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mrlnsfrt · 6 months

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God With Us

“His name shall be called Immanuel, … God with us.” (Matthew 1:23) “The light of the knowledge of the glory of God” is seen “in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6) From the days of eternity the Lord Jesus Christ was one with the Father; He was “the image of God,” (2 Corinthians 4:4; Colossians 1:15) the image of His greatness and majesty, “the outshining of His glory.” (Hebrews 1:3) It was to manifest this glory that Jesus came to our world. To this sin-darkened earth He came to reveal the light of God’s love,—to be “God with us.” Therefore it was prophesied of Him, “His name shall be called Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)

By coming to dwell with us, Jesus revealed God to us. He was the Word of God (John 1),—God’s thought made audible. In His prayer for His disciples He says, “I have declared unto them Thy name,” (John 17:26)—“merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,” (Exodus 34:6)—“that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” (John 17:26)

God’s wonderful purpose of grace, the mystery of redeeming love, is the theme into which “angels desire to look” (1 Peter 1:12). Both the redeemed and the angels find their science and song in the cross of Christ. The glory shining in the face of Jesus is the glory of self-sacrificing love. In the light from Calvary, it is seen that the law of self-renouncing love is the law of life for earth and heaven. The love which “does not seek its own” (1 Corinthians 13:5) has its source in the heart of God; and that in the meek and lowly One is manifested the character of Him who dwells in the light which no one can approach (1 Timothy 6:16). (For more along these lines, check out The Desire of Ages, chapter 1)

The problem

A failure to understand God causes pain and suffering. Separation from God brings death (James 1:14-15; Romans 5:12). In order to bring the world back to God, Satan’s deceptive power must be broken. This can not be done by force. People cannot be forced to love God. You can try to force others to obey God’s laws, or at least your interpretation of His will, but obedience is not enough. Not to mention that the exercise of force is contrary to the principles of God’s government. God is only interested in the service of love, and love cannot be commanded; it cannot be won by force or authority.

The solution

If we can’t force anyone to love God, and if we can’t save ourselves by discipline and self-control what can we do?

Only by love is love awakened. To know God is to love Him. If you do not love God, then you must not know Him well enough. This is very tricky because I have seen people take the wrong approach at this juncture. Instead of studying the Bible in an effort to better know God, they distance themselves from the Bible and create an image of God that they find pleasant.

When I talk about knowing God, I am not talking about His appearance, I am talking about His character. God’s character must be understood in contrast to the character of Satan. There is only one Being in all the universe that could do this.

Only He who knew the height and depth of the love of God could make it known. Upon the world’s dark night the Sun of Righteousness must rise, “with healing in His wings.” Malachi 4:2. - The Desire of Ages, p.22.

Jesus is the answer

The best way to know the character of God is to know Jesus. Jesus came to reveal the Father (John 1:18; 6:46; 14:6-10; Colossians 1:15; 2:9)

God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; 3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, - Hebrews 1:1-3 NKJV

Who better to reveal the Father than the One who has seen Him? Just to highlight what I established in my previous post, Jesus did not come as an update on the character of God but rather to reveal the true character of God. Jesus did not come to destroy or do away with what the law of God taught or what the prophets wrote. Jesus came to fulfill it! What does a perfect life of obedience look like? It looks like Jesus.

Now keep in mind that children and sinners were drawn to Jesus. When you meet someone who claims to be living in obedience to the law of God but children and sinners are not drawn to them, they might have missed something, something essential. Following God is less about a concern about being contaminated by sin and more about a desire to bless those around us. Jesus had a habit of being at the “wrong places,” and talking with the “wrong people.”

Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi’s house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him. 16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?” - Mark 2:15-16 NKJV

Now, it is important to understand that Jesus was not hanging out with sinners because He enjoyed or was indifferent to sin. Jesus was with sinners because of His mission. Jesus was there to call sinners to repentance.

When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” - Mark 2:17 NKJV

God with us

The idea of God with us is very messy. On the one hand, we are called to be holy, or set aside for a special use, to be blameless, or consecrated.

but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, - 1 Peter 1:15 NKJV

“Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy. - Leviticus 19:2 NKJV

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; - 1 Peter 2:9 NKJV

Jesus was God with us. He spent time with sinners, yet He never sinned (1 Peter, 2:22; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15). This is the tension we find ourselves in as followers of Christ. We are to interact with sinners, yet without participating in the sin. We are to be an influence for good, without being influenced by evil. This is tricky.

There is a famous quote by Friedrich Nietzsche that comments on this.

Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you. - Friedrich Nietzsche

My understanding of this is that we have to be careful not to become the very thing we are fighting against. Spend enough time with sinners and sin will begin to appear less sinful. Spend enough time in the world and the world becomes more and more attractive. But I can’t leave the word, not on my own. I was born a human, on planet Earth, what does it even mean to not spend time in the world?

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. - Romans 12:2 NKJV

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. - John 15:19 NKJV

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. 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. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. - 1 John 2:15-17 NKJV

Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. 4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. James 4:1-4 NKJV

So how do we manage this? How can we be in the world, but not be of the world? Be with sinners but not engage in sin?

A personal story

Do you know how to swim?

Do you remember how you learned?

I remember my father telling me how he learned. Growing up in a small town in a rural part of Brazil my dad, the youngest of six wanted to learn how to swim. His father was often gone, traveling for work. His mother was always very busy, she had six children after all (1 girl and 5 boys). So my father used to go to a creek that was close by. One hot summer day many of the boys were playing in the creek and my dad joined them. He didn’t know how to swim but he wanted to swim. So he went and watched all the other boys swimming and decided to give it a try. There was a current so my dad jumped in and began kicking and splashing as the current carried him downstream. After failing to swim, he would start trying to grab anything he could, low-hanging branches, tall grass, weeds, until he was able to pull himself out of the water. He would then walk back to where he had jumped in, observe his friends, ask some questions, and try again.

I told you that story to tell you this one.

When I was growing up in Brazil, at one point we lived in an apartment building that had a pool. My dad decided it was time to teach my sister and me how to swim. There was a kiddy pool where the water was about ankle deep and I was ready to play in the deeper pool. So my dad went in and called for me and I jumped into his arms. My father walked to a spot where the water was waist-deep for him, which was deep enough that I would have to swim. So my dad explained to me how I had to move my arms and kick my feet and at the count of three he threw me in the water, about an arm’s length away from him. I began to furiously kick and splash and made very little progress. My dad reached forward, picked me up, and told me, “no, no, no. Not like that, kick your feet and move your arms…” At the count of three, he threw me in again, and again I flailed, not making much progress and not able to breathe properly.

Eventually, I learned how to swim. Some people might be tempted to criticize my father’s methods, but in his defense, I had a much easier time than he did as a kid.

Why do I tell you this story?

I have vivid memories, or nightmares, of desperately trying to swim, making a lot of effort and very little progress, of experiencing fear as a desperation for air increased. But my dad would always pick me up. Sometimes I was crying or coughing water, but I trusted him to pick me up. Sometimes he took longer than I expected, but desperation is a great motivator. I learned to swim fairly quickly. Whenever my did lifted me from the water I took in a big breath. It felt good to breathe, it gave me peace, I was reminded that I was not alone, I was not going to drown, I had a father who loved me and would pick me up. I also wanted to learn how to swim. I could not just be in his arms the whole time, I had to learn how to swim. But he helped me, he gave me instructions, and he was there to make sure I didn’t drown.

Why tell you this story?

This story serves to illustrate a certain principle, though it is not a perfect illustration. The way I see it, we live in this sin-polluted world. It is toxic, and almost impossible to breathe, it causes panic, anxiety, depression, hatred, and violence. However, this world is not my home (Hebrews 13:14; 1 Peter 2:11; John 15:19; Philippians 3:20). It is important for us to be reminded of this, for us to not remain focused on the things of this world.

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. - Colossians 3:2 NKJV

When I read the Bible, when I spend time in prayer, for me this is the equivalent of being lifted above the smog of this world and breathing in the pure atmosphere of heaven. When I read the Bible, I am reminded that I have a heavenly Father who will not allow me to drown (Isaiah 43:2). God will never leave me nor forsake me (Deuteronomy 31:6, 8; Hebrews 4:16; Micah 7:7)

5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we may boldly say:

“The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” - Hebrews 13:5-6 NKJV

When I read the story of Jesus I am reminded of the heart of God, of God’s great desire to be with me. I am reminded that God is my provider (Philippians 4:19) and that I can live a generous life from a place of abundance. From Jesus, I learn to be content.

6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. - 1 Timothy 6:6-12 NKJV

The Sabbath is a great reminder of that. When I take a break from work, from studies, from pursuing my desires and I rest, I am reminded that my assurance is found in Jesus.

Think about this with me. If God was willing to give us His Son, to be born in a manger and to die for us, will He withhold anything that we need?

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? - Romans 8:32 NKJV

Bringing it all together

The suffering and turmoil we experience in this world are caused by our separation and rebellion against God. The solution is a reconciliation with God. We need to get to know God because the better we know Him the more we love Him. But this is difficult because we have never seen Him. Jesus is the greatest revelation of who God is. Jesus came and revealed the character of God in all that He did, especially by dying for us and thus delivering us from the eternal consequences of our sins.

God desires to be with us. He humbled Himself and became one of us so that we might know Him and love Him. Now we are called to live like Jesus lived. To love and help those around us and, in doing so, reveal the character of God to them.

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. - Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV

It is impossible to live as Jesus lived unless we are in constant contact with God. Bible study, prayer, and worship are practices and activities that help us disconnect from this world of sin and remind us that there is more to life than the day-to-day business. Life is about more than the toys we accumulate. Life is more about giving than receiving. As we fall in love with God and invest in that relationship He enables us to live generous lives from a place of abundance as opposed to selfish lives lived from a place of scarcity.

The message of God with us elevates our value. God loves us so much that He desires a personal relationship with us. The message of God with us also elevates the value of those around us, causing us to desire their best. When I allow the principle of God with us to shape my life I experience greater love for God and for those around me. This does not lead to an easy life, but to a life more abundant, a life that is worth living, an adventure that is out of this world.

So the big question is,

Are you willing to allow God to come into your heart and mold your life so that it resembles the life of Christ?

#Jesus #Christmas #God

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bookoformon · 1 year

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2 Nephi Chapter 19. "Nevertheless, the Light to Come."

Isaiah speaks messianically—The people in darkness will see a great light—Unto us a child is born—He will be the Prince of Peace and will reign on David’s throne—Compare Isaiah 9. About 559–545 B.C.

1 aNevertheless, the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at first he lightly afflicted the bland of cZebulun, and the land of dNaphtali, and afterwards did more grievously afflict by the way of the Red Sea beyond Jordan in Galilee of the nations.

Zebulun= Glorious dwelling place

Naphtali= Who struggles

Jordan= the Descendent. To cross the Jordan is to become one's adult descendent.

Red Sea= The East Wind which blows the mind clear of the delusions that cause sin. It is the Voice of God which drowns out the voices of the propagandists and creates dry land, safe territory free of slanderous speech and bloodshed.

What Was the Parting of the Red Sea?

The miracle of the parting of the Red Sea (keriat yam suf in Hebrew) was performed by G‑d through Moses, seven days after the Israelites’ Exodus from Egypt. Pharaoh and the Egyptian armies had pursued Israel to the water. Moses turned to G‑d in prayer, and G‑d instructed him to raise his staff. A strong east wind blew, and the sea parted, allowing the Israelites to walk through it on dry land.

=God is trying to tell the world it's not going to be so bad. He will do what is necessary to lead the righteous out of slavery to people who propagandize gun violence, racism, climate change and war crimes and make them seem paradigmatic.

The Tantra states,

"Nevertheless, the dimness caused by those who curse king, God and country shall not stay one who struggles to find God's Glory on the other side of one's deluded mind. They will not walk in darkness."

2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

3 Thou hast multiplied the nation, and aincreased the joy—they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.

4 For thou hast broken the yoke of ahis burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his boppressor.

yokes= The concept is that of "accepting the yoke of Heaven" (in Hebrew, "kabalat ol malchut shamayim"); it is a way of acting that derives from our obligation to G‑d, rather than out of love or fear of Him.

staff= has to do with the difference between God's voice and the voice of the serpent.

For their first meeting with the Egyptian monarch, Moses and Aaron were instructed by G‑d to demonstrate a miraculous feat: Aaron was to cast his staff before Pharaoh whereupon it would turn into a snake. So he did - but was quickly matched by the Egyptians wizards who performed the same trick. Then, after all the snakes had reverted to their original status as staffs, Aaron's staff swallowed the staffs of the wizards, ending the contest. This discourse discusses the inner significance of the staff-snake-staff sequence and why this was the sign chosen to introduce Pharaoh and Egypt to what was for them a new reality:

5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but athis shall be with burning and fuel of fire.

Battles that result in blood soaked garments are never won. Those fought over the incense burner with wood, the vessel and incense, AKA the study of the Torah are how all battles against transgression in life are won.

Next: This is not actually the prophecy used in the Gospels, which comes from a different section in Isaiah. Read both 9:6-9:8 and the real meaning will jump out:

6 For unto us a achild is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of government and peace there is no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this.

8 The Lord sent his word unto Jacob and it hath lighted upon Israel.

In the Torah, sons are seed forces that satisfy the desires of the woman "the prophetess", who establishes the experiential order to come. In this case the Tanakh says we want to use the "technology" to create race of men that will create governments that finally establish social justice, peace...all the Noble Skills and Clans...

See:

https://www.tumblr.com/torahtantra/716760141661339648/the-ephod-the-passport-to-heaven?source=share

9 And all the people shall know, even Ephraim "Prosperous" and the inhabitants of Samaria "those who watch", that say in the pride and stoutness of heart:

10 The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones; the sycamores are cut down, but we will change them into bcedars.

Sycamores are a kind of fig found in the desert. They do not grow very tall. Cedars are men who grow up, have no ignoble tendencies, and respond well to the yoke of duty.

11 Therefore the Lord shall set up the adversaries of Rezin "the Bridle" against him, and join his enemies together;

12 The Syrians "felicity" before and the Philistines "the weakener" behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his banger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

13 For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the Lord of Hosts.

14 Therefore will the Lord cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush in one day.

15 The ancient, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.

16 For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are bled of them are destroyed.

17 Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows; for every one of them is a hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

18 For awickedness burneth as the fire; it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forests, and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke.

19 Through the wrath of the Lord of Hosts is the aland darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire; no man shall spare his brother.

20 And he ashall snatch on the right hand and be hungry; and he shall beat on the left hand and they shall not be satisfied; they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm—

21 Manasseh, aEphraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh; they together shall be against bJudah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

Ma=what

Nasseh=lifts

Ephraim= Prosperity

Judah= Praise

="What lifts us up is prosperous should not violate the Torah lest it perish. For all that angers God is not turned away; His Authority is everlasting."

=19 Through the wrath of the Lord of Hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire; no man shall spare his brother.

v. 9 Says the wise know something is wrong. We all know it. The Virgin birth was supposed to yield a governor and a government free of ignobility, ignominy, violence, oppression and tyranny. Instead the land continued to be soaked in blood, and bodies not incense fill the air with smoke.

Call him what you want- Son of David, a snake-staff, a cedar, a vine instead of a brier, someone needs to rise up and engage in policy work that turns back the Wrath of God. All of our troubles are the result of rifts between scripture and policy, AKA Egypt and the Promised Land.

"A strong east wind blew, and the sea parted, allowing the Israelites to walk through it on dry land."

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lesfeldickbiblestudy · 1 year

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Through the Bible with Les Feldick LESSON 1 * PART 4 * BOOK 74 CONNECTING THE DOTS OF SCRIPTURE – PART 4 Genesis through Revelation Okay, good to see everybody back for our number four program this afternoon. Again, we want to welcome our television audience. And we just trust you will, as so many have written, take your Bible and your pen in hand and study with us, because we’re not going to be preaching at you, hopefully. I think I’ve only done that once or twice in thirty years where somebody came up and said, “Les, you did everything but the invitation.” But I normally claim to just be a teacher. I’m not going to preach at people. I just want folks to see what the Book really says. And it’s not that difficult. That’s what we’re trying to do, even in this series of programs. It is to show how everything fits from Genesis through Revelation. It’s not that difficult. All right, we’re going to take this program, now, and continue on the concept that Israel is looking forward to a coming earthly kingdom, because that’s what God promised Moses on Mount Sinai back in Exodus 19: that Israel would be a “kingdom of priests.” And, you remember, I made the point (I think it was on the program) that in order to have a viable kingdom, you need two entities. What is it? The king and his subjects. All right, so now we’re going to look at the king aspect. And the ideal kingship of Israel, of course, was King David. He was a man after God’s own heart, and, I think, the apple of God’s eye! So, we’re going to jump from Exodus to II Samuel chapter 7, and we’re going to look at God dealing with King David. Now on our timeline, remember, Abraham appears at 2,000 B.C. Then we’ve got almost 500 years between Moses and Mount Sinai and King David, who rules and reigns about 1,000 B.C. You can pick that up on the timeline. It’s not up there yet, but it will be in a moment. Okay, II Samuel chapter 7 and let’s drop down to verse 8 where God is speaking to David through the prophet Nathan. II Samuel 7:8-10a “Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel: 9. And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth. 10. Moreover (on top of all that) I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own,…” Now, as you read this, think back that since 1948 this has all been fulfilled. They’re there. By divine appointment. God said it. God promised it. And these preachers and theologians can pooh-pooh this all they want. They’re lying through their teeth, because God cannot lie. Man can, but God can’t. And God has said He’s going to “bring them back and plant them,” and you and I have seen it. II Samuel 7:10b “…I will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them anymore, as beforetime,” Now, keep that right between your ears, because we’re going to jump up to Luke in just a little bit, and you’ll see the same thing repeated. That’s what I like to do by connecting Scriptures. All right, now verse 11: II Samuel 7:11 “And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also, the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house.” Now, I have to stop. The first impression you get of “a house” is a building, right? So I suppose the first thought is that we’re talking about Israel’s Temple. No. We’re going to talk about a different house. When you have a royal family anywhere in history, it’s always called The House of such and such. The House of Togarmah. The House of Windsor in England. The House of Orange in Holland. The House of Hapsburg’s in Austria.

It was called a house, because it’s a royal bloodline. Out of that family is where the kings and queens always come. So, the “house” that God is promising David is not a physical building of wood and stone and rock, it’s a royal bloodline. It’s the family of David. And we call it the House of David. Okay? Now read on in verse 12. II Samuel 7:12 “And when thy days be fulfilled, (In other words, he’s going to die physically like everybody else.) and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will (Now watch the I wills that God speaks in the Old Testament. If they haven’t happened, they will. God’s Word will never fail. So, after you’ve died--) I will set up thy seed after thee, (in other words, other sons and so forth) who shall proceed out of thy bowels, (Inner-most being—in other words, they will be genetically children of David.) and I (God says) will establish his kingdom.” That is, this coming son of David. II Samuel 7:13-14 “He shall build an house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever.” (Who are we talking about? Messiah Jesus – who’s going to be this King of Israel.) 14. I will be his father, and he shall be my son. (Now we come back in the language to the Nation of Israel itself.) If he commit iniquity, (We know God the Son never will, so now we’re talking about the Nation.) I will chasten him (or punish) with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:” In other words, God did that, you remember, with the Babylonian invasion. He did it with the A.D. 70 Roman invasion. He’s going to do it once more in the Tribulation, but the final end will be Israel’s glorious blessing. II Samuel 7:15-16 “But (in spite of all the chastisement) my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. 16. And thine house (This royal family starting with King David and ending with King Jesus when He returns to set up His kingdom.) and thy kingdom shall be established forever before thee: (Not just for a thousand years, it’s going to slip right on up into eternity.) thy throne shall be established forever.” All right, now let’s jump all the way up to Luke chapter 1. And here we’re dealing with Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist. If you know the account, John the Baptist’s father was stricken dumb, unable to speak, at the very conception of John in the mother Elizabeth. For nine months Zacharias had to labor as a priest at the Temple unable to audibly speak. All right, let’s jump in at verse 57. We’re going to take our time so that there are no gaps for questions. Luke 1:57-58 “Now Elizabeth’s (That’s John the Baptist’s mother, the wife of Zacharias the priest.) full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. 58. And her neighbors and her cousins heard how the Lord had showed great mercy upon her; (Because she was beyond childbearing age, remember.) and they rejoiced with her. Luke 1:59-62 “And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. 60. And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. 61. And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. 62. And they made signs to his father, (See, he couldn’t speak.) how he would have him called.” Luke 1:63-65a “And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they all marveled. (That he and Elizabeth were in full accord that this unusual name would be used for this child.) 64. And his mouth was opened immediately, (The minute he wrote John, he got his speech back.) and his tongue was loosed, and he spake, and praised God. 65. And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings…” In other words, here is this elderly couple that has had a special child, evidently. It’s been miraculously declared by his losing his speech and gaining it back. Luke 1:65b-67a “…and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judea.

66. And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him. (That is, the child.) 67. And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit,…” Now, that’s the key, because of the things he’s going to say. He doesn’t speak, as I’ve said over and over before, he doesn’t speak as a well-meaning Jew, or somebody who was sort of exaggerating. Everything he says is directed by the Holy Spirit. Luke 1:67b “…Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying,” Or spoke forth. It doesn’t mean that he’s telling future events, as much as he is speaking forth the Word of God. Now you’ve got to remember, how long has it been since anybody has written anything to the Nation of Israel? Four hundred years. From Malachi to the appearance of all this was four hundred years. We call it the four hundred years of silence, where God never spoke a word to Israel through prophets or through miraculous appearances – nothing. Four hundred years of silence. And I suppose that was one reason that this caught Israel so off guard. Now, let’s read on. Luke 1:68a “Blessed be the Lord God of (The human race? Who?) Israel;…” See how Jewish this is. That’s what I want to emphasize now. This is all Jewish. This is God dealing with Israel. This isn’t the beginning of Christianity, for heaven’s sake. This is the fulfilling of the Old Testament. Most have got it all wrong, and they teach it wrong. They’ve got it all wrong, because this is not the beginning of the Church Age. This isn’t Christianity. This is just an extension of the Old Testament promises. And that’s what he’s referring to. Luke 1:68-69 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, (Israel) 69. And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant (Who now?) David;” See how we’re connecting it? David is the one that began this whole genealogical line that led us up to the appearance of the Messiah. All right, now as I emphasize the Jewishness of all this, I know there are going to be questions out there in television. Now wait a minute, you mean He didn’t have anything to do with the Gentiles? Not a thing! All right, now I’m going to use Scripture to back that up. Keep your hand in Luke. We’re going to jump all the way up to Ephesians chapter 2. And I’ll make statements, coming up in the next few programs, that Jesus, nor the Old Testament prophets ever had anything to do with the Gentiles, with the exception of a few. Precious few exceptions – Jonah went to Nineveh, the Syrian general Naaman, and Rahab on the wall of Jericho; and then in Christ’s earthly ministry, only two – the Canaanite woman and the Roman centurion. That’s all. He never had any evangelical contact with Gentiles. Now, they may have come, and they may have eaten all of the free food that He gave out, because even the politicians know that if you want to get a crowd, offer free food. They all like a free lunch. So, there may have been some Gentiles at the feeding of the 5,000 and the feeding of the 4,000. I won’t deny that. But there was no spiritual contact. None, except those two. Now look why. In Ephesians chapter 2 verses 11 and 12, and this is as plain as language can make it. And why can’t people read it? Ephesians 2:11 and 12 – this is from the pen of the Apostle Paul writing to his Ephesian believers at the city of Ephesus. Ephesians 2:11a “Wherefore remember, that ye (Gentiles) being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by those who are called the Circumcision…” In other words, Jews referred to Gentiles as Uncircumcised. See that? Now verse 12: Ephesians 2:12a “That at that time…” While God was dealing with His covenant people Israel, from Abraham in 2,000 B.C. all the way up to the time of Paul’s conversion, the Gentiles had no access to God’s saving grace. Except the very few exceptions I mentioned.

Ephesians 2:12a “That at that time ye were without Christ, (What’s the other word for Christ? Messiah. They didn’t have the hope of a coming Messiah. They didn’t even know what the word meant.) being aliens (or non-citizens) from the commonwealth of Israel,…” Now, of course, we’ve gone against that in this country. We give just as much rights to the non-citizen as we do to the citizen, if not more. But that’s not the norm. In any other nation on earth, the illegal immigrant doesn’t have any rights. He’s not a citizen. And it certainly was true with Israel. The non-citizen had no rights. Ephesians 2:12b “…you were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers (In other words, they were not participants.) from the covenants of promise,…” Now, we have taught the covenants in days gone by: the Abrahamic Covenant, the Mosaic Covenant, the Palestinian Covenant, the Davidic Covenant, and the New Covenant. They were all between God and Israel, in which the Gentiles had not one smidgen of rights. All right, here it is. Ephesians 2:12c “…you were strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:” Now, some bleeding-heart liberal will say, well, God was unfair. No! How long did God deal with the Gentile world before this kicked in? Two thousand years. From Adam to Abraham God tried to deal with the whole human race. He made salvation available to anybody that would just follow His instructions. For 2,000 years He dealt with them. What did they do with it? Walked it under foot. They scorned it. All right, so that’s when God set them aside, and said, okay, I’ll bring out another little nation, and I’ll deal with them. All right, so for 2,000 years God did. He let the Gentile world go, as Paul writes, and He dealt only with His covenant people. All right, then when the Covenant people rejected everything, He turned, once again, to the Gentiles. Now for 2,000 years, again, He’s been bringing salvation to the whole world. God’s never unfair! Don’t ever even think it. He’s always fair. In this Age of Grace that we’re in today, as the Body of Christ is being filled, one can be saved by believing in our heart for salvation, “that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again.” God calls that a free gift. We find those instructions in I Corinthians 15:1-4 and in several other Scriptures of the Apostle Paul. All right, coming back to Luke, now, this is why it’s all Jewish. God is still on covenant ground with His covenant people, and the Gentiles have no part of it. All right, back to Luke chapter 1, and we left off at verse 69. Luke 1:69-71a “And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; (And that’s Jew only.) 70. As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, who have been with us since the world began: 71. That we (the Nation of Israel) should be saved from our (Not our sins, yet, but what?) enemies,…” Now, do you remember what God told David back there in II Samuel? The very same thing. That they were spared from all their enemies because of God blessing King David. They didn’t have to worry about the Philistines and what-have-you when David was ruling. He was in control of that part of the world. All right, then they lost it all. Now, here comes the possibility that they can enjoy that same thing once again, where they wouldn’t have to worry about invading armies of the Babylonians or the Syrians or the Egyptians or anybody else, because this coming king would save them. Luke 1:71b “…from our enemies, and from the hand of all that (What?) hate us;” Now, you’ve got to remember, the whole Middle East has hated the Jews since day one. And we wonder—how long are they going to get away with it? Well, now a verse just comes to mind. We’ve got time. Let’s go back and look at it. I hope I’ve got the right one. I think I want to go to Ezekiel 35. Some of these come to mind, and I’m not always sure where it is. But here it is, Ezekiel 35, lest you wonder: is God always going to let the Arabs get away with it? Huh-un.

No, their day is coming, and I don’t think it’s all that far off. All right, Ezekiel 35, now this is written almost 600 years before Christ, and we’re seeing it get ripe for fulfillment. Oh, it’s getting ripe. Their day is coming. Ezekiel 35:1-3 “Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 2. Son of man, set thy face against Mount Seir, and prophesy against it, (Who was Mount Seir? Esau. And in the scheme of things, who is Esau? One of the fathers of the Arab world—Ishmael, Esau, the sons of Keturah, and so forth. All right, so this is a prophecy against the offspring of Esau.) 3. And say unto it, (That is, the kingdom of the offspring of Esau, the Arab world.) Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O Mount Seir, I am against thee, and I will stretch out mine hand against thee, and I will make thee most desolate.” Ezekiel 35:4-5 “I will lay thy cities waste, and thou shalt be desolate, and thou shalt know that I am the LORD. (Now, look at the next verse) 5. Because (Not because God is unfair. Not because God is hateful, but because of the opposite. He’s just.) thou (Remember who we’re talking about now, the Arab world.) hast had a perpetual hatred, and hast shed the blood of the children of Israel by the force of the sword in the time of their calamity, (or their problems) in the time that their iniquity had an end:” Now, you want to remember, Israel would have to be chastised from time to time by their enemies. And this is one of the things I always had a hard time comprehending. He used the Babylonians to chastise Israel, and then He comes back and He blasts the Babylonians. The only conclusion I can come to is because they overdid it. Instead of just simply defeating Israel, they tortured them and murdered them by the millions. They overdid it, and then God had to come back and punish them. So anyway, I think it’s the same way today. There are times when God uses instruments to punish God’s people, and then He has to come back and punish the punisher, because they take advantage of the situation. All right, back to Luke chapter 1. Reading on, goodness, we’ve only got two minutes left. Okay, verse 71, again, repeating it. Luke 1:71-73 “That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us: (In other words, God’s going to utterly destroy them.) 72. To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, (The patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the Twelve Sons; the beginning of the Nation of Israel all had these promises given to them.) and to remember his holy covenant; 73. The oath which he swear to our father Abraham,” That’s why I’m always going back to Genesis 12. Everything rests on that Abrahamic Covenant, because out of that covenant came the Nation of Israel. Out the Nation of Israel came the Word of God. Out of the Nation of Israel came the Messiah, who went to the cross for the sins of the world. This is all part of that Abrahamic Covenant. All right, but Israel is only looking at the Kingdom aspect. They’re not looking at the Cross. They’re looking at the King. All right, come back to Luke 1, verse 74. Luke 1:74 “That he (this God of Abraham) would grant unto us, that we (the Nation of Israel) being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,” In other words, living in the midst of peace and material prosperity, but it’s also going to include the spiritual. Luke 1:75-77 “In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. (And now he comes back to his own son, John the Baptist.) 76. And thou, child, shall be called the prophet (or the foreteller) of the Highest: (The Son of God, who will be appearing some 30 years after all this is announced.) for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; 77. To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,” To whom? His people – Israel.

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keeganbooks · 1 year

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KNOWING YOUR BIBLE

May 7, 2023: Dear Friends, Thank you for following this blog in learning and knowing the Bible. The Bible is God’s Holy word to its reader.. Learning the Bible is a continuous process that may last a life time. The Bible has a total of 66 books, some being written by one or more authors, and being written hundreds of years apart. Because of the structure and organization of the Bible, confusion and lack of understanding can occur that limits the ability to learn and know the Bible. This blog is specifically being written to provide guidance when trying to learn the important information needed in trying to learn and know the Bible. This series was started April 16 and has laid the foundation for learning and knowing the Bible. So far the focus has been on how to learn the names and locations of the Bible books, the organization of the Bible books, and how to search for and find Bible verses to read and study. Go to the website, keeganbooks.com and review these three blogs several times until confidence has been had in learning these important components of Bible learning and study. The focus this week will be on the timeline of when the events written about in the Bible books occurred or when the books were written. This information will add perspective to Bible study as one is reading and studying the Bible. The dates listed below are approximate dates the events written about occurred or when the book was written. OLD TESTAMENT: Genesis: 1800 BCE. (BCE, Before the Common Era) Exodus through Deuteronomy 1500 BCE. Joshua: 1500 BCE Judges: covers a period of 300 years between leadership of Moses (1500 BCE) and the times of King David: 1200 BCE. Ruth: 1130 BCE; 1st Samuel through 2nd Chronicles: 1130 BCE and 586 BCE. Ezra through Esther: 485-445 BCE; Job: considered the oldest book in the Bible, many think Job was written by Moses: 1500′s BCE. Psalm though Ecclesiastes: 1050 through 950 BCE. Isaiah: 740-540BCE; Jeremiah: 627 BCE; Lamentations: 586 BCE; Ezekiel,586 BCE; Daniel: 540 BCE: Hosea through Micah 760-700 BCE; Nahem through Zephaniah: 640′s tp 600″s BCE: Haggi and Zechariah: in the 520′s BCE; and Malachi: 450′S BCE. NEW TESTAMENT: Matthew through John: The events written about, the birth, life, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, occurred in 6 BCE through the early 30′s AD (Anno Domini). The books were written in the 40′s-50′s AD. Acts: covers a period of the early church 27 AD through 67 AD. written by Luke who also wrote the gospel book of Luke. Romans through Philmon, written by Paul in the late 50′s very early 60′s AD. Hebrews: mid 60.s AD. James and Peter, written in the 60′s AD. 1st, 2nd and 3rd John written in the 80′s possibly in the 120′s? Jude, written in 65 AD. Revelation: written in the 90′s, possibly the 120′s time frame. The time frame of when the books of the Bible were written will become more significant when studying how the books are related, a topic that will begin next week. Going forth, when studying the Bible, searching and reading verses, once the verses are found to read, stop and remember where the book is in the organization of the Bible books, Old or New Testament, the Wisdom books or the Prophets etc so that increased knowledge of the Bible will be had. MAY GOD BLESS YOUR BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK! Bible verses to read and study this week: Psalm, chapter 8, verses 1-9; Job, chapter 22, verses 21 through 28; Deuteronomy, chapter 6, verses 4-9; Matthew, chapter 11, verses 28-29; Mark, chapter 1, verses 35 through 39; Mark, chapter 4, verses 1-20; Luke, chapter 14, verses 7-11.John, chapter 1, verses 1-5, chapter 3, verses 17-21; Acts, chapter 26, verses 12-18; Galatians, chapter 5, verse 22.

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motiv8world · 1 year

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TOPIC: You’re On A Unique Assignment (Rhapsody of Realities 6 May 2023) - Pastor Chris O.

But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness … (Acts 26:16).

There are billions of people on earth today and no two fingerprints are alike in the whole world. We’re all uniquely gifted, blessed and called of God. So, let your joy be in fulfilling the calling that God has given you. You’re on a unique assignment; stay in the grace that God gave you, as no one can do it exactly like you.

Think about Paul: He was an apostle to the Gentiles; that wasn’t something fashionable in his day, but he celebrated his unique assignment. He said in Romans 11:13, “…I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify my office.” He didn’t wish to have been sent to the Jews; Peter had that.

It’s like Joshua too: though he walked closely with Moses before Moses died, he understood the uniqueness of what God wanted him to do. In Joshua Chapter 1, God said to him: “…go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them… for unto this people shall thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them” ( Joshua 1:2-6)

When Joshua got these marching orders, he understood that his assignment was unique from that of Moses. God has earlier told Moses, “I want you to bring my people out of Egypt” (Exodus 3:7-10). Moses brought them out of captivity in Egypt all right, but it was Joshua who took them into the land of promise and divided it for their inheritance (Joshua 1:2 & 6).

Have you established your unique assignment in that country, city, town, village, neighborhood, school, or office? Don’t think you’re just like everyone else, to do the same things they’re all doing. Understand that you’re on a unique assignment; fulfil your purpose with poise!

PRAYER

Dear Father, I’m immensely grateful and excited about the uniqueness of my assignments in the earth. I fulfil my purpose in Christ and walk in preordained paths that you planned before the foundation of the world, that I may serve and live for you. Through me, your kingdom reigns and expands in the earth, and in the hearts of men, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY

Acts 26:16 (KJV); But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee.

Colossians 4:17 (KJV); And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

Ephesians 2:10 (AMPC); For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), [a]recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].

1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:

John 3:1-21 & 2 Samuel 22

2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:

Mark 8:10-20 & Numbers 9

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dailyaudiobiblechronological · 1 year

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2/1/2023 DAB Chronological Transcription

Exodus 7 - 9

Welcome to Daily Audio Bible Chronological, today is February the first. I'm Jill, welcome. It's a brand new month. A lot can happen with a turn of a page in a story in the Bible and also true in the story of our own lives. So we have turned on the page, we have rested and rejuvenated. Hopefully, our bodies restored cells that it needed, our body restored strength from rest. Our minds got to unplug and turn off. Hopefully our bodies got the stillness that it needed during slumber. And now we're going to renew our mind by being in the word of God and allowing God to speak to us through His Word. So, Father, we pray on this brand new day that you would open our ears, open our eyes, open our hearts to receive all that it is that you would say, do, and speak to us through Your Word, amen. Stick around at the end of the reading today. If you don't normally, there's a fun little thing coming your way tomorrow and you might want to hear that. So stick around. Today we're reading Exodus, chapters seven through nine. And this week we are in the New English Translation, Exodus, chapter seven.

Commentary

We are going to keep this short and sweet today and just sort of orient us to the details of the story. So I'm pulling today from The God of Your Story, which is a beautiful resource, and it's available in the Daily Audio Bible Store. Not trying to drop a shameless plug here. It's just this resource was created specifically for this community, specifically for going through the Bible together. So you can pick that up in the Daily Audio Bible store. Today, in Exodus plagues began to devastate the Egyptians. Pharaoh had been warned and God had given signs. But Pharaoh could not conceive of a God higher than himself and the gods of Egypt, the Nile River, their source of freshwater, was turned to blood. Frogs invaded the land. Nats swarmed and infested Egypt. Flies, pestered and contaminated the countryside, and the Egyptian livestock died. Boils began breaking out on the bodies of the Egyptian population, and legendary hail fell from the sky, destroying their crops. At each turn, Pharaoh summoned Moses and begged for relief. But when God removed each plague, pharaoh became stubborn and refused to allow the children of Israel their freedom. So let's be careful not to get lost in the details, for the sake of irrelevancy. I think it may be safe to say we could focus our zoom in on Pharaoh today. I'm hearing the story and I just kind of remember back to days in high school where I know flat out, I did not study for a test and I did not flat out know the material but start bargaining with God. I know I didn't study. I know I stayed up and watched whatever instead of opened my book. But if you can just help me not pass this test. I promise you, whatever bargaining chip I could pull from for that day, whatever I thought would appease God is where I went. Silly, I know. But the zoom is how often do we do that? How often do we plead and beg with God and just make these deals, like making a deal with Almighty God, get me out of this situation, and I will never do it again until the next time you do it again. And the thing is, we're often perfecting behavior. We're often trying to perform for God when the issue is our heart, where's your heart in the matter. Pharaoh's heart was hardened to God until he saw the power of God at work, and then it caused him to relent. But that relent did not last long. And what our heart further reveals is that we longed for God to be our Savior in times of desperation. But we're good on our own when it comes to God wanting to be Lord of all.

Prayer

Father, how we thank you for Your word today. Thank you for how it pierces us. Thank you for the sting. It hurts when the curtain of our heart is pulled back and it reveals the truth of what we've done. Maybe our intentions were good, but our actions missed the intentions. We need you so often in times of desperation. We need you when we need a quick fix, when we need to rescue, when we need people not to know what we've gotten ourselves into. And sometimes we even think we can try to hide it from you. But I thank You, God, that despite that truth, the greater truth is that you long to be Lord of all. You still welcome us when we come back again and surrender our will, surrender our hearts, surrender our lives to you and say, okay, melt my heart of stone and make it flesh. Here I am. I see the work of your hands, and oftentimes we pick it back up before we've even said, thank you. Father, I pray that as we hear these words today and as our heart is revealed, that we would be propelled forward to change. Change us from the inside out. Make us conscientious of our actions, of our words, of our intentions, and how they don't line up and cause us to do better by the convicting power of Your Holy Spirit. Thank you for who you are. Thank you for loving us despite the way that we use you at times. We are sorry. I am sorry. Show us what it means to make you Lord of all of our lives. We pray this now in the name of the Father, Son, Holy Spirit, amen.

Announcements

Okay, I promised you a little announcement today. It's been a minute since we have revamped any of our merchandise in the store. We've we've had some key pieces, and we have just kept them there for a while. And we felt like it was time for a makeover. And so that's my drum roll. We have available now in the DAB store, brand new hats, and they are so cool. We have two brand new varieties. We have a very cool baseball cap. And then we've got my favorite the little winter beanie. It's my favorite. It's so good. Goes with so many things. And here's the great thing about this upgrade of hat. They come with a leather patch. Now with the DAB logo. They are made right here in the United States. And here's the thing, there are limited supplies. So when these run out, they're done. So you can run to the store and get your hat before it's sold out. Two different variations, two different varieties, two different colors. Both come in black and gray. Great neutral staple colors. And you can represent DAB on your head. You can check that out at the store. Find the store at the website, which is dailyaudiobible.com. That is homebase. Take a look around and get those supplies while they last. That's it for me today. I'm Jill. We're going to turn the page together tomorrow. Look forward to it. Until then, I'm Jill, love one another.

Community Prayer Line

DABber's kerry can try spirit here. Stories of the broken people in the Bible, like Leah and Rachel give me hope. China says something like, I feel that everyone has at least three weird things in their family. He was one of mine. My son's, dad and I got together when I was 17 and we traveled the world adventuring together for five years. Meanwhile, I was emotionally and spiritually miserable. Then we decided to have our very first child. Six months into the pregnancy, he openly took a young girl into his bed and they got pregnant. This completely and utterly devastated me. But we all attempted to endure the strange situation for the next four years, at which point I couldn't stand it anymore. So, with the help of my mother, I took my son many states away from the entire family, which included more babies by the other woman. Since then, my son has only spent short periods of time with his dad. I had two children by another man, and they were all far away and scattered. Now my son is 28 and Spirit fractured with deep emotional and identity issues which are obvious to me, but which he denies at every inquiry. But five years ago, Jesus saved me. Now I know our Redeemer will bring full restoration to these broken relationships and families in some way only known to him. Papa, thank you. That my son Niche and I are together, even together, and saving us from so many calamities along the way. Bless us in this difficult journey. Let us abide in you always and in every moment. Give us eyes to see and ears to hear what you have written for us in our scrolls of life. And let us be eager to obey your words. Thank you for praying with me. DABbers, DABCers. I love you all. Thank you, Jesus.

Hey, my sweet DABC family. Kingdom seeker Daniel family, just want to pray for a couple of DABCer's, so if you'd be so kind to join me, Father. We come on behalf of your daughter incognito, but not to God. Oh, God. She's experiencing great sorrow as a nephew was found by their ten year old daughter. Oh, sweet Jesus, how that precious little one needs your comfort, your strength, your healing, your help. And I pray that you would be all that this family needs as they are walking through a terrible time of grief. My God, would you surround them on every side and cause them to feel your nearness? And I ask God that you would hold them by the power of your right hand. Thank you God, that you are a very present eliminator in the time of trouble. I pray you to be that for this young woman and for Incognito and the entire family, jesus, me, and then for Mommy's Little Rock in Arkansas. Thank you, dear sister, for remembering those that are yet grieving, as my bride is certainly one. And so I'm believing God for your comfort and your strength and your healing and that God would also allow you to recover from your surgery. So, Lord, will you be with Mommy's little rock? I pray that you would be the rock that she needs to make it through this trying time into her healing. And she sustained my way. Amen. Unless she found it.

Hey, DAB family, this is Kelly in South Carolina just now leading choir practice on Wednesday night. And there's just a prayer request that I need to bring before the family that I heard tonight. So in the next town over, there's a five year old little kindergarten girl whose mom took her to the doctor because of a crossed eye and it turns out that she has an inoperable brain tumor. They've taken her to St. Jude. The doctors are all in agreement that they're not going to be able to do any kind of surgery. I do think they're going to try to do chemo and radiation, and her mom's also a teacher at the school that she's at. So if you all would please just pray for Callie and pray for God to do a mighty work that only he can do. My heart is just broken and I'm so sad, but Lord, you're bigger than this. And I just pray that you would do a mighty working family. Please just lift Callie up and lift her family up to the Lord. And let's just beg for a miracle for this little girl. Thank you so much. I love you all.

Greetings, my dearly beloved dear. This is community, this is filmmaker Floyd from California, and I am calling to pray for Chastity's friend who just lost her husband, her 24 year old husband and they have two children and also she lost her mum just a year ago. Father, this is hard, this is heavy and you only know how to comfort people in these really hard circumstances, dear God. So, Father, we bring Chastity's friend at your feet, at your table, dear God and ask for you to comfort her. Ask for you to guide her. Ask for you to help her feel all your love, dear God, and also give her the courage, dear God, to face some of the hard things that are going to be coming up, as she not only buries her husband, but just making those hard decisions of what to do here, what to do there. Dear God, I pray that you surround her he's a supportive family, dear God, so that they can physically help her, dear God. The friends and family near her. Dear Lord and Father, I pray that she feels you she feels you moving and feels you guiding her and comforting her and her children too. Dear Lord, I know they're missing their dad and they're going to miss their dad for for a long time, dear Lord, but I pray for comfort in Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

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icephas · 1 year

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Part of God’s Family

Lesson 1, December 31 - January 6

Sabbath Afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study: Galatians 3:26, 29; Psalms 50:10-12; 1 Chronicles 29:13, 14; Philippians 4:19; 1 John 5:3; Matthew 6:19-21.

Memory Text: “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” 1 John 3:1

As Christians, an amazing feature about our relationship with God, is that He trusts us to manage His affairs on the earth. At the very outset of human history, God explicitly delegated to Adam and Eve the personal care of a flawless creation. (See Genesis 2:7-9, 15) From the naming of the animals, to keeping the Garden, and to filling the earth with children, God let it be known that we are to work on His behalf here.

He also blesses us with resources, but we are the ones whom He has entrusted to manage them, such as to collect money, to write the checks, to do the electronic transfers, to make the budgets, or to bring our tithes and offerings to the church on Sabbath mornings. God encourages us to spend the resources that He has given to us for our own needs, for the needs of others, and for the advancement of His work. Incredible as it may seem, we are the ones whom God has entrusted with raising His children, building His buildings, and educating the succeeding generations.

In this week’s study, we will explore the privileges and responsibilities of being a part of the family of God.

Sunday, January 1 - We Are Part of God’s Family

“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family pin heaven and earth is named” (Ephesians 3:14, 15). What imagery is evoked in this verse, and what hope is found there?

Early in Jesus’ ministry, He states, “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” (Matthew 6:9). Later He repeats the same prayer privately to His disciples (Luke 11:2). Jesus told us to call His Father, “Our Father in heaven.” When Jesus encountered Mary after His resurrection, she wanted to embrace Him. Jesus said to her, “Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.” (John 20:17).

Because we have the same Father as Jesus, He is our brother, and we are all brothers and sisters in the Lord. Jesus became a member of the earthly family so that we could become members of the heavenly family. “The family of heaven and the family of earth are one.” — Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 835.

Read Exodus 3:10; Exodus 5:1; and Galatians 3:26, 29. What do these verses say about how God relates to us? Why should this be so encouraging?

In contrast to a view of creation in which we are deemed the mere products of cold, uncaring natural laws, Scripture teaches not only that God exists, but that He loves us and relates to us in such a loving manner that the imagery of family is often used in Scripture to depict that relationship. Whether Jesus calls Israel “My people,” or us “sons of God,” or refers to God as “our Father,” the point is still the same: God loves us the way family members are supposed to love each other. What good news amid a world that, in and of itself, can be very hostile!

Imagine a world in which we treated everyone as family. How can we learn to relate better to all human beings as our brothers and sisters?

Monday, January 2 - God Is the Owner of Everything

Read Psalm 50:10-12; Psalm 24:1; 1 Chronicles 29:13, 14; and Haggai 2:8. What’s the message here, and what should this truth mean to us and how we relate to whatever we possess?

The book of 1 Chronicles, starting with chapter 17, records King David’s desire to build a house for God. He shared this desire with the prophet Nathan, who responded, “Do all that is in thine heart; for God is with thee” (1 Chronicles 17:2). But that night the word of God came to Nathan and instructed him to tell the King that, because he was a man of war, he couldn’t build God’s house. His son would do the work instead. David asked if he could, at least, draw the plans and prepare the building materials. When David was granted this request, he spent the rest of his life amassing a tremendous amount of hewn stone, cedar, iron, gold, silver, and brass “without measure.” When all of the building materials had been prepared and assembled at the building site, David called all the leaders of Israel together for a ceremony of praise and thanksgiving.

In 1 Chronicles 29:13, 14, in King David’s public prayer, what did he say was the real source of all the building materials that he and the people had spent time and money preparing? Of course, in essence, he said, “We really can’t take any credit for all these special materials because we are just giving You back Your own stuff.”

The point is important for all of us, whether rich or poor (but especially the rich). Because God made everything in the beginning (see Gen. 1:1; John 1:3; Ps. 33:6, 9), He is truly the rightful owner of all that exists, including whatever we possess — no matter how hard and diligently and honestly we have worked for it. If not for God and His grace, we would have nothing, we would be nothing; in fact, we wouldn’t even exist. Thus, we must always live with the realization that, ultimately, God owns all that is, and by praising and thanking Him for His goodness to us, we can keep this important truth before us.

“But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort?” (1 Chronicles 29:14). What beautiful principles are expressed in these words, and how do they reflect what our attitude toward God should be and our attitude toward what we possess?

Tuesday, January 3 - Resources Available for God’s Family

God’s greatest gift to His children is Jesus Christ, who brings us the peace of forgiveness, grace for daily living and spiritual growth, and the hope of eternal life.

“For God so loved the world, that he agave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12).

Salvation, then, is the foundational gift because, without this gift, what else could we get from God that in the long run would really matter? Whatever we might have here, one day we will be dead and gone and so will everyone who ever remembered us, and whatever good we did will be forgotten as well. First and foremost, then, we must always keep the gift of the gospel, that is, Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor. 2:2), at the center of all our thoughts.

And yet, along with salvation, God gives us so much more. To those who were concerned about their food and clothing, Jesus offered comfort by saying, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33).

Read Psalm 23:1, Psalm 37:25, and Philippians 4:19. What do these verses say about God’s provision for our daily needs?

Also, when Jesus talked to His disciples about going away, He promised the gift of the Holy Spirit to comfort them. “If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:15-17). “He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13).

Then the Spirit Himself gives amazing spiritual gifts to God’s children. (See 1 Cor. 12:4-11)

In short, the God in whom “we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28), the God who “giveth to all life, and breath, and all things” (Acts 17:25), has given us existence, the promise of salvation, material blessings, and spiritual gifts in order to be a blessing to others. Again, whatever material possessions that we have, whatever gifts or talents we have been blessed with, we are indebted in every way to the Giver in how we use those gifts.

Wednesday, January 4 - Responsibilities of God’s Family Members

We all enjoy the spiritual and temporal blessings and gifts that God gives us. How comforting to know, too, that we are “part of the family.”

Read Deuteronomy 6:5 and Matthew 22:37. What does this mean, and how do we do it?

How would you love God with “all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matthew 22:37)? Interestingly enough, the Bible gives us the answer, and it’s not what most people expect, either.

Read Deuteronomy 10:12, 13 and 1 John 5:3. Biblically speaking, what is our proper response in our love relationship with our Father in heaven?

Keeping the law? Obeying the commandments? For many Christians, unfortunately, the idea of obeying the law (especially the fourth commandment) is legalism, and they claim that we are called, simply, to love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves. However, God is clear: we reveal our love to God and to our neighbors by, yes, obeying His commandments.

“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments” (1 John 5:3). We are used to looking at this verse as, well, we love God and, therefore, we keep His commandments. That’s fine. But perhaps we can also read it as “this is the love of God,” that is, we know and experience the love of God by keeping His commandments.

In Matthew 7:21-27, Jesus said that those who hear and do God’s words are likened to a wise builder who built his house upon the solid rock. Those who hear but don’t obey are likened to a foolish builder who built his house on the sand — with disastrous results. Both heard the word; one obeyed, one didn’t. The results made the difference between life and death.

Think about the link between loving God and obeying His law. Why would love for God be expressed that way? What is it about keeping the commandments that, indeed, does reveal that love? (Hint: think about what disobeying His law causes.)

Thursday, January 5 - Treasure in Heaven

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matt. 6:19-21). What crucial truths is Jesus speaking here?

Who hasn’t read story after story of those who had amassed great wealth, only somehow to lose it? Our world is a very unstable place: wars, crime, violence, natural disasters, anything can come in a moment and take away all that we have worked for and, perhaps, even what we have honestly and faithfully earned. Then, too, in a moment, death comes, and so these things become useless to us anyway.

Of course, Scripture never tells us it’s wrong to be rich or to have amassed wealth; instead, in these verses Jesus warns us to keep it all in perspective.

What, though, does it mean to lay up treasure in heaven? It means making God and His cause first and foremost in your life, instead of making money first and foremost. Among other things, it means using what we have for the work of God, for the advancement of His kingdom, for working in behalf of others, and for being a blessing to others.

For instance, when God called Abram, He planned to use Abram and His family to bless all the families of the earth. God said to Abraham, who “was called the friend of God” (James 2:2), “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” (Gen. 12:2, 3).

“So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham” (Gal. 3:9). We have the same challenge presented to us as was presented to him.

“Money has great value, because it can do great good. In the hands of God’s children it is food for the hungry, drink for the thirsty, and clothing for the naked. It is a defense for the oppressed, and a means of help to the sick. But money is of no more value than sand, only as it is put to use in providing for the necessities of life, in blessing others, and advancing the cause of Christ.” — Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 351.

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matt. 6:21). Where does your heart tell you your treasure is?

Friday, January 6 - Further Thought

“The heart of God yearns over His earthly children with a love stronger than death. In giving up His Son, He has poured out to us all heaven in one gift. The Saviour’s life and death and intercession, the ministry of angels, the pleading of the Spirit, the Father working above and through all, the unceasing interest of heavenly beings, — all are enlisted in behalf of man’s redemption.” — Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 21.

“If you have renounced self and given yourself to Christ you are a member of the family of God, and everything in the Father’s house is for you. All the treasures of God are opened to you, both the world that now is and that which is to come. The ministry of angels, the gift of His Spirit, the labors of His servants — all are for you. The world, with everything in it, is yours so far as it can do you good.” — Ellen G. White, Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 110.

Discussion Questions:

1. With all of these awesome gifts that God gives His children, we are compelled to ask, as did the psalmist, “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?” (Ps. 116:12, NKJV). Make a list of the blessings and gifts of God to you in your spiritual and temporal life, and be ready to share it with your class. What does this teach you about how thankful to God you really should be?

2. Though we think about God, and rightly so, as our Creator, Scripture over and over teaches that He is our Sustainer as well. (See Heb. 1:3; Job 38:33-37; Ps. 135:6, 7; Col. 1:17; Acts 17:28; 2 Pet. 3:7) From the galaxies in the cosmos, to the beating of our hearts, to the forces that hold together the atomic structures that make up all known matter, it is only God’s sustaining power that keeps them in existence. How should this biblical truth help us understand just what our obligations are to God, in terms of how we use whatever He has given us? How does this reality help us keep our life and the purpose of our life in proper perspective?

3. The lesson talked about why, of all God has given us, Jesus and the plan of salvation is the greatest gift of all. Why is that true? What would we have if we didn’t have that and the great hope it offers us? An atheist writer depicted humans as nothing but “hunks of spoiling flesh on disintegrating bones.” Why, without the gift of the gospel, would he have a point?

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itsfayehr · 1 year

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Exodus Chapter 1 part 1(a study)

I haven’t found a chapter by chapter study on Exodus that I liked. Most of it was strictly spiritual without looking at factual or archaeological basis. For me, it is good to have that in the back pocket. I like to study God’s word with a little physical fact that way I can see what and how God had moved things before. Otherwise, we are stuck with words in the Bible that we repeat over and over without any knowledge of it’s depth or relevance.

this blog is basically an in depth research about certain important things that I feel are not thoroughly discussed nor given light at all.

with that being said, let’s get down to business!

Now these are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob; each came with his household: 2 Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah; 3 Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin; 4 Dan and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. 5 All the descendants of Jacob were seventy people; Joseph was [already] in Egypt. 6Then Joseph died, and all his brothers and all that generation, 7 but the Israelites were prolific and increased greatly; they multiplied and became extremely strong, so that the land was filled with them.

The book of Exodus begins where Genesis ends. Some people actually say that the book of Genesis and Exodus was one large book that had to be broken down later on. But the best way to look at it is a continuation of Genesis. This is why a lot of pastors emphasize and discuss what Joseph and his family had been through and why they were in Egypt in the first place.

now the first question is: why would God send his people to Egypt if He knew that the Israelites would eventually become slaves? Is God this puppeteer just moving people willy nilly for his own entertainment?

The answer lies in looking at where Israel resided with his family before the famine. They were in the land of Canaan. And the Canaanites were many, while Israel at this time was very small. In fact, when Israel came to Egypt with his sons, there were only 66 of them counted. If God had left them there, they would never become the great nation they are now. In fact, Esau married a Canaanite out of spite. Judah’s first wife was also a Canaanite. In other words, their family line would be diluted and eventually be forgotten. And God already promised Abraham that he would be a father of many. And Jacob was promised that he would father a nation. And God never turns back on a promise.

So now we see an image of a people who had to migrate for survival as well as God’s promise, and now are trying to go home. And while in Egypt, they multiplied greatly and became very rich.

8 Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph [nor the history of his accomplishments]. 9 He said to his people, “Behold, the people of the sons of Israel are too many and too mighty for us [they greatly outnumber us]. 10 Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, so that they will not multiply and in the event of war, join our enemies, and fight against us and escape from the land.” 11 So they set taskmasters over them to oppress them with hard labor. And the sons of Israel built Pithom and Raamses as storage cities for Pharaoh. 12 But the more the Egyptians oppressed them, the more they multiplied and expanded, so that the Egyptians dreaded and were exasperated by the Israelites. 13 And the Egyptians made the Israelites serve rigorously [forcing them into severe slavery]. 14 They made their lives bitter with hard labor in mortar, brick, and all kinds of field work. All their labor was harsh and severe.

During this time, there was already a 430 year gap between Joseph’s death and that of his brothers, and the beginning of Exodus. It seems also a recurring theme between the Old Testament and the New Testament where there was also a 400 something year of silence between the two halves. But our focus for now is Exodus. What happened during the 430 years? And why did the pharaoh not know Joseph?

According to The Baker Illustrated Bible, there are two competing dates for the exodus event as well as the identification of who these pharaohs are. The early date, there was a leader from a Semitic Hyksos dynasty. And the later date, Pharaoh Ahmose I expelled the Hyksos in about 1550 BC. This would explain why he was very concerned with the Hebrews multiplying greatly, and why he did not know who Joseph was.

Plenty of writers and pastors attribute this forgetfulness also to the weak discipleship. It seems to be a pattern that there are two strong leaders, then the nation forgets. And then the nation ends up in captivity or bondage. And this might be said to have happened here. But personally, I can see both happening. Where there is failure in discipleship, there is failure to remember. And when we fail to remember, we fail to know our destination.

All of this seems very pretty to read but as disciples, what does it mean for us? what is it’s significance?

one: Silence does not mean absence.

It seems that from Joseph’s generation to the Exodus, there was a fast forward button pressed and then suddenly we find the Hebrews oppressed. But silence does not mean absence. God was present with the Israelites in Egypt. That is why they multiplied exceedingly and flourished on a land they did not own. They were provided for and enjoyed their prosperity. They became so populated that even war did not stop them. In other words, God loved them so much that they were not annihilated, but became a great nation.

two: one man’s blessing, is another man’s fear

While the hebrews were flourishing, the pharaoh saw this as a threat. He was so scared of these people because they were so many of them that they could easily overthrow Egypt. In fact, it could have been around this time that there had been a war that had passed between Hebrew shepherds and the Egyptians. The blessing that fell upon the Hebrews was intimidating to him. what does this say about us?

sometimes, being blessed does not guarantee support. Even within our community, we find it ripped apart by fear, pride, and envy. If a brother or sister has been blessed, sometimes we find it hard to be happy for them. When I was younger, a class bully made everyone hate me so much because I was just better at academics than they were. And throughout life, I found people like them who even profess to be Christians, but cannot seem to be happy. I find that when I was broke, some people prayed I was out on the street. When I found love, some people wished I got divorced. When I joined the military, some people hoped I failed. The truth is, God’s blessing does not guarantee that everyone will be happy for you. Instead, they will bring you down. Instead of working with you, they will work against you.

But there is hope. Just like the Israelites, the more the Egyptians made their lives miserable, God continued to bless them. The more our enemies try to snuff us out, the more we come out victorious. God has already fixed this fight for us. No matter what the enemy conspires, no matter who is against us, God has decided to bless us through it. It’s not easy or pleasurable. But God never promised for a smooth road. He promised we would get through it.

Three: Remember! Remember! Remember!

In 430 years, a lot can change. We can say that of course the Hebrews would forget Joseph. For one, they probably did not write it down. Two, it’s hard to remember the good days when you’re having bad days. Three, true discipleship is crucial for the survival of our faith.

Some days, I confess, it’s hard to write. In fact, after so many years of starting and halting, I finally started this blog about the one being I care about. Most of the time, there are just so many seemingly important stuff that takes precedence. Someone once said that it’s impossible to philosophize when you’re hungry. It’s quite true. But I have found that the only thing really important in my life is God. All the things we go through day to day is just a speck in comparison to the great future God has for us.

In 2016, my father passed away. He died right in front of me. He had dealt with a lot of health issues both physically, and mentally. Growing up in an abusive home, it was so hard to comprehend how an all-knowing, ever present God would just watch me get hurt. In that moment, it was so hard to trust God when I was staring at my father gasping for air and there was nothing I could do.

But see, if my father had not passed, I would never have come to the States. I would never be able to become fully independent. I would never have come to know God and love Him. I would never have known God in a true and intimate way. I would still be in the same town, doing the same things, living for other people. He decided that I was meant for a higher calling than just to pay bills, get married, and then someday die. He took me out of my wilderness.

As I’m writing this, I have to give context. I’m not all put together. I’ve been diagnosed with PTSD. PTSD is a friend who comes to your house after others have trashed it and brought depression and anxiety as their plus 2. It makes it so hard for me to remember God’s goodness when I am in the sea of depression. But I find that what helps me cling on to God’s word even during my critical moments is writing down every blessing He’s given me. The biggest hole we could ever trip on as followers of God is forgetfulness. It was hard to remember God’s provision when I had only 20 dollars left in my bank account. It was hard to remember God’s healing when both my ankles were broken. It was hard to remember God was with me when I was in isolation in Korea for over a month. But that’s why I decided to write it all down. And that is what the Bible is for. So we don’t forget that God came through even at times we forgot about Him. He always loves, always pursues, always faithful.

be blessed!

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yhebrew · 2 years

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This Sign Will Happen Tomorrow

Exo 8:5 Moshe said to Pharaoh, “Not only that, but you can have the honor of naming the time when I will pray for you, your servants and your people to be rid of the frogs, both yourselves and your homes, and that they stay only in the river.” Exo 8:6 He answered, “Tomorrow.” Why did Pharaoh wait until tomorrow instead of right then? Adonai honors man in that they are in control of their…

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#Epoch Times Article 12 2021 #Exodus Study Chapter 7-9 #Ezekiel 28 study #Field Without DReams #Frog Plague today&039;s COVID #I appeared Pharaohs #January 1 2022 begins #Parshah 14 Study Vaera I Appeared 2021 #Romans 9 #Sign Given tomorrow #Silicon Valley infuence #Stanford University Victor Hanson article #Study Exodus 6 #The Forecast End of Democracy 2021 Hanson #The Uniform Code of Military Justice #The Western Way of War #Victor David Hanson Epoch Times

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wonwoosthetic · 3 years

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♡ Wonwoo x Reader, Office!au, CEO!au, dark elements included!

♡ trope — enemies to lovers

♡ warnings — smut, angst, tension, cursing, screaming, alcohol, misogyny (not from our svt kings), semi-public sex (screw that, they‘re fucking in an office. And in other places. You‘re welcome.)

♡ current word count — 166.3k

Buildings for this series

Six years. Six long years have you been working side-by-side with your father. Balancing studying at university while playing his right hand throughout it all without ever complaining about how hard it was, but rather always putting 200% into everything you did. You helped him grow the company to where it now was.

And now, after the many ups and downs you have shared, he retires only to let the company get bought by some young wannabe Jeff Bezos, who thinks money and looks is everything he needs to get him through life.

If someone thought you’d just let this pass and work as Jeon Wonwoo’s side chick… they would be wrong. So, let the games begin.

The Main Characters:

Yoon (Y/N): COO of Oksan & Co.

Jeon Wonwoo: CEO of Oksan & Co.

Kim Mingyu: Co-CEO of Oksan & Co.

Yoon Sungho: former CEO of Oksan Inc. (before it became Oksan & Co.)

Lee Binna: (Y/N)'s best friend and teacher at an elementary school

most Seventeen members as employees and close friends of the main characters (Y/N, Wonwoo, and Mingyu)

Park Chanyeol: CEO of Exodus Entertainment and ex-boyfriend of Y/N

Oh Sehun: Directing Manager of Exodus Entertainment/Park Chanyeol‘s right hand

The Companies:

Oksan Inc.: Yoon’s advertising company

Vortex & Co.: Jeon‘s web design company

Goyang & Co.: Kim‘s app development company

Oksan & Co.: now a merged company (having a few other side merges as well, but these three are now the major areas; the other companies are just some that specify on one specific app or website)

Exodus Entertainment: growing music label

Prologue: "I didn't work my ass off for six years, just to be COO."

Chapter 1: “I don’t necessarily want to have to see you whenever I’m looking at my computer.”

Chapter 2: "Our COO had a tough first two weeks, and I want to make it up to her."

Chapter 3: "And suddenly you wish (Y/N) was co-CEO instead of COO?"

Chapter 4: “Men in general.”

Chapter 5: “Yep, everything’s fine.”

Chapter 6: “I know, I’m probably the last one you’d want to hear this from,” (Smut!)

Chapter 7: “What the hell is wrong with you?”

Chapter 8: “So, behave.”

Chapter 9: “Don’t miss me too much until then.”

Chapter 10: “This is very unprofessional.” (Smut!)

Chapter 11: “But I don’t think we should hide it anymore. Right babe?”

Chapter 12: "You do remember that I've had you naked on my desk, right?"

Chapter 13: “Suck my dick.”

Chapter 14: “That I’m on my fucking knees for you, Y/N.”

Chapter 15: “It might be a little less complicated now…”

Chapter 16: “You’re not gonna be able to walk away from this conversation forever, just so you know.”

Chapter 17: “We’ve been here before, right?”

Chapter 18: “I’m proud of you.”

This story is on hold until July 2024!

Taglist: @nctxtrash @leicy0756 @hoe4wonwoo @jeonwonhi @nothingbutadeadesceane @smileywoo @angelarin @onewoowonderboy @goodforgyu @kavvs @sugarmilkchan @sweetheart-gs @wonforgyu @lilactangerine @meltinghershey @wonw00t @soonchanshua @jayswifeuwu @allorysayshi @shaurenlaw @drama-1998-girl @yoonren07 @malakasae @sseuyeon @venusprada @jeminiepabo @billboard-singer @safsaf1980 @monmarguerite @ji-jii-visha @renjunphile @haogyuslut @destinyg237 @taestrwbrry @renkkuri @travelleratheart101 @love-svt @sunshinein17 @morklee02 @wonuziex @pwwarkjisung @hokuuu @clvudisan @awyunh @restlesswritings @woohaosworld @caratlove10 @woo8hao @misssugarlips @heednpy @yogurttea @sigillaria-svt @seungcheolsblog @s-xoups @orujinkoo

A/N: please note that I’m in no means an expert in IT or any of the other subjects that might come up in this series. I do research on everything I write about, so that I can get an idea of what would/could be realistic, but that’s about it :)

If you have more knowledge about positions like CEO, COO, Directing Manager, etc. PLEASE let me know! I‘m always happy to learn and to make stories more realistic.

#wonwoo #jeon wonwoo #ceo!wonwoo x reader #ceo!wonwoo imagines #scenarios #masterlist #series #smut #fluff #e2l #enemies to lovers #seventeen #wonwoo x reader #seventeen wonwoo x reader #x reader #Dark romance

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humbleservantprayerwall · 7 months

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Daily Devotionals 11-13-2023

Verses of the Day: 2 Kings 17:39/1 Peter 2:15-16/Proverbs 2:6/John 15:8/John 15:4/Luke 18:1/1 Peter 2:11/John 3:16-17/Romans 5:8/Colossians 3:2/Proverbs 3:5/Deuteronomy 34:7/Exodus 13:17–21/Ephesians 2:10/Titus 3:8/1 Timothy 4:7/Philippians 3:14/Luke 13:24/ Chapters of the Day: 1599 Geneva Bible 1 Chronicles 13-15/Blue Letter Bible 1 Chronicles 16-18/ Psalms 85/Matthew 5-9/John 15/ Bible Study…

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freebiblestudies · 2 years

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Back To Basics Lesson 24: What Jesus Is Doing Right Now

Jesus died on the cross for the sins of humanity over 2,000 years ago. He promised He would come back one day for His people. Why hasn’t Jesus returned yet? What has He been doing all this time after the cross? Let’s find out in today’s lesson.

Let’s read together Psalm 77:13 and Exodus 25:8-9.

God commanded Moses and the Israelites to build an earthly sanctuary. It was not merely some tent in the wilderness, it was patterned after the heavenly sanctuary. God’s entire plan of salvation for humanity is symbolized in the sanctuary and its services.

Let’s read together Exodus 27:1-8; Leviticus 1:1-17; John 1:29; Ephesians 5:2; and 1 Peter 1:19.

The sacrifice at the altar of burnt offering symbolized Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. While the cross is essential to the salvation of humanity, it is not the end of the story. If it were, then there would be no need for a sanctuary. There would just be a courtyard with the altar of sacrifice in the middle.

(Please review the Bible study series on the sanctuary for more detailed information.)

Let’s read together Leviticus 16:1-34.

The Day of Atonement was a solemn annual event for the people of Israel. Throughout the year, sinners confessed and repented of their sins as they made animal sacrifices. The sins of the people were symbolically transferred to the sanctuary through the blood of these sacrifices. On the Day of Atonement, the sanctuary was cleansed of all these sins.

Two goats were utilized for this purpose. The first goat, known as the Lord’s goat, was sacrificed and its blood was used to cleanse the sanctuary (verses 8-9, 15-19). While the high priest did this work, the people were to make a final confession of their sins (verses 29-34).

The second goat, known as the scapegoat, symbolically bore the sins from the sanctuary. It was led away from the people and the sanctuary to die in the wilderness (verses 10, 20-22).

Let’s read together Isaiah 59:2; John 1:29, John 3:16; Hebrews 9:11-28; and Hebrews 10:10.

Our sins separate us from God. The sacrifice of the Lord’s goat pointed towards Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice for humanity on the cross. We can choose to die in our sins separated from God or we can choose salvation in Jesus Christ.

Let’s read together John 1:29; Matthew 27:50-51; Mark 15:37-38; and Hebrews 10:19-22.

When Jesus died on the cross, there was no longer any need for animal sacrifices. The sacrificial system of the earthly sanctuary had been done away. Jesus’ blood is all we need to cleanse us of our sins.

Let’s read together Daniel 7:9-14; Acts 1:4-11; and Hebrews 1:3

After the cross, Jesus was glorified by God the Father and given an eternal kingdom.

Let’s read together Romans 6:23; 1 John 2:1; Hebrews 2:16-17; 4:14-16; 7:25; and 8:1-5.

After the cross, Jesus became our High Priest and went into the sanctuary to minister on our behalf. Unlike human priests, Jesus is perfect, having overcome all sin. Nevertheless, Jesus can still sympathize with us in all our pain, trials of life, and struggles with temptation. Even now, Jesus intercedes on our behalf, applying His precious blood to cover our sins when we pray to Him.

If Christ’s sacrifice at the cross is enough, then what is He doing now in the heavenly sanctuary? Why hasn’t He come back for us already?

Let’s read together Exodus 25:8-9; Ecclesiastes 12:14; and 1 John 1:9.

Jesus cleansed us of our confessed sins and now He has a responsibility to get rid of sin. Remember, the earthly sanctuary was patterned after the heavenly sanctuary. Therefore, the heavenly sanctuary needs to be cleansed. This began in 1844.

Let’s read together Numbers 14:34; Ezekiel 4:6; Daniel 8:14; Daniel 9:25; 1 Peter 4:17; and Revelation 10:9-11.

A group of Bible believers in the 1800s studied the time prophecies of Daniel chapters 8 and 9. They determined the beginning of the prophecy began in 457 BC when King Artaxerxes gave the Jews permission to return and rebuild Jerusalem. They also determined one prophetic day equals one literal year. Therefore, they concluded the 2,300 days prophecy in Daniel 8 began in 457 BC and would end in 1844. They believed Jesus’ second coming would occur in September or October of 1844 based on the reckoning of the Jewish calendar.

Let’s read together Revelation 10:9-11.

These believers were bitterly disappointed when Jesus did not return in the fall of 1844. While they got the dates of the prophecy correct, they got the event wrong. The cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary began in 1844.

So, what does this mean?

Let’s read together Job 16:19; Daniel 7:9-10; Isaiah 64:6; Zechariah 3:1-4; 1 Peter 4:17; 1 John 2:1; Revelation 3:5; 12:10; and 20:12.

While the heavenly sanctuary is being cleansed, an investigative judgment began simulataneously in 1844. All of humanity will be individually judged and Satan stands as our accuser. Our own righteousness alone is not enough to save us. However, Jesus is our advocate and judge. If we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, our sins are blotted out with His precious blood. We will be deemed righteous in God’s eyes. We do not have to fear judgment with Jesus on our side!

So, what happens next?

Let’s read together Revelation 22:11-12 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.

We do not know when the investigative judgment will end, but when it does and the heavenly sanctuary has been cleansed, Jesus will come back to earth for His people. Jesus’ second coming will happen! He will finally return for us!

Friend, can you see what Jesus is doing right now? He is advocating for us during this investigative judgment and the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary. Accept Jesus and trust in him. He will return again.

#bible study #back to basics #heavenly sanctuary #tabernacle #holy place #investigative judgment #psalm 77:13

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officialyourdailyinspiration · 3 years

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Of the destruction of Jerusalem | Persecutions for the Gospel | The Gospel must be preached to all nations | Of Christ’s coming to judgment | We must watch and pray.

1 And as he went out of the Temple, one of his disciples said unto him, Master, see what manner stones, and what manner buildings are here.

2 Then Jesus answered and said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon a stone, that shall not be thrown down.

3 And as he sat on the mount of Olives, over against the Temple, Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew asked him secretly,

4 Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?

5 And Jesus answered them, and began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you.

6 For many shall come in my Name, saying, I am Christ, and shall deceive many.

7 Furthermore when ye shall hear of wars, and rumors of wars, be ye not troubled, for such things must needs be: but the end shall not be yet.

8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there shall be earthquakes in divers quarters, and there shall be famine and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.

9 But take ye heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to the Councils, and to the Synagogues: ye shall be beaten, and brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimonial unto them.

10 And the Gospel must first be published among all nations.

11 But when they lead you, and deliver you up, be not careful before hand, neither study what ye shall say: but what is given you at the same time, that speak: for it is not you that speak, but the holy Ghost.

12 Yea, and the brother shall deliver the brother to death, and the father the son, and the children shall rise against their parents, and shall cause them to die.

13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my Name’s sake: but whosoever shall endure unto the end, he shall be saved.

14 Moreover, when ye shall see the abomination of desolation (spoken of by Daniel the Prophet) set where it ought not, (let him that readeth, consider it) then let them that be in Judea, flee into the mountains.

15 And let him that is upon the house, not come down into the house, neither enter therein, to fetch anything out of his house.

16 And let him that is in the field, not turn back again to take his garment.

17 Then woe shall be to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days.

18 Pray therefore that your flight be not in the winter.

19 For those days shall be such tribulation, as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.

20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, which he hath chosen, he hath shortened those days.

21 Then if any man say to you, Lo, here is Christ, or lo, he is there, believe it not.

22 For false Christs shall rise, and false prophets, and shall show signs and wonders, to deceive if it were possible the very elect.

23 But take ye heed: behold, I have showed you all things before. Read full chapter — Mark 13:1-23 | 1599 Geneva Bible (GNV) Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. Cross References: Exodus 4:12; Deuteronomy 13:1; Isaiah 29:6; Daniel 9:26-27; Daniel 12:6; Matthew 2:3; Matthew 5:22; Matthew 10:21-22; Matthew 12:41; Matthew 17:1; Matthew 21:1; Matthew 21:16; Matthew 24:1; Matthew 24:4; Matthew 24:17; Matthew 24:22; Matthew 24:25; Luke 17:23; John 8:24; John 15:21

#Jesus #prediction #destruction of the Temple #end times #signs #the abomination of desolation #Gospel of Mark #Mark 13:1-23 #New Testament #GNV #1599 Geneva Bible #Tolle Lege Press

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lesfeldickbiblestudy · 2 years

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Through the Bible with Les Feldick LESSON 1 * PART 4 * BOOK 59 REVELATION 1:1-10 - PART 2 For those of you out in television, again, we just want to welcome you to a Bible Study. We just keep it plain and simple. I don’t claim to have all the answers, but hopefully we can prove what we say with Scripture, because after all, what man thinks means nothing, whether it’s myself or someone else. But what does the Book say. But as we study, always remember to rightly divide the Word as Paul writes, and there will never be any confusion or arguments. Paul was sent to us Gentiles with the gospel of salvation, and so it is in his epistles that we go for our instructions in this Age of Grace. Alright, now let’s get back to Revelation chapter 1, where we left off in the last lesson and we’ll begin with verse 6. Remember now, the author of Revelation, who is John, is writing to primarily Jewish believers in view of the coming Tribulation that is right out in front of them. Revelation 1:6a "And hath made us (Jews) kings and priests unto God his Father; to him be glory and dominion…" Many of you already know where I can go to prove the point that this is all Jewish. Go back to Exodus chapter 19. And you see Paul never uses that term (kings and priest). So, if Paul doesn’t use it, but all the Jewish writers do, then what does that show? That it is for the Jew! It’s for Israel! The more I study, the more convinced I am the Church and Israel can’t be mixed. They can call me what they will, but you cannot mix God’s dealing with Israel (His earthly people), with the Body of Christ (His heavenly people.) You’ve got that distinction all the way through, and they can’t be mixed. Let’s turn to Exodus 19. Now, just to show you that this is a called out assembly drop in with me at verse 3. They’ve come out of Egypt, through the Red Sea and they’re gathered around Mt. Sinai: Exodus 19:3 "And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain (that is Mt. Sinai) and he says, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel;" Now, stop and think. Is there anything in there that involves a Gentile? Nothing! This is God dealing with Israel. Exodus 19:4-6 "Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, (that is drowned them in the Red Sea) and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to myself. (Brought them through the Red Sea, out around Mt. Sinai) 5. Now therefore, if you will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye (the nation) shall be a peculiar (Now, remember, I’m always stressing that word means something of intrinsic value.) treasure unto me above all people: (and the reason he can say that – He’s sovereign) for all the earth is mine. 6. And ye (Israel) shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation." Now, do you see how that’s almost word for word what John just said in Revelation. Alright, but let’s go all the way up and see how Peter puts it in his epistle of I Peter. Peter uses this same identical language. In fact, you can keep your hand in Exodus 19 and just flip back and forth and see how identical these words are. Peter is writing under the same circumstances that, I feel, John is. I Peter 2:9 "But (Peter says) ye (and remember he’s writing to Jews, just like Exodus was) are a chosen generation, a royal (what?) priesthood, an holy nation, (the word "holy" simply means set apart for God’s purposes. They were a set apart people for God’s purposes) a peculiar people; (That’s exact language) that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:" That’s how Peter puts it. Now, come back to Revelation and John says almost exactly the same thing. That He has made us (Jews - The believing element of Israel); He has made us kings and priests unto God and His Father to be glory and dominion forever. Now, once again back to Revelation and verse 7. Revelation 1:7a "Behold, (John writes) he (the Messiah, the Son, the returning

Christ) cometh with (what?) clouds: and every eye shall see him,…" Now, let’s just back up one page to Jude, verse 14: Jude 1:14-15a "And Enoch also, (Jude writes, way back there in Genesis) the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, 15.To execute judgment (His Second Coming will be associated with the final destruction of the Gentile world) upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly…" Now, back to Revelation, again; verse 7: Revelation 1:7a "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him." Now, that’s not going to happen at the Rapture. The world isn’t going to see the Rapture take place. It’s just going to be a sudden, silent disappearance. They’re not going to see Christ as He has come to the air. But here, He’s ready to come all the way to the planet earth, He’s going to stand on the Mt. of Olives and the prophecy is that every eye shall see Him. Revelation 1:17b "…and they also who pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him,…" For the piercing then, we have to really go back to Zechariah, chapter 12. Come back again to the Old Testament, and again I want you to realize that these are all Old Testament references which tie it all to the nation of Israel. The exact language, and how can anybody separate what God says to Israel in the Old Testament prophets and what He’s saying to Israel from the words of the apostle John. Zechariah chapter 12 verse 10 where God says through the prophet: Zechariah 12:10 "And I will pour upon the house of David, (That’s not a Gentile term, that’s Israel) and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and supplication; and they (the house of Israel, or the house of David, the nation of Israel) shall look upon me whom they have pierced. And they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn." Well, now, there’s another beautiful illustration in the Old Testament of a family mourning over a great joyful reunion and you all know what it is don’t you? Joseph. All right, let’s come all the way back to Genesis and pick up Joseph being reunited with his brethren. Go to chapter 45 of Genesis. And let’s just start at verse 1, and we’ll hit just a few of the pertinent verses. Now, remember what we’re talking about. That every eye will see Him at his returning at His Second Coming, primarily to deal and confirm and fulfill all the promises made to the Old Testament prophets, and there will be a great mourning, tears of joy, really, when they see and recognize their Messiah, and here is a picture of it. Genesis 45:1-3 "Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren. (The ones that had sold him into slavery) 2. And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard. 3. And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence." But now as you go through all this, Joseph puts them at ease. Genesis 45:5 "Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that you sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life." That was all part of the purposes of God. That Joseph would have to be in Egypt to gather the grain that would help everyone to survive during the seven years of famine. Genesis 45:6-7 "For these two years hath the famine been in the land; and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest. 7. And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance." So it wasn’t you that sent me here, but God. Now, come on down to verse 13. Genesis 45:13-14a "And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither, 14.

And he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck and (what?) wept;…" Well, not tears of remorse, but tears of what? Joy! Joy unspeakable! Now, verse 15. He didn’t limit it to Benjamin. Genesis 45:15 "Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him." And so it was that great joyful reunion between Joseph and the estranged brethren. Well, so it will be when Christ returns to the Mt. of Olives and will finally be accepted by his covenant people, Israel. All right, back to Revelation chapter 1 verse 8. Now, the Lord is speaking through the Apostle John and He says: Revelation 1:8 "I am Alpha and Omega, (the first letter in the alphabet and the last letter in the alphabet) the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." Now, if you start making a study of this Book of Revelation, you will find that John uses the same terms of Deity that the Old Testament uses, but Paul does not. And there again is that graphic difference. This is all Jewish. Paul never refers to – for example - term the "Son of Man". Did you know that? But all the rest of the Scripture that’s Jewish will constantly refer to Christ, or God the Son, as the Son of Man. Paul never does. That’s just one. But now, let’s go back to Isaiah 41 verse 4, and see how all of this ties together with the Old Testament. John the Jewish writer, writing to Jews. Isaiah the Jewish prophet writing to the Jews. And they say basically the same thing. Isaiah 41:4 "Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD, (and we’re going to look a minute to see who that is) the first, and with the last; I am he."Now, come all the way back – keep your hand in Isaiah, we’re coming back in a little bit – come all the way back to Exodus again, chapter 3. A portion that you’re all well acquainted with, I hope you are anyway – you should be. Here we’re going to look at the burning bush. And Moses is taken by it that it’s burning and yet it’s not being consumed. And so he comes to the burning bush and the Lord speaks out of the bush: Exodus 3:5-6 "And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. 6. Moreover he said, (the burning bush) I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon (who?) God." So, who’s the burning bush? God." All right, move on down to verse 13. All the way through it’s a constant reference to the Lord and to God. Exodus 3:13-14 "And Moses said unto God, (there at the burning bush) Behold, when I come to the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? (What’s the name of this God you’re talking about? Moses says) what shall I say to them? 14. And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM; Thus shalt thou say to the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you." See how plain that is, and this is the Lord, this is God the Son speaking. We refer to him as Jehovah and Adonai and the Almighty, which is what I’m going to have you look at next. Come back to Isaiah chapter 9, and we’ll begin with verse 6. Now, these were all Old Testament terms concerning the Son. None of which, if I’m not mistaken, Paul uses. He does not use these same terms of Deity. Isaiah 9:6-7a "For unto us (and I’m always emphasizing, who is the us? Israel. This isn’t talking to the world in general. This is talking to the nation of Israel) a child is born, unto us a son is given: (now we jump all the way up to the millennial reign) and the government shall be upon his shoulders: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God,(The same term that John uses) The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end upon the Throne of David,…"See how the Scriptures

constantly emphasize, that when Christ returns to set up this Kingdom, He will rule from David’s Throne in Jerusalem on Mount Zion. Now, to take a little further take on the I AM of Exodus 3, go up to John’s gospel, chapter 8, most of you know where I’m going. And for sake of time, we’ll just go all the way down to verse 51. Here’s Christ in His earthly ministry, Jesus is speaking, and he says: John 8:51-58 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. 52. Then said the Jews unto him, (see there it’s amongst His earthly ministry. No Gentiles here.)Now we know that thou hast a devil (demon). Abraham is dead, the prophets; (they’re dead) and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. 53. Art thou greater than our father Abraham, who is dead: and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?" 54. Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; whom ye say, that he is your God. 55. Yet ye have not known him; (that is their God) but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I should be a liar like you: (quite a statement wasn’t it?) but I know him, and keep his saying. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, (that is through the eyes of faith) and was glad. 57. Then said the Jews unto him, (now do you pick up the scoffing?) Thou are not yet fifty years old, and you have seen Abraham? (Can’t you just see the smirk on their face? Come on, what are you trying to do? You can’t fool us. Abraham lived 2000 years ago, and you’re telling us you’ve seen him? Now look at Jesus’ answer) 58. Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, (who?) I am." Do you see what He’s showing them? That He was the I AM of the Old Testament Deity. He was the Jehovah God of Abraham, He was the pre-eternal Creator. He was the God of everything, and He made no apology for making those claims. Alright, now let’s come back again to Revelation again, and see how the Apostle John can just pick up all these things concerning this Christ who is now about to return as King of King and Lord of Lords, once the horrors of the wrath and vexation have unfolded. Revelation 1:9a "I John who also am your (what?) brother, (now spiritually of course. Racially? Yes. He’s just as much a Jew as the Jews to whom he’s writing.) and companion in (what?)tribulation,…" They were all under the same pressure. Now, you’ve got to remember, these Jews to whom these men are writing, Peter, James and John, were already under a lot of persecution, even before the Tribulation began. They were under pressure from the Orthodox Judiasers. They were under pressure from the pagan Romans, so they knew what persecution was. And so John could say, I can co-relate with you. Revelation 1:9b "…am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom (that is the kingdom promises that they’re all waiting for.) and patience of Jesus Christ, (I John) was in the isle that is called Patmos,…" a little island off the coast of Western Turkey, a little off the mainland. Revelation 1:9b "…for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ." Now, the speculation is that it was a means of house arrest, or persecution, but not all historians agree with that. It may have been a normal life for John on the island of Patmos. There isn’t anything to indicate that he was under intense persecution at this time, but he may have been. But whatever, he’s on the island of Patmos, "for the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ." Now, verse 10. This verse has been so twisted out of shape it’s unbelievable. Revelation 1:10a "I was in the Spirit (that is under the control of the Spirit of God) on the Lord’s day,…" That’s not Sunday. That’s what most everybody thinks, that this was a Sunday and that he was writing this. No – What is the day of the Lord in Scripture? Tribulation! So what is he saying? That miraculously the Spirit of God is transporting him into the Tribulation so he can write about it in the first person.

He knew what he was writing. He was experiencing it in the realm of the Spirit, not writing on the Island of Patmos on Sunday afternoon. No, he was being transported into the Day of the Lord and that term the "Day of the Lord" throughout all the Old Testament, throughout the Jewish epistles is always a reference to the seven years of the Tribulation. Never forget that. Alright, I haven’t got time enough to go on in to another verse, but here it’s as plain day that as John is in the Spirit, in this transformed Day of the Lord, so he can write about it with first hand experience, he experiences the voice behind him as a trumpet. And so we go on from there and we pick this up in our next program where this voice is again the voice of the Lord Jesus Himself.

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