paul is telling the congregation at Corinth to bear with him in a little foolishness. In V2 he gives three reasons why he is making this request of the troubled church. Reason number one is that he was jealous of the Christians with godly jealously. He had engaged them to one husband, that he might present them as a chaste virgin to Christ. Paul felt that he was personally responsible for the well being of the Christians at Corinth. He desired that in a coming day, that is, at the Raputre he would present them to the Lord Jesus unaffected by the false teaching that would dominate in those days.
(V3) "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."
(V3) The second reason for Paul's playing the fool was that he was afraid the saints might be deceived and their minds might be perverted from their simple devotion to Christ. He wanted them to be devoted to Jesus Christ alone. Then too, he wanted them to be unspotted in their devotedness to the Lord.
(V4) "Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting."
(V4) The third reason the Apostle was willing to indulge in a limited amount of foolishness was that the Corinthians were showing signs to have a listening ear for false teachings. When preachers came to the church preaching another Jesus, and testifying that they were controlled by a different spirit than the Holy Spirit, and preaching another gospel, the Corinthians willingly tolerated it by showing an eagerness to be like moths helplessly drawn to the proverbial flame. This description of the church at Corinth paints a perfect picture of the giant steepled icebergs that exist today. The difference is that many of their so-called ministers preach Jesus while seeking only silver and gold from poor congregations who can't afford the gas to go for their food stamps. Many of these preachers have a mansion for each one of their children and drive the most expensive automobiles that are made today. While wearing $5,000 suits and flying first class at the church's expense, these rip-off artists continue to become richer while deceiving the old, the sick, and the poor through their deceptive television programs and by the mail. Many of them pay big bucks to hire people to count the social security and welfare checks. By magnifying themselves before the little people who don't have a pillow on which to lay their heads, they still boast about having five airplanes in the name of the One who rode a compact mule on the way to His most important appointment.
Revelation 19: 6-9
(V6) "And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of many thunderings, saying Allelulia: for the Lord Omnipotent reigneth."
(V6) Now another song breaks out in heaven with the sound and noise of many waters, loud as thunders to the ear. A great "Alleluia" inflates in celebration of the reign of the Lord God Omnipotent!
(V 7) "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready."
(V8) "And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints."
(VV 7,8) The Tribulation is now over and Babylon has been judged. Now the marriage of the Lamb has come. The church, the wife of Christ, hath prepared herself for this wonderful and glorious occasion. She is adorned in fine linen, clean and bright, which some scholars believe this to be a symbolism for the righteous deeds of the saints.
(V9) "And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God."
(V9) An angel directs the Apostle John to write a blessing for all who are summoned to the marriage supper of the Lamb. The church is the heavenly Bride; those who are invited guests are the remainder of the redeemed. The angel strengthens the significance of the blessing by insisting that it epitomizes the true sayings of God."
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
HAPPENINGS IN HEAVEN
Revelation 4:1 "After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me which said, "come up hither" and I will shew (show) the things which must be thereafter."
A. Meaning of the word Rapture: to transport from one place to another
B. Various views of the Rapture:
1. Partial Rapture: Only "Spiritual Christians" will be caught up. Refuted by 1 Cor 15:51 "Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed."
2. Mid-tribulation Rapture: that all believers will have to endure the first half of the tribulation. Refuted by 1 Thess. 5:9 "For God hath (has) not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ."
3. Pre-tribulation Rapture: that all believers will be caught up before the tribulation.
C. Mystery of the Rapture: Millions of believers will enter heaven without dying 1 Cor. 15:51
(See #1 above)
D. Trumpet of the Rapture: may be for a twofold purpose:
1. To summon angels to battle
2. To summon believers to worship. 1 Cor. 51:52 "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we all shall be changed". 1 Thess. 4:16 "For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first."
E. Challenges of the Rapture: Because of the Rapture, the believer is to:
1. Attend the services Heb. 10:25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more as ye (you) see the day approaching."
2. Observe the Lord's Supper 1 Cor. 11:26 "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till He comes."
3. Love Believers: 1Thess 3:12, 13 (V12) "And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: /(V13) " To the end He may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints."
4. Be Patient: James 5:8 "Be ye also patient; stablish (establish) your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth (draws or is drawing) nigh."
5. Live a Separated Life: 1 John 3: 2,3 (V2) "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth (does) not appear what we shall be: but we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. (V3) "And every man, that hath (has) this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure." Titus 2: 12, 13 (V12) "Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;" (V13) "Looking for that blessed hope, at the appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;" 1 John 2:28 "And now, little children, abide in Him; that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming."
6. Refrain from Judging Others: 1 Cor. 4:5 "Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God."
7. Preach the Word: 2 Tim. 4:1,2 (V1) "I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ who shall judge the quick (those who are alive) and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom. (V2) Preach the word; be instant in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." 1 Peter 5:2,4 (V2) "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind," (V4) "And when the chief shepherd shall appear, you shall receive a crown of glory that fades not away."
8. Comfort the Bereaved: 1 Thess. 4:16, 18 (V16) "For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (V18) "Wherefore comfort one another with these words."
9. Win Souls: Jude 1:21 -23 (V21) "Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (V22) "And of some have compassion, making a difference: (V23) "And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh."
10. Be Concerned about Heaven Col 3:1-4 (V1) "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above where Christ sits on the right hand of God." (V2) "Set your affection on things above, and not on things on the earth." (V3) "For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. (V4) "When Christ who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory."
CONCLUSION: What are you doing for the kingdom of God while waiting for the Rapture? How many of the things listed above can you truthfully say you are accomplishing?
Until He Comes Again,
A. Meaning of the word Rapture: to transport from one place to another
B. Various views of the Rapture:
1. Partial Rapture: Only "Spiritual Christians" will be caught up. Refuted by 1 Cor 15:51 "Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed."
2. Mid-tribulation Rapture: that all believers will have to endure the first half of the tribulation. Refuted by 1 Thess. 5:9 "For God hath (has) not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ."
3. Pre-tribulation Rapture: that all believers will be caught up before the tribulation.
C. Mystery of the Rapture: Millions of believers will enter heaven without dying 1 Cor. 15:51
(See #1 above)
D. Trumpet of the Rapture: may be for a twofold purpose:
1. To summon angels to battle
2. To summon believers to worship. 1 Cor. 51:52 "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we all shall be changed". 1 Thess. 4:16 "For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first."
E. Challenges of the Rapture: Because of the Rapture, the believer is to:
1. Attend the services Heb. 10:25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more as ye (you) see the day approaching."
2. Observe the Lord's Supper 1 Cor. 11:26 "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till He comes."
3. Love Believers: 1Thess 3:12, 13 (V12) "And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: /(V13) " To the end He may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints."
4. Be Patient: James 5:8 "Be ye also patient; stablish (establish) your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth (draws or is drawing) nigh."
5. Live a Separated Life: 1 John 3: 2,3 (V2) "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth (does) not appear what we shall be: but we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. (V3) "And every man, that hath (has) this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure." Titus 2: 12, 13 (V12) "Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;" (V13) "Looking for that blessed hope, at the appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;" 1 John 2:28 "And now, little children, abide in Him; that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming."
6. Refrain from Judging Others: 1 Cor. 4:5 "Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God."
7. Preach the Word: 2 Tim. 4:1,2 (V1) "I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ who shall judge the quick (those who are alive) and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom. (V2) Preach the word; be instant in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." 1 Peter 5:2,4 (V2) "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind," (V4) "And when the chief shepherd shall appear, you shall receive a crown of glory that fades not away."
8. Comfort the Bereaved: 1 Thess. 4:16, 18 (V16) "For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (V18) "Wherefore comfort one another with these words."
9. Win Souls: Jude 1:21 -23 (V21) "Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (V22) "And of some have compassion, making a difference: (V23) "And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh."
10. Be Concerned about Heaven Col 3:1-4 (V1) "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above where Christ sits on the right hand of God." (V2) "Set your affection on things above, and not on things on the earth." (V3) "For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. (V4) "When Christ who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory."
CONCLUSION: What are you doing for the kingdom of God while waiting for the Rapture? How many of the things listed above can you truthfully say you are accomplishing?
Until He Comes Again,
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
MULTI-FACETED PURPOSE OF THE TRIBULATION PERIOD
A. To Harvest the Crop of Humanity
Matthew Chapter 13:
(V1) "The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side." (V2) "And great multitudes were gathered together unto Him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitudes stood on the shore." (See Genesis 49:10) "The sceptre shall not depart from Judah nor a lawgiver between his feet, until Shiloh (Jesus) come; and unto Him shall the gathering of the people be." (See Luke 8:4) "And when much people were gathered together, and were come to Him (Jesus) out of every city, he spake by a parable." (See Mark 4:1) "And He began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto Him a great multitude, so that He entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land."
Not like the clergymen of today where the congregations need to carry along a book containing twenty-six different translations of the bible, a dictionary, and a multi-volume encyclopedia to understand them. Week after week they proudly put their education on display while trying to build a sermon to preach the simple words of the Carpenter from Nazareth!
B. To Prove the Falseness of Satan's Claim That he Can Bring in World Peace
Isaiah 14:12-14
In these verses we discover the five "I Wills of Satan" that brought him down.
(V12) "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!" (V13) "For thou hast said in thine heart,
1. "I will ascend into heaven"
2. "I will exalt my throne above the stars of God"
3. "I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north"
4. "I will ascend above the heights of the clouds"
5. "I will be like the most High
C. To Prepare a Great Martyred Multitude for Heaven
Rev. 7:9,13,14
(V9) "After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes and palms in their hands." When asked who was that multitude one of the elders answered, (V13) "What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?" (V14) "And I said unto Him, Sir, thou knowest. And He said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."
D. To Prepare a Great Living Multitude for the Millennium
Matthew 25: 32-34:
(V32) "And before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: (V33) "And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. (V34) "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father inherit the kingdon prepared for you from the foundation of the world."
E. To Punish the Gentiles
Romans 1:18
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness;" 2 Thess. 2:11-12 (V11) "And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:" (V12) "That they all might be damned who believe not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." Rev. 19:15 "And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and He treadeth the windpress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God."
F. To Purge Israel
Ezekiel 20:37
"And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant:" (V38) "And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me. I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the Lord. Zech. 13:8,9 (V8) "And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein." (V9) "And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God."
G. To Purify All Nature
Romans 8:18-23
(V18) "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us." (V19) "For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God." (V20) "For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope." (V21) "Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God." (V22) "For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now." (V23) "And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body."
Until He Comes Again,
Matthew Chapter 13:
(V1) "The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side." (V2) "And great multitudes were gathered together unto Him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitudes stood on the shore." (See Genesis 49:10) "The sceptre shall not depart from Judah nor a lawgiver between his feet, until Shiloh (Jesus) come; and unto Him shall the gathering of the people be." (See Luke 8:4) "And when much people were gathered together, and were come to Him (Jesus) out of every city, he spake by a parable." (See Mark 4:1) "And He began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto Him a great multitude, so that He entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land."
Not like the clergymen of today where the congregations need to carry along a book containing twenty-six different translations of the bible, a dictionary, and a multi-volume encyclopedia to understand them. Week after week they proudly put their education on display while trying to build a sermon to preach the simple words of the Carpenter from Nazareth!
B. To Prove the Falseness of Satan's Claim That he Can Bring in World Peace
Isaiah 14:12-14
In these verses we discover the five "I Wills of Satan" that brought him down.
(V12) "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!" (V13) "For thou hast said in thine heart,
1. "I will ascend into heaven"
2. "I will exalt my throne above the stars of God"
3. "I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north"
4. "I will ascend above the heights of the clouds"
5. "I will be like the most High
C. To Prepare a Great Martyred Multitude for Heaven
Rev. 7:9,13,14
(V9) "After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes and palms in their hands." When asked who was that multitude one of the elders answered, (V13) "What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?" (V14) "And I said unto Him, Sir, thou knowest. And He said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."
D. To Prepare a Great Living Multitude for the Millennium
Matthew 25: 32-34:
(V32) "And before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: (V33) "And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. (V34) "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father inherit the kingdon prepared for you from the foundation of the world."
E. To Punish the Gentiles
Romans 1:18
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness;" 2 Thess. 2:11-12 (V11) "And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:" (V12) "That they all might be damned who believe not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." Rev. 19:15 "And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and He treadeth the windpress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God."
F. To Purge Israel
Ezekiel 20:37
"And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant:" (V38) "And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me. I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the Lord. Zech. 13:8,9 (V8) "And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein." (V9) "And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God."
G. To Purify All Nature
Romans 8:18-23
(V18) "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us." (V19) "For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God." (V20) "For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope." (V21) "Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God." (V22) "For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now." (V23) "And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body."
Until He Comes Again,
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