Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, "You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God." For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
(Rev 19:10 ESV)
To understand end times prophecy, you must first understand the testimony of Jesus - who He is, all that He did and is doing, and why. I believe all of that is summed up in the two greatest commandments - love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and love your neighbor as yourself. These commandments are what prophecy depends, or "hangs" on. Understanding them, as I have explained in BLT, leads you to the revelation that the relationship we have with Jesus is a marriage. His love story is what the whole Bible is about! Throughout His love story, you can find clues to this mystery, but to see them, you have to know who the main characters are. God purposely hid clues about them in His Word so that we would search them out. The Holy Spirit helps us to find these clues so that we can decode the mystery.
And He said to them, He who has ears to hear, let him hear. And when He was alone, they who were about Him, with the Twelve, asked Him concerning the parable. And He said to them, To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God. But to those outside, all these things are given in parables so that seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
(Mar 4:9-12 MKJV)
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (from Rev 2:7 MKJV)
Jesus wants us to know Him and He wants us to understand the events preceding His return for His Bride.
And he said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
(Luk 24:25-27 ESV)
Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
(Isa 46:9-10 KJV)
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.
(Rev 1:1-3 ESV)
In the book of Revelation, Jesus gave specific information for His Church to hear and understand about end times. This is in the form of seven letters given to seven churches. We discovered in "The Division of the Kingdom" that the Church is a divided body, just like the nation of Israel was divided. Why seven? Well, I have been studying that with E-Sword and I will give an explanation of that in the near future. But in my next blog post, I want to take a closer look at the letters that Jesus gave to His Church.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
A Woman's Perspective on End Times Prophecy
Growing up in the 80’s, I heard a lot about the "end of days" and many sermons on the "rapture". At our church, we even watched movies on that subject, like "A Thief in the Night", and "A Distant Thunder" where people who were left behind were beheaded if they didn’t take the mark of the beast. Now, we have the newer "Left Behind" movies and books, and many more people are interested in knowing the signs and times of the end. I am one of these people. When I was a girl, those movies we saw at church scared me, but when I became an adult, I decided to face my fears and read all the books in the "Left Behind" series. That launched me into my own study of the scriptures to find out more about end times and the return of Jesus.
Along with finding out the truth about Jesus in the Bible, I also wanted to find out how to be a better wife. Since my first marriage failed, I wanted to make sure my second one lasted. I had heard a lot of sermons on marriage, but I wanted to know for myself what the Bible said about marriage and the relationship between a husband and wife. As I studied scriptures on marriage, to my surprise, I started to see a connection between marriage and end times prophecy!
Basic Love Training, my study that I just finished sharing on my blog, explains why marriage is so important to end times prophecy. It explains God's biggest mystery – the marriage of God and the children of Israel. The details of this marriage were revealed to me when I focused my study on how to love God by keeping His commandments.
And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets." (Mat 22:37-40 ESV)
You see, I believe that understanding the details of God’s marriage is the "key" to understanding the marriage of Jesus and it also reveals the identity of His Bride in the book of Revelation. It is also the "key" to understanding the other end time prophecies that are found in the Old Testament books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Hosea.
Most end times prophecy scholars are men, but I believe it is time to take a look at prophecy from a woman’s point of view – a woman who has experienced similar emotions and situations that Israel (God's wife) has been in. So now, please allow this woman to give her perspective on end times prophecy.
Along with finding out the truth about Jesus in the Bible, I also wanted to find out how to be a better wife. Since my first marriage failed, I wanted to make sure my second one lasted. I had heard a lot of sermons on marriage, but I wanted to know for myself what the Bible said about marriage and the relationship between a husband and wife. As I studied scriptures on marriage, to my surprise, I started to see a connection between marriage and end times prophecy!
Basic Love Training, my study that I just finished sharing on my blog, explains why marriage is so important to end times prophecy. It explains God's biggest mystery – the marriage of God and the children of Israel. The details of this marriage were revealed to me when I focused my study on how to love God by keeping His commandments.
And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets." (Mat 22:37-40 ESV)
You see, I believe that understanding the details of God’s marriage is the "key" to understanding the marriage of Jesus and it also reveals the identity of His Bride in the book of Revelation. It is also the "key" to understanding the other end time prophecies that are found in the Old Testament books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Hosea.
Most end times prophecy scholars are men, but I believe it is time to take a look at prophecy from a woman’s point of view – a woman who has experienced similar emotions and situations that Israel (God's wife) has been in. So now, please allow this woman to give her perspective on end times prophecy.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
The King is Coming
I believe that it is imperative now that we go back to our 1st love, Jesus, and be in continual training in knowing who He is and how He wants us to love Him as God. We must understand His covenant and the mystery of His Kingdom, teaching it diligently to the next generation or they will be lost. I believe this is the foundation that we are lacking in the Church today. We have gotten spiritually out of balance and the scales are tipping. Training in love keeps the wife of Jesus balanced in her her daily walk and "acts of marriage" (use of spiritual gifts, authority, service in the Kingdom, etc.). The Church needs to get back to the basics of knowing and loving God.
If Christians would pledge to be Royal Soldiers and discipline themselves in Basic Love Training, then they would be an army who would know and love their God and would "be strong and take action".
With flattery he will corrupt those who abandon the promise. But the people who know their God will be strong and take action.
(Dan 11:32 GW)
King Jesus would clearly be seen in them and they would be strong and courageous by the power of the Holy Spirit. They would be beautiful, glorious, holy, and pure in the sight of their Husband, purposed to do His work on the Earth in these last days. They would be watchful soldiers, prepared for the return of their King!
And Samuel said to all the people, "Do you see him whom the LORD has chosen? There is none like him among all the people." And all the people shouted, "Long live the king!"
(1Sa 10:24 ESV)
Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
(1Pe 2:17 ASV)
Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
(2Ti 2:3 ASV)
The LORD has called out his proud and confident soldiers to fight a holy war and punish those he is angry with. Listen to the noise on the mountains---the sound of a great crowd of people, the sound of nations and kingdoms gathering. The LORD of Armies is preparing his troops for battle. They are coming from far-off countries at the ends of the earth. In his anger the LORD is coming to devastate the whole country. Howl in pain! The day of the LORD is near, the day when the Almighty brings destruction.
(Isa 13:3-6 GNB)
"Therefore, be alert, because you don't know on what day your Lord will return.
(Mat 24:42 GW)
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be of sound mind and be sober, for the purpose of prayer. Above all, hold earnestly in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.
(1Pe 4:7-8 MRC)
Remember the teaching that you were given and that you heard. Hold firmly to it and turn from your sins. If you don't wake up, I will come when you least expect it, just as a thief does.
(Rev 3:3 CEV)
"These will make war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with Him are the called and elect and faithful."
(Rev 17:14 MRC)
And on His garment and on His thigh He has a name written, "KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."
(Rev 19:16 MRC)
At the end of the thousand years, Satan will be set free. He will fool the countries of Gog and Magog, which are at the far ends of the earth, and their people will follow him into battle. They will have as many followers as there are grains of sand along the beach, and they will march all the way across the earth. They will surround the camp of God's people and the city that his people love. But fire will come down from heaven and destroy the whole army. Then the devil who fooled them will be thrown into the lake of fire and burning sulfur. He will be there with the beast and the false prophet, and they will be in pain day and night forever and ever.
(Rev 20:7-10 CEV)
King Jesus is coming back to defeat the king of Babylon (the devil) and He is also coming back to claim His Bride and City. That is our hope and that should be our motivation to complete our mission as Royal Soldiers.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming again and will receive you to Myself, that where I am you may be also.
(Joh 14:3 LITV)
The one who is testifying to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon!" Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!
(Rev 22:20 ISV)
All Royal Soldiers, it is time to cry out - "Come Lord Jesus, our King!"
If Christians would pledge to be Royal Soldiers and discipline themselves in Basic Love Training, then they would be an army who would know and love their God and would "be strong and take action".
With flattery he will corrupt those who abandon the promise. But the people who know their God will be strong and take action.
(Dan 11:32 GW)
King Jesus would clearly be seen in them and they would be strong and courageous by the power of the Holy Spirit. They would be beautiful, glorious, holy, and pure in the sight of their Husband, purposed to do His work on the Earth in these last days. They would be watchful soldiers, prepared for the return of their King!
And Samuel said to all the people, "Do you see him whom the LORD has chosen? There is none like him among all the people." And all the people shouted, "Long live the king!"
(1Sa 10:24 ESV)
Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
(1Pe 2:17 ASV)
Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
(2Ti 2:3 ASV)
The LORD has called out his proud and confident soldiers to fight a holy war and punish those he is angry with. Listen to the noise on the mountains---the sound of a great crowd of people, the sound of nations and kingdoms gathering. The LORD of Armies is preparing his troops for battle. They are coming from far-off countries at the ends of the earth. In his anger the LORD is coming to devastate the whole country. Howl in pain! The day of the LORD is near, the day when the Almighty brings destruction.
(Isa 13:3-6 GNB)
"Therefore, be alert, because you don't know on what day your Lord will return.
(Mat 24:42 GW)
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be of sound mind and be sober, for the purpose of prayer. Above all, hold earnestly in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.
(1Pe 4:7-8 MRC)
Remember the teaching that you were given and that you heard. Hold firmly to it and turn from your sins. If you don't wake up, I will come when you least expect it, just as a thief does.
(Rev 3:3 CEV)
"These will make war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with Him are the called and elect and faithful."
(Rev 17:14 MRC)
And on His garment and on His thigh He has a name written, "KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."
(Rev 19:16 MRC)
At the end of the thousand years, Satan will be set free. He will fool the countries of Gog and Magog, which are at the far ends of the earth, and their people will follow him into battle. They will have as many followers as there are grains of sand along the beach, and they will march all the way across the earth. They will surround the camp of God's people and the city that his people love. But fire will come down from heaven and destroy the whole army. Then the devil who fooled them will be thrown into the lake of fire and burning sulfur. He will be there with the beast and the false prophet, and they will be in pain day and night forever and ever.
(Rev 20:7-10 CEV)
King Jesus is coming back to defeat the king of Babylon (the devil) and He is also coming back to claim His Bride and City. That is our hope and that should be our motivation to complete our mission as Royal Soldiers.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming again and will receive you to Myself, that where I am you may be also.
(Joh 14:3 LITV)
The one who is testifying to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon!" Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!
(Rev 22:20 ISV)
All Royal Soldiers, it is time to cry out - "Come Lord Jesus, our King!"
Thursday, August 09, 2007
How to be an Overcomer - Part 4
King Jesus has given anointed appointments to each Royal Soldier for their service to Him.
For the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Only the tribe of Levi you shall not list, and you shall not take a census of them among the people of Israel. But appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony, and over all its furnishings, and over all that belongs to it. They are to carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings, and they shall take care of it and shall camp around the tabernacle. When the tabernacle is to set out, the Levites shall take it down, and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up. And if any outsider comes near, he shall be put to death. The people of Israel shall pitch their tents by their companies, each man in his own camp and each man by his own standard. But the Levites shall camp around the tabernacle of the testimony, so that there may be no wrath on the congregation of the people of Israel. And the Levites shall keep guard over the tabernacle of the testimony."
(Num 1:48-53 ESV)
"You shall appoint judges and officers in all your towns that the LORD your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.
(Deu 16:18 ESV)
And he said, This will be the privilege of the king who shall reign over you. He shall take your sons and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and his horsemen. And they shall run before his chariots. And he will appoint commanders over thousands, and commanders over fifties, and some to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and make his weapons of war and weapons for his chariots. And he will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. And he will take your fields and your vineyards and your olive-yards, the best, and give them to his servants. And he will take the tenth of your seed and of your vineyards, and give it to his eunuchs and to his servants. And he will take your male slaves and your slave girls, and your finest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work. He will take the tenth of your sheep, and you shall be his servants.
(1Sa 8:11-17 MKJV)
Then Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had been raised. As was his custom, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day. When he stood up to read, the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling the scroll, he found the place where it was written, "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to tell the good news to the poor. He has sent me to announce release to the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to set oppressed people free, and to announce the year of the Lord's favor."
(Luk 4:16-19 ISV)
He appointed twelve whom he called apostles to accompany him, to be sent out to preach, and to have the authority to drive out demons.
(Mar 3:14-15 ISV)
I do not call you servants anymore, because a servant does not know what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. "You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you. I have appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you. I am giving you these commandments so that you may love one another."
(Joh 15:15-17 ISV)
All of us fell to the ground, and I heard a voice asking me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me? It is hurting you to keep on kicking against the goads.' I asked, 'Who are you, Lord?' The Lord answered, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and stand on your feet, for I have appeared to you for the very purpose of appointing you to be a servant and witness of what you have seen and of what I will show you. I will continue to rescue you from your people and from the gentiles to whom I am sending you. You will open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light and from Satan's control to God, so that they might receive the forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'
(Act 26:14-18 ISV)
For this reason I was appointed to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the gentiles in faith and truth. (I am telling you the truth. I am not lying.)
(1Ti 2:7 ISV)
Now you are Christ's body and individual parts of it. God has appointed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then those who perform miracles, those who have gifts of healing, those who help others, administrators, and various kinds of tongues.
(1Co 12:27-28 ISV)
And it is he who gifted some to be apostles, others to be prophets, others to be evangelists, and still others to be pastors and teachers, to perfect the saints, to do the work of ministry, and to build up the body of Christ
(Eph 4:11-12 ISV)
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people to be his very own and to proclaim the wonderful deeds of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God. Once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
(1Pe 2:9-10 ISV)
The wife of the King should be secure in her position of royalty in the Kingdom!
(Review Heir to Riches, Beautiful, and Crowned with Glory)
For the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Only the tribe of Levi you shall not list, and you shall not take a census of them among the people of Israel. But appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony, and over all its furnishings, and over all that belongs to it. They are to carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings, and they shall take care of it and shall camp around the tabernacle. When the tabernacle is to set out, the Levites shall take it down, and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up. And if any outsider comes near, he shall be put to death. The people of Israel shall pitch their tents by their companies, each man in his own camp and each man by his own standard. But the Levites shall camp around the tabernacle of the testimony, so that there may be no wrath on the congregation of the people of Israel. And the Levites shall keep guard over the tabernacle of the testimony."
(Num 1:48-53 ESV)
"You shall appoint judges and officers in all your towns that the LORD your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.
(Deu 16:18 ESV)
And he said, This will be the privilege of the king who shall reign over you. He shall take your sons and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and his horsemen. And they shall run before his chariots. And he will appoint commanders over thousands, and commanders over fifties, and some to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and make his weapons of war and weapons for his chariots. And he will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. And he will take your fields and your vineyards and your olive-yards, the best, and give them to his servants. And he will take the tenth of your seed and of your vineyards, and give it to his eunuchs and to his servants. And he will take your male slaves and your slave girls, and your finest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work. He will take the tenth of your sheep, and you shall be his servants.
(1Sa 8:11-17 MKJV)
Then Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had been raised. As was his custom, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day. When he stood up to read, the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling the scroll, he found the place where it was written, "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to tell the good news to the poor. He has sent me to announce release to the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to set oppressed people free, and to announce the year of the Lord's favor."
(Luk 4:16-19 ISV)
He appointed twelve whom he called apostles to accompany him, to be sent out to preach, and to have the authority to drive out demons.
(Mar 3:14-15 ISV)
I do not call you servants anymore, because a servant does not know what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. "You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you. I have appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you. I am giving you these commandments so that you may love one another."
(Joh 15:15-17 ISV)
All of us fell to the ground, and I heard a voice asking me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me? It is hurting you to keep on kicking against the goads.' I asked, 'Who are you, Lord?' The Lord answered, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and stand on your feet, for I have appeared to you for the very purpose of appointing you to be a servant and witness of what you have seen and of what I will show you. I will continue to rescue you from your people and from the gentiles to whom I am sending you. You will open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light and from Satan's control to God, so that they might receive the forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'
(Act 26:14-18 ISV)
For this reason I was appointed to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the gentiles in faith and truth. (I am telling you the truth. I am not lying.)
(1Ti 2:7 ISV)
Now you are Christ's body and individual parts of it. God has appointed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then those who perform miracles, those who have gifts of healing, those who help others, administrators, and various kinds of tongues.
(1Co 12:27-28 ISV)
And it is he who gifted some to be apostles, others to be prophets, others to be evangelists, and still others to be pastors and teachers, to perfect the saints, to do the work of ministry, and to build up the body of Christ
(Eph 4:11-12 ISV)
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people to be his very own and to proclaim the wonderful deeds of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God. Once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
(1Pe 2:9-10 ISV)
The wife of the King should be secure in her position of royalty in the Kingdom!
(Review Heir to Riches, Beautiful, and Crowned with Glory)
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
How to be an Overcomer - Part 3
King Jesus has also given His wife (the Church) spiritual gifts and armor to help protect and build up her body, soul and spirit.
You have gone up on high; You have led captivity captive; You have received gifts for men, yes, for the rebellious also, that You might dwell among them, O Jehovah God.
(Psa 68:18 MKJV)
For as in one body we have many members, and all the members do not have the same function, so we, the many, are one body in Messiah, and each one members of another. But having different gifts according to the grace given to us: whether prophecy, according to the proportion of faith; whether ministry, in the ministry; or he who teaches, in the teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who shares, in simplicity; he who leads, in diligence; he who shows mercy, in cheerfulness. Let love be unhypocritical. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be tenderly loving in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor, not hesitating in diligence, fervent in spirit, slaving oneself to the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and curse not. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Be of the same understanding toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never give back evil to anyone. Have regard for what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends upon you, be at peace with all men. Never avenge yourselves, beloved, but give a place for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. "BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM; IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS UPON HIS HEAD." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
(Rom 12:4-21 MRC)
But concerning the spiritual matters, brothers, I do not wish you to be ignorant. You know that being led away, you nations were led to voiceless idols. Because of this I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, Jesus is a curse. And no one is able to say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit. And there are differences of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are differences of ministries, yet the same Lord. And there are differences of workings, but the same God is working all things in all. And to each one is given the showing forth of the Spirit to our profit. For through the Spirit is given to one a word of wisdom, and to another a word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; and to another, faith by the same Spirit, and to another, gifts of healing by the same Spirit, and to another, workings of powers, and to another, prophecy, and to another, discerning of spirits, and to another, kinds of languages, and to another, interpretation of languages. But the one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing separately to each as He wills. Even as the body is one, and has many members, but all the members of the one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For also we all were baptized by one Spirit into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, even all were given to drink into one Spirit. For also the body is not one member, but many.
(1Co 12:1-14 LITV)
Every good endowment and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with Whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
(Jas 1:17 MRC)
Above all, continue to love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without complaining. As good managers of God's grace in its various forms, serve one another with the gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must speak God's words. Whoever serves must serve with the strength that God supplies, so that in every way God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. Glory and power belong to him forever and ever! Amen.
(1Pe 4:8-11 ISV)
Love never does anything that is harmful to its neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law. This is necessary because you know the times-that it's time for you to wake up from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we became believers. The night is almost over, and the day is near. Let us therefore put aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as people who live in the light of day. No wild parties, drunkenness, sexual immorality, promiscuity, rivalry, or jealousy! Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not obey your flesh and its desires.
(Rom 13:10-14 ISV)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty strength. Put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the devil's strategies. For our struggle is not against a human opponent, but against rulers, against authorities, against cosmic powers in the darkness around us, against evil spiritual forces in the heavenly realm. For this reason, take up the whole armor of God so that you may be able to take a stand in that evil day. And when you have done everything you could, you will be able to stand firm. Stand firm, therefore, having fastened the belt of truth around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having put shoes on your feet so that you are ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. In addition to all of these, having taken up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one, also take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times with every kind of prayer and request there is. For the same reason be alert with every kind of effort and request for all the saints.
(Eph 6:10-18 ISV)
**Review "The Mystery of the Kingdom"
You have gone up on high; You have led captivity captive; You have received gifts for men, yes, for the rebellious also, that You might dwell among them, O Jehovah God.
(Psa 68:18 MKJV)
For as in one body we have many members, and all the members do not have the same function, so we, the many, are one body in Messiah, and each one members of another. But having different gifts according to the grace given to us: whether prophecy, according to the proportion of faith; whether ministry, in the ministry; or he who teaches, in the teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who shares, in simplicity; he who leads, in diligence; he who shows mercy, in cheerfulness. Let love be unhypocritical. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be tenderly loving in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor, not hesitating in diligence, fervent in spirit, slaving oneself to the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and curse not. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Be of the same understanding toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never give back evil to anyone. Have regard for what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends upon you, be at peace with all men. Never avenge yourselves, beloved, but give a place for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. "BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM; IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS UPON HIS HEAD." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
(Rom 12:4-21 MRC)
But concerning the spiritual matters, brothers, I do not wish you to be ignorant. You know that being led away, you nations were led to voiceless idols. Because of this I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, Jesus is a curse. And no one is able to say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit. And there are differences of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are differences of ministries, yet the same Lord. And there are differences of workings, but the same God is working all things in all. And to each one is given the showing forth of the Spirit to our profit. For through the Spirit is given to one a word of wisdom, and to another a word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; and to another, faith by the same Spirit, and to another, gifts of healing by the same Spirit, and to another, workings of powers, and to another, prophecy, and to another, discerning of spirits, and to another, kinds of languages, and to another, interpretation of languages. But the one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing separately to each as He wills. Even as the body is one, and has many members, but all the members of the one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For also we all were baptized by one Spirit into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, even all were given to drink into one Spirit. For also the body is not one member, but many.
(1Co 12:1-14 LITV)
Every good endowment and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with Whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
(Jas 1:17 MRC)
Above all, continue to love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without complaining. As good managers of God's grace in its various forms, serve one another with the gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must speak God's words. Whoever serves must serve with the strength that God supplies, so that in every way God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. Glory and power belong to him forever and ever! Amen.
(1Pe 4:8-11 ISV)
Love never does anything that is harmful to its neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law. This is necessary because you know the times-that it's time for you to wake up from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we became believers. The night is almost over, and the day is near. Let us therefore put aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as people who live in the light of day. No wild parties, drunkenness, sexual immorality, promiscuity, rivalry, or jealousy! Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not obey your flesh and its desires.
(Rom 13:10-14 ISV)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty strength. Put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the devil's strategies. For our struggle is not against a human opponent, but against rulers, against authorities, against cosmic powers in the darkness around us, against evil spiritual forces in the heavenly realm. For this reason, take up the whole armor of God so that you may be able to take a stand in that evil day. And when you have done everything you could, you will be able to stand firm. Stand firm, therefore, having fastened the belt of truth around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having put shoes on your feet so that you are ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. In addition to all of these, having taken up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one, also take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times with every kind of prayer and request there is. For the same reason be alert with every kind of effort and request for all the saints.
(Eph 6:10-18 ISV)
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