Reflections


This collection of teachings was compiled under the guidance of the Holy Spirit over a period of nearly a year, and while a fair amount of editing and combining have taken place, your forbearance is requested for any duplication that may have occurred.
Most of the subjects covered in this volume are under headings and appear in the following order:

Chief Corner Stone ---- The Tree of Life ---- The Life of the Flesh ---- The Light of the World ---- Knowledge and Understanding[1] ---- With the heart man believeth ---- Nothing is impossible for God ---- Iniquity, Transgressions and Sins ---- God is unchanging ---- The Parable of the Pounds ---- The Only Begotten Son ---- The Firstfruit ---- What if? ---- God placed the knowledge of Him in us ---- Eternal Love ---- God is Love [1] ---- Concerning the Holy Spirit ---- Repentance ---- From Faith to Faith [1] ---- The Godhead ---- God of this age ---- To be Converted ---- You hath He quickened ---- Numerical values in the Bible ---- Why did God take the trouble to create us? ---- Jesus is coming again ---- You shall never die ---- Concerning Judgment ---- Knowledge and Understanding[2] ---- Fasting ---- Spirit Soul and Body ---- Called, Justified and Sanctified . . . . and Called ---- The Living God ---- God is Love [2] ---- The way, the gate and the way beyond ---- More on Faith [2] ---- The Person of Jesus ---- Give Thanks ---- Being Merciful ---- Pray, Prayer and Prayerfulness ---- Treasures in heaven ---- The Law ---- More on Faith [3] ---- When rebuking someone ---- God is Holy ---- Bravery, or desperation ---- Every knee should bow ---- Don't distress yourself ---- The Peace that God brings ---- God can do anything ---- Longsuffering ---- The Kingdom of God ---- Answered Prayer ---- What about me? ---- Conclusion

It's recommended that the contents of each teaching be printed out as needed, as this shall simplify and enrich the studying of its contents.
Reading aloud should also enhance the enjoyment of your deliberations

: Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee. Thou art the LORD the God, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham; And foundest his heart faithful before thee, and madest a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Jebusites, and the Girgashites, to give it, I say, to his seed, and hast performed thy words; for thou art righteous:; (Nehemiah 9:6-8); Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.; (Psalms 66:16); God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah. Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us. God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him; (Psalms 67:1-7); So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.; (Psalms 73:22-28)
Right in the beginning let us remind ourselves that:
God is a Spiritual person, Almighty, All-knowing, Ever-present
God is Holy.
God is Righteous.
God is Perfect.
God is Love.
God's name is Jealous.
God is True to His Word.
God is Spirit.

The Bible is Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth, and without the use of this Instruction Manual we are not able to stay on the spiritual path for long.
It is basic because only enough is told us to allow us to recognise the path we need to follow.
It is our Holy God's way of revealing Himself to those who are looking for something better than that which they have.

When we each get old we often reflect back on life to remember the good things that happened to us or our loved ones - very seldom the bad.
Over the years many revelations from the Lord God have been recorded on this web site¹ and it would seem that this old man needs to reflect back on them, and also " how much more" it is that God's glory is reflected in these pages; for someone out there in the world, in the now or in the future. (tomorrow never comes).
For many years, some of the following doctrines were hardly understood and as a result were passed over while reading God's word; to be studied at a more appropriate time for personal enlightenment and enrichment.
It's hoped that you will also be enriched while reading and exploring the depths and possibilities contained in God's word even though the subjects concerned have probably been dealt with in some way in previous messages on this web site.

Please read the Scripture passages in context under the leading of the Holy Spirit.

These snippets from the whole have been compiled over a period of months and therefore may seem disjointed in some respects, and duplication will undoubtedly occur.
I perceive that it is meant to be so, like titbits of sweetness taken in small doses, so that the Truths can be more fully appreciated, so take your time and savour them slowly.

In these pages our Lord Jesus Christ is admitted as having various attributes that show us spiritual truths cloaked in temporal examples.

The Holy Spirit has wonderfully sewed together many teachings in these pages; teachings scattered about in publications of different media, written at different times in history, by various men of God. These invaluable insights to practical inferences from the Bible have been extracted from the writings of those more noteworthy than this writer^*.
Identities have been changed or omitted from the teachings in these pages so that your heart or mind is not diverted from the Truth into a side channel. The Comforter will show you other paths if you ask in purity of heart.: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:; (Matthew 7:7)

Getting a structure built requires a Client, who has the vision and resources; A Designer, who can turn an idea into reality, and a Builder who has the technical know-how and the tools.
We can each become the tool that the Holy Spirit uses when building that Spiritual place, The New Jerusalem.


The truth of the Creator and the creation are mostly shrouded in mystery to those who were created. This means that it is very dangerous to presume why God the Creator did a certain thing or why He didn't:: Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.; (Romans 9:18-28)

He promised that He would reveal more to those who shall be with Him:: And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.; (Revelation 10:6-7)
This means that we are destined to know sufficient facts from the only source available; the words that He revealed to certain of His servants and which have been preserved in His word for the revelation of future generations.
Also, first of all we see that God knew which of those whom He created would preserve the word, and those who would not. The evidence of the existence of the Bible is proof of this. Further, the fact that His word is constantly being tampered with by the god of this world is evidence that it is God's word.
So, we professing Christians, most of whom do not study God's word very much, reveal our attitude to God by the altitude of our worship of Him. Our actions or lack thereof is evidence of the condition of our hearts, our conscience:: Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.; (Matthew 12:33-36)


So, it must firstly be accepted that we are enquiring about the past visit of the person who loves us so much that He died for us.
Our Saviour: Jesus Christ.
Secondly, that He also stands for a Spiritual Stone of Stumbling for the unwary, the unbelieving and the wicked. Who rose from the dead and Who stands as the Saviour of the world. Who is particularly the Saviour of those who react to His love with love and faith.

Only when we who love Him in return for His love for us, individually study His word (the word of the Word) do we come upon the knowledge and Spiritual understanding behind many seemingly meaningless or mysterious mind pictures which are lessons for our everlasting benefit, and that of the Kingdom of which we have each become citizens.

Our Lord and Master is the archetype of many descriptive capacities given in the Owner's Manual for our edification. Here are some:
Chief Corner Stone.
Every building must be placed in a predetermined place on a piece of land, for various reasons. The placing of the building is usually measured from a point of reference to a corner of the building, and all measurements of the setting out of the building are taken from this chief corner.
Traditionally, a few coins are placed in the mortar under the first brick laid which is on this corner.
In the lives of Christians, the Chief Corner Stone of the temple in our hearts is Him who died for us.: What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others. And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?; (Mark 12:9-11)

Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
Jesus Christ is the foundation on which the work that we are doing is built.
The building which is the Temple of God will be perfect, just as God is Perfect and no imperfections will be allowed to adorn its walls or roof. If we want to be part of it, the work that we do on it must be acceptable, to God only.

Here are some other temporal examples which have a Spiritual explanation:: Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.; (1 Peter 2:1-10)
: Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.; (1 Peter 2:11-25)

The Tree of Life
A tree is made up of a mysterious place called the kernel where the life of the tree resides.
Below this area are the roots that obtain food and water to sustain growth, and above the kernel grows the stem of body of the tree. The stem is made up of dead wood called the heartwood; wood which is designed to hold the tree upright against the winds; and the living wood close to the bark which sends nutrients to the leaves and brings back air chlorophyll etc. from the leaves. Around the stem is the bark which acts as the protection layer, which, if penetrated allows harmful ingress of foreign bodies.
All are dependant one on another, but the key is the kernel, which can do without food and water for a time, for example while being transported from one location to another, as it has the ability to grow new roots and stem. If the kernel is deprived of life-giving requirements it will die; and becomes firewood, where the latent power becomes heat for another to use.: I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.; (John 15:1-8); For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.; (Romans 11:13-18)
The Life of the Flesh
All living things have a mysterious place somewhere inside them where their "life" resides. In humans it is probably the "heart". You must have heard of the phrase "now moving on, let's get to the heart of things." This surely means "let's get back to basics."
The heart is also the place where emotional and spiritual decisions are made:: And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.; (Genesis 6:5-7)
Remember David the shepherd boy:: And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.; (1 Samuel 13:13-14)
(we see here that God also has a heart, a soul)

Also God said:: And whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people. For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. Therefore I said unto the children of Israel, No soul of you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger that sojourneth among you eat blood. And whatsoever man there be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, which hunteth and catcheth any beast or fowl that may be eaten; he shall even pour out the blood thereof, and cover it with dust.; (Leviticus 17:10-13)

The heart does the pumping of this life sustaining liquid.
Moreover, anyone who kills another has the responsibility of answering the question why before the Giver of life.

The resurrected Jesus could not have had a body of flesh. It must have been a spiritual body, like the one manifested to Abraham:: And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground, And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant: Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree: And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.; (Genesis 18:1-5)
and Joshua:: And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.; (Joshua 5:13-15)


The Light of the World
Jesus Christ is the Saviour while there are those to save: now, through His word and His partner the Holy Spirit. Later at His coming for His own, when it seems that the Holy Spirit departs, for He is not needed anymore, He, Jesus, is still the Saviour. He will stand up for those who bear His mark on their earlobes on the Day of Judgement and is still the Saviour.
When His task is completed and all things are subject to Him He will be joined to the Holy Spirit and God the Father.: If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.; (1 Corinthians 15:19-28)


Knowledge and Understanding
Man has been given sufficient when formed to know right from wrong; knowledge that there is a God who formed us; further knowledge that we can acquire by the will to search further, and understanding of what to do with that knowledge.
God made us each in His image (He is Spirit) for His purpose, and because He is Perfect, His purpose is good. God therefore wants us to become good because He is Good. Also because He is Good he will not have imperfection in His Presence. This means perfection as He sees it, not as we perceive it.: For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,; (Romans 1:17-22); For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.; (Romans 1:18-32); But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:; (Romans 2:5-10)


With the heart man believeth unto righteousness:: Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.; (Jeremiah 17:5-10); And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years. And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.; (Acts 13:21-22); Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.; (Romans 6:16-18); But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you. But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.; (Romans 10:8-21)

All the words in the world, all the preaching ever done is useless to man until he is touched in the heart, and is prepared to get out of his comfort zone. We cannot understand the words that we read in the Bible until we allow God to change us. We then become new creatures with understanding of spiritual truths. Bible study is nothing without the guidance of God the Holy Spirit.
Conversion does not come with observation but with understanding. It's not what's without but what's within:: Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.; (Proverbs 20:20)
We can only believe when we understand what God is offering.: And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.; (Luke 17:20-21)

It is time that you and I understand why we have a Triune God; three persons in one; one purpose, and that is to make their creation understand what this purpose is and then give him or her the opportunity of choosing their own destiny.

First, we have God the Father who "planned" it all.
Then we have God the Son who showed what the plan was and how to obtain knowledge thereof.
Thirdly, we have God the Holy Spirit living inside those who choose everlasting life, revealing Himself; comforting, guiding and protecting His citizens.: And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.; (Isaiah 54:13); Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease. He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony. He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.; (John 3:25-36); It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.; (John 6:45)

In my case, knowledge was gained of the evil nature of men, in a local environment and in the environment of nations. So when a servant of God, an evangelist from New Zealand revealed in one of his videos that the evil in the world was universal and its source was a spiritual person with the name of Satan, my intellect (my brain) told me that this was true,
I was now ripe for conversion
When my heart revealed that this included me, the shock caused immediate response and at that moment in time the Holy Spirit revealed the Spiritual Truth of the war for men's souls; causing the awakened soul to joyfully choose Jesus as Saviour; determining to withstand and work against the evil in a way that He chose for me to do.
Change my heart oh God
Make it ever true
Change my heart oh God
May I be like You

You are the potter, I am the clay
Mould me and make me this is what I pray

I had answered the knock:: As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.; (Revelation 3:19-22)
The knowledge of God had moved from the intellectual of the head to the Spiritual of the heart. The heart now rules the head.

The heart can be happy in our Lord Jesus, but the mind can still overrule the heart. This is called willing sin.

I was converted but not empowered yet, had to believe unto righteousness first, and when coming up out of the waters of baptism of repentance, and because I wanted it hands were laid on and I was also baptised in the knowledge and power of the Holy Spirit who had been standing by, so to say, for commitment. This did not result in the "speaking in tongues".
Once this happens you know that you know that God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are real living persons residing in the newly discovered Spiritual Kingdom and in time believe that they all reside in you and have a purpose for your life.
Each of Them has a Spiritual identity differing one from the other. Did you ever realise that you will also have a Spiritual identity, differing from the one that you are known by here, determined according to your works here which will be revealed then, for the glory of the Master, for the glory of God the Father, by the guiding of God the Comforter.

That event was a miracle of His love and grace, and there have been others, and hundreds of manifestations of the presence and comfort of the Holy Spirit through the years.
For example, the Holy Spirit has many, many times used His word at the right time while the pages of these teachings were being compiled; through the Bible expressly and also through the writings and conversations of others. Such as, while writing a passage of Scripture usually just a few phrases come into focus, the Bible is picked up and when opened it is at the right page and the relevant passage is there right before the eyes.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Also, the obedient servant is at this time comforted with the warmness of the indwelling Holy Spirit when he or she sees the light that shines in the faces of those whose hearts have suddenly seen the Great Light of Truth.
If remaining faithful, there is the joy of the Promise.
Yea!
Glory to the Living God!


Nothing is impossible for God.: And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.; (Luke 18:27)

What a privilege it is to serve the Living God!: Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.; (2 Corinthians 4:1-5); But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.; (1 John 2:27)
You may wonder if the following is at all possible.
Please believe that God can do anything!
Nothing is impossible for God. We are all inclined to place God in a picture frame, a spiritual picture frame of our own making - of what we envisage Him to be like.
For example, why are there three Gods; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?
Does there need to be?
God the Son is the Saviour of the world, the Covenant Representative on behalf of man.
God the Holy Spirit is the Comforter who also does His redemptive work for mankind.

Why are three parts of the Godhead needed? Only because of God's love for man, and He (they) needed to demonstrate that love in a way that our sinful souls could comprehend.
We, in this household have experienced many Spiritual manifestations from God, and further, been able to discern these manifestations and thank Him, from answered prayer to outright miracles. Hallelujah!
Verily, verily God can do anything, far above our wildest dreams and expectations:: Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.; (Luke 21:14-15); I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.; (John 16:12-15)

Nothing is impossible to the Heavenly Father, the only begotten Son or the Holy Spirit: in this time and space and any other place temporal or Spiritual - now or ever!: Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;; (2 Corinthians 10:5); That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:; (Ephesians 1:17); Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,; (Philippians 3:8); Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.; (1 Timothy 2:4); For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,; (Hebrews 10:26); Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.; (James 3:13); Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.; (2 Peter 1:1-8)


A very short Spiritual history of the present world, its inhabitants and its future:: Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. 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. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.; (John 14:1-24)
After studying this wonderful passage of Scripture, see if you can prayerfully trace the Golden Thread that our Living God has woven through the pages of His word to you, of all that you need to know of His Wonderful love and to understand your future destiny.


The Holy Spirit, who is our God who lives inside us and uses us to promote and strengthen the Kingdom of which we are citizens, has various ways of doing this with imperfect vessels, according to the strengths of those citizens.: Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.; (1 Corinthians 12:1-31); Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.; (1 Corinthians 13:1-13); Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.; (1 Corinthians 14:1-12)
So, after painstakingly studying the above it becomes clear that the assets that man receives from the Godhead are there for the provision and benefit of others that He is calling to becoming citizens of His (our) Kingdom and not for man's personal gratification or glory.
There must be a Kingdom fruit as a result of any gift or manifestation.


Iniquity, Transgressions and Sins
In the world today we have people who are ignorant, people who are evil, those who are wicked, those who are weak of heart, the proud, the presumptuous, iniquitous, transgressors, sinners.
And a few sinners whose sins were forgiven and are being forgiven.
The field is large, too large (and boring) for this discourse so let's see what the last three above mean by studying various sources, bearing in mind that certain words may have slightly different meanings today from when they were written.

God is Good:: And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.; (Isaiah 6:3); And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.; (Exodus 34:6-7); And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.; (Joshua 24:19)
Iniquity: injustice; wickedness; a crime. Evil thoughts. Willing or habitual rebellion; a wicked disposition.

Those who's thoughts are evil cannot perceive God's goodness. We all need to be changed in our inner being. We probably need a crisis in our lives and when that occurs and we see the Spiritual light and later backslide, it will be worse for us than if we had never been shown and walked the narrow road: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.; (John 1:1-5); O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.; (Matthew 12:34-37); When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.; (Matthew 12:43-45); Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.; (Matthew 27:64); Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk? And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place. Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.; (John 5:12-14); But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.; (1 Timothy 5:8); Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.; (Romans 6:16-23); For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.; (Hebrews 6:4-6); Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.; (2 Peter 2:15-22)
Transgressions: to overstep, exceed: to infringe - to offend by violating a law: to sin.

This is willing sin, and is usually done repeatedly even though we know that the thought or action displeases the Holy God.
A good example in South Africa is racism; white against black, and black against white; even though we as Christians know that the Creator of all things, temporal and spiritual, made us all in His image for His good purpose.
This evil is dealt with in a different way by our God and will be dealt with more fully when we come to study the parable of the Pounds in Luke chapter nineteen.
However, here's one to start with:: And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.; (Matthew 22:1-14)

Now, if you believe that Jesus died for you, you will probably go on as before.
However, if you believe and now understand something of the above for the first time you will do something about it.: Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.; (Matthew 7:21)

Sin: A moral offence or shortcoming - often against someone. Please note that sins are made against God!
We must all beware of insidiously growing cold, of becoming hypocrites:
God is holy, therefore anything done that displeases our Holy Creator will be dealt with in Holy anger:: And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise. And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.; (John 2:13-17); And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.; (Mark 11:15-17)

God is unchanging.
He demands a sacrifice of blood to be made before He will overlook sins, which sign of repentant heart will result in forgiveness of past sins. An ongoing ceremony.
As we remember from studying the teaching of "The Blood Covenant" on this web site, Jesus of Nazareth paid for our sins with His own life and blood on the cross.
Once we believe this our past sins are forgiven and not reckoned to us anymore.
God knows that we cannot rid ourselves from our Adamic nature in this life and has therefore obviated the need of a physical blood sacrifice because Jesus did that for all those who become believers.
However, God the Father expects us to be obedient to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, who lives in the bodies of believers.
This Adamic sinful nature is built into us and each time you or I do such a thing and thereafter repent thereof we shall be forgiven.

Here's something concerning the righteousness of God that we should spend some time meditating on:: But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds:; (Romans 2:2-6); We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:; (2 Thessalonians 1:3-8); Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.; (1 Peter 3:8-12)


The Parable of the Pounds
There is much to learn from this parable⁵ of Jesus of Nazareth. While it was narrated to many simple people of the time, there is so much more that you and I may not have previously discerned while studying the words. Different levels and paths and ways for our education and joy:: And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.; (Luke 19:11-27)

Firstly, we see that Jesus was talking to the unsaved about His destiny.
Secondly, Jesus of Nazareth knew what His destiny was (He couldn't climb on the wrong air plane).
Thirdly He knew that only a few would find the strait gate.

You also, dear reader, must please not lose sight of the fact that Jesus was talking about values, Spiritual gifts, loving obedience etc.
There were ten pounds distributed, to His ten servants. Do you think that He needed a return on His investment? He was after all going to receive a Kingdom.
Secondly, there were ten servants involved, what happened to the other seven not mentioned?

This means then that this example of three was used for illustrative purposes.
So, this parable has hidden messages that need to be delved for, for our profit. The main message is that there is a difference in rewards according to obedience as a result of love.

It also does not teach for how long the Master was away.

How hard did the servants have to work to obtain an increase of the Master's assets? Always not long enough, because some did not measure up to expectations.

It also goes without saying that if they enriched their Master while He was away there would be more to go around.

Who did the nobleman receive the Kingdom from?

Also, there were citizens of the Kingdom who didn't want the King to reign over them. Who were these? In the Christian Kingdom they were and are those christians who want to live in the Kingdom their way, possibly wanting to make demands of various kinds as they feel that they have certain "rights".

Moreover, when the King returned with His crown He must have obtained more servants, commanding the original ten to appear before Him.
So, one servant of the ten returned the pound entrusted to him with ten more. His reward was the ten which he had laboured for as well as to rule over ten cities in his King's name and receive a pound belonging to the Master in addition. This servant was rewarded with two kinds of benefits. He did his "utmost for his Highest". He could be trusted implicitly.

There is a hymn entitled "Give Your Best to the Master" Do you know what your best is?
It's very often in the period of our first love. When, like feet slowly growing cold in winter, we realise that we aren't on fire as we used to be, something had better be done about it.
After all, the Man who died for me is the Master.

So, fruit and time are our limiting criteria, even though the rut that we are each in is so comfortable for our souls and bodies.

The next servant summoned gained 5 and handed back 6. He also received the praise of his Master who was now the King.
The third servant summoned gave back what he originally received. This, I think typifies the position of many Christians professing to be reborn today.: A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.; (Matthew 7:18-20); The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;

Concerning the wicked servant: firstly he was a servant but needed to be driven by the Master to do anything. When left alone in a position of trust, he was found wanting. He neglected his duty.

It would seem then, of the three servants represented, one loved his Master (he had a pierced ear), one was dutiful and one disliked or feared Him.

Seemingly the first servant had more ability to serve the Master and was entrusted with more authority in the household. What he did with the pound entrusted him was a test to see how faithful he was according to his ability.

And the citizens who hated Him, but waited until He was away before declaring the state of their hearts?
Those carnal christians, bench warmers, on the broad way to destruction, and all others who believe in Jehovah (also by other names) but reject what Jesus of Nazareth did on the cross and became their Saviour?
We know what shall happen to them.

As a famous Christian preacher has stated "good people don't go to heaven, Christians go to heaven".
And here is the verse of Scripture that our Government has ruled may not be repeated because some may be offended:: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.; (John 14:6)
By the way, here's another passage, one of so many others that they haven't discovered yet.: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.; (Philippians 2:5-12)

We see that the Master left His dominion for a while with unworthy citizens, however when He returned King, He had power to reward, rebuke or destroy them.

So, in these few words of a parable given by a future King to His followers we have virtually the whole purpose of God to us revealed for our instruction.
Professing Christian who is reading this - where do you fit in?

Do those going up to Jesus reign with Him for 1000 years? Earthly body or spiritual?
The King came back into this world and rewarded the faithful for use in another dispensation.

My friend, the level of loving consecration⁶ that you freely offer to your Creator shall result in the level of rewards that God shall bestow on you, especially when it is revealed that your consecration, which results in glory to God, is all the reward that you desire.

The Cities that we shall rule over show:

In the parable of the sower, Matthew records the words of Jesus:: But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.; (Matthew 13:23)
Glory to the Living God!

Delving a little deeper:
We read that the Master came back as King and then gave rewards which were according to performance.
What position did each servant hold before He left? Did one have a more responsible position in the household than most of the others; meaning that he had better opportunities to turn the money over to advantage?
What happened while the Master was away?
Now, whether we are black, purple, brown, red, pink, yellow or white, or wear a cowboy hat, we each live in a different environment with different challenges.
For example, a pink-skinned Christian living in North America will have more opportunity of spreading the gospel that a tribesman in Borneo.

The power of the Internet is only available to some, the Power of God is available to all!

Part of the answer is revealed if we read the message of the parable in context; it concerned the repentance of Zaccheaus the tax collector.: And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.; (Luke 19:1-11)

Bearing in mind that the baptism of repentance was preached by Jesus at the time; there was no baptism into the Holy Spirit which was only preached about a couple of times in general (Luke 7:24-28 and Luke 16:14-17), and once at the Last Supper to His disciples who were to become preachers of the gospel (John 14:23-28).
It also concerned the belief that the Kingdom of God should shortly come and Jesus had to clarify this misunderstanding, and which was done in this parable at this time.
In other words, Jesus was telling the Jews of the time, and anyone reading the parable, that He was coming back as King.
To be accepted by mankind as such, or not.

The common denominator between these two situations is therefore the condition of the hearts of the servants of their King. They were rewarded according to the desires of their hearts, abilities and circumstances:: And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years. And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.; (Acts 13:21-22)

Moreover, we of today have the potential of the Holy Spirit living in us to comfort us with the faith that the Father, the Son and He are living with us and in each of us.

Surely then, if we have faith as of a mustard seed and pursue the knowledge and understanding thereof, we can do the works that Jesus did?
Has anyone yet moved a mountain and cast it into the sea in one operation?

Fellow Christian, is Jesus going to smile upon you when you meet Him in Paradise?
Are you hopeful of fearful?
How real is He to you?

How difficult it is for us to grasp the reality of God's Spiritual presence in our bodies when we are so far from Him in our thoughts and actions. Faith comes when we hear the word of God aloud from it's pages and then willingly live by the values of His and our Kingdom. And with this comes the discovery of the joy and Comfort that the Creator of the universe loves us so that He lives right inside each of us.
He cannot be closer than that. We cannot but love Him in return. (If I love you, I take pleasure in pleasing you, not so?)
When this wonderful realisation happens we also perceive that one day the roles shall be altered and we will be highly exalted and live with Him, our Creator. Forever.

It will happen!

Here's more:
Further concerning the servant who folded the pound in a napkin:
Firstly, the pounds were lent to the servants to use for the Master's benefit. They knew that there was a day of reckoning coming sometime in the future.
The two servants who added to the value of the assets lent to them for the advantage of their Master were honoured with authority in the Kingdom, and given the increase that they obtained from their trading while He was away. It is doubtful if they expected anything in return for doing their duty to their Master.
However, servant number three was fearful, and judged his Master in his own eyes, according to his own set of values. He did not love and respect his Master enough to do anything for Him, even though at some time he became a servant and therefore was dependant upon his Master for his living.
I wonder how many millions of so-called Christians are in a similar position - who claim the protection of the Master but do nothing for "their" future Kingdom.
That servant was called wicked, and although still a servant (one who serves) he had nothing to show for his servanthood.
Those self proclaimed Christians are in for a nasty shock when the expectations of their Spiritual position becomes a reality and they face the wrath of their Righteous Master.

Our Holy and Righteous God can do anything:: And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.; (Mark 14:36)
Certain things are done that we do not understand, but are not done without His glorious and majestic purpose.

The Holy Spirit is sent to us when we are converted.
This means that, unlike the greatly beloved Daniel, we have direct communication with God the Father and God the Son.
Now comes the hard part, like deciding to stop smoking. We need to choose to be obedient to the promptings of God, to be a witness, a soldier for Him against the enemy.
Are you willing to "occupy till He comes" or, like the wicked servant who wrapped his loaned pound in a napkin, just sit there waiting for time to end?

Now, reflecting on the parable, and particularly the servants, we note that there were ten servants, but only three are mentioned. This shows us that the parable is a teaching of a system instead of a series of events, a spiritual system of Government that rules by love and not by law, which must be borne in mind while contemplating the implications.
This means then that the first servant loved his Master so much that he did his utmost for the system, not caring what might happen to him, believing that his Loving Master would return as King.
His reward was the trust and privilege of having immediate authority to rule over ten cities of the Kingdom on behalf of the system of love.
He also received ten pounds of value that he worked for - as well as the pound originally lent to the third servant. This illustrates that he received rewards according to his labour of love.

The second servant also laboured, but not to the same extent of love as the first. He also received a reward according to his labours, but, it seems, without as many personal rewards.

Now we come to the third servant. We do not know the circumstances as to how he became a servant, but it is very clear that he did not love his Master very much, if at all. He certainly did no labour for His King, and though he remained a servant, it was without reward.

We need go no further as it is clear what happened to those who hated the returning King.

So, my friend, where do you fit in?
You will fit in somewhere because you (and I) will never die.
: Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven;; To His feet thy tribute bring.; Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,; Evermore His praises sing:; Alleluia! Alleluia!; Praise the everlasting King.

You or I don't need to be a monk to be used by the Living God; we still need to be part of the world to be able to tell the good news to others, even though we cannot be of the world and take part in the world's evil.


The Holy Spirit of God who is omnipotent, omniscient, living inside us, communicating with us who are members of the Tribe for the overpowering of the enemy, is bringing nearer the coming of Christ Jesus our Saviour and King:: Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.; (Matthew 13:36-43)


The Only Begotten Son
Abraham had many sons, but only one, the child of his wife Sarah was the legal one which received the heir's blessings:: And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking. Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac. And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son. And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.; (Genesis 21:9-12)
The story of Abraham and Isaac is a shadow of what was to come: the Son of the Father becoming the sacrifice of blood:: And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.; (Genesis 22:1-2); For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.; (John 3:16-18)

Jesus is the only begotten Son even though He was with God the Father when the physical world was made.
Because no man has seen God the Father, all the following Spiritual manifestations that are mentioned in the Old Covenant were the person of Jesus:: And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,; Genesis 18:2); For mine Angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites: and I will cut them off.; (Exodus 23:23); And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.; (Joshua 5:13-15); And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son. Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing: For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.; (Judges 13:3-5)
Moreover, they were Spiritual manifestations.
When the Holy Spirit came upon Mary and she gave birth to her first begotten son, the Spiritual Man became a temporal man as well.
This is interesting because Jesus of Nazareth was the first God-man that was ever created on this world.
And He became the first man-God when He was resurrected from physical death.
The purpose why Jesus was manifested in the flesh was as the result of God's love to us whom He created.
He wanted that all men who, as a result of Eve's original sin were under Satan's control, to have a path opened up back to His presence as it was in the garden of Eden.

By now you should understand the purpose and importance of the Blood Covenant that Jesus made on our behalf. His blood instead of ours for our sins to be forgiven, and our opportunity to take advantage of the door that is open to God's Presence. The only way.

Jesus was begotten² for only one reason, which was to give us the opportunity of renewing our state with our Creator.
Man-God, man-Covenant, God waiting for us.
Jesus of Nazareth was God-man. He was sinless; He was trustworthy. God the Father trusted Him explicitly to perform the Blood Covenant ceremony of the crucifixion even though Jesus knew what was coming to Him.
When Jesus died on the cross, He was found worthy - of great favour and was highly exalted.
As Jesus of Nazareth, He was God-man because of flesh and blood. When the Lord Jesus Christ revealed Himself to His disciples later in the upper room, could walk through walls and change His appearance before men, He was man-God.

Also, both in the Old Covenant and New, up to the present, He, that is the Person, has always been the agent of God to mankind. He has always been our Saviour, Master and Friend and continues to be so in the present and shall be so until He hands over His responsibility to God the Father.: And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.; (1 Corinthians 15:28)

The Firstborn - the firstfruits of Spiritual man:: Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.; (1 Corinthians 15:12-28)
So, Jesus of Nazareth was God in the flesh.
Jesus Christ is the first Spiritual man.
Seen from a different perspective, He was God who had one foot on earth and has become Man in the Spirit. He could truly say that He was the door; the gate - representing the strait gate, with one side in the world (on the broad way) and the other the narrow way that leads to the Father.
Praise to the King who reigns in righteousness
Glory to the Master reigning on the Throne
Worthy Master, worthy of honour
Holy holy precious and loving are You


The Firstfruit
As we have seen above, Jesus Christ is described in God's word as the firstfruits.

Have you ever considered that Jesus Christ is both man: And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.; (Luke 24:36-49); If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.; (1 Corinthians 15:19-28); There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.; (1 Corinthians 15:41-50); Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:; (Philippians 2:5-9); For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.; (1 Timothy 2:5-6)


O Love that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
That in thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.
O light that followest all my way,
I yield my flickering torch to thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in thy sunshine's blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be.
O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shall tearless be.
O Cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from thee;
I lay in dust life's glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red
Life that shall endless be.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Will your anchor hold in the storms of life
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift and the cables strain
Will your anchor drift or firm remain?
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move
Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour's love.
It is safely moored, 'twill the storm withstand
For 'tis well secured by the Saviour's hand;
Though the tempest rage and the wild winds blow,
Not an angry wave shall our bark o'er-flow
Chorus
When our eyes behold through the gathering night
The city of gold, our harbour bright,
We shall anchor fast by the heavenly shore
With the storms all past forevermore.
Chorus
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Hail! Thou once despised Jesus!
Hail, Thou Gal-i-le-an King!
Thou didst suffer to release us;
Thou didst free salvation bring.
Hail, Thou agonising Saviour,
Bearer of our sin and shame!
By Thy merits we find favour;
Life is given through Thy name.
Paschal Lamb, by God appointed,
All our sins on Thee were laid;
By almighty love anointed,
Thou hast full atonement made,
All Thy people are forgiven,
Through the virtue of Thy blood;
Opened is the gate of heaven;
Peace is made twixt man and God.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Renew your mind from the earthly to the Spiritual:
Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

(Isaiah 1:16-19)

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

(Romans 12:1-2)

If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

(Ephesians 4:21-25)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Did you ever know that the rainbow of light has seven colours?
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

(1 John 1:5-7)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

(Matthew 7:13-24)
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What if ?
What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)

(Romans 3:1-5)

What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

(Romans 9:22)

Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

(Ephesians 5:17)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
God placed the knowledge of Him in us
We are born with the knowledge that God exists, but it's up to each of us to start the search for the Truth that sets us free from Satan's bondage.
God made us in His image to worship Him; if we do not search for Him who we know exists and are obedient to the will of our Creator and the Man who died for us, we prove ourselves unworthy to be with Him one day. If we follow the doctrines of men:
Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

(Matthew 15:1-9)

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

(Romans 1:17-21)

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

(2 Peter 1:2-3)
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Eternal Love
The following is for mature Christians, those who have had a Supernatural - a Spiritual encounter with Almighty God through the Blood of Jesus Christ and the resultant manifestation of the Holy Spirit and have remained faithful - who still have that first love for their Creator.
Because we are looking at some "what ifs" please recognise that we are possibly going to be treading on the very edge of what God is allowing us to know and certain ideas might be considered heresy by some.
Please fasten your seat belts.
God is Love.
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

(1 John 4:8)

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

(1 John 4:16)
I reckon that there are very few of us who even vaguely understand what this means. It's not only what God practices, but what He is. Do you agree?
Being the Creator, God is the source of all love. The knowledge thereof is something imparted to us at conception, part of our soul - of our heart.
It is the catalyst³ that shows us the difference between what is good and what is evil, and is placed there as the vehicle through which we make decisions every day, some to involuntary righteousness, and others that we will have to make on a regular basis.
When you love someone you want to do him or her good, not so?
When that person reciprocates that love you cannot do enough for him or her, not so?
God is love.
Jesus loved you and I before we were born. Surely then, once He has revealed Himself to each of us, person to person, we will love Him in return?
How does this love of the created to the Creator reveal itself? By loving obedience to the will of our Creator.
This is the whole purpose that should be uppermost in the minds and souls of the believer's life. All other things should take second place. This entails a change of perspective - the will to change, in gratefulness; and then allow the Comforter to do His will through our minds, souls and bodies.
The Holy Spirit of God needs this for His righteous and holy purpose, to work in Satan's kingdom - through a Covenantal servant and friend. He will not do it in any other way as it would be unrighteous and imperfect.
When the Holy Spirit is taken out of the way His task is done as there will be no more men available to comfort and He will return from whence He came. (2 Thessalonians chapter 2).
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
We do not yet know where God came from. We do not yet have the ability to understand the concept. We do not need to know, but just to believe and worship. Not so?
Here's another question: where did Jesus come from?
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

(John 1:1-5)

These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

(John 17:1-5)

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.

(John 17:14)
Jesus was there before creation, therefore He had to be Spirit, as Father God is Spirit:
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

(John 4:23-24)
When the Pharisees accused Jesus of being Beelzebub they revealed their sinful and in this case, evil nature:
Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

(Matthew 12:22-30)
The answer that Jesus gave shows us God's nature, which is above all that we can conceive.
Not only is God the source of everything - He is everything. God is love.
God loved Him then and loves Him now, even though Jesus Christ is a Spiritual Man, with a body that can appear and disappear, can change shape and appearance.
Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of a Spiritual Person - God Almighty.
It seems therefore that Jesus Christ is the bridge between the natural, temporary world and that of the everlasting Kingdom; that of God's Presence.
Did God make a temporal world so that He could place man thereon to make eternal decisions?
Didn't God ask Jesus to go to the temporary world to be the ultimate sacrifice, so that temporary man could make eternal decisions?
Did God and Jesus conceive this as plan B after Eve was the first to sin?
God can do anything, He is above mere power and is far above the need of making plans.
Surely then God our Creator is Love and wants us, the created, to love Him of our own free will.
On our part, the amount we love Him in return is revealed by the amount of our obedience to His word?
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Concerning the Holy Spirit:
Our blest Redeemer, ere He breathed
His tender last farewell,
A Guide, a Comforter, bequeathed
With us to dwell.
He came in semblance of a dove,
With sheltering wings outspread,
The holy balm of peace and love
On earth to shed.
He came in tongues of living flame
To teach, convince, subdue,
All powerful as the wind He came
As viewless too.
He came sweet influence to impart,
A gracious, willing Guest,
While He can find one humble heart
Wherein to rest.
And His that gentle voice we hear,
Soft as the breath of even,
That checks each fault, that calms each fear,
And speaks of Heaven.
And every virtue we possess,
And every conquest won,
And every thought of holiness,
Are His alone.
Spirit of purity and grace,
Our weakness, pitying, see:
O make our hearts Thy dwelling place
And worthier Thee.
The work of the Holy Spirit in us has many facets.
Firstly, He is God - He is Holy.
Secondly, He is the Spirit of Jesus our Saviour, and when He is present and not quenched, we worship Jesus Christ.
Thirdly, when we prostrate our wills before our God in the privacy of our closets, He COMFORTS us with the presence of Jesus our Saviour.
Fourthly, He is the Harbinger of early Spring, of the Coming.
Fifthly, He works through us in Power and Truth to overcome Satan and his worldly power because we have chosen to submit to His Lordship.
There is a gulf between the Godhead, who live in the eternal Spiritual world, and mankind who lives in His created, temporal and physical world.
Please try and grasp the fact that the Kingdom, the place of God, is the real world. If you believe in God, then it should become obvious that God lives in a better place than we do, and the world as we know it shall be destroyed.
When we are born again of the Holy Spirit we are occasionally given a glimpse of the real world, usually in a time of deep devotion in our closets.
Have you realised perhaps that He lives inside us, He hears our every word and knows our every thought? Moreover, when you pray to God do you comprehend that He is actually in you and with you, and hears every word that you wilfully pray; that He hears as it's uttered?
Do you pray in a vague way, or direct your attention to God on His throne in heaven? Or do you pray to the Holy Spirit who is always in the closet with you?
Do you talk to Him as a friendly Master who answers you back and initiates worshipful thoughts?
Have you experienced His Presence in your day to day living, that sometimes you are "fortuitously" in the right place at the right time?
This, I believe, is the Comfort the Bible speaks of.
Fortunately, we cannot just drift into having the Holy Spirit infilling us. This is just as well as otherwise we would have in heaven another denomination with all its trimmings.
Without the Holy Spirit's presence in our bodies guiding us, we cannot grasp heavenly things and therefore cannot fit in. Like the figurative saying "a wolf in sheep's clothing."
This means that before you or I can be filled with the Holy Spirit of God we must desire it.
Then we must find out what that entails by studying God's word, talking to Him believing that He hears us, listening for His gentle voice and trying to live in obedience to His will.
Then we must ask for the infilling, believing.
When we receive the infilling, our outlook on life changes and we become new inside; old values shall pass away: and we shall want to labour for our King, to be available when He asks "Who shall go for us?"
Further, my friend, you do not have to be a church member, or even attend a church, you could be a farmer in the Karoo or the wilds of Australia and answer God's call. If the call is from Him you shall find the way to fulfil it, even though it seems impossible. It shall be revealed to your willing soul. What a wonderful privilege!
Now, my friend, please pause here in your reading, make a cup of tea or something; go out and smell the flowers for a few minutes.
Have you finished your tea?
Now again, did the four words in italics in the above sentence mean anything special to you?
The Holy Spirit is the Comforter because He continually comforts us with Spiritual manifestations to show us how He loves us as we walk in loving obedience.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
It doesn't help calling Jesus your Lord and living as you always have with the same relationship in society as a heathen. This will not entitle you to be with Jesus Christ one day.
We need to live Jesus now as He commanded, and He will be able to fight Satan in his own kingdom through the Holy Spirit who lives in each reborn human.
We shall be known by the Godhead by our thoughts and fruits. All will become known.
Study and see if you can understand this teaching of Jesus:
At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

(Matthew 18:1-14)
You see, He is not talking about little children, but using the example as an allegory⁴ of what He expects of us.
Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of you should perish.
If Jesus Christ is represented as the strait [to constrain, confine, constrict] gate that we must each pass through, then the Holy Spirit has the key to the lock on that gate.
The gate cannot be opened unless we each plead with Him to do so with a humble and contrite heart.
If you cannot accept this saying as true, either you have not read and studied God's words, or you will not accept them as applying to you.
That is a shame; that one of God's creatures will not jump at the chance of living with Him the Creator.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Repentance.
You've heard and read about repentance an awful lot since you became a "Christian" and started going to church, not so?
What does repentance actually mean?
Well, firstly it means that God has revealed Himself to you when you were first convicted that there is in reality a God; A Great and Mighty Spiritual Person somewhere out there in the invisible environment, someone with fearful Majesty.
Secondly, you realise that you would like Him to like you because He is Good.
Thirdly, you decide that you had better do something about it. Now, not tomorrow. This is called commitment.
Fourthly, you get on your knees with your head on the floor and plead with Him to change you because you are not good.
God then looks at your heart and if you are sincere, God the Holy Spirit will supernaturally enter your body and start showing you things that you could not grasp before.
You are now a new, spiritual, person and old carnal values shall diminish in importance and "the things of the world grow strangely dim". The Holy Spirit gives us each inward moral ability to do right, and do God's work because we trust Him and have given our wills over to His discretion.
Further repentance will continue from time to time because of our sinful nature.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
First there is faith by conviction as a result of the call of God.
Following the law of righteousness is a moral law that far transcends any human law, for human law is there for the lawless, but God's law is there for the reborn who gladly follow it even though there are some who do not know what it is.
You've heard of the phrase "morally obliged" not so?
Here is a new twist to its meaning. Our spiritual morals are now such that we want to follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit, because He is God and is Perfect.
He shows us what Jesus, the man who died for us, taught us. Perhaps there are some teachings that are still unclear? Ask the Holy Spirit to show you; and expect and look forward to an answer.
The relationship between God the Holy Spirit and man, in this carnal world of which Satan is king, can only be as rich and powerful as man will allow it to be.
Remembering that this is so and bearing in mind that nothing is impossible with God, we believe that God wants it this way. However, the purpose of God seems to be that man must choose which side he is on now, which means that if he is a willing and faithful servant here and now, he shall be a good and faithful servant when given rule over a number of Cities when Jesus is King. [In the thousand year reign of Christ?]
If this "what if" is true , there is a Celestial sifting process in place, one that has been going on "since Adam was a boy". Sifting out those who God does not want with Him one day.
You are reading these words because God has planted the knowledge of Him inside your heart, not so? And you want to know more, you have an inquiring mind. How far do you want to go along this spiritual road?
You see light at the end of the tunnel; do you want to come out into the unknown spiritual light, or to stop the journey right here in the familiar evil circumstances of the here and now?
Do you really want to find the Lord God that you know is out there somewhere in another dimension?
Or are you fearful?
And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

(Revelation 21:6-8)
The evidence of Jesus Christ and what He did for us is conclusive proof to our souls that we worship the Living God, not some idol. Think about it.
Are you a Christian, or merely an adherent to a certain church denomination?
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
From Faith to Faith
Firstly, let it be said that we cannot obtain the faith required by God is we do not believe. If any one of us has not "taken the trouble" to study the Bible regularly and obtain a working knowledge of its contents; (a) we do not love God enough, and (b) we do not know what to expect, and would probably "die of fright" if we asked for a healing and received it.
There is a saying common to old people who know that the end of this life is near "Old age is not for sissies".
The same goes for unbelievers "miracles are not for unbelievers"
Remember the parable of the mustard seed?

*A Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed. I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.

(Psalms 34:1-9)
Faith cometh by hearing (with the ears), both physically and Spiritually. Romans chapter ten.
Faith: a trust of confidence, belief in the statement of another; belief in the truth of revealed religion; confidence and trust in God; . . . . . [Chambers]
Faith: is in general the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true. Its primary idea is Trust. A thing is true, and worthy of trust. It admits many degrees up to full assurance of faith, in accordance with the evidence on which it rests. [Easton]
Faith: primarily, firm persuasion, a conviction based upon hearing, is used in the New Testament always of faith in God or Christ, or things spiritual. [Vine]
Faith: Here is what God says about it. This is the fountainhead of believing:
And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.

(Luke 8:25)

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

(Hebrews 11:1)

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

(Revelation 3:20)
Personal
Jesus knocked on the door of my heart. I heard the knock for many years. Eventually, was led to a servant of His who showed me the Truth of God's word.
I opened the door in faith. This is where most professing Christians fail; they are happier in front of the comfortable fire in the hearth, too lazy, of looking to man instead of God to lead them.
Jesus came into my heart, is still with me and feeds me spiritual food that I can partake of and enjoy, and pass the knowledge on to others. My wonderful loving Saviour.
In most other religions there is no door that can be opened: or there is a door that leads to violence and death - death of the flesh, including the death of others.
In looking back from a position of knowledge and understanding it's realised that talking about such things does not help much; but living such things as an example causes some others to enquire, search and find the Saviour of their souls and take it on from there.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
It would seem that this ministry has nearly run its course as this writer's body is closing down physically and mentally and the everlasting Holy Spirit sends shafts of sunlight through a darkening glass.
It was sometime in 1992 that the Lord God gave me a writing ministry that was to be used through the Internet, which enabled many millions around the globe to avail themselves of the richness and fullness of His love.
It was demonstrated, without a shadow of a doubt, that an evil force ruled the world, that this force was controlled by a person with the name of Satan; that there was only one way out from this predicament and that was through the Creator of the world in the first place, in the person of our Saviour; if we chose to follow Him.
The Lord revealed that many people who believed that they were Christians because they went to church needed a wake-up call.
The passage of Scripture that started this ministry:
The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Stand in the gate of the LORD'S house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the LORD. Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these. For if ye throughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye throughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbour; If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt: Then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever. Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit. Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations? Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the LORD.

(Jeremiah 7:1-11)
Later, another revealed passage was meant for me [and you]:
And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the LORD unto Bethel: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense. And he cried against the altar in the word of the LORD, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the LORD; Behold, a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name; and upon thee shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and men's bones shall be burnt upon thee. And he gave a sign the same day, saying, This is the sign which the LORD hath spoken; Behold, the altar shall be rent, and the ashes that are upon it shall be poured out. And it came to pass, when king Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God, which had cried against the altar in Bethel, that he put forth his hand from the altar, saying, Lay hold on him. And his hand, which he put forth against him, dried up, so that he could not pull it in again to him. The altar also was rent, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the LORD. And the king answered and said unto the man of God, Intreat now the face of the LORD thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. And the man of God besought the LORD, and the king's hand was restored him again, and became as it was before. And the king said unto the man of God, Come home with me, and refresh thyself, and I will give thee a reward. And the man of God said unto the king, If thou wilt give me half thine house, I will not go in with thee, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place: For so was it charged me by the word of the LORD, saying, Eat no bread, nor drink water, nor turn again by the same way that thou camest. So he went another way, and returned not by the way that he came to Bethel. Now there dwelt an old prophet in Bethel; and his sons came and told him all the works that the man of God had done that day in Bethel: the words which he had spoken unto the king, them they told also to their father. And their father said unto them, What way went he? For his sons had seen what way the man of God went, which came from Judah. And he said unto his sons, Saddle me the ass. So they saddled him the ass: and he rode thereon, And went after the man of God, and found him sitting under an oak: and he said unto him, Art thou the man of God that camest from Judah? And he said, I am. Then he said unto him, Come home with me, and eat bread. And he said, I may not return with thee, nor go in with thee: neither will I eat bread nor drink water with thee in this place: For it was said to me by the word of the LORD, Thou shalt eat no bread nor drink water there, nor turn again to go by the way that thou camest. He said unto him, I am a prophet also as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him. So he went back with him, and did eat bread in his house, and drank water. And it came to pass, as they sat at the table, that the word of the LORD came unto the prophet that brought him back: And he cried unto the man of God that came from Judah, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast disobeyed the mouth of the LORD, and hast not kept the commandment which the LORD thy God commanded thee, But camest back, and hast eaten bread and drunk water in the place, of the which the LORD did say to thee, Eat no bread, and drink no water; thy carcase shall not come unto the sepulchre of thy fathers. And it came to pass, after he had eaten bread, and after he had drunk, that he saddled for him the ass, to wit, for the prophet whom he had brought back. And when he was gone, a lion met him by the way, and slew him: and his carcase was cast in the way, and the ass stood by it, the lion also stood by the carcase. And, behold, men passed by, and saw the carcase cast in the way, and the lion standing by the carcase: and they came and told it in the city where the old prophet dwelt. And when the prophet that brought him back from the way heard thereof, he said, It is the man of God, who was disobedient unto the word of the LORD: therefore the LORD hath delivered him unto the lion, which hath torn him, and slain him, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake unto him. And he spake to his sons, saying, Saddle me the ass. And they saddled him. And he went and found his carcase cast in the way, and the ass and the lion standing by the carcase: the lion had not eaten the carcase, nor torn the ass. And the prophet took up the carcase of the man of God, and laid it upon the ass, and brought it back: and the old prophet came to the city, to mourn and to bury him. And he laid his carcase in his own grave; and they mourned over him, saying, Alas, my brother! And it came to pass, after he had buried him, that he spake to his sons, saying, When I am dead, then bury me in the sepulchre wherein the man of God is buried; lay my bones beside his bones: For the saying which he cried by the word of the LORD against the altar in Bethel, and against all the houses of the high places which are in the cities of Samaria, shall surely come to pass. After this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way, but made again of the lowest of the people priests of the high places: whosoever would, he consecrated him, and he became one of the priests of the high places. And this thing became sin unto the house of Jeroboam, even to cut it off, and to destroy it from off the face of the earth.

(1 Kings 13:1-34)
God always fulfils His promises:
Moreover the altar that was at Bethel, and the high place which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, had made, both that altar and the high place he brake down, and burned the high place, and stamped it small to powder, and burned the grove. And as Josiah turned himself, he spied the sepulchres that were there in the mount, and sent, and took the bones out of the sepulchres, and burned them upon the altar, and polluted it, according to the word of the LORD which the man of God proclaimed, who proclaimed these words.

(2 Kings 23:15-16)
Perhaps you would like God's lamp to light your path:
Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah of Boscath. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left. And it came to pass in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, that the king sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the house of the LORD, saying, Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may sum the silver which is brought into the house of the LORD, which the keepers of the door have gathered of the people: And let them deliver it into the hand of the doers of the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD: and let them give it to the doers of the work which is in the house of the LORD, to repair the breaches of the house, Unto carpenters, and builders, and masons, and to buy timber and hewn stone to repair the house. Howbeit there was no reckoning made with them of the money that was delivered into their hand, because they dealt faithfully. And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. And Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, and said, Thy servants have gathered the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of them that do the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD. And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king. And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes. And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king's, saying, Go ye, enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us. So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her. And she said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell the man that sent you to me, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read: Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched. But to the king of Judah which sent you to enquire of the LORD, thus shall ye say to him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, As touching the words which thou hast heard; Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD. Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again.

(2 Kings 22:1-20)
Here is a good way:
And the king sent, and they gathered unto him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem. And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, both small and great: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the LORD. And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.

(2 Kings 23:1-3)
We see here that reading God's word aloud causes commitment!
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

(Romans 10:17)
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The Godhead.
Here is a great spiritual truth that may have been half-hidden from you; like before you were converted you knew there was a God and so you went to church.
You were (or are) like the servant in Luke nineteen who placed the valuable in a napkin: you pay your "tithes" etc.
Then somehow or another you faced a crisis or great Spiritual awakening and were converted. Perhaps one day while reading your Bible aloud, or earnestly praying to God who you know can hear you, your Creator heard your voice and smelt the sweet savour of your worship and humility, and suddenly you become aware of His very real presence right there right then. You became God-conscious for the very first time. Wonderful! You have allowed Him to come to you - you who now understand that you are in the kingdom of the god of this age⁵.
The threshing floor of heaven is right before you. You might have just arrived, or may have been standing there for some time. Now is the time of decision; are you going to do for your Lord as He directs so that He receives all the glory? Believing that you shall receive your due reward as a side issue. In other words, you do it for him and not for you.
Now, the first thing that you do in loving obedience to your new-found Lord is becoming immersed (baptised) in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, believing that all your previous sins have been washed away and you start anew, with an eager and obedient heart to the will and plans that your God has for the promotion of His (and your) Kingdom that will surely come. He knows how to do it but needs your spirit, soul and body, as the potter needs the clay, to fashion you into a useable vessel.
Once over that hurdle let's understand that God knows your strengths and weaknesses and might not ask you to become a missionary, but to perform some humble undertaking that you can uniquely comfortably perform.
Are we prepared to be obedient to our very real King?
Now, let's go on a Spiritual voyage of discovery together that can be likened to the first step onto the Threshing floor.
Lets try to discover why there is a triune God and then take it from there.
Because our knowledge and understanding is Spiritually limited thanks to Adam's sin (we see through a glass darkly), God has revealed just sufficient of themselves for us to be able to grasp, with the promise of better things to come. This is done for our own protection.
God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.
Three Spiritual Persons who are one in purpose; which is to reclaim the world back to Righteousness.
God the Father.
He is the Director of operations so to say,
Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

(John 14:8-12)
God the Son.
The man who died for me!
The Saviour of mankind.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

(John 14:6)

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

(1 Peter 5:10)
God the Holy Spirit.
God in us.
And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. 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 14:13-17)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
God of this age.
This refers to the power that Satan has over all men and beasts on the earth; his kingdom by way of Adam.
Although God has all power, He also has all Righteousness, so morally He cannot operate in another's kingdom unless through the awakened love of some soul of that kingdom. We now have the armour of God available that has the power to overcome the evil one.
Who is Satan?
That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased! The LORD hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers. He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth. The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing. Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us. Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us? Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee. How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners? All the kings of the nations, even all of them, lie in glory, every one in his own house. But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcase trodden under feet.

(Isaiah 14:4-19)

Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee. All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more.

(Ezekiel 28:11-19)

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

(1 Peter 5:6-11)

And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

(Revelation 12:10)
When the world is in financial crisis he or one of his servants is going to offer a solution which the world leaders will clutch at; perhaps the cancellation of all debt. What Satan's servant conceivably shall do is to offer a way out of a seemingly impossible situation; but the offer results in everyone losing their moral freedom; the honest people more so than the dishonest.
For example, there was recently a plea in our local newspaper by the Municipality of our town, asking the citizens to pay their account arrears, with an offer of a rebate on the outstanding amount when paid within a certain time.
The municipality needs the money owing to them, but the offer is morally unjust. It apparently pays to be dishonest.
Using the phrases out of context of a financial Company "You'll always get something out." Satan's solution shall then mean "a little is better than nothing."
The law is good, but it is meant for the lawless - for example the law of the stop street; the need for speed humps.
Many laws are moral.
There is excessive water usage in our village, with the result that we might at any time be forced to pay an excess each month to the Municipal Authority. The Management has therefore requested that we should not use static sprinklers for watering our gardens, but rather a hand held device. Very few residents have reacted positively to this directive, and when water restrictions come into effect because of a coming shortage there will be an outcry by most, blaming the Municipality. Whose fault is it in reality?
Faith is what we believe, not so?
God, the Holy Spirit reveals Himself to the reborn believer, and if you, dear reader, are reborn of the Spirit of the Living God you will identify with this.
It we react to His promptings as He would be happy for us to do, He "increases the dose" until we are good and faithful servants. Full of faith - enough faith to overcome the adversary - for His good purpose.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
To be converted. From what to what?
To be converted from the earthy nature to the heavenly. To have our sense of values changed from counting time until death to realising that time does not matter anymore. From a sense of doom to a sense of joy.
This starts when God sees our interest change from worldly to otherworldly; "checking out the options" so to say.
He then reveals Himself, possibly by a series of "coincidences" that the searching heart perceives as coming from God.
Now comes the crux, the beginning of the heavenly journey, but we each have to decide whether we want to start on it. Once we decide in the affirmative, we get on our knees with our foreheads on the floor asking our God for something more. Once our pride goes out the window God smells the sweet savour of our worship and reveals Himself to our sleeping spirits and we become newly made; aware of a spiritual joy. Only now do we start on that wonderful journey on the narrow road that our God has laid out for us. He asks if we are prepared to travel on it and leaves the decision up to us.
As we thank our Lord for the privilege of serving Him, He comes and lives in us, revealing Himself in many natural and supernatural ways, giving us each tools that we shall need on the way, and providing Spiritual help in time of need.
One thing for certain, undoubtedly, unquestionably, is the fact that you (and I) are never, never going to die! ! !
Where you (and I) are now, whatsoever our circumstances, are totally unimportant compared to where we shall spend forever.
Don't you want to find the best place to be once the uncertainty of this life is over and never to return?
What if you don't believe, or don't want to believe, the possibility of the truth of this mega important concept, are you happy to take the chance of what will happen to you if you are wrong?
With no way back?
Isn't it wise to do a bit of urgent unbiased research?
If you were to go to your Doctor and he was to inform you that you had an incurable disease, would you believe him? He is after all an expert in the field of medicine and you are not, so you will be inclined to believe him even though you would be unhappy to hear the news.
So, if someone who claims to be an "expert" in this field, and whose lifestyle goes according to those concepts, wouldn't it be advisable to check out what He to say? Considering that we are discussing a much bigger thing than, say cancer.
With this in mind be assured that the writer of these couple of hundred messages on this web site has experienced quite a few supernatural occurrences in the short space of the twenty three years since the revelation of the person of our Lord Jesus Christ.
A contrite⁷ heart:
For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

(Psalms 51:16-17)

For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

(Isaiah 57:15)
Carrying the mark:
And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee. And when thou sendest him out free from thee, thou shalt not let him go away empty: Thou shalt furnish him liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy floor, and out of thy winepress: of that wherewith the LORD thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him. And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing to day. And it shall be, if he say unto thee, I will not go away from thee; because he loveth thee and thine house, because he is well with thee; Then thou shalt take an aul, and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant for ever. And also unto thy maidservant thou shalt do likewise. It shall not seem hard unto thee, when thou sendest him away free from thee; for he hath been worth a double hired servant to thee, in serving thee six years: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all that thou doest.

(Deuteronomy 15:12-18)
You hath He quickened.
In the Old Covenant the meaning of word is Revive, Recover, Restore, Save Alive.
In the New Covenant it means Vitalise, Make Alive, To endue with Life.
Here are some examples found in God's word: The word is not used in the Old Covenant before the Psalms (songs of praise).
Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come. Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee! Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth. Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side. I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel. My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed. My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.

(Psalms 71:18-24)

Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me. The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law. I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself. Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law. Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage. I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law. This I had, because I kept thy precepts.

(Psalms 119:49-56)

For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants. Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me. I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts. The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies. I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.

(Psalms 119:89-96)

The best message that God has for us in the Bible, illuminating God's presence and purpose is probably found here:
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

(Ephesians 2:1-13)

Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:

(1 Corinthians 15:34-37)

For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

(1 Peter 3:12-18)
When we become aware of God's loving awesome presence for the first time, as a result of our faith, we are each quickened by God the Holy Spirit, and cannot but submit, worship and walk in loving obedience in God's "aura"; His perfect Holiness and Righteousness. We become "God oriented" Hallelujah! * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Now, many readers will be of the opinion that Jesus had twelve disciples around Him?
Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

(Luke 9:1-2)
In fact He had many more:
After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.

(Luke 10:1-12)
Besides casuals that came and went:
Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

(John 6:60-66)
Also after Jesus had risen from the dead:
And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)

(Acts 1:15)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Numerical values in the Bible.
This message needed a heading as it deals with numbers that we can use in calculations; to reveal that we worship the Perfect, Living God and not some character in a fairy story.
This is not a complete treatise of numbers in the Bible, but a rewarding walk along a side stream of God's Spiritual magnificence.
Are you aware that all letters in the ancient Hebrew alphabet were given numbers?
For example, if you were to give the letter A number 1, B number 2, etc., each word in English would have it's own numerical value.
Please do not get led astray from your mission by studying numbers in the Bible, it's sufficient that you know they are there. Some others have already done this and their works have been published; for example a Russian mathematician who became a Professor at a famous American University studied the subject in depth.
He stated that the number seven, or multiples thereof, appears, in various combinations, in the names, in the original language, of the forefathers of Jesus of Nazareth in the first eleven verses of Matthew chapter one. It goes something like this; each name is a multiple of seven. The first letter of each name when added together is a multiple of seven. The second letter likewise, the third letter also, and so on. Mathematically it seems that that the chances of this happening naturally is something like one in a hundred billion. This man staked his reputation on this statement.
Okay, so we each would need some sort of qualification to verify the above.
Let's see another aspect on this subject in the same chapter of Matthew's gospel, one that old and young can perceive is Supernatural:
So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

(Matthew 1:17)
We cannot but acknowledge that history does not lie, which means that the above happenings have been arranged by a Supernatural Power - the Living God, Almighty, unmeasurable, Holy, Righteous, Jealous, filled with longsuffering, lovingkindness, mercy and grace; and we are to worship Him (them) accordingly.
Here are some pertinent numbers that we should take note of as they are inclined to be of importance while we study God's word.
The number three:
We worship the triune God; three Spiritual persons who are one in purpose.
When a statement or occurrence is repeated three times, we had better sit up and take especial notice thereof. As we saw in the passage above.
Three times Simon Peter denied that he knew Jesus. Three times the resurrected Jesus forgave and instructed Peter (one of them using the word agapé [charity])
Three disciples accompanied Jesus when He was transfigured:
And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.

(Mark 9:2)
And just before He was crucified:
And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

(Mark 14:32-36)
Jesus rose from the dead on the third day.
Also, this message,
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

(1 Corinthians 3:16)
is repeated twice more in the letters to the Corinthian Church. [1Cor 6:19 and 2Cor 6:16]
The number seven:
This is the best known example of God's number, and it and multiples thereof occur on too many occasions to record here.
Seven days of the week; the seventh being a day of rest.
And Moses gathered all the congregation of the children of Israel together, and said unto them, These are the words which the LORD hath commanded, that ye should do them. Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death.

(Exodus 35:1-2)
The Menorah: A candelabrum with a varying number of branches, usually seven, used in Jewish religious ceremony. [Chambers]
And he made the candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work made he the candlestick; his shaft, and his branch, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, were of the same: And six branches going out of the sides thereof; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side thereof, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side thereof: Three bowls made after the fashion of almonds in one branch, a knop and a flower; and three bowls made like almonds in another branch, a knop and a flower: so throughout the six branches going out of the candlestick. And in the candlestick were four bowls made like almonds, his knops, and his flowers: And a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches going out of it. Their knops and their branches were of the same: all of it was one beaten work of pure gold. And he made his seven lamps, and his snuffers, and his snuffdishes, of pure gold. Of a talent of pure gold made he it, and all the vessels thereof.

(Exodus 37:17-24)
This prophecy is possibly the best known example of using the number seven and also demonstrates that the Living God's word is true.
Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

(Daniel 9:24-27)
In verse twenty four above the phrase seventy weeks (a heptad) means seventy x seven years. This reveals that four hundred and ninety years, to the day, after a certain starting date, the transgressions shall be finished; a time looked forward to by the students of God's word in the years following. These wise men among the Jews calculated the day that their Messiah would arrive in the Holy City seated on the back of a young donkey. Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled that prophecy, apparently on the fourth of April 33 A.D.
The Jews celebrate seven religious feasts; all pointing to the coming Messiah. Jesus has fulfilled four of them.
Further the feast of Passover is to be observed on the fourteenth day of the first month, and the feast of trumpets on the first day of the seventh month.

So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

(Matthew 1:17)

In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them, I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat: And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far. And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness? And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven. And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people. And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them. So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets.

(Mark 8:1-8)

And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven. And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?

(Mark 8:20-21)

After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

(Luke 10:1-9)

But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.

(Romans 11:4)

Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

(Revelation 1:11)

And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

(Revelation 1:12-13)

And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

(Revelation 1:16)

And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

(Revelation 3:1)
The number ten
We have ten fingers to count with. Dan 7:24. However, this number is very often used as a multiple - for example number forty (years).
The number twelve
Twelve tribes from twelve sons.
And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,

(Mark 3:14)

And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)

(Acts 1:15)

And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

(Revelation 21:12-14)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Why did God take the trouble to create us?
Consider all the trouble that He (they) went through.
Firstly it was necessary to create the universe - the sun, the planets and the earth in particular.
Then the creation on the earth that is now in travail, and man.
When contemplating all that is described in His word we cannot but espy that God has had very little joy (return on Their investment) when creating man.
God the Father even had to send His only begotten Son to bond us to Him through the Covenant of the blood of Jesus.
It seems extraordinary that God needed to do this.
They could have made us perfect from day one.
Yes, they could have, but then we would have had no choice in the matter, like a bunch of zombies.
There can be only one evident answer, and this is that our heavenly Father would like us to freely and joyfully choose Him (them) to live with, to happily submit to His perfectness.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Jesus is coming again.
Despise not prophesyings. How do we know whether it is the truth? A heresy we can discern, but not necessary a prophecy except it can be confirmed in the Bible:
Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

(1 Thessalonians 5:20-21)
This we can be sure of.
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

(John 14:1-3)

And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

(1 Corinthians 15:17-28)

Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

(Acts 1:2-11)
We see in verses 6 and 7 that Jesus is coming to restore the Kingdom to Israel.
In verse 11 He is coming in like manner as when He left.
Here we see something different? Is this the same event at the same time or a different event at the same time (no time in heaven).
Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

(2 Thessalonians 1:6-10)
This is surely a different event?
And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

(Revelation 19:5-20)
Now let's look at the idea of Jesus coming to restore the Kingdom.
We know that He said that the Kingdom of God is inside us through the omnipotent, omnipresent Holy Spirit [Luke 17:20-21]. Is it possible that Jesus Christ is in like manner coming as He did before as a Saviour King as described in Luke chapter nineteen?
Now for the big question. How many times is Jesus Christ coming?
How many as Saviour?
How many as King?
How many as Commanding General?
In Luke 19 we are given Cities to rule over. This means the Kingdom needs ruling over which surely means the thousand years while Satan is locked away?
Does it matter?
Are you ready in any case?
And me?
We must change our sense of values and beliefs. [2Th 2:1-17]
Jesus is coming to set up His Kingdom on this earth. Because this is still in the future and we all see through a glass darkly, the following teaching is mainly presumption.
The Jews are still waiting for their Messiah, partly because they misunderstood that He was coming more than once. Once as a suffering servant and once as King. However, how many times will Jesus Christ appear again?
Jesus is our Covenant Representative, our Saviour, and His main purpose at this stage is still to save mankind.
We all know that He has come once already, which purpose was to make a Covenant with the Father on behalf of mankind, and at the same appearance, to leave a record of His doings so that we who are open to understand His deity shall have the opportunity of Choosing Him as Lord of our lives through His word and the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Bible seems to state that He is coming four more times. Let's take it a bit further and then let these possibilities flavour our future studying of His word.
Nevertheless, we must be careful here, as all prophecy has an element of uncertainty in our understanding of it. God made it so.
It would seem that a Supernatural Person is coming three more times on or near this earth, and finally on the new earth.
Firstly, Jesus is coming for His saints.
Secondly, He is coming with His saints, to rule as previously noted.
Thirdly, some Supernatural Person is coming on a white horse together with the armies of heaven to finally defeat Satan and his minions.
And fourthly, He is coming down in the New Jerusalem.
Firstly, born again believers, when they move on, from occupying worldly bodies, will go to be with Jesus in Paradise; leaving their dead bodies behind
And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

(Luke 23:35-43)
His soul went with Jesus. Both left their bodies behind. Christians who die leave their bodies behind and their souls are with Jesus in paradise. Their labour seems to be over until the start of the thousand years. The Bible calls it "sleeping". For example, when Jesus of Nazareth died, His body was separated but He (His soul) went to paradise.
Jesus, His soul, also descended at the same time (because there is no time in heaven) to Hades to preach to the spirits of men.
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

(1 Peter 3:18-19)

For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

(1 Peter 4:3-7)
He led captivity captive.
But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

(Ephesians 4:7-12)
After three days, Jesus returned for His body!
And then went up, body and soul to be a Spiritual Person in the place of honour, at the right hand of the Power on High.
Are we in the time of the beginning of sorrows now?
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.

(Matthew 24:7-8)
If the prophesies of the future seem confusing it is only because we do not perceive the possibilities. Perhaps God is hiding this from us at this time.
So, let's see where this leads us.
We know that Jesus Christ is at rest, in the place of honour and trust, at the right hand of our heavenly Father.
Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

(1 Peter 3:22)
It seems possible that He comes once with His angels to fetch His chosen ones, once with His saints to rule in the thousand year period, once with His armies to fight at the last great battle and once in the New Jerusalem.
Let's expand a bit on each of the four comings:
Jesus is coming for His saints:
Please read Matthew chapter twenty four.

And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

(Matthew 24:30-31)

And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

(Mark 13:25-27)

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
We see that Jesus does not come down on to the earth, but we meet Him in the air.
1Thessalonians chapter four shows obedience and rewards, even for those who are "asleep". In other words it is a teaching for walking worthily and a side issue is what the eventual reward will be.
Maybe we should not place too much emphasis on how or when the rapture takes place, but that it is a reward for the faithful. This is confirmed in 1Thessalonians chapter five.
Like the resurrection of Jesus, our bodies are not left behind, but are changed in the twinkling of an eye:
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

(1 Corinthians 15:50-58)
It would seem that those who are alive shall leave their blood behind.
Matthew 24:30 states that He will come in the clouds of heaven.
Concerning the rapture of the saints - those who have been faithful "in a very little".
We are removed to another dimension - to ever be with the Lord, while He, our Master and Friend, takes vengeance at the same time on those who remain.
And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

(Matthew 24:30)

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

(Revelation 1:7)
In flaming fire:
And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

(2 Thessalonians 1:7-12)
We shall be changed.
That they may be one (future tense):
And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 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. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

(John 17:11-26)
Jesus is coming with His saints:
We have previously dealt with this in the Luke chapter nineteen teaching.
At some time is the Judgement Seat of Jesus Christ. Is this when every knee shall bow? [Philippians 2:9-12]
If we rule over certain Cities as stated in Luke 19 then Satan is no longer around, but in the pit?
We perceive things in only four dimensions, one of which is time. It would seem that the thousand year reign of Christ, where we will reign with Him, shall be in another dimension, one that we are not easily aware of.
It also seems that He comes onto this earth again in the thousand year period.

To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

(1 Thessalonians 3:13)

These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

(Jude 1:12-15)
See also:
And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

(Acts 1:10-11)
What about the knowledge that we have gained while in these bodies?
If we can place all the data that we have stored on a computer hard drive and then transfer it on to a memory stick, can't God do something similar? For example; all our memories are stored in the brain (so they say). Some medical authorities say that everything that we do, everything that we have learned is stored there, so when we die the brain rots away, but it seems that the knowledge is not lost as we can perceive in Luke 19.
Some Supernatural Person is coming on a white horse together with the armies of heaven to finally defeat Satan and his minions:
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

(Revelation 19:11-21)
Jesus is coming down in the New Jerusalem:
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

(Revelation 21:1-8)

And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

(Revelation 21:22-23)
After the thousand years and the New Jerusalem comes down on to a new earth, some (only Hebrews?) go to live therein.
However, Paul explains that there is no difference between Jew and gentile:
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

(Ephesians 2:10-22)
Some who are saved will stay outside the walls, but will come in for food.
So my friend, are your ready?
Am I?
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
My dear brother and sister.
Do you realise that you will never die?
You will never die!
The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever. All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. For the kingdom is the LORD'S: and he is the governor among the nations.

(Psalms 22:26-28)
Before we were reborn by the Holy Spirit our outlook on life was worldly and the big word was "I". How will I get a job, even though spending three years of my life in University, obtaining a degree, in a subject that I am interested in?
How many children will I have? etc.
The order of importance, as the old song, was "Body and Soul"; speaking of temporal love.
Then God revealed Himself, we responded to His love, became born again and God's word was opened to us.
We have now changed from being worldly-minded to heavenly minded and the order of importance is spirit soul and body.
Not so? Yes?
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

(Romans 8:13-14)

For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

(1 Timothy 4:8)
So, meditate on this: as you grow older, have you planned which of your children is to get what when you die. Are you going to be buried next to your parents, or next to your spouse?
Dear fellow sojourner, you are never going to die!
Think about it.
Where will I be two hundred years from now? In two million years?
Place a paper copy of this on your shaving/cosmetic mirror for a few months until the reality of this wonderful truth becomes tangible. I cannot die!
God calls this life that we are now living "the time of our flesh" [1Peter 4:1-2]
God also calls us the heirs of the grace of life. [1Pe 3:1-7].
What then is life?
Here's something else; when you clean your teeth, use the toilet, drive your car, catch the bus, go to church - you are telling your body to do certain things for you. Many of them are for the benefit of the body, but some of them are because of your conscience to others. And if you are reborn of the Spirit of God you will do things asked of you by your King.
At some stage you will leave your body behind and pass on:
But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

(Mark 13:24-27)
We cannot buy our way into God's favour, temporal or spiritual. I cannot use my will or knowledge to do so, only by submission and obedience to God's will - in love and thankfulness.
Understanding this let us consider what happens to us when we leave our bodies behind. After many meetings and greetings with other spiritual people we shall eventually come to final judgement, to learn from our Creator our impending, everlasting destination.
Do you believe this?
And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.

(Psalms 9:10-11)

Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight. Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.

(Psalms 9:19-20)

The LORD is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land. LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear: To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.

(Psalms 10:16-18)

*To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.* In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.

(Psalms 11:1-7)

And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

(Luke 12:18-20)

And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your souls.

(Luke 21:16-19)
What the Bible says about death and what we think it means are probably two different things.
For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

(John 5:22-29)
If my body dies, what does not die? My spirit and my soul.
Each person's spirit goes back to God the moment death of the body occurs. [Eccl 12:1-7].
It would therefore seem that the spirit of man is placed in the body for one purpose only, and that is to be able to commune with God.
However, the soul, the real me is the power that remains alive.
*Michtam of David.* Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust. O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee; But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight. Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips. The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

(Psalms 16:1-11)
It is the soul, the entity that we now are, that in this worldly body chooses the direction, the ultimate destination we shall reach.
Getting back to the words "I shall never die" that you have daily placed before your eyes and your mind:- you should, with this constant reminder experience that the fear of death shall disappear, "O death where is thy sting".
Death of the body happens to everyone and is a once-off, which means that the "experience" is unknown, which in turn causes anxiety and possibly fear. However, the more we come to understand that this is just a "quick change" from the temporal world to the Spiritual Kingdom of God, we have peace of heart given to us by the God of peace.
*A Psalm of David.* Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide. Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth. I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked. I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD: That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works. LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men: In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes. But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me. My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.

(Psalms 26:1-12)

The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

(Psalms 34:22)

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

(Luke 2:7-14)

And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

(Luke 2:25-32)
So, if we cannot die, what does the following mean?
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

(Romans 8:1-13)
This passage of Scripture seems to contradict that which has gone before, Not so? However it deals with the death of the soul, not the body. You might say "yes, but it's previously stated that the soul cannot die". Quite true but we are dealing with the English translation of the original Greek and therefore certain of the word meanings cannot be so richly expressed.
What is meant is that the disobedient eternal soul is rejected by God and cast away into eternal damnation.
Look at these:
He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever.

(Psalms 21:4)

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

(1 Corinthians 9:27)

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

(Revelation 21:1-8)
By the way, concerning the death of the body that so many people are concerned about: this is what God calls it:
For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

(1 Corinthians 11:23-32)
Our bodies die but our souls do not, awaiting judgement.
As a further side-issue, it is noticed here that our bodily health is dependant on how we worship Jesus!
The less we think of ourselves and the more we think and dwell on the goodness and love of God to us, the healthier we shall be. Not so?
I will never die, but through faith in God can choose now to have a better future:
O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.

(Psalms 30:3)

I cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication. What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth? Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper. Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

(Psalms 30:8-12)

For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

(Romans 14:7-14)

Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

(Hebrews 11:33-35)

And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

(Hebrews 11:39-40)

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

(Revelation 20:4-6)

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

(Revelation 20:11-15)
Concerning the certainty of everlasting life:-
Please carefully and thoughtfully study the following:
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Matthew 25:31-46)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Concerning Judgement:
Firstly. In the here and now.
Secondly. To those who have had, have, or will still have a knowledge of Christian principles, for example those who celebrate Christmas in some form or other:
Thirdly. Those who are situated in countries where Christianity is not openly practised:
I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

(John 10:14-16)

Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

(Ephesians 4:8-10)

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

(1 Peter 3:18-22)
To close off this teaching; using your new-found knowledge, see if you can understand anew the wonderful promise contained in this passage:
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed. Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. Else what shall they do which are baptised for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptised for the dead? And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

(1 Corinthians 15:1-58)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
O That Will Be Glory
When all my labours and trials are o'er
And I am safe on that beautiful shore
Just to be near the dear Lord I adore
Will through the ages be glory for me
O that will be glory for me,
Glory for me, glory for me
When by His grace I shall look on His face
That will be glory, be glory for me
When, by the gift of His infinite grace
I am accorded in Heaven a place
Just to be there and to look on His face
Will through the ages be glory for me
Chorus
Friends will be there I have loved long ago
Joy like a river around me will flow
Yet, just a smile from my Saviour, I know,
Will through the ages be glory for me
Chorus
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Knowledge and Understanding.
Sometimes it's hard to describe the difference of two similar words. In this case knowledge comes upon man when he first knows that the God which he believed in as in a fairy story is a real person who loves him - and he decides to do something about it.
Understanding comes as he (or she) starts looking for more of this Loving, Living Father who lives in the Heaven of heavens and wishes to bless him supernaturally.
So, knowledge may take some time to accumulate unto action, but understanding comes only as we search for the truth which is revealed as we each walk the path which ends at His footstool.
Have you ever wondered why our God, the Creator of all things should want us to be with Him one day? [Ps 8:1-9]
Firstly, we were each born into sin, we are sinful creatures who are given the opportunity of choosing everlasting life with our Creator. When we become converted we are still sinful creatures, that is our nature, but we strive to get above the power of the sin through our will, [Ps 17:1-8] with the comforting presence of God the Holy Spirit. [Ro 7:22- Ro 8:1] At the moment our bodies die and are buried out of sight and smell we shall move on to the destination of our choice. Why all the carry-on? Why didn't God just make us perfect like Him to start off with, to be with Him?
The answer to this is the fact that God, although spirit, is a person with a soul, who can smell, also with other attributes. loves us, He loves companionship with those of a willing nature. For example there is an old English saying that you can choose your friends, but not your family.
God wants us each to choose Him so that we can talk with Him freely about all things that interest Him and us. God wants a friend, in you and all others of a like mind.
That would be heaven to contemplate, not so? Yes it is indeed a real place, a Spiritual one without time or troubles, a perfect place to live in.
Would you like to be a friend of God?
Are you and I prepared to worship Him at the same time? [Ps 9:1-2]
God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit knows even our thoughts and where they come from; from Them, or from the God of this world. [Mt 22:15-46]
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
O Love That wilt not let me go
I rest my weary soul in Thee
I give Thee back the life I owe
That in Thine ocean depths its flow
May richer fuller be
O Light that followest all my way
I yield my flickering torch to Thee
My heart restores its borrowed ray
That in Thy sunshine's blaze its day
May brighter fairer be
O joy that seekest me through pain
I cannot close my heart to Thee
I trace the rainbow through the rain
And feel the promise is not vain
That morn shall tearless be
O cross that liftest up my head
I dare not ask to fly from Thee
I lay in dust life's glory dead
And from the ground there blossoms red
Life that shall endless be
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Fasting.
But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.

(Psalms 35:13)
Most people enjoy their food, not so?
This means that when we go on a fast we are giving something up. It also is a fact that as we fast we become less aware of the need of food and become more aware of spiritual things.
In other words, God the Holy Spirit finds it easier to communicate with us as we turn from bodily wants to Spiritual needs.
How important is this practice, how do we go about it, when do we need to proceed with it, and what rewards can we expect?
Fasting has spiritual power and must be taken as a serious matter as it is a way of obtaining God's attention; of receiving a Spiritual as well as a temporal blessing from a physical act. Very similar to that of total immersion in public which results in a Spiritual enrichment, or the manner of partaking in communion
It is a choice that we make as a result of feeling Spiritual deadness or a Spiritual need such as a healing, or a prompting from the Holy Spirit for a particular purpose of His, that our obedience may be used for the furtherance of the Kingdom.
Here is what our Lord God showed His servant Isaiah:
Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God. Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward. Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.

(Isaiah 58:1-12)
Whew, we might say, can God do all of that? Yes.
Well, considering that God is Holy, Righteous, omnipotent, omnipresent, filled with lovingkindness, mercy and grace, He can if I am willing. Will we believe that God the Father, the Son and the indwelling Holy Spirit is able to do it, to fill your need? Do we know Him well enough to trust Him?
Do we love Him enough to be obedient?
Let's see some further examples from history and try to discover some spiritual results thereof - for the benefit of ourselves and the Kingdom of which we are citizens.
And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying, Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee. So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days' journey. And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown. So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them. For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water: But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands. Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not? And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.

(Jonah 3:1-10)

Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

(Matthew 6:16-18)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Spirit Soul and Body
If God reacts to good , or evil, surely He has a soul?
*To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.* The king shall joy in thy strength, O LORD; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah. For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head. He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever. His glory is great in thy salvation: honour and majesty hast thou laid upon him. For thou hast made him most blessed for ever: thou hast made him exceeding glad with thy countenance. For the king trusteth in the LORD, and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved. Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies: thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee. Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the LORD shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them. Their fruit shalt thou destroy from the earth, and their seed from among the children of men. For they intended evil against thee: they imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform. Therefore shalt thou make them turn their back, when thou shalt make ready thine arrows upon thy strings against the face of them. Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power.

(Psalms 21:1-13)

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

(1 Thessalonians 5:14-24)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
God has a soul:
Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.

(Isaiah 42:1)

Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my soul depart from thee; lest I make thee desolate, a land not inhabited.

(Jeremiah 6:8)
One's soul can be delivered:
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

(2 Chronicles 7:14)

Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:

(Psalms 17:13)

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

(Psalms 19:7-14)
The Church's one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord;
She is His new creation by Spirit and the Word;
From heaven He came and sought her to be His holy bride;
With His own blood He bought her, and for her life He died.
Think on this: when we praise, worship and exalt God in prayer song and living example, is it our body which does this or our soul? Our soul causes the body to utter the sounds that our brain instructs us to do. Our spirit is used by the indwelling Holy Spirit to prompt our soul into action, and to communicate our thoughts back to heaven.
That is why we have a soul. And it is the soul which is rewarded or condemned.
The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.

(Psalms 22:26)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Do you know God, or do you know of Him?
I once tried to tell two Jewish siblings about Jesus, the Son of God, and the young lady asked me "Do you know God?" Which led me to believe that she did, but many Jews do not, even though they are God's chosen race through Abraham.
Have you ever wondered (thought about), and Wondered (hallowed, exalted) about God?
Enough to want to know more?
Besides all that you can discover in His written word, and mysteries revealed to you, have you ever considered the following?
He is everywhere at once.
He is all-powerful.
He is all-knowing.
He is Love; He cares about us.
He is Jealous. That is one of His names to us.
He created physical time and space, even though He is subject to neither, or to any thing because He is above all.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Called, Justified and Sanctified . . . . . . and called
It is a gift of God:
Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

(Romans 3:20-26)
We are called by God; when we react to that calling we are justified and then sanctified.
Called, justified, glorified:
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

(Romans 8:28-33)
Called
Called or invited to partake of the blessings of redemption.
Justified.
According to Vine's Expository Dictionary:
It denotes the act of pronouncing righteous, justification, acquittal; its precise meaning is determined by that of the verb - - primarily, to deem to be right, signifies, in the NT, (a) to show to be right or righteous; in the Passive Voice, to be justified, Matt 11:19; Luke 7:35; Rom 3:4, I Tim 3:16; (b) to declare to be righteous, to pronounce righteous, (I) by man, concerning God, Lu 7:29 (see Rom 3:4 above); concerning himself, Lu 10:29; 16:15; (2) by God concerning men, who are declared to be righteous before Him on certain conditions laid down by Him.
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

(Romans 5:1-5)
Sanctify
To be set apart, to separate from that which is evil. The quality of being made, declared or regarded as holy.
Sanctified:
Sanctification is that relationship with God into which men enter by faith in Christ.
Is also used in NT of the separation of the believer from evil things and ways. This sanctification is God's will for the believer - and His purpose in calling him by the gospel - it must be learned from God - as He teaches it by His Word.
Only the sanctified will see Jesus Christ at His coming [1Joh 3:2] and then become complete in our resurrection bodies as we meet Him in the air.
To be sanctified can be likened to the foundation of a building - the building we construct in the Kingdom. It is a great privilege to receive such a gift. It is not our right but a great honour and not to be taken lightly, and as such we build on it with joy and gratitude. [2Th 1:1-5; Joh 16:33]
We start off being sanctified the moment we believe that Jesus of Nazareth died for us. Once we understand the basics of who the Triune God is and accept the conditions of the Blood Covenant that Jesus made for us, we are part of His Kingdom and not of this present age. [Heb 10:14]
We do our part in love and our Faithful Unchanging God will respond in love.
But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

(1 Thessalonians 5:8-24)
We are now under the wings of His protection:
Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

(Psalms 63:7)
While we continue in the Kingdom Way we remain under God's protection, after all He is our King. [John 17:17].
God gives us a potential joy, depending on the choice that we make. Like a charged battery in a car: we need to switch the car on before we can go anywhere and enjoy ourselves.
. . . . . . . and called
Now that we are citizens of the Kingdom of heaven we are called . . to be obedient to our Loving King's wishes:
Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:

(Jude 1:1)
An ongoing State:
So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

(Romans 1:15-19)
Many are Called
For many are called, but few are chosen.

(Matthew 22:14)
Called according to your Spiritual ability, chosen according to the fulfilment thereof.

The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever. All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. For the kingdom is the LORD'S: and he is the governor among the nations.

(Psalms 22:26-28)
Why does God need to call us? Because we have each been given a free choice to answer the call or not.
We must be willing servants, reciprocating God's love to us, for He loved us first.
Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

(Revelation 2:1-5)

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

(Revelation 3:20)
Whether I hear or not depends on the condition of my heart, and exactly what I hear depends on my Spiritual attitude.
Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

(Isaiah 6:8)

And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

(Acts 13:22)
What's my attitude? How much of the "I" am I prepared to give up, - my "rights", "my" money, "my" time, my, my, I, I, I.
God will choose those who are willing to go wherever He chooses to send them spiritually, according to their ability.
He will not send anyone of His servants further than they are prepared to go:
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

(1 Corinthians 10:13)

Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

(Matthew 15:7-14)

According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;

(1 Corinthians 3:10-21)

But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.

(1 Corinthians 7:17)

Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant. Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.

(1 Corinthians 7:20-24)

Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.

(2 Corinthians 11:23)
God may only send you to your neighbour, or He may ask you to give your shoes to someone more in need than you.
What is preaching [Ro 10:14-15] but telling others what we each have experienced and received. All those hearing and reading about Jesus are being called through the Holy Spirit dwelling in the preacher/teacher - a Spiritual calling. Those who open up their hearts to believe hear the call; and those who answer God's call are chosen - to be obedient to their individual call, and to be with God forever after.
Few will be chosen:
The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

(Matthew 13:1-23)
We see that all those chosen did what was asked of them. We also see that there were distinct callings and different kinds of fruit.

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

(Matthew 7:13-26)

Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.

(Luke 13:23-27)
Jesus Christ is the Way, also the door or gate. The journey is a long one to God the Father through many temptations, but it is the only way, the way of walking to the heavenly Kingdom, a road of distance, time and successful accomplishment.
We each must reach the end of the road to get there - sounds ludicrous the way it's put, not so? However, we must do it.
Jesus is also the Great Shepherd:
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

(John 10:1-18)

Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one.

(John 10:25-30)
Something that might be new to you is that when Jesus stated that He was the Great Shepherd and the gate to the sheepfold, He also referred to the strait gate that few would find. The Gate at the start of the narrow way that leads to the Celestial City.
What is not so apparent is that the narrow way is the path on a Spiritual journey and that the Holy Spirit is the Guide, and also the Comforter when stumbling and red herrings happen. This is another facet of the Covenant that man must make with God through the blood sacrifice of Jesus of Nazareth. No acceptance of the Covenant rules - no Holy Spirit - no admission through the Gate.
Also, the strait Gate is the opening into the narrow way from the broad (temporal) chistrian way.
The Gate that depicts Jesus is a shadow that shows Jesus standing with one foot in the temporal world and one in the Spiritual. Our Covenant Representative.
We need to be transformed from a temporal to a Spiritual person with a different set of values. To become a new creature.
Hallelujah!
Few Chosen
For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

Matthew 20:1-16)
How many people, do you think, God has created since day one? As many as all the grains of sand on all the beaches of the world? Too many to contemplate.
Do you believe that as the Bible teaches, He knows the names of each, all their fruits both temporal and spiritual?
How great thou art heavenly Father!
Taken together with other messages in this series, such as that of the strait gate, we see a common denominator - a single way to the God the Father's presence.

God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.

(Psalms 62:11-12)

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

(Matthew 16:24-27)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
In this time of inflation, government greed and diminishing public service, have you ever considered that there is one thing that has not changed in worth through the centuries?
Yes, that's it, God's love; for the payment of obtaining it has already been made. All we need to do is search for our share:
Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

(Daniel 12:10)

And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

(Mark 8:34-38)

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

(1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Living God.
So, you who are looking for the Truth of the existence of God: here is something to consider.
Pentecost: i.e., "fiftieth"
Found only in the New Testament (Acts 2:1; 20:16; 1Cor 16:8). The festival so named is first spoken of in Ex 23:16 as "the feast of harvest" and again in Ex 34:22 as "the feast of weeks." It is called also "the day of the firstfruits" (Num. 28:26.) From the sixteenth of the month of Nisan (the second day of the Passover), seven complete weeks - i.e., forty-nine days - were to be reckoned, and the feast was held on the fiftieth day. The manner in which it was to be kept is described in Lev. 23:15-19; Num 28:27-29. Besides the sacrifices prescribed for the occasion, everyone was to bring his "tribute of a freewill offering" (Deut 16:9-11). The purpose of this feast was to commemorate the completion of the grain harvest. Its distinguishing feature was the offering of "two leavened loaves" made from the new corn of the completed harvest, which, with two lambs, were waved before the Lord as a thank offering.
The day of Pentecost is noted in the Christian Church as the day on which the Spirit descended upon the apostles, and on which, under Peter's preaching, so many thousands were converted in Jerusalem. (Acts 2.)
(Easton's Bible Dictionary.)

And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.

(Mark 9:1)

And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

(Luke 17:20-21)
Only those who look will find.
If they look for trouble they shall find it in some form or another.
If they look for God they might not find Him, just as a gold prospector may not find what he is looking for.
However, if they patiently look and diligently seek Him they shall find Him:
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

(Matthew 7:7-14)
Here's an interesting passage of Scripture to meditate on:
And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

(Romans 8:27)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Be Still
Have you ever considered the fact that the early morning quiet time in your closet with the Lord your God is more rewarding than any preaching you may hear from the pulpit?
The preacher might do so out of compulsion from the Holy Spirit, but he is usually directing his efforts to the lost.
What about you?
If you are already a servant of Almighty God, you probably know what the preacher is talking about and might even disagree with his teaching. This does not often result in a revelation from God, unless it's stated as a wake-up call from a half-asleep servant.
The same can be said for Christian music.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Word:
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

(1 Peter 1:22-23)
Have you ever considered that without the Word and the word we would be lost in everlasting condemnation?
Jesus Christ is known as the Word, which is dimly perceived by us mortals.
However without the Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth owner's manual we would still have been under the Law.
No born again.
No Holy Spirit.
No hope.
Ask yourself why it is that many young people obtain a School Leaving Certificate of some kind, without anything but the most elementary ability to read?
Is not the main purpose of the god of this world to prevent them from knowing the Truth? * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
On death of the mortal body our spirit goes to God.
However, the destruction of the soul is the reality of it being cast away into hell forever:
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

(Matthew 10:28)
This is called the second death (Revelation 20:5-6).
Our resurrected bodies shall never die, like the forerunner of mankind who is waiting for us. * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Dear Christian, live right and the Lord will be your friend through His grace ( undeserved mercy).
Live wrong and the Lord will harden your heart so that you cannot believe.
I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.

(Romans 11:1-8)

And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

(John 5:29)

Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

(Hebrews 11:25)
The words of one who knew:
But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God. My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies' sake. Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave. Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous. Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city. For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee. O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

(Psalms 31:14-24)

*A Psalm of David, Maschil.* Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

(Psalms 32:1-2)
Here's someone who didn't know, but not withstanding was used by God to fulfil His purpose. You see, nothing is impossible for God.
And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness. And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go. And they said, The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days' journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto the LORD our God; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword. And the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? get you unto your burdens. And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye make them rest from their burdens. And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying, Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves. And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God. Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words.

(Exodus 5:1-9)

Then the LORD said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land.

(Exodus 6:1)

And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet. Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land. And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.

(Exodus 7:1-3)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
My dear friend, you who are feeling alone and neglected, alone in the big City, or your friends or relations seemed to have abandoned you, here are some words to lift you up, written by David the shepherd boy who became a king and knew a lot about being alone. Have you ever pondered on how lonely a shepherd or a king can be?
*A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.* O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me. But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth. They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes. But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.

(Psalms 63:1-11)
Here's more:
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.

(Psalms 118:8-9)
Please remember that many have gone before you in loneliness - but there is a friend that sticks closer than any brother - day or night.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
God is Love.
God has a soul:
Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my soul depart from thee; lest I make thee desolate, a land not inhabited.

(Jeremiah 6:8)
If we think about it in worldly terms, that is why God decides this or decides that, giving us, who also have souls, the assurance that He, who is Perfect, is capable of doing what He says shall happen.
God cares for those whom He has made, as explained in the parable of the pounds in Luke chapter nineteen.
God made us for His good pleasure. Because He is the very epitome of love, His pleasure is to give us pleasure.
However, if our pleasure is lust of things of the world, such as fornication, God turns His eyes away from us and leaves us to our own devices, despite being heart-sore about our evil intents; for God is Holy and Righteous.
But, if our pleasure is to give our Creator pleasure, He responds in a Supernatural way as we each become His ambassadors.
This is the message of the Good News that Jesus of Nazareth preached, led by example and fulfilled.
Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.

(Isaiah 42:1)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The way, the gate and the way beyond.
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

(Matthew 7:13-24)

Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.

(Luke 13:23-27)
Have you ever considered this?
Without God there would be no way, we would be like the animals. There would be no us.
Nevertheless, many who profess to believe, even in a god, some who even believe in the Living God, may even go to church or place of worship on a regular basis, are on the broad way.
Those who are heathen, agnostics etc., who are fully wrapped up in the "I" syndrome, don't even know of the broad way.
THE GATE.
Jesus Christ is the gate
Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

(John 10:7-9)
Yes, no-one can get to the Father but by Jesus Christ. He is represented in the parable as the strait gate. Many preach that Jesus Christ represents the narrow gate, this is so, but oh so much more. One has to be straitened; so determined to pass through, even though the possibility exists of getting stuck halfway through. Only a few succeed.
THE WAY BEYOND.
The Holy Spirit, who is God, is the guide and comforter on the way beyond the gate, because without Him no-one shall reach the Celestial City, which is the ultimate goal of every soul.
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.

(John 14:23-28)
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More on Faith
Here is something that might need careful and extended study:
Before Jesus of Nazareth was resurrected as Jesus Christ, the disciples were not converted and did not have the faith in themselves to perform miracles.
However, Jesus of Nazareth gave them Supernatural power to go out two by two in the name of the Kingdom of God to perform these things. This was repeated with another seventy also.
They had this reliance on the leadership of Jesus, especially when they watched Him perform the impossible of turning water into wine.
Even when they received the Holy Spirit after the resurrection of Jesus were they timid and doubtful:
Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

(John 20:19-23)

When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

(Acts 1:6-9)
But that all changed when the promise of Jesus [John 14:15-25] was fulfilled:
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

(Acts 2:1-4)
They, all who were waiting, were now filled with boldness and power of the Holy Spirit - they now had the necessary faith in the supernatural, fearing no-one.
And, this Presence of the Holy Spirit of God in their bodies did not entail the glorification of their persons but the furtherance of the Kingdom of which they were now privileged citizens.
This same privilege is available to you if you diligently seek it!
Here's a passage of Scripture that we can study together which is an illustration of how the word of God can come alive with the help of the Holy Spirit once we dig a little deeper in all sincerity. A study that will increase our faith in God's presence and power in this world.
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

(Romans 10:13-18)
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Some ancient words of wisdom are given as "The true church of God is one's own heart."
These words and the truth behind them are as relevant today as they were first put on vellum in the dim and distant past.
Further, we who were called, and answered, are called the body of Christ. No matter how scattered about on the face of the earth, we are the same team, working together, in love and thankfulness for our Master and to fellow man, through the gifts of the Holy Spirit which we have been given to use.
Put another way; the work of the church is done by the Holy Spirit through the gifts bestowed upon each individual of the Kingdom. For example, you are reading here now because this servant was shown to write this, and God's purpose is being fulfilled. What you do with the revelations have nothing for me to know about - but God knows.
What is so wonderful to our physical eyes is that God's Supernatural will is still done and discernible by our spiritual eyes, our hearts, with the comforting presence of the Holy Spirit; and in doing what He asks of us strengthens His Kingdom now and in the future.
What an honour to be a working citizen of the real Kingdom!
Hallelujah!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Consider this:
Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptised with the baptism that I am baptised with? They say unto him, We are able. And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptised with the baptism that I am baptised with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

(Matthew 20:20-23)
Jesus did not have the authority. He came to call the lost, and is still doing so. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * My friend, maybe you have read through all of this and you still have one very pertinent question that seems not to have been answered in this publication. Namely "You write about being born again, but how do I practically achieve it?"
Well, actually this has been answered indirectly, in that it has repeatedly been stated that the Bible is the word of God, and your answer lies in God's word.
However, here's one example for your enlightenment:
And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve.

(Acts 19:1-7)
These were possibly Jews who were in Jerusalem at some time and heard and saw John the Baptist, and as a result were living repentant lives and attempting to being holy in their own strength. * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Here is that passage:
But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities. And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed. And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them. And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him. And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus. And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house. And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day.

(Luke 5:15-26)
Read it through a couple of times, and then slowly aloud.
Now facet by facet, like the sparkle of a diamond ring in the sun.
Firstly, when we read in context and believe it really happened, we see that it was because of supernatural power that Jesus was healing people and casting out unclean spirits that His fame spread as far away as Judah and the "big smoke" of the time and as a result the religious leaders came to see if Jesus was possibly the Messiah - but came doubting because of preconceived ideas as previously seen in Matthew 3:1-10.
And here is the pivotal part:
But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.

(Luke 5:22-24)
Jesus was in effect saying: if I can heal the sick and dying, surely I am therefore the Messiah who you-all are waiting for and can forgive sins also?
We see that God can perceive our thoughts: if we don't believe we don't receive.
Also, we must believe in the Spiritual Power, the presence of the Holy Spirit in the world. Even though that Power is invisible it is very real and can overcome the power of the temporal world if we allow it to happen by earnestly believing ( having the faith).
And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

(Luke 11:9-13)
This is proof that God can harden the hearts of those who do not worship Him as He desires. Once again we see "what goes around comes around" eternally.
However, even though there were some who would not believe and whose hearts God had hardened, there were a few who believed and glorified God.
Perhaps there were one or two who at this time became disciples and followed Jesus until the end of His ministry and who were in the upper room waiting, as commanded by the resurrected Jesus. Hallelujah!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Person of Jesus
Jesus; the man who died in Covenant that we might have the chance to live once more in the presence of God:
But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners? And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

(Luke 5:30-32)

Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

(Romans 4:25)
Bearing in mind the fact that each of the three Persons of the Godhead were somewhere "there" in a place we do not know; in a Spiritual place of another dimension; that all three together are God and each one separately is God, let us try and understand a little more about our Saviour, the Person who became human like us, suffered spiritually, mentally and physically to undo the original sin of Adam (Eve actually) and to give up His blood, which act of love then, now gives each of us the opportunity of coming to that Spiritual place that was originally meant for Adam and his seed.
We have learned that the Spiritual Person who we know as Jesus Christ was there in the beginning of time:
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

(Genesis 1:26)
He was also Mine Angel:
For mine Angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites: and I will cut them off.

(Exodus 23:23)
Jesus, Captain of the Host:
And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.

(Joshua 5:13-15)
Jesus; Alpha and Omega:
And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

(Revelation 22:12-13)
Jesus, The Man.
He came to save the lost:
For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

(Matthew 18:11)

For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

(Luke 9:56)
Jesus, our Representative at the Father's side.
Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

(Romans 3:25)

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

(1 John 2:1-3)

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

(1 John 4:10-12)

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

(1 Timothy 2:5)

But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

(Hebrews 8:6)

And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

(Hebrews 9:15)

And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

(Hebrews 12:24)
Jesus, our future.
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

(John 14:1-3)

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

(John 14:6)

Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.

(John 14:28-29)

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

(John 15:1-10)
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Give Thanks
Here is something that you also might not previously have perceived.
It's also part of "what goes around comes around".
For example, when God the Holy Spirit manifests Himself to you in some way, in approval or disapproval, and you recognise the fact as spiritual in origin, do you praise Him and thank Him? Aloud? Even to others as witness?
Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him. The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name. Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea. The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone. Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy. And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.

(Exodus 15:1-7)

Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying, Praise ye the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves. Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel.

(Judges 5:1-3)

*A Psalm of David, Maschil* Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.

(Psalms 32:1-7)

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

(1 Thessalonians 5:14-24)
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Being Merciful
The Beatitudes [beautiful attitudes] are what Jesus of Nazareth taught us to follow; in our wills and in our bodies, or in other words "Body and Soul". They are extremely difficult to follow in our own strength and very few find the self-strength to be obedient - in the circumstances of the Law.
This is part of the parable of the "strait gate" that Jesus also spoke of, and if not followed leads to destruction as described in Matthew chapter seven.
The apostle Paul explains it the way we can achieve this state of spirituality in another way:
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

(Romans 8:13-14)
Here are the Beatitudes as recorded by Luke:
And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets. But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Luke 6:20-38)
My Father is Merciful - He is Love, and He will not have rebellious souls in His Presence.
Think about it.
For example, I know a man who is a professing Christian and is sincere in His belief, who is in a position of authority and needed a certain work to be done. He asked for quotations, even though he had already decided who he wanted on the job. In other words the other quotes were there only to ensure the fairness of this particular quote. The others unknowingly laboured for no reward. Practical unrighteousness.
The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works. There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.

(Psalms 33:13-22)
God is with us and in us if born again, and He shall help you and I, comforting us at the same time. If we ask in sincerity (faith) and submission.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Pray, Prayer, Prayerfulness:
God hears prayer!
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

(Matthew 6:5-15)

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

(Matthew 7:7-11)

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

(Matthew 21:22)

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

(2 Thessalonians 3:1)
An abler pen than mine wrote these words many years ago:
In this one verse the apostle sought to impress on the hearts of the young Thessalonian Christians - and every one of us - some thoughts on this one topic.
Prayerfulness: The Thessalonians were asked in prayer by the one who wrote this letter. He was the mightiest Evangelist, missionary and teacher of the Word that the church of God has ever known, yet he felt the need of the prayers of these converts so that he could better fulfil his ministry.
How often do you pray for those who are called to preach the Word to others? When you are alone with God, do you remember to prayer for Christ's undershepherds who seek to care for His flock? Do you pray for missionaries who have gone forth into the regions beyond for the Lord Jesus? do you remember those who labour in the home fields - often in hard places where there is little to offer cheer and encouragement? Many of God's people cannot preach, or teach, or travel abroad to take the Word to distant lands; but all can pray.
People sometimes say to me, "I do not know what I should pray for. When I get down on my knees, I intend to spend some time in prayer, but in a few moments I have said everything that is on my heart and there seems nothing else to pray about." If this is your experience, why not wait quietly before God at such a time, and ask Him to bring to your mind those who are preaching and teaching the Word. Then as they come to mind, mention them individually to God. Pray that they may be sustained and kept from discouragement. There is no one who needs prayer more than those who are bearing the burden and heat of the day in the terrific battle for righteousness.
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

(1 John 3:16-24)

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

(1 John 5:13-15)
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Treasures in heaven
But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. 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. The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

(Matthew 6:17-23)
Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven;
To His feet thy tribute bring.
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Evermore His praises sing:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise the everlasting King.
Praise Him for His grace and favour
To our fathers in distress.
Praise Him still the same as ever,
Slow to chide, and swift to bless.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Glorious in His faithfulness.
Father-like He tends and spares us;
Well our feeble frame He knows.
In His hands He gently bears us,
Rescues us from all our foes.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Widely yet His mercy flows.
Frail as summer's flower we flourish,
Blows the wind and it is gone;
But while mortals rise and perish
Our God lives unchanging on,
Praise Him, Praise Him, Hallelujah
Praise the High Eternal One!
Angels, help us to adore Him;
Ye behold Him face to face;
Sun and moon, bow down before Him,
Dwellers all in time and space.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise with us the God of grace.
Which of us brings tribute to lay before the feet of our King?
Not only money or food for the poor but Spiritual tribute, especially Spiritual fruit. Direct fruit that we have laboured for, in the field of the farm, commerce and industry, and also in the winning of souls.
Here's a very revealing passage of Scripture if we are prepared to spend some of our remaining time in studying it:
And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

(1 Thessalonians 3:12-13)
We see that the Lord helps us to abound in love for the reward of stablishing (making fast) our hearts.
We are going back to the "beautiful attitudes" here - we do our part and the Lord does His part.
Our Lord does this with the intent that we shall be found acceptable before the Father when Jesus Christ comes with His saints at the end.
Who is the Lord that is mentioned above?
The Man who lives inside us and comforts us at all times: the Holy Spirit of God.
Incidentally, what is tribute? Payment in acknowledgement of subjection, an act, gift, words or other expression of approval.
Here's other fruit:
That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

(1 Thessalonians 2:12-13)

And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

(1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)
By the way, have you noticed that the verse numbers of the above three passages of Scripture are the same?
We all need to be born again!
Hallelujah!

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The Law:
Law of the physical such as gravity, Boyle's law, the laws of thermodynamics that seem to contradict each other are unchanging. The law of God of physics has remained unchanged since time began.
The law of God regarding us is also unchanging, but how we go about fitting in to God's will has changed because of the sacrifice of Jesus of Nazareth.
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

(Romans 8:1-4)
The Law and the prophets:
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

(Matthew 5:14-20)
Obeying the Law is the burden that no-one can obey no matter how hard we try, because of our sin nature.
The Law of God does not change, but by accepting the Covenant that Jesus Christ made on our behalf brings us into the fold of God, and our sins are freely forgiven. That is our previous sins at the time of conversion, and our present sins when we repent of them.
See Romans chapter seven and eight.
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More on Faith
This last week we were blessed by the Lord's presence from the lips of two preachers of the Word.
The first one, the man in the cowboy hat, stated that faith is believing for now, hope is for tomorrow. We cannot have hope for tomorrow if we do not have faith today that it will take place. In other words, we must first have faith before we can hope, and the extent of the reality of our hope depends entirely on the extent of our faith. The faith in day to day living.
The second, who we sat under from time to time when we were capable to travel the 150 kilometres to get there, stated that one reason why Abraham was so blessed by God was that he had faith that he would be the father of many nations despite the fact that his wife's reproductive organs were beyond the hope of normal physical circumstances. [Genesis 18:9-14].
Faith beyond hope. Or, when God told him his good news, he wondered how it would happen without doubting. Not if it would.
Here's more, concerning your and my faith:
Moses, who was already God's man before he was the leader of Israel's children supposedly wrote the first five books of the Bible. This means that he wrote about Abraham, a man who lived many years before he himself was born.
Who told him?
When did he get the chance?
Do you believe that this is likely?
Is it possible?
Please read Psalm thirty six.

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When rebuking someone
Some person who wishes to do you or your family harm:
*A Psalm of David.* Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help. Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation. Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt. Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them. Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them. For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul. Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall. And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation. All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?

(Psalms 35:1-10)

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.

(Jude 1:8-9)
Let's take an extreme case: you are held up at gun-point somewhere.
How do you react?
Firstly, if the phrase "I will never die" is reality to you, there is no panic.
Secondly talk to the person gently and sensibly and raise you hand towards him and say something like this: "The Lord rebuke you in the name of Jesus Christ whom I serve, and may He cause you to repent for your evil ways."
Talk to him some more, you might even find that he and his family are starving and his little child is asking where the food is. You can help his family and his soul, can't you?
The Lord has given you the opportunity.
However, don't try this if you are doubtful in any way.
And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them. Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

(Acts 19:8-17)
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God is Holy.
God wants us to live holy lives, as is constantly mentioned in both the old and new Covenants in His word to us
Please take the time and read the story of the Children of Israel, God's chosen people, from the Book of Exodus to see what happened to most of them because of disobedience.
This is a shadow lesson for reborn Christians if we should ever backslide, and the consequences thereof are clearly laid out.
God's plan for man never changes.
Do you believe this?
Read the words of the Word aloud when in your closet as two senses are then used; sight and sound. This makes a vast difference in understanding what the Holy Spirit is trying to show you. It can make the difference between life and death.
Also, when you pray, say the words aloud in that they will be heard by God and at the same time makes it easier to pray, and the words will enter your soul and enrich your spiritual life.
The unclean spirits which are always around Christians will also hear the words that you say and fear anew every time.
Some who have been reading these writings have felt strangely blessed along the way, but really consider that this writer has gone overboard with the warnings that are written herein and neglected the more important comfort of the blessings.
Well:
if we read the Bible more, we would find God' promises for ourselves.
Also, consider this thoughtfully:
*To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD.* The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes. For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful. The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good. He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil. Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds. Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast. How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.

(Psalms 36:1-7)
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Bravery or desperation?
And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him. And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house: For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him. And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.

(Luke 8:40-48)
The woman needed something from Jesus, this was why Jesus knew that someone had believed that He was able to heal her. She was the person who did the action, Jesus was passive spiritually at the time?
What is not generally known by gentiles is that according to Jewish law it was illegal for a woman to be in the presence of men in this way. If found out she could have been stoned to death. She literally took her life in her hands, believing, for if Jesus was unable to heal her and protect her by His words she was probably dead.
You will notice that Jesus said "Shalom" to the people who He had healed. * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Every Knee Should Bow
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

(Philippians 2:5-13)
We must remember that this is written to the Christian Church at Philippi and is encouragement and warning to the Assembly.
However, this is the same for us who are professing Christians - to take the message to heart.
Moreover, all people from Adam to Z shall go through this process.
The word "should" is a derivative of the word "shall" as can be seen from this passage:
For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

(Romans 14:11)
So, this means that all suicide bombers, gangsters etc. shall say the words for God's glory. What is not so clear that they, the wicked, shall still go to the lake of fire, after making "the statement".
God will get the glory that He deserves, but the choices that we each make now will alter our final destination.
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Don't distress yourself.
*A Psalm of David.* Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.

(Psalms 37:1-13)
This passage of Scripture has deliberately been shortened to these few verses because the message contained in the psalm is contained herein.
It's recommended that you go back after this teaching and read the whole Psalm because a fuller explanation of God's requirements are laid out.
The key to the whole Psalm lies in verse four, and it is this, if we delight ourselves, if we are delighted by the promises and presence of God, we shall desire to follow His wishes in our lives.
He does fulfil His promises you know, if you share in His goodness.
Bear in mind - I shall never die!
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The Peace that God brings
You will need time to contemplate on this revelation.
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

(Philippians 4:6-7)
Do you have the peace and rest that the Holy Spirit brings when you are quiet before Him?
Do you have the trust in God like you had in your mother when you were little and knew that you could not cope on your own? She took your cares on her shoulders because you were made in her womb, and she revealed to you that she loved and cared for you. When you hurt yourself or were frightened, who did you run to for protection? When you were attacked by a dog, who ran to you to protect you?
Do you think that God your Creator can protect you?
Can you have peace in His presence?
Do you believe that God can do anything and that He loves you?
Do you love Him enough to listen to what He says and do what He has planned for you?
Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you. (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,) I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished. And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me. And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do. And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus. And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

(Acts 22:1-16)

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

(John 16:33)

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

(Romans 5:1-5)
Firstly we need to be justified, then practise having a peaceful nature.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

(John 14:27)
The peace of knowing that God will stick closer than a mother.
The peace of knowing where we are going!
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God can do anything
This is not just pie in the sky, but is reality, if we can firstly believe it and can then grasp it - with both hands.
Here are a few examples of what God did through Jesus, His disciple and Paul:
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

(Mark 16:15-18)

And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

(Luke 5:1-11)

Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.

(Luke 8:22-25)

Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed. Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again. Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying, Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.

(Luke 8:35-39)

And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house: For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him. And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.

(Luke 8:41-50)

Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece. And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart. And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.

(Luke 9:1-6)

But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive. And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat: Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven. And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship; And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away. But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship. For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

(Acts 27:14-25)

And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita. And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold. And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm. Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god. In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously. And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.

(Acts 28:1-8)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
You may ask "what use is a written ministry to the generation of today with computers and television, who can hardly write two words together." Yes?
Well the Bible is there and has been enough to learn the truth from for many generations; why not now?
Is it because there are so many technicolour alternatives to take our eyes off the Truth?
There is one thing in common to all the above examples:
The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.

(Luke 11:34-36)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Longsuffering.
God is so patient with us, those who are strangers to His Presence, and those who claim to be His servants.
And the LORD said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest. And be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai, and present thyself there to me in the top of the mount. And no man shall come up with thee, neither let any man be seen throughout all the mount; neither let the flocks nor herds feed before that mount. And he hewed two tables of stone like unto the first; and Moses rose up early in the morning, and went up unto mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and took in his hand the two tables of stone. And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.

(Exodus 34:1-7)

All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name. For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone. Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell. O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them. But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

(Psalms 86:9-15)

He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

(Luke 13:6-9)

Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

(Romans 2:1-6)

Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

(Romans 9:18-24)

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

(Galatians 5:13-26)

Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit. For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

(Colossians 1:8-13)

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

(1 Timothy 1:15-17)

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

(1 Peter 3:15-22)

This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

(2 Peter 3:1-9)
How God wants us to join Him in His Kingdom! * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Kingdom of God.
This subject is described and preached many times in the New Covenant, and it follows on from understanding this key verse in the whole Bible:
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

(John 14:21)
Here is the Heading Passage:
And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

(Luke 17:20-21)
The following passages of Scripture depend on understanding the above foundational concept before complete insight can be discerned:
In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

(Matthew 3:1-2)

The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

(Matthew 4:16-17)

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

(Matthew 4:23)

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

(Matthew 5:3-20)

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

(Matthew 6:7-13)

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.

(Matthew 6:20-21)

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

(Matthew 6:31-34)

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

(Matthew 7:21-27)

When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

(Matthew 25:31-46)

Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

(Mark 1:14-15)

And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

(Mark 3:24)

But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

(Mark 10:14-15)

And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

(Luke 1:31-33)

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

(Luke 4:18-19)

And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him,

(Luke 8:1)

And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

(Luke 8:10)

Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it. And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.

(Luke 13:18-29)

And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail. Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.

(Luke 16:14-18)

There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

(John 3:1-8)

Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

(John 18:35-36)

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

(John 16:33)

The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

(Acts 1:1-5)

But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

(Acts 8:12)

Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

(Acts 14:22)

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

(Romans 14:17)
As we have seen, this concept is the message of God to us, to learn and to live by.
So, after studying all of the above, how do we also become citizens and make it our Kingdom?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Answered Prayer.
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

(Matthew 6:9-15)
Do you believe that God hears your prayer?
O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.

(Psalms 65:2)
Do you believe that God answers prayer?
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

(Matthew 6:6)

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

(Matthew 7:7-12)

And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

(Luke 11:5-13)

Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

(Luke 18:10-14)

Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

(James 5:14-18)

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

(1 John 5:14-15)
It may be for a worldly item such as a bicycle for missionary work, or for Spiritual empowerment for use in the Kingdom.
It may be a no.
I know not to expect a bright red Ferrari if I ask for it.
Also, I asked and pleaded many times for the Spiritual gift of speaking in tongues, not yet receiving it. But then it is not required for this writing ministry.
So, if you ask for something that you need God will probably give it to you, depending on what you ask for or what you want it for; especially if it's for the promotion of the Kingdom.
Very often you will receive before you even ask, because God can do anything and is a Loving Father and He is Good.
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

(Psalms 139:2)

Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

(Matthew 6:8)
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Here's a thought:
Do you wonder whether God will remember you?
O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee: Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry; For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave. I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that hath no strength: Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand. Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps. Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves. Selah. Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; thou hast made me an abomination unto them: I am shut up, and I cannot come forth. Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: LORD, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee. Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise and praise thee? Selah. Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave? or thy faithfulness in destruction? Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? and thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? But unto thee have I cried, O LORD; and in the morning shall my prayer prevent thee. LORD, why castest thou off my soul? why hidest thou thy face from me? I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up: while I suffer thy terrors I am distracted. Thy fierce wrath goeth over me; thy terrors have cut me off. They came round about me daily like water; they compassed me about together. Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness.

(Psalms 88:1-18)
What about me?
The words of the apostle Paul:
But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

(1 Corinthians 9:27)
How do we ensure that this doesn't happen?
I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens. I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant, Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah. And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints. For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD? God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him. O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee? Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them. Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm. The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them. The north and the south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name. Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand. Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face. Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance. In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted. For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted. For the LORD is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king.

(Psalms 89:1-18)
We are the Lord's inheritance:
For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.

(Psalms 94:14)
God's faithfulness:
When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up. In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.

(Psalms 94:18-19)
Blessed is the Lord God.
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Conclusion
The teachings, and especially the parables of Jesus of Nazareth, [although not part of the new Covenant because Jesus had to spill out His blood for us for this wonderful opportunity to be available] were the word of God, the will of God made clear to all of us by the spoken word of the Creator who came to us as a man to prepare the path for those who choose the way of God above the ways of the god of this world.
Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

(Matthew 13:13-15)
Therefore, using these words spoken by Jesus our Saviour we are able to hear (if we speak them aloud), perceive, and accept them as the Truth that can set us free from the prison of our sinful bodies.
These bodies will remain with us until we leave this oppressive world system and the real person moves on toward the final, everlasting destination of his or her choice.
In this message series we have seen (and heard) allusions to the truth of the Kingdom; our hearts bearing witness therewith; and experiencing the assurance and comfort of the Holy Spirit of God, who has fine-tuned mere words into Truth.
Here is one last, and probably the greatest, parable spoken by Jesus:
Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

(Matthew 13:18-23)

And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

(Luke 8:10-18)
My friend, you may have read the above and understood most thereof and think that you are a good Christian. I have news for you:
And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

(Matthew 19:16-17)
What is Jesus of Nazareth saying about Himself?
The apostle Paul had this to say, in a letter to a Christian Church:
But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

(1 Corinthians 9:27)

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

(1 Corinthians 10:12)
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Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

(Matthew 13:43)
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* Selwyn Hughes, H.A. Ironside, Barry Smith, R.A. Torrey, A.W.Tozer, - - -
¹ www.hosanna.org.za
² Only Begotten: The sole representative of the Being and character of the One who sent Him. [Vine]
³ Catalyst: A person who causes or promotes change by their presence in a situation or their input to it.
⁴ Allegory : A narrative, picture etc. intended to be understood symbolically.
⁵ Parable: A fable or story of something which might have happened, told to illustrate some doctrine - or make some duty clear
⁶ Consecration: The devoting or setting apart of anything to the worship or service to God.
⁷ Contrite: The spirit broken by a sense of guilt or sin; wholly penitent; deep sorrow for past sin and resolve to avoid future sin.