Revelation 1:1-6 - A Bible Study

** This post is the first in a series of bible studies on Revelation **

  

In many of our Bibles, the book of Revelation is given the title "The Revelation of St. John the Divine."  And yet the first verse clearly states, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ."  We need to remember that these titles are not part of scripture but were merely added to identify the different books of the Bible and to also identify the human writer whom God used to pen His Word.  

The word "revelation" comes from the Greek word "apokalupsis" or "apocalypse"  and means to uncover or unveil.  It is the unveiling of Jesus Christ.  Through the book of Revelation we will see the unveiling of Jesus Christ, His return to this earth and His reign on this earth for a thousand years, also know as the Day of the Lord.  

Rev. 1:1 "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:"

The revelation was given from God to Jesus Christ.  Jesus Christ  then sends it to John via His (Christ's) angel.  Notice that it is "signified" by the angel to John.  In other words it is given in symbols.  Now, I've always believed and taught that the Bible should be taken literally.  For example, when the Bible states "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." in Romans 3:23, we can take God's Word literally.  It says "for all."  This literally means all or everyone.  And when it says "sin", well that literally means sin.  "Come short of the glory of God" will literally mean that when mankind sins, we fall short of God's glory.  It's just that simple.  I take the Bible literally.  Now when the Bible uses symbols or signs, I believe there is still a literal interpretation for those symbols or signs.  God has a literal interpretation, and sometimes we humans get it right and unfortunately we often get it wrong.  Although the book of Revelation was given to John in symbols or signs, we can still receive a literal interpretation from these signs.

Rev. 1:2 "Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw."

The "who" in verse two is referring to the Apostle John.  John had been exiled to the island of Patmos for his testimony of Jesus Christ during the reign of Domitian sometime between A.D. 91 and 96.  It was during this time that John penned the book of Revelation.  Here we are told that John bare record of the Word of God or the scriptures.  John also bare record of the testimony of Jesus Christ.  Just what is the testimony of Jesus Christ?  This question is answered in chapter 19 and verse 10, where we read "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."  The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.  The book of Revelation is a prophetic book.  Chapters four through twenty-two all deal with future events.  Lastly, we see that John bare record of all things that he saw.  This is past tense and does not refer to the book of Revelation but to the life of Jesus Christ, His death and His resurrection.  John bare record of Christ and was exiled for doing so.  

Rev. 1:3 "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand."  

The book of Revelation begins with a blessing and will end with a curse, see Rev. 22:18-19.  God promises a special blessing for all those who read and to those who hear the words from the book of Revelation.  Also a blessing to those who will "keep those things which are written therein."  I believe this means to memorize and meditate on those things written in the book of Revelation.  You will notice that it doesn't say anything about understanding the book.  God promises a blessing for all those who will read, hear, and keep on the things written in the book of Revelation without necessarily understanding all that is written within.   Don't let the fact that you don't understand the book keep you from reading it.  Satan doesn't want us to read the book.  Satan doesn't want us to see his final judgement.  God wants you to read this book.  Every time you read it you'll receive a new gold nugget.  You're going to find doctrine in the book of Revelation, you'll find answers to questions asked from the time of creation.  Read it and receive a blessing from God!

Rev. 1:4 "John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;"

The number seven in scripture means completeness and we are going to see it used throughout the book of Revelation.  John addresses his letter to the "seven churches which are in Asia."  Although there were at least ten churches in Asia during John's time, the letter is addressed to only seven.  We are going to see when we get to chapters two and three that these seven churches represent and share certain characteristics of the seven periods of church history.  We will talk more about these seven periods of church history, the church age and Daniel's seventy weeks when we get to chapter two of Revelation.  

John uses a greeting that is common in the New Testament and was often used by the Apostle Paul, "grace and peace."  Grace was the greeting used by the Greeks and Peace was that used by the Jews. The early churches were often made up of both Jews and Greeks.  Paul tells us in Galatians 3:27-28 "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."  When we are baptized (immersed) into Christ, we become new creatures, we become the body of Christ.

"The seven Spirits which are before his throne," refers to the Holy Spirit aka Holy Ghost.  The Holy Spirit is one.  The "seven Spirits" refer to seven characteristics of the Holy Spirit as given in Isaiah 11:2.  I will talk more about the seven Spirits when we get to verse twelve.  

"From him which is, and which was, and which is to come," refers to God the Father.  Although it may appear to refer to Jesus Christ, it would not make much since as we see in the very next verse "And from Jesus Christ."  It wouldn't make sense to say in verses 4&5, "Greetings from Jesus and from the Holy Spirit and from Jesus."  It would though make since to read it "Greetings from the Father, the Holy Spirit and Jesus."  "Him which is, and which was, and which is to come," signifies the past, present and future, the eternal being of God.  

Rev. 1:5-6 "And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."

Although John has penned the letter, it becomes obvious that it is from the Godhead: the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.  Now within verses five through six we see seven descriptions or references to Jesus Christ.  

1. "The faithful witness."  Since the book of Revelation is the unveiling of Jesus Christ, who better to testify of those things.  Christ is our faithful witness.  In the gospels we saw Christ in his humanity, we saw Christ as the Lamb of God, we saw His sacrifice for our sins.  In the book of Revelation we will see Christ as judge and as king.  Christ's testimony is faithful and true.
2. "The first begotten of the dead."  Christ certainly wasn't the first person to be raised from the dead.  Christ resurrected Lazarus from the dead as well as Jairus' daughter and the widow's son.  Christ is the first to rise from the dead not to ever die again.  The first to rise in an incorruptible, immortal body. 
3. "Prince of the kings of the earth."  In verse six we see that Christ has made "us" kings.  We are also told that we will reign with Christ on this earth Rev. 5:10, 20:6, 22:5.  This is a literal earthly kingdom as we will see as we further study the book of Revelation.  
4. "Unto him that loved us."  Christ loves "us" and this is why He was faithful to death on the cross.  Since Christ loves "us" there should be no reason to be frightened when we read the book of Revelation.  When speaking about the rapture, the return of Christ and the Day of Christ, Paul tells us to "comfort one another with these words," 1 Thessalonians 4:18 and "That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or troubled by our gathering together unto him."  2 Thessalonians 2:2.  Unto him that loved "us."  When we read that little word "us" in Revelation as well as in first and second Thessalonians, it refers to the church, the body of Christ.  Christ loves his Church and this is why Paul can tell us in 1 Thessalonians 5:9b "For God hath not appointed us to wrath..."  Click HERE to read about having confidence in Christ's return, and click HERE to read about the day of the Lord.
5. "Washed us from our sins in his own blood."  Notice that little word "us" again.  Have you put your faith in Jesus Christ?  Have you been washed in the blood?  The blood of Christ has washed (separated) us from our sins!  You see that there is spiritual circumcision (separation) that takes place when we accept Christ as our personal saviour.  Colossians 2:11 "In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:"  Although I will carry around this body of sin until I die, I have been circumcised (separated) from it through Christ.  It's the blood of Jesus Christ that has washed (separated) us from our sins. 
6. "Hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father."  In the Old Testament tabernacle and temple worship, only the priest was aloud entry into the most holy place, and only with the blood of the sacrificial lamb, goat or ram.  "Us" the church, have been made priests and as priests, we can enter into the holy place or the Throne of Grace boldly.  See Hebrews 4:16.  Again in Rev. 5:10 "And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth." This ought to excite the child of God.  We are going to reign as kings and priests (in our glorified bodies) on this earth!
7. "To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever."  All the kingdoms and dominions of this earth are temporary, but the dominion of Christ will be forever.  Christ will reign on this earth for a thousand years and then Satan will be loosed from his prison to deceive the nations once again.  Revelation 20:10 tells us "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever."  The last two chapters of Revelation tells us that there will be a new heaven and a "new earth" as this earth will pass away and that we will reign with Christ forever.  

In concluding this article, I would like to take this opportunity to say that this is not intended to be a super in-depth study on the book of Revelation.  We on the contrary will just do some "water skiing" through the book or Revelation.  I hope and pray that each article will be a blessing to the reader.

This is part one in a series.  Stay tuned for part 2.

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The Rapture (Part 1) - Confidence In Christ's Return

** This post is part one in a series of three articles studying the rapture. **

It was during our home Bible Study this last Sunday that I was teaching on the mysteries of God and we were looking at 1 Thessalonians chapter 4.  It was then that I decided that I wanted to share this with you.  Today we'll be discussing Paul's words describing how that we should have confidence and comfort in the knowledge that Christ will return for us.

1 Thessalonians 4:13, "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." Paul is writing here and he tells us not to be ignorant of some things.  It's amazing to me just how ignorant of the things of God, we as Christians are.  In these few verses, Paul is going to teach us some things regarding the dead in Christ and what we call the Rapture.  Yes I know the term "Rapture" is never used in the Word of God.  The term "Rapture" is just the name given to the gathering together of the Church at the end of the Church age.  Notice that Paul tells us not to sorrow as those without hope. Do you know what the Bible means by that word "hope?"  When the word hope is used in the Bible it means confidence which comes by faith.  Romans 15:13 "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost."  Hope means confidence!  When you read the above verse, replace the word hope with confidence.  It reads like this, 'Now the God of [confidence] fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in [confidence], through the power of the Holy Ghost.'  In today's English, the word "hope" means just the opposite, it means to have no confidence and merely wishing or hoping.  In today's English a verse like Romans 15:13 would have no power to it.  Lets look back at 1 Thessalonians 4:13, "...even as others which have no hope" or confidence.  If we have confidence in our salvation, then there is no reason to sorrow over the death of a believer. 

1 Thessalonians 4:14 "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him."  Lets look at Romans 10:9-10 for a moment: "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."  There is no salvation without a risen Saviour!  A person can't get saved without believing that Christ is risen from the dead.   Those which sleep in Jesus believed in his resurection during their lifetime and Christ will bring them with Him when He comes for His Church.

1 Thessalonians 4:15-16 "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:"  This is the rapture and not the return of Christ.  When Christ returns to the earth, every eye shall see Him.  Revelation 1:7 says "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..."  Read more about Christ's return in Revelation 19. 

Back to our passage in 1 Thessalonians, notice that "the dead in Christ shall rise first."   Remember in verse 14 the term was "sleep in Jesus" now we read "the dead in Christ."  What's the difference between these two terms?  The term "sleep in Jesus" refers to the souls of those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ.  The "dead in Christ" refers to the bodies of those same folks.  Let me explain this:  When you place your trust in Christ, a spiritual circumcision takes place.  Colossians 2:11 says, "In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ..."  Did you see that?  At the moment of salvation, this old flesh is separated from the soul.  Paul teaches us that sin dwells in the body, but we've been circumcised from that old body of sin.  Now at the time of  death the body is separated from the soul.  The body goes into the ground and the soul goes onto heaven.  Verse 14 said that "them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him."  Verse 16 says "the dead in Christ shall rise first."  The souls are returning with Christ from heaven to be reunited with the bodies which are rising from the grave.  1 Corinthians 15:51-53 says "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."  Paul tells the Church in Corinth that the rapture is a mystery.  He goes on further to say that "we shall all be changed."  Why?  because this body of sin can't go to heaven.  It has to be changed before the soul can be reunited with it.  The body is changed to a body that is "incorruptible."   It takes place in a twinkling of an eye.

Let me take just a brief moment to explain the difference between the terms "trump" and "trumpet".  We should all know what a trumpet is, a musical instrument.  The Bible has several references to trumpets.  Revelation talks about trumpet sounds as well as trumpet judgments.  The term "trump" is the sound that the trumpet makes.  Its important that we not get the two confused.  When Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15, "at the last trump" he is not referring to the last trumpet call in Revelation, but to the last sound that this particular trumpet makes, this is the trumpet which is sounded in Revelation 4:1.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 "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."  In the twinkling of an eye, the dead in Christ will rise from their graves, be reunited with their souls and immediately following we will rise and be changed from mortal to immortal.  And so shall we ever be with the Lord!  Now I don't know about you but the thought of spending eternity with Christ excites me.

1 Thessalonians 4:18 "Wherefore comfort one another with these words."  It just amazes me that Paul tells us at the end of this chapter to comfort on another with these words.  I've heard numerous messages preached on end times prophecy, the return of Christ and the rapture and every one of those messages were designed to scare Christians.  Yet Paul tells us to comfort one anther with these words.  The truth is that the believer is to find comfort in the scriptures that deal with Christ's return.  God even promises a special crown or reward to those who look to Christ's return.  2 Timothy 4:8 says, "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."

Paul's writing this passage of scripture so that we can have confidence and comfort in the fact that we're going to spend all of eternity with the Lord.  If you don't have this confidence click HERE to learn more about salvation.,

This is part 1 in a series.  Click HERE for part 2 (The Day Of The Lord).

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Narrow Is The Way

When my wife asked me to write a Bible study for CBSB, I wasn’t sure initially what I wanted to write about.  As the days went on however, God brought some things to the forefront of my mind, and it began to weigh on my heart that this was the topic I needed to share.  Today I want to talk to you about the wide and narrow path in Matthew 7:13-23.  These scriptures teach us that the whole of mankind are on two different paths, one path leading to eternal damnation, and one to eternal life.  I’d like to talk about what the Bible has to say about these two paths and how to know which path you’re on.

Matthew 7:13-14 "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."  The Bible teaches us that all of mankind is heading down two very different paths.  The Bible tells us that wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many on this road of destruction, but very few are on the narrow path that leads to life.  Do you know which path you are on? 

Of the two paths, one leading to destruction, one leading to eternal life, verse 15 tells us that we need to "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."  We are told to beware of those putting on the badge that says “Christian” but there has been no change within, they are still “ravening wolves.”  I think that this verse describes those that think that if they just call themselves Christian, that they somehow are Christian and that they're somehow on the narrow path leading to eternal life.  Some folks put on the badge for good reasons and some not so good.  Don’t be fooled just because some man in a suite comes on the TV and preaches a beautiful message.  He may even ask you to touch the TV screen for a special blessing or for healing power.  Don’t be fooled!   There are a multitude of good-hearted Christians sending their hard earned income to a bunch of ravening wolves.  Now I’m not saying that every TV evangelist is a ravening wolf, but I’ll tell you right now that many are!  Many of those so called modern day prophets or apostles are just trying to figure out how to get money out of your pockets and into theirs. 

On the other hand not everyone out there that has put on the name of Christianity as a badge is out to rob you blind.  Some have good intentions.  But, even though they put these badges on for good reasons, they have never come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  I’ve met many people that have put on the badge “Christian” but have never trusted Christ as their personal Saviour.  I remember a few years ago asking a deacon in our local church, when it was that he had accepted Christ as his Saviour.  The answer he gave was this:  “Well I was baptized in this here church in Texas as a child, then later I got baptized in this church down south and then I got baptized in a church across town, but then I got baptized in this church just for good measure.”  I’m sorry folks but getting into the water won’t put you on the path that leads to life, it just gets you wet!  Let’s look at Ephesians 2:8-9  "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."  Grace is unmerited favor.  It’s something that you just can’t earn.  God gives it to you freely.  Romans 6:23 also tells us that it’s the “gift of God.” 

Matthew 7:16 "Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?"  This verse tells us that we'll know them by their fruits.  Know who?  Christians and non-Christians, the sheep and the wolves, those on the narrow path and those on the path to destruction.   How do you tell the difference between a person who's just wearing the Christian badge and an actual Christian?  If verse 16 is accurate we can identify the real Christians against the wolves by their fruits.  Now you’re probably asking what will this fruit look like?  Look at Proverbs 11:30 "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise."  The fruit is a “tree of life.”  I remember being shown a family tree once.  A family tree charts a family beginning with descendants of many generations past, and as the generations pass by, the tree gets larger.  We’ve probably all seen a family tree.  Think of the tree of life as a family tree.  A Christian comes along and leads someone to Christ, and then trains the new born Christian to do the same (Matthew 28:19-20), the new Christian then leads another to Christ and so on.  What you now have is a “tree of life.” Look at the rest of Proverbs 11:30 “…and he that winneth souls is wise.”  There’s no missing it, winning souls and beginning your own tree of life is the fruit of the righteous.  This is the real way to tell the difference between the sheep and wolves.  This is the way you will tell if a person is a real Christian or just wearing the badge.

“Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?”  The wolves are NOT bearing good fruit.  The wolves are not leading people to Christ.  The wolves do produce followers but are leading them right down the path of destruction. 

Matthew 7:17-18“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.” Don’t ever expect a wolf to be leading anyone to Christ, it just isn’t possible.  Now listen, a good tree can’t help but bring forth good fruit.   A true believer can’t help but tell others about Christ.  A true believer just can’t help but tell the good news of what has happened to him or her.  Remember that nobody goes to pick apples from a thistle bush. 

Matthew 7:19 "Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire."

Look closely at the wording of this verse.  It doesn’t say that a tree that produces little or no fruit will be cast into the fire, but a tree that doesn’t produce “good” fruit.  Remember a good tree can’t help but produce good fruit just as an evil tree will produce evil fruit.  A true believer will produce good fruit.  Now a true believer may produce little fruit at times, but he will still produce good fruit rather than evil fruit.  

Revelation 20:11-15 “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.”  This is the final judgment for those on the wide path.

Matthew 7:20 "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."  I’m always hearing people say that God looks on what’s on the inside of a person and that’s true that He does.  But we as humans can’t see what’s on the inside of a person.  All we have to go by is what we see on the outside.  The outward appearance of a Christian is a direct manifestation of what has happened on the inside.  Let me give you an example of how you can know a Christian by their fruits.  I know a man that has called himself a “pastor” for many years.  The man has never been to Bible college or seminary, he has never pastored a church, never been ordained by the local new testament church, but still calls himself a pastor.  He believes that you should never speak about hell because you “can’t scare folks into getting saved.”  Someone one once asked him to describe heaven and he admitted he knew absolutely nothing about the subject of heaven (he even brags about this).  In all the years I’ve known this man he has never lead a single person to Christ, I’ve never know him to ever attempt it.  He has though taught several that it’s ok to tattoo your body, drink and live like the world.  “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”  Based on his fruits, I don’t believe the man has actually come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  We on earth are going to know Christians by their fruits, and non-christians by their fruits.

Matthew 7:21 "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."  The wide path is full of mankind wearing a label or a badge saying Christian.  They're walking down the wide path that leads to destruction saying 'Lord Lord' and saying 'I'm a Christian' but they have never come to that saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. 

Let’s examine that last phrase “but he that doeth the will of my father which is in heaven.”  Some of you reading this will probably say that He’s referring to the Ten Commandments or to the Mosaic Law.  But Christ doesn’t say the “Commandments of God” or the “Law” he says the “will of my father…”  Just what is the will of God the Father?  Christ answers that in John chapter 6:39-40: “And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.  And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”  The will of God the Father is to believe on Jesus Christ!  Now here is a great truth of the Bible, God’s will is that we believe on Christ.  God’s will is that once we believe on Christ, God gives us to Christ and Christ is responsible for our everlasting life.  I’m not responsible for keeping my salvation, that’s been entrusted to Christ.  Christ has always, and always will follow the will of the Father.

Matthew 7:22 "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?" That “day” refers to the day of judgment.  See Revelation20:11-15 (see scripture above).  And on that day of judgment many will ask, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? And in your name have cast out devils? And in your name done many wonderful works?'  Think about all the modern day prophets out there.  They’re out there prophesying, speaking in tongues, preaching, healing the sick, and yet Christ is going to look at them and tell them "I never knew you."  “But we did such wonderful works in your name,” they’ll say.  Don’t forget what Ephesians 2:8-9 teaches us “…Not of works, lest any man should boast.”  I wonder how many well intentioned individuals are walking that wide path to destruction trusting that their works are getting them into heaven.  What are you putting your faith into today? 

Matthew 7:23 "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."  Notice that term in verse 23 "I never knew you":  It isn't that "I knew you once and forgot you", He isn’t saying “hey you once had salvation and lost it.”  No Christ is saying that He never knew them.  They never came to that saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and yet the Bible tells us they did wonderful works, they healed the sick, prophesied, and yet Christ has never known them.

As you read these verses, you realize that these people were shocked to find out that they were in that broad way of destruction.  They stood before Christ thinking that they had for all this time been in that narrow way that leads to life doing all these wonderful works for God.  They were surprised by Christ's Words, when He says "I never knew you."  Notice that He says "depart from me, ye that work iniquity."  That word iniquity means sin.  How in the world could prophesying in the name of Christ, casting out devils in the name of Christ, and all these wonderful works, be considered sin or iniquity?  Attempting to work for your salvation is iniquity.  By rejecting God’s free gift of salvation and attempting to do it all on your good works is sin.  The wide road of destruction is filled with those attempting to work their way to Heaven.  God looks at those works as works of iniquity.  

So my friends, I’ll ask you again, which path are you walking?  If you’d like to know more about Salvation, click HERE.  If you’d like to learn more about God, click HERE.

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Scholar Contest!

It's time for another giveaway!

This month we're starting a scholar contest.  What's a scholar contest?  The name we've decided to give to any contest where we give away books on the Bible or Christianity that will help you learn and grow as a Christian.  Cool huh?

This being the first scholar contest, it will be the easiest.  The prize?  Check out the blue book in the picture.  A brand new, sealed copy of The Answer Book: A Helpbook For Christians, by Th.D. Samuel C. Gipp.

Personally I love Gipp's books.  They're always clear, concise, easy to understand, enjoyable to read, and full of factual information with references so you can look up the information he gives you.

This particular book has 62 common questions and answers new and sometimes seasoned Christians ask about the King James Bible and controversy surrounding it.  Examples of a few of the questions answered in the Q & A format are:

#4 What about the archaic words?
#8 Where do Bible manuscripts come from?
#29 Can a translation be inspired?
#38 Is the New King James Version an improvement?
#40 Is the NIV trustworthy?
#48 Wasn't the Textus Receptus named after 1611?

What to do to win?
Simple, just post a comment below to this post and tell me three things you'd like to see a study or article on in the future of this site.  Ideas could be a specific set of scriptures, a certain book, a specific topic, something in Christian news, something in Christian life today, or anything else having to do with the Word of God.

This contest is twofold.  One: somebody wins this awesome book just by giving their opinion.  Two: people who leave a comment below are telling us what they want to see written about on this blog in the future.

This contest runs until Saturday March 26, 2011 at 11:59 pm.  Whoever has posted 3 ideas below will be entered into a drawing.  The first person who's name is drawn wins.

P.S. Be sure to post after you've signed into your Blogger or Google account so that I know who to give the prize to.  I will post the winner on March 27, 2011, and that person has one week to contact me with details of where to send the book, or else the next person drawn will get it.


** RECAP **

The Prize is: A brand new copy of "The Answer Book" by Dr. Samuel C. Gipp, Th.D.

To win: Sign into your Google or Blogger account, and post a comment below with 3 things you'd like to see written about on this blog.

Watch: for the winner to be posted on Sunday March 27, 2011.

Please note: We can only ship the book to an address within the USA.  Winner must be able to receive the prize in the US.  Thanks.

Looking forward to seeing your answers in the comment below!

Until then, blessings!

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The Book of 3 John

Bible Study: The Book of 3 John

1:1 The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

In 1:2 we can see that John recognizes that Gaius’ soul is prospering (in other words he is laying up treasures in heaven rather than on earth… following the ways of Jesus). John wishes him as much good health and prosperity as his soul has.

1:3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

Brethren have reported back to John in 1:3 that Gaius is walking in the truth (John 14:6 - Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me). Obviously Gaius is following Jesus’ teachings. In 1:4 when John refers to Gaius as his child, I believe he is referring not to his physical child, but to his spiritual family… John probably lead Gaius to salvation, then making him his child and John his father… John is very pleased that Gaius has continued to walk in the ways of Jesus.

1:5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;
1:6 Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:

Gaius does good for not only those he knows and is spiritual brothers with, but also shows his love and kindness to strangers… we need to recognize that only showing that we have Christ in us to those who are already saved doesn’t do any good for those that aren’t saved… we should show our love to all people… look at Christ, who prayed for his enemies while he was hanging on the cross. Jesus has given us the best example of how to live our lives… we need to walk as Jesus walked and do as he did, because this is the way we will do well, not only here on earth, but also in heaven.

1:7 Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
1:8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.

Even though you and I may not be good at preaching the word, we should accept the help others may give us in doing this so that we can do our part to get the word out and tell everybody the good news.

1:9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

Diotrephes is the pastor of another church. John wrote him a letter, but Diotrephes, who likes to be the most knowledgeable and be in charge is unwilling to allow John to visit the church.

1:10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

Diotrephes speaks badly of John and his followers, probably out loud to the church congregation (something a good pastor wouldn’t do). Diotrephes won’t even receive John’s followers, Diotrephes fellow brethren, and forbids anybody in his church to receive them. If somebody doesn’t do something Diotrephes likes, he casts them out of the church… this seems like a dictatorship to me, instead of a family. To me this church sounds like it would be an unhappy one.

You know, the Bible talks a lot about doing things that are edifying to God and to the church, instead of to yourself… Diotrephes seems to only want to do things edifying to himself. Romans 14:19 also says, “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” We should try to lift other people up and help them, and not just try to make ourselves look good. Diotrephes doesn’t want John and his followers to pay the church a visit, because he is afraid he will not look as good or as smart if they do.

1:11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

John reminds us that we need to good, not evil. A person who does good is of God, and a person who has evil in his heart and does evil things obviously doesn’t known God… I think you have to wonder about a person who claims to be saved, and yet does evil things. Diotrephes would be an example of one of these people… just reading John’s description of the things he does or refuses to do, I have to wonder if he really accepted Jesus as his savior and Lord of his life… when you become saved, a change takes place within you… not a physical change, but a change in your heart, because the Holy Ghost will be in you, and you will want to do good things, or to change for the better for God. Don’t forget, our flesh will still sin, but our soul will not. It is human nature to sin, but there is a difference between simply sinning, and trying to be better, than to have evil in your heart and want to do evil.

1:12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.
1:13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:
1:14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.

In this epistle (letter) John has shown Gaius an example of a bad role model (diotrephes) and a good role model (Demetrius, who hath good report of all men and of the truth itself).

Having too much to write to Gaius in a letter, he tells him that he will be coming to talk to him in person. He wishes him peace, gives him greetings from friends, and tells him in the end to greet friends by name.

-JW.

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The Book of 2 John

Bible Study: The book of 2 John

Note: While there is no reliable source that tells us John the apostle is the author of this book, “The elder” in verse one is traditionally thought to be John. Second John touches on a few things the book of 1 John goes into in more detail.


1:1 The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;

While some believe “the elect lady and her children” are a noble woman and her family, I think this verse is John addressing a church and the church’s congregation.


1:2 For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.


When John refers to “the truths sake” he is referring to Jesus. John 14:6 says: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Jesus tells us he is the “truth” which is obviously what John is referring to here. We also know this because we know that once we are saved, we have the Holy ghost in us, and we will never lose our salvation (“and shall be with us forever”).


1:3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.


Here the author is trying to bless the “elect lady” and her children, and is quick to remind us that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.


1:4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.


The author is pleased to hear that the elect lady and her children (church and congregation) are keeping God’s commandments and walking in the truth. Because Jesus is the truth, I believe that this also means to follow Jesus and the ways that he has shown us. At every step of Jesus Christ’s life he has shown us how we should live. 1Peter 2:21 tells us, “Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.” 1 John 2:6 says, “ He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” We know from the Bible that it is not enough to just say you believe in Jesus. A good example of this would be: If you walked around drunk all the time, and then one day went out to try and save some souls, you are probably going to run into people who have seen you stumbling around drunk, who are then not going to care what you have to say, because you’re not acting very much like Christ. People will think, “How can he be a Christian? They can’t even take care of their own life, why should I trust them to take care of my soul?” So we can see why John is so pleased to hear that this elect lady and her children are walking in the truth, and not simply claiming to be believers.


1:5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
1:6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.


In 1:5 John is pleading with the elect lady to follow God’s commandment to love one another. John admits that this is not a new commandment, but one that we have had from the beginning. In 1:6 John tells us what love is: “that we walk after his commandments.” If we love God, we will try to do as he wants us to, and walk as he walked.


1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
1:11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

John tells us in 1:7 that there are many “deceivers” that are in the world… people who would act as if they are connected to God in some way, but never confess that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior… that he was born as man and died as their sins. He tells us these people who would try to deceive us into believing they are followers of God but never accept Christ are called an “antichrist.”


1:9 tells us that whoever doesn’t abide in Christ’s teachings doesn’t have God and isn’t saved. Remember that once you are saved, your flesh will continue to sin, but your soul is clean, and will not sin… your body doesn’t go to heaven, but if you are saved, your clean soul does go to heaven.


1:10 tells us that if an antichrist comes to you, don’t bid him God speed… I think this is important: why would you bid somebody God speed, or, “May God go with you and help you with your task,” if they don’t have plans to do things for God… people who aren’t saved don’t have God in their hearts, and don’t want to do good things for God. Now that’s not to say it’s not ok to pray for the unsaved. 1:11 tells us that if you bid the antichrist God speed you then become part of his evil deeds. I'm pretty sure this is just like being the getaway driver for a bank robber...

1:12 Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.
1:13 The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.


Because John has many things to speak to the “elect lady” he is planning on trying to meet with them instead of writing it all out on paper.


In 1:13 when he says, “The children of thy elect sister greet thee,” I believe this is also a sign that the “elect lady,” and her children refers to a church, and not an actual person. If you think about the word “elect” defined in the Websters 1828 dictionary as: “Chosen, but no inaugurated, consecrated or invested with office; as bishop elect; emperor elect; governor or mayor elect. But in the scriptures, and in theology, this word is generally used as a noun.” And also defined as, “Chosen; selected; set apart as a peculiar church and people; applied to the Israelites. Is.45,” we can see that this elect lady is probably a type of office, such as the one the pastor of a church might hold. If the elect lady and her elect sister were two churches, it would make sense that their children are the congregations of those two churches.


-JW.

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New: Bible Search Added!

Check out the new Bible search that's been added to the bottom right hand side of the Bible Study, Bible Trivia, and Bible Study Video Blogs. It's pretty cool and includes a KJV Bible search, KJV with Strong's Concordance, Illustrated New Testament, Strong's Concordance, Strong's Lexicon, Christian Image search, and King James Dictionary. It's a pretty awesome tool. Check it out below or on the bottom right hand side of each of our three pages.

KJV BibleKJV w/strongIllustrated NTStrong ConcStrongs LexiconImagesKing James Dictionar

-CBSB

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Hebrew and Greek Alphabets

For anybody interested, here are links to the Hebrew alphabet and Greek Alphabet

-CBSB

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J. Vernon McGee

For any Christians out there, or well... anybody else who's interested, I found a site where you can download the full MP3 version of all of J. Vernon McGee's Bible commentaries on the KJV. It's part of his half hour a day (get through the Bible in 5 years) program. The link to the page is here: http://www.thruthebible.ca/zipComplete.htm

It's free to download so long as you don't redistribute or sell without permission. Don't worry about registering, just scroll down the page and click on the link to download whatever book/Bible study you want in MP3 audio format. Old Testament on the left side, New Testament on the right side. I asked for a Microsoft Zune for Christmas, and I figure I'll probably get one, so I want some stuff other than music to stick on there to keep me busy.

-CBSB

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The Book of 1John (KJV) Chapter 5

Chapter 5

1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

- If we love the father (God) we must also love those he begat (gave birth to), meaning, if we love God we must also love Jesus. When we believe in our hearts that Jesus is the Son of God, we love and honor both Jesus and God.

2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

- If we keep to God’s commandments, we honor and love God, and also love our brethren. Also, God’s commandments are not grievous, meaning they are not something we should groan at doing. We should be happy to keep God’s commandments, and have joy when we succeed in living as God wants us to.

4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

- When we are born of God (when we become saved) we overcome the world just as Jesus did! We become more than the world can offer us. Those of the world cannot offer us eternal life and salvation and happiness, but God can, and does! Our faith allows us to overcome the world, because those of the world cannot or do not have faith, or straight out refuse to have faith.

6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

- Here John shows us the holy trinity. There is only one God, but God has three parts, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost. It’s like God has three separate beings in one, but is all still one, which is hard for not only me, but for most people to wrap their minds around. These three parts of God bear witness to Jesus being the son of God in heaven, and on earth the spirit, and the water, and the blood bear witness to it. the blood refers to Jesus. Verses 7 and 8 also say that all of theses things agree in one, meaning that they all agree with each other.

9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

- If a man gives us his witness that Jesus is the Son of God, that’s fine, but we know that the witness of God is greater, and God has indeed given us his witness all throughout the Bible that Jesus is his Son. When we believe that Jesus is God’s Son, and is our Savior, we also then have God’s witness in ourselves, and can then go and spread the Gospel (the Good News) to others. When we do not believe, we make God a liar, because God has told us that Jesus is His Son (We discussed earlier that God is truth and light, meaning not a liar, and not evil… we also discussed God being the Spirit of truth, and those that are not of God the spirit of error. If you then deny God by denying Jesus as his Son, since God has straight out told us that Jesus is his son, then you have the spirit of error within you, and are obviously not only fooled, but are lying, because God is not a liar). God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. God fulfilled his promise of eternal life to us by giving his Son as the ultimate sacrifice. Once we accept God’s free gift, we begin to live through Christ and then have eternal life after we die. When we have Jesus we have eternal life, when we do not have Jesus, we cannot and do not have eternal life.

13 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.

-Here John tells us why he wrote his letter. He wrote it to tell us about Jesus and God’s gift to us, so that we may also believe and have eternal life. Also, John tells us that ye may know that ye have eternal life if we believe on the name of Jesus, the Son of God. If you are saved, you cannot lose your salvation. It is simple. If you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and that he died on the cross for us and our sins, than ye may know that ye have eternal life. Eternal, once again being forever… nothing there about sinning too much and losing your salvation. We are saved by the Grace of God, not by our own works.

14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

- Once we are born of God, God hears all of our prayers, and we know that he will hear what we ask of him. This is why love (love being God) casteth out fear. Because this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.

18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

- I like verse 18 a lot. It says that once we are saved, nothing wicked can touch us. Wicked things can’t stand to be around us. This is why people who aren’t Christians often don’t associate with Christians, and this is also why it is important to have fellowship with other Christians. Also, even if the devil or something evil does grab hold of our body here on earth, and we die, our flesh dies, but we being saved will go onto eternal happiness and life with Christ. Evil can get our flesh and bones, but not our souls. Once we are saved, our souls belong to God.

19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

- In these last few verses John closes his letter by reminding us that the entire world is wicked, but those who are of God are not because we have been saved. He also gives us his testimony that the Son of God is Jesus, and that when we have Jesus, we have eternal life. John also reminds us in the last verse to not worship idols, because idols are the antichrist, and are of the world.

1John is my favorite book because it speaks a lot to me about many different things. It clearly lays out the plan of Salvation, that if we should believe that Jesus is the Christ, and we should believe in God, we will have eternal life. This epistle tells me what to look for concerning the antichrist, and it gives me clear, straightforward guidelines about how to live in love, and dwell in God.

Thank you all for your time,

-Jessica Worley

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