Forgiveness — From God’s Eternal Perspective & Purpose

On September 24, 2023 By David GossenIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Today, The Bible & You

Today’s Front Page

The Nation’s Christian Newspaper

July 2023

Forgiveness

From God’s Eternal Perspective & Purpose

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” — Ephesians 4:32

Forgiveness is one of the pillars of faith throughout Scripture. The first use of the word “forgive” or related concepts in the Bible is in Genesis chapter 50, where Joseph’s family ask for forgiveness for selling him into slavery. We read in Genesis 50:15-21, “And when Joseph’s brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him. And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying Thy father did command before he died, saying, So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spoke unto him. And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants.”

Why Did Joseph Test His Brothers

“And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.”

Abraham Pleaded for Mercy of Sodom & Gomorrah

However, the concept is certainly earlier than that, for example in Genesis chapter 18 where Abraham asks God to spare the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah if ten righteous people are found there. After all, who hasn’t heard of the command to “turn the other cheek?” Forgiveness needs to be one of the main attributes in the life and character of anyone who has been born of the Spirit in Christ through whom, as we die to self, our Lord Jesus who lives in us will forgive them through us. This is why we have been redeemed by our Lord Jesus so that He could continue living His life on this earth through us.

Tyndale House Publishers -- Forgiveness is Hard but a Hard Heart is Worse

When our Lord Jesus taught about prayer, he repeated three times in three verses about our need to forgive others in Matthew 6:12-15:

“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, forever. 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.” The word “forgive” appears six times in these three verses.

There are THREE rules to grow in Christ Jesus in His Word.

1.) READ Scripture daily.

2.) INTERPRET and UNDERSTAND the Scripture your READ daily.

3.) APPLY the Word of God you understand.

Forgiveness is the heart of the gospel and is a crucial factor in our growth in the intimate personal relationship God established with us when He washed our sins away in His blood and began living His life in and through us.

Slideplyer -- What Is Forgiveness -- Forgiveness is dimissing your demand that others owe you something PowerPoint Slide

WHAT IS TRUE FORGIVENESS?

THE OPPOSITE OF REVENGE: We need to talk about revenge because revenge is the opposite of forgiveness. In the Sermon on the Mount, our Lord Jesus taught:

“You have heard that it has been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That you resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite you on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matthew 5:38-39)

Bible Study Tools -- What Does the Bible Says About Revenge -- Matthew 5 verses 38 and 39

God teaches about forgiveness as contrast to revenge. Seeking revenge means storing anger and bitterness inside, and it has two consequences:

Verywell Mind -- How Emotions and Organs are Connected according to TCM

First not only does it hurt our relationships, it also has damaging implications on our health, because bitterness is something that eats us up from the inside. According to the research of Dr. Loren Toussaint and Dr. Grant Shields, unforgiveness directly affects the immune system, blood pressure, and the physical health and well-being of the heart.

Quote Fancy -- Billy Graham Quote -- Revenge easily descends into an endless cycle of hate and violence -- The Bible says never repay evil with evil

Second, revenge hurts others and leads to a never-ending cycle of revenge. Forgiveness sets us free from the vicious cycle and can turn our sworn enemies into our greatest friends.

St. Marks Evangelical Lutherean -- Joseph sold into slavery by his brothers

Understanding the purpose of forgiveness in Genesis 50 when Joseph forgave his brothers, will set you free to be a fruitful vessel of God. This is how Joseph responded to his brothers who asked Joseph to forgive them. Joseph tells his brothers in Genesis 50:19, “Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.”

Knowing Jesus --What Does Genesis 50 verse 20 mean -- As for you, you meant evil against me BUT GOD meant it for good

“You have heard that it has been said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'” (Matthew 5:38)

When our Lord Jesus made this statement, he was referring to a passage in Exodus 21, in which the Law of Moses sets the boundaries for revenge and introduces for the first time the principle of proportionality. If your neighbor punches you in a fight and breaks your tooth, you can’t take revenge by stabbing him with a knife. “A tooth for a tooth.” The Law of Moses was meant to set boundaries and to restrain the human heart which seeks revenge so that the revenge would be in proportion to the damage done. It’s important to understand that the Law of Moses does not represent the ultimate moral principles of God, principles of grace, compassion, and forgiveness. Not at all, rather it was God’s temporary compromise making this clear in the New Testament:

“He says unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning, it was not so.” (Matthew 19:8)

If Moses set boundaries and restraints, our Lord Jesus raised the standards back to God’s ultimate moral principles. Rather than starting a vicious cycle of revenge — forgive. Note that our Lord is talking about taking revenge on the offender, and not about taking revenge on the offense itself.

Biblical Proof --WordPress.com -- Jesus Was The End of the Law -- The Law of Moses was Abolished

In other words, he is not saying that going against evil, protecting ourselves, or seeking justice is forbidden, rather we are being told to not take revenge on the person who hurt us but to pray for them.

Later on, in his epistle in the Romans, God writes similar words and elaborates:

“Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay says the Lord.” (Romans 12:17-19)

“But I say unto you, That you resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite you on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matthew 5:39)

Daily Bible Reading -- WordPress -- If anyone slaps you on the right cheek turn to them the other cheek also illustration

In Scripture, to slap someone’s right cheek one needs to use the back of the hand — a degrading and humiliating act against someone. During the second temple period, this was used especially by the Roman guard. — when a Roman guard would (justifiably or not) slap a common citizen. Many of the Jews would be so humiliated to receive such treatment from a Roman Gentile that they would lose their temper and fight back; not against the evil itself but against the evildoer — the Roman guard — and would strike him back.

Quora -- Police Officer in the New York Police Department

As believers, we need to learn to suffer injustice when peace and forgiveness are the objectives, even if it means suffering physical harm, losing property, or enduring mistreatment. And all this, by the way, was exactly what our Savior Jesus endured for us — he suffered injustice so that we could receive grace and peace. As an example, from our times: Say a police officer strikes you and humiliates you — you need to take him to court and not try to hit him back. It is further written in 1st Peter 3:9:

“Not rendering evil for evil, for railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that you should inherit a blessing.” As was the case with Joseph and his evil brothers, God has a purpose when He allows us to be put in these situations. When we fulfill God’s purpose by responding to an evil deed with a blessing, God has a special inheritance prepared for us to inherit.

Verbum Bible --Readings -- Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him

A few chapters later, in chapter 18, one of Jesus’ disciples, Simon Peter, asked Him: “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus says unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: Until seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:21-22)

Our Lord Jesus is not saying that by the 78th time it’s ok to not forgive anymore, rather he is basing his answer on Genesis 4:24 and is using the symbolic number 7 to represent something infinite and perfect. If we are called to forgive over and over again, then we can be sure that God also forgives us over and over again. Our Lord Jesus continued and told His disciples a parable:

“Therefore, is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant, therefore, fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, which owed him a hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that you owe. And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay you all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So, when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O you wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt, because you desired me: Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, even as I had pity on you? And his lord was angry, and delivered him to the tormenters, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise, shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not everyone his brother their trespasses.” (Matthew 18:23-35)

A debtor who owed an enormous debt was brought before a king, a debt of 10,000 talents, amount worth millions today, and a debt that was obviously more than the person could pay. Therefore, the king ordered that the man, the man’s family, and his possessions be sold. This man did not deny his debt but asked for more time to pay the king back.

“And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.” (Matthew 18:27). The king decided to forgive his debt.

Note the three elements of forgiveness:

To have mercy
To release
To pardon

For instance, say I borrowed a friend’s car and accidentally wrecked it. If my friend decides to have mercy on me, it means that he decided not to be angry with me and to not let the incident hurt our relationship. However, I still owe him money to cover the repairs of the damage done to his car. If my friend also releases me from my debt, it means that he decided to take care of the repairs himself and to not ask me to return the money. This doesn’t mean that the cost for the repairs just disappeared — rather that my friend covered that cost from his own pocket in my stead. He paid the debt that I was supposed to pay. If my friend decides to pardon me as well, it means that he decided not to hold a grudge against me now or in the future, in other words, he is willing to lend me his car again.

Southern Living -- There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgivenss without love

My friend could have just had mercy and forgiven me for my mistake yet demand that I cover the costs. He could have released me from my debt but decided to cut off all communication with me. He could have had mercy on me, forgiven me for my mistake, and even released me from my debt, but refuse to lend me his car in the future.

But he was such a good friend that he not only had mercy on me, but also forgave me, discharged me from my debt, and covered the costs that I was supposed to pay — he even agreed to lend his car in the future.

Harvest.org -- Jesus Came to Pay a Debt He did Not Owe Because We Owed a Debt We Couldn't Pay

This is true and perfect forgiveness. This friend sounds too good to be true, right? Yet this is the kind of forgiveness God gave us through the Messiah, our Redeemer and Savior, and the kind of forgiveness that He wants to extend to others through His indwelling presence in us.

Redeeming God -- 10 Reasons Hebrews 9 versse 22 -- Without The Shedding of Blood There is No Forgiveness of Sins

OUR LORD JESUS CAME TO DO JUST THIS: He took our sins upon Himself and by His blood paid our debt for us and in our stead. It is written in Colossians:

“Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” (Colossians 3:13)

SlidePlayer -- Forgiving Does Not Mean Forgetting PowerPoint Slide

We also need to be able to forgive others for sins they have committed against us. Whoever truly understands the depth of forgiveness which our Savior gave us will surely be able to forgive others as well.

“But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, which owed him a hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me what you owe. And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay you all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.” (Matthew 18:28-30)

Wordpress -- Worry is Useless -- Lord, how often shall I forgive my brother illustration

How ironic it is that a moment ago you were forgiven, but now you yourself are unable to forgive another. The forgiven is unable to forgive. This is a true picture of mankind. Aren’t we all like that? We all want to be forgiven, but we’re not so quick to forgive others.

When someone sins against you and hurts you, you want to see justice done. You demand that justice be done!

Wisdom Hunters -- When Someone Sins Against You -- Revenge and Justification Can Never Heal -- Only Forgiveness Can -- Shana Schutte

When someone sins against you and hurts you, there are two ways you can respond: The first, is to remove that person from your life, take revenge, and hope that person will suffer as well, and when they have suffered enough, only then will you feel that they paid the price for their deeds. This is the response the Devil wants you to choose.

The alternative is our Lord Jesus. God wants every believer to “live by faith,” in response to God’s revealed Word. Faith demands us to remember that we also were forgiven and that’s why we choose to pay the price in place of the person who’s hurt us.

St. John Studies -- Forgiveness is the best form of love... it takes a strong person to say sorry and an ever stronger person to forgive...

Forgiveness isn’t easy at all and often times it’s counter cultural. It’s important to understand that forgiving someone doesn’t mean allowing them to continue to hurt you or sin against you. Forgiveness also doesn’t dismiss the accountability of the offender, but rather that it chooses to show grace despite the offense. True forgiveness comes when we “DIE TO SELF” and allow our Lord Jesus to forgive through us. God tells us in Romans 5:6, 8, 10, “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. . . But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. . . For if when were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”

Forgiveness isn’t a feeling. We never really feel like forgiving — it is DYING TO SELF, so that CHRIST JESUS CAN LIVE HIS LIFE THROUGH US BY FORGIVING THROUGH US. a dead person has no feelings — cannot hold any resentment.

“For it is God who works in you BOTH to WILL and to DO of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)

Never Thirsty -- How Do I Repent of My Sins -- What are the Steps

FORGIVENESS PAVES A PATH OF

REPENTANCE FOR THE ONE WHO’S

BEEN FORGIVEN

Forgiveness means choosing to have mercy on the one who’s sinned against you, in order to not damage the relationship. Forgiveness is choosing to release the one who’s sinned against you from the debt he owes you. And forgiveness is choosing to set that person free, pardon him, and give him grace now and in the future, and not hold a grudge against him in the future.

Andrea Unsinkable -- Forgive -- Really -- Holding a grudge doesn't make you strong; it makes you bitter

“Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O you wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt, because you desired me: Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, even as I had pity on you? And his lord was angry, and delivered him to the tormenters, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise, shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not everyone his brother their trespasses.” (Matthew 18:32-35)

In this parable, we get to take a close look at the man’s heart. He knows how to beg for forgiveness from others, but he doesn’t acknowledge the forgiveness that was given him and that’s why he is unable to forgive others.

Crosswalk.com -- God's Forgiveness -- 8 Important Things to Understand

Our human nature is an expert at self-justification. “Me? Of course, I deserve forgiveness!” But we all know how to blame others: When we’re in the wrong, suddenly the situation can be explained away through context and surrounding circumstances.

Pastor Rick's Daily Hope -- Forgive others because you need forgiveness too

When we realize that we sin exactly like everyone else, without exception, we stop looking down on others and acknowledge the fact that we too need forgiveness, that we too have been forgiven an enormous debt — and that’s why we forgive others.

David Jeremiah Blog -- What the Bible Says About Christ's Second Coming

Printed with permission of Today, The Bible & You located at P.O. Box 1722 Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74013, Phone No. (918) 279-1136. The name of the original article in the July 2023 issue of Today’s Front Page was “FORGIVENESS: From God’s Eternal Perspective & Purpose” www.JohnBarela.com.

What Does God Require Every Born-again Believer to Be Faithful in?

On July 9, 2023 By David GossenIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Today, The Bible & You

Today’s Front Page

The Nation’s Christian Newspaper

May 2023

What Does God Require Every Born-again

Believer to Be Faithful In?

Shutterstock -- Praying Hands On Open Bible Stock Photo

1st Corinthians 4:1-2, “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.“

Can you be counted a steward of the mysteries of God? Do you know the mystery of Christ?

The word “mystery” appears twenty-eight times in the New Testament but is not found in the Old Testament. The Greek word “musterion,” translated “mystery” does not mean something that is obscure or incomprehensible; rather it meant a truth given and revealed only to a select few that was unknown until it was revealed. Only those initiated into the group learned the secrets and after initiation the mystery was revealed.

Stock -- Church Praying Pew Man Stock Photos

Does this mean that Christianity has secrets? No! Some cults and false religions teach that there are special secrets that God only gives to a select few. This select few generally are leaders in some false religion or cult which teaches that God reveals things to them that He does not reveal to the lay person in their religion. They explain that the ordinary man in the pew cannot understand spiritual things and God has granted that privilege only to a small elite few. According to their corrupt teachings, God has secrets that the common man cannot know without consulting the religious leader. This reveals a possible motive for such a teaching and that these “leaders” use the secrets to control the people. If only the leader knows the truth then you must go to the leader to learn what to do.

Wikipedia -- Babylonian Captivity

Deuteronomy 18:20 says, “But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.” An example of this is found in the Book of Jeremiah. He prophesied that Israel would be taken into captivity by the Babylonians. Israel’s false prophets said it was not so and Israel should reject Jeremiah’s message. These false prophets all died when Babylon invaded the land and destroyed Jerusalem. Jeremiah, however, was spared by the Babylonians and even honored. God’s true message and messenger was authenticated in the fulfillment of the message of God’s prophet. Joshua 1:8 also attests to the authority of Scripture in the 14th Century BC and that Israel had God’s written word to follow. God promised them “good success” if they turned not to the right or left in following His word.

The Gospel of Religion -- The Gospel of Jesus Christ

God tells us, “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith“ (Romans 16:25-26).

Christianity Today -- The Apostle Paul and His Times

The chief use of the word “mysteries” in the New Testament was by the apostle Paul. He used the term “mystery” to refer to some operation or plan of God that had not before this time been revealed. It is never used to carry the idea of a secret that was to be withheld, but of one that is to be published in time. Therefore, the word mystery in the New Testament refers to a previously unrevealed truth, that is now revealed and contains a supernatural element that still remains in spite of the fact that it has been made known. For example, we can look at the passage of scripture in 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18 which reveals the coming Rapture of all the Christians. It reveals to us the basic event, but not all the details. What we need to know God tells us, but when it will happen, is not told to us.

Knowing Jesus -- 43 Bible Verses about Mystery

Paul says, “by the Scriptures…the mystery is made known to all nations.” The truth is that biblical Christianity has no secrets! Any truth that God has revealed is open to all to understand. The Bible declares to all the world the good news of salvation to all men through the shed blood of our Lord Jesus. Man has access to the Bible which is God’s Word and can know and understand spiritual truth for himself. He does not have to rely on someone else to teach him. He can examine the teachings of church leaders, preachers and pastors to see if the things they teach are correct and what the Bible actually teaches. Be careful if any teacher becomes offended when you question what they teach or believe. To the contrary, God’s leaders should welcome all questions as to what the Bible says. When questions are asked, the opportunity is presented to verify the teachings according to God’s Word. That has a threefold benefit of teaching the truth, strengthening a person’s faith and enabling them to teach others (1st Timothy 2:2). This responsibility is given to every believer to know first-hand what the truth is.

Beautiful in Jesus -- What Does the Word of God Do in Our Lives -- (Here are 10 Powerful Things)

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2nd Timothy 2:15)

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” (1st John 4:1)

Loving Gospel -- Having been born again not of corruptible seed

The problem today is not with the Bible though some would falsely say it is. The problem is with those who will not study and become approved in the Word of God. This is the source of false doctrine and division within Christianity today. God has clearly revealed to us His truth and all we need to do is to believe and follow it.

The List of Truths which were mysteries in Old Testament times but were revealed in the New Testament. Here is a list of the Mysteries:

1.) Mystery of Christ IN YOU, Colossians 1:27 and Church as the Bride of Christ, Ephesians 5:28-32.

2.) Mystery of Israel’s blindness Romans 11:25, The “fullness of the times of the Gentiles.”

3.) The Mystery of Babylon, the False Church, Revelation 17:5.

4.) Mystery of the Kingdom of Heaven, Matthew 13:11.

5.) Mystery of the Rapture, 1st Corinthians 15:51-52, 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18, Romans 8:10-121; Of Godliness 1st Timothy 3:16.

6.) Mystery of the Jews / Gentiles One Body — Church, Ephesians 3:3-6.

7.) The Mystery of Iniquity, 2nd Thessalonians 2:7.

8.) Mystery of Godliness, the Incarnation, 1st Timothy 3:16.

9.) Mystery of God’s Will, Ephesians 1:9.

Beautiful in Jesus -- What Does Christ In You Mean

CHRIST IN YOU — The Most important mystery God wants us to declare is given to us in Colossians 1:25-28, “Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”

Holiness Revival Movement -- Ignorance of Church Leaders Makes Holy Living Impossible For Many Christians

Sadly, this mystery of CHRIST IN YOU continues to be a mystery to the overwhelming pastors and Christian leaders around the world, which is Christ in you. Because of this they cannot fully understand verses such as these:

Philippians 2:13, “For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

Galatians 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live: yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

Darrell Creswell -- WordPress.com -- Inspirational Bible Verses -- I have come that you might have Life

What does God wants us to know? Simple. That it is God that worketh [who is energizing / creating the power] in you! It is often thought to be the very reverse, and people often feel that if God works “in us to will and to do.” How many times do you hear, “Do the best you can.” “Be a good Christian.” “Be a good example to others.” This is exactly the opposite of what God intends. God tells us in Jeremiah 33:3, “Call unto me and I will show you great and mighty things that thou knowest not.” God says, “Pray to me, and when you do, I am going to show you things that you know absolutely nothing about.” When we yield to him, Christ Jesus in us, will guide us and place us in positions to fulfill the good works He has planned to complete in us.

Christian Posters Free -- WordPress.com -- Good Works -- Ephesians 2 verse 10

This is what God is telling us in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” God who knows the end from the beginning has already prepared before we were ever born, the good works that He wants to complete through each believer. God himself will be the one who will be energizing us TO WILL and who will also be THE DOING of this work IN US. CHRIST IN YOU will be doing this work.

Now Then Alliance Church -- Acts 8 verses 34 and 35

A great example is given to us how God worked in the life of His disciple Philip BOTH to WILL and to DO. God provides us with this account in Acts 8:26-35, “And the angel of the Lord spake unto Phillip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. and he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.”

Jules Jewels -- WordPress.com -- Filthy Rags -- Isaiah 64 verse 6

At the time these things are happening, we don’t really understand that it is God who is leading us. But when we look back on our lives, we can clearly see CHRIST IN YOU, who has led us all the way. Any good that can ever come from us is the result of CHRIST IN US. How do we know? Because God tells us in John 6:63 that the flesh profits nothing. Nothing good can ever come out of our human soul . . . we have a sinful nature. It is written in Isaiah 64:6, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”

Holiness Revival Movement Worldwide -- You Muat Be Born Again To Worship God Acceptably

God does not compel or force us against our will. He leads us to will as well as to do. The will cannot be forced; and the meaning here must be that God exerts such an influence as to make us willing to obey Him.

Printed with permission of Today, The Bible & You located at P.O. Box 1722, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74013, Phone No. (918) 279-1136. The name of the original article in the May 2023 issue of Today’s Front Page was “What Does God Require Every Born-Again Believer to Be Faithful In?” www.JohnBarela.com.

Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be Done in Earth as it Is in Heaven

On April 17, 2023April 17, 2023 By David GossenIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Today, The Bible & You

Today’s Front Page

The Nation’s Christian Newspaper

April 2023

Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be Done in Earth

as it Is in Heaven

Millions have prayed the Lord’s prayer for hundreds of years and yet have not the foggiest idea what it refers to. Find out about some special plans God has waiting for us in Heaven and in Earth.

Beyond Today -- Christ's Thousand Year Reign on Earth

Thy Kingdom Come on Earth refers to the time when our Lord Jesus will return in His glorified body to this earth with you and me. We will also have a glorified body like our Lord Jesus. He tells us in 1st John 3:1-2, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore, the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”

On the Line Ministries -- What Will The Millennial Reign of Jesus Be Like

Our Lord Jesus will return to the earth and set up His Kingdom on earth for one thousand years. It is commonly known as the Millennial Reign of Christ. Besides our Lord Jesus and the born-again believers, the earth will be populated by ordinary, living, breathing humans, some of whom survived the Great Tribulation Period, together with those who will be born (in the usual manner) during the Kingdom Period. This time on earth will be completely different as we know it today or have ever known it. The human lifespan will return to what it was in the days of Adam, with many living to the age of 1,000 years of age. But they will be mortal humans in the sense that, even with Satan bound, men will still die, and sin will still exist.

“There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die at hundred years old; but the sinner being a hundred years old shall be accursed.” (Isaiah 65:20)

Further proving that the inhabitants of the Kingdom Period are ordinary humans; they will have to work for a living, even as they enjoy an extended lifespan:

“And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them.” (Isaiah 65:21-22)

Orthodox Christianity Then and Now -- The Rapture

Cohabitating the earth with mortal humans, Scripture tells us, are the immortal resurrected dead, the born-again Christians who were taken to Heaven before the Great Tribulation Period when the Antichrist rules for seven years.

SlideShare -- Lesson 23 -- Chart of The Church Age Saints and The Tribulation Martyrs

“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.” (Revelation 20:4-5)

The Rapture According to Jesus Part Two

“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 20:6)

David Jeremiah Blog -- What is the Great White Throne Judgment

The First Resurrection refers to all of the believers who will be judged for the greater or lesser REWARDS, not sins because our Lord Jesus already paid the price for them. The Second Resurrection refers to the time when the dead bodies of lost sinners will have their spirit and soul reunited with their body and be judged at the end of time for the greater or lesser punishment for their sins.

Scripture Way -- What is Eternal Life -- Biblical Definition of Eternal Life -- John 17 verse 3

Revelation 20:4-6 mentions a “first resurrection” and identifies those involved as “blessed and holy.” The second death (the lake of fire, Revelation 20:14) has no power over these individuals.

The Bible identifies the ‘first resurrection’ as occurring in four stages, not two.

The Feast of Firstfruits signifies the Resurrected Christ for our Enjoyment as a Feast

The First Resurrection, in general, is the raising of all of the bodies of believers from all ages. It corresponds with our Lord Jesus’ teaching of the resurrection of the just” (Luke 14:14) and the “resurrection of life” (John 5:29). It clearly takes place in various stages; the first was Jesus Christ Himself two thousand years ago. He was the ‘First fruits’ (1st Corinthians 15:20). Who prepared the way of salvation for those who were born again in Him during the Church Age.

NeverThirsty -- Are the Old Testament Saints Resurrected at the Rapture

The second stage involved the resurrection of the saints of Jerusalem:

“And the graves were opened: and many bodies of the saints which slept arose. And came out of the graves after His resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.” (Matthew 27:52-53).

Heritage Baptist Church -- 1st Thessalonians 1 verses 9-10 -- A Word of Hope for those who missed the Rapture

Stage three is the resurrection of the “dead in Christ” known as the Rapture of “we which are alive and remain” at the Lord’s return for His Church at the conclusion of the Church Age. (1st Thessalonians 4:17).

And finally, the resurrection of the martyrs at the conclusion of the final seven years of the Age of the Law. (Revelation 20:4, Daniel 9:24).

See you in Heaven -- Tribulation Martyrs

All these groups are part of the ‘first resurrection’ upon whom the ‘second death’ (in the lake of fire) will have ‘no power’.

From the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus to the resurrection of the Tribulation martyrs and O.T. saints (Daniel 12:13); it is all part of the general ‘first’ resurrection of the dead in four stages, each of which is clearly separated according to Scripture to a specific purpose in the overall Plan of God.

The event which divides the First Resurrection of the Just and Second Resurrection of the Unjust is the millennial kingdom with Christ on earth.

Heritage Baptist Church -- Life in the Millennial Kindgom Matthew 6 verses 9 - 13

The last of the righteous are raised to reign “with Christ a thousand years” (Revelation 20:4), but the “rest of the dead [that is, the wicked] lived not again until the thousand years were finished.” (Revelation 20:5).

As part of understanding Scripture’s outline of the eternal Plan of God, it’s helpful to consider the various epochs of human history from the perspective of the angels who did NOT join the rebellion, and who, by nature, have no understanding of what sin really is or how it really works.

Tuko News -- Names of Angels of God and their Duties according to the Bible

“Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; WHICH THINGS THE ANGELS DESIRE TO LOOK INTO.“ (1st Peter 1:12).

Bible Hub -- Hebrews 1 verse 14 -- Are Not the Angels Ministering Spirits Sent to Serve Those Who Will Inheirt Salvation

We are a mystery to the angels. The Bible says they are charged with ministering to us, but that one day, they will serve us (NOT WORSHIP, ONLY SERVE) and they will also be judged BY us. (1st Corinthians 6:3)

Angels Transport Believers to Heaven -- Dr. David Jeremiah Teaching on Death

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with SO GREAT A CLOUS OF WITNESSES, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” (Hebrews 12:1)

Isaiah 14 introduces us to the first outbreak of sin in the universe.

Vicky's Forum -- The Destructive Sin of Pride

“For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into Heaven, I will exult my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of congregation, in the sides of the north: I will be like the most High.” (Isaiah 14:13-14)

RayKLiu -- WordPress.com -- Origin of Pride

For his sin of arrogance, God pronounced judgment on Lucifer, the most honored of His angels, and those rebellious angels who followed him,

“Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.” (Isaiah 14:15)

The existence of humanity is often described by theologians as the ‘trial of Satan.’

Rhema, The Faithful Church -- Jesus -- The Righteous Judge

The Courtroom is Planet Earth, with our Lord Jesus as the Righteous Judge, the angels as witnesses, and with sinful mankind serving as evidence. It is more than just the trial of Satan. Sin itself is on trial.

Lucifer, called in Scripture, “the anointed cherub that covert” was highly favored of God; “and I have set thee so” (Ezekiel 28:14) Isaiah 14:14 defines that first sin as, “I will” — the sin of pride.

The Trial Exhibits

Bible Wiki -- Fandom -- Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil

The trial opens with Exhibit 1 — Adam and Eve. They are placed in a perfect environment and given only one command — to avoid the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge. They fail — and humanity inherits a sin nature.

Josephine Elia -- Antediluvian Timeline From Adam to Noah

Exhibit 2 — Humanity is allowed free reign until the Flood — the so-called “Age of Conscience”, Without Divine interaction or instruction, society becomes so sinful and corrupt that God saves Noah and his family alive and destroys the rest in the Flood.

His Kingdom -- Relative Lifespans of the Patriarchs

Exhibit 3 — During the Age of the Patriarchs, God spoke directly to chosen individuals, Abraham, Noah, Lot, et al. Each, even having spoken directly with God, commit some heinous sins.

Getty Images -- The Two Tablets of the Ten Commandments

Having gone from one commandment (the Age of Innocence) to no commandments at all (the Age of Conscience) to direct confrontation, (the Age of Patriarchs) God progresses to giving mankind the Ten Commandments (the Age of the Law). Not one person ever kept all ten of them throughout his lifetime, no matter what the circumstances. (King David, for example, broke all ten of them.)

David Jeremiah Blog -- The Seven Churches of Revelation in Church History

Exhibit 4 — The Age of the Law, during which time the Commandments of God became so corrupted and perverted that it became necessary to scrap the whole system and replace it with the Age of Grace. To accomplish this God Himself stepped out of space and time, took on the form of sinful man, kept the Law on our behalf, and paid the price for our sin. (Death). In so doing, He made a way for all sinners to have their sins washed away by HIs Blood and be forgiven by faith through grace. Grace means that God offers to us something we do and can never deserve — the forgiveness of sins.

House to House Heart to Heart -- Salvation is Free But It Is Not Cheap

But most of the world rejects even the free offer of grace, preferring a life of unregenerated sin, thinking that they are good and establish their own code of conduct.

That constitutes Exhibit 5 — and it must make the angelic witnesses gasp in disbelief. From the perspective of the angelic witness, then, ‘one little sin’ has thus far brought mankind to the point it is today. So far, God has given sin every opportunity to prove itself of its wages.

WikiHow -- How to be Born again (with pictures)

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23).

Exhibit 6 — The Age of Grace concludes at the Rapture. The Rapture removes the restraining influence of the Holy Spirit, giving Satan (and sin) free reign for seven years. And the end result is the near-destruction of all human life. Our Lord Jesus then returns at His promised Second Coming, when He binds Satan for a thousand years, and reigns Personally from Jerusalem. Jerusalem willl then become Capital of the Planet Earth and Israel the Head of the Nations.

Sabbath School Net -- Monday -- The Heavenly Assembly in the Throne Room

Mortal humanity has no excuse, our Lord Jesus will be there, in Person, for all to see. Satan’s influence is restrained, lifespans are extended, there are no more wars, famine or poverty, and humanity is returned to the Eden-like state from which it began. With God Himself on the Throne of human government, ruling with a rod of iron for a thousand years, Satan is loosed for ‘a little season’.

“And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to whom is as the sand of the sea.” (Revelation 20:7)

Precept Austin -- Millennial Kingdom on a Timeline

The mortal humans who have lived in a state of God-given idyllic bliss for a thousand years, under the influence of Satan raise army to bring against the King of Kings and Lord of Lords Himself.

Exhibit 7: Sin is judged according to its works.

JW.org -- What is the Lake of Fire -- Is it the Same as Hell or Gehenna Bible Questions

“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. 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.” (Revelation 20:10)

Next, we see the SECOND resurrection. Unlike the first resurrection, it has only one phase.

Lamb and Lion Ministries -- The Certainity of Judgment -- Second Coming

“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. . . 14 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 20:12, 14)

Crosswalk.com -- The Lamb's Book of Life -- 10 Things Your Need to Know

In the eternal Plan of God, everything has a purpose. There are no omissions, no errors, and no inconsistencies.

Boston University -- Evolving Ideas of Sin with a half eaten Apple Illustration

From Genesis to Revelation, a central theme of Scripture is that sin is the cause of death, and will ultimately be eradicated from existence, together with all those who “received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” (2nd Thessalonians 2:12)

Praise the Lord for that OTHER central theme of Scripture.

Pure Flix -- Jesus' Words to the Thief on the Cross Teach Us True Forgiveness

“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.” (John 3:16)

Printed with permission of Today, The Bible & You located at P.O. Box 1722, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74013, Phone No. (918) 279-1136. The name of the original article in the June 2022 issue of Today’s Front Page was “Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be Done in Earth as it is in Heaven.” wwwJohnBarela.com

Amazing Changes Coming! The Millennium: Christ’s Rule on Earth

On March 24, 2023March 24, 2023 By David GossenIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Today, The Bible & You

Today’s Front Page

The Nation’s Christian Newspaper

February 2022

Amazing Changes Coming!

The Millennium: Christ’s Rule on Earth

What will life on earth be like in

10 to 50 years?

The Millennium -- Christ's Rule on Earth

Upon our Lord’s return to earth, His first order of business is to defeat the then-current world ruler, the Antichrist and his armies. After the Lord’s victories at the Battle of Armageddon, He will then set up His government, the Kingdom of God upon the earth. Our Lord’s thousand years of rule (Revelation 20:4) is commonly referred to as the Millennium. While some Christians are aware of this term, very few have a concept of what the Millennium will really be like.

Continue reading “Amazing Changes Coming! The Millennium: Christ’s Rule on Earth” →

Is There Life After Death?

On March 5, 2023March 5, 2023 By David GossenIn Heaven, Hell and Is There Life After Death, The Gospel of Jesus Christ Crucified, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Today, The Bible & You

Today’s Front Page

The Nation’s Christian Newspaper

February 2023

Is There Life After Death?

Do people actually go to either eternal bliss in Heaven

or an eternal Hell after death?

Is There Life After Death? — SettingSun Wellness

Critics of God and historical Christianity have always asked, “How can an all-loving God punish people forever in hell and punish them for any wrongdoing?” But here’s the thing, there are many more attributes to God than love. God is not only “all-loving.” God is just. God is holy. The Bible speaks seven times more about the Holiness of God than the Love of God. All of these attributes of God combine into the totality of who God is.

A better question would be, “How can a loving God who is righteous, forgiving, just, and merciful condemn people to hell forever?” There is a Scripture that perfectly describes this two-fold answer about God that is more completely represented. This is God speaking to Moses in Exodus 34:5-7:

“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.”

We must understand that God, who is just and holy, must punish those who sin. His Love does not come at the expense of His Holiness. God tells us in Ezekiel 18:20, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die…” The answer is simple. When we sin, we sin against an infinitely holy God. Therefore, there’s an infinite offense. This is why eternal punishment is the result.

The Scripture in Exodus 34:7 appears to be a total contradiction, “Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, AND that will by no means clear the guilty.”

We are told that God is keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin … then immediately declares that He “will by no means clear the guilty.” We are told in Romans 3:10-12, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”

The answer tells us why God gave us the Commandments in Romans 3:19-20, “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before 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.“

God will never clear the guilty — those who think they can enter the Kingdom of God by their own goodness and good deeds. God wants all to know that is only when they come to the Lord Jesus, asking forgiveness for their sins, and thanking our Savior for washing ALL of our sins with His blood. That is how we receive God’s mercy, and He takes our guilt.

God’s holiness and judgment begin to be taken seriously when we consider the effects of sin in the Flood of Noah. God had to destroy the entire planet earth in order to redeem those millions who would come to believe in Him after the Flood.

According to an article at Answers in Genesis (AiG), “some people believe the population was relatively low” (whatever that means) because of “wars, disease, and other factors.” However, if the population growth rate in the pre-Flood world (in the years between 4004 and 2348 BCE) was “equal to the growth rate in 2000, there could have been about 750 million people at the time of the Flood.”

But “given the extremely long lifespans before the Flood, the growth rate could have been “close to four billion at the Flood” The Earth’s population may have been upwards of four billion in the year 2348 BCE!

Future judgment is as important now as past Judgment. Earth currently has about more than eight billion inhabitants. How many of them will be judged with eternal condemnation if the Lord were to return soon?

Approximately 31% of the world’s population is affiliated with Christianity. Let’s leave aside the fact that some percentage of these individuals would not meet an evangelical definition of “Christian.” According to AiG, if the end of history came this year at least 4.8 billion individuals would be cast into a hell where they would consciously endure eternal torment (Righting America, pp 224-225). The righteous drowning of millions / billions of human beings prefigures the righteous burning of billions of human beings.

As God’s judgment in Noah’s flood, so will his judgment appear once again as it is written:

“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 there at: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

May be an image of text that says 'The question is NOT Why would a loving God send anyone to hell." The question is "Why would anyone choose hell over a loving God."'

There seems to be a great division in beliefs on the presence of what the Bible calls “Hell” and if it even actually exists. Just as Satan has propagated the supreme lie that he doesn’t exist in the minds of those who are in rebellion against a Holy God, so that same archenemy of what is holy is trying to convince these same people that there is no such thing as “hell”. Logically, the fool themselves by thinking if there is no Satan, and no hell … what do I need with God anyways? Even some denominations and religious leaders diminish the horror of what hell really is!

Note this quote of a minister that doesn’t believe that God is a God of Love, nor does he believe in an eternal hell, “For centuries, many ministers have been preaching “hellfire and brimstone” sermons and promoting a religion of fear by teaching that the unsaved face an eternity of torture. The common teaching is that incorrigibly wicked people will be tormented forever in some fiery, macabre manner in a terrifying place called hell. This horrible fate usually conjures up in people’s minds visions of an ever-burning hellfire where sinners are continually roasted on spits, and a devil with horns and a tail runs around sticking his captives with a pitchfork.”

The fact of the manner is that God is Holy and must judge sin. The Flood of Noah is documented proof. In Revelation 14:9-11 God makes it clear about a yet future judgment for those who take the Mark of the Beast and take upon them the image of Antichrist:

“And the third angel followed them saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand. The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.”

I, John Barela, ministered in a church several years ago where God was pouring out His Spirit in ways that I had never seen before. People were coming to our Lord Jesus in amazing ways and responding to His Word. There was a Methodist congregation nearby where most of their members began attending our fellowship because their pastor did not believe in the Scriptures as the Word of God.

On one occasion a lady from our congregation called and asked if I would meet with some of the ladies from the Methodist group who were misrepresenting things that I had said, and she wanted me to tell them personally what the difference was between our fellowship and the Methodist teaching.

There were about twelve at the meeting and it went well. They asked me if I had said there were demons on top of the Methodist building, which of course the answer was NO.

They told me that their pastor believes in the Bible exactly the same way that I do. I knew this was not true but left it at that. Then they asked if I would meet with their pastor and share these things with him in front of them. I told them yes. So, they called the pastor and he agreed to meet immediately.

We had a nice calm visit in his home. I began by telling the Methodist minister, “We are here because many of your people have joined our fellowship recently and these people think that you and I believe exactly the same way regarding the Bible. You have a right to believe anything you want, and I am not to challenge you about that. I am here simply to show the different doctrinal positions we have. Then I asked him a few questions:

1.) “Do you believe in the Bible?” He answered, “Oh, yes, of course, I do.” The Methodist people from his congregation all smiled with satisfaction at this reply.

2.) “Do you believe in the plenary verbal inspiration of the Scriptures and its historical accuracy.” He answered, “Do you mean if I believe in the Bible cover to cover and that Adam and Eve were literal people? I said, “Yes.” He answered, “Well, no I don’t. Adam and Eve were not people, but merely an allegory. And of course, I do not believe in Sodom and Gomorrah or that God rained down fire from heaven and destroyed them.” I answered him, “I know that is what you believe. But I do believe Adam and Eve were real people and that God did destroy Sodom with fire from heaven.” The faces of the Methodist people form his congregation then changed.

3.) I then asked, “Do you believe in the historical account of Jonah?” He answered, “Well John, that’s really not important. My wife does, but I do not. Again, it is an allegory.” The answer from me to him was, “This puts anyone who believes that the story of Jonah is historical in a position to make a choice. Do I believe this Methodist pastor who is teaching me that the story of Jonah is a was not a real story, or do I believe in the Lord Jesus who teaches me that the story of Jonah is a true historical story? Our Lord Jesus teaches us in Matthew 12:40, “For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whales belly; so, shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” This makes me have to choose because one of you, either you or Jesus, is not telling the truth. I happen to believe our Lord Jesus is telling the truth. He tells us in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life …” This is why many people have chosen to leave the Methodist religion and go to a Christ-centered and Bible-centered congregation.

Then he responded by saying, “Pastor John, we need to put these things aside and work in citywide crusades for the community.” My answer to him was, “You would probably be a very nice neighbor, but I could never join you in any type of crusade because our belief in the God of heaven and the Scriptures is totally different. If anyone asks me if it is all right for them to attend your Methodist religion, I would advise them that a person can never become a true born-again believer following the teaching you just informed me that you believe. And that they could never grow as a child of God as a member of your congregation.

4.) I ended our visit by asking him, “As far as you know, how would you classify the ministers, district leaders, and bishops in your Methodist religion as far as being orthodox or liberal?” Orthodox being Christ-centered and Bible-centered, — and liberal as believing as he did.

His answer was, “Well there would actually be three groups: Bible and Christ-centered like you (me, John Barela), about one percent. Orthodox, like himself, 10 percent. (He classified himself as non-Bible-believing, and not believing that Jesus is God and the only way to heaven — as Orthodox.) Then Liberal, a person who believes even less in the Bible and our Lord Jesus, 90 percent. Bishops can be labeled as corrupt because they control so much money.” To which I answered, “This seems to clear up everything we wanted to know. It is evident that you do not believe exactly as I do like these members of your church thought.” Now they knew exactly why many of their friends chose to leave the Methodist religion.

5.) I asked him, “Do you believe in Hell as a final judgment?” He quickly answered, “Oh no, I’m not one of those Jonathan Edwards types of preacher.” My answer was, “I didn’t think so, but your members here told me that you did when I asked them if you did.”

He answered, “Oh yes, I believe in Hell a little bit differently than you do. When couples are going through a divorce, they are going through a type of Hell.”

We ended on that note.

The Methodist religion is not alone in its beliefs in Hell and the Bible. Some denominations and well-meaning Christians believe that hell is a synonym for the grave. They go to great lengths to prove that Hades, the grave, and hell are all the same things. If so, why do so many Old Testament and New Testament writers under the guidance of the Holy Spirit make so much about the wages of sin and the eternal destruction of the soul in hell? Let’s look at some of the scriptures that point to the fallacy of not believing that the penalty for not having Jesus Christ wash our sins away with His own shed blood is an eternal home in hell’s unquenchable fire.

The word “hell’ appears 54 times in the Holy Bible. Hell is clearly defined in your Bible as a place of torment and burning. Only a fool who rejects what he reads would say hell is the grave or just separation from God. But some denominations dismiss the concept of an eternal living hell, and those who try to make it a biblical metaphor say a loving God would not send anyone to such a place. But is that true? True, God is a loving God and He desires that ALL come to repentance and be saved. God does not send anyone to hell. It is YOUR choice. C.S. Lewis summarizes this truth in his classic work, The Great Divorce: “There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says in the end, ‘Thy will be done,’ All that are in Hell, choose it.”

God does not send us to this place that our Lord Jesus spoke of where the worm dies not, nor fire quenched. But YOU DO, out of your own self-will by rejecting a free offer of salvation found only in Jesus Christ you choose to live eternally in hell’s torment.

“And if thy hand offend thee, cut if off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” (Mark 9:43-48)

Jesus was obviously not advocating cutting off a member of your body, but He was making a point that if you live like the devil, you will make your home with him at the end of time. He speaks of fire unquenchable and where the worm that eats your flesh, dies not. Our Lord Jesus is quite literal here.

Here we are speaking God’s Word to warn all who will listen about a place so horrible that I wouldn’t want my worst enemy to go there. We are not here to scare you, but to warn you. Realize that you are a flawed individual with a sin-filled past and born to sin as a nature of humanity.

Our Lord Jesus spoke of this very fact in the lesson of the rich man and Lazarus. When He spoke of the rich man and Lazarus being separated by a huge gulf and the rich man being in torment, was Jesus just telling a story? Was He stretching the truth, just to make a point? Let’s look at the passage. This is our Lord Jesus speaking.

“There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day. And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores. And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover, the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died and was buried; And in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.” (Luke 16:19-24)

Notice that those in Paradise have names, such as Abraham and Lazarus… but the “rich man” is nameless, faceless, and so is anyone who rejects the free gift of salvation found in Jesus Christ alone (Could this person be you?)

This place of the abode of the dead, encompassed hell and paradise, as the above verses speak of, but our Lord Jesus emptied Paradise when He was raised from the dead and those who were in Paradise were removed to the third heaven. (Ephesians 4:8-10) But hell and its torments are still there, as it has not been emptied yet.

Did you know that below your feet are millions and millions and millions of souls crying, screaming, weeping, wailing, gnashing their teeth, and begging for a drop of water on their tongue because they are tormented without rest with fire and brimstone, and they know that they are not getting out?

It’s not like it is here on the surface, but those who died without Jesus Christ as their Savior ended up there in a spiritual realm of separation from God and are in eternal torment. Those who reject God’s provision will have to face the consequence of their own choice. We can either receive Christ’s offer of forgiveness of our personal sins and receive His salvation — or we can reject it. It’s your choice.

The unmistakable teaching of the Bible is that all people, whether they are saved or lost, will exist eternally, in either heaven or hell. True life or spiritual life does not cease when our fleshly bodies pass away in death. Our souls will live forever, either in the presence of God in heaven if we are saved, or in punishment in hell if we reject God’s gift of salvation.

God’s Word was designed and written as a love letter telling about God’s love for us, sending His only Begotten Son to die in our place, washing all of our sins away and clothing us with His righteousness.

“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)

But take heart, my reader. You don’t have to spend eternity in a devil’s hell and be cast into a “lake of fire” enduring torment and separation from God for all eternity. You can choose the free offer of salvation and eternal life in heaven with Christ.

The Cross of Calvary

Are you in need of salvation?

Are you ready to place your faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior and receive this free gift of eternal life? If so, do it now. There is no special prayer you must pray to do so. Romans 10:9 says, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” The following prayer is one way you might make this confession with your mouth:

“Dear God, I realize I am a sinner and could never reach heaven by my own good deeds. Right now, I place my faith in Jesus Christ as God’s Son who lived a sinless life, died in my place to cover my sinfulness, and rose from the dead to give me eternal life. Please forgive me of my sins and help me to live for you. Thank you for accepting me and giving me eternal life.”

For more information on salvation, order the DVD “The Gospel — What it is and What it is Not.” A foundational teaching for all believers, new or old alike. It answers the question as to why God established the animal sacrifices that culminated in Jesus Christ the Savior. It covers the fulfillment of the Passover Lamb in Jesus Christ. It explains the difference between the law and grace. You will better understand the cults who claim Christianity but do not accept the Gospel of His grace, which is the new covenant.

An excellent evangelistic tool to reach those who are not yet believers but are seeking to understand what it means to be saved. It is 1 hour 20 minutes long.

To order this DVD for tax-deductible gift of $20 or more please contact John Barela at Today, The Bible & You at P.O. Box 1722, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma U.S.A. 74013 or please call him at (918) 279-1136.

Printed with permission of Today, The Bible & You located at P.O. Box 1722, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74013. the name of the original article in the February 2023 issue of Today’s Front Page was “Is There Life After Death? Do people actually go to either eternal bliss in Heaven or an eternal Hell after death?” www.JohnBarela.com

Where is AMERICA in End-Time Prophecy?

On August 21, 2022 By David GossenIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Today, The Bible & You

Today’s Front Page

The Nation’s Christian Newspaper

June 2022

Where is AMERICA in End-Times Prophecy?

Understanding the meaning of Symbols and Types in Scripture reveals the amazing truth regarding America and its future role in world events.

America, the greatest country the world has ever known, is described in key end-time Bible prophecy. It makes sense that the most powerful and influential nation on earth will play a vital role in the final stunning events of the world’s closing history.

The Bible is a Spiritual Book written by God a Spiritual Being given by God the Holy Spirit to Spiritual People

The USA was present in biblical prophecies all along. Why weren’t they found? God’s grace has sent me to share His precious message to more than sixty countries in the world. In Russia, Asia, and Arab nations especially, they erroneously believe that Christianity is a Western Religion that began in Europe. They were all amazed to discover that Biblical Christianity is Oriental (Eastern) — not Occidental (Western). All the writers of the Old and New Testaments were Semites — descendants of Shem, one of the three sons of Noah. Because the Bible is a spiritual book, it cannot be understood unless the Spirit of the Living God reveals it to them. This is why it is written in:

1st Corinthians 2--14 -- The Natural Man doesn't understand things of the Spirit of God

1st Corinthians 2:14, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

Orientals are known for their lack of direct speech. They convey what they want to say through parables, symbols, figures of speech, and the like. Our Lord Jesus was born of a Semitic mother named Mary and parables were used by him. It is written in Matthew 13:1-3.

Jesus teaching from a ship to the Multiples in his parables

“The same day went Jesus out of the house and sat by the seaside. 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 spoke many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow.”

The interesting thing about the Sermon on the Mount as it is familiarity know, is that “the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?” To which our Lord answered in Matthew 13:11, “Because it is given unto you (the disciples) to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.”

Daniel 12 verse 9 -- The Words are made secret and sealed up until the time of the End

Moreover, some end-time prophecies were to be sealed until the time of the end. This is what God clearly instructed the prophet Daniel. It is written in Daniel 12:8-9, “And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the end.”

When considering Daniel 7:5, one really does tend to see Russia in the symbolism.

Four Beasts in Daniel 7

Daniel 7:5 “And behold another beast, a second, like a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.”

Map of Russia

“It raised up itself on one side” indicates the dominance the western half of Russia has regarding its immense geographical size, not to mention Russia’s influence upon Europe and the Middle East to its west and south.

“It had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it” seems to describe a cooperative and/ or influence between Russia and three other countries, obviously with Russia dominating the agenda and manipulating the other three actors.

Is This the End of the Church Age

God also uses Images and Symbols to make the future known — and recent events have clearly shown us that we are indeed at the time of the end of the church age when a huge change will soon occur. The Rapture of the born-again believers in Christ Jesus will be taken away, and the long-predicted leader of the world will appear on the scene for seven years.

Map of Ezekiel 38 -- Who Are the Powerful Players in the Gog and Magog War

Many students of Scripture are familiar with the prophecy in Ezekiel 38-39 that tells us about the coming Russian invasion of Israel, along with Iran, Turkey, and others listed in Ezekiel 38. But does God have another item on the agenda for this Bear from the North? Absolutely yes!

Daniel 7 vs. 5 -- A Bear with three Ribs in its Mouth

Let’s take a look at The Bear in Daniel who Represents Russia

The bear in Daniel 7:5 is the second of the Four Beasts described in this chapter, (Daniel 7:2-8) “Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea. And four great beast came up from the sea, diverse one from another. The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made to stand upon the feet as a man, and a man’s heart was given to it. And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it; and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh. After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it. After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.”

Four Beasts in Daniel chapter 7

When we consider the lion with the eagle’s wings, this should come as no surprise that these beasts seem to be easily recognizable as England (British Empire) and the United States.

The Barbary Lion has been the national symbol of England since at least the Middle Ages.

Meet the Flying Bald Eagle -- United States of America National Emblem

The Bald Eagle has been the national symbol of the United States since 1782, six years after the Declaration of Independence was signed.

A Lion with Eagle's Wings coming out of the Sea

What’s amazing about this vision is the order. The lion is mentioned first “and had eagle’s wings.” This confirms history as the United States was British Empire. One can almost see the wings sprouting from the lion.

Artstation -- The Beast of the Apocalypse

The second beast, this bear has in his mouth three ribs, and is with another beast like a leopard, with four wings of a fowl and the beast had four heads and dominion was given to it. This same image is given in Revelation 13:2-3, “And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.”

What’s very intriguing about the symbol of the bear for Russia is that it really isn’t their official national symbol — interestingly enough, the two-headed eagle is. The symbol of the bear for Russia seems to have been given to them by the Western world. The bear was even considered as Russia’s national symbol as, accordingly to Wikipedia, the proposers of the idea noted, “Russia is anyway identified in the world with the Bear.”

Whether or not the bear is a symbol given to Russia on her own accord or given to her by other nations would seem to be irrelevant. The fact is, to the world, the symbol of the bear has been bestowed upon the nation of Russia, with or without her consent.

United Nations Ferocious Beast Sculpture Statue in New York City, New York

Amazingly, the sculpture of this same image here in Revelation 13, was on display in front of the United Nations Building last year (2021) saying that it was the Guardian for International Peace and Security. They are accurately describing what the Bible is saying to us.

The body of the leopard in Revelation 13 represents Germany, with the feet of the bear representing the former old Soviet Eastern bloc nations and the mouth of a lion representing Great Britain. Germany has been manufacturing Leopard battle tanks since 1965. The eagles’ wings represent the United States. The sculpture represents the current state of the NATO beast led by the United States. This NATO beast will suddenly have its eagle wings plucked off (we believe by the Bear).

Some students of prophecy believe that the bear and the rider on the RED Horse in Revelation 6:4 are one and the same, “And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.”

What do the four horses of the Apocalypse Represent

The bear is the national symbol of the Russian Federation and fiery red is the traditional national color of Russia. Some believe the rider on the Red Horse (Russia) will kill the rider on the White Horse (which some believe refers to America who is somewhat of a peacekeeper in the world). The great sword would represent Russia’s national nuclear arsenal.

Many students of the Word of God believe that mystery Babylon in Revelation 18 represents the United States. As the prophet was told in Daniel 12:9 to, “. . . Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.“

This is precisely what we are witnessing unravel before our very eyes. We are seeing what some believe is the imminent destruction of Mystery Babylon, which many believe refers to the United States. An attempt was made back on September 11, 2001, to destroy a major symbol of America.

World Trade Center buildings Smoking and being Blasted-1

On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, suicide attackers seized US passenger jets and crashed them into two New York skyscrapers, killing thousands of people. The attack remains one of the most traumatic events of the century, not only for Americans but also for the world.

Flighs Paths on September 11, 2001

Four planes flying over the eastern US were seized simultaneously by small teams of hijackers. They were then used as giant, guided missiles to crash into landmark buildings in New York and Washington. Two planes struck the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York.

The September 11, 2001 Attack on the Pentagon in Washington D.C.

A third plane destroyed the western face of the Pentagon — the giant headquarters of the US military just outside the nation’s capital, Washington, DC. The fourth plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania at 10:03 a.m. After passengers fought back it is thought the hijackers had meant to attack the Capitol Building in Washington DC.

US Capital Building in Washington DC

But God tells us in the Book of Revelation that the future demise of Mystery Babylon will only take ONE HOUR. Mystery Babylon will FALL IN ONE HOUR. This could have never been fulfilled before, but as we will see, IT CAN BE FULFILED NOW.

Nuclear Bomb Simulation Shows How Blast Would Destroy 24 US Cities

The ONE HOUR FULFILLMENT is given to us by God in Revelation 18:1-19, “And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed through the abundance of her delicacies…. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double… Therefore, shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour is thy judgment come. And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buys their merchandise any more… And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing. And saying, Alas, alas that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! For in one hour so great riches is come to naught. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off. And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping, and wailing, saying Alas, alas that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.”

What is it that could cause such destruction IN ONE HOUR that is written of in verses 10, 17 and 19? RUSSIA!

Russian Hypersonic Cruise Missile and Hypersonic Glide Vehicle-1

Russia was the first nation to develop the HYPERSONIC MISSILE. Why the fear and hype about hypersonic missiles? First, it’s important to understand the term.

What military powers — including Russia, China, the United States and North Korea — are working on now is a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV). An HGV is a highly maneuverable payload that can theoretically fly at hypersonic speed while adjusting course and altitude to fly under radar detection and around missile defenses.

Hypersonic Missiles Are Unstoppable Chart

An HGV is the weapon that’s almost impossible to stop. And Russia is thought to have an HGV in its arsenal, the Avangard system, which Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2018 called “practically invulnerable” to Western air defenses.

The Underside of a Russian Aircraft with one Hypersonic Missile on board

A Russian Air Force MiG-31K jet carries a high-precision hypersonic aero-ballistic missile Kh-47M2 during the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia on May 9, 2018.

“The MiG-31K can strike from unpredictable directions and could avoid interception attempts altogether. The flying carrier vehicle might also be more survivable than the road-mobile Iskander system,” the report said.

We are witnessing things that were predicted thousands of years ago. And God alerts us in Scripture about what we should do when we do see these things come to pass. It is written in Luke 21:28, “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”

The Bride of Christ with words that say Look Up My friends for our Redemption draws near -- Luke 21 verse 28

The Russian Bear is being backed into a corner by the hand of God Himself. Russia has been as Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar were.

Isaiah 17 verse 1 scripture written over Damascus, Syria

What specific roles will Russia play in the near future?

1.) Look for one strategic ally of Russia to be the first domino to fall, Syria. Israel will fulfill this prophecy regarding Syria that is found in Isaiah 17:1, “The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.” Damascus and Calcutta both claim to be the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. I have been blessed by my Creator to have visited both [Note: The Author of this original article in Today’s Front Page is Mr. John Barela.]

Damascus, Syria will Cease from being a City with a Nuclear Weapon Mushroom Cloud in the background

2.) With the fall of Syria, (which is not mentioned as one of the leagues of nations joined with Russia on its invasion of Israel in Ezekiel 38) — the Russian invasion of Israel will be the very next domino to fall.

Understanding the Battle of Gog and Magog -- The Coming Russian Invasion of Israel

3.) Just prior to its terrible defeat on this invasion of Israel, the Russian Bear will fulfill its role regarding Mystery Babylon in Revelation.

All of this could find its fulfillment within the next year. All of the right conditions are before us at this moment.

Crosswalk.com -- What is the Rapture and When Will it Happen

Somewhere along all of this, our Lord Jesus will fulfill another great promise to His followers given to us in John 14:2-3, “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.”

The Rapture -- 1st Thessalonians 4 -- 17 sign

This is the Rapture when our Lord Jesus will return in the clouds and take all of the born-again believers to the place our Lord Jesus has been preparing for us.

Final 7 years of World History under the Leadership of AntiChrist Emmanuel Macron Power Point slides

All of this will create the perfect condition for the world to be offered peace. This is when the head of NATO (Antichrist) will offer a special peace treaty and Israel will accept.

2030 Second Coming of Jesus Christ -- 2023 to 2030 Tribulation -- 2016 to 2023 -- 7 Years of Plenty And he will make a firm Covenant with the many for One Week -- Daniel 9 verse 27

Daniel 9:27, “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.” A “week” here refers to a seven-year period of time. In the “midst of the week” refers to the Antichrist entering the new Temple in Israel after the first three and one-half years of the tribulation and declaring that he is God.

The AntiChrist at The Third Temple at The Abomination of Desolation

This 7-year Peace treaty that will be signed will begin the much talked about Great Tribulation when all the world will be forced to take the mark of the beast. After one-half of the world’s population is destroyed during these seven-years, the Lord Jesus will return to earth to destroy the enemies of God and establish His one-thousand-year kingdom on earth.

Second Coming of Christ with Church-Age Saints Return on White Horses

Revelation 19:11-21: “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 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 in upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it should smite the nations: and he shall rule the 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 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 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.”

Jerusalem will be Elevated in the Millennium Kingdom of Jesus Christ and King David

Our Lord Jesus will rule the world from the city of Jerusalem and all the world will worship Him. NO more wars, guns, or weapons of any kind. No more cancer, hospitals or major diseases and people will live in their physical bodies to the ripe old age of 1,000 plus. No more religious divisions as the entire world will worship the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Millennium -- Christ's Rule on Earth

According to the prophesied signs, many of these things could be fulfilled within a YEAR — with the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus WITHIN TEN YEARS! Look up and lift up your heads for your redemption draweth nigh.

A little girl with Blonde Hair looking up with Luke 21 verse 28 written next to her

Printed with permission of Today, The Bible & You located at P.O. Box 1722, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74013, Phone No. (918) 279-1136. The name of the original article in the June 2022 issue of Today’s Front Page was “Where is AMERICA in End-Times Prophecy? www.JohnBarela.com

Why the Coming World Leader of Europe and the World Will Sign 7-Year Peace Treaty with Israel

On June 10, 2022June 10, 2022 By David GossenIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Today, The Bible & You

Today’s Front Page

The Nation’s Christian Newspaper

May 2022

Why the Coming World Leader of

Europe and the World Will Sign

7-Year Peace Treaty with Israel

Israeli President Herzog with Turkish President Erdogan in Ankara, Turkey March 8, 2022

God tells us in Daniel 9:27,

“And he shall CONFIRM THE COVENANT (treaty) WITH MANY FOR ONE WEEK (7 years): 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.”

The Russian Magog Invasion of Israel in Ezekiel 38 - 39

Continue reading “Why the Coming World Leader of Europe and the World Will Sign 7-Year Peace Treaty with Israel” →

Amazing Changes Coming! The Millennium: Christ’s Rule on Earth

On April 1, 2022 By David GossenIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Today, The Bible & You

Today’s Front Page

The Nation’s Christian Newspaper

February 2022

Amazing Changes Coming!

The Millennium: Christ’s Rule on Earth

What will life on earth be like in

10 to 50 years?

The Millennium -- Christ's Rule on Earth

Upon our Lord’s return to earth, HIs first order of business is to defeat the then-current world ruler, the Antichrist and his armies. After the Lord’s victories at the Battle of Armageddon, He will then set up His government, the Kingdom of God upon the earth. Our Lord’s thousand years of rule (Revelation 20:4) is commonly referred to as the Millennium. While some Christians are aware of this term, very few have a concept of what the Millennium will really be like.

Continue reading “Amazing Changes Coming! The Millennium: Christ’s Rule on Earth” →

Could Pope Francis be the False Prophet?

On February 13, 2022 By David GossenIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Today, The Bible & You

Today’s Front Page

The Nation’s Christian Newspaper

October 2021

Could Pope Francis be the

False Prophet?

Pope Francis at the United Nations with his right hand raised up

According to Scripture, the greatest religious leader in history, the Antichrist’s right-hand man called the False Prophet, will arise from Rome to force humanity to worship the Antichrist and deceive countless people near the time of Christ’s return. The false prophet is the leader of the false church (“the harlot”) in Revelation 17:1-5, and there is strong evidence that this false church is the Roman Catholic religion. It is highly likely that the pope has been specifically placed there to be the false prophet who works with the Antichrist throughout the tribulation period.

The Vatican and St. Peter Basilca in Rome, Italy

From a prophetic standpoint, out of all the popes who have come and gone in the past century, Jorge Mario Bergoglio (a.k.a. Pope Francis), who became pope of the Catholic religion on the 13th of March 2013, has accomplished more in the last two years than all popes combined to bring the pagan religious bride of Antichrist together!

Pope Francis and French President Emmanuel Macron hugging each other in a warm embrace

The false prophet will promote the worship of Antichrist (Revelation 13:12) and will likely be a leading religious figure, prior to the rapture, in order to ensure a global following for an Antichrist “declaring himself god” (2nd Thessalonians 2:4). Not only is Pope Francis the top religious figure, but he is also more popular than any political leader, according to a recent poll. Pope Francis holds the record for amassing one million followers on Instagram in the shortest amount of time (under 12 hours) and is one of the most influential world leaders on Twitter, followed by more than 40 million accounts! Pope Francis also rules over half of Christendom with its 1.3 billion Roman Catholics! The pope is positioned better than anyone on the scene to fulfill this prophecy.

Chrislam -- One World Religion under Pope Franis's leadership

The false prophet sets up a “living” image (statue) of the Antichrist that must be worshiped (Revelation 13:14-15). Pope Francis is already beginning to prepare people of the world to worship image figures of living men. On April 16, 2017, a wax figure of Pope Francis was set up for an Easter celebration. The statue was afterward transferred to the Petropolis Wax Museum, where it is on permanent display.

Wax Statue of Pope Francis standing in a car

The Roman Catholic religion has always used Idolatry / idol worship as a means of deception and have been making images for people to worship for many centuries. Is it really any wonder that Pope Francis and the Catholic religion are starting to use wax figures to deceive their flock?

French President replaced by a humanoid robot

There is also speculation about whether this “image of the beast” (Revelation 13:15) is going to be an Artificial Intelligence (AI) robot, and interestingly Pope Francis has attended many technology conferences on the topic of AI and even mentioned it at this year’s World Economic Forum, which many news reports admitted was “an unusual topic for a pontiff”. Could Pope Francis be preparing for the creation of a future AI robot in the likeness of the Antichrist?

Miracle Healing of Boy by Pope Francis

The false prophet will show his power by performing great deceptive miracles (Revelation 13:13-14). Performing miracles is nothing new to Pope Francis. Pope Francis is credited with many healing miracles and has already performed one miracle in which he turned dried blood into liquid.

Implanted Microchip -- The Mark of the Beast

The false prophet will force mankind to receive the “mark of the beast” (Revelation 13:16-17). Many Evangelicals and Catholics believe that RFID implants are the “mark of the beast” and are outraged by the technology. Yet, in a controversial move by the Catholic religion, Pope Francis has come out in vocal support of RFID Chip technologies and the extraordinary potential they hold for mankind! Francis said:

“We have examined the scriptures thoroughly, and I can conclusively say that there’s nothing to indicate that RFID Chips are Satanic in anyway. If anything, these devices are a blessing from God himself, bestowed upon humanity to solve many of the world’s ills.”

In addition, Pope Francis’ private meetings with tech giants including: Apple CEO Tim Cook, former Google CEO and Alphabet executive chairman Eric Schmidt, Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom, and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, makes you wonder… Could Pope Francis be preparing for the implementation of the “mark of the beast” in America and around the world? (Note: Apple, Google and Facebook are part of five American Tech companies that dominate and control every part of the digital life of an individual).

Pope Francis meeting with Facebook's Mark Zuckerburg Pope Francis meeting with Google CEO Eric Schmidt

The false prophet, along with the Antichrist, will promote and enforce a totalitarian world government, a global economic system, and a universal religion (Revelation 13:12). Ever since the very beginning of his papacy, Pope Francis has been pushing for global unity in religious matters, global unity in economic matters and global unity in political matters (calling for a “one world government” and a new “global politically authority”).

Pope Francis and Former Israeli President Shimon Peres embracing each other

Interestingly, Shimon Peres (former Israeli President) wanted to establish an international body representing the world’s major religions with Pope Francis as its leader! Peres stated, “perhaps for the first time in history the Holy Father is a leader who’s respected, not just by a lot of people, but also by different religions and their representatives”.

The False Prophet has two horns like a Lamb

The false prophet has “two horns like a lamb” (Revelation 13:11). In the Bible, the Lamb represents Christ, the Lamb of God. The pope takes the title “Vicar of Christ” meaning he is presented as Christ on Earth, in his place. So, he is literally the most famous man on earth to be “like a lamb,” or like THE lamb. In addition, the pope’s mitre literally has two horns. If you go to the Catholic Encyclopedia, they themselves call it a “two horned mitre!” Indeed, the pope is a like a lamb with two horns! (Notes: This verse is clearly symbolic, although it’s interesting how it also fits in a literal sense!)

The false prophet’s message of the devil and Satan (Revelation 13:11). Even the media have picked upon the fact that Pope Francis talks a lot about Satan, the devil. Nonetheless, Pope Francis’ false doctrine, alone, makes it clear who he serves. Pope Francis declares Lucifer as God, declares having a personal relationship with Jesus is dangerous, denies the existence of hell, claims atheists will go to heaven if they’re good people and that salvation is free, agrees with the evolution / Big Bang theory and rejects Creationism, sees nothing wrong with homosexuality… All the greatest heresies and lies of Satan!

Pope Francis in the Cobra Snake's head at the Vatican

The false prophet will deceive many, even the elect (Matthew 24:24). Pope Francis speaks boldly against the Bible almost every week without anyone to stop him! The silence of many proves that Pope Francis is the greatest false prophet in the history of what has been known as Christendom. The Catholic religion has never actually been part of the true born-again church of Jesus Christ.

Cobra Shaped building at the Vatican

The false prophet’s inward impression is fierce and dangerous (Revelation 13:11). Pope Francis has been known to attack anyone who opposes or dares voice disagreement with him. Just this year, the Vatican took new measures to punish critics of Pope Francis in a move that seems to belie the pope’s earlier calls for greater dialogue and debate with the Church.

The Dictator Pope -- The Inside Story of the Francis Papacy

The Vatican suspended historian Henry Sire after he was revealed to be the author of the bestselling book The Dictator Pope: The Inside Story of the Francis Papacy, a critical examination of the pontificate of Pope Francis. In it, Sire portrayed Francis as an authoritarian leader who does not brook opposition or criticism. Contrary to his public persona as a jovial man of the people, Sire wrote that Francis has turned out to be “a papal tyrant the like of whom has not been seen for many centuries” and under his administration, “the Vatican is systematically silencing, eliminating and replacing critics of the Pope’s views.” He declared:

“When the publicity cameras are off him, Pope Francis turns into a different figure: arrogant, dismissive of people, prodigal of bad language and notorious for furious outbursts of temper which are known to everyone from the cardinals to the chauffeurs.”

The false prophet kills people who don’t follow the Antichrist (Revelation 13:15). Pope Francis is the first such pope in the history of the Roman Catholic religion to be a JESUIT! Who can cause more harm and martyrdom than a Jesuit pope? The main enforcer of the Roman Catholic Inquisitions were the Jesuits who were in charge of murdering. For two or three centuries, many Protestants have given figures concerning the total number of people killed directly or indirectly by the Roman Catholic Papacy during the Middle Ages. The numbers given include 50 million, 68 million, 100 million, 120 million, and 150 million. Roman Catholics typically give much smaller numbers. Frequently the figures are stated without any information about where they came from or how they were computed. One can excuse a few thousand cases as exceptional, but millions and millions of victims can only be the result of a systematic policy, thereby showing the harmful results of church-state unions.

The Roman Catholic Jesuit Order Iniquistion methods of Torture that killed Millions

Pope Francis has taken and administered this same Satanic Jesuit oath which includes the following appalling statements:

“I promise and declare that I will, when opportunity presents, make and wage war, secretly and openly, against all heretics and protestants as I am directed to do, to extirpate them from the face of the whole earth; and that I will spare neither age, sex nor condition, and that I will hang, burn, waste, boil, flay, strangle, and bury alive those infamous heretics; rip open their stomachs and wombs of their women, and crush their infants heads against the walls in order to annihilate their execrable race.”

The false prophet intends to change times and laws (Daniel 7:8; 20-22; 24-25). Pope Francis can modify divine law as he pleases. One Roman Catholic writer quotes: “. . . the pope can modify divine law, since his power is not of man, but of God… “In Francis’ first year as Pope, various possible changes to Catholic doctrine were discussed around the Vatican:

change to grant Communion to Catholic couples who are divorced and civilly remarried.
change to grant Communion to non-Catholics.
change to grant Church blessings to gay unions.

The false prophet will influence the “kings of the earth” (Revelation 16:14; Revelation 18:3). Today, so many of the European Union’s political leaders are turning and guidance. In an historic moment back in 2014, Pope Francis addressed the leaders of Europe, the European Parliament in Strasbourg!

Building of the European Parliament

French President Emmanuel Macron held an “intense” meeting with Pope Francis, discussing global issues including the fate of migrants coming to Europe. The very fact that this religious leader is able to influence the leaders of Europe in this way, helping to give them advice and exhortation, shows the great authority this particular religion has in the heights of power in Europe. No other religious leader has been given such a privilege as the papacy.

Pope Francis intense meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron

The ultimate source of the false prophet’s power is Satan (Revelation 13:2), so it is expected the false prophet to be surrounded by religious and demonic symbolism. The religious and demonic symbolism around Pope Francis is very troubling.

Pope Francis flashing Satanic hand signs

Evil groups such as the Illuminati and the Freemasons use various hand signals to show their allegiance to Satan, and Pope Francis has been flashing satanic hand signs for years now! Many times, in public, during his papacy, Francis has flashed the 666-hand signal, the satanic horned hand symbol, and the “hidden hand” masonic sign.

Pope Franicis and a Philippian Cardinal flashing Satan Hand Gestures

The Bible makes clear that the man of lawlessness (the Antichrist) will not be revealed until the Restrainer (Holy Spirit-indwelt Church) is removed (2nd Thessalonians 2:3; 7-8). Since the false prophet rises to power after the Antichrist (Revelation 13:11), no one will know for sure who the false prophet is until the rapture occurs. That being said, we can speculate, and it certainly looks like a possibility, especially given the shortness of time.

The Best Rapture illustration of Jesus Christ in the Clouds at the Rapture of the Church

We are not saying that he is THE false prophet, Pope Francis certainly is an Antichrist in theology, life and prototype. The point of this article is not to identify who the false prophet is, but to warn those here for tribulation. Also, whether Pope Francis is THE false prophet or not, Francis is certainly fulfilling his role as a false prophet and possibly paving the way for the final false prophet.

Seven Seals, Seven Trumpets and Seven Bowls of Wrath of the Tribulation Period

“For false messiahs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” (Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22).

At that Time if Anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Messiah' or 'There he is do not believe it.'

Printed with permission of Today, The Bible & You located at P.O. Box 1722, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74013, Phone No. (918) 279-1136. The name of the original article in the October 2021 issue of Today’s Front Page was “Could Pope Francis be the False Prophet?” www.JohnBarela.com

Today, The Bible & You Q & A

On February 5, 2022 By David GossenIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Today, The Bible & You

Today’s Front Page

The Nation’s Christian Newspaper

January 2022

Q & A

Question: It is so difficult to understand the Bible when I try to read it. The words seem simple enough, but understanding what those words mean has been very difficult for me. How is it possible to understand the Bible? Is there an easy step by step way?

Answer: Your question shows that you are on the right track. God promises us in Proverbs 8:17, “I love them that love me; and those that seek me shall find me.”

The first chapter of the book of Genesis tells us that God made two great lights and set them in the firmament of the heavens, a greater light (the sun) to rule the day, and a lesser light (the moon) to rule the night. The moon, however, is lightless of itself. It shines into the darkness only by virtue of its relationship to the greater light, the sun. It has nothing of itself to offer a world in the dark; it has only the sunlight that it receives and faithfully reflects, just as we have only the light of the Lord, and nothing of our own, to offer the world of darkness around us. We must take our attention away from us — to the Lord Jesus. This is what repentance means.

True repentance is not being sorry for something you have done wrong. Now if you do something wrong, you should be sorry; but that is not real repentance. Real repentance is hilariously exciting. It is facing the facts of life, recognizing how God made you, how you were intended to function, and then being restored to that relationship of mutual inter-availability that the Lord Jesus enjoyed between Himself and the Father, a mutual inter-availability in which you are prepared to let Him be God. That is true repentance.

You give Him your hands for Him to work with, your feet for Him to walk with, your lips for Him to speak with, your eyes for Him to see with, your ears Him to hear with, your mind for Him to think with, your heart for Him to love with. You tell Him, “Thank You for being my Creator within the creature. You are in Business.”

Faith means letting Him live in you through HIs Word. In any particular situation you encounter, any particular need and responsibility that faces you, you will never let Him until you are prepared to admit that you cannot, and only God can.

In what ways, have you tried to live the Christian life for the Lord Jesus, instead of allowing Him to live it through you?
In growing faith, what do you need to allow the Lord to be in your life at this time?

Do you know what it is to live purposefully?

Is there an urgent sense of mission or some compelling thrust within you which makes life add up to the sheer adventure that God always intended life to be? If so, there is good news awaiting you, good news about the treasury of purpose and truth and wisdom to be found in the person of Christ, for living purposefully means trading our poverty for Christ’s wealth … our weakness for Christ’s strength. We exchange the bankruptcy of the fallen Adam for all the fullness of the Life of Christ, and we discover the sheer adventure of allowing Jesus Christ to be God in our experience, for God He is!

Are you experiencing the indwelling life of Christ? Are you standing aside, fully recognizing that you can do nothing on your own? Are you allowing the Jesus in you, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to act on your behalf? Have you allowed God to inhabit all of your life, or are you still cordoning off portions of your life, where our Lord Jesus is not allowed? Our Lord Jesus desires to indwell each of His followers to the point where their heart’s desire is “All of Him in All of Me.”

The Best picture of a man reading an open Bible

So many today are trying to claim Christianity apart of Jesus, THE Christ, THE Messiah, THE Savior, THE Son of God, God himself. They call themselves Christian for many reasons. Some claim Christianity because they admire Jesus. Some say they are Christian they are Christians because they were raised in a home where their parents were Christian. Others refer to themselves as Christians because they attend a Christian church. Some say they are Christians because they believe in God. Still others call themselves Christian to fit in, to gain business, to impress others, to cover up a secret life. Others falsely think an emotional experience, or a baby baptism is enough for them to call themselves Christian. Some claim to be Christian because they went to a Christian school, lived a good life, or went forward in a church service when invited to do so without true conversion.

Let me help you here if you have doubts as to whether you may truly be a Christian. None of the above “reasons” are enough to refer to yourself as a Christian! These are simply lame excuses, and none are not supported by God’s Word, The Bible. The Bible teaches that there is only one way you can rightfully refer to yourself as a Christian … you must be “born-again.” Our Lord Jesus Himself addressed this topic directly in a personal conversation with a devout Jewish Pharisee named Nicodemus telling him: “… Verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3).”

Only one way? Yes, only one way! That is exactly what the Bible teaches! No other way! The Bible describes a process through which you can be “born again.” There are many scriptures that could be cited to explain the process, but here are the ones that I use when asked:

Realize that you are “lost” — totally estranged from God and separated from God by a sinful nature. (Romans 3:23 — “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”)
Acknowledge that sin deserves punishment. (Romans 6:23 — “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”)
Acknowledge that the Lord Jesus took the punishment for your sins by dying on the cross. (Romans 5:8 — “But God demonstrated his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”)
Ask the Lord Jesus to forgive you of your sins and come into your life. (1st John 1:7, 9, “The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. . . If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”)

The harsh reality is that if you cannot point to a specific time in your life when you truly went through the above process, then you are not a Christian.

You can become a Christian right now.

Use the following prayer as your own or pray one that contains these elements:

“Dear God, I admit that you are holy and that my sins have separated me from you. I am a sinner. I recognize that I deserve punishment. I also know that the Lord Jesus died for my sins and that He was raised from the dead. I turn from self and sin and trust You to be my Savior and Lord. Forgive me Lord Jesus. Take control of my life and help me to be the person that you want me to be. Thank You, Lord, for hearing my prayer and saving my soul. Amen.”

God promises in the Bible that anyone who asks the Lord Jesus to forgive them, then He will. (Romans 10:13 — “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”) If you prayed the above prayer or one equivalent to it and meant it, you can be assured that God has saved you and you are “born again.”

The Bible offers many other words of assurance about your salvation. One of the clearest descriptions of that assurance can be found in 1st John 5:11-13, “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 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.”

NOW, as a “born-again” believer you can call yourself a Christian. You should unite with a local church where you can grow by learning more about Jesus, God the Father and the Holy Spirit through the preaching of the Word and through small group Bible study with other “born again” Christians.

An Open Bible with Romans 10 verse 9 above the Bible

Printed with permission of Today, The Bible & You located at P.O. Box 1722, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74013, Phone No. (918) 279-1136. The name of the original article in January 2022 issue of Today’s Front Page Christian newspaper was “Q & A.” www.JohnBarela.com.

Today, The Bible & You

Today’s Front Page

The Nation’s Christian Newspaper

July 2023

Forgiveness

From God’s Eternal Perspective & Purpose

WHAT IS TRUE FORGIVENESS?

Note the three elements of forgiveness:

To have mercy

To release

To pardon

FORGIVENESS PAVES A PATH OF

REPENTANCE FOR THE ONE WHO’S

BEEN FORGIVEN

Today, The Bible & You

Today’s Front Page

The Nation’s Christian Newspaper

May 2023

What Does God Require Every Born-again

Believer to Be Faithful In?

1st Corinthians 4:1-2, “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.“

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2nd Timothy 2:15)

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” (1st John 4:1)

Today, The Bible & You

Today’s Front Page

The Nation’s Christian Newspaper

April 2023

Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be Done in Earth

as it Is in Heaven

The second stage involved the resurrection of the saints of Jerusalem:

The Trial Exhibits

Today, The Bible & You

Today’s Front Page

The Nation’s Christian Newspaper

February 2022

Amazing Changes Coming!

The Millennium: Christ’s Rule on Earth

What will life on earth be like in

10 to 50 years?

Today, The Bible & You

Today’s Front Page

The Nation’s Christian Newspaper

February 2023

Is There Life After Death?

Do people actually go to either eternal bliss in Heaven

or an eternal Hell after death?

Are you in need of salvation?

Today, The Bible & You

Today’s Front Page

The Nation’s Christian Newspaper

June 2022

Where is AMERICA in End-Times Prophecy?

Understanding the meaning of Symbols and Types in Scripture reveals the amazing truth regarding America and its future role in world events.

Let’s take a look at The Bear in Daniel who Represents Russia

What specific roles will Russia play in the near future?

Today, The Bible & You

Today’s Front Page

The Nation’s Christian Newspaper

May 2022

Why the Coming World Leader of

Europe and the World Will Sign

7-Year Peace Treaty with Israel

Today, The Bible & You

Today’s Front Page

The Nation’s Christian Newspaper

February 2022

Amazing Changes Coming!

The Millennium: Christ’s Rule on Earth

What will life on earth be like in

10 to 50 years?

Today, The Bible & You

Today’s Front Page

The Nation’s Christian Newspaper

October 2021

Could Pope Francis be the

False Prophet?

Today, The Bible & You

Today’s Front Page

The Nation’s Christian Newspaper

January 2022