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Help Me To Love

John 13:34-35 reads, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

The principle of loving others is a common message in the Word of God. In John 13, love, sometimes translated ‘charity’, is commanded by Christ. This means it is something all believers are called to do.

But, what does it mean to love? Is it possible to serve God without loving Him? Is it possible to serve others without loving them.

The word ‘love’ is used in John 13:34-35. Each time it is translated from the root ‘agap’ which means ‘love’ or ‘benevolence. The only difference between the four usages is found where ‘agap’ is a noun or a verb. In verse 34, where Christ is issuing a command, ‘agap’ is a verb. However, in verse 35, where ‘agap’ is a by-product of the previous stated verb, it is a noun.

But, again, the question must be asked, what is love? It should be clear from even casual Bible reading that ‘love’ is NOT just an emotion. In John 13, Christ commands his disciples to love. This means love is more than how you feel, it is what you do.

If a man loves sports he will do things to show this love, such as attending games, speaking about his favorite team, even boldly protesting those that oppose them. If a woman loves to bake she will look for every occasion to be in the kitchen baking. She may bake for her family and friends, or even total strangers. Love is what you DO, not just what you say.

So, can we love God without DOING anything for Him? NO!

Can we love others without DOING something for them? NO!

John 13:34-35 commands believers to love one another, aka DO something for others. This ‘something’ should be defined by the Holy Spirit, but also personal initiative. James 2:16 reads, “And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?” Knowing (aka, head knowledge) is not enough to fulfill the commandment of loving others. Our knowledge must be followed by ACTION.

Why? According to John 13:35, when we love others it is proof that we are Christ’s disciples. Prayerfully consider who you can love today.

from TeachingChurch.net https://teachingchurch.net/help-me-to-love/

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Recipes And The Bible

This is an email i received from a product developer I use. It is NOT a religious email, but IS very applicable to the Church. The Word of God can be thought of as a book of Recipes (Prayer recipe, marriage recipe, moral recipe, etc.) Christ does not change (Heb. 13:8), yet some recipes are applicable in this age, but not another (think Dispensations).

Our job as believers is not to rewrite the Divine Recipe Book, nor to select which Recipe we want for our lives. Our job is to surrender to the Author of the Book (The Bible), and allow the Holy Spirit to show us which Recipe He wants us to follow today.

Maybe it’s the Recipe of Forgiveness. Or Faith. Or Love. Or Service.

As you read the following email don’t just think about business. Instead, prayerfully consider your responsibility to the Author of your Recipe Book and which Recipe He’s leading you to follow.

I enjoyed a nice, sunny walk to my office this morning. While I was walking, a really old lady raced past me. We were going to the same building, but she got there at least three times faster. She wasn’t stronger than me. She wasn’t more athletic than me. She couldn’t walk faster than me. But she still beat me by a long shot, because she had one BIG advantage: She used a system. We call that system a bicycle. And using that system, she was able to easily pass me. A few minutes later, another man flew by me on a bike. So, this system was learnable and repeatable. (a key concept we’ll cover another time…) When you really start to look for systems, you’ll notice them everywhere… On Sunday, I made my wife Chicken Alfredo for Mother’s Day. It would’ve been nasty if I hadn’t used a system. In that case, the system is called a “recipe”. Think about that for a second… A recipe is simply a list of resources (ingredients, pans, workspace, machines, time, temperature) and a list of steps for how to use those resources. I can’t think of anyone who hasn’t used a recipe before. But if you ask someone if they use systems, you might get a strange look. Why bring this up? Over the years, I’ve seen countless companies suffer (and often go under), simply because they’ve never developed and used “recipes”. They try to do everything as though they were doing it for the first time. And that simply won’t work. Why? Because… “Success is not built on success. It’s built on failure. It’s built on frustration. Sometimes it’s built on catastrophe.”- ~Summer Redstone Imagine if I tried to make Chicken Alfredo without a recipe…Overcooked noodles…Food poisoning from undercooked chicken…Runny sauce…All those failures have been made at some point by someone making Chicken Alfredo. Why rethink everything, as though it was the first time it was being done? Why ignore the fact that someone already knows how to make delicious Chicken Alfredo? Because I followed a 5-star Chicken Alfredo recipe, the delicious outcome was almost guaranteed. That’s the power of a great system. Now, I’ve read a ton of information on systems over the years, and most of it is “rah-rah” about using systems, but very impractical when it comes to creating systems. If that’s been your experience as well, or if you don’t currently use systems, then I’d like to help you change that. And here’s the first step… Think of a “systems” as business “recipes”. That simple shift in terminology will get you headed in the right direction. What recipes should you use every day in your business? What’s in your business cookbook? Start making your “recipe” list. Just make a small list…Don’t worry about writing down the “recipes” just yet. If you spend 15 minutes this week, just writing down system ideas, you’ll be well on your way to improving your business with systems thinking. And chew on this while you make your list: “We should work on our process, not the outcome of our processes.” – W. Edwards Deming “If you’re too busy to build good systems, then you’ll always be too busy.” – Brian Logue “A bad system will beat a good person every time.” – W. Edwards Deming All the best, Jack Duncan MarketBold.com

from TeachingChurch.net https://teachingchurch.net/recipes-and-the-bible/

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SBC You Are In Sin

An Open Letter to Southern Baptists: You Are in Sin

Ok, then!!

Somebody is pretty upset! I am not up to speed with the in’s and out’s of SBC life. Even when I was pastoring Grace And Glory Baptist Church, I wouldn’t have known a good portion of what the author states in this letter. However, something in my spirit won’t allow me to get too involved again.

We are far from rich, but I will not jump through their hoops to get support if I have to endure a carnal, humanistic evaluation process. Although I’m not ‘in the know’, I can say that I am aware that some of what the author states is true.

I stopped being a fan of the ERLC years ago and even stated that their funding should be revoked.

Their stance on women in ministry is lax.

Beth Moore could be the president of the SBC one day

I did hear about the mormons and muslims attending seminary. At the time I tried to assign this failure to the seminaries, apparently, the failure (ie, sin) runs deeper.

Ben Washington Baptist Church, a southern baptist church in Irving Texas (https://www.bwbcirving.com/our-belief) publicly states that they believe the Trinity, deity of Christ and resurrection are ‘non-essentials. How could they be allowed to go unchallenged by their DOM or someone at the state level.

If everything in this article is true pastors and churches have a tough decision ahead of them. What say ye?

from TeachingChurch.net https://teachingchurch.net/sbc-you-are-in-sin/

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Speaking Evil of Dignitaries

Speaking Evil of Dignitaries: Speaking Evil of the Lord Himself

This article was taken from 

https://www.lampbroadcast.org/plets/ppdf16/SpeakingEvilofDignitaries.pdf 

  “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly

out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto

the day of judgment to be punished:

But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in

the lust of uncleanness, and despise government.

Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not

afraid to speak evil of dignities.

Whereas angels, which are greater in power

and might, bring not railing accusation against

them before the Lord.

But these, as natural brute beasts, made to

be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things

that they understand not; and shall utterly perish

in their own corruption” (II Peter 2:9-12).

“Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile

the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of

dignities.

Yet Michael the archangel, when contending

with the devil he disputed about the body

of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing

accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

But these speak evil of those things which

they know not: but what they know naturally,

as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt

themselves” (Jude 8-10).

(We are living during a day when governmental

officials find themselves on the receiving

end of all types of negative comments, abuse.

Individuals make fun of, make light of, speak evil

of not just their actions but the officials themselves.

And it is not just the world doing this type

thing. Much of this is being done by Christians,

who, seemingly, should know better, but don’t.

Scripture condemns such actions in no

uncertain terms, for a revealed reason. But

Christians often pay little attention to what

Scripture has to say, following the lead and

ways of the world.

Thus, large segments of both the world

and Christendom come together at this point.

And as Scripture plainly reveals, and as will be

shown in this article, BOTH, through this means,

are guilty of EXACTLY the same thing — bringing

railing accusations against the Lord Himself.

However, note something about the preceding.

It is one thing to question the authority of

an individual whom God has placed in power,

bringing accusations against him personally, and

thus against the Lord; and it can be something quite

different to question his actions. The former has

to do with the infinite, the latter with the finite.

But on the latter, two things need to be considered.

Questioning someone’s finite actions

comes from the finite as well; and God’s thoughts

and ways [surrounding His having placed this

person in office, resulting in certain actions,

which God could only have foreknown] are separate

from man’s thoughts and ways [Isa. 55:8, 9].

Man’s thoughts and ways can be in line

with God’s thoughts and ways, IF aligned with

that revealed in the Word. But, if so, they then

cease to be man’s thoughts and ways per se and

become God’s thoughts and ways.)

Speaking evil of dignitaries in Jude 8 refers back

to verse five and moves forward into verses nine

and ten. The same word translated “speak evil” in

the Greek text of verse eight is also used in verses

nine and ten (blasphemeo, the verb form, appears

in vv. 8, 10; and blasphemia, the feminine noun

form, appears in v. 9). The word is translated

“railing accusation” in verse nine and rendered,

once again, as “speak evil” in verse ten.

This is the Greek word from which the English

word “blasphemy” is derived; and the translation,

“railing accusation,” in verse nine actually captures

the thought expressed by the word somewhat

better than the translation, “speak evil,” in verses

eight and ten.

Exactly the same thing can be found in the

parallel account in II Peter 2:9-12, which is possibly

even more emphatic in some respects than

seen in Jude.

In Jude 9, Michael would not bring “a railing

accusation against Satan; then in II Peter 2:11,

this is expanded to other angels (which, as Michael

in Jude, “are greater in power” than man) and

other dignitaries, possibly a reference to all angels

and all dignitaries.

And the Greek word from which we derive our

English word “blasphemy” is used three times in II

Peter 2:10-12 as well. Blasphemeo, the verb form,

is used in verses ten and twelve (translated “speak

evil”), and the masculine noun form, blasphemos, is

used in verse eleven (translated “railing accusation”).

During Moses’ Day

Railing accusations, emanating from unbelief

on the part of the people of Israel in the historical

account covered by verse five, were directed against

Moses. However, by so doing, the people were actually

directing these railing accusations against God Himself.

Moses was the one whom God had chosen to

lead the Israelites out of Egypt and into the land

covenanted to Abraham and his posterity through

Isaac and Jacob. His power and authority were of

DIVINE ORIGIN; and, consequently, accusations leveled

against the leadership of Moses were, in actuality,

accusations leveled against God Himself.

The people of Israel who questioned Moses’

authority, seeking to appoint a new leader and

return to Egypt, were questioning the very authority

of God vested in Moses (cf. Num. 14:2, 27).

Because of this sin, resulting from unbelief concerning

their ability to go into the land as God had 

commanded, judgment fell upon the people of Israel.

They could no longer enter the land under Moses and

realize the purpose for their deliverance from Egypt.

They had fallen away, apostatized, in such a

manner that it was impossible to renew them again

unto repentance. As a result, during the next

thirty-eight and one-half years, the entire generation

— murmuring against Moses, and thus against

the Lord — perished in the wilderness.

(Note the antitype relating to Christians in Heb.

6:4-6. Hebrews 6 draws from Heb. 3, 4, which has to do

with the previous experiences of the Israelites under Moses.)

Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and those who followed

them constitute another similar example

(Num. 16:1ff). They rose up against Moses and

Aaron in matters concerning their authority —

Moses as leader of the people, and Aaron as high

priest in the camp. When this occurred, Moses

“fell upon his face” (v. 4).

Moses knew that Korah and those with him were

questioning, not just his and Aaron’s authority, but

the authority of God.

This rebellion against authority led to unacceptable

incense being offered upon the altar at

the door of the tabernacle by two hundred fifty

prominent men who had sided with Korah, Dathan,

and Abiram against Moses. This, in turn,

led to God’s judgment on the entire group.

God exhibited his wrath upon Korah, Dathan,

and Abiram by opening a chasm in the earth and

causing them, along with “all that appertained

unto them [their wives, children (save Korah’s sons;

cf. Num. 26:11, 58]),” to go down into Sheol alive:

“And the earth opened her mouth and swallowed

them up, and their houses, and all the men

that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.

They, and all that appertained unto them, went

down alive into the pit [‘into Sheol’], and the earth

closed upon them: and they perished from among

the congregation” (Num. 16:32, 33).

A fire then came out from the Lord and consumed

the two hundred fifty men which had offered

the incense upon the altar (v. 35).

Immediately after the destruction of Korah

and those following him, the people of Israel again

murmured against Moses and Aaron, saying, “Ye

have killed the people of the Lord.” Again, as

before, this was a murmuring not only against Moses

and Aaron but against God.

God was the One Who had performed the execution

of Korah, Dathan, Abiram, their families, and the

two hundred fifty men offering incense.

And because of this same sin of murmuring

against Divinely established authority, God sent a

plague into the camp of Israel.

This was done so speedily that before Aaron had

time to make an “atonement for the people,” standing

“between the dead and the living,” fourteen

thousand seven hundred Israelites perished (vv. 41-50).

During the Present Day

According to Scripture, it is A VERY, VERY SERIOUS

THING to murmur against, bring railing accusations

against, those whom God has placed in positions

of power and authority. ANY rebellion against Divinely

established authority is no more, no less than a rebellion

against the Lord Himself.

It WAS SO during Moses’ day, and it is NO DIFFERENT

during the present day. The “powers that be”

WERE during Moses’ day, and ARE today, “ordained

of God.” ALL positions of power and authority are by

Divine appointment. And WHOSOEVER “resisteth

the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and

they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation

[‘judgment’]” (Rom. 13:1, 2).

God rules in the kingdom of men and gives it

“to whomsoever he will.” God is the One Who

establishes/positions rulers, and He is also the One

Who removes rulers (Dan. 4:17, 25-32). “There is

no power but of God” (Rom. 13:1), which today, in

view of the coming age, is vested in His Son.

Jesus told His disciples, “All power is given

unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matt. 28:18).

In view of this, ANY rebellion against existing

ordained powers — whether in the heavens or upon

the earth — is a rebellion against the power vested in

God’s Son, which is simply a rebellion against Christ

Himself.

Again, note the example given in Jude 9:

Michael, the archangel, would not bring a railing

accusation against even Satan (expanded to other

angels in II Peter 2:11). Michael, knowing that

Satan held his position by Divine appointment

and that Satan possessed no power but that which

emanated from God, would go no further than to

simply say, “The Lord rebuke thee.”

Michael knew that any accusation against

Satan would be an accusation against the One Who

had appointed him to this position, the One in whom

all power and authority reside (cf. I Sam. 24:8-10; II

Sam. 1:2-16).

Now, with all this in mind, a particular apostate

element existing in Christendom in the latter days,

seen practically everywhere today — with its parallel

drawn from experiences of individuals during the

days of Moses — should be clear. Bringing railing

accusations against those whom God has placed

in positions of power and authority is A FORM OF

APOSTASY. It is that simple.

Such reviling or railing against Divinely established

authority is not only standing away from the

God-ordained position which a Christian is to occupy,

but, as well, it is moving into a position wherein the

apostate, in actuality, brings these accusations against

the Lord Himself. And through such accusations,

these apostates, as “brute beasts…shall only perish

in their own corruption” (II Peter 2:12; Jude 10).

  The Lamp Broadcast, Inc. 225 S. Cottonwood Ranch Road Cottonwood, AZ 86326 www.lampbroadcast.org

from TeachingChurch.net https://teachingchurch.net/speaking-evil-of-dignitaries/

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Conference Call

Want to study the Bible but can’t attend in person? Join our Bible studies over the phone! Currently we meet most Thursday at 6pm (CST). Out physical location changes so call Dr. Noel to find out where we will be meeting.

However, if you can’t make it out just call the following number, enter the access code and be sure to press #

Dial-in Number: (641) 715-0874

Participant Code: 745227#

This way you can join our studies from the comfort of your home.

from TeachingChurch.net https://teachingchurch.net/cc/

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SG Test

SGTestDownload

from TeachingChurch.net https://teachingchurch.net/sg-test/

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Bible Reading Schedules

Regardless of the time of year, TODAY is the best day to start reading through the Bible. To help you stay organized we are supplying your choice of free Bible Reading Schedules. Our only request is that you actually use them, to help you stay in the Word Of God.

Bible Reading Schedule – Option ADownload

Bible Reading Schedule – Option BDownload

from TeachingChurch.net https://teachingchurch.net/bible-reading-schedules/

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Agenda

Entry Of Candidate

Pinning Of Boutonniere…………………………… Tavf Meely

Opening Prayer………………………………………. Pastor Steve Wall

Welcome……………………………………………….. Mary Gonzalez

Congregational Song

Special Selection

Report From Committee…………………………. Gerald Watson

Special Selection(s)

Tribal Song…………………………………………….. Keith Coley

Charge To The Church……………………………. Jay Mule

Charge To The Candidate………………………… Dr. William Noel

Laying On Of Hands………………………………. Ordination Committee

Presentation From Church……………………….. El Reno Baptist

Presentation Of Certificate………………………. Committee

Offering & Prayer…………………………………… Pastor Willie Doyote

Closing Prayer……………………………………….. Johnny Lee Meely

Fellowship Dinner

from TeachingChurch.net https://teachingchurch.net/agenda/

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Notes

Ordination Council Notes

Date: December 9, 2018

Time: 1 pm – 1:50 pm: Ordination Council meets with Pastor Meely (Please be at the Church before 1 pm)

Service: Begins at 2 pm (Tentative Agenda – CLICK HERE)

List of Council Members (if anyone is missing please let me know ASAP. My number is below)

Willie Doyete

Johhny Meely

Jay Mule

William Noel, 405-315-8593

Steve Wall

Gerald Watson

Doctrinal Questioning: From the Baptist Faith And Message 2000 (CLICK HERE)

Here is a short PDF on Ordination (CLICK HERE) including sample questions

In order to be respectful of time, please consider the following

Be on time!

Limit comments to 2 minutes

Limit Charges (to Church & Candidate) to 20 minutes each max

Anticipate your place on the agenda and be prepared for your role

Offering: We will receive a love offering for Pastor Meely. William Noel will read and explain a Scripture, then lead the congregation to give.

If your Church is writing a check please make it payable to Tommy Meely

Encourage your Church to bring cash, in small bills ($1, $5, $10)

Encourage them to give sacrificially (For example, Give $50 in $5 bills or $100 in $10 bills)

Encourage your youth to attend. They can help with the offering!! And it will be a great time for them to see what God is doing in El Reno

Lead by example. The best way to be a good example of giving is by giving!)

Photographer – we are still in need of someone to take pictures before, during and after the service. (Even if they use their phone!!) If you have someone in mind please have them call me, William Noel, at (405) 315-8593

from TeachingChurch.net https://teachingchurch.net/notes/

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Christians And Politics

Dear Christian

Philippians 3: 20 reads, For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ:”

The Greek word translated is politeuma.

The definition of politeuma is “a form of government” or “citizenship”

It is only used one time in the Bible, here in Phil. 3:20

So, this verse is really saying is our form of government is in heaven, or our citizenship is in heaven.

Since this IS true, why are so many Christians concerns with the cares of things on earth.  Republicans were enraged about President Obama and socialism.  Democrats are enraged about President Trump and racism.

So what is the Christian response? Do be enraged about the national leader who disagrees with YOU!

  II Cor. 4:4 says satan is the god (little ‘g’) of this age or world. Since his expulsion from heaven, satan has been assigned the magistrate or ruler of earth. Regardless of political party, satan is the god or ruler of the governments of the earth. So, if the Republican are in charge, really they’re not, satan is!  If the Democrats are in charge, really they’re no, satan is!

Romans 13:1 says that all leaders have been put in power by God “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”

I Pet. 2:17 tells us to give honor or personal esteem to the king (secular leaders) Honour the king “Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.”

I Tim 2:1-3 commands us to pray for our leaders: “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”

  With these and other Scriptures in mind, why are so many Christians caught up in the sinful acts of criticizing and mocking our leaders.  Didn’t God say HE gave us the leaders HE wants us to have? (Romans 13:1)  Didn’t God say were are to honor or give personal esteem to our leaders? (I Peter 2:17)  Didn’t God say were are suppose to pray for our leaders? (I Timothy 2:1-3)

Didn’t God say that the Christian is stranger and pilgrim in this present world. “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;” I Pet. 2:11

Didn’t God say that the Christian does not have a permanent home here on earth For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. Heb. 13:14

  The Bible clearly states that Christians are NOT a part of this world John 14:14-16 “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.  I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.  They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”

  So I ask again, “Why are so many Christians concerned with the cares of things on earth?”  Why are so many Christians such vocal supports of a political party or candidate?  Why are Christians boycotting the NFL or burning their NIKE shoes? Why are Christians harassing politicians in restaurants or burning trucks with Make American Great Again stickers on them?

More specifically, Why are YOU concerned with the cares of the things on earth?

  Remember the words of Matthew 6:25-33

25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Instead of worrying about who’s in the White House, or which party will control Congress, I encourage you to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. When you do this all the other ‘things’ of life will be taken care of by God!

from TeachingChurch.net https://teachingchurch.net/christians-and-politics/

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The Bride In Genesis

The Bride in Genesis

By Arlen L. Chitwood

www.lampbroadcast.org

Chapter Two

Isaac and Rebekah

Now Abraham was old, well advanced in age; and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.

So Abraham said to the oldest servant of his house, who ruled over all that he had, “Please, put your hand under my thigh,

and I will make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell;

but you shall go to my country and to my family, and take a wife for my son Isaac.” . . .

So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.

Then the servant took ten of his master‘s camels and departed, for all his master‘s goods were in his hand. And he arose and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor.    (Genesis 24:1-4, 9, 10)

There are five chapters in the book of Genesis (chapters 21-25) that foreshadow in type the complete history of Israel and the Church, from the birth of Israel’s Messiah to that future time when Israel’s Messiah returns and restores the kingdom to the nation.

Within that which is revealed in these five chapters, following the crucifixion of the nation’s Messiah, Israel is set aside (chapters 22, 23).  Then, with the nation set aside, God, in the antitype of that which is seen in Genesis chapter twenty-four, sends the Holy Spirit into the world to procure a bride for His Son.

And once the bride has been procured, the bride is removed.  Israel is then brought back into the picture, with the nation being restored as the wife of Jehovah and the Millennial Kingdom being ushered in (chapter 25).

The Dispensational Framework of Genesis 21-25

In Hebrews 11:17-19, recounting events in Genesis 22:1-14 (the offering of Isaac), Abraham is said to have received his son in a “figurative sense” (v. 19).  And these verses reflect back upon this whole panorama of events — Abraham offering his son on a particular mountain in the land of Moriah, with a ram dying in the stead of his son (the son looked upon as dead [having died in a substitute — in the ram; v. 13]).  And it was immediately following these events that Abraham received his son in a “figurative sense” (the son alive on the third day [pointing to resurrection on the third day; v. 4]).

The Greek word translated “figurative sense” (NKJV or as in the KJV: “figure”) in Hebrews 11:19 is parabole in the Greek text, the word from which we derive our English word “parable,” which is simply an Anglicized form of the Greek word.  The word parabole is a compound word meaning “to cast alongside” (para, “alongside”; and bole, “to cast”).  A “parable,” defined from the meaning of the word itself, is simply one truth placed alongside of a previous truth to help explain the previous truth.

Thus, Abraham receiving his son in the manner seen at the conclusion of the account in Genesis 22:1-14 is associated in Hebrews 11:19 with God’s provision of additional truth, reflecting back on previous truth.  Abraham’s actions form one truth reflecting back on previous truth, given to help explain the previous truth (by providing additional light).  And the previous truth would take one all the way back to that which began to be revealed in the opening chapters of Genesis, forming types of the future work of the Son at Calvary (ref., Chapter 1 in this book).

As well, the word parabole in Hebrews 11:19 is used in a similar respect to the way that the Greek word tupos (type) is used.  Abraham receiving his son in (in the form of) a parable (God placing subsequent truth alongside previous truth) formed a subsequent type to previous types seen in the opening chapters of Genesis, providing additional light upon the subject.

(The words tupos [type] and parabole [parable] were both used earlier in Hebrews, referring to the tabernacle [in 8:5 (tupos, translated “pattern,” KJV/NKJV) and in 9:9(parabole, translated “figure,” KJV; and “symbolic,” NKJV)].  In this respect, the word parabole in Hebrews 9:9; 11:19 would not only have to do with truth placed alongside of previous truth but, as well, with truth placed alongside of that which the type foreshadowed — future truth.

Abraham receiving his son in a parable would be truth placed alongside that which would occur 2,000 years in the future — the Father receiving His Son in exactly the same manner in the antitype.  Thus, tupos and parabole become somewhat interchangeable words in this account [as well as the use of the two words earlier relative to the tabernacle].)

It then follows in these five chapters (Genesis 21-25) that “Abraham” is a type of God the Father, “Isaac” a type of God the Son, and Abraham’s two wives (“Sarah” in chapter 23, and “Keturah” in chapter 25) are types of Israel, the wife of Jehovah.  Then, Abraham sending his “servant” into Mesopotamia to procure a bride for his son between the time Sarah dies and the time he marries Keturah could point to only one thing — God sending the Holy Spirit into the world to procure a bride for His Son between the time Israel is set aside and the time Israel is restored.  Thus, one can immediately see that there is a God-provided, dispensational framework of events in these five chapters.

1)  The Birth of Isaac (Genesis 21)

Isaac was born in a supernatural manner at a set time.  Sarah was barren and beyond the age of childbearing, but God intervened, returned to Sarah “according to the time of life,” and “Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.” (Genesis 17:1-7, 16-21; 18:10-14; 21:1-7).

The birth of Christ occurred in a supernatural manner at a set time (Galatians 4:4).  Israel, as Sarah, was barren (Matthew 21:19); but, through a supernatural work, as seen in the type, Israel brought forth God’s Son.  God Himself became flesh in the person of His Son — the God-Man (John 1:14).

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:18).

2)  The Offering of Isaac (Genesis 22)

Years later, God instructed Abraham to offer his son for a burnt-offering upon a particular mountain in the land of Moriah.  After Abraham and Isaac were on the mountain, God provided a substitute to die in Isaac’s stead.  Isaac paid the penalty for sin through a ram slain in his stead — a substitutionary atonement (v. 13).  Then, resurrection is seen through Abraham receiving his son on the third day in a parable (v. 4), reflecting back on previous types but also pointing forward to the resurrection of God’s Son in the antitype on the third day.

God offered His Son at Calvary on a particular mountain in the land of Moriah.  And God’s Son may very well have died on the exact spot that Abraham offered his son.  God, 2,000 years earlier, in the type, was very particular about the place in which Abraham was to offer his son;  and this place was afterwards called “Jehovah-jireh,” meaning, “In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen (KJV) [lit., ‘In the Mount of The LORD it shall be provided’ (NKJV)]” (cf. vv. 2, 14).

A substitutionary atonement for man was provided at Calvary.  God Himself in the person of His Son — the Passover Lamb — paid the penalty for sin.  God purchased man’s salvation with His own blood (Acts 20:28).  The Jewish Passover, 33 A.D., was the day God died — to be raised from the dead on the third day (Genesis 22:4; Luke 24:21).

3)  The Death of Sarah (Genesis 23)

Following the offering of Isaac, the wife of Abraham, Sarah, died.  This can only point to that which occurred following the offering of Jesus.  It was at this time that the wife of God the Father, Israel (a divorced wife, awaiting restoration), was set aside for a revealed time and purpose.

4)  The Bride for Isaac (Genesis 24)

Following the death of Sarah, Abraham sent his eldest servant into Mesopotamia to procure a bride for Isaac.  This can only point to that which occurred following the setting aside of Israel — God the Father then sent the Holy Spirit into the world to procure a bride for His Son.

After Abraham’s servant had procured the bride, he removed the bride from Mesopotamia and returned to Abraham’s home with the bride.  This can only point to that which the Holy Spirit will do after He has procured the bride.  The Holy Spirit will then remove the bride from the world and return to the Father’s home with the bride.

5)  The Remarriage of Abraham (Genesis 25)

  Following the completion of the servant’s mission in Mesopotamia, Abraham again took a wife, Keturah.  Abraham’s previous wife, Sarah, had been barren in childbearing; but Keturah was very fruitful.

This can only point to that which will occur relative to God and Israel after the Holy Spirit completes His mission in the world.  God, following this time, will again take Israel unto Himself as His wife.  Israel today is the adulterous, divorced wife of Jehovah.  But in that future day, following Israel’s repentance, the nation will be cleansed of her harlotry.  And, as Abraham married Keturah following the procurement of a bride for his son, God will remarry Israel following the procurement of a bride for His Son.  Then, as Keturah was very fruitful where Sarah was barren (Genesis 16:1; 25:2), restored Israel will be very fruitful where the nation in the past was barren (Jonah 1:1ff; 3:1ff).

Scope of Genesis 24

With the complete picture before us concerning events both before and after the bride has been called out, one can immediately see the proper time in which events surrounding the procurement of a bride for God’s Son occur.  According to the type, they must occur during the present dispensation, while Israel is set aside.

The journey of Abraham’s servant into the far country and his search for and procurement of a bride for Isaac will form the material for the remainder of this chapter.

1)  Old Age of Abraham (v. 1)

This typifies the eternity of God.  God’s plans and purposes date from eternity (Acts 15:18).  The bride was chosen in the Son from “before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4).  As Eve was created in Adam at the beginning, but not removed as a separate entity until Adam was put to sleep and his side opened, thus it is with the bride of Christ.  The bride was created in the last Adam from eternity, but could not be removed as a separate entity until Christ had been crucified and His side opened, from whence blood and water flowed forth — the two elements necessary to bring the bride into existence (ref. Chapter 1 in this book).

2)  Servant of Abraham (v. 2)

  The eldest servant of Abraham is not named in Genesis chapter twenty-four.  Though some individuals attempt to identify this servant with a previously named servant in Genesis 15:2 — “Eliezer of Damascus” — his identity in chapter twenty-four is unrevealed and unknown.  About fifty years had elapsed between the events in chapters fifteen and twenty-four, and the two servants mentioned may or may not be the same person.

The servant, typifying the Holy Spirit, was sent into Mesopotamia for a specific purpose, given in the chapter.  He was sent into Mesopotamia to search for and procure a bride for Abraham’s son.  And the purpose for the Holy Spirit being sent into the world in the antitype must be exactly the same — to search for and procure a bride for God’s Son.

3)  Covenant with Abraham (vv. 2-9, 37)

Before Abraham’s servant traveled to Mesopotamia to search for and procure a bride for his master’s son, Abraham made the servant swear “by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that he would take a wife for his son only from among his own kindred, in his own country (vv. 3, 4).

The servant left Abraham’s house to go into Mesopotamia with the specific instructions that the bride for Isaac was to be taken only from the family of Abraham.  The bride would be removed from the family (called out of the family) and constitute only a small part of the family.

In like fashion, remaining completely within that which is revealed in the type, the Holy Spirit presently in the world searching for a bride for God’s Son would have to be conducting this search under the same instructions seen in the type.  The Spirit presently in the world, searching for the bride, of necessity, would have to be conducting this search under a single, direct command from the Father:  The bride for God’s Son must be taken only from among members of the family, from among the saved.

The type in Genesis chapter twenty-four requires that the bride be called out of the called, called out of the saved, not called out of the unsaved (represented by the Canaanite in the type).  And this is in complete accord with the previous type, where Adam’s bride was removed from his body (Genesis 2).

(Genesis chapter twenty-four provides a good illustration of how a subsequent type will shed additional light on a previous type [Genesis 2] while remaining in complete agreement, in every detail, with the previous type.)

Abraham’s son was not to be brought into Mesopotamia again (v. 6).  And the task of procuring the bride was left entirely to Abraham’s servant, who was sent into Mesopotamia alone.  In like manner, God’s Son is not to be brought into the world again; and the work of procuring the bride has been left entirely to the Holy Spirit, who was sent into the world alone.  Christ died ONCE to pay the ransom for the bride — His own blood.  And the Son, as Isaac, remains at home with the Father while the Holy Spirit, as Abraham’s servant, searches for and procures the bride in the world.

(There are two main realms in which the Spirit works in the world today — breathing life into the one who has no life [the salvation of the unsaved], and the search for a bride for God’s Son [which has to do with a work among the saved, a work among those in whom He had previously breathed life].  And the latter, the search for a bride for God’s Son, occurring among the saved alone, has to do with the saving of the soul.

The Spirit was already in the world to do a work among the unsaved [and had been since that seen in Genesis 1:2b ff], but the Spirit is also seen being sent into the world at the beginning of this present dispensation to search for and procure a bride for God’s Son [Acts 2:1ff].)

4)  Possessions of Abraham (v. 10)

Abraham’s servant took ten camels laden with his master’s goods and departed into Mesopotamia.  “Ten” in Scripture is the number of ordinal completion.  “Ten camels” were required because ALL of the master’s goods were in his hands.

The Holy Spirit presently in the world has in His possession ALL of the Master’s goods, which are to be found in the Word of God alone.  The Holy Spirit — the One who gave this Word, the One in possession of these goods — is the only One who can, and will, reveal them to the prospective bride.

And it should go without saying that any Christian who reads and studies God’s revelation MUST do so under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, who both gave and reveals the Word.  The Bible remains a closed book to all others.

5)  Divine Intervention in the Search (vv. 11-15, 40)

It was God who brought about the meeting of Abraham’s servant and Rebekah.  As Abraham’s servant stood by a particular well of water, Rebekah approached to draw water from the well.  Every aspect of the search for the bride is marked by divine intervention and fraught with spiritual significance.

The Holy Spirit is in the world today standing by a particular Well of Water (a type of the Word of God; cf. Isaiah 12:3; 55:1).  And the bride is the one who comes to the Well to draw Water.

6)  Qualities of the Bride (vv. 15-22)

The bride being sought by the Holy Spirit in the world today is:

a)  From the Family (v.15)

The bride is being called out of the new creation in Christ where there is neither Jew nor Gentile.  Those within this new creation are referred to as both “children” and “sons” of God, awaiting the adoption into a firstborn status.  They are “Abraham’s seed [by being ‘in Christ,’ who is Abraham’s Seed], and heirs according to the promise [heavenly, not earthly]” (cf. Genesis 22:17; Romans 8:17; Galatians 3:29).

b)  A Virgin (v.16)

This aspect of the bride is further illustrated in the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13).  Many Bible students associate these ten virgins with Israel awaiting the coming of the nation’s Messiah, but such an interpretation of the passage is not biblically possible.  These ten virgins are associated with the kingdom of the heavens (v. 1), which had previously been taken from Israel (Matthew 21:43).

(In reality, throughout the present dispensation, Israel occupies the place of an adulterous woman, not a virgin.  And Israel will not forsake her harlotry, or be cleansed relative to her harlotry, until AFTER the nation’s Messiah returns [Hosea 2, 3; cf. Hosea 5:15-6:2].)

The ten virgins represent those to whom the offer of the kingdom of the heavens is presently being extended.  They, thus, could only represent ALL of the saved (“ten,” showing ordinal completion) during the present dispensation (all of the called).  And the five wise virgins, singled out from among the ten (singled out from among all of the called), would represent those who will form the bride (those called out of the called).

All ten of the virgins possessed lamps with oil (vv. 1, 7, 8, ASV).  The request of the five foolish virgins in Matthew 25:8 should read, “Give us of your oil; for our lamps are going out” (ref., ASV, NASB, NIV).  The difference between the wise and foolish virgins lay, not in the thought that the foolish had no oil (otherwise, their lamps could not be “going out”), but in the fact that the wise virgins possessed an extra supply of oil.

“Oil” is symbolic of the Holy Spirit (Leviticus 8:10-12; 21:12; 1 Samuel 10:1, 6; 16:13).  The five wise virgins possessing an extra supply of oil typify Christians possessing an extra supply of the Holy Spirit, i.e., Christians filled with the Holy Spirit; and the five foolish virgins lacking the extra supply of oil typify Christians lacking an extra supply of the Holy Spirit, i.e., Christians not filled with the Holy Spirit.

All ten of the virgins in Matthew chapter twenty-five went forth to meet the Bridegroom together — just as all Christians will go forth to meet the Bridegroom together.  But only those five wise virgins with an extra supply of oil entered into the marriage festivities (v. 10).  Thus, will it be in the future experience of Christians relative to being filled or not being filled with the Holy Spirit.

c)  Able to Draw Water from the Well (vv.16-22)

The bride is to be taken from Christians who are able to draw from the Word of God.  Not only was Isaac’s bride found by a well, but also Jacob’s bride (Genesis 29:6-10), and Moses’ bride (Exodus 2:16-21).

There is a close connection between being filled with the Spirit and dwelling deeply in the Word of God.  Ephesians and Colossians are companion epistles and parallel one another in a number of places.  One parallel is found by comparing Ephesians 5:18-20 with Colossians 3:16, 17.

In Ephesians, Christians are told,

And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,

speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,

giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”

Then, in Colossians, Christians are told,

Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

Note the contextual parallel between the command to “be filled with the Spirit” in Ephesians and the command to “let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom” in Colossians.  The inference is clear that a Christian who is “filled with the Spirit” is one who has allowed the Word of Christ to dwell in him richly in all wisdom.  And this is not simply a reference to possessing knowledge of the Word of God.  Rather, it has to do with possessing knowledge of the Word of God, connected with wisdom from above.  It is allowing the Word to dwell in an individual, in all wisdom, as he studies and prays over this Word under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

The bride is to be made up of such Christians — dwelling near and drawing from the Well — who are being called out of the larger body of Christians.  Christians possessing knowledge of the Word, in line with that revealed in Ephesians 5:18-20 and Colossians 3:16, 17, will find themselves in a position to overcome in the present spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:10ff).  And the inverse of that would be true for Christians lacking such knowledge of the Word.

7)  Riches of Abraham Revealed (v. 53)

Abraham’s servant brought forth “jewelry of silver, jewelry of gold, and clothing,” and gave them to Rebekah.  And he gave also to her brother and to her mother “precious things.”  The riches of the father — belonging to Isaac (v. 36) — were revealed and given to Rebekah.  Some of the precious things among these riches were even distributed among other members of the family.

During the present dispensation, the Holy Spirit brings forth treasures, revealing them to the bride.  These treasures are found in the Word of God, and are brought forth as the bride, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, dwells deeply in the Word of God.

These treasures are presently being revealed to the bride (1 Corinthians 2:9, 10) to show the bride that which will belong to her when she inherits with the Son in the coming age (John 16:15; Ephesians 3:6, 8; 1 Peter 1:4).  And according to the type, some of the precious things belonging to the Son are even revealed to other members of the family — Christians who will not participate in the activities awaiting the bride.

If one understands the work of the Holy Spirit in the world as set forth in Genesischapter twenty-four, he will have little problem with that which is erroneously being promulgated in almost the whole of Christendom relative to the work of the Holy Spirit during the present dispensation.  Invariably, Christians link the Spirit’s work during the present dispensation primarily with a work surrounding the gospel of grace.  Though this is a work of the Spirit during the present dispensation, it is not a work peculiar to the present dispensation; and it has absolutely nothing to do with the reason why the Spirit was sent into the world in the antitype of that which is seen in Genesis chapter twenty-four, on the day of Pentecost in 33 A.D.

The Holy Spirit has always been in the world relative to His unchanging worksurrounding salvation by grace, breathing life into the one who has no life (spiritual life).  This must be the case, for, according to the original type (Genesis 1:2-5), He is the One who moved/presently moves upon the ruined creation, effecting a change, with subsequent types pointing to the fact that He is the One who does a work among the unsaved, based on death and shed blood, causing the person to pass “from death to life” (cf. Genesis 2:7; Ezekiel 37:1-10; John 5:24; Ephesians 2:1, 5).  And apart from this work of the Spirit, there could have been no salvation for man during prior dispensations and nor can there be salvation for man during the present dispensation.

It is only during the present dispensation — extending from Pentecost to the rapture, a 2,000-year period — that the work of the Spirit is seen in a different capacity than it is seen in any previous dispensation (though His work relative to salvation by grace remains exactly the same during the present dispensation as in any previous dispensation — breathing life into the one previously having no life, performed on the basis of death and shed blood).  The Spirit is seen being sent at the beginning of this dispensation to perform a work completely peculiar to the present dispensation, which has nothing to do with salvation by grace.

Rather, the work that He was sent to perform during the present dispensation has to do solely with searching for and procuring a bride for God’s Son.  And this special, particular work (e.g., Ephesians 1:13, 14) should never be confused with the Spirit’s continuing work relative to salvation by grace.

Abraham’s servant was in Mesopotamia to seek a bride for Isaac.  This was his mission, and nothing could turn him aside from this task.  Once the prospective bride had been found, Abraham’s servant began to reveal the possessions, wealth, and glories belonging to Isaac.  These had been entrusted to Abraham’s servant during the time which he was to spend in Mesopotamia searching for the bride.

In like manner, the Holy Spirit is presently in the world seeking a bride for God’s Son, Jesus.  This is His mission, and nothing will turn Him aside from this task.  Once a prospective member of the bride has been found, the Holy Spirit begins to reveal the possessions, wealth, and glories belonging to God’s Son.  These have been entrusted by the Father to the Holy Spirit during the time when He is in the world searching for the bride.

8)  Invitation to the Bride (v. 58)

After Rebekah had been shown the possessions, wealth, and glories of Isaac — which could be hers as the bride of Isaac — she was extended a simple invitation:  “Will you go with this man?”  Her answer was equally simple:  “I will go.”  Note that Rebekah did not have to go.  A negative answer would not have changed her family status.  But such an answer would have changed her status forever in relation to the bride and the inheritance awaiting the bride.

Likewise today, after the Holy Spirit has revealed to Christians the possession, wealth, and glories awaiting them as joint-heirs with the Son, the simple invitation is extended:  “Will you go?”  The Christian himself must decide whether he would be content just to be a member of the family, or whether he desires to inherit with the Son and participate in His glory.  There is no force or coercion — just a simple invitation.

It is interesting to note that immediately after Rebekah made her decision to go with Abraham’s servant and be the bride of Isaac, other members of her family sought to delay her journey.  It is the same among members of the family today (among other Christians today).  Once a Christian decides, “I will go,” and begins to govern his life accordingly, he experiences trouble.  And this trouble invariably emanates from other family members — from other Christians who have little or no appreciation of these things (cf. Matthew 13:20, 21).

9)  Journey toward Isaac’s Home (v. 61)

Then Rebekah and her maids arose, and they rode on the camels and followed the man. So the servant took Rebekah and departed.

The servant took Rebekah and her damsels out of the land on ten camels and journeyed toward Isaac’s home (the number of camels is not given at the time of departure but inferred from the number of camels [ten] that the servant had when he came into the land [v. 10]).  “Ten” — the number of ordinal completion — signifies that ALL of the damsels went out to meet Isaac (cf. Matthew 25:1-13; Luke 19:12-24).

For Christians who have eyes to see, this hardly needs comment.  The antitype is easily seen.  After the Holy Spirit has procured the bride, ALL Christians (the dead raised and removed with the living) will depart this world with the Holy Spirit and journey toward the Son’s home.  This will take place at the end of the present dispensation, after the Father has prospered the Holy Spirit’s journey in the far country (v. 21).  After a sufficient number of Christians, necessary to occupy the positions of power and authority in the coming kingdom of Christ, have been called out — responded in a positive manner to the question, “Will you go” — The events of 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17, synonymous with that foreshadowed by Genesis 24:61, will occur.

10)  Meeting of Isaac and Rebekah (vv. 62-67)

Rebekah went forth toward Isaac’s home, and Isaac came forth toward Rebekah’s home.  Their meeting occurred between these two places, at “evening” (v. 63).  They then journeyed to Isaac’s home, where Rebekah became Isaac’s wife.

Christians and the Lord Jesus Christ will meet part way between earth and heaven, at “evening” — at the end of the present dispensation.  The bride will then go with the Bridegroom to His home, where she will become His wife.

When Rebekah met Isaac, she put on her veil and was separated from the other damsels who accompanied her.  When the bride meets the Bridegroom, she will put on her veil (a type of the wedding garment) and be separated from the other Christians who accompany her (cf. Matthew 22:11-14; Revelation 19:7, 8).

This separation of Christians, in the antitype, will occur at the Judgment Seat of Christ.  And the bride will then subsequently be allowed to “array herself in fine linen, bright and pure” (ASV) and be revealed as the prospective wife of the Lamb for all to behold (Revelation 19:7-10).

This is the time which the entire creation — presently groaning and travailing under the bondage of sin — is awaiting (Romans 8:18-23).  This is the time when the true Hallelujah Chorus will be sung:

After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God!” . . .

Again they said, “Alleluia!” …

And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sat on the throne, saying, “Amen! Alleluia!”

Then a voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!”

And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!

Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage [‘marriage festivities’] of the Lamb has come . . . .” (Revelation 19:1, 3a, 4-7a)

(For information on the wedding festivities in Revelation 19:7-9, which immediately precede the bride becoming the Lamb’s wife, refer to the author’s book, The Time of the End, Chapter 30, “The Marriage Supper of the Lamb.”)

from TeachingChurch.net https://teachingchurch.net/the-bride-in-genesis/

[teachingchurch]

When Is Church Not Church?

Have you ever gone to Church, went home, and felt like you hadn’t been to Church?

Have you ever been in a service and felt like something was missing?

They sang the songs

They prayed

They preached

But something just wasn’t right.

Unfortunately, many Churches are merely going through the motion.  On one extreme you have the Dry Churches which rarely say ‘Amen’, choosing to applaud instead.  This kind of Church never starts late, because it’s a big performance.  They don’t sing contemporary songs, electing to stick with the Oldies, But Goodies, you know, HYMNS.  Their pastor usually teaches more than preaches, using big words and foreign languages to supplement his sermonette.

On the other hand, you have the Hyper-Emotional Church. This Church rarely starts on time.  Why? Because they’re unorganized. The structure of this Church is loose, allow members to ‘follow’ the Spirit.’ The music is geared to eliciting emotion. Period.  The words of the songs, don’t have to be Biblical or doctrinally accurate, just emotional.  The preaching is focused on encouraging, at all cost.  Sin is seldom mentioned, as it is a ‘downer.’

Whether Dry or Hyper-Emotional, it is possible to be in a Church, and go away feeling like you haven’t been to Church. If you’ve experienced this feeling there is hope!

In these Last Days, the Holy Spirit continues to seek a Bride for the Son of God.  This Bride has a responsibility to ‘make herself ready’ (Rev. 19:7)  I believe Christian must make certain that they are feeding themselves.  Some Churches have devolved into social clubs or entertainment centers.  They no longer preach the ‘unsearchable riches of Christ. (Eph. 3:8).

I also believe that in these Last Days there will be a rise of new churches, including home churches, starting to help fill the spiritual void created by the Dry and Hyper-Emotional congregations.

In order for these new churches to survive, yea, thrive, they must NOT copy the modal of current Churches.  They must return to a Biblical pattern of ecclesiology, including a plurality of leaders (elders).

Furthermore, in order for these new Churches to fulfill their calling believers must stop expecting elders and churches to ‘do all’ and ‘be all.’  In Acts 6 the Apostles said their primary job was ‘prayer and the ministry of the Word’ not Zumba classes, or political rallies.  Christians should expect to be well-fed (spiritually) when they go to Church.

Yes, there must be discipline, fellowship, exhortation, et. al. but the Church must return to being a place of instruction, helping to prepare the Body of Christ to meet her Savior face-to-face.

We must return to being a people led solely by the Spirit, not denomination, tradition or preference.  Until this happens, Church will simply be a time to go through the motions of praise and worship, but failing to meet the spiritual needs of God’s people.

from TeachingChurch.net https://teachingchurch.net/when-is-church-not-church/

[teachingchurch]

Christ in Prophecy: 50 Reasons We Are in the End Times

Christ in Prophecy: 50 Reasons We Are in the End Times from Lamb & Lion Ministries on Vimeo.

  from TeachingChurch.net https://teachingchurch.net/christ-in-prophecy-50-reasons-we-are-in-the-end-times/

[teachingchurch]

God Sent Hurricanes

Jennifer Lawrence blamed Mother Nature and Donald Trump for Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, but Kirk Cameron has his own ideas on who sent them.

The actor said the hurricanes are “a spectacular display of God’s immense power” and he didn’t send them without reason.

“When he puts his power on display, it’s never without reason. There’s a purpose. And we may not always understand what that purpose is, but we know it’s not random and we know that weather is sent to cause us to respond to God in humility, awe and repentance,” he said in a video on Facebook.

The 46-year-old said the hurricanes should remind us that God “supplies our life, breath and everything else so that you and I reach out to him.”

Continue Reading

from TeachingChurch.net https://teachingchurch.net/god-sent-hurricanes/

[teachingchurch]

So LGBT Activists Do Want To Put Christians In Jail

During a TV interview in 2011, I quoted the words of a Christian lawyer who said that just as gay activists were once put in jail, they now want to put us in jail. For making this comment, I was vilified by Right Wing Watch, mocked by gay activists, and ridiculed by others.

I wonder what those critics are saying today in light of a recently proposed California bill that would send nursing home caregivers to jail for “misgendering” their nursing home patients. As a Daily Caller headline announces, “California Could Start Jailing People Who Don’t Use Transgender Pronouns.”

That’s right, “The law is currently limited in its effects to nursing homes and intermediate-care facilities, but if passed, those who ‘willfully and repeatedly’ refuse ‘to use a transgender resident’s preferred name or pronouns’ could be slapped with a $1,000 fine and up to one year in prison, according to the California Health and Safety code.”

Read more at http://www.prophecynewswatch.com/article.cfm?recent_news_id=1560#MoKtvlqf6ZWDLfpw.99

from TeachingChurch.net https://teachingchurch.net/so-lgbt-activists-do-want-to-put-christians-in-jail/

[teachingchurch]

Is There Biblical Significance To The August 21st Solar Eclipse?

from TeachingChurch.net https://teachingchurch.net/august-21/

[teachingchurch]

What If Churchs Were Led To Look For A New Pastor As Often As Pastors Are Led To Look For A New Church

from TeachingChurch.net https://teachingchurch.net/what-if-churchs-were-led-to-look-for-a-new-pastor-as-often-as-pastors-are-led-to-look-for-a-new-church/