How can we be Christ like?

Written by Lee Stevenson. Sorry I am a lousy editor. I have broken this down in sections with the following sections proceeding the scriptures.

We are told we are to be Christ like. Jesus perfectly reflected God’s image so by being Christ like can draw closer to God.

The bible tells us we become a new creation if we are in union with Christ. We are told to put on the new personality. We are told to be made new by our dominant mental attitude. This means we would do all we can to be like Christ and to walk as he walked. So how can we be like Christ? We do so by imitating Jesus and obeying his commands. The bible tells us Jesus is the narrow gate and in order to enter we must enter through him. It is God who calls those he chooses to Jesus but we have to enter through Jesus. This means we acknowledge the work he did. We acknowledge he was the ransom sacrifice that freed us from sin and gives us hope. We have to acknowledge that God has sat Jesus down at his right hand on the heavenly throne. The bible tells God draws those who listened to him and has learned that will be called to Jesus. So it is clear we much read God’s word and apply it in our lives in order to enter the narrow gate. We must also do our best to be like Christ once we have been drawn to Jesus by Jehovah God.

(2 Corinthians 5:17, 18) ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in union with Christ, he is a new creation; the old things passed away; look! new things have come into existence. ¹⁸ But all things are from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of the reconciliation,

(Ephesians 4:20-24) ²⁰ But you did not learn the Christ to be like this, ²¹ if, indeed, you heard him and were taught by means of him, just as truth is in Jesus. ²² You were taught to put away the old personality that conforms to your former course of conduct and that is being corrupted according to its deceptive desires. ²³ And you should continue to be made new in your dominant mental attitude, ²⁴ and should put on the new personality that was created according to God’s will in true righteousness and loyalty.

(1 John 2:1-6) 2 My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not commit a sin. And yet, if anyone does commit a sin, we have a helper with the Father, Jesus Christ, a righteous one. ² And he is a propitiatory sacrifice for our sins, yet not for ours only but also for the whole world’s. ³ And by this we realize that we have come to know him, namely, if we continue observing his commandments. ⁴ The one who says, “I have come to know him,” and yet does not observe his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in this person. ⁵ But whoever does observe his word, in this person the love of God has truly been made perfect. By this we know that we are in union with him. ⁶ The one who says he remains in union with him is himself under obligation to go on walking just as that one walked.

(John 6:43-47) . . .. ⁴⁴ No man can come to me unless the Father, who sent me, draws him, and I will resurrect him on the last day. ⁴⁵ It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by Jehovah.’ Everyone who has listened to the Father and has learned comes to me. ⁴⁶ Not that any man has seen the Father, except the one who is from God; this one has seen the Father. ⁴⁷ Most truly I say to you, whoever believes has everlasting life.

(Matthew 7:13, 14) ¹³ “Go in through the narrow gate, because broad is the gate and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are going in through it; ¹⁴ whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are finding it.

We need to discuss the qualities of Christ so we can fully understand what it means to be Christ like. Jesus walked with love. He left it guide all he did. The only jealousy he had was a righteous jealousy when there was wrong doing occurring in God’s temple. Jesus knew he would be handed the throne in the heavenly kingdom but did not let them cause him to get puffed up with pride. Many are aware of Jesus demonstrating the humility we should have by washing the disciples feet which is something a servant would do. Jesus always put the interest of others before his own. There was times he was tired and hungry but seen the need others had so would put their needs before his own. Jesus viewed the people with pity because he knew they were sheep without a Shepard. False teachings were rampant and people were not being treated very kindly by the pharisees. Many had lost their trust in God and did not know where to turn. How sad that is for them to not have any hope. So Jesus told them about God and what he required, he taught them about repentance , and taught them about the mercy of God. He taught them about the power and glory of God. So if we are to be Christ like we need to try and find the other sheep who have no hope and share the truths of God’s word with them , in the way that Jesus taught them. We are in the last days and we were warned false teaching would be rampant and would cause many to have a form of Godly devotion but prove false to it’s power. We have been taught there would even be teachings of demons. Because of this, many would would become disheartened and be sheep without a shepherd. We need to share Gods word with them and make disciples of them just as Jesus had done. If someone had not shared God’s word with us and shared the hope it gives us we would still be sheep without a shepherd.

(1 Corinthians 13:4-7) ⁴ Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous. It does not brag, does not get puffed up, ⁵ does not behave indecently, does not look for its own interests, does not become provoked. It does not keep account of the injury. ⁶ It does not rejoice over unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

(1 Peter 4:8) Above all things, have intense love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.

(Mark 6:34) ³⁴ Well, on getting out, he saw a large crowd, and he was moved with pity for them, because they were as sheep without a shepherd. And he started to teach them many things.

Jesus always put God’s will first and not his own will. In order to learn what God’s will is we need to read his word and meditate on it daily and apply it in our lives and let it guide all we do. Jesus could perfectly imitate God because he told us he did what he had seen the father do when he was in heaven alongside God. Since Jesus was the very first creation of God he would have the most knowledge of God because he had been by God’s side longer then any other creation. He was along side God during the creation of the earth. This is why the bible states in Genesis “let us make man in our image”. So by learning about Jesus and doing our best to imitate him we can better understand what the will of God is. In proverbs 8:30 it refers to Jesus as God’s master worker. So no one would know God’s will better then Jesus.

(John 6:37-40) ³⁷ All those whom the Father gives me will come to me, and I will never drive away the one who comes to me; ³⁸ for I have come down from heaven to do, not my own will, but the will of him who sent me. ³⁹ This is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose none out of all those whom he has given me, but that I should resurrect them on the last day. ⁴⁰ For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who recognizes the Son and exercises faith in him should have everlasting life, and I will resurrect him on the last day.”

(Colossians 1:13-18) ¹³ He rescued us from the authority of the darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, ¹⁴ by means of whom we have our release by ransom, the forgiveness of our sins. ¹⁵ He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; ¹⁶ because by means of him all other things were created in the heavens and on the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All other things have been created through him and for him. ¹⁷ Also, he is before all other things, and by means of him all other things were made to exist, ¹⁸ and he is the head of the body, the congregation. . . .

(John 12:47-50) . . .. ⁴⁸ Whoever disregards me and does not receive my sayings has one to judge him. The word that I have spoken is what will judge him on the last day. ⁴⁹ For I have not spoken of my own initiative, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment about what to say and what to speak. ⁵⁰ And I know that his commandment means everlasting life. So whatever I speak, I speak just as the Father has told me.”

(John 17:3-5) ³ This means everlasting life, their coming to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ. ⁴ I have glorified you on the earth, having finished the work you have given me to do. ⁵ So now, Father, glorify me at your side with the glory that I had alongside you before the world was.

(Genesis 1:26) ²⁶ Then God said: “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness, and let them have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and the domestic animals and all the earth and every creeping animal that is moving on the earth.”

Those desiring to live in union with Christ will be persecuted. We have to keep in mind the persecution is not always obvious. Satan often times persecuted people by taking things away from them , even their health. Jesus did not attack people back or get angry when persecuted. When people lied about him he did not strike back at them. When he was suffering he did not threaten them. He entrusted himself to God. The bible says the student is no better then the teacher so what they did to him they will also do to his students. Anyone can love those who love them but Jesus even loved those who chose to be his enemies and he prayed for them.

(John 15:20) ²⁰ Keep in mind the word I said to you: A slave is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have observed my word, they will also observe yours.

(1 Peter 2:22, 23) ²² He committed no sin, nor was deception found in his mouth. ²³ When he was being insulted, he did not insult in return. When he was suffering, he did not threaten, but he entrusted himself to the One who judges righteously.

(Matthew 5:10) ¹⁰ “Happy are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, since the Kingdom of the heavens belongs to them.

(Matthew 5:43-46) ⁴³ “You heard that it was said: ‘You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ However, I say to you: Continue to love your enemies and to pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ so that you may prove yourselves sons of your Father who is in the heavens, since he makes his sun rise on both the wicked and the good and makes it rain on both the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ For if you love those loving you, what reward do you have? Are not also the tax collectors doing the same thing?

Jesus was merciful and forgiving. He knew he would be seated on the throne and be given the work of Judging the world. But he also knew it was not yet time for that judging to occur so he did not judge others when he was on earth. We are told in the bible do not judge or we will be judged likewise. We are to forgive others in order to be forgiven. Jesus stated we are to forgive our enemies and continue to be kind to them. By imitating Jesus we could draw some who where our enemies to God by the example of kindness, humility and forgiveness we set.

(Luke 6:37) ³⁷ “Moreover, stop judging, and you will by no means be judged; and stop condemning, and you will by no means be condemned. Keep on forgiving, and you will be forgiven.

(John 8:14-16) . . .. ¹⁵ You judge according to the flesh; I do not judge any man at all. ¹⁶ And yet even if I do judge, my judgment is truthful, because I am not alone, but the Father who sent me is with me.

(2 Corinthians 5:9, 10) ⁹ So whether at home with him or absent from him, we make it our aim to be acceptable to him. ¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of the Christ, so that each one may be repaid according to the things he has practiced while in the body, whether good or bad.

(Luke 6:27-31) ²⁷ “But I say to you who are listening: Continue to love your enemies, to do good to those hating you, ²⁸ to bless those cursing you, to pray for those who are insulting you. ²⁹ To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also; and from him who takes away your outer garment, do not withhold the inner garment either. ³⁰ Give to everyone asking you, and from the one taking your things away, do not ask them back. ³¹ “Also, just as you want men to do to you, do the same way to them.

Jesus would make people aware of their error so they would know they were sinning and repent. Sin is rampant now, as stated earlier there are many false teachings. If we do not try to make others aware of their sin then God could hold it against us. There is joy in heaven when a sinner repents. If we can get someone to repent isn’t it a good feeling knowing we made God happy? The bible also tells us if we get a sinner to turn back from their error it covers a multitude of sins. God actually requires us to warn others when they are sinning and holds us accountable if we do not. I know it is very difficult to warn others and make them aware of their sin but it would be sadder to see their sin cost them their lives.

(Matthew 18:15-17) ¹⁵ “Moreover, if your brother commits a sin, go and reveal his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. ¹⁶ But if he does not listen, take along with you one or two more, so that on the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter may be established. ¹⁷ If he does not listen to them, speak to the congregation. If he does not listen even to the congregation, let him be to you just as a man of the nations and as a tax collector.

(Luke 15:7) ⁷ I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous ones who have no need of repentance.

(James 5:19, 20) My brothers, if anyone among you is led astray from the truth and another turns him back, ²⁰ know that whoever turns a sinner back from the error of his way will save him from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

(Ezekiel 3:17-21) . . .. ¹⁸ When I say to someone wicked, ‘You will surely die,’ but you do not warn him, and you fail to speak in order to warn the wicked one to turn from his wicked course so that he may stay alive, he will die for his error because he is wicked, but I will ask his blood back from you. ¹⁹ But if you warn someone wicked and he does not turn back from his wickedness and from his wicked course, he will die for his error, but you will certainly save your own life. ²⁰ But when someone righteous abandons his righteousness and does what is wrong, I will put a stumbling block before him and he will die. If you did not warn him, he will die for his sin and his righteous acts will not be remembered, but I will ask his blood back from you. ²¹ But if you have warned the righteous one not to sin, and he does not sin, he will surely keep alive because he was warned, and you will have saved your own life.”

Jesus did not put on a showy display as others did. He told us to practice our righteousness in private. When Jesus prayed he did not put on a show or use many words. He prayed in private and his prayer came from the heart. Often times people have prayers they memorize. This is not how we are supposed to pray. Our prayers are to be personal and from the heart. Jesus did not use many words but he told us to persist in prayer. In doing so we show God how much we desire what we are asking for especially if we are trying to overcome a short coming. We must work towards our prayers by doing so we demonstrate our faith and demonstrate our sincerity.

(Matthew 6:1-4) 6 “Take care not to practice your righteousness in front of men to be noticed by them; otherwise you will have no reward with your Father who is in the heavens. ² So when you make gifts of mercy, do not blow a trumpet ahead of you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be glorified by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. ³ But you, when making gifts of mercy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ so that your gifts of mercy may be in secret. Then your Father who looks on in secret will repay you.

(Luke 11:8-13) . . .. ⁹ So I say to you, keep on asking, and it will be given you; keep on seeking, and you will find; keep on knocking, and it will be opened to you. ¹⁰ For everyone asking receives, and everyone seeking finds, and to everyone knocking, it will be opened. ¹¹ Indeed, which father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will hand him a serpent instead of a fish? ¹² Or if he also asks for an egg, will hand him a scorpion? ¹³ Therefore, if you, although being wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more so will the Father in heaven give holy spirit to those asking him!”

(Matthew 6:5-8) ⁵ “Also, when you pray, do not act like the hypocrites, for they like to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the main streets to be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. ⁶ But when you pray, go into your private room and, after shutting your door, pray to your Father who is in secret. Then your Father who looks on in secret will repay you. ⁷ When praying, do not say the same things over and over again as the people of the nations do, for they imagine they will get a hearing for their use of many words. ⁸ So do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need even before you ask him.

Jesus did not add extra burdens to people as the pharisees did. The pharisee had traditions that added more work to those who worshiped God. They were commands of men not commands of God. They had traditional celebrations that added more burdens. Often times these extra burdens the pharisees added to people they were not willing to do themselves. Jesus spoke to many about God’s word and he clarified many things in the bible but he was very selective about who he chose to keep close to him. They had their short comings and he had to correct them, but they accepted his correction and continued to grow spiritually. He once had to harshly correct Peter by stating “get behind me Satan”, We know Peter adjusted his behavior because he was eventually given the keys to the kingdom. With those keys Peter opened the way for the people of the nations to become part of the Spiritual nation of Israel. The key is the key of knowledge.

(Luke 11:45, 46) ⁴⁵ In reply one of those versed in the Law said to him: “Teacher, in saying these things, you insult us also.” ⁴⁶ Then he said: “Woe also to you who are versed in the Law, because you load men down with loads hard to carry, but you yourselves do not touch the loads with one of your fingers!

(Matthew 11:28-30) . . .. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am mild-tempered and lowly in heart, and you will find refreshment for yourselves. ³⁰ For my yoke is kindly, and my load is light.”

(2 Corinthians 6:14-18) ¹⁴ Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what sharing does light have with darkness? ¹⁵ Further, what harmony is there between Christ and Beʹli·al? Or what does a believer share in common with an unbeliever? ¹⁶ And what agreement does God’s temple have with idols? For we are a temple of a living God; just as God said: “I will reside among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” ¹⁷ “‘Therefore, get out from among them, and separate yourselves,’ says Jehovah, ‘and quit touching the unclean thing’”; “‘and I will take you in.’” ¹⁸ “‘And I will become a father to you, and you will become sons and daughters to me,’ says Jehovah, the Almighty.”

(Matthew 16:21-23) . . .. ²² At this Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying: “Be kind to yourself, Lord; you will not have this happen to you at all.” ²³ But turning his back, he said to Peter: “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, because you think, not God’s thoughts, but those of men.”

(Matthew 16:19) ¹⁹ I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of the heavens, and whatever you may bind on earth will already be bound in the heavens, and whatever you may loosen on earth will already be loosened in the heavens.”

(Acts 10:44-48) ⁴⁴ While Peter was still speaking about these matters, the holy spirit came upon all those hearing the word. ⁴⁵ And the circumcised believers who had come with Peter were amazed, because the free gift of the holy spirit was being poured out also on people of the nations. ⁴⁶ For they heard them speaking in foreign languages and magnifying God. Then Peter responded: ⁴⁷ “Can anyone deny water to prevent these from being baptized who have received the holy spirit just as we have?” ⁴⁸ With that he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they requested him to stay for some days.

(Luke 11:52) ⁵² “Woe to you who are versed in the Law, because you took away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not go in, and you hinder those going in!”

Jesus did not focus on the things on earth or fleshly things. As a matter of fact the only clothes he had were the clothes on his back and he had no home to go to. This is why Jesus told us to store up treasure in heaven. All the things in they system will be gone soon but the heavenly kingdom will be forever. By keeping our eyes on the things unseen we stay focused on spiritual matters and do not get overtaken by fleshly things of the world that will be gone soon. Jesus is now seated on the throne waiting for God to give him the command to set matters straight. Jesus was not anxious over what he would eat or drink. He had faith God would provide for him. Many people who do not focus on the things above and focus on the things of the world have been overwhelmed by anxiety and fear. By focusing on the things above it keeps it fresh in our minds that the heavenly kingdom will put and end to all the suffering and violence. This protects our minds and our hearts and we do not get consumed by fear and anxiety.

(Matthew 6:19-22) ¹⁹ “Stop storing up for yourselves treasures on the earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ Rather, store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ²² “The lamp of the body is the eye. If, then, your eye is focused, your whole body will be bright.

(Matthew 8:20) ²⁰ But Jesus said to him: “Foxes have dens and birds of heaven have nests, but the Son of man has nowhere to lay down his head.”

(Matthew 6:25-32) ²⁵ “On this account I say to you: Stop being anxious about your lives as to what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your bodies as to what you will wear. Does not life mean more than food and the body than clothing? ²⁶ Observe intently the birds of heaven; they do not sow seed or reap or gather into storehouses, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth more than they are? ²⁷ Who of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his life span? ²⁸ Also, why are you anxious about clothing? Take a lesson from the lilies of the field, how they grow; they do not toil, nor do they spin; ²⁹ but I tell you that not even Solʹo·mon in all his glory was arrayed as one of these. ³⁰ Now if this is how God clothes the vegetation of the field that is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much rather clothe you, you with little faith? ³¹ So never be anxious and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or, ‘What are we to drink?’ or, ‘What are we to wear?’ ³² For all these are the things the nations are eagerly pursuing. Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

(Matthew 6:33, 34) ³³ “Keep on, then, seeking first the Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these other things will be added to you. ³⁴ So never be anxious about the next day, for the next day will have its own anxieties. Each day has enough of its own troubles.

Jesus did not offer the bible truths to those who where not deserving this is the scoffers. Who refuse to believe God’s word. The bible warns those who try to correct a ridicular will be dishonored and will get hurt.

(Matthew 7:6) ⁶ “Do not give what is holy to dogs nor throw your pearls before swine, so that they may never trample them under their feet and turn around and rip you open.

(Proverbs 15:12) ¹² The scoffer does not love the one correcting him. He will not consult the wise.

(Proverbs 9:7) The one who corrects a ridiculer invites dishonor, And whoever reproves someone wicked will get hurt.

(John 3:20) For whoever practices vile things hates the light and does not come to the light, so that his works may not be reproved.

Jesus observed and applied all God’s word in his life and instructed others to.

(John 14:23, 24) ²³ In answer Jesus said to him: “If anyone loves me, he will observe my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. ²⁴ Whoever does not love me does not observe my words. The word that you are hearing is not mine, but belongs to the Father who sent me.

(John 7:28) ²⁸ Then as he was teaching in the temple, Jesus called out: “You know me and you know where I am from. And I have not come of my own initiative, but the One who sent me is real, and you do not know him.

(John 8:53-58) . . .” ⁵⁴ Jesus answered: “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, the one who you say is your God. ⁵⁵ Yet you have not known him, but I know him. And if I said I do not know him, I would be like you, a liar. But I do know him and am observing his word. ⁵⁶ Abraham your father rejoiced greatly at the prospect of seeing my day, and he saw it and rejoiced.” ⁵⁷ Then the Jews said to him: “You are not yet 50 years old, and still you have seen Abraham?” ⁵⁸ Jesus said to them: “Most truly I say to you, before Abraham came into existence, I have been.”

Jesus taught people about the good news of the heavenly kingdom which offered them hope. Jesus also sent the disciples out to teach the good news of the kingdom of God. The preaching of the good news of the kingdom being preached in all the earth is one of the final prophecies. This shows the importance of us learning what the good news of the kingdom is and teaching others about it. The kingdom will bring many wonderful things about that will give hope to many. By learning about the kingdom we can learn to keep our eyes on the things above like Jesus did.

(Matthew 4:23) Then he went throughout the whole of Galʹi·lee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the good news of the Kingdom and curing every sort of disease and every sort of infirmity among the people.

(Luke 8:1) 8 Shortly afterward he traveled from city to city and from village to village, preaching and declaring the good news of the Kingdom of God. And the Twelve were with him,

(Luke 9:2) ² And he sent them out to preach the Kingdom of God and to heal. . .

(Daniel 2:44) ⁴⁴ “In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed. And this kingdom will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it alone will stand forever,

(Matthew 24:10-14) . . .. ¹¹ Many false prophets will arise and mislead many; ¹² and because of the increasing of lawlessness, the love of the greater number will grow cold. ¹³ But the one who has endured to the end will be saved. ¹⁴ And this good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Finding true security in such trying times.

Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am not the best editor.

We are living in times where things seem uncertain , our live can rapidly change, man has become so corrupt it is difficult to know what is right and what is wrong. The lines between what is right and what is wrong have become so skewed that most do not know what the right thing to do is. I am going to discuss how we can be more sure of things and know what God would require of us. In doing so this will give us a security and peace that many do not know. They live in constant anxiety and confusion because of the things that are happening in the world now. I will also discuss how this will protect our mental abilities.

Being insecure means we lack trust in something or someone. We are living in the final moments of this system. We were warned how false religion would corrupt man. This is going to cause sin to be rampant and the results of those sins many will be harmed emotionally, physically and may even struggle to survive. This can lead to many insecurities. We can avoid being insecure if we put our trust in God instead of ourselves, man or the world. The bible warned us the whole world lies in the power of the wicked one. We know this is true because when Satan tried to temp Jesus he offered him all the kingdoms of the earth. Jesus did not contest that those kingdoms where in the power of Satan. Jesus himself called Satan the ruler of this world. So if we put our trust in the world we are putting our trust in the wicked one. Satan is the inventor of the lie so putting our trust in the world would be putting our trust in a lie since the whole world lies in the power of the wicked one. It is very difficult to know what to expect when putting trust in a lie, this can cause many insecurities.

God does not change, cannot lie and all the promises he has made he fulfilled so we can be certain of the things he promises us. Not only that if we write his word on our hearts it protects our minds because we get the security and confidence that comes with being certain of the decisions we make when we know what God’s will is and do his will instead of that of our will , or the will of the world or man. We are all imperfect humans, God is perfect so if we rely on his word to guide us instead of ourselves or others then we can be certain we are making the correct decisions. In doing so it gives us a certain confidence. God is merciful and forgiving. Man tends to show very little mercy and tends to hold error against us even if we have repented. They will constantly throw your error in you face and remind you of your error. Something we are told not to do. There is a security that comes with knowing we have such a loving and forgiving God.

How can we find security in our worship of God with false teaching prophesied to be rampant and religion being corrupted? How do we know whether we are worshiping in truth? True worship will bring security because we will be certain of our decisions because we will know what God’s will is and know what he would want us to do. If we look at our fruits and the fruits of those we worship with or associate with , we will know whether we ourselves and others are worshiping in truth. The bible tells us by looking at person’s fruits those worshiping in truth would be recognized. So if we know what fruits we and others produce we can identify true worship and whether we are worshiping in truth.

What are these fruits? One such fruit would be the fruit of the lips. Those who worship in truth would have such a deep love and faith in God that they would be driven to teach others about God and Jesus. Sacrifice of the lips which means telling others about God , Jesus and the heavenly kingdom so they can have hope, as things become more confusing and gloomy. Those who do not worship in truth are insecure and full of anxieties and fears. The mess man has made only God can fix. By putting their hope in God and and trusting Jesus who God has sat on the throne, to set matters straight we will produce good fruits because by sharing God’s word with others we can offer them hope and show them how to enter the narrow gate which means we imitate Jesus in every way. So if ourselves or another person gets others to put their trust and faith in God instead of man or the world they are producing the fruits of the lips. Not only that but those who produce the fruit of the lips do so with a thankful heart even when suffering trials or tribulation because they have confidence that God will fulfill the promises he made of bringing death to nothing and of restoring the earth to the paradise it was meant to be. Their actions and words even when being tried show because they are thankful for the hope God has given them and the security that comes with it. Many take things for granted, never thinking about the fact the bible warns this system and the things in it will be done away with soon including world governments. Those who may have a form of Godly devotion but put more trust in the world, themselves or God will not be thankful for the future hope God has given us and will betray one another even now as things get more distressing they are starting to betray each other. By knowing whether we are worshiping in truth and those we worship or associate with are worshiping in truth we can be more sure that we will not be betrayed by those we associate with. So if we, or those we associate with are are leading others to put their faith and trust in God and they are thankful and praise God even when being tried then good fruits are being produced. If we do not tell others about God how could they learn to trust him and what hope would they have with all the things that are happening in the world? Someone had to teach us would it not be the right thing, for us to also produce fruit by giving others hope in such dire times?

Another fruit that would be produced is peace. We are told in the bible the result of true righteousness would be peace. But how can this be so if the bible tells us the world will hate and persecute those who follow Jesus and worship in truth? When persecuted, or as we see the morals of the world and the ruining of the earth occur we get an inner peace knowing we produced fruits of the lips and those doing the things they are doing had a chance to draw closer to God and Jesus. We get an inner peace that comes from trusting God and Jesus because we know things will be better when God fulfills the future promises. Many fear death but by putting our trust in God we have the inner peace knowing even death does not have a hold on us because there will be a resurrection when the final enemy death has been destroyed. With all the indecisiveness in the world many do not know what is right and what is wrong. Trained mental experts often times have opinions that differ from the bibles. If we put our trust in God instead of man we get an inner peace knowing we are doing what is right. So the peaceful conditions we sow God’s word in will be an inner peace which is developed by producing the fruits of the lips. When we are hated or persecuted for our faith, and our trust in God we get an inner peace knowing the persecution, and trials are a sign we are no part of the world and God is with us. Jesus said the student is no better then the teacher, if the world hated him it will hate you. When persecuted or suffering trials and tribulation because of our obedience to God , we get an inner peace knowing we are entering through the narrow gate which means we are doing our best to imitate Jesus and we are entering the narrow gate and not taking the road to destruction. When Jesus said he gives us peace but not in the way the world gives it what did he mean. Reading the text in Philippians can help us better understand the peace Jesus was referring to. (Philippians 4:4-7 ⁴ Always rejoice in the Lord. Again I will say, Rejoice! ⁵ Let your reasonableness become known to all men. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious over anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus.) As you can see the peace is an inner peace that protects our hearts and minds and prevents us from experiencing the anxieties that others will experience who chose not to draw closer to God and Jesus. So those who are producing fruit will have an inner peace and will not get overly anxious. We will become anxious at times but eventually the inner peace takes over from our faith and it will protect our hearts and our minds. So those producing fruit of peace will make better decisions because their hearts and minds will be protected.

Those producing fruit in righteousness will be blessed with the holy spirit and produce fruits of the spirit and not fruit of the flesh. (Galatians 5:19-24) ¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are plainly seen, and they are sexual immorality, uncleanness, brazen conduct, ²⁰ idolatry, spiritism, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, dissensions, divisions, sects, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and things like these. I am forewarning you about these things, the same way I already warned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom. ²² On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, ²³ mildness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Moreover, those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed to the stake the flesh together with its passions and desires.) If someone is producing fruit of the flesh they will have fits of anger, they will show hostility, jealousy, the will be attached to the physical things of the world which is a form of idolatry. The bible warns those who practice such things will not inherit God’s kingdom. If we or those we worship with are producing fruits of the flesh we should do our best to overcome them and to show those we associate with they are not doing what God would require. If they do not respond in a positive way then we know they are part of the world. If they respond by correcting their error then we can be sure they are doing their best to do God’s will. Strife mentioned in the bible refers to bitter conflict or violent dissension. So those reaping fruit of the flesh would be unreasonable, not agreeable to anything, they would often times be combative and have violent outburst. If we see ourselves or others producing such fruit then it indicates we need to focus more on the things unseen because we are to worship in spirit because God is a spirit person. If we are producing the fruit of the spirit it will give us security knowing we have been blessed by God and he is with us no matter what we have to endure. When we are blessed by the holy spirit we become more patient with others which prevents us from wanting to have conflicts and impose our will on them. We learn to love like Jesus and God loved which means we learn to forgive even our enemies. Those producing fruits of the spirit will have self-control, meaning they will not give in to their short comings. Knowing we and those we associate with have mastered self control and will not draw us into sin or put us in a bad situation because of sin or bad decisions gives us a security because we know what to expect from them and know they will have no hidden motives for the things they do. This is why it is very important to make sure we and those we associate with are producing the fruits of the spirit. We can get a certain security because it will make it clear who we can trust and who we cannot when we pay attention to their fruits. This also gives us security that we most likely would not be betrayed by those we choose to be close to. Next I will discuss love because it is a fruit of the spirit.

Lets take a look at what the bible tells us love is. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) ⁴ Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous. It does not brag, does not get puffed up, ⁵ does not behave indecently, does not look for its own interests, does not become provoked. It does not keep account of the injury. ⁶ It does not rejoice over unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.) . God is love and Jesus perfectly reflected God’s image. Jesus knew God was going to hand him the heavenly kingdom over to him and he still did not view himself as superior to others and did not get prideful about the position he was going to be given. Jesus remained humble and continued to serve others. He set an example for us by washing the disciples feet which was something a servant would do. So to know love we need to get rid of any false pride we may have and be humble as Jesus was. If someone is prideful then we should see it is a sign they may not know love. The bible says if we love we do not behave indecently. This means we dress appropriately, we act appropriately, we do our best not to offend others, though that is a little difficult now days with few truly knowing what God requires they become easily offended. We do not gossip or say things we should not say. We should not flirt excessively especially if we are married. We should not use vulgar language. If someone shows such behavior then they do not know love because Jesus never acted indecently. If someone we associate with displays such behavior we should be cautious they are a bad association. Love bares all things which means it is patient. We all are imperfect, we should not be unreasonable with our expectations of others. Keep in mind people have to deal with our short comings also, so should we not do the same for them as they grow and draw closer to God? The bible tells us love does not hold account of injury. Jesus did not hold grudges, not even against his enemies. He told us we must forgive those who trespass against us. Imagine if someone wronged us and some day God touched their heart and was calling them to him. If we reacted in a way God would not want us to react we could hinder them drawing closer to God. This is why Jesus told us to forgive our enemies. By showing mercy and being forgiving we are setting an example for others and may possibly through our behavior get them to draw closer to God and Jesus. Holding onto anger and feeling resentment can negatively impact our hearts, our minds and our health. By learning to forgive and show mercy even to our enemies we protect our minds, our hearts and our health. By forgiving others we have the security knowing we have done our best and have conquered the evil with the good. If a person chooses to remain our enemy even when we are kind to them and have forgiven them we can be secure knowing God will judge them and they have piled fiery coals on their own heads. They will have to face judgment from God. The bible tells us we will be judged as we judge others. The bible warns do not judge or we will be judged as we judge others. If we freely forgive then God freely forgives us to the degree we are willing to forgive others. This can give us a security knowing by us showing mercy by being forgiving God will show us mercy and forgive us for our errors. If a person holds onto grudges and does not forgive but reminds people of their errors then we know they do not know love and we should be cautious. This is what causes many conflicts now days people do not forgive others and constantly hold peoples errors against them even if they have repented. By freely forgiving others we prevent the conflict that is so prevalent in others now days. The bible tells us love is the perfect bond of unity so by knowing fully what love is and knowing how to identify it in others we learn to trust them and even ourselves which gives a unity and oneness of mind lacking in the world today. By knowing love we will not become overconfident and view ourselves as being superior to others. It will help us remain united in oneness of mind and thought. (Philippians 2:1-4) 2 If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any spiritual fellowship, if any tender affection and compassion, ² make my joy full by being of the same mind and having the same love, being completely united, having the one thought in mind. ³ Do nothing out of contentiousness or out of egotism, but with humility consider others superior to you, ⁴ as you look out not only for your own interests, but also for the interests of others.) There is such an emptiness in the way the world views love now days. We can gain a certain security when we learn to identify love in the biblical sense and know those we associate with are showing love. The oneness of mind and heart gives us security from knowing we can trust and rely on the ones we associate with when they have proven they know love.

The bible tells us love covers a multitude of sins. This is because when we learn love we do our best to imitate Jesus and the love he showed which drives us to overcome our short comings and repent and draw closer to God. In doing so we have his protection. The bible tells us no weapon forged against us would succeed when we put our trust and faith in God. Death is often times used as a weapon to cause fear and get people to disobey God. Even that weapon will not succeed because the bible tells us even death cannot separate us from the love of God and the love of Jesus. If we are faithful and loyal even if we face death then we can be sure God will remember the things we have done in serving him and will remember us in the day of resurrection. Which means even death will not succeed at deterring us from putting our faith and trust in God and Jesus. We can gain a security knowing no matter what happens to us or whatever man does to us God can undo and desires to bless us.

Those who make it through the great tribulation will live on the new earth. In that system the bible tells us even, before they call out God will answer and before they are done praying he will hear. We can gain security in knowing the new earth will be here soon and there will be no more suffering, no more violence, pain , sickness , death, and corruption. Things happening in the world can be overwhelming and can take the security from us. If we focus on the spiritual things and trust God and Jesus it protects us from being overwhelmed and consumed by all the bad happening. . All these things will be gone soon. What security is there in knowing all governments, wealth, many of the people and organizations people put their trust in will be gone soon. The heavenly kingdom will rule over the earth and will not end. So many are living in fear and full of anxiety because of the uncertain times we are living in. If we put our trust in God and Jesus and keep our eyes focus on the things unseen then we gain a security knowing there is a better future for us and others, that is very very near. Many live in fear of losing their material possessions or their wealth. Many live in fear of death or fear of losing loved ones in death. Those who know God and have faith in him know that God will greatly reward them for their love , loyalty and faith in him in the new system and they will see their loved ones during the resurrection. They experience a security that brings an inner peace that most in the world do not know.

1 John 5:18We know that everyone who has been born from God does not practice sin, but the one born from God watches him, and the wicked one cannot take hold of him. ¹⁹ We know that we originate with God, but the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one. ²⁰ But we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us insight so that we may gain the knowledge of the one who is true. And we are in union with the one who is true, by means of his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and life everlasting. ²¹ Little children, guard yourselves from idols.

(2 Timothy 3:1-7) 3 But know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. ² For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, ³ having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, ⁴ betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, ⁵ having an appearance of godliness but proving false to its power; and from these turn away. ⁶ From among these arise men who slyly work their way into households and captivate weak women loaded down with sins, led by various desires, ⁷ always learning and yet never able to come to an accurate knowledge of truth.

(Jude 17-23) ¹⁷ As for you, beloved ones, call to mind the sayings that have been previously spoken by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁸ how they used to say to you: “In the last time there will be ridiculers, following their own desires for ungodly things.” ¹⁹ These are the ones who cause divisions, animalistic men, not having spirituality. ²⁰ But you, beloved ones, build yourselves up on your most holy faith, and pray with holy spirit, ²¹ in order to keep yourselves in God’s love, while you await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ with everlasting life in view. ²² Also, continue showing mercy to some who have doubts; ²³ save them by snatching them out of the fire. But continue showing mercy to others, doing so with fear, while you hate even the garment that has been stained by the flesh.

(Luke 4:6) Then the Devil said to him: “I will give you all this authority and their glory, because it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.

(John 12:31) Now there is a judging of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.

(James 1:5-8) ⁵ So if any one of you is lacking in wisdom, let him keep asking God, for he gives generously to all and without reproaching, and it will be given him. ⁶ But let him keep asking in faith, not doubting at all, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven by the wind and blown about. ⁷ In fact, that man should not expect to receive anything from Jehovah; ⁸ he is an indecisive man, unsteady in all his ways.

(James 4:7, 8) ⁷ Therefore, subject yourselves to God; but oppose the Devil, and he will flee from you. ⁸ Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you. . . .

(Hebrews 6:17, 18) ¹⁷ In this same way, when God decided to demonstrate more clearly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, ¹⁸ in order that through two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to the refuge may have strong encouragement to take firm hold of the hope set before us.

(Isaiah 55:10, 11) For just as the rain and the snow pour down from heaven And do not return there until they saturate the earth, making it produce and sprout, Giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, ¹¹ So my word that goes out of my mouth will be. It will not return to me without results, But it will certainly accomplish whatever is my delight, And it will have sure success in what I send it to do.

(Habakkuk 1:11, 12) . . .Because they credit their power to their god.” ¹² Are you not from everlasting, O Jehovah? O my God, my Holy One, you do not die. O Jehovah, you appointed them to execute judgment; My Rock, you established them for punishment.

(Matthew 7:18-20) ¹⁸ A good tree cannot bear worthless fruit, nor can a rotten tree produce fine fruit. ¹⁹ Every tree not producing fine fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰ Really, then, by their fruits you will recognize those men.

(Hebrews 13:14-16) . . .. ¹⁵ Through him let us always offer to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of our lips that make public declaration to his name. ¹⁶ Moreover, do not forget to do good and to share what you have with others, for God is well-pleased with such sacrifices.

(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) ¹⁶ Always be rejoicing. ¹⁷ Pray constantly. ¹⁸ Give thanks for everything. This is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

(James 3:17, 18) ¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, reasonable, ready to obey, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, not hypocritical. ¹⁸ Moreover, the fruit of righteousness is sown in peaceful conditions for those who are making peace.

(Isaiah 32:16, 17) . . .And righteousness will dwell in the orchard. ¹⁷ The result of true righteousness will be peace, And the fruitage of true righteousness will be lasting tranquility and security.

(John 15:17-20) ¹⁷ “These things I command you, that you love one another. ¹⁸ If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you. ¹⁹ If you were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because you are no part of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, for this reason the world hates you. ²⁰ Keep in mind the word I said to you: A slave is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have observed my word, they will also observe yours.

(Matthew 7:13, 14) ¹³ “Go in through the narrow gate, because broad is the gate and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are going in through it; ¹⁴ whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are finding it.

(John 14:27) ²⁷ I leave you peace; I give you my peace. I do not give it to you the way that the world gives it. Do not let your hearts be troubled nor let them shrink out of fear. . .

(John 4:23, 24) ²³ Nevertheless, the hour is coming, and it is now, when the true worshippers will worship the Father with spirit and truth, for indeed, the Father is looking for ones like these to worship him. ²⁴ God is a Spirit, and those worshipping him must worship with spirit and truth.”

(Galatians 5:19-24) ¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are plainly seen, and they are sexual immorality, uncleanness, brazen conduct, ²⁰ idolatry, spiritism, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, dissensions, divisions, sects, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and things like these. I am forewarning you about these things, the same way I already warned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom. ²² On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, ²³ mildness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Moreover, those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed to the stake the flesh together with its passions and desires.

(John 13:3-11) ³ So Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands and that he came from God and was going to God, ⁴ got up from the evening meal and laid aside his outer garments. And taking a towel, he wrapped it around his waist. ⁵ After that he put water into a basin and started to wash the feet of the disciples and to dry them off with the towel that was wrapped around him. ⁶ Then he came to Simon Peter. He said to him: “Lord, are you washing my feet?” ⁷ Jesus answered him: “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will understand after these things.” ⁸ Peter said to him: “You will certainly never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him: “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” ⁹ Simon Peter said to him: “Lord, wash not only my feet but also my hands and my head.” ¹⁰ Jesus said to him: “Whoever has bathed does not need to have more than his feet washed, but is completely clean. And you men are clean, but not all of you.” ¹¹ For he knew the man who was betraying him. This is why he said: “Not all of you are clean.”

(Proverbs 25:21, 22) ²¹ If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; If he is thirsty, give him water to drink, ²² For you will be heaping burning coals on his head, And Jehovah will reward you.

(Romans 12:18-21) . . .. ¹⁹ Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but yield place to the wrath; for it is written: “‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay,’ says Jehovah.” ²⁰ But “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by doing this you will heap fiery coals on his head.” ²¹ Do not let yourself be conquered by the evil, but keep conquering the evil with the good.

(Matthew 7:1-5) 7 “Stop judging that you may not be judged; ² for with the judgment you are judging, you will be judged, and with the measure that you are measuring out, they will measure out to you. ³ Why, then, do you look at the straw in your brother’s eye but do not notice the rafter in your own eye? ⁴ Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Allow me to remove the straw from your eye,’ when look! a rafter is in your own eye? ⁵ Hypocrite! First remove the rafter from your own eye, and then you will see clearly how to remove the straw from your brother’s eye.

(1 Peter 4:7, 8) . . .. ⁸ Above all things, have intense love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.

(Proverbs 10:12) Hatred is what stirs up contentions, But love covers over all transgressions.

(Proverbs 17:9) Whoever forgives a transgression seeks love, But the one who keeps harping on a matter separates close friends.

(Isaiah 54:17) ¹⁷ No weapon formed against you will have any success, And you will condemn any tongue that rises up against you in the judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of Jehovah, And their righteousness is from me,” declares Jehovah.

(Isaiah 41:10-12) ¹⁰ Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be anxious, for I am your God. I will fortify you, yes, I will help you, I will really hold on to you with my right hand of righteousness.’ ¹¹ Look! All those getting enraged against you will be put to shame and humiliated. Those who fight with you will be brought to nothing and perish. ¹² You will search for men who struggle with you, but you will not find them; The men at war with you will become as something nonexistent, as nothing at all.

(Hebrews 6:9-12) ⁹ But in your case, beloved ones, we are convinced of better things, things related to salvation, even though we are speaking in this way. ¹⁰ For God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work and the love you showed for his name by ministering and continuing to minister to the holy ones. ¹¹ But we desire each one of you to show the same industriousness so as to have the full assurance of the hope down to the end, ¹² so that you may not become sluggish, but be imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

(Romans 8:35-39) ³⁵ Who will separate us from the love of the Christ? Will tribulation or distress or persecution or hunger or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶ Just as it is written: “For your sake we are being put to death all day long; we have been accounted as sheep for slaughtering.” ³⁷ On the contrary, in all these things we are coming off completely victorious through the one who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life nor angels nor governments nor things now here nor things to come nor powers ³⁹ nor height nor depth nor any other creation will be able to separate us from God’s love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(1 Corinthians 15:24-28) ²⁴ Next, the end, when he hands over the Kingdom to his God and Father, when he has brought to nothing all government and all authority and power. ²⁵ For he must rule as king until God has put all enemies under his feet. ²⁶ And the last enemy, death, is to be brought to nothing. ²⁷ For God “subjected all things under his feet.” But when he says that ‘all things have been subjected,’ it is evident that this does not include the One who subjected all things to him. ²⁸ But when all things will have been subjected to him, then the Son himself will also subject himself to the One who subjected all things to him, that God may be all things to everyone.

(Acts 24:15) ¹⁵ And I have hope toward God, which hope these men also look forward to, that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.

(Isaiah 65:17-25) ¹⁷ For look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth; And the former things will not be called to mind, Nor will they come up into the heart. ¹⁸ So exult and be joyful forever in what I am creating. For look! I am creating Jerusalem a cause for joy And her people a cause for exultation. ¹⁹ And I will rejoice in Jerusalem and exult in my people; No more will there be heard in her the sound of weeping or a cry of distress.” ²⁰ “No more will there be an infant from that place who lives but a few days, Nor an old man who fails to live out his days. For anyone who dies at a hundred will be considered a mere boy, And the sinner will be cursed, even though he is a hundred years of age. ²¹ They will build houses and live in them, And they will plant vineyards and eat their fruitage. ²² They will not build for someone else to inhabit, Nor will they plant for others to eat. For the days of my people will be like the days of a tree, And the work of their hands my chosen ones will enjoy to the full. ²³ They will not toil for nothing, Nor will they bear children for distress, Because they are the offspring made up of those blessed by Jehovah, And their descendants with them. ²⁴ Even before they call out, I will answer; While they are yet speaking, I will hear. ²⁵ The wolf and the lamb will feed together, The lion will eat straw just like the bull, And the serpent’s food will be dust. They will do no harm nor cause any ruin in all my holy mountain,” says Jehovah.

A new covenant, sealed by Jesus.

Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am not the best editor.

Old laws are fleshly, new are spirit. If we live under the old laws and not the new covenant then we will not be covered by the new covenant because the new covenant teaches us to walk by spirit , the heavenly kingdom is a spiritual kingdom with Christ as our king. So if we walk by the old laws we are not covered by the ransom sacrifice of Jesus the that sealed the new covenant. We are no longer slaves to law but we have been freed and are servants of Jehovah. If we believe the physical nation of Israel is God’s people then we are rejecting Jesus and the new covenant. This covenant was promised to Abraham when the old covenant had been fulfilled. In fulfilling the old covenant and forming a new one, a new nation of Israel arose. It is a spiritual nations. This nation is ruled by Jesus who is sitting on the heavenly throne. Those who enter the narrow gate can be a part of the new kingdom. We enter the narrow gate by having faith and being obedient to God. We also believe Jesus died for our sins and was resurrected and is now sitting on the heavenly throne.

Many say God does not change so the old covenant would still be valid. God did not change. A covenant is a contract when the things agreed upon in that contract have been fulfilled then the contract is completed. God prophesied Jesus would fulfill that covenant. So God did not change, it was all in his arrangements. He even stated there would be a new covenant when the old one was fulfilled. To state that the physical nation of Israel is God’s people would be rejecting the new covenant and the one who sealed it Jesus. If we live by the old laws the ransom does not cover us because the new Israel is a spiritual nation and we must live by the spirit.

If we walk by flesh we cannot walk by spirit they will be in conflict. That will still keep us from being under the new covenant. Being a part of the covenant worshiping in spirit is a requirement. Jesus taught us how to worship in spirit so if we do our best to imitate him then we can learn to worship in spirit.

If we live by spirit we will receive its fruits. By those fruits we will show God it reveals who is obeying God and who is not. The most important of the fruits is love. The new covenant makes love a priority, and we must worship in spirit. God blesses us with the spirit but we have to ask for it.

We must imitate Jesus with acts of compassion, generosity, and kindness. There were times the bible said Jesus was exhausted and he still continued to help others. He had no home, one set of clothes but still put spiritual matters first. He never stopped showing empathy and compassion not matter how tired , abused or tortured he was. He was the perfect example to follow to learn how to truly love. Love requires we be patient and forgiving Jesus always was. Love doesn’t put it’s own interest first. Jesus never did. It does not become provoked. Jesus did not get angry and seek revenge. When Jesus was wronged he did not keep account of it and continually throw it in peoples face he put it in prayer to Jehovah and he remembered that we are all imperfect humans. Because of this Jesus was able to bare many peoples sufferings along with his own.

Love fulfills the law thus we would not be under the old laws. If love guides all we do then we are under the new covenant and the ransom that sealed that covenant which was when Jesus gave his life for man. The bible says God is love. Jesus stated he did what he saw his father doing when he was by his side in heaven. Jesus perfectly mirrored God so if we imitate Jesus we can learn to love as he did.

When we live by spirit we must prove it by working towards things that show we are living by spirit and not flesh. We must follow the teachings of Jesus and the new Covenant and exercise faith in him as our appointed king. We must prove our works. All those who learn to live by the spirit will be covered by the ransom. By treating all as Jesus did it works as a protection for us. Not only that but how do you know that you are not in the presence of an angel of Jehovah’s. How would you feel if you knew an angel of Jehovah had come to observe you and you didn’t know it?

It isn’t works of the law but works of faith that proves to Jehovah whether we are righteous or not. There will come a day when we will no longer be able to do works of faith so we need to seize the opportunity now before it is too late.

We exercise to build endurance. If we do not exercise our love and faith towards others how can we build the spiritual endurance and faith we need. How will others learn to do that if you do not set an example for them and follow Jesus example of selflessness and love. He also worked very hard to teach others how to live spiritually. To exercise faith we need to trust God’s word to guide us an not rely on our own understanding or put our faith in the world or things in the world which will be gone soon.

In doing the above mentioned things we keep ourselves in God’s love and become a new creation. This is not a one time thing, it is a daily thing, as we learn God’s word and apply it and let it guide us and obey it and put our faith in him each day we grow spiritually so are a new creation daily.

The old law of convenant was to teach what sin was. It did not give the benefit of the ransom sacrifice that the new covenant has. They were still enslaved by the sin which we know results in death. Those who followed the old covenant knew about the new one and put faith in what would come of the new covenant so they were still covered by the new covenant even though it had not come about yet. The laws also protected Gods people and kept them under God’s care. As long as they followed the laws they would have God’s protection and they would avoid making serious mistakes. So we could benefit from studying them and applying them.

Following Jesus footsteps we will not have to worry about breaking the old laws because he upheld them. Even though we are no longer slaves to the old covenant they still work to protect our relationship with Jehovah and to keep us from smearing his name so it is good to apply the jist of them in our lives. Some of the laws like abstaining from eating certain things was to guarantee that Abraham’s bloodline would not contract disease and it would continue so that the promise messiah would be fulfilled.

(Romans 8:5) For those who are in accord with the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those in accord with the spirit on the things of the spirit

(Hebrews 8:7-10) 7For if that first covenant had been faultless, no place would have been sought for a second; for he does find fault with the people when he says: “‘Look! There are days coming,’ says Jehovah, ‘and I will conclude with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah a new covenant; 9not according to the covenant that I made with their forefathers in [the] day of my taking hold of their hand to bring them forth out of the land of Egypt, because they did not continue in my covenant, so that I stopped caring for them,’ says Jehovah.” 10“‘For this is the covenant that I shall covenant with the house of Israel after those days,’ says Jehovah. ‘I will put my laws in their mind, and in their hearts I shall write them. And I will become their God, and they themselves will become my people.

(Hebrews 7:18-22) 18Certainly, then, there occurs a setting aside of the preceding commandment on account of its weakness and ineffectiveness. 19For the Law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in besides of a better hope did, through which we are drawing near to God. 20Also, to the extent that it was not without a sworn oath, 21(for there are indeed men that have become priests without a sworn oath, but there is one with an oath sworn by the One who said respecting him: “Jehovah has sworn (and he will feel no regret), ‘You are a priest forever,’”) 22to that extent also Jesus has become the one given in pledge of a better covenant.

(Colossians 2:13, 14) 13 Furthermore, though YOU were dead in YOUR trespasses and in the uncircumcised state of YOUR flesh, [God] made YOU alive together with him. He kindly forgave us all our trespasses 14and blotted out the handwritten document against us, which consisted of decrees and which was in opposition to us; and He has taken it out of the way by nailing it to the torture stake.

(Galatians 5:16-18) 16But I say, Keep walking by spirit and YOU will carry out no fleshly desire at all. 17For the flesh is against the spirit in its desire, and the spirit against the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, so that the very things that YOU would like to do YOU do not do. 18Furthermore, if YOU are being led by spirit, YOU are not under law.

(Romans 8:12-16) 12So, then, brothers, we are under obligation, not to the flesh to live in accord with the flesh; 13for if YOU live in accord with the flesh YOU are sure to die; but if YOU put the practices of the body to death by the spirit, YOU will live. 14For all who are led by God’s spirit, these are God’s sons. 15For YOU did not receive a spirit of slavery causing fear again, but YOU received a spirit of adoption as sons, by which spirit we cry out: “Abba, Father!” 16The spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are God’s children..

(Galatians 5:22-24) 22On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, 23mildness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Moreover, those who belong to Christ Jesus impaled the flesh together with its passions and desires.

(1 Corinthians 13:13) 13Now, however, there remain faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7) 4Love is long-suffering and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, does not get puffed up, 5does not behave indecently, does not look for its own interests, does not become provoked. It does not keep account of the injury. 6It does not rejoice over unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. 7It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

(Romans 13:9, 10) .” 10Love does not work evil to one’s neighbor; therefore love is the law’s fulfillment.

(Galatians 6:1-5) 6 Brothers, even though a man takes some false step before he is aware of it, YOU who have spiritual qualifications try to readjust such a man in a spirit of mildness, as you each keep an eye on yourself, for fear you also may be tempted. 2Go on carrying the burdens of one another, and thus fulfill the law of the Christ. 3For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he is deceiving his own mind. 4But let each one prove what his own work is, and then he will have cause for exultation in regard to himself alone, and not in comparison with the other person. 5For each one will carry his own load.

(Galatians 6:9, 10) 9So let us not give up in doing what is fine, for in due season we shall reap if we do not tire out. 10Really, then, as long as we have time favorable for it, let us work what is good toward all, but especially toward those related to [us] in the faith.

(Galatians 5:22-24) 22 On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, 23 mildness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Moreover, those who belong to Christ Jesus impaled the flesh together with its passions and desires..

(Galatians 3:26-29) 26YOU are all, in fact, sons of God through YOUR faith in Christ Jesus. 27For all of YOU who were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor freeman, there is neither male nor female; for YOU are all one [person] in union with Christ Jesus. 29Moreover, if YOU belong to Christ, YOU are really Abraham’s seed, heirs with reference to a promise.

(Hebrews 13:1-6) 13 Let YOUR brotherly love continue. 2Do not forget hospitality, for through it some, unknown to themselves, entertained angels.

(Galatians 3:24) Consequently the Law has become our tutor leading to Christ, that we might be declared righteous due to faith

(Galatians 2:16) knowing as we do that a man is declared righteous, not due to works of law, but only through faith toward Christ Jesus, even we have put our faith in Christ Jesus, that we may be declared righteous due to faith toward Christ, and not due to works of law, because due to works of law no flesh will be declared righteous.

(John 9:4) We must work the works of him that sent me while it is day; the night is coming when no man can work.

(Hebrews 10:35, 36) 35Do not, therefore, throw away YOUR freeness of speech, which has a great reward to be paid it. 36For YOU have need of endurance, in order that, after YOU have done the will of God, YOU may receive the [fulfillment of the] promise.

(Romans 10:9, 10) 10For with the heart one exercises faith for righteousness, but with the mouth one makes public declaration for salvation.

(James 2:18-26) 18Nevertheless, a certain one will say: “You have faith, and I have works. Show me your faith apart from the works, and I shall show you my faith by my works.” 19You believe there is one God, do you? You are doing quite well. And yet the demons believe and shudder. 20But do you care to know, O empty man, that faith apart from works is inactive? 21Was not Abraham our father declared righteous by works after he had offered up Isaac his son upon the altar? 22You behold that [his] faith worked along with his works and by [his] works [his] faith was perfected, 23and the scripture was fulfilled which says: “Abraham put faith in Jehovah, and it was counted to him as righteousness,” and he came to be called “Jehovah’s friend.” 24YOU see that a man is to be declared righteous by works, and not by faith alone. 25In the same manner was not also Ra′hab the harlot declared righteous by works, after she had received the messengers hospitably and sent them out by another way? 26Indeed, as the body without spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

(Jude 17-23) 17As for YOU, beloved ones, call to mind the sayings that have been previously spoken by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, 18how they used to say to YOU: “In the last time there will be ridiculers, proceeding according to their own desires for ungodly things.” 19These are the ones that make separations, animalistic [men], not having spirituality. 20But YOU, beloved ones, by building up yourselves on YOUR most holy faith, and praying with holy spirit, 21keep yourselves in God’s love, while YOU are waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ with everlasting life in view. 22Also, continue showing mercy to some that have doubts; 23save [them] by snatching [them] out of the fire. But continue showing mercy to others, doing so with fear, while YOU hate even the inner garment that has been stained by the flesh.

(Colossians 3:8-11) 8But now really put them all away from YOU, wrath, anger, badness, abusive speech, and obscene talk out of YOUR mouth. 9Do not be lying to one another. Strip off the old personality with its practices, 10and clothe yourselves with the new [personality], which through accurate knowledge is being made new according to the image of the One who created it, 11where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, foreigner, Scyth′i·an, slave, freeman, but Christ is all things and in all.

(Galatians 3:19-22) 19 Why, then, the Law? It was added to make transgressions manifest, until the offspring should arrive to whom the promise had been made; and it was transmitted through angels by the hand of a mediator. 20 Now there is no mediator when just one person is involved, but God is only one. 21 Is the Law, therefore, against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, righteousness would actually have been by means of law. 22 But the Scripture handed all things over to the custody of sin, so that the promise resulting from faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those exercising faith.

(Galatians 3:23-25) . . .. 24 So the Law became our guardian leading to Christ, so that we might be declared righteous through faith. 25 But now that the faith has arrived, we are no longer under a guardian. . .

(Hebrews 8:5, 6) . . .” 6 But now Jesus has obtained a more excellent ministry because he is also the mediator of a correspondingly better covenant, which has been legally established on better promises.

God desires none to be destroyed, it hurts his heart.

Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am not the best editor.

God does not take pleasure in the destruction of anyone. People wonder why God does not just destroy the wicked. There are a couple of reasons. One is because he desires none to be destroyed so he is patient with them giving them a chance to repent. God always warns those who are doing bad and causing misery and suffering before he destroys them. Those God will destroy are deliberately ignoring his warnings. So the choice is theirs. Even those who worship God will ignore his warnings until it is too late and the destruction is upon them. The fact that destruction has not come on the wicked yet indicates there are still sheep to be found.

Abraham questioned Gods judgment, even though God can read their hearts and we cannot. He knows whether people will change or not. He was patient with Abraham and even gave Abraham time to learn that his judgment was righteous. God said if there was even ten righteous persons found he would not destroy Sodom.

God loves us so much he gave has only begotten son as a ransom to provide the way for us to achieve forgiveness and life. Does this seem like the actions of a cruel God? If we want to conquer the world we must learn to love as God does. There are many who won’t even acknowledge God and what he did for man. Many believe just because someone is nice it is ok for them to not believe in God. God gave his only begotten son as a ransom for all people. If they do not want to accept that ransom sacrifice by acknowledging what God has done for us then they have made their choice when the day of judgment is here. God has given them more then enough time to acknowledge the great things he has done for man and what Jesus has done. If they cannot find it in their heart to bring glory to God who has been so merciful then why should they be covered by the ransom. Why should God even acknowledge them if they do not acknowledge him and the things he has done? By associating with them we are telling God we believe it is ok for people to no accept what he and his son has done for man. We are given free will to choose what path we want to take. Those who do not love God and reject him have made their choice. God does not want them to be destroyed but it is the lack of people listening to God and it is because man leans on their own understanding that has brought the world to the condition it is in now. So those who choose not to let God guide them are by their actions saying Satan was right that we do not need God to guide us, and teach us. The state the world is in we can see that is not true we need God.

There are some who claim that the suffering people experience is God punishing them. That is ridiculous. The cause is mans sinful nature, some of our suffering is from others sins, some is from our own sins. Also man does not have the foresight and wisdom God has. We have thoroughly proven we can not make it without God. The farther man gets from God the worse things are getting. We are seeing the climax of the rebellion in the Garden of Eden. Those who are refusing to let God guide them and to obey God are contributing the the bad state the world is in right now. If God did not destroy those who put their faith in man instead of God the new paradise earth would not be possible. God does not want to destroy the wicked he has to in order for the original purpose for the earth to be fulfilled.

Some get caught up in acquiring material things which comes with a lot of stress in maintaining and keeping them. Families have been broke apart because the desire for money out weighed their desire to know God and they put money first in their life. If they do not value God they will not value family the way they should. Many have left greed overtake them resulting in others having to live in poverty.

God’s thoughts are higher then ours. We are imperfect humans. Those of us who except this fact will be looked down on by those who’s hearts have been hardened. Gods thoughts are higher then ours. Jesus perfectly reflected his heavenly father. God seated him on the throne in heaven. We can be certain , his judgment will be righteous and he will set matters straight very soon. The bible teaches we are to view others as superior to us and we are to put the interest of others before out own. Jesus set the example when he washed the disciples feet. This was a job usually done by servants. Jesus knew after he died and was resurrected he would be seated on the heavenly throne as a king at the time he did this. This tell you something about God also, because Jesus stated he did what he had seen his father do. The greed and poverty caused to others because of the greed would not occur of others had the same attitude as Jesus.

It is loving on God’s part to destroy those who have hardened their hearts. How could we have peace and happiness if the wicked are allowed to continue? It is their wickedness that is ruining the earth. If a person had a disease would you leave the disease in the body until it overtook and destroyed the whole body? Well if God does not destroy the wicked they would eventually ruin the whole earth. Would a loving God leave that occur? If you was a parent and had a child would you leave abusers continue to harm the child because you did not want the abuser harmed? If the wicked are left on the earth then there would be no way to restore the earth to a paradise because they would continue to ruin it.

To have true peace in these perilous times we need to listen to Jehovah. Let his word guide and protect us. In doing so it will keep us from losing site of our future hope. We need to take in God’s word and heed his warning to protect our hearts. As we learn and share the bible truths if we do not see the person changing and growing spiritually we may want to be cautious their heart may be hardened. There are those who appear to have a form of godliness or appear to have a form of godly devotion just as the pharisees did. We need to be very careful because they were compared to angels of light. Satan has been called an angel of light because he can easily deceive people leading them off into destruction.

It is not easy to worship God with your whole heart and whole soul if you have been taught things all your life that do not agree with what the bible teaches. We have to completely change our thinking often times. Some things are deeply entrenched and have become habit and take time to overcome. If you read a scripture and it may hurt you conscience causing confusion, you should ask yourself why? Is it possible my mind is in conflict because what I have been taught does not agree with what the bible is saying. By making certain of all you have been taught it prevents the angels of light from deceiving you. Do you reject any teaching that does not agree with what you have been taught. If so have you ask why the teaching may have caused you mental conflict or caused you to get upset? Many rejected Jesus because he was telling them what they needed to hear and not what they wanted to hear. Are you asking to have your itchy ears scratched. The closer we get to the new system the more important it is to make sure our worship is pure in God’s eyes and not mans. If we are not willing to make certain of what we have been taught and challenge what we have been taught how can we worship with our whole heart and whole soul? Jesus and the apostles wanted people to question things and wanted them to verify what they have heard by looking deeper into God’s word. They did not want people to just accept the things they were being told. We are to trust God with our whole hearts if something we have learned and believed all our life seems to conflict with the bible we should believe God’s word over what we have been taught, in doing so we are trusting God over man or the angels of light. We have to keep in mind those angels of light would deceive many , especially in the last days. In Isaiah we learn God rejected Israel because he said their hearts were far removed from him. They feared him based on commands of men they had been taught and not based on God’s word. A sign you have been deceived is when the worship is more based on tradition and the elementary things of the world ? The bible tells us to keep our minds focused on the things above. Many of the traditions and doctrine taught now days draws attention not to things like the heavenly kingdom and God’s glory but they focus on the physical things of the world which is passing away.

If all these things will be gone soon should we not focus on storing up treasures in heaven and focus on the things we cannot see like the heavenly kingdom and what it will do for the earth? All the things of this world including the traditions and doctrine that have been taught by man will be gone soon and so will those who refused to let them go. God requires exclusive devotion and the glory belongs to him. Why should we practice traditions that give glory to idols, images or mythical characters? Those very things have gotten Israel in trouble with God. If we are practicing traditions of man that God would not approve of like those in Jeremiah chapter 10 did, then we are in opposition to God because we are not worshiping him with our whole heart and whole soul. God called us to him to glorify him and not the things of the world or people of the world. His people are known by his name. Would we want people to think our God is more a material God then a spiritual one. All we do should bring God glory and draw their attention to his mercy, his power, and his love so we do not smear his good name. We are told we cannot drink of the cup of the devil and the cup of God at the same time. Our worship of God must be pure, all we do should bring God glory, not images or mythical characters.

Each life that has to be destroyed hurts God’s heart. Wouldn’t it be better if we brought joy to God through our actions and helped others learn to worship him in truth so they will not be destroyed. Jesus used the parable of one lost sheep to indicate that there is a lot of joy in heaven over just one sinner repenting. Can you imagine the joy they feel if we can teach and guide others to repent and to worship God with their whole heart and whole soul.

(1 Corinthians 10:20-24 20 No; but I say that what the nations sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers with the demons. 21 You cannot be drinking the cup of Jehovah and the cup of demons; you cannot be partaking of “the table of Jehovah” and the table of demons. 22 Or ‘are we inciting Jehovah to jealousy’? We are not stronger than he is, are we? 23 All things are lawful, but not all things are advantageous. All things are lawful, but not all things build up. 24 Let each one keep seeking, not his own advantage, but that of the other person.)

(Isaiah 43:6, 7  6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ And to the south, ‘Do not hold them back. Bring my sons from afar, and my daughters from the ends of the earth,  7 Everyone who is called by my name And whom I created for my own glory, Whom I have formed and made.’). ,

(Acts 15:16, 17) 16 ‘After these things I will return and raise up again the tent of David that is fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins and restore it, 17 so that the men who remain may earnestly seek Jehovah, together with people of all the nations, people who are called by my name, says Jehovah, who is doing these things, , 18 known from of old.’

(Ezekiel 33:11) 11Tell them, ‘“As surely as I am alive,” declares the Sovereign Lord Jehovah, “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that someone wicked changes his way and keeps living. Turn back, turn back from your bad ways, for why should you die, O house of Israel?”.

(2 Peter 3:8-10) 8However, do not let this escape your notice, beloved ones, that one day is with Jehovah as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. 9 Jehovah is not slow concerning his promise, as some people consider slowness, but he is patient with you because he does not desire anyone to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance. 10But Jehovah’s day will come as a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar, but the elements being intensely hot will be dissolved, and earth and the works in it will be exposed.

(Matthew 24:36-42) 36“Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father. 37For just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be. 38For as they were in those days before the Flood, eating and drinking, men marrying and women being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, 39and they took no note until the Flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of the Son of man will be. 40Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken along and the other abandoned. 41Two women will be grinding at the hand mill; one will be taken along and the other abandoned. 42Keep on the watch, therefore, because you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.

(2 Peter 3:5-7) 5For they deliberately ignore this fact, that long ago there were heavens and an earth standing firmly out of water and in the midst of water by the word of God; 6and that by those means the world of that time suffered destruction when it was flooded with water. 7But by the same word the heavens and the earth that now exist are reserved for fire and are being kept until the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly people.

(Genesis 18:29-33) 29But yet again he spoke to him and said: “Suppose 40 are found there.” He answered: “I will not do it for the sake of the 40.” 30But he continued: “Jehovah, please, do not become hot with anger, but let me go on speaking: Suppose only 30 are found there.” He answered: “I will not do it if I find 30 there.” 31But he continued: “Please, here I have presumed to speak to Jehovah: Suppose only 20 are found there.” He answered: “I will not destroy it for the sake of the 20.” 32Finally he said: “Jehovah, please, do not become hot with anger, but let me speak just once more: Suppose only ten are found there.” He answered: “I will not destroy it for the sake of the ten.” 33When Jehovah finished speaking to Abraham, he went his way and Abraham returned to his place.

(Deuteronomy 11:26-28) 26“See, I am putting before you today a blessing and a curse: 27the blessing if you obey the commandments of Jehovah your God that I am commanding you today, 28and the curse if you do not obey the commandments of Jehovah your God.

(1 John 4:4-10) 4You originate with God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in union with you is greater than the one who is in union with the world. 5They originate with the world; that is why they speak what originates with the world and the world listens to them. 6We originate with God. Whoever comes to know God listens to us; whoever does not originate with God does not listen to us. By this we distinguish the inspired statement of truth from the inspired statement of error. 7Beloved ones, let us continue loving one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born from God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love has not come to know God, because God is love. 9By this the love of God was revealed in our case, that God sent his only-begotten Son into the world so that we might gain life through him. 10The love is in this respect, not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a propitiatory sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved ones, if this is how God loved us, then we are also under obligation to love one another. 12No one has seen God at any time. If we continue loving one another, God remains in us and his love is made perfect in us. 13By this we know that we are remaining in union with him and he in union with us, because he has given his spirit to us. 14In addition, we ourselves have seen and are bearing witness that the Father has sent his Son as Savior of the world. 15Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is God’s Son, God remains in union with such one and he in union with God. 16And we have come to know and believe the love that God has for us.

(James 1:12-15) 12Happy is the man who keeps on enduring trial, because on becoming approved he will receive the crown of life, which Jehovah promised to those who continue loving Him. 13When under trial, let no one say: “I am being tried by God.” For with evil things God cannot be tried, nor does he himself try anyone. 14But each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire. 15Then the desire, when it has become fertile, gives birth to sin; in turn sin, when it has been carried out, brings forth death.

(Ecclesiastes 8:9) 9All of this I have seen, and I applied my heart to every work that has been done under the sun, during the time that man has dominated man to his harm.

(1 John 2:15-17) 15Do not love either the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him; 16because everything in the world—the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the showy display of one’s means of life—does not originate with the Father, but originates with the world. 17Furthermore, the world is passing away and so is its desire, but the one who does the will of God remains forever.

(Revelation 11:18) 18But the nations became wrathful, and your own wrath came, and the appointed time came for the dead to be judged and to reward your slaves the prophets and the holy ones and those fearing your name, the small and the great, and to bring to ruin those ruining the earth.

(Proverbs 2:21, 22) 21For only the upright will reside in the earth, And the blameless will remain in it. 22As for the wicked, they will be cut off from the earth, And the treacherous will be torn away from it.

Some may think it cruel of God that even children have suffered judicial decisions of Jehovah but we must keep in mind God can read everyones hearts. He knows if they will change and that includes children. These children were interfering with God’s prophet. They knew right from wrong, God is righteous and his decisions are righteous.

(2 Kings 2:23-25) 23He went up from there to Beth′el. As he was going along the way, some young boys came out from the city and began to jeer at him, and they kept saying to him: “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!” 24Finally he turned around and looked at them and cursed them in the name of Jehovah. Then two she-bears came out of the forest and tore 42 of the children to pieces.

(Matthew 13:15) For the heart of this people has grown unreceptive, and with their ears they have heard without response, and they have shut their eyes, so that they might never see with their eyes and hear with their ears and get the sense of it with their hearts and turn back and I heal them.

(1 Corinthians 1:25-28) 25Because a foolish thing of God is wiser than men, and a weak thing of God is stronger than men. 26For you see his calling of you, brothers, that there are not many wise in a fleshly way, not many powerful, not many of noble birth, 27but God chose the foolish things of the world to put the wise men to shame; and God chose the weak things of the world to put the strong things to shame; 28and God chose the insignificant things of the world and the things looked down on, the things that are not, to bring to nothing the things that are.

(Isaiah 48:17, 18) 17This is what Jehovah says, your Repurchaser, the Holy One of Israel: “I, Jehovah, am your God, The One teaching you to benefit yourself, The One guiding you in the way you should walk. 18If only you would pay attention to my commandments! Then your peace would become just like a river And your righteousness like the waves of the sea..

The bible can helps expose our short comings and those of others. How we and others respond will expose our and their heart condition. By paying attention we will know the things we will need to do to draw closer to Jehovah. It can protect us by revealing the hidden things in someones heart. If they refuse the correction from Jehovah and react negatively that exposes their true condition of their heart. If we see this we want to be careful because associating with such a person could cause our hearts to become hardened.

(Hebrews 4:12, 13) 12For the word of God is alive and exerts power and is sharper than any two-edged sword and pierces even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of joints from the marrow, and is able to discern thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13And there is not a creation that is hidden from his sight, but all things are naked and openly exposed to the eyes of the one to whom we must give an account..

(Proverbs 21:2) 2All of a man’s ways seem right to him, But Jehovah examines the hearts.

(Deuteronomy 29:19, 20) 19“But if someone hears the words of this oath and boasts in his heart, saying, ‘I will have peace, though I insist on walking in the ways of my own heart,’ to the ruin of everything in his path, 20Jehovah will not be willing to forgive him. Instead, Jehovah’s great anger will blaze against that man, and the entire curse written in this book will certainly come upon him, and Jehovah will indeed wipe out his name from under the heavens.

(1 Corinthians 10:6-13) 6Now these things became examples for us, in order for us not to desire injurious things, as they desired them. 7Neither become idolaters, as some of them did; just as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink. Then they got up to have a good time.” 8Neither let us practice sexual immorality, as some of them committed sexual immorality, only to fall, 23,000 of them in one day. 9Neither let us put Jehovah to the test, as some of them put him to the test, only to perish by the serpents. 10Neither be murmurers, as some of them murmured, only to perish by the destroyer. 11Now these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for a warning to us upon whom the ends of the systems of things have come. 12So let the one who thinks he is standing beware that he does not fall. 13No temptation has come upon you except what is common to men. But God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but along with the temptation he will also make the way out so that you may be able to endure it

(Ephesians 4:21-24) … 22You were taught to put away the old personality that conforms to your former course of conduct and that is being corrupted according to its deceptive desires. 23And you should continue to be made new in your dominant mental attitude, 24and should put on the new personality that was created according to God’s will in true righteousness and loyalty..

(Romans 12:1, 2) 12 Therefore, I appeal to you by the compassions of God, brothers, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, a sacred service with your power of reason. 2And stop being molded by this system of things, but be transformed by making your mind over, so that you may prove to yourselves the good and acceptable and perfect will of God..

(Revelation 21:1-8) 21 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea is no more. 2I also saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God and prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. 4And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” 5And the One seated on the throne said: “Look! I am making all things new.” Also he says: “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” 6And he said to me: “They have come to pass! I am the Al′pha and the O·me′ga, the beginning and the end. To anyone thirsting I will give from the spring of the water of life free. 7Anyone conquering will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8 But as for the cowards and those without faith and those who are disgusting in their filth and murderers and the sexually immoral and those practicing spiritism and idolaters and all the liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This means the second death..

(Isaiah 25:8) 8He will swallow up death forever, And the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will wipe away the tears from all faces. The reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, For Jehovah himself has spoken it.

(Ezekiel 34:25-28) 25“‘“And I will make a covenant of peace with them, and I will rid the land of vicious wild beasts, so that they may dwell securely in the wilderness and sleep in the forests. 26I will make them and the area around my hill a blessing, and I will cause the rain to fall at the proper time. Blessings will pour down like the rains. 27The trees of the field will yield their fruit, and the soil will give its produce, and they will dwell securely on the land. And they will have to know that I am Jehovah when I break their yoke bars and rescue them from those who enslaved them. 28They will no longer become something for the nations to prey upon, and the wild beasts of the earth will not devour them, and they will dwell in security, with no one to make them afraid..

(1 Corinthians 5:10-13) . . .. 11 But now I am writing you to stop keeping company with anyone called a brother who is sexually immoral or a greedy person or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner, not even eating with such a man. 12 For what do I have to do with judging those outside? Do you not judge those inside, 13 while God judges those outside? “Remove the wicked person from among yourselves.”

(Ephesians 5:4, 5) . . .. 5 For you know this, recognizing it for yourselves, that no sexually immoral person or unclean person or greedy person, which means being an idolater, has any inheritance in the Kingdom of the Christ and of God.

(Isaiah 40:10, 11) 10 Look! The Sovereign Lord Jehovah will come with power, And his arm will rule for him. Look! His reward is with him, And the wage he pays is before him. 11 Like a shepherd he will care for his flock. With his arm he will gather together the lambs, And in his bosom he will carry them. He will gently lead those nursing their young.

(1 Peter 2:25) 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the shepherd and overseer of your souls.

(Proverbs 3:5-7)  5 Trust in Jehovah with all your heart, And do not rely on your own understanding.  6 In all your ways take notice of him, And he will make your paths straight.  7 Do not become wise in your own eyes. Fear Jehovah and turn away from bad.

(Isaiah 29:13) 13 Jehovah says: “This people approach me with their mouth And they honor me with their lips, But their heart is far removed from me; And their fear of me is based on commands of men that they have been taught.

(Colossians 3:1-4) 3 If, however, you were raised up with the Christ, go on seeking the things above, where the Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Keep your minds fixed on the things above, not on the things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life has been hidden with the Christ in union with God. 4 When the Christ, our life, is made manifest, then you also will be made manifest with him in glory.

(Matthew 22:37-40) 37 He said to him: “‘You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 The second, like it, is this: ‘You must love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments the whole Law hangs, and the Prophets.”

(Exodus 32:3-6) . . .. 4 Then he took the gold from them, and he formed it with an engraving tool and made it into a statue of a calf. They began to say: “This is your God, O Israel, who led you up out of the land of Egypt.” 5 When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it. Then Aaron called out: “There is a festival to Jehovah tomorrow.” 6 So they got up early on the next day and began offering up burnt offerings and presenting communion sacrifices. After that the people sat down to eat and drink. Then they got up to have a good time.

(Hebrews 10:26-31) 26 For if we practice sin willfully after having received the accurate knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice for sins left, 27 but there is a certain fearful expectation of judgment and a burning indignation that is going to consume those in opposition. 28 Anyone who has disregarded the Law of Moses dies without compassion on the testimony of two or three. 29 How much greater punishment do you think a person will deserve who has trampled on the Son of God and who has regarded as of ordinary value the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and who has outraged the spirit of undeserved kindness with contempt? 30 For we know the One who said: “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again: “Jehovah will judge his people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

(Luke 15:1-7) 15 Now all the tax collectors and the sinners kept gathering around him to hear him. 2 And both the Pharisees and the scribes kept muttering: “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 Then he told them this illustration, saying: 4 “What man among you with 100 sheep, on losing one of them, will not leave the 99 behind in the wilderness and go after the lost one until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he puts it on his shoulders and rejoices. 6 And when he gets home, he calls his friends and his neighbors together, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous ones who have no need of repentance.

If you believe the physical nation of Israel are God’s people you are rejecting Christ.

Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am not the best editor.

Jesus stated he did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. When that law of the covenant was fulfilled we were promised a new covenant. If we cling too tightly to the old covenant we could be blinded to the fact the old covenant was fulfilled by Jesus ransom sacrifice and fail to listen to Jesus and the new laws he gave us when he instated the new covenant. By listening to Jesus and putting our trust in him we experience a certain freedom. God lifts spiritual blinders off of us. Many think that the nation of Israel are God’s people but when that covenant was fulfilled a new nation of Israel was created. When we cling to the belief the physical nation of Israel are God’s people we are not accepting that there is a new nation of Israel with Jesus as our king and we become blinded on how to enter that kingdom which is through the narrow gate. Jesus is the narrow Gate.

Does this mean that God changed his mind. Certainly not it was prophesied that the messiah would come through Abraham’s seed and there would be a new everlasting covenant. Jesus fulfilled the covenant given to Abraham. We are now under the new covenant so the circumcision we now are required to do is circumcision of the heart by writing God’s word on it. If we continue to believe the physical nation of Israel are God’s people we are rejecting the new covenant and rejecting that Jesus has been set on the heavenly throne by his father and that he is the king of the new spiritual nation of Israel. Surely we would not want to reject Christ. God gave him full authority to deliver us when the time is near. When Jesus made the new Covenant he gave us many commands, some of them were from the old covenant like the ten commandments which were covered under the new covenant.

(Matthew 5:17-20) ¹⁷ “Do not think I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I came, not to destroy, but to fulfill. ¹⁸ Truly I say to you that sooner would heaven and earth pass away than for one smallest letter or one stroke of a letter to pass away from the Law until all things take place. ¹⁹ Whoever, therefore, breaks one of these least commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in relation to the Kingdom of the heavens. But whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in relation to the Kingdom of the heavens. ²⁰ For I say to you that if your righteousness does not surpass that of the scribes and the Pharisees, you will by no means enter into the Kingdom of the heavens.

(Ephesians 2:14-18) . . .. ¹⁵ By means of his flesh he abolished the enmity, the Law of commandments consisting in decrees, in order to make the two groups in union with himself into one new man and to make peace, ¹⁶ and to reconcile fully both peoples in one body to God through the torture stake, because he had killed off the enmity by means of himself. ¹⁷ And he came and declared the good news of peace to you who were far off, and peace to those near, ¹⁸ because through him we, both peoples, have free access to the Father by one spirit.

(2 Corinthians 3:13-18) . . .did when he would put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel might not gaze intently at the end of what was to be done away with. ¹⁴ But their minds were dulled. For to this present day, the same veil remains unlifted when the old covenant is read, because it is taken away only by means of Christ. ¹⁵ In fact, to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies upon their hearts. ¹⁶ But when one turns to Jehovah, the veil is taken away. ¹⁷ Now Jehovah is the Spirit, and where the spirit of Jehovah is, there is freedom. ¹⁸ And all of us, while we with unveiled faces reflect like mirrors the glory of Jehovah, are transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, exactly as it is done by Jehovah the Spirit.

(Galatians 6:12-16) ¹² All those who want to make a good impression in the flesh are the ones who try to compel you to get circumcised, doing so only to avoid being persecuted for the torture stake of the Christ. ¹³ For even those who are getting circumcised do not keep the Law themselves, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may have cause for boasting about your flesh. ¹⁴ But may I never boast, except in the torture stake of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world has been put to death with regard to me and I with regard to the world. ¹⁵ For neither is circumcision anything nor is uncircumcision, but a new creation is. ¹⁶ As for all those who walk orderly by this rule of conduct, peace and mercy be upon them, yes, upon the Israel of God.

(2 Corinthians 5:16-19) ¹⁶ So from now on we know no man from a fleshly viewpoint. Even if we once knew Christ according to the flesh, we certainly no longer know him in that way. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in union with Christ, he is a new creation; the old things passed away; look! new things have come into existence. ¹⁸ But all things are from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of the reconciliation, ¹⁹ namely, that God was by means of Christ reconciling a world to himself, not counting their offenses against them, and he entrusted to us the message of the reconciliation.

(1 Peter 2:10-12) . . .For you were once not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not been shown mercy, but now you have received mercy. ¹¹ Beloved, I urge you as foreigners and temporary residents to keep abstaining from fleshly desires, which wage war against you. ¹² Maintain your conduct fine among the nations, so that when they accuse you of being wrongdoers, they may be eyewitnesses of your fine works and, as a result, glorify God in the day of his inspection.

(Romans 9:25) It is as he says also in Ho·seʹa: “Those not my people I will call ‘my people,’ and her who was not loved, ‘beloved’;

(Acts 15:12-21) . . .many signs and wonders that God had done through them among the nations. ¹³ After they finished speaking, James replied: “Men, brothers, hear me. ¹⁴ Symʹe·on has related thoroughly how God for the first time turned his attention to the nations to take out of them a people for his name. ¹⁵ And with this the words of the Prophets agree, just as it is written: ¹⁶ ‘After these things I will return and raise up again the tent of David that is fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins and restore it, ¹⁷ so that the men who remain may earnestly seek Jehovah, together with people of all the nations, people who are called by my name, says Jehovah, who is doing these things, ¹⁸ known from of old.’ ¹⁹ Therefore, my decision is not to trouble those from the nations who are turning to God, ²⁰ but to write them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood. ²¹ For from ancient times Moses has had those who preach him in city after city, because he is read aloud in the synagogues on every sabbath.”

(Ephesians 2:11-18) ¹¹ Therefore, remember that at one time you, people of the nations by fleshly descent, were the ones called “uncircumcision” by those called “circumcision,” which is made in the flesh by human hands. ¹² At that time you were without Christ, alienated from the state of Israel, strangers to the covenants of the promise; you had no hope and were without God in the world. ¹³ But now in union with Christ Jesus, you who were once far off have come to be near by the blood of the Christ. ¹⁴ For he is our peace, the one who made the two groups one and destroyed the wall in between that fenced them off. ¹⁵ By means of his flesh he abolished the enmity, the Law of commandments consisting in decrees, in order to make the two groups in union with himself into one new man and to make peace, ¹⁶ and to reconcile fully both peoples in one body to God through the torture stake, because he had killed off the enmity by means of himself. ¹⁷ And he came and declared the good news of peace to you who were far off, and peace to those near, ¹⁸ because through him we, both peoples, have free access to the Father by one spirit.

(Romans 2:25-29) ²⁵ Circumcision is, in fact, of benefit only if you practice law; but if you are a transgressor of law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. ²⁶ If, therefore, an uncircumcised person keeps the righteous requirements of the Law, his uncircumcision will be counted as circumcision, will it not? ²⁷ And the physically uncircumcised person will, by carrying out the Law, judge you who are a transgressor of law despite having its written code and circumcision. ²⁸ For he is not a Jew who is one on the outside, nor is circumcision something on the outside, on the flesh. ²⁹ But he is a Jew who is one on the inside, and his circumcision is that of the heart by spirit and not by a written code. That person’s praise comes from God, not from people.

(Genesis 12:1-3) And Jehovah said to Aʹbram: “Go out from your land and away from your relatives and from the house of your father to the land that I will show you. ² I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and I will make your name great, and you will become a blessing. ³ I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who calls down evil on you, and all the families of the ground will certainly be blessed by means of you.”

(Galatians 3:13-18) ¹³ Christ purchased us, releasing us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse instead of us, because it is written: “Accursed is every man hung upon a stake.” ¹⁴ This was so that the blessing of Abraham would come to the nations by means of Christ Jesus, so that we might receive the promised spirit through our faith. ¹⁵ Brothers, I speak using a human illustration: Once a covenant is validated, even if only by a man, no one annuls it or attaches additions to it. ¹⁶ Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “and to your descendants,” in the sense of many. Rather, it says, “and to your offspring,” in the sense of one, who is Christ. ¹⁷ Further, I say this: The Law, which came into being 430 years later, does not invalidate the covenant previously made by God, so as to abolish the promise. ¹⁸ For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has kindly given it to Abraham through a promise.

(Matthew 1:17-23) ¹⁷ All the generations, then, from Abraham until David were 14 generations; from David until the deportation to Babylon, 14 generations; from the deportation to Babylon until the Christ, 14 generations. ¹⁸ But this is how the birth of Jesus Christ took place. During the time his mother Mary was promised in marriage to Joseph, she was found to be pregnant by holy spirit before they were united. ¹⁹ However, because her husband Joseph was righteous and did not want to make her a public spectacle, he intended to divorce her secretly. ²⁰ But after he had thought these things over, look! Jehovah’s angel appeared to him in a dream, saying: “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take your wife Mary home, for what has been conceived in her is by holy spirit. ²¹ She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” ²² All of this actually came about to fulfill what was spoken by Jehovah through his prophet, saying: ²³ “Look! The virgin will become pregnant and will give birth to a son, and they will name him Im·manʹu·el,” which means, when translated, “With Us Is God.”

(Matthew 7:13, 14) ¹³ “Go in through the narrow gate, because broad is the gate and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are going in through it; ¹⁴ whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are finding it.

(John 10:7-11) ⁷ So Jesus said again: “Most truly I say to you, I am the door for the sheep. ⁸ All those who have come in place of me are thieves and plunderers; but the sheep have not listened to them. ⁹ I am the door; whoever enters through me will be saved, and that one will go in and out and find pasturage. ¹⁰ The thief does not come unless it is to steal and slay and destroy. I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance. ¹¹ I am the fine shepherd; the fine shepherd surrenders his life in behalf of the sheep.

(Micah 5:2-4)  ² And you, O Bethʹle·hem Ephʹra·thah, The one too little to be among the thousands of Judah, From you will come out for me the one to be ruler in Israel, Whose origin is from ancient times, from the days of long ago.  ³ So he will give them up Until the time that she who is to give birth has given birth. And the rest of his brothers will return to the people of Israel.  ⁴ He will stand up and shepherd in the strength of Jehovah, In the superiority of the name of Jehovah his God. And they will dwell in security, For now his greatness will reach the ends of the earth.

(Luke 1:31-33) . . .. ³² This one will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and Jehovah God will give him the throne of David his father, ³³ and he will rule as King over the house of Jacob forever, and there will be no end to his Kingdom.”

(Hebrews 1:8-14) ⁸ But about the Son, he says: “God is your throne forever and ever, and the scepter of your Kingdom is the scepter of uprightness. ⁹ You loved righteousness, and you hated lawlessness. That is why God, your God, anointed you with the oil of exultation more than your companions.” ¹⁰ And: “At the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the works of your hands. ¹¹ They will perish, but you will remain; and just like a garment, they will all wear out, ¹² and you will wrap them up just as a cloak, as a garment, and they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will never come to an end.” ¹³ But about which of the angels has he ever said: “Sit at my right hand until I place your enemies as a stool for your feet”? ¹⁴ Are they not all spirits for holy service, sent out to minister for those who are going to inherit salvation?

(Jeremiah 31:31-34) ³¹ “Look! The days are coming,” declares Jehovah, “when I will make with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah a new covenant. ³² It will not be like the covenant that I made with their forefathers on the day I took hold of their hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, ‘my covenant that they broke, although I was their true master,’ declares Jehovah.” ³³ “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares Jehovah. “I will put my law within them, and in their heart I will write it. And I will become their God, and they will become my people.” ³⁴ “And they will no longer teach each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know Jehovah!’ for they will all know me, from the least to the greatest of them,” declares Jehovah. “For I will forgive their error, and I will no longer remember their sin.”

(Hebrews 13:20, 21) ²⁰ Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Jesus, with the blood of an everlasting covenant, ²¹ equip you with every good thing to do his will, working in us through Jesus Christ what is well-pleasing in his sight, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Who is God’s master worker?

Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am not the best editor.

Who is God’s master worker and what is the work he has done and will do?

With the construction of anything it takes someone to design it, supply the material and to guide it’s construction. This is the same with heaven and all things created. There is a designer, the one who supplied the material and the power for all things to be created. This most know is Jehovah God. But with most things that has been built there are workers. God had a master worker, and through him all things were created. We know God was not alone during the creation of the earth and man because in Genesis when God speaks he says let us make man in our image. So Who is with him? (Genesis 1:26 ²⁶ Then God said: “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness, and let them have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and the domestic animals and all the earth and every creeping animal that is moving on the earth.” )

We get a clue as to who is with God in Proverbs 22:32 where he is referred to as the master worker. We also get another clue who was beside God during the creation of all things in Colossians 1:13-17 because it also says by means of him we have our ransom. It also calls him the first born of all creation. We know Jesus was the ransom sacrifice God provided so our sins could be forgiven. This is why Jesus is called the only begotten son, he is the only one who was directly created by God. This does not make Jesus equal to God because it was God’s wisdom, power and guidance that Jesus used to do the work God had given him to do. This is why Jesus is also called the word. He taught and said the things he had heard God say, and did what he had seen God do when he was with him in heaven. (John 5:19,20). Since Jesus was the first born of all creation he would know God better then any of God’s creation. So we can see how much God trusted Jesus. He trusted him to be his master work, to deliver messages from him, and he trusted him to remain faithful and loyal to him. It was a perfect human that brought sin which brought death on man. A perfect human who did not sin was needed to remove or cover mans sin. By remaining blameless and perfectly loyal and faithful to God Jesus defeated Satan because he proved all Satan’s lies to be wrong. No human could have done this because we are born imperfect because of the inherited imperfections we got from Adam and Eve.

Some believe Jesus is equal to God and worship him as God. The bible teaches us we are to only worship God. Jesus himself stated the father was greater then him. Since Jesus was created by God and God tells us not to worship the creation wouldn’t this be exactly what people are doing when they worship the son instead of God? Jesus had a deep respect and love for his heavenly father but he never demanded people worship him, but ask they have faith in him. He proved he loved man as much as God did and that he would always put God’s will first. Because God seated Jesus on the heavenly throne and gave him full authority , even over the holy spirit . The bible tells us Jesus does not have authority over God himself. We can trust Jesus can and will do all the bible says he will do when the end of this system comes. So we have to approach God first in prayer and do so in Jesus name. The bible tells us he will save those who worship God with their whole soul and whole heart. This means we have to do all we can to make our worship is pure meaning we have to get rid of any teachings we have been taught that do not agree with what God would require of us. For example during Jesus ministry he spoke of how they practiced things and celebrated things that were traditions of man and not something God would want them to do. We see the same things now days there are many celebrations that go against the things God would want us to do. Some have outright pagan origins. Giving up those traditional celebrations was difficult for me at first. I did not celebrate them because something did not feel right about them but I do remember the fun children had during those holidays. These celebrations are only helping to make others wealthy and do not draw people closer to God, they all have images people use in acts of worship which is idolatry which is something God told us were are not to do. If we want to be one with God as Jesus and the disciples were one with God we need to imitate Jesus who would not partake of the traditional celebrations that were commands of man and not God. (Mark 7:4-8) ⁵ So these Pharisees and scribes asked him: “Why do your disciples not observe the tradition of the men of former times, but they eat their meal with defiled hands?” ⁶ He said to them: “Isaiah aptly prophesied about you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far removed from me. ⁷ It is in vain that they keep worshipping me, for they teach commands of men as doctrines.’ ⁸ You let go of the commandment of God and cling to the tradition of men.”)

Many want to demote Jesus from the heavenly throne. You may say why do I say that? I say this because the bible makes it clear Jesus is now a spiritual being, he has been promoted by God and is now our king in heaven. We cannot see spiritual beings, this is why the disciples ask for signs of Jesus return. Because they knew that Jesus being a spirit person , we would not be able to see his return so the bible gave us signs to look for so we would know when deliverance was near. All these signs are now taking place. We are told there would be anguish of nations not knowing the way out because of the roaring of the sea. The sea is the people of the world. The bible uses this image to represent the people of the world because those who do not know God or have faith in him are easily swayed and do not know what to believe so constantly change their minds and are very indecisive. Whichever way the winds blows that is the directions the waves on the ocean goes. Not only that but the sea can get very loud at times when the waves are crashing on the shores. Jesus is now beside his father where he was before coming to earth and taking human form, so he is a spirit person in heaven. You have heard the saying “they are my right hand man” . Meaning they are heavily dependent on the person for helping them to achieve things. God does not have to depend on Jesus but he has such deep respect and trust for his only begotten son that he has entrusted him to do the work he has given Jesus to do. So he has seated him at his right hand. Many think Jesus will come back to earth in human form and rule as king. This would be a demotion. He is in a much more powerful position in heaven with full authority over everything but God himself. Coming back to earth in human form and to rule as a human king would be a demotion. Why would we want to demote Jesus he earned the right to be glorified by God by sitting him on the throne. Why would anyone want to take that glory from him? What is the work God gave Jesus to do while he is seated on the throne?

One of the things the bible tells us is Jesus would bring the last enemy death to nothing. But what will he do before that occurs? The bible tells us there would be a new heaven and a new earth. The new heaven has already occurred we know this because the bible warned when Jesus would clean up heaven and toss Satan and the rebellious angels out of heaven, things would get much worse on earth. In 1914 things started happening on a scale they have never happened before which Jesus indicated would be a sign of his return. In 1914 we had the first war that effected the whole earth. Before these times war would be sporadic and occur off and on and occurred locally. Wars used to only effect the areas they occurred in , now wars effect things on a world wide scale when they occur. There are wars happening all around the world and new wars spring up often. Food shortages are occurring all around the world on a scale like it has never happened before. Disease would be rampant on the earth. Chronic illness is now rampant on the earth at levels man has never experienced before. The bible warns these are the beginning of the pangs of distress , but why did this occur? Part of the reason is man rebelling against God and relying on their own understanding and not letting God guide us. This started in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve, we are seeing the end results. The farther man gets away from God the worse things are getting. Another reason things are getting much worse is when Satan was cast out of heaven it said he would have great anger because he knew his times was short , the bible warned woe to the earth. So we see all the sings that Jesus has already started the work God gave him to do when he seated him on the throne but what other work will Jesus do before he hands the throne back to God?

We are told in the last days the churches would be full of teaching of demons and doctrine of man. So one of the first things Jesus would do is restore true worship. He would establish a people who would worship God in truth they would do their best not to follow teachings of demons or doctrine of man. The bible warned those who followed teachings of demons and doctrine of man would have the appearance of Godly devotion but prove false to it’s power. So they may seem to love God but would put their own interest above God’s and put faith in man over faith in God and this would result in them not only causing God’s name to be smeared but bad behavior becoming accepted. But Jesus would establish true worship and there would be those who would witness about the heavenly Kingdom and the hope it will give. One of the keys to knowing who these people are is to be able to identify their work and also the bible says God would call them by their name. So who are these people?

In Daniel 12 we get a clue to who these people are by the work they will do. They will spread true wisdom of God throughout the earth. The bible says they are ones who would flee Babylon which is false religion. Micah chapter 4 says this would occur in the final part of the days. The bible says these are the ones who would wash their robes in the blood of Jesus. Meaning they would have faith in Jesus as our king and the ransom sacrifice he gave for us when he gave his life for all those who repent and turn to pure worship in the site of God. They would do their best to imitate Christ. How do we identify these people who returned to pure worship? Well in Isaiah 65 and Isaiah 62 the bible says they will be given a new name. What could that name be? Well to answer this we need to know God’s personal name Jehovah. Many bibles have removed God’s personal name but it can still be found in some bibles in Psalm 83:18 . The bible tells us they would be gathered from all the ends of the earth. So this would be a world wide effort. The bible tells us in Daniel 7 his name would be called upon his people. In Amos 8 and Isiah 43 we are told Gods name would be on these people so they would be called by Gods name. The bible tells us they would be his witnesses and there would be found no foreign God among them. The bible said they would be no part of the world so the world would hate them. Can you think of any religion that is hated and lied about the most? Even with all the horrendous things modern religions has done people still do not hate them, this is because they are part of the world so the world loves them. The bible tells us they would deliver the God news of the heavenly kingdom throughout the earth and then the end of this system would come. So his people would work world wide to teach people how to worship in truth and they would give them hope by telling them of the heavenly kingdom and what things Jesus will do. So what are these things that give us hope. What are these future promises?

Before we discuss the future promises we should discuss what will occur very soon. We know we are in the last days. But there will be a major event that will occur. The whole world will hand their authority to the beast (United Nations) in a final act of rebellion against God. Adam and Even chose to remove God from their lives and chose to have man rule themselves and not be guided by God. This will be an effort to replace God entirely. This is why Jesus referred to it as the disgusting thing standing in the holy place. It is God’s right to rule over man. We are seeing the end results of man ruling ourselves and not letting God guide us. The results are disgusting. We are destroying the earth, harming each other, causing a lot of sadness, pain and misery. When this occurs God is going to put it in the beast and it’s allies hearts to turn on false religion and it will be destroyed. The beast will expect people to devote themselves to it and put their trust and faith in it instead of God. This would be bowing to the beast, if they do not submit to the beast then you will not be able to buy sell or trade. Those who turn their backs on God and submit to the beast and bow down to it will be destroyed. But before the destruction of the beast and those who bow down to it something else will occur. The world will turn on true worship this includes the beast and the people of the world. When this occurs the bible says it will be like they stuck their finger in the pupil of God’s eye and this is when Jesus will destroy all human governments and this will mark the start of his 1000 rule in heaven. If you are worshiping in truth you will have no need to be afraid because the bible tells us that many will make it through the great tribulation, Jesus will protect those God has called to him. What will Jesus do during this 1000 year reign?

There will be kings chosen from the earth, these are the 144,000 mentioned in the bible. They are chosen by God not Jesus. They will rule as kings over the earth and will also judge along with Jesus. Those who walk through the great tribulation will have their health restored and Jesus will work to restore the earth back to the paradise it was meant to be. The apostles were of the 144,000, the apostle Paul stated they would even judge angels. So they will also judge the angels who rebelled against God. The 144,000 are the ones who will be resurrected in the first resurrection. The next resurrection will be of the righteous and unrighteous. The righteous which are the other sheep mentioned by Jesus will be a resurrection of life but those who died unrighteous will face a resurrection of judgment. So they will be given a chance to repent and if they do not they will be destroyed. This is the second death mentioned in the bible. This is also when Satan and the demons will be destroyed. Then the earth will never be corrupted again and will be restored to the paradise it was meant to be because Satan, the demons and corrupt humans will be done away with and the bible tells us things like this will never occur again. The bibles says in the new system before we are finished praying God will answer. We will not have to worry about having homes to live in or food to eat because the bible tells us food would be abundant. These are exciting times to be living in because we are living in a time when the great tribulation will occur and we may never have to taste death if we do our best to worship God with our whole hearts and our whole soul. So some of the other sheep Jesus mentioned who will dwell on the earth will not taste death because they will go through the great tribulation. Things may get a little difficult very soon but if we keep our eye on the prize and cling to Jehovah and Jesus we have no need to fear the things that are about to happen and we can see them as signs that things are about to get much much better. The bible assures us the earth will be here forever so we do not have to worry about man destroying it but those who are ruining the earth do have to worry because God is going to do away with those ruining the earth. We can be certain these things will occur because Jesus always put God’s will first and did all God ask him so Jesus the master worker will restore the earth to the paradise it was meant to be.

(Proverbs 8:22-30) ²² Jehovah produced me as the beginning of his way, The earliest of his achievements of long ago. ²³ From ancient times I was installed, From the start, from times earlier than the earth. ²⁴ When there were no deep waters, I was brought forth, When there were no springs overflowing with water. ²⁵ Before the mountains were set in place, Before the hills, I was brought forth, ²⁶ When he had not yet made the earth and its fields Or the first clods of earth’s soil. ²⁷ When he prepared the heavens, I was there; When he marked out the horizon on the surface of the waters, ²⁸ When he established the clouds above, When he founded the fountains of the deep, ²⁹ When he set a decree for the sea That its waters should not pass beyond his order, When he established the foundations of the earth, ³⁰ Then I was beside him as a master worker. I was the one he was especially fond of day by day; I rejoiced before him all the time;

(Colossians 1:13-17) ¹³ He rescued us from the authority of the darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, ¹⁴ by means of whom we have our release by ransom, the forgiveness of our sins. ¹⁵ He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; ¹⁶ because by means of him all other things were created in the heavens and on the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All other things have been created through him and for him. ¹⁷ Also, he is before all other things, and by means of him all other things were made to exist,

(Romans 3:23-26) ²³ For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ and it is as a free gift that they are being declared righteous by his undeserved kindness through the release by the ransom paid by Christ Jesus. ²⁵ God presented him as an offering for propitiation through faith in his blood. This was to demonstrate his own righteousness, because God in his forbearance was forgiving the sins that occurred in the past. ²⁶ This was to demonstrate his own righteousness in this present season, so that he might be righteous even when declaring righteous the man who has faith in Jesus.

(John 3:16) ¹⁶ “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.

(John 1:14) ¹⁴ So the Word became flesh and resided among us, and we had a view of his glory, a glory such as belongs to an only-begotten son from a father; and he was full of divine favor and truth.

(John 5:19, 20) ¹⁹ Therefore, in response Jesus said to them: “Most truly I say to you, the Son cannot do a single thing of his own initiative, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever things that One does, these things the Son does also in like manner. ²⁰ For the Father has affection for the Son and shows him all the things he himself does, and he will show him works greater than these, so that you may marvel.

(Revelation 19:11-13) ¹¹ I saw heaven opened, and look! a white horse. And the one seated on it is called Faithful and True, and he judges and carries on war in righteousness. ¹² His eyes are a fiery flame, and on his head are many diadems. He has a name written that no one knows but he himself, ¹³ and he is clothed with an outer garment stained with blood, and he is called by the name The Word of God.

(John 12:49, 50) ⁴⁹ For I have not spoken of my own initiative, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment about what to say and what to speak. ⁵⁰ And I know that his commandment means everlasting life. So whatever I speak, I speak just as the Father has told me.”

(John 14:10-14) ¹⁰ Do you not believe that I am in union with the Father and the Father is in union with me? The things I say to you I do not speak of my own originality, but the Father who remains in union with me is doing his works. ¹¹ Believe me that I am in union with the Father and the Father is in union with me; otherwise, believe because of the works themselves. ¹² Most truly I say to you, whoever exercises faith in me will also do the works that I do; and he will do works greater than these, because I am going my way to the Father. ¹³ Also, whatever you ask in my name, I will do this, so that the Father may be glorified in connection with the Son. ¹⁴ If you ask anything in my name, I will do it.

(Luke 21:25-28) ²⁵ “Also, there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth anguish of nations not knowing the way out because of the roaring of the sea and its agitation. ²⁶ People will become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ²⁷ And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. ²⁸ But as these things start to occur, stand up straight and lift up your heads, because your deliverance is getting near.”

(Revelation 17:15, 16) ¹⁵ He said to me: “The waters that you saw, where the prostitute is sitting, mean peoples and crowds and nations and tongues. ¹⁶ And the ten horns that you saw and the wild beast, these will hate the prostitute and will make her devastated and naked, and they will eat up her flesh and completely burn her with fire.

(1 Peter 3:18) ¹⁸ For Christ died once for all time for sins, a righteous person for unrighteous ones, in order to lead you to God. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.

(John 17:4, 5) . . .. ⁵ So now, Father, glorify me at your side with the glory that I had alongside you before the world was.

(Psalm 110:1) 110 Jehovah declared to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand Until I place your enemies as a stool for your feet.”

(Isaiah 57:20, 21) ²⁰ “But the wicked are like the restless sea that cannot calm down, And its waters keep tossing up seaweed and mire. ²¹ There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”

(Isaiah 17:12, 13) ¹² Listen! There is a commotion of many peoples, Who are as boisterous as the seas! There is an uproar of nations, Whose sound is like the roar of mighty waters! ¹³ The nations will make a sound like the roar of many waters. He will rebuke them, and they will flee far away, Chased like the chaff of the mountains before a wind, Like a whirling thistle before a storm wind.

(1 Corinthians 15:26-28) ²⁶ And the last enemy, death, is to be brought to nothing. ²⁷ For God “subjected all things under his feet.” But when he says that ‘all things have been subjected,’ it is evident that this does not include the One who subjected all things to him. ²⁸ But when all things will have been subjected to him, then the Son himself will also subject himself to the One who subjected all things to him, that God may be all things to everyone.

(Matthew 24:3-14) ³ While he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples approached him privately, saying: “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?” ⁴ In answer Jesus said to them: “Look out that nobody misleads you, ⁵ for many will come on the basis of my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. ⁶ You are going to hear of wars and reports of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for these things must take place, but the end is not yet. ⁷ “For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be food shortages and earthquakes in one place after another. ⁸ All these things are a beginning of pangs of distress. ⁹ “Then people will hand you over to tribulation and will kill you, and you will be hated by all the nations on account of my name. ¹⁰ Then, too, many will be stumbled and will betray one another and will hate one another. ¹¹ Many false prophets will arise and mislead many; ¹² and because of the increasing of lawlessness, the love of the greater number will grow cold. ¹³ But the one who has endured to the end will be saved. ¹⁴ And this good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

(Revelation 12:7-12) ⁷ And war broke out in heaven: Miʹcha·el and his angels battled with the dragon, and the dragon and its angels battled ⁸ but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them any longer in heaven. ⁹ So down the great dragon was hurled, the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth; he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him. ¹⁰ I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come to pass the salvation and the power and the Kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ, because the accuser of our brothers has been hurled down, who accuses them day and night before our God! ¹¹ And they conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their witnessing, and they did not love their souls even in the face of death. ¹² On this account be glad, you heavens and you who reside in them! Woe for the earth and for the sea, because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing that he has a short period of time.”

(1 Timothy 4:1-5) 4 However, the inspired word clearly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to misleading inspired statements and teachings of demons, ² by means of the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, whose conscience is seared as with a branding iron. ³ They forbid marriage and command people to abstain from foods that God created to be partaken of with thanksgiving by those who have faith and accurately know the truth. ⁴ For every creation of God is fine, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, ⁵ for it is sanctified through God’s word and prayer over it.

(2 Timothy 3:1-7) 3 But know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. ² For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, ³ having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, ⁴ betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, ⁵ having an appearance of godliness but proving false to its power; and from these turn away. ⁶ From among these arise men who slyly work their way into households and captivate weak women loaded down with sins, led by various desires, ⁷ always learning and yet never able to come to an accurate knowledge of truth.

(Daniel 12:4) ⁴ “As for you, Daniel, keep the words secret, and seal up the book until the time of the end. Many will rove about, and the true knowledge will become abundant.”

(Isaiah 11:9, 10)  ⁹ They will not cause any harm Or any ruin in all my holy mountain, Because the earth will certainly be filled with the knowledge of Jehovah As the waters cover the sea. ¹⁰ In that day the root of Jesʹse will stand up as a signal for the peoples. To him the nations will turn for guidance, And his resting-place will become glorious.

(Hosea 3:4, 5) ⁴ It is because for a long time the people of Israel will dwell without a king, without a prince, without a sacrifice, without a pillar, and without an ephʹod and teraphim statues. ⁵ Afterward the people of Israel will come back and look for Jehovah their God and for David their king, and they will come trembling to Jehovah and to his goodness in the final part of the days.

(Revelation 18:4-8) ⁴ And I heard another voice out of heaven say: “Get out of her, my people, if you do not want to share with her in her sins, and if you do not want to receive part of her plagues. ⁵ For her sins have massed together clear up to heaven, and God has called her acts of injustice to mind. ⁶ Repay her in the way she treated others, yes, pay her back double for the things she has done; in the cup she has mixed, mix a double portion for her. ⁷ To the extent that she glorified herself and lived in shameless luxury, to that extent give her torment and mourning. For she keeps saying in her heart: ‘I sit as queen, and I am not a widow, and I will never see mourning.’ ⁸ That is why in one day her plagues will come, death and mourning and famine, and she will be completely burned with fire, because Jehovah God, who judged her, is strong.

(Jeremiah 51:6-8)  ⁶ Flee out of the midst of Babylon, And escape for your life. Do not perish because of her error. For it is the time for Jehovah’s vengeance. He is paying her back for what she has done.  ⁷ Babylon has been a golden cup in the hand of Jehovah; She made all the earth drunk. From her wine the nations have drunk; That is why the nations have gone mad.  ⁸ Suddenly Babylon has fallen and is broken. Wail over her! Get balsam for her pain; perhaps she may be healed.”

(Micah 4:1, 2) 4 In the final part of the days, The mountain of the house of Jehovah Will become firmly established above the top of the mountains, And it will be raised up above the hills, And to it peoples will stream.  ² And many nations will go and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah And to the house of the God of Jacob. He will instruct us about his ways, And we will walk in his paths.” For law will go out of Zion, And the word of Jehovah out of Jerusalem.

(Revelation 7:13-17) ¹³ In response one of the elders said to me: “These who are dressed in the white robes, who are they and where did they come from?” ¹⁴ So right away I said to him: “My lord, you are the one who knows.” And he said to me: “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. ¹⁵ That is why they are before the throne of God, and they are rendering him sacred service day and night in his temple; and the One seated on the throne will spread his tent over them. ¹⁶ They will hunger no more nor thirst anymore, neither will the sun beat down on them nor any scorching heat, ¹⁷ because the Lamb, who is in the midst of the throne, will shepherd them and will guide them to springs of waters of life. And God will wipe out every tear from their eyes.”

(Isaiah 65:13-15) ¹³ Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah says: “Look! My servants will eat, but you will go hungry. Look! My servants will drink, but you will go thirsty. Look! My servants will rejoice, but you will suffer shame. ¹⁴ Look! My servants will shout joyfully because of the good condition of the heart, But you will cry out because of the pain of heart And you will wail because of a broken spirit. ¹⁵ You will leave behind a name that my chosen ones will use as a curse, And the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will put each of you to death, But his own servants he will call by another name;

(Isaiah 62:2)  ² “The nations will see your righteousness, O woman, And all kings your glory. And you will be called by a new name, Which Jehovah’s own mouth will designate.

(Daniel 9:17-19) ¹⁷ And now listen, O our God, to the prayer of your servant and to his entreaties, and cause your face to shine upon your sanctuary that is desolate, for your own sake, O Jehovah. ¹⁸ Incline your ear, O my God, and hear! Do open your eyes and see our desolate condition and the city that has been called by your name; for we are not entreating you because of our righteous acts but because of your great mercy. ¹⁹ O Jehovah, do hear. O Jehovah, do forgive. O Jehovah, do pay attention and act! Do not delay, for your own sake, O my God, for your own name has been called upon your city and upon your people.”

(Isaiah 43:10-12) ¹⁰ “You are my witnesses,” declares Jehovah, “Yes, my servant whom I have chosen, So that you may know and have faith in me And understand that I am the same One. Before me no God was formed, And after me there has been none. ¹¹ I—I am Jehovah, and besides me there is no savior.” ¹² “I am the One who declared and saved and made known When there was no foreign god among you. So you are my witnesses,” declares Jehovah, “and I am God.

(Matthew 24:9-14) ⁹ “Then people will hand you over to tribulation and will kill you, and you will be hated by all the nations on account of my name. ¹⁰ Then, too, many will be stumbled and will betray one another and will hate one another. ¹¹ Many false prophets will arise and mislead many; ¹² and because of the increasing of lawlessness, the love of the greater number will grow cold. ¹³ But the one who has endured to the end will be saved. ¹⁴ And this good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

(Amos 9:11, 12) ¹¹ ‘In that day I will raise up the booth of David that is fallen, I will repair the breaches, And I will restore its ruins; I will rebuild it as in the days of long ago, ¹² So that they may take possession of what is remaining of Eʹdom, And all the nations on whom my name has been called,’ declares Jehovah, who is doing this.

(Psalm 83:18) ¹⁸ May people know that you, whose name is Jehovah, You alone are the Most High over all the earth.

(John 15:17-21) ¹⁷ “These things I command you, that you love one another. ¹⁸ If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you. ¹⁹ If you were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because you are no part of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, for this reason the world hates you. ²⁰ Keep in mind the word I said to you: A slave is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have observed my word, they will also observe yours. ²¹ But they will do all these things against you on account of my name, because they do not know the One who sent me.

(Isaiah 43:7-9)  ⁷ Everyone who is called by my name And whom I created for my own glory, Whom I have formed and made.’  ⁸ Bring out a people who are blind, though they have eyes, And who are deaf, though they have ears.  ⁹ Let all the nations assemble in one place, And let the peoples be gathered together. Who among them can tell this? Or can they cause us to hear the first things? Let them present their witnesses to prove themselves right, Or let them hear and say, ‘It is the truth!’”

(James 4:4-6) ⁴ Adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world is making himself an enemy of God. ⁵ Or do you think that for no reason the scripture says: “The spirit that has taken up residence within us keeps enviously longing”? ⁶ However, the undeserved kindness that He gives is greater. So it says: “God opposes the haughty ones, but he gives undeserved kindness to the humble ones.”

(Matthew 24:15-22) ¹⁵ “Therefore, when you catch sight of the disgusting thing that causes desolation, as spoken about by Daniel the prophet, standing in a holy place (let the reader use discernment), ¹⁶ then let those in Ju·deʹa begin fleeing to the mountains. ¹⁷ Let the man on the housetop not come down to take the goods out of his house, ¹⁸ and let the man in the field not return to pick up his outer garment. ¹⁹ Woe to the pregnant women and those nursing a baby in those days! ²⁰ Keep praying that your flight may not occur in wintertime nor on the Sabbath day; ²¹ for then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again. ²² In fact, unless those days were cut short, no flesh would be saved; but on account of the chosen ones those days will be cut short.

(Revelation 13:16-18) ¹⁶ It puts under compulsion all people—the small and the great, the rich and the poor, the free and the slaves—that these should be marked on their right hand or on their forehead, ¹⁷ and that nobody can buy or sell except a person having the mark, the name of the wild beast or the number of its name. ¹⁸ This is where it calls for wisdom: Let the one who has insight calculate the number of the wild beast, for it is a man’s number, and its number is 666.

(Revelation 19:19-20:3) ¹⁹ And I saw the wild beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the one seated on the horse and against his army. ²⁰ And the wild beast was caught, and along with it the false prophet that performed in front of it the signs with which he misled those who received the mark of the wild beast and those who worship its image. While still alive, they both were hurled into the fiery lake that burns with sulfur. ²¹ But the rest were killed off with the long sword that proceeded out of the mouth of the one seated on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh. 20 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven with the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. ² He seized the dragon, the original serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for 1,000 years. ³ And he hurled him into the abyss and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not mislead the nations anymore until the 1,000 years were ended. After this he must be released for a little while.

(Zechariah 2:7-13) ⁷ “Come, Zion! Make your escape, you who are dwelling with the daughter of Babylon. ⁸ For this is what Jehovah of armies says, who after being glorified has sent me to the nations that were plundering you: ‘Whoever touches you touches the pupil of my eye. ⁹ For now I will wave my hand against them, and they will become plunder for their own slaves.’ And you will certainly know that Jehovah of armies has sent me. ¹⁰ “Shout for joy, O daughter of Zion; for I am coming, and I will reside in your midst,” declares Jehovah. ¹¹ “Many nations will join themselves to Jehovah in that day, and they will become my people; and I will reside in your midst.” And you will have to know that Jehovah of armies has sent me to you. ¹² Jehovah will take possession of Judah as his portion on the holy ground, and he will again choose Jerusalem. ¹³ Be silent, all flesh, before Jehovah, for he is taking action from his holy dwelling.

(2 Thessalonians 1:6-10) ⁶ This takes into account that it is righteous on God’s part to repay tribulation to those who make tribulation for you. ⁷ But you who suffer tribulation will be given relief along with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels ⁸ in a flaming fire, as he brings vengeance on those who do not know God and those who do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus. ⁹ These very ones will undergo the judicial punishment of everlasting destruction from before the Lord and from the glory of his strength, ¹⁰ at the time when he comes to be glorified in connection with his holy ones and to be regarded in that day with wonder among all those who exercised faith, because the witness we gave met with faith among you.

(Revelation 14:1-5) 14 Then I saw, and look! the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who have his name and the name of his Father written on their foreheads. ² I heard a sound coming out of heaven like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder; and the sound that I heard was like singers who accompany themselves by playing on their harps. ³ And they are singing what seems to be a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders, and no one was able to master that song except the 144,000, who have been bought from the earth. ⁴ These are the ones who did not defile themselves with women; in fact, they are virgins. These are the ones who keep following the Lamb no matter where he goes. These were bought from among mankind as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb, ⁵ and no deceit was found in their mouths; they are without blemish.

(1 Corinthians 6:1-3) 6 Does any one of you who has a dispute with another dare to go to court before unrighteous men, and not before the holy ones? ² Or do you not know that the holy ones will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you not competent to try very trivial matters? ³ Do you not know that we will judge angels? Then why not matters of this life?

(1 Corinthians 15:20-24) ²⁰ But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep in death. ²¹ For since death came through a man, resurrection of the dead also comes through a man. ²² For just as in Adam all are dying, so also in the Christ all will be made alive. ²³ But each one in his own proper order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who belong to the Christ during his presence. ²⁴ Next, the end, when he hands over the Kingdom to his God and Father, when he has brought to nothing all government and all authority and power.

(1 Thessalonians 4:15-17) ¹⁵ For this is what we tell you by Jehovah’s word, that we the living who survive to the presence of the Lord will in no way precede those who have fallen asleep in death; ¹⁶ because the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a commanding call, with an archangel’s voice and with God’s trumpet, and those who are dead in union with Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Afterward we the living who are surviving will, together with them, be caught away in clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and thus we will always be with the Lord.

(Daniel 2:44, 45) ⁴⁴ “In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed. And this kingdom will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it alone will stand forever, ⁴⁵ just as you saw that out of the mountain a stone was cut not by hands, and that it crushed the iron, the copper, the clay, the silver, and the gold. The Grand God has made known to the king what will happen in the future. The dream is true, and its interpretation is trustworthy.”

(John 10:16-18) ¹⁶ “And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; those too I must bring in, and they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock, one shepherd. ¹⁷ This is why the Father loves me, because I surrender my life, so that I may receive it again. ¹⁸ No man takes it away from me, but I surrender it of my own initiative. I have authority to surrender it, and I have authority to receive it again. This commandment I received from my Father.”

(John 5:28-30) ²⁸ Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice ²⁹ and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, and those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment. ³⁰ I cannot do a single thing of my own initiative. Just as I hear, I judge, and my judgment is righteous because I seek, not my own will, but the will of him who sent me.

(Revelation 20:11-15) ¹¹ And I saw a great white throne and the One seated on it. From before him the earth and the heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. ¹² And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and scrolls were opened. But another scroll was opened; it is the scroll of life. The dead were judged out of those things written in the scrolls according to their deeds. ¹³ And the sea gave up the dead in it, and death and the Grave gave up the dead in them, and they were judged individually according to their deeds. ¹⁴ And death and the Grave were hurled into the lake of fire. This means the second death, the lake of fire. ¹⁵ Furthermore, whoever was not found written in the book of life was hurled into the lake of fire.

(Psalm 104:5)  ⁵ He has established the earth on its foundations; It will not be moved from its place forever and ever.

(Ecclesiastes 1:4)  ⁴ A generation is going, and a generation is coming, But the earth remains forever.

(Isaiah 45:18) ¹⁸ For this is what Jehovah says, The Creator of the heavens, the true God, The One who formed the earth, its Maker who firmly established it, Who did not create it simply for nothing, but formed it to be inhabited: “I am Jehovah, and there is no one else.

(Psalm 37:29) ²⁹ The righteous will possess the earth, And they will live forever on it.

(Isaiah 33:21-24) . . .And no majestic ships will pass by. ²² For Jehovah is our Judge, Jehovah is our Lawgiver, Jehovah is our King; He is the One who will save us. ²³ Your ropes will hang loose; They cannot hold up the mast nor spread the sail. At that time an abundance of spoil will be divided up; Even the lame will take much plunder. ²⁴ And no resident will say: “I am sick.” The people dwelling in the land will be pardoned for their error.

(Isaiah 11:6-9)  ⁶ The wolf will reside for a while with the lamb, And with the young goat the leopard will lie down, And the calf and the lion and the fattened animal will all be together; And a little boy will lead them.  ⁷ The cow and the bear will feed together, And their young will lie down together. The lion will eat straw like the bull.  ⁸ The nursing child will play over the lair of a cobra, And a weaned child will put his hand over the den of a poisonous snake.  ⁹ They will not cause any harm Or any ruin in all my holy mountain, Because the earth will certainly be filled with the knowledge of Jehovah As the waters cover the sea.

Meaning of getting baptized.

Written by Lee Stevenson, Sorry I am not the best editor.

What is baptism? Who should get baptized? Why should they get baptized.

John known in the bible as John the baptist was prophesied by zechariah. He would come baptizing with water as a symbol of repentance of sin. He was a representative of God. The water immersion is not what cleansed people but it was the repenting of their sins and changing of their ways that cleansed their sins. So it was not the water immersion that cleansed their sins but their repentance and obedience to God that cleansed their sins. Isaiah and Malachi prophesied he was preparing a way for Jehovah so he was getting peoples minds and hearts ready to accept Jesus. John was told by God to baptize in water. Showing this symbolic act is important because it does show we are willfully accepting the baptism and it is not something that is just being thrust on us. Why do I say this? Well John baptized with water but Jesus baptized with holy spirit. You will find in the scriptures I listed below people were given holy spirit before they were baptized. This would indicate they had a baptism by Jesus but still would need to be baptized by water immersion to show others they have been baptized. Jesus knows who has repented and cleansed their ways but we still need the symbolic baptism so others will know we have changed and accept what the baptism stands for. Because Jesus baptized with holy spirit he did not need baptized he already had a covenant with his father. He was not sinful so had no need to repent or cleanse his ways. By submitting to the water immersion baptism he was showing his father Jehovah he was ready to do his will and the things God had wanted him to do. Jesus prayed while he was being baptized. We know God approved of Jesus demonstration of obedience and willingness to do God’s will when he came up from the water God stated “You are my son the beloved; I have approved you.

Since Jesus baptizes with holy spirit how does one get to the point of being baptized by Jesus . As stated earlier you must repent and cleanse your ways. You also must accept that Jesus is God’s son who came in the flesh and that he was the ransom sacrifice who suffered for and died as a ransom so our sins could be forgiven. We also need to acknowledge that he was resurrected and is now our king seated by God on the heavenly throne and that Jesus has been given authority over everything but God himself.

Jesus commanded the disciples to make disciples baptizing them in the name of the father, the son and the holy spirit. So those getting baptized would need to know and use God’s name and understand what God requires, they would have to approach God through Jesus and acknowledge the power of God’s holy spirit. This indicates they would need a clear understanding of God’s word. The apostle Peter stated “”the man who fears God and works righteousness is acceptable to God” Jesus stated to continue doing these things and he would be with us until the conclusion of this system of things. So baptism by water to show we have repented and want to be a disciple and servant of God’s is still required until the conclusion of this system of things.

What about those who are just learning bible truths. Well baptism with the holy spirit comes from Jesus , I am sure he will make arrangements so they can symbolically show they are devoted to God and have faith in Jesus. We know there were those in the bible who were baptized with holy spirit before they were baptized in water immersion in the bible because there are a number of scriptures showing this. Many of the gentiles had gifts of the spirit before they were baptized, they then showed their devotion by the symbolic baptism by water immersion. So the real baptism comes from Jesus , but we should still get the symbolic baptism just as Jesus did though he had no signs to repent of and was already obedient and did not sin, he was demonstrating to God that he was ready to do his will and the work he gave him to do. These fruits must also be apparent in their life and the things they say and do. Their life should show their fruits. Jesus said every good tree produces good fruit and every bad tree produces bad fruit. Do they put spiritual things first? By them continuing to produce fruit they are showing they are still in union with Christ. When being tried those who have the spirit still produce fruit and maintain their endurance. But you have to ask for the spirit.

Once baptized we need to glorify God and to continue to study his world and to produce fruit. We glorify God by doing all we can to do as he requires and to teach others about his glory. False religion makes God look vindictive and vengeful. We need to teach others he is a merciful and loving God and he is only vengeful on those who are ruining the earth. If a person has a disease and you do not rid the body of what is causing the disease it will only get worse. If God did not rid the earth of the wicked then the earth will never become the paradise it was intended to be. We also need to teach peoples God’s personal name Jehovah so they can worship the one true God. We need to tell people about God’s wisdom and power.

If you noticed those who baptize other have to be baptized themselves and show they have the holy spirit by the fruits they produce. “(Galatians 5:22-24) ²² On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, ²³ mildness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Moreover, those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed to the stake the flesh together with its passions and desires.”

(Matthew 3:1-3) 3 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Ju·deʹa, ² saying: “Repent, for the Kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.” ³ This, in fact, is the one spoken of through Isaiah the prophet in these words: “A voice of one calling out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of Jehovah! Make his roads straight.’”

(1 Corinthians 10:1-5) 10 Now I want you to know, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea ² and all got baptized into Moses by means of the cloud and of the sea, ³ and all ate the same spiritual food ⁴ and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they used to drink from the spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock meant the Christ. ⁵ Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, for they were struck down in the wilderness.

(Matthew 3:11) ¹¹ I, for my part, baptize you with water because of your repentance, but the one coming after me is stronger than I am, whose sandals I am not worthy to take off. That one will baptize you with holy spirit and with fire. . .

(Acts 2:1-4) 2 Now while the day of the Festival of Pentecost was in progress, they were all together at the same place. ² Suddenly there was a noise from heaven, just like that of a rushing, stiff breeze, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ And tongues as if of fire became visible to them and were distributed, and one came to rest on each one of them, ⁴ and they all became filled with holy spirit and started to speak in different languages, just as the spirit enabled them to speak.

(Acts 2:37-41) . . .” ³⁸ Peter said to them: “Repent, and let each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the free gift of the holy spirit. ³⁹ For the promise is to you and your children, and to all those who are far away, to all those whom Jehovah our God may call to himself.” ⁴⁰ And with many other words he gave a thorough witness and kept exhorting them, saying: “Get saved from this crooked generation.” ⁴¹ So those who gladly accepted his word were baptized, and on that day about 3,000 people were added.

(John 3:4, 5) ⁴ Nic·o·deʹmus said to him: “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter into the womb of his mother a second time and be born, can he?” ⁵ Jesus answered: “Most truly I say to you, unless anyone is born from water and spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God.

(John 4:11-15) ¹¹ She said to him: “Sir, you do not even have a bucket for drawing water, and the well is deep. From what source, then, do you have this living water? ¹² You are not greater than our forefather Jacob, who gave us the well and who together with his sons and his cattle drank out of it, are you?” ¹³ In answer Jesus said to her: “Everyone drinking from this water will get thirsty again. ¹⁴ Whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty at all, but the water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water bubbling up to impart everlasting life.” ¹⁵ The woman said to him: “Sir, give me this water, so that I may neither thirst nor keep coming over to this place to draw water.”

(John 6:35) ³⁵ Jesus said to them: “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will not get hungry at all, and whoever exercises faith in me will never get thirsty at all.

(Matthew 5:6) ⁶ “Happy are those hungering and thirsting for righteousness, since they will be filled.

(Revelation 7:15-17) . . .. ¹⁶ They will hunger no more nor thirst anymore, neither will the sun beat down on them nor any scorching heat, ¹⁷ because the Lamb, who is in the midst of the throne, will shepherd them and will guide them to springs of waters of life. And God will wipe out every tear from their eyes.”

(John 7:37-39) ³⁷ On the last day, the great day of the festival, Jesus stood up and he called out: “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. ³⁸ Whoever puts faith in me, just as the scripture has said: ‘From deep within him streams of living water will flow.’” ³⁹ However, he said this concerning the spirit, which those who put faith in him were about to receive; for as yet there was no spirit, because Jesus had not yet been glorified.

(John 17:1-5) 17 Jesus spoke these things, and raising his eyes to heaven, he said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your son so that your son may glorify you, ² just as you have given him authority over all flesh, so that he may give everlasting life to all those whom you have given to him. ³ This means everlasting life, their coming to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ. ⁴ I have glorified you on the earth, having finished the work you have given me to do. ⁵ So now, Father, glorify me at your side with the glory that I had alongside you before the world was.

(Acts 19:1-7) 19 In the course of events, while A·polʹlos was in Corinth, Paul went through the inland regions and came down to Ephʹe·sus. There he found some disciples ² and said to them: “Did you receive holy spirit when you became believers?” They replied to him: “Why, we have never heard that there is a holy spirit.” ³ So he said: “In what, then, were you baptized?” They said: “In John’s baptism.” ⁴ Paul said: “John baptized with the baptism in symbol of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” ⁵ On hearing this, they got baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ⁶ And when Paul laid his hands on them, the holy spirit came upon them, and they began speaking in foreign languages and prophesying. ⁷ There were about 12 men in all.

(Acts 10:44-47) ⁴⁴ While Peter was still speaking about these matters, the holy spirit came upon all those hearing the word. ⁴⁵ And the circumcised believers who had come with Peter were amazed, because the free gift of the holy spirit was being poured out also on people of the nations. ⁴⁶ For they heard them speaking in foreign languages and magnifying God. Then Peter responded: ⁴⁷ “Can anyone deny water to prevent these from being baptized who have received the holy spirit just as we have?”

(Acts 10:44-47) ⁴⁴ While Peter was still speaking about these matters, the holy spirit came upon all those hearing the word. ⁴⁵ And the circumcised believers who had come with Peter were amazed, because the free gift of the holy spirit was being poured out also on people of the nations. ⁴⁶ For they heard them speaking in foreign languages and magnifying God. Then Peter responded: ⁴⁷ “Can anyone deny water to prevent these from being baptized who have received the holy spirit just as we have?”

(Acts 11:13-17) ¹³ “He reported to us how he saw the angel stand in his house and say: ‘Send men to Jopʹpa and summon Simon who is called Peter, ¹⁴ and he will tell you things by which you and all your household may get saved.’ ¹⁵ But when I started to speak, the holy spirit fell on them just as it did also on us in the beginning. ¹⁶ At this I recalled the saying of the Lord, how he used to say: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with holy spirit.’ ¹⁷ If, therefore, God gave the same free gift to them that he gave to us who have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I should be able to hinder God?”

(Ephesians 4:1-6) 4 Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, appeal to you to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called, ² with all humility and mildness, with patience, putting up with one another in love, ³ earnestly endeavoring to maintain the oneness of the spirit in the uniting bond of peace. ⁴ One body there is, and one spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

(Matthew 3:13-17) ¹³ Then Jesus came from Galʹi·lee to the Jordan to John, in order to be baptized by him. ¹⁴ But the latter tried to prevent him, saying: “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you, and are you coming to me?” ¹⁵ Jesus replied to him: “Let it be this time, for in that way it is suitable for us to carry out all that is righteous.” Then he quit preventing him. ¹⁶ After being baptized, Jesus immediately came up from the water; and look! the heavens were opened up, and he saw God’s spirit descending like a dove and coming upon him. ¹⁷ Look! Also, a voice from the heavens said: “This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved.”

(John 1:31-34) ³¹ Even I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing in water was so that he might be made manifest to Israel.” ³² John also bore witness, saying: “I viewed the spirit coming down as a dove out of heaven, and it remained upon him. ³³ Even I did not know him, but the very One who sent me to baptize in water said to me: ‘Whoever it is upon whom you see the spirit coming down and remaining, this is the one who baptizes in holy spirit.’ ³⁴ And I have seen it, and I have given witness that this one is the Son of God.”

(Romans 6:2-6) ² Certainly not! Seeing that we died with reference to sin, how can we keep living any longer in it? ³ Or do you not know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? ⁴ So we were buried with him through our baptism into his death, in order that just as Christ was raised up from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also should walk in a newness of life. ⁵ If we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will certainly also be united with him in the likeness of his resurrection. ⁶ For we know that our old personality was nailed to the stake along with him in order for our sinful body to be made powerless, so that we should no longer go on being slaves to sin.

(Colossians 2:10-12) . . .. ¹¹ By your relationship with him, you were also circumcised with a circumcision performed without hands by stripping off the fleshly body, by the circumcision that belongs to the Christ. ¹² For you were buried with him in his baptism, and by your relationship with him you were also raised up together through your faith in the powerful work of God, who raised him up from the dead.

(Colossians 3:9-11) ⁹ Do not lie to one another. Strip off the old personality with its practices, ¹⁰ and clothe yourselves with the new personality, which through accurate knowledge is being made new according to the image of the One who created it, ¹¹ where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, foreigner, Scythʹi·an, slave, or freeman; but Christ is all things and in all.

(Ephesians 4:22-24) . . .. ²³ And you should continue to be made new in your dominant mental attitude, ²⁴ and should put on the new personality that was created according to God’s will in true righteousness and loyalty.

(1 John 5:5-12) ⁵ Who can conquer the world? Is it not the one who has faith that Jesus is the Son of God? ⁶ This is the one who came by means of water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood. And the spirit is bearing witness, because the spirit is the truth. ⁷ For there are three witness bearers: ⁸ the spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. ⁹ If we accept the witness of men, the witness of God is greater. Because this is the witness God gives, the witness that he has given about his Son. ¹⁰ The person putting his faith in the Son of God has the witness within himself. The person not having faith in God has made him a liar, because he has not put his faith in the witness given by God concerning his Son. ¹¹ And this is the witness, that God gave us everlasting life, and this life is in his Son. ¹² The one who has the Son has this life; the one who does not have the Son of God does not have this life.

(1 Peter 3:21, 22) ²¹ Baptism, which corresponds to this, is also now saving you (not by the removing of the filth of the flesh, but by the request to God for a good conscience), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. ²² He is at God’s right hand, for he went to heaven, and angels and authorities and powers were made subject to him.

(Hebrews 9:14) ¹⁴ how much more will the blood of the Christ, who through an everlasting spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works so that we may render sacred service to the living God?

(Acts 8:35-39) . . .. ³⁶ Now as they were going along the road, they came to a body of water, and the eunuch said: “Look! Here is water; what prevents me from getting baptized?” ³⁷ —— ³⁸ With that he commanded the chariot to halt, and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. ³⁹ When they came up out of the water, Jehovah’s spirit quickly led Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him anymore, but he went on his way rejoicing.

(1 John 4:13-16) . . .. ¹⁴ In addition, we ourselves have seen and are bearing witness that the Father has sent his Son as savior of the world. ¹⁵ Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is God’s Son, God remains in union with such one and he in union with God. ¹⁶ And we have come to know and believe the love that God has for us.. . .

(1 Corinthians 15:24-28) ²⁴ Next, the end, when he hands over the Kingdom to his God and Father, when he has brought to nothing all government and all authority and power. ²⁵ For he must rule as king until God has put all enemies under his feet. ²⁶ And the last enemy, death, is to be brought to nothing. ²⁷ For God “subjected all things under his feet.” But when he says that ‘all things have been subjected,’ it is evident that this does not include the One who subjected all things to him. ²⁸ But when all things will have been subjected to him, then the Son himself will also subject himself to the One who subjected all things to him, that God may be all things to everyone.

(Acts 10:34, 35) ³⁴ At this Peter began to speak, and he said: “Now I truly understand that God is not partial, ³⁵ but in every nation the man who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.

(Matthew 28:19-20)¹⁹ Go, therefore, and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.”

(Luke 6:43-45) ⁴³ “For no fine tree produces rotten fruit, and no rotten tree produces fine fruit. ⁴⁴ For each tree is known by its own fruit. For example, people do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they cut grapes off a thornbush. ⁴⁵ A good man brings good out of the good treasure of his heart, but a wicked man brings what is wicked out of his wicked treasure; for out of the heart’s abundance his mouth speaks.

(John 15:3-10) . . .. ⁴ Remain in union with me, and I will remain in union with you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you unless you remain in union with me. ⁵ I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever remains in union with me and I in union with him, this one bears much fruit; for apart from me you can do nothing at all. ⁶ If anyone does not remain in union with me, he is thrown out like a branch and dries up. And men gather those branches and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. ⁷ If you remain in union with me and my sayings remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will take place for you. ⁸ My Father is glorified in this, that you keep bearing much fruit and prove yourselves my disciples. ⁹ Just as the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; remain in my love. ¹⁰ If you observe my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have observed the commandments of the Father and remain in his love.

(Ephesians 5:6-14) ⁶ Let no man deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. ⁷ Therefore, do not be sharers with them; ⁸ for you were once darkness, but you are now light in connection with the Lord. Go on walking as children of light, ⁹ for the fruitage of the light consists of every sort of goodness and righteousness and truth. ¹⁰ Keep on making sure of what is acceptable to the Lord; ¹¹ and stop sharing in the unfruitful works that belong to the darkness; rather, expose them for what they are. ¹² For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. ¹³ Now all the things that are being exposed are made evident by the light, for everything that is being made evident is light. ¹⁴ Therefore, it is said: “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and the Christ will shine upon you.”

(Isaiah 42:12) ¹² Let them attribute glory to Jehovah And declare his praise in the islands.

(Isaiah 43:6, 7)  ⁶ I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ And to the south, ‘Do not hold them back. Bring my sons from afar, and my daughters from the ends of the earth,  ⁷ Everyone who is called by my name And whom I created for my own glory, Whom I have formed and made.’

(John 17:6-8) ⁶ “I have made your name manifest to the men whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have observed your word. ⁷ Now they have come to know that all the things you gave me are from you; ⁸ because I have given them the sayings that you gave me, and they have accepted them and have certainly come to know that I came as your representative, and they have believed that you sent me.

1000 year reign of Jesus.

Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am not the best editor.

What is the purpose of Jesus 1000 year rein in the heavenly kingdom. And what will it bring about. During Jesus 1000 year reign he will restore true worship and all will know God’s name. Jesus will destroy God’s enemies. He will have those who were selected from the earth rule with him as kings over the earth. After all the sheep have been found, man will form a one world order in opposition to God, they will try to compel man to bow to the beast and reject God. Those who put their faith in God and the heavenly kingdom will not bow to the beast. The sheep will have to remain loyal and not betray God by bowing to the best, if they do then the will survive the tribulation. When this occurs the beast will be destroyed and Satan and the demons will be figuratively chained for 1000 years. This will be the battle of Armageddon. This will occur during the great tribulation. We are seeing the final prophesies occurring now that indicates these things are going to occur very very soon.

What are the things we are to watch for and why are they occurring? Because Jesus is returning as a spirit person and not a human we cannot see him. So we need to know what signs to watch for. Jesus mentioned in Matthew things we were to watch for that would indicate he is on the throne and has started the work God has given him to do during his thousand year reign. We were warned the things Jesus mentioned would occur on a grand scale like they have never occurred before. In times past wars were more localized and sporadic. In 1914 we had our first world war which effected nations world wide. Every since then there has been more and more wars. Not only that but with these wars came weapons of mass destruction able to kill millions. We were told there would be earthquakes. Earthquakes used to happen so seldom that they would be news worthy events. Now earthquakes happen so often they usually at most briefly mention them on the news. Disease would be rampant on the earth. Chronic illness levels are at the highest rates they have ever been in history. What sparked these events? We are told in the bible there will be a new heaven and new earth but before this occurs these things must occur. The bible tells us it would would be just like in Noah’s day when the flood came and destroyed the wicked on the the. The wicked in those times paid not note of things until it was too late, we are warned many would do the same in our times. The wicked will be destroyed and some would survive just as they did in Noah’s day. We are told a war would break out in heaven when this occurred Satan and the demons would be cast out of heaven down to the earth. The bible warned woe to the earth because Satan and the demons would be angry knowing they have very little time left. So we know the new heaven has occur Jesus has cleaned up heaven and cast the rebellious angels , which are the demons out of heaven because of the events taking place. Because of this Satan and the demons are trying very hard to corrupt man and to get as many as he can to take his side. As this system nears it’s end things will get worse and worse because of it. The demons will heavily influence religion causing false religion to be rampant on the earth. We are told the whole world lies in the power of the wicked one so we know Satan heavily influences political figures and many others so we can expect corruption to get worse and worse.

This will set into motion the events that will occur next. Man will form the one world order and try to get everyone to bow down to the beast instead of God. This is the disgusting things Jesus mentions because it is the final act of rebellion and man is trying to remove God entirely from peoples lives and to completely replace God. First God will put it into the hearts of the beast and it’s allies to destroy false religion. After false religion is destroyed they will turn on true worship. When this occurs it will anger God and he will destroy the beast, it’s allies and all those who bowed down to the beast. In the last days false worship which is the harlot mentioned in Revelations would be exposed. This is why the bible warns us to get out of great Babylon the harlot. When they turn on true worship the bible says it will be like they stuck their finger in the pupil of his eye. This is when Jesus will destroy the beast, it’s allies and all those who bowed to the beast. This will be the ware of Armageddon but there will be one more war I will discuss later in this article.

Many will survive the great tribulation. Who will those people be. The bible says they are the ones who washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the lamb. In other words they followed the path Jesus laid out and got rid of any remnants of false worship and worshiped God with a pure heart. They did their best to imitate Jesus and put their full trust and faith in God. The bible says they will have God’s word written on their hearts. So what will this new system be like for those who have survived the great tribulation.

We already discussed everyone would know God’s name. The bible also says God’s word would be written on their hearts so they would obey God and would not cause harm anymore. The bible tells us God will be with his people and he will wipe out every tear and there will be no more mourning or outcry or pain. The bible tells us the meek will inherit the earth so there will be no more wars and no more violence. The bible tells us the bad memories will be replaced by the good memories. The bible tells us in the new paradise earth there will be no more sickness. Man will be at peace with the animals so we would no longer have to fear animals we now fear. There will be an abundance of food and we will not have to worry about whether we have a place to live or not because all will have a place of their own to live in. All the worries that come with owning things in this system like theft or excess taxes, or even bad whether causing destruction will not occur so the worries that come with owning things in this system will no longer be there. One of the final enemies that Jesus will destroy is death and then death will be no more. So those who walk survive the tribulation will live forever.

There will be a resurrection of the righteous and unrighteous the righteous to a resurrection of judgment so when they are resurrected if they do not repent then they will experience the second death. There are others that will experience this death who could it be?

Well at the end of Jesus 1000 year rein there will be one final battle. Satan will gather people to fight against Jesus. This is the battle mentioned where Gog of Magog is involved. This people will come from nations all around the earth. We can be pretty certain those people will not be the ones who have walked survived the great tribulation because it says God’s word would be on their hearts and he would be with them. Also those who went through the tribulation, we are told no more harm would come to them. So I would be speculating but we know there will be those who are born in the new system who did not experience the tribulation and trials we have. It may be those who Satan declares war on. When this occurs it will result in he, the demons and those who sided with him destruction. This will be the second death and nothing like that will occur on the earth again. After Jesus work is done he will hand the kingdom back to God. Satan and the wicked will be gone and will never be able to bring ruin on the earth again.

(Psalm 110:1-6) 110 Jehovah declared to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand Until I place your enemies as a stool for your feet.”  ² Jehovah will extend the scepter of your power out of Zion, saying: “Go subduing in the midst of your enemies.”  ³ Your people will offer themselves willingly on the day of your military force. In splendid holiness, from the womb of the dawn, You have your company of young men just like dewdrops.  ⁴ Jehovah has sworn an oath, and he will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever In the manner of Mel·chizʹe·dek!”  ⁵ Jehovah will be at your right hand; He will crush kings on the day of his anger.  ⁶ He will execute judgment against the nations; He will fill the land with dead bodies. He will crush the leader of a vast land

(Isaiah 11:9-12)  ⁹ They will not cause any harm Or any ruin in all my holy mountain, Because the earth will certainly be filled with the knowledge of Jehovah As the waters cover the sea. ¹⁰ In that day the root of Jesʹse will stand up as a signal for the peoples. To him the nations will turn for guidance, And his resting-place will become glorious. ¹¹ In that day Jehovah will again offer his hand, a second time, to reclaim the remnant of his people who are left from As·syrʹi·a, from Egypt, from Pathʹros, from Cush, from Eʹlam, from Shiʹnar, from Haʹmath, and from the islands of the sea. ¹² He will raise up a signal for the nations and gather the dispersed ones of Israel, and he will gather together the scattered ones of Judah from the four corners of the earth.

(Jeremiah 31:31-34) ³¹ “Look! The days are coming,” declares Jehovah, “when I will make with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah a new covenant. ³² It will not be like the covenant that I made with their forefathers on the day I took hold of their hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, ‘my covenant that they broke, although I was their true master,’ declares Jehovah.” ³³ “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares Jehovah. “I will put my law within them, and in their heart I will write it. And I will become their God, and they will become my people.” ³⁴ “And they will no longer teach each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know Jehovah!’ for they will all know me, from the least to the greatest of them,” declares Jehovah. “For I will forgive their error, and I will no longer remember their sin.”

(Revelation 5:9, 10) ⁹ And they sing a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and open its seals, for you were slaughtered and with your blood you bought people for God out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, ¹⁰ and you made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God, and they are to rule as kings over the earth.”

(Matthew 19:28) Jesus said to them: “Truly I say to you, in the re-creation, when the Son of man sits down on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will sit on 12 thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel.

(Revelation 20:4) And I saw thrones, and those who sat on them were given authority to judge. Yes, I saw the souls of those executed for the witness they gave about Jesus and for speaking about God, and those who had not worshipped the wild beast or its image and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand. And they came to life and ruled as kings with the Christ for 1,000 years.

(Revelation 20:6) Happy and holy is anyone having part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no authority, but they will be priests of God and of the Christ, and they will rule as kings with him for the 1,000 years.

(Revelation 22:5) Also, night will be no more, and they have no need of lamplight or sunlight, for Jehovah God will shed light upon them, and they will rule as kings forever and ever.

(Revelation 19:19-20:3) ¹⁹ And I saw the wild beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the one seated on the horse and against his army. ²⁰ And the wild beast was caught, and along with it the false prophet that performed in front of it the signs with which he misled those who received the mark of the wild beast and those who worship its image. While still alive, they both were hurled into the fiery lake that burns with sulfur. ²¹ But the rest were killed off with the long sword that proceeded out of the mouth of the one seated on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh. 20 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven with the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. ² He seized the dragon, the original serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for 1,000 years. ³ And he hurled him into the abyss and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not mislead the nations anymore until the 1,000 years were ended. After this he must be released for a little while.

(Revelation 22:5) Also, night will be no more, and they have no need of lamplight or sunlight, for Jehovah God will shed light upon them, and they will rule as kings forever and ever.

(Revelation 14:1-5) 14 Then I saw, and look! the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who have his name and the name of his Father written on their foreheads. ² I heard a sound coming out of heaven like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder; and the sound that I heard was like singers who accompany themselves by playing on their harps. ³ And they are singing what seems to be a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders, and no one was able to master that song except the 144,000, who have been bought from the earth. ⁴ These are the ones who did not defile themselves with women; in fact, they are virgins. These are the ones who keep following the Lamb no matter where he goes. These were bought from among mankind as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb, ⁵ and no deceit was found in their mouths; they are without blemish.

(Revelation 18:1-8) 18 After this I saw another angel descending from heaven with great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his glory. ² And he cried out with a strong voice, saying: “She has fallen! Babylon the Great has fallen, and she has become a dwelling place of demons and a place where every unclean spirit and every unclean and hated bird lurks! ³ For because of the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality, all the nations have fallen victim, and the kings of the earth committed sexual immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth became rich owing to the power of her shameless luxury.” ⁴ And I heard another voice out of heaven say: “Get out of her, my people, if you do not want to share with her in her sins, and if you do not want to receive part of her plagues. ⁵ For her sins have massed together clear up to heaven, and God has called her acts of injustice to mind. ⁶ Repay her in the way she treated others, yes, pay her back double for the things she has done; in the cup she has mixed, mix a double portion for her. ⁷ To the extent that she glorified herself and lived in shameless luxury, to that extent give her torment and mourning. For she keeps saying in her heart: ‘I sit as queen, and I am not a widow, and I will never see mourning.’ ⁸ That is why in one day her plagues will come, death and mourning and famine, and she will be completely burned with fire, because Jehovah God, who judged her, is strong.

(2 Timothy 3:1-7) 3 But know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. ² For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, ³ having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, ⁴ betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, ⁵ having an appearance of godliness but proving false to its power; and from these turn away. ⁶ From among these arise men who slyly work their way into households and captivate weak women loaded down with sins, led by various desires, ⁷ always learning and yet never able to come to an accurate knowledge of truth.

(1 Timothy 4:1-4) 4 However, the inspired word clearly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to misleading inspired statements and teachings of demons, ² by means of the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, whose conscience is seared as with a branding iron. ³ They forbid marriage and command people to abstain from foods that God created to be partaken of with thanksgiving by those who have faith and accurately know the truth. ⁴ For every creation of God is fine, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,

(2 Peter 3:5-10) ⁵ For they deliberately ignore this fact, that long ago there were heavens and an earth standing firmly out of water and in the midst of water by the word of God; ⁶ and that by those means the world of that time suffered destruction when it was flooded with water. ⁷ But by the same word the heavens and the earth that now exist are reserved for fire and are being kept until the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly people. ⁸ However, do not let this escape your notice, beloved ones, that one day is with Jehovah as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. ⁹ Jehovah is not slow concerning his promise, as some people consider slowness, but he is patient with you because he does not desire anyone to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance. ¹⁰ But Jehovah’s day will come as a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar, but the elements being intensely hot will be dissolved, and earth and the works in it will be exposed.

(Zechariah 2:7-13) ⁷ “Come, Zion! Make your escape, you who are dwelling with the daughter of Babylon. ⁸ For this is what Jehovah of armies says, who after being glorified has sent me to the nations that were plundering you: ‘Whoever touches you touches the pupil of my eye. ⁹ For now I will wave my hand against them, and they will become plunder for their own slaves.’ And you will certainly know that Jehovah of armies has sent me. ¹⁰ “Shout for joy, O daughter of Zion; for I am coming, and I will reside in your midst,” declares Jehovah. ¹¹ “Many nations will join themselves to Jehovah in that day, and they will become my people; and I will reside in your midst.” And you will have to know that Jehovah of armies has sent me to you. ¹² Jehovah will take possession of Judah as his portion on the holy ground, and he will again choose Jerusalem. ¹³ Be silent, all flesh, before Jehovah, for he is taking action from his holy dwelling.

(Revelation 18:1-3) 18 After this I saw another angel descending from heaven with great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his glory. ² And he cried out with a strong voice, saying: “She has fallen! Babylon the Great has fallen, and she has become a dwelling place of demons and a place where every unclean spirit and every unclean and hated bird lurks! ³ For because of the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality, all the nations have fallen victim, and the kings of the earth committed sexual immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth became rich owing to the power of her shameless luxury.”

(Matthew 24:15-22) ¹⁵ “Therefore, when you catch sight of the disgusting thing that causes desolation, as spoken about by Daniel the prophet, standing in a holy place (let the reader use discernment), ¹⁶ then let those in Ju·deʹa begin fleeing to the mountains. ¹⁷ Let the man on the housetop not come down to take the goods out of his house, ¹⁸ and let the man in the field not return to pick up his outer garment. ¹⁹ Woe to the pregnant women and those nursing a baby in those days! ²⁰ Keep praying that your flight may not occur in wintertime nor on the Sabbath day; ²¹ for then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again. ²² In fact, unless those days were cut short, no flesh would be saved; but on account of the chosen ones those days will be cut short.

(Revelation 7:13-17) ¹³ In response one of the elders said to me: “These who are dressed in the white robes, who are they and where did they come from?” ¹⁴ So right away I said to him: “My lord, you are the one who knows.” And he said to me: “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. ¹⁵ That is why they are before the throne of God, and they are rendering him sacred service day and night in his temple; and the One seated on the throne will spread his tent over them. ¹⁶ They will hunger no more nor thirst anymore, neither will the sun beat down on them nor any scorching heat, ¹⁷ because the Lamb, who is in the midst of the throne, will shepherd them and will guide them to springs of waters of life. And God will wipe out every tear from their eyes.”

(Revelation 21:1-4) 21 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea is no more. ² I also saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God and prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ³ With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. ⁴ And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”

(Psalm 37:10, 11) ¹⁰ Just a little while longer, and the wicked will be no more; You will look at where they were, And they will not be there. ¹¹ But the meek will possess the earth, And they will find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.

(Isaiah 65:17) ¹⁷ For look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth; And the former things will not be called to mind, Nor will they come up into the heart.

(Isaiah 11:4-9)  ⁴ He will judge the lowly with fairness, And with uprightness he will give reproof in behalf of the meek ones of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth And put the wicked to death with the breath of his lips.  ⁵ Righteousness will be the belt around his waist, And faithfulness the belt of his hips.  ⁶ The wolf will reside for a while with the lamb, And with the young goat the leopard will lie down, And the calf and the lion and the fattened animal will all be together; And a little boy will lead them.  ⁷ The cow and the bear will feed together, And their young will lie down together. The lion will eat straw like the bull.  ⁸ The nursing child will play over the lair of a cobra, And a weaned child will put his hand over the den of a poisonous snake.  ⁹ They will not cause any harm Or any ruin in all my holy mountain, Because the earth will certainly be filled with the knowledge of Jehovah As the waters cover the sea.

(Isaiah 35:5-10)  ⁵ At that time the eyes of the blind will be opened, And the ears of the deaf will be unstopped.  ⁶ At that time the lame will leap like the deer, And the tongue of the speechless will shout for joy. For waters will burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert plain.  ⁷ The heat-parched ground will become a reedy pool, And the thirsty ground springs of water. In the lairs where jackals rested, There will be green grass and reeds and papyrus.  ⁸ And a highway will be there, Yes, a way called the Way of Holiness. The unclean one will not travel on it. It is reserved for the one walking on the way; No one foolish will stray onto it.  ⁹ No lion will be there, And no vicious wild beasts will come on it. They will not be found there; Only the repurchased ones will walk there. ¹⁰ Those redeemed by Jehovah will return and come to Zion with a joyful cry. Unending joy will crown their heads. Exultation and rejoicing will be theirs, And grief and sighing will flee away.

(John 5:27-30) . . .. ²⁸ Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice ²⁹ and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, and those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment. ³⁰ I cannot do a single thing of my own initiative. Just as I hear, I judge, and my judgment is righteous because I seek, not my own will, but the will of him who sent me.

(Revelation 20:12-15) . . .. ¹³ And the sea gave up the dead in it, and death and the Grave gave up the dead in them, and they were judged individually according to their deeds. ¹⁴ And death and the Grave were hurled into the lake of fire. This means the second death, the lake of fire. ¹⁵ Furthermore, whoever was not found written in the book of life was hurled into the lake of fire.

(1 Corinthians 15:20-28) ²⁰ But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep in death. ²¹ For since death came through a man, resurrection of the dead also comes through a man. ²² For just as in Adam all are dying, so also in the Christ all will be made alive. ²³ But each one in his own proper order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who belong to the Christ during his presence. ²⁴ Next, the end, when he hands over the Kingdom to his God and Father, when he has brought to nothing all government and all authority and power. ²⁵ For he must rule as king until God has put all enemies under his feet. ²⁶ And the last enemy, death, is to be brought to nothing. ²⁷ For God “subjected all things under his feet.” But when he says that ‘all things have been subjected,’ it is evident that this does not include the One who subjected all things to him. ²⁸ But when all things will have been subjected to him, then the Son himself will also subject himself to the One who subjected all things to him, that God may be all things to everyone.

(Ephesians 1:19-23) . . ., ²⁰ which he exercised toward Christ when he raised him up from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹ far above every government and authority and power and lordship and every name that is named, not only in this system of things but also in that to come. ²² He also subjected all things under his feet and made him head over all things with regard to the congregation, ²³ which is his body, the fullness of him who fills up all things in all.

Why we should not put our trust in man or ourselves.

Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am not the best editor.

I am going to discuss why we should not put our faith in man but before we discuss putting faith in man we should discuss how all this got started. Got created Adam and Eve. He put them in a the garden of Eden. We do not have a word that perfectly describes what the word for Eden meant but it is similar in meaning to the words we use for amusement parks so the garden must have been very fun. God told them to be fruitful and produce and make the whole earth like the garden of Eden. God did all these wonderful things for them but gave them one rule. They could not eat from the tree of knowledge. So they had to earn the right to remain in the garden as long as they did not eat from the tree of knowledge. Satan started to desire the authority that God had so he deceived Eve, this also resulted in Adam being deceived. Satan convinced Eve the things God said were not true, then Eve convinced Adam of these things. He convinced them they would not die and that they would be like God. They had no reason to believe Satan and when they realized he was being deceptive they should not have listened to him because God told them what the consequences would be. They partook of the fruit of the tree of knowledge in rebellion against God. This was the start of man ruling and guiding ourselves because Adam and Eve did not trust or believe God. This also opened the door for Satan to be able to easily manipulate and fool man. We are seeing the end results of their rebellion in the garden.

We cannot entirely blame Satan because once Adam and Eve rebelled they became imperfect and this imperfection was passed on to us. This brought death and sin on man. We are living in a time when they will establish a one world order under the guidance of the beast which is the United Nations and it’s allies. They will require all to bow to it and reject God. If you do not you will not be able to buy sell or trade. That will be the final act of rebellion and mans rejection of God ruling over us and guiding us. Israel enjoyed peace and did not have a need for anything when God was ruling them and guiding them and they rejected him and chose to have a human king. We are seeing the end results of mans rule. Because of corruption between government entities and many corporations chronic illness is rampant on the earth, there are food shortages and famine, earthquakes are so common now that they rarely report them on the news. War is happening around the world. No sooner does one war end another starts. Diseases of many types are rampant. Violence , crime, death, suffering of many types are happening on a scale like they have never happened before. Jesus prophesied all these things. We are seeing the climax of the original rebellion of man putting their trust in themselves or man. We have tried many forms of government and we have only made things worse. There is a way out but I am going to discuss why we are being deceived and harmed by putting our trust in man. Then I will discuss why all these things and the climax of this system is a good thing. So we can see the end results of man putting their trust in themselves and the end results of those who put their trust in God and the heavenly kingdom with Jesus as our king.

Does this mean we should not obey man? Not at all God tells us we are to obey the laws of our nation and we should not speak ill of our rulers. By permitting these governments to exist it keeps some organization on the earth and keeps things from getting to out of hand. Yes Satan can influence these leaders but they do enforce many of God’s laws and try to execute justice. If we obey God’s word for the most part we will be obeying the laws of man. Is there a time where we should not obey mans laws. Yes when they go against what God requires. We are to protect ourselves from harm and remain loyal to him and bow to no one else but the one true God. We are to continue to worship in truth. The bible warns the truth will not be tolerated and that God’s word would be banned on a world wide scale. Some are already experiencing this. We are to still meet and still worship Jehovah and if force to bow to anyone other then Jehovah we should not comply. Remember it only took one act of obedience when Satan was tempting Jesus. He even offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the earth if he did. Jesus would not give in to Satan’s temptations and he quoted God’s word. So it is very important to write God’s word on our hearts while we can because when they ban his word the bible warns many will be misled and be deceived which will result in their deaths. Not writing his word into their hearts means they will not have his word to guide them when it gets taken away. We write his word on our hearts by taking it in and letting it guide all we do , the more we practice those things the more a part of us his word becomes. There may be times we will have to break mans laws to obey God.

We have the example of Daniel and his companions when they refused to break God’s laws and it could have cost them their lives. They were not certain whether they would live or die but they refused to break God’s laws and God sent angels to protect them. When we are required to reject God and submit to the authority of the beast and it’s allies we would be worshiping the beast. It may seem scary to think about but God always provided for his people when they were being tried and persecuted. We know he can easily provide because we have the example of Jesus who was given five loaves of bread and two fish. He said a blessing to God and then started breaking the bread up and sharing the fish. He fed 5000 people.

There is something I struggled with. Rahab was a prostitute. She had lied and hid God’s people. In my mind I was like she did a bad thing to protect God’s people. But we need to consider she was dealing with people who were deliberately opposing God. She was dealing with some very bad people. She lied for the right reason. She had faith in God and knew he was the true God and that he would give the land into the hands of Israel. Because of her faith in Jehovah she lived with Israel. In order for an alien resident to live with Israel they had to accept the laws that God had given Israel and obey them. So we have to weigh the situation. We should not lie if we are in court or arrested by if we are escaping deception may be necessary. When in court the bible tells us that God will send the holy spirit to call the things we have learned to mind and we will not have to worry about what to say. Many will survive and go through the great tribulation into the new system. How can we be among those who survive the great tribulation and are protected by God?

One of the first things we can do is not depend on ourselves or man. It is what got us in this mess. The bible warns us not to follow our hearts and not to learn on our own understanding. Gods thought are way higher then mans. So any thoughts or ideas we have could not protect us as much as God’s word. The bible says our hearts are the most deceptive thing. By writing God’s word on our hearts we prevent our hearts from deceiving us. If we do not know what God requires when things get very confusing it could result in us doing things that may displease him resulting in our destruction. Satan and his peoples attacks will not always be obvious they usually try little things to try and trip you up and draw you away at first. By writing God’s word on our hearts and not leaning on our own understanding when the persecution and tribulations start we will not be easily deceived or fooled into doing something that could result in us losing God’s protection. Very soon God’s word will be banned world wide and the chance to write his word on our hearts will no longer be available. When the more subtle things do not work Satan will use what I call shock and awe. He will try and overwhelm you. If God’s word is written on our hearts it can help protect us from becoming overwhelm when things like this occur.

Should we vote or get involved in politics? We have to remember the whole world lies in the power of the wicked one. Also we would be putting our faith in imperfect humans who are easily deceived and easily corrupted. If we voted would we not be putting our trust in man and be a part of the errors they make? Man does not have the foresight or wisdom to guide themselves. Humans are limited in power and even if they have good intention lack the power to bring about the many things needed to prevent the suffering on the earth. Usually any good things they may have done will be undone by someone and forgotten. This is why the bible tells us it is better to trust in Jehovah then to trust in princes. By voting are we not putting our trust in man instead of God as Israel did when they rejected God? We know Jesus is the king in heaven. He stated his kingdom was no part of this world. He knew he would be seated on the throne and it would be that kingdom that would restore the earth so it’s original purpose would be fulfilled. The bible calls Satan the God of this system. We know he has a lot of influence over human governments because he offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the earth. If he had no authority over them he could not have tempted Jesus with an offer like that. Jesus did not question that Satan had the authority to offer him those kingdoms. The bible warns us to be no part of the world , we know how corrupt it is, wouldn’t we be a part of that corruption if we got involved in the politics of this system of things. We should keep our focus on the heavenly kingdom and how we can become citizens of it.

Those who take the beast side in matters will be the ones who have to worry because they will be destroyed and there will be no future hope for them. The bible tells us when they start to arrest us and family and others start to betray us we do not have to worry if we endure because not a single hair on our heads will be harmed. So not many of those who put their trust in God will be harmed. The bible tells us when the wisdom is written on our hearts it will protect our thinking ability. The bible tells us not everyone claiming to have faith in God and to claim to have trust in Jesus will make it through the narrow gate. These will be ones who did not take the time to write God’s word on their hearts so they unknowingly will break God’s laws because they did not make them a part of their life. This is why the bible said when they try to enter Jesus would tell them get away from me I do not know you, you workers of lawlessness. So now more then ever it is very important to know what God requires and write his laws on our hearts by applying what we have learned in our lives.

It is not an easy thing to do because we are told the whole world lies in the power of the wicked one and with us being in the last days there are many following false teachers and these ones will oppose true worship. I personally experienced the hatred towards me when I started to become no part of the world. There were many I thought cared about me but when I started to worship in truth the ones I trusted the most were the ones who attacked me and schemed against me. So making these changes will not be easy at first but once you stand your ground they will stop and you will experience a certain peace of mind that others do not enjoy. This will help to protect your thinking ability. Even now while others live in panic and fear of the things that are occurring, those who know God see the signs and know that better times are very near and the original purpose for the earth is about to happen. That is for the whole earth to be like the garden of Eden and for man to dwell forever upon it.

So how will all this be brought about. We know that Jesus died for our sins , he was the ransom provided by God and he willfully gave his life for our sins. He lived life as a human and suffered the same things we have. He was even tempted. He did not sin and in doing so he defeated Satan and proved Satan’s lies wrong. God appointed Jesus as king and has sat him on the heavenly thrown. He gave Jesus full authority except over God himself . So when they turn on those who worship God in truth with their whole soul and their whole hearts they need not fear it means redemption is near and Jesus will save those who endured to the end.

When they form their one world order under the direction of the beast God will put it in their hearts to destroy false religion. After this occurs they will turn on true worship which God did not put in their hearts , when this starts to occur we may have to go into hiding and be much more careful but it also marks the time of their destruction so this will only occur a short period of time and we only have to endure a little longer. We endured so many things already. Now more then ever we need to strengthen our faith in God. It would be terrible to have endured so many things only to give up right when the new system is so near. False religion is the harlot mentioned in Revelations. When this occurs we need to prepare ourselves. This is why the bible warns if we are still partaking of things God would not approve of we need to get out of Babylon by purifying our worship and worship God in truth and being certain of what he requires. Jesus refers to the beast as the disgusting thing because it is the ultimate rebellion of man against God. The beast and it’s allies will form a one world order trying to completely replace God’s sovereignty and remove him from peoples lives. Many in Pentecost were of the 144,000 we know this because the apostle Paul mentioned they would be given a new spiritual body.

Jesus will not be alone in the heavenly kingdom the bible tells us there will be 144,000 who will rule with him as princes. We know this is a specific number because the ones who walked through the tribulation into the new system would not be numbered. Jesus mentioned the other sheep. So it would be clear there would be two sheep like classes. (John 10:13-17) . . .. ¹⁴ I am the fine shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me, ¹⁵ just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I surrender my life in behalf of the sheep. ¹⁶ “And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; those too I must bring in, and they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock, one shepherd. ¹⁷ This is why the Father loves me, because I surrender my life, so that I may receive it again.) . The first sheep would be the ones who are involved in the first resurrection. They will help Jesus with the work that needs to be done and will rule as kings over the earth. These ones will rule with Jesus for the 1000 years. They will also help Jesus to judge those in the second resurrection. Those who had a resurrection of righteousness will not face the second death but those who were unrighteous will be taught about God and if they do not repent and accept God then they will experience the second death which is also when Satan and the demons will be destroyed. So who are the 144,000 that will rule with Christ. The bible tells us they are the ones who started the work of restoring true worship. They would provide the spiritual food for the other sheep Jesus mentioned. So many men and women in the days of Pentecost were of the 144,00 which is the bride of Christ or woman referred to in Revelations. Jesus has already started some of the work because we were told there would be a new heaven and new earth. When this occurred Jesus gave us the signs to watch for in Matthew 24. He said the things would occur on a grand scale like they have never occurred before. We have rapidly seen things getting worse and we are seeing some of the final prophecies being fulfilled. These things would occur because one of the first things Jesus did was clean up heaven by throwing Satan and the Demons out of heaven. The bible warns woe to the earth because Satan and the demons would know they have very little time left. Once of the final prophecies was the exposing of false religion which marked the defeat of false religion. Another sign that the end was near is the preaching of the good news of the heavenly kingdom in all the earth which many have now had an opportunity to learn about world wide.

So what kind of things can we expect to result from Jesus rule? Well he will heal those who are ill and restore our health and no one will be ill in the new earth. We will still have to work to become spiritually perfect but with time that also will occur. Since death is the final enemy that Jesus will destroy before he hands the kingdom back to God death will be brought to nothing. Humans and animals will be at peace with each other and no more harm will come to those who make it into the new earth. There will be no more wars, no more violence and no more crime. Satan and those who did his bidding will be destroyed and will never be able to bring ruin on the earth again.

These will be trying times but we can have confidence Jesus cares. He perfectly imitated his father when he was on earth giving us a reflection of the love and compassion God has for us. Jesus told us not to be anxious about what we would wear or eat because God would provide for us. We are told God cares so much for us that he remembers all our tears. We may lose things in this system soon but we do not have to worry the things in the new system will be much better and will not come with all the worry there is when we own things in this system. There is nothing man can do to us that God could not undo. Even in death we cannot be separated from the love of God and the love of Jesus. We can be certain God will not forget the love we have shown for his name and the work we have done.

(Genesis 2:15-17) ¹⁵ Jehovah God took the man and settled him in the garden of Eʹden to cultivate it and to take care of it. ¹⁶ Jehovah God also gave this command to the man: “From every tree of the garden you may eat to satisfaction. ¹⁷ But as for the tree of the knowledge of good and bad, you must not eat from it, for in the day you eat from it you will certainly die.”

(Genesis 3:1-7) 3 Now the serpent was the most cautious of all the wild animals of the field that Jehovah God had made. So it said to the woman: “Did God really say that you must not eat from every tree of the garden?” ² At this the woman said to the serpent: “We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden. ³ But God has said about the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden: ‘You must not eat from it, no, you must not touch it; otherwise you will die.’” ⁴ At this the serpent said to the woman: “You certainly will not die. ⁵ For God knows that in the very day you eat from it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and bad.” ⁶ Consequently, the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was something desirable to the eyes, yes, the tree was pleasing to look at. So she began taking of its fruit and eating it. Afterward, she also gave some to her husband when he was with her, and he began eating it. ⁷ Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized that they were naked. So they sewed fig leaves together and made loin coverings for themselves.

(1 Samuel 8:4-9) ⁴ In time all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Raʹmah. ⁵ They said to him: “Look! You have grown old, but your sons are not walking in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the other nations.” ⁶ But it displeased Samuel when they said: “Give us a king to judge us.” Then Samuel prayed to Jehovah, ⁷ and Jehovah said to Samuel: “Listen to everything the people say to you; for it is not you whom they have rejected, but it is I whom they have rejected as their king. ⁸ They are doing just as they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day; they keep forsaking me and serving other gods, and that is what they are doing to you. ⁹ Now listen to them. However, you should solemnly warn them; tell them what the king who rules over them will have the right to demand.”

(Ecclesiastes 8:2-4) ² I say: “Obey the king’s orders out of regard for the oath to God. ³ Do not rush to depart from his presence. Do not take a stand for anything bad; for he can do whatever he pleases, ⁴ because the word of the king is absolute; who can say to him, ‘What are you doing?’”

(Revelation 13:11-18) ¹¹ Then I saw another wild beast ascending out of the earth, and it had two horns like a lamb, but it began speaking like a dragon. ¹² It exercises all the authority of the first wild beast in its sight. And it makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first wild beast, whose mortal wound was healed. ¹³ And it performs great signs, even making fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the sight of mankind. ¹⁴ It misleads those who dwell on the earth, because of the signs that it was permitted to perform in the sight of the wild beast, while it tells those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the wild beast that had the sword-stroke and yet revived. ¹⁵ And it was permitted to give breath to the image of the wild beast, so that the image of the wild beast should both speak and cause to be killed all those who refuse to worship the image of the wild beast. ¹⁶ It puts under compulsion all people—the small and the great, the rich and the poor, the free and the slaves—that these should be marked on their right hand or on their forehead, ¹⁷ and that nobody can buy or sell except a person having the mark, the name of the wild beast or the number of its name. ¹⁸ This is where it calls for wisdom: Let the one who has insight calculate the number of the wild beast, for it is a man’s number, and its number is 666.

(Mark 6:41-44) ⁴¹ Taking now the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves up and began giving them to the disciples to place them before the people, and he divided up the two fish for all. ⁴² So they all ate and were satisfied, ⁴³ and they took up 12 baskets full of fragments, aside from the fish. ⁴⁴ Those who ate the loaves were 5,000 men.

(Joshua 2:8-16) ⁸ Before the men lay down to sleep, she came up to them on the roof. ⁹ She said to the men: “I do know that Jehovah will give you the land and that the fear of you has fallen upon us. All the inhabitants of the land are disheartened because of you, ¹⁰ for we heard how Jehovah dried up the waters of the Red Sea before you when you left Egypt and what you did to the two kings of the Amʹor·ites, Siʹhon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction on the other side of the Jordan. ¹¹ When we heard about it, we lost heart, and no one has any courage because of you, for Jehovah your God is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath. ¹² Now, please, swear to me by Jehovah that, because I showed loyal love to you, you will also show loyal love to my father’s household; and you must give me a sign of good faith. ¹³ You must spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and you must save us from death.” ¹⁴ At that the men said to her: “We will give our lives for yours! If you do not tell about our mission, then we will show loyal love and faithfulness toward you when Jehovah gives us the land.” ¹⁵ After that she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was on a side of the city wall. In fact, she was dwelling on the wall. ¹⁶ Then she said to them: “Go to the mountainous region and hide there for three days, so that those pursuing you may not find you. Then, after your pursuers have come back, you can go on your way.”

(Joshua 6:24, 25) ²⁴ Then they burned the city and everything in it with fire. But the silver, the gold, and the articles of copper and iron, they gave to the treasury of Jehovah’s house. ²⁵ Only Raʹhab the prostitute and her father’s household and all who belonged to her were spared by Joshua; and she lives in Israel to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent out to spy on Jerʹi·cho.

(Hebrews 11:31) ³¹ By faith Raʹhab the prostitute did not perish with those who acted disobediently, because she received the spies in a peaceable way.

(Psalm 146:3, 4)  ³ Do not put your trust in princes Nor in a son of man, who cannot bring salvation.  ⁴ His spirit goes out, he returns to the ground; On that very day his thoughts perish.

(Matthew 4:8-11) ⁸ Again the Devil took him along to an unusually high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. ⁹ And he said to him: “All these things I will give you if you fall down and do an act of worship to me.” ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to him: “Go away, Satan! For it is written: ‘It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.’” ¹¹ Then the Devil left him, and look! angels came and began to minister to him.

(James 4:4) ⁴ Adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world is making himself an enemy of God.

(Psalm 118:9)  ⁹ It is better to take refuge in Jehovah Than to trust in princes.

(2 Corinthians 4:3-6) ³ If, in fact, the good news we declare is veiled, it is veiled among those who are perishing, ⁴ among whom the god of this system of things has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that the illumination of the glorious good news about the Christ, who is the image of God, might not shine through. ⁵ For we are preaching, not about ourselves, but about Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. ⁶ For God is the one who said: “Let the light shine out of darkness,” and he has shone on our hearts to illuminate them with the glorious knowledge of God by the face of Christ.

(Jeremiah 17:5)  ⁵ This is what Jehovah says: “Cursed is the man who puts his trust in mere humans, Who relies on human power, And whose heart turns away from Jehovah.

(Isaiah 2:22) ²² For your own sakes, quit trusting in mere man, Who is only the breath in his nostrils. Why should he be taken into account?

(John 18:35, 36) . . .” ³⁶ Jesus answered: “My Kingdom is no part of this world. If my Kingdom were part of this world, my attendants would have fought that I should not be handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my Kingdom is not from this source.”

(Matthew 10:17-23) . . .. ¹⁸ And you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a witness to them and the nations. ¹⁹ However, when they hand you over, do not become anxious about how or what you are to speak, for what you are to speak will be given you in that hour; ²⁰ for the ones speaking are not just you, but it is the spirit of your Father that speaks by you. ²¹ Further, brother will hand brother over to death, and a father his child, and children will rise up against parents and will have them put to death. ²² And you will be hated by all people on account of my name, but the one who has endured to the end will be saved. ²³ When they persecute you in one city, flee to another; for truly I say to you, you will by no means complete the circuit of the cities of Israel until the Son of man arrives.

(Luke 21:16-19) ¹⁶ Moreover, you will be handed over even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death, ¹⁷ and you will be hated by all people because of my name. ¹⁸ But not even a hair of your heads will perish. ¹⁹ By your endurance you will preserve your lives.

(1 Corinthians 15:26-28) ²⁶ And the last enemy, death, is to be brought to nothing. ²⁷ For God “subjected all things under his feet.” But when he says that ‘all things have been subjected,’ it is evident that this does not include the One who subjected all things to him. ²⁸ But when all things will have been subjected to him, then the Son himself will also subject himself to the One who subjected all things to him, that God may be all things to everyone.

(2 Peter 3:5-7) ⁵ For they deliberately ignore this fact, that long ago there were heavens and an earth standing firmly out of water and in the midst of water by the word of God; ⁶ and that by those means the world of that time suffered destruction when it was flooded with water. ⁷ But by the same word the heavens and the earth that now exist are reserved for fire and are being kept until the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly people.

(Zechariah 2:7-9) ⁷ “Come, Zion! Make your escape, you who are dwelling with the daughter of Babylon. ⁸ For this is what Jehovah of armies says, who after being glorified has sent me to the nations that were plundering you: ‘Whoever touches you touches the pupil of my eye. ⁹ For now I will wave my hand against them, and they will become plunder for their own slaves.’ And you will certainly know that Jehovah of armies has sent me.

(2 Thessalonians 1:6-10) ⁶ This takes into account that it is righteous on God’s part to repay tribulation to those who make tribulation for you. ⁷ But you who suffer tribulation will be given relief along with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels ⁸ in a flaming fire, as he brings vengeance on those who do not know God and those who do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus. ⁹ These very ones will undergo the judicial punishment of everlasting destruction from before the Lord and from the glory of his strength, ¹⁰ at the time when he comes to be glorified in connection with his holy ones and to be regarded in that day with wonder among all those who exercised faith, because the witness we gave met with faith among you.

(Malachi 4:1-3) 4 “For look! the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the presumptuous ones and all those practicing wickedness will become like stubble. The coming day will certainly devour them,” says Jehovah of armies, “and it will leave them neither root nor branch. ² But on you who honor my name, the sun of righteousness will shine, with healing in its rays; and you will skip about like fattened calves.” ³ “And you will tread the wicked underfoot, for they will be like dust under the soles of your feet on the day when I take action,” says Jehovah of armies.

(Revelation 7:9-17) ⁹ After this I saw, and look! a great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes; and there were palm branches in their hands. ¹⁰ And they keep shouting with a loud voice, saying: “Salvation we owe to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb.” ¹¹ All the angels were standing around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell facedown before the throne and worshipped God, ¹² saying: “Amen! Let the praise and the glory and the wisdom and the thanksgiving and the honor and the power and the strength be to our God forever and ever. Amen.” ¹³ In response one of the elders said to me: “These who are dressed in the white robes, who are they and where did they come from?” ¹⁴ So right away I said to him: “My lord, you are the one who knows.” And he said to me: “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. ¹⁵ That is why they are before the throne of God, and they are rendering him sacred service day and night in his temple; and the One seated on the throne will spread his tent over them. ¹⁶ They will hunger no more nor thirst anymore, neither will the sun beat down on them nor any scorching heat, ¹⁷ because the Lamb, who is in the midst of the throne, will shepherd them and will guide them to springs of waters of life. And God will wipe out every tear from their eyes.”

(Matthew 24:20-22) ²⁰ Keep praying that your flight may not occur in wintertime nor on the Sabbath day; ²¹ for then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again. ²² In fact, unless those days were cut short, no flesh would be saved; but on account of the chosen ones those days will be cut short.

(Acts 17:25-31) . . .. ²⁶ And he made out of one man every nation of men to dwell on the entire surface of the earth, and he decreed the appointed times and the set limits of where men would dwell, ²⁷ so that they would seek God, if they might grope for him and really find him, although, in fact, he is not far off from each one of us. ²⁸ For by him we have life and move and exist, even as some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also his children.’ ²⁹ “Therefore, since we are the children of God, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, like something sculptured by the art and design of humans. ³⁰ True, God has overlooked the times of such ignorance; but now he is declaring to all people everywhere that they should repent. ³¹ Because he has set a day on which he purposes to judge the inhabited earth in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and he has provided a guarantee to all men by resurrecting him from the dead.”

(Proverbs 3:5)  ⁵ Trust in Jehovah with all your heart, And do not rely on your own understanding.

(Jeremiah 10:23) ²³ I well know, O Jehovah, that man’s way does not belong to him. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.

(Psalm 17:5)  ⁵ Let my steps stay on your tracks So that my feet will not stumble.

(Jeremiah 17:9, 10)  ⁹ The heart is more treacherous than anything else and is desperate. Who can know it? ¹⁰ I, Jehovah, am searching the heart, Examining the innermost thoughts, To give to each one according to his ways, According to the fruitage of his works.

(Proverbs 28:26) ²⁶ Whoever trusts in his own heart is stupid, But the one who walks in wisdom will escape.

(Proverbs 7:1-3) 7 My son, keep my sayings, And treasure up my commandments.  ² Keep my commandments and live; Guard my instruction like the pupil of your eye.  ³ Tie them around your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart.

(Proverbs 2:9-11) . . .The entire course of what is good. ¹⁰ When wisdom enters your heart And knowledge becomes pleasant to your soul, ¹¹ Thinking ability will keep watch over you, And discernment will safeguard you,

(Matthew 12:33-37) ³³ “Either you make the tree fine and its fruit fine or make the tree rotten and its fruit rotten, for by its fruit the tree is known. ³⁴ Offspring of vipers, how can you speak good things when you are wicked? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. ³⁵ The good man out of his good treasure sends out good things, whereas the wicked man out of his wicked treasure sends out wicked things. ³⁶ I tell you that men will render an account on Judgment Day for every unprofitable saying that they speak; ³⁷ for by your words you will be declared righteous, and by your words you will be condemned.”

(Matthew 7:21-23) ²¹ “Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of the heavens, but only the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will. ²² Many will say to me in that day: ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works in your name?’ ²³ And then I will declare to them: ‘I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness!’

(Luke 21:20-24) ²⁰ “However, when you see Jerusalem surrounded by encamped armies, then know that the desolating of her has drawn near. ²¹ Then let those in Ju·deʹa begin fleeing to the mountains, let those in the midst of her leave, and let those in the countryside not enter into her, ²² because these are days for meting out justice in order that all the things written may be fulfilled. ²³ Woe to the pregnant women and those nursing a baby in those days! For there will be great distress on the land and wrath against this people. ²⁴ And they will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled on by the nations until the appointed times of the nations are fulfilled.

(Revelation 17:15-18) ¹⁵ He said to me: “The waters that you saw, where the prostitute is sitting, mean peoples and crowds and nations and tongues. ¹⁶ And the ten horns that you saw and the wild beast, these will hate the prostitute and will make her devastated and naked, and they will eat up her flesh and completely burn her with fire. ¹⁷ For God put it into their hearts to carry out his thought, yes, to carry out their one thought by giving their kingdom to the wild beast, until the words of God will have been accomplished. ¹⁸ And the woman whom you saw means the great city that has a kingdom over the kings of the earth.”

(Revelation 18:4-8) ⁴ And I heard another voice out of heaven say: “Get out of her, my people, if you do not want to share with her in her sins, and if you do not want to receive part of her plagues. ⁵ For her sins have massed together clear up to heaven, and God has called her acts of injustice to mind. ⁶ Repay her in the way she treated others, yes, pay her back double for the things she has done; in the cup she has mixed, mix a double portion for her. ⁷ To the extent that she glorified herself and lived in shameless luxury, to that extent give her torment and mourning. For she keeps saying in her heart: ‘I sit as queen, and I am not a widow, and I will never see mourning.’ ⁸ That is why in one day her plagues will come, death and mourning and famine, and she will be completely burned with fire, because Jehovah God, who judged her, is strong.

(Matthew 24:15-22) ¹⁵ “Therefore, when you catch sight of the disgusting thing that causes desolation, as spoken about by Daniel the prophet, standing in a holy place (let the reader use discernment), ¹⁶ then let those in Ju·deʹa begin fleeing to the mountains. ¹⁷ Let the man on the housetop not come down to take the goods out of his house, ¹⁸ and let the man in the field not return to pick up his outer garment. ¹⁹ Woe to the pregnant women and those nursing a baby in those days! ²⁰ Keep praying that your flight may not occur in wintertime nor on the Sabbath day; ²¹ for then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again. ²² In fact, unless those days were cut short, no flesh would be saved; but on account of the chosen ones those days will be cut short.

(Revelation 14:1-5) 14 Then I saw, and look! the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who have his name and the name of his Father written on their foreheads. ² I heard a sound coming out of heaven like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder; and the sound that I heard was like singers who accompany themselves by playing on their harps. ³ And they are singing what seems to be a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders, and no one was able to master that song except the 144,000, who have been bought from the earth. ⁴ These are the ones who did not defile themselves with women; in fact, they are virgins. These are the ones who keep following the Lamb no matter where he goes. These were bought from among mankind as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb, ⁵ and no deceit was found in their mouths; they are without blemish.

(Revelation 5:9, 10) ⁹ And they sing a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and open its seals, for you were slaughtered and with your blood you bought people for God out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, ¹⁰ and you made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God, and they are to rule as kings over the earth.”

(Revelation 20:5, 6) . . .. ⁶ Happy and holy is anyone having part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no authority, but they will be priests of God and of the Christ, and they will rule as kings with him for the 1,000 years.

(Revelation 20:4) ⁴ And I saw thrones, and those who sat on them were given authority to judge. Yes, I saw the souls of those executed for the witness they gave about Jesus and for speaking about God, and those who had not worshipped the wild beast or its image and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand. And they came to life and ruled as kings with the Christ for 1,000 years.

(1 Corinthians 15:50-53) ⁵⁰ But I tell you this, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit God’s Kingdom, nor does corruption inherit incorruption. ⁵¹ Look! I tell you a sacred secret: We will not all fall asleep in death, but we will all be changed, ⁵² in a moment, in the blink of an eye, during the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised up incorruptible, and we will be changed. ⁵³ For this which is corruptible must put on incorruption, and this which is mortal must put on immortality. . .

(Acts 24:14, 15) . . .. ¹⁵ And I have hope toward God, which hope these men also look forward to, that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.

(Revelation 21:7, 8) . . .. ⁸ But as for the cowards and those without faith and those who are disgusting in their filth and murderers and the sexually immoral and those practicing spiritism and idolaters and all the liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This means the second death.”

(Revelation 2:11) ¹¹ Let the one who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the congregations: The one who conquers will by no means be harmed by the second death.’

(Luke 12:41-44) ⁴¹ Then Peter said: “Lord, are you telling this illustration just to us or also to everyone?” ⁴² And the Lord said: “Who really is the faithful steward, the discreet one, whom his master will appoint over his body of attendants to keep giving them their measure of food supplies at the proper time? ⁴³ Happy is that slave if his master on coming finds him doing so! ⁴⁴ I tell you truthfully, he will appoint him over all his belongings.

(Luke 12:41-44) ⁴¹ Then Peter said: “Lord, are you telling this illustration just to us or also to everyone?” ⁴² And the Lord said: “Who really is the faithful steward, the discreet one, whom his master will appoint over his body of attendants to keep giving them their measure of food supplies at the proper time? ⁴³ Happy is that slave if his master on coming finds him doing so! ⁴⁴ I tell you truthfully, he will appoint him over all his belongings.

(Acts 2:1-4) 2 Now while the day of the Festival of Pentecost was in progress, they were all together at the same place. ² Suddenly there was a noise from heaven, just like that of a rushing, stiff breeze, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ And tongues as if of fire became visible to them and were distributed, and one came to rest on each one of them, ⁴ and they all became filled with holy spirit and started to speak in different languages, just as the spirit enabled them to speak.

(Philippians 4:2, 3) ² I urge Eu·oʹdi·a and I urge Synʹty·che to be of the same mind in the Lord. ³ Yes, I request you also, as a true fellow worker, to keep assisting these women who have striven side by side with me for the good news, along with Clement as well as the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

(Psalm 110:1, 2) 110 Jehovah declared to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand Until I place your enemies as a stool for your feet.”  ² Jehovah will extend the scepter of your power out of Zion, saying: “Go subduing in the midst of your enemies.”

(Revelation 12:10-12) . . .“Now have come to pass the salvation and the power and the Kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ, because the accuser of our brothers has been hurled down, who accuses them day and night before our God! ¹¹ And they conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their witnessing, and they did not love their souls even in the face of death. ¹² On this account be glad, you heavens and you who reside in them! Woe for the earth and for the sea, because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing that he has a short period of time.”

(Matthew 24:14) ¹⁴ And this good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

(Matthew 28:19, 20) Go, therefore, and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.”

(Revelation 21:1-4) 21 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea is no more. ² I also saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God and prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ³ With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. ⁴ And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”

(Psalm 37:8-11) . . .Do not become upset and turn to doing evil.  ⁹ For evil men will be done away with, But those hoping in Jehovah will possess the earth. ו [Waw] ¹⁰ Just a little while longer, and the wicked will be no more; You will look at where they were, And they will not be there. ¹¹ But the meek will possess the earth, And they will find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.

(Isaiah 35:4-7)  ⁴ Say to those who are anxious at heart: “Be strong. Do not be afraid. Look! Your own God will come with vengeance, God will come with retribution. He will come and save you.”  ⁵ At that time the eyes of the blind will be opened, And the ears of the deaf will be unstopped.  ⁶ At that time the lame will leap like the deer, And the tongue of the speechless will shout for joy. For waters will burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert plain.  ⁷ The heat-parched ground will become a reedy pool, And the thirsty ground springs of water. In the lairs where jackals rested, There will be green grass and reeds and papyrus.

(Isaiah 2:4)  ⁴ He will render judgment among the nations And set matters straight respecting many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares And their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, Nor will they learn war anymore.

(Matthew 6:28-34) ²⁸ Also, why are you anxious about clothing? Take a lesson from the lilies of the field, how they grow; they do not toil, nor do they spin; ²⁹ but I tell you that not even Solʹo·mon in all his glory was arrayed as one of these. ³⁰ Now if this is how God clothes the vegetation of the field that is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much rather clothe you, you with little faith? ³¹ So never be anxious and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or, ‘What are we to drink?’ or, ‘What are we to wear?’ ³² For all these are the things the nations are eagerly pursuing. Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ³³ “Keep on, then, seeking first the Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these other things will be added to you. ³⁴ So never be anxious about the next day, for the next day will have its own anxieties. Each day has enough of its own troubles.

(Psalm 56:8)  ⁸ You keep track of my wandering. Do collect my tears in your skin bottle. Are they not recorded in your book?

(Hebrews 7:24, 25) . . .. ²⁵ So he is able also to save completely those who are approaching God through him, because he is always alive to plead for them.

(Hebrews 13:5, 6) . . .” ⁶ So that we may be of good courage and say: “Jehovah is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

(Romans 8:35-39) ³⁵ Who will separate us from the love of the Christ? Will tribulation or distress or persecution or hunger or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶ Just as it is written: “For your sake we are being put to death all day long; we have been accounted as sheep for slaughtering.” ³⁷ On the contrary, in all these things we are coming off completely victorious through the one who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life nor angels nor governments nor things now here nor things to come nor powers ³⁹ nor height nor depth nor any other creation will be able to separate us from God’s love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(Hebrews 6:10-12) ¹⁰ For God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work and the love you showed for his name by ministering and continuing to minister to the holy ones. ¹¹ But we desire each one of you to show the same industriousness so as to have the full assurance of the hope down to the end, ¹² so that you may not become sluggish, but be imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Walk as the wise do.

Written by Lee Stevenson , sorry I am a lousy editor.

When the bible talks about walking as wise and the stupid ones. It is referring to those who put their trust in the world and do not write God’s word on their hearts and let their own thoughts guide them. Things are rapidly winding down little things that we used to have time to correct can now cause us many problems. For example if we have associations who do not know God and refuse to know him it tells you something about them. If we have someone who frequently puts themselves in a position they could fall short of what God requires it could be very costly. Very soon many will betray each other and even have those who put their trust and faith in God arrested or killed. No matter how kind they may seem if they are not accepting God’s word and refuse to talk about it , it reveals not only that they put their faith in the world or themselves but they may have things in their hearts that we do not see but God can read their hearts and if he has not yet called them to him then we should be very carefully about associating with them or even when we have to work with them. For example say we have to use someones services. They may try to become our friend, even if they do talk about the scriptures which how they respond to all God’s word. Remember God’s words is sharper then any two edged sword able to discern the deeper things in their hearts. If they avoid certain scriptures then depending on the context of the scripture and how they react it could tell us a lot. They may have guilt, they may be contemplating on disobeying God. But if they have come from the world and are just learning they may be having trouble forgiving themselves. In any cause pay attention to those things and it can help us discern whether we should associate or not. At the present time associating with ones like that who seem very kind may seem beneficial in some way maybe financially, maybe they have a certain worldly wisdom we would like to learn or maybe we just like something about them. We should be very cautious. Remember Satan and his messengers can appear as angels of light. Gods word exposes who truly loves God and who is faithful and who is not. If they constantly skirt the line on little things it could draw a person away from God. This is usually from over confidence that a person would do such a thing. The bible has warned us about being spiritually overconfident.

If we are dating we need to pay attention to the things the person does in regard to God and his word. We all have imperfections we have to overcome so we should not be focused on someones imperfections but their spiritual growth. Does the person we may be interested in get over confident and frequently put themselves in a position where they may give in to their weakness? Do they become over confident and think they can do those things because they will not sin. The bible warns pride comes before a fall. We should look at some examples of over confidence in the bible and how it caused some to fall . Not only that but often times when they fell short of God others were also harmed. Surely we would not want to fall short of God and have it result in others being harmed or drawn away from God. If a person does not show spiritual growth or struggles to come to an accurate understanding of God’s word we are warned to be careful of such ones. The bible even told us what things to watch for in such people. The bible warned us they would appear to have a sense of Godly devotion in the last days so we have to be very careful. (2 Timothy 3:1-7) 3 But know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. ² For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, ³ having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, ⁴ betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, ⁵ having an appearance of godliness but proving false to its power; and from these turn away. ⁶ From among these arise men who slyly work their way into households and captivate weak women loaded down with sins, led by various desires, ⁷ always learning and yet never able to come to an accurate knowledge of truth.) . I will now discuss instances were some have gotten over confident and it caused them to error. When someone does error and they are corrected we need to pay attention to how they respond to the correction. If they get offended or angry and do not take corrective action then we should be cautious associating with them they could drag us down also. Haughty attitude is mentioned in the above scripture. Often times we brush haughtiness off as being minor but I can tell you from personal experience the haughty and spiritually overconfident ones have been the ones who betrayed and hurt me the most in my life. So we need to pay attention. If we point out an error someone may be making we need to pay attention to how they respond and take the proper actions based on how they respond. We have to keep in mind we are told to be no part of the world but we cannot remove ourselves entirely from the world because of certain needs like food and work, also we have the work of making disciples and telling others about the heavenly kingdom and the hope it gives.

Something to take note of. Often times in the bible when someone is not as close as they seem to be they will look for things in the world to make them happy . For example when Saul lost favor in God’s eyes it says a bad spirit overtook him. He turned to music to calm him. Those who love God and truly have faith in him will turn to God when they are troubled. So we need to pay attention to who or what people turn to when they are troubled.

We have the first example of someone ignoring what God required in Genesis when Eve listened to the serpent. She had been taught what God required and she knew what the end result would be if she disobeyed God. She should have stopped listening to Satan because she quoted what she had been taught and would have known he was being deceptive. Instead she kept listening and he convinced her and eventually Adam that they did not need God to guide and rule over them and that they would not die. This resulted in a separation between God and man and we no longer had as close of a relationship with Jehovah God. Man still does not want to accept that we need God to guide and rule over us. Man has tried every form of government and things have only gotten worse. Man has thoroughly proven those lies wrong. Man cannot rule ourselves we do not have the foresight or wisdom that God has. We cannot end death because God is the source of life. Because he loves us he provided Jesus as a ransom sacrifice, Jesus also defeated death which provided a way for many to be forgiven and for death to be done away with.

Moses and Aaron were guiding Israel through the wilderness. God had told moses and Aaron to strike the rocks with his staff and he would provide water for the people and the animals. Aaron and moses did do as God told them to do but instead of glorifying God and praising God’s name he chastised the people and then struck the rock. God still provided the water for Israel but they had to be disciplined to set an example to others. It resulted in God forbidding Moses and Aaron to enter into the promised land. Surely we would not want to view something little as not being important and have it cause us to have to be disciplined and we lose the future hope of the promises God has given us in his word. In all things we do and receive we should glorify and thank God first.

An error Dinah made not only cost her , her reputation but it also cost some peoples lives. Dinah used to go out and spend time with women of the land. They clearly had a negative influence on her. This caused her to associate with Sheckem a chief ten in Canaan. They eventually had sexual relations. This was something Israel was not supposed to do. They were not to marry or have children with people of the land. Dinah’s brothers got angry because they felt it disgraced Israel. This led to them killing many people and doing other things they should not have done. This brought the anger of many nations towards them so Jacob had to move his family.

What seems like a little thing can rapidly escalate into a very big thing and not only cause problems in our own lives and could even result in death. It could result in harm to others and us losing protection from Jehovah at a time that we need it most. This system is rapidly winding down. We need to be more cautious now then we ever where. It is the little things that can help Satan get his foot in the door and get us to lose our protection from God and possibly our lives. We can avoid things like this by not even paying attention to something that may draw us away from God or get us to put our confidence in ourselves. It is when we are most confident about our spiritual strengths we are most vulnerable. By being aware of our short comings we can avoid situations that may get us to fall short and lose favor with God and even worse lose his protection. Job stated he made a covenant with his eyes. When it comes to sexual immorality Jesus cautioned if a man even looks at a woman to have passion in their heart has already committed adultery. Jesus referred to our eyes as the lamp of the body. (Matthew 6:22, 23) ²² “The lamp of the body is the eye. If, then, your eye is focused, your whole body will be bright. ²³ But if your eye is envious, your whole body will be dark. If the light that is in you is really darkness, how great that darkness is!) We are in the last days, anxieties are gong to continue to get worse, some may experience loneliness because of the hatred and anger that is rampant. Some may fall on hard times financially. These things could draw us away from Gods word . We may start leaning less on God’s word and on letting it guide us. There are many traps out there and it could not only draw us away from God it could even cost us our lives. If we do escape it could cause us a lot of pain in our lives. We are living in a time when it is difficult to maintain health because of all the toxic medicine, pharmaceutical products, processed foods, GMOs, and the farm chemicals they put on them. There are many toxins in the environment. Stress is already severe now days. If we walk of the path and are led astray we will only bring more stress on ourselves and this will negatively effect our health even more. By protecting our spiritual health we are also protecting our physical health.

The new system is almost here. Better times are very very near we just need to hang on a little longer. Very soon there will be no more illness, violence , sadness or death. Many will walk through the great tribulation into the new system and get to see these things have been done away with. Not only that but if we are one of the ones who walk through the great tribulation we will get to see the loved ones that we lost in death who will be resurrected. Imagine what it will be like living in a world where no one gets sick, no one dies, no one commits acts of violence against another and we no longer have to worry about our belonging being taken from us. So now more then ever we need to walk not only as the wise do but we need to avoid walking with the spiritually stupid one so they do not get us to veer our eyes from the path Jesus showed us to take. By knowing God’s love and the love of Jesus and knowing we can trust them no matter what it gives us hope in the future promises given to us in the bible.

(Ephesians 5:15-20) ¹⁵ So keep strict watch that how you walk is not as unwise but as wise persons, ¹⁶ making the best use of your time, because the days are wicked. ¹⁷ On this account stop being unreasonable, but keep perceiving what the will of Jehovah is. ¹⁸ Also, do not get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but keep getting filled with spirit. ¹⁹ Speak to one another with psalms, praises to God, and spiritual songs, singing and accompanying yourselves with music in your hearts to Jehovah, ²⁰ always giving thanks to our God and Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(1 John 4:1-3) 4 Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired statement, but test the inspired statements to see whether they originate with God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. ² This is how you know that the inspired statement is from God: Every inspired statement that acknowledges Jesus Christ as having come in the flesh originates with God. ³ But every inspired statement that does not acknowledge Jesus does not originate with God. Furthermore, this is the antichrist’s inspired statement that you have heard was coming, and now it is already in the world.

(2 Corinthians 11:12-15) ¹² But what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to eliminate the pretext of those who are wanting a basis for being found equal to us in the things about which they boast. ¹³ For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. ¹⁴ And no wonder, for Satan himself keeps disguising himself as an angel of light. ¹⁵ It is therefore nothing extraordinary if his ministers also keep disguising themselves as ministers of righteousness. But their end will be according to their works.

(Hebrews 4:11-13) ¹¹ Let us therefore do our utmost to enter into that rest, so that no one may fall into the same pattern of disobedience. ¹² For the word of God is alive and exerts power and is sharper than any two-edged sword and pierces even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of joints from the marrow, and is able to discern thoughts and intentions of the heart. ¹³ And there is not a creation that is hidden from his sight, but all things are naked and openly exposed to the eyes of the one to whom we must give an account.

(James 1:22-25) ²² However, become doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves with false reasoning. ²³ For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, this one is like a man looking at his own face in a mirror. ²⁴ For he looks at himself, and he goes away and immediately forgets what sort of person he is. ²⁵ But the one who peers into the perfect law that belongs to freedom and continues in it has become, not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work; and he will be happy in what he does.

(Proverbs 9:13-18) ¹³ A stupid woman is loud. She is ignorant and knows absolutely nothing. ¹⁴ She sits at the entrance of her house On a seat in the high places of the city, ¹⁵ Calling out to those passing by, To those walking straight ahead on their way: ¹⁶ “Whoever is inexperienced, let him come in here.” She says to those lacking good sense: ¹⁷ “Stolen waters are sweet, And food eaten in secret is pleasant.” ¹⁸ But he does not know that those powerless in death are there, That her guests are in the depths of the Grave.

(Psalm 10:4-6)  ⁴ In his haughtiness, the wicked man makes no investigation; All his thoughts are: “There is no God.”  ⁵ His ways keep prospering, But your judgments are beyond his understanding; He scoffs at all his adversaries.  ⁶ He says in his heart: “I will never be shaken; For generation after generation I will never see calamity.”

(Numbers 20:10) Then Moses and Aaron called the congregation together before the crag, and he said to them: “Hear, now, you rebels! Must we bring out water for you from this crag?”

(Numbers 20:12) Jehovah later said to Moses and Aaron: “Because you did not show faith in me and sanctify me before the eyes of the people of Israel, you will not bring this congregation into the land that I will give them.”

(Proverbs 12:1) 12 The one who loves discipline loves knowledge, But the one who hates reproof is unreasoning.

(1 Samuel 16:14-17) ¹⁴ Now the spirit of Jehovah had departed from Saul, and a bad spirit from Jehovah terrorized him. ¹⁵ The servants of Saul said to him: “You see that a bad spirit from God is terrorizing you. ¹⁶ Let our lord, please, command your servants before you to look for a man who is skilled at playing the harp. Whenever a bad spirit from God comes upon you, he will play it, and you will feel better.” ¹⁷ So Saul said to his servants: “Find me, please, a man who plays well, and bring him to me.”

(Matthew 4:1-7) 4 Then Jesus was led by the spirit up into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. ² After he had fasted for 40 days and 40 nights, he felt hungry. ³ And the Tempter approached and said to him: “If you are a son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” ⁴ But he answered: “It is written: ‘Man must live, not on bread alone, but on every word that comes from Jehovah’s mouth.’” ⁵ Then the Devil took him along into the holy city, and he stationed him on the battlement of the temple ⁶ and said to him: “If you are a son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written: ‘He will give his angels a command concerning you,’ and, ‘They will carry you on their hands, so that you may not strike your foot against a stone.’” ⁷ Jesus said to him: “Again it is written: ‘You must not put Jehovah your God to the test.’”

(Genesis 34:1-4) 34 Now Diʹnah, Jacob’s daughter by Leʹah, used to go out to spend time with the young women of the land. ² When Sheʹchem, the son of Haʹmor the Hiʹvite, a chieftain of the land, saw her, he took her and lay down with her and violated her. ³ And he became very attached to Diʹnah, the daughter of Jacob, and he fell in love with the young woman and spoke persuasively to her. ⁴ Finally Sheʹchem said to Haʹmor his father: “Get me this young woman to be my wife.”

(Genesis 34:5-7) ⁵ When Jacob heard that he had defiled Diʹnah his daughter, his sons were with his herd in the field. So Jacob kept silent until they returned. ⁶ Later Haʹmor, Sheʹchem’s father, went out to speak with Jacob. ⁷ But the sons of Jacob heard about it and returned from the field right away. They were offended and very angry because he had disgraced Israel by lying down with Jacob’s daughter, something that should not be done.

(Genesis 34:25-29) ²⁵ However, on the third day, when they were still in pain, two sons of Jacob, Simʹe·on and Leʹvi, Diʹnah’s brothers, each took his sword and went into the unsuspecting city and killed every male. ²⁶ They killed Haʹmor and his son Sheʹchem with the sword and then took Diʹnah from Sheʹchem’s house and left. ²⁷ Jacob’s other sons came upon the slain men and plundered the city because they had defiled their sister. ²⁸ They took their flocks, their herds, their donkeys, and whatever was in the city and in the field. ²⁹ They also took all their possessions, captured all their little children and their wives, and plundered everything in the houses.

(Genesis 34:30-35:1) ³⁰ At this Jacob said to Simʹe·on and to Leʹvi: “You have brought great trouble on me in making me a stench to the inhabitants of the land, to the Caʹnaan·ites and the Perʹiz·zites. I am few in number, and they will certainly gather together to attack me and I will be annihilated, I and my house.” ³¹ But they said: “Should anyone treat our sister like a prostitute?” 35 After that God said to Jacob: “Rise, go up to Bethʹel and dwell there, and make an altar there to the true God, who appeared to you when you were running away from Eʹsau your brother.”

(Matthew 5:27, 28) ²⁷ “You heard that it was said: ‘You must not commit adultery.’ ²⁸ But I say to you that everyone who keeps on looking at a woman so as to have a passion for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

(Mark 7:21-23) ²¹ For from inside, out of the heart of men, come injurious reasonings: sexual immorality, thefts, murders, ²² acts of adultery, greed, acts of wickedness, deceit, brazen conduct, an envious eye, blasphemy, haughtiness, and unreasonableness. ²³ All these wicked things come from within and defile a man.”

(Matthew 6:22, 23) ²² “The lamp of the body is the eye. If, then, your eye is focused, your whole body will be bright. ²³ But if your eye is envious, your whole body will be dark. If the light that is in you is really darkness, how great that darkness is!

(Proverbs 4:25) ²⁵ Your eyes should look straight ahead, Yes, fix your gaze straight ahead of you.

(Proverbs 3:5-8)  ⁵ Trust in Jehovah with all your heart, And do not rely on your own understanding.  ⁶ In all your ways take notice of him, And he will make your paths straight.  ⁷ Do not become wise in your own eyes. Fear Jehovah and turn away from bad.  ⁸ It will be a healing to your body And refreshment for your bones.

Overcoming Grief.

Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am not the best editor.

Ambiguous grief (morning) occurs when we experience a loss whether it be of a broken marriage, broken friendship, loss of a job, loss of money, loss of our home, even if we have to move this can cause ambiguous grief. As things wind down we are going to experience this type of grief more and more the bible warns people will not be loyal and will be ill tempered and selfish. It is normal to experience this grief. But because it can deeply effect our ability to think and can effect our health we will need to learn to get over this grief as quickly as we can. I am going to try to discuss how we can do this. It is not easy and ambiguous grief is the most difficult to deal with. The reason for this is , is because you do not have closure. It often times will get people second guessing or blaming themselves for things that may have happened. We are all imperfect and make errors. It is why we were commanded to forgive one another. If we error and repented and the person did not respond in a way that would please God. Then we did the best we can. We cannot expect anyone to be perfect and not error. To expect ourselves or others to not error is unreasonable. Grief is going to occur on a much larger scale very soon so we need to prepare and learn to recover as quickly as we can. It is very hard and it does leave scars but God will heal all those scars in the new system. Studies have shown when we are grieving a chemical is produced in the body that can damage the heart. So it is very important to do our best to try and recover as soon as possible but don’t be unreasonable with ourselves on how soon we recover from grief. We do need to leave ourselves experience it. Burying grief and ignoring it can be just as unhealthy.

Those who love God and want to draw closer when they error they will repent and take steps to prevent those types of errors from happening again. If they do it shows they love God and are trying to please him. If we or , someone else does not forgive someones error when they have repented then their errors will not be forgiven. If a person is not forgiving this tells you something about their heart condition and not yours. Many will experience financial loss, loss of friends, or even marriage, loss of property or homes, when things are very near the end we will even lose our places of worship. We need to build our foundation on the chief corner stone Jesus who God appointed as our king. If we build our identity with the things of the world, whether it be our jobs, our wealth , our reputation, or even who we know when those things are gone then the foundation of our identity is gone meaning we have to build a new identity. This would show we do not have a solid foundation and our figurative house could be easily swept away. If we base our identity on trusting and having faith in Jesus and God then we have a solid foundation because God and Jesus do not change and they do not go back on their word.

Jesus had warned us about building our house on a solid foundation. We will endure figurative storms and floods. The bible even warned those who followed Jesus could expect to endure much trials and tribulations. We are told the one who endures to the end will be the ones who are saved. Building our house on a solid foundation and putting our trust in God and Jesus will help us through the grief when the figurative storms or floods come. We are also told it will help us to maintain peace during those trials. This will be an inner peace as Jesus had when he endured trials, tribulation and persecution.

As this system winds down broken homes will become common, lost income, famine, loss of property and homes, loss of friendships, loss of the life styles we are used to will be gone. Keep in mind this is all temporary and the things in the new system will be much much better and they are forever. The bible tells us there will be no more death, no more tears of sadness, it tells us before we are finished calling out to God in prayer he will answer our prayers in the new system.

The bible told us these things would occur. Even those we were close to would start to have doubts and start turning to the world for answers to the problems that arise as things are winding down. They will have doubts. When they start putting worldly things before spiritual , especially if they start being scoffers we need to be cautious. All the evidence this system is rapidly winding down are in place. Many we care about will fall away from God. They may even turn on us and become enraged because of our faith and trust in God. We need to prepare mentally for this because I learned from experience their attacks are not always obvious when they try and bring you around to their way of thinking. When they cannot manipulate or trick you they get very angry. The bible told us to stay alert and always be ready especially as the things were were told to watch for as signs our redemption is near would occur. As things get tougher this is not bad times it is a sign that very soon the new system will be here and much much happier times are near.

The closer we get to the end of this system the more Jesus will reveal the intentions of peoples heart. It is going to hurt when some things we did not know about someone we cared about gets exposed and we see their true nature. But the closer we get to the end of this system the clearer the distinction will be between those who love God and those who love Jesus will be. Those who love God will get treated worse and worse and people will even grow to hate them. Do not let this discourage you better times are near.

We know many will put their trust and faith in things of the world instead of God. The closer we come to the end of this system the more obvious it will come to tell who loves God and who puts their faith and trust in the world. Those who put the their trust in the world will grow angry and even start to hate those who put their trust in God and Jesus. This will cause us to grow apart from people we deeply care about . It is best to find out who the ones who put their faith in the world because these ones will betray those who put their faith in God and even hand them over when true worship is banned and they are trying to get everyone to accept the mark of the beast. This will cause us a lot of hurt and unresolved emotions. It is best to keep looking forward knowing you tried your best but these things will occur and you are only human and that God and Jesus will make matters right very soon. These things will even effect some of our spiritual relatives and family we are very fond of. As the distinction between those who love God and those who love the world because clearer and clearer the more you will be hated and even attacked. The attacks by Satan and his people are not obvious. This is why we were warned not to be surprised when we suffer tribulation. We will go through some very tough things. The things we endure will cause ambiguous grief. The closer you get to God the more the world and those who are part of the world will hate you. So this also causes ambiguous grief. We need to learn to recover quickly so it will help protect our thinking and our health. Changes are going to occur and for many of us already have occurred. Grief is normal and we should grieve. But after we grieve we should not second guess and think what if I did this or that. If we made an error we need to move on, once we have repented. Those errors can cause changes in our life that cause ambiguous grief. Once we have repented God has forgiven us. We have to move on and do the things God would require for example try to maintain our health, take in his work and write it on our hearts. Provide for our friend, family, and spiritual relatives if we can. Some of us have nothing to share. But when possible we can offer our services. Also helping others can help us get over the grieving sooner. Teaching and sharing God’s word and discussing it with others can help us to get over the grieving sooner. King David made some errors that caused his son Absalom to become disobedient. The eventually led to Absalom’s death. King David was in mourning for an excessive amount of time. Most likely partly because of his guilt from knowing that his disobedience to God led to Absalom following his disobedience. David repented but the effects on his family became very clear. David was holding onto the grief too long and it had started to negatively effect Israel. David left his grief blind him to the fact that he was not giving attention to those who loved him and was grieving for the one who actually would have killed David and many of his friends. David had to be reminded. When David returned to Israel he had a lot of work he had to do to straighten out what his error had caused and he even had to forgive some who opposed him and repented after he had finished grieving and started to move forward with his life and the work God had given him to do.

So whether the grieving was from our error or someone elses we need to learn to move on and not let us forget that God, Jesus and others love us. If we let the grief overwhelm us we will not see the love and other happiness that is there for us. If we grieve too long it can even cause us to start to hate things we used to love. This can start a downward spiral that can draw us away from God. Often times we cannot get over things like this alone. We need to find the support of others who have endured the type of grief we may be experiencing. Associating with spiritual family and talking to them can also help. Reading God’s word and keeping our hopes on the future promises can also help us to recover from the grieving much sooner. If our identity is build on a solid foundation which is Jesus , it can help us to recover more quickly from the losses that may cause us grief. We should keep in mind all these things are temporary and will be gone soon but the things in the new system are forever so storing up treasures in heaven and doing our best to enter the narrow gate will give us hope in a much brighter and happier future where there will be no more sadness, suffering , violence, hatred, greed and many other things that cause grief and suffering. If something has occurred to us that has caused us grief we can be sure God’s justice is righteous and he will set matters straight. If we can hang on just a little while longer we will even be able to see loved ones we have lost in death again very soon.

We will suffer losses and changes that will cause grief but we need to pray to God on it, read his word. Have faith he will guide us through it. Any anxieties caused by things that cause us grief or tribulation we need to trust he will get us through it. Keep in mind this is all temporary. The bible tells us nothing can separate us from the love of God and the love of Jesus. Jesus showed us how much he cared by giving a ransom for our sins so they could be forgiven. The bible also tells us to throw our anxieties on God because he cares. When things do not go as quickly as we may like we may need to be patient and realize God’s timing is the best. Often times the trials and tribulations we experience may expose the true heart condition of those around us or it may expose things we need to work on to draw closer to him. These trials and tribulations we endure can teach us many things if we lean on God and try our best to imitate Jesus while enduring them. Most of all while enduring them persevere in prayer and study of Gods word. Often times he will have scriptures stand out to you as you read them that can help guide you through your trials and tribulation and help you recover from the grief much sooner. Many of us have endured many of these things. Those who have , have been tempered and trained, this can benefit others because those who have endured many of the things I mentioned can help to guide and comfort others as they endure trials, tribulation and grief. We need to be prepared and not expect anything from God. He will answer our prayers in a way that is best for everyone. I have found out through experience to keep an open mind because my prayers were not answered the way I had thought they would be but the way he answered my prayers either benefited the most people or they imparted new knowledge to me or they even imparted knowledge to me that had built up areas in my life that I was as strong as I needed to be.

(2 Timothy 3:1-7) 3 But know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. ² For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, ³ having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, ⁴ betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, ⁵ having an appearance of godliness but proving false to its power; and from these turn away. ⁶ From among these arise men who slyly work their way into households and captivate weak women loaded down with sins, led by various desires, ⁷ always learning and yet never able to come to an accurate knowledge of truth.

(2 Peter 3:2-7) . . .. ³ First of all know this, that in the last days ridiculers will come with their ridicule, proceeding according to their own desires ⁴ and saying: “Where is this promised presence of his? Why, from the day our forefathers fell asleep in death, all things are continuing exactly as they were from creation’s beginning.” ⁵ For they deliberately ignore this fact, that long ago there were heavens and an earth standing firmly out of water and in the midst of water by the word of God; ⁶ and that by those means the world of that time suffered destruction when it was flooded with water. ⁷ But by the same word the heavens and the earth that now exist are reserved for fire and are being kept until the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly people

Matthew 24:13  But the one who has endured to the end will be saved. 14 And this good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come

(John 14:26, 27) . . .. ²⁷ I leave you peace; I give you my peace. I do not give it to you the way that the world gives it. Do not let your hearts be troubled nor let them shrink out of fear.

(Colossians 3:15-17) ¹⁵ Also, let the peace of the Christ rule in your hearts, for you were called to that peace in one body. And show yourselves thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of the Christ reside in you richly in all wisdom. Keep on teaching and encouraging one another with psalms, praises to God, spiritual songs sung with gratitude, singing in your hearts to Jehovah. ¹⁷ Whatever it is that you do in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, thanking God the Father through him.

(1 Corinthians 4:5) ⁵ Therefore, do not judge anything before the due time, until the Lord comes. He will bring the secret things of darkness to light and make known the intentions of the hearts, and then each one will receive his praise from God.

(Matthew 24:9-14) ⁹ “Then people will hand you over to tribulation and will kill you, and you will be hated by all the nations on account of my name. ¹⁰ Then, too, many will be stumbled and will betray one another and will hate one another. ¹¹ Many false prophets will arise and mislead many; ¹² and because of the increasing of lawlessness, the love of the greater number will grow cold. ¹³ But the one who has endured to the end will be saved. ¹⁴ And this good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

(Isaiah 65:17) ¹⁷ For look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth; And the former things will not be called to mind, Nor will they come up into the heart.

(Revelation 21:1-4) 21 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea is no more. ² I also saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God and prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ³ With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. ⁴ And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”

(Isaiah 65:24) ²⁴ Even before they call out, I will answer; While they are yet speaking, I will hear.

(1 John 3:13-16) ¹³ Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. ¹⁴ We know that we have passed over from death to life, because we love the brothers. The one who does not love remains in death. ¹⁵ Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has everlasting life remaining in him. ¹⁶ By this we have come to know love, because that one surrendered his life for us, and we are under obligation to surrender our lives for our brothers.

(2 Samuel 19:5-7) ⁵ Then Joʹab went in to the king at the house and said: “Today you have put to shame all your servants who this day saved your life and the lives of your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your concubines. ⁶ You love those who hate you and hate those who love you, for you have made it clear today that your chiefs and servants mean nothing to you, because I am sure that if only Abʹsa·lom were alive today and the rest of us were dead, it would be all right with you. ⁷ Now get up, go out and reassure your servants, because by Jehovah I swear that if you do not go out, not a man will remain with you tonight. This will be worse for you than all the injury that has come upon you from your youth until now.”

(Isaiah 49:25, 26) ²⁵ But this is what Jehovah says: “Even the captives of a mighty man will be taken away, And those captured by the tyrant will be rescued. I will oppose those who oppose you, And I will save your own sons. ²⁶ I will make those who mistreat you eat their own flesh, And as with sweet wine, they will become drunk with their own blood. And all people will have to know that I am Jehovah, Your Savior and your Repurchaser, The Powerful One of Jacob.”

(John 5:27-29) . . .. ²⁸ Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice ²⁹ and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, and those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment.

(Matthew 7:24-27) ²⁴ “Therefore, everyone who hears these sayings of mine and does them will be like a discreet man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ And the rain poured down and the floods came and the winds blew and lashed against that house, but it did not cave in, for it had been founded on the rock. ²⁶ Furthermore, everyone hearing these sayings of mine and not doing them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. ²⁷ And the rain poured down and the floods came and the winds blew and struck against that house, and it caved in, and its collapse was great.”

(Romans 8:37-39) . . .. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life nor angels nor governments nor things now here nor things to come nor powers ³⁹ nor height nor depth nor any other creation will be able to separate us from God’s love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(1 Peter 5:6-11) ⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time, ⁷ while you throw all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. ⁸ Keep your senses, be watchful! Your adversary, the Devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour someone. ⁹ But take your stand against him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by the entire association of your brothers in the world. ¹⁰ But after you have suffered a little while, the God of all undeserved kindness, who called you to his everlasting glory in union with Christ, will himself finish your training. He will make you firm, he will make you strong, he will firmly ground you. ¹¹ To him be the might forever. Amen.

(Psalm 34:18) ¹⁸ Jehovah is close to the brokenhearted; He saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Trust God and Jesus above any human.

How to use.

Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am not the best editor.

Why why should trust Jehovah and Jesus above any human including those taking the lead among us.

When I speak of leaders , I will be speaking of spiritual leaders put in place by God and not political leaders though they sometimes do cross each other, their purpose was mainly to guide and lead Israel and prevent them from falling away from Jehovah. They were to make sure God’s people were taken care of spiritually. I am going to discuss the errors they made and how we are not to judge them or speak ill of them or murmur about their error. The errors those God chose made often times cost many lives. Some would survive. The bible doesn’t show exactly why some survived but it is most likely because they did their best to remain blameless while these things were occurring. I am writing this to show that God does some amazing things with imperfect humans. The bible tells us we all sin and fall short. So those leading us will error. We should not murmur against them. We need to know God’s word well enough and write it on our hearts well enough so that if our spiritual leaders error we will know what God would require of us.

When Moses was leading Israel through the wilderness. They had rebelled against God. They were complaining. God still commanded Moses to provide them with water by striking a rock with his staff. It may appear that Moses did as God ask but when he did this he did not sanctify God before doing it. Sanctify means to make holy, make clean, purify or venerate. Moses did not give a reason for his faith, he did not explain why Israel needs to have faith in Jehovah. He did not explain to them the importance of fearing God over anything else. Instead Moses judged the people and was bitter. He did not bring glory to God when he performed what God had asked him to do. He and Aaron did not give thanks, he did not remind Israel the things God had done for them when they were leaving Egypt. God continued to leave Moses and Aaron lead Israel but he and those who rebelled against God would not be permitted to enter the promised land. But God used Moses and Aaron to lead Israel to the promised land. Though the ones who rebelled did not get to enter the promised land God use two imperfect humans to guide their descendants to the promised land and their descendants got to see the fulfillment of the promise.

King David committed adultery. This was punishable by being stoned to death. Then he manipulated things so the womans husband would be killed in battle which is also punishable by death. Why did Israel not stone David to death? When a leader is appointed by God they are head accountable by God. He sent Nathan to king David to tell him a parable. Davids reaction revealed his heart condition. It left Jehovah knew David would repent and feel remorse when he was disciplined. God punished David and it resulted in David’s sins being exposed and he was humiliated. Not only this but David had lost some of God’s protections so he suffered many times and his sins even effected Israel and caused them to suffer. David again let God down. God had commanded Israel not to count the people. Yet David took it on himself to go against God’s will and count the people. Many died because of David’s error. David continued to petition God and he forgave David and showed him mercy. David continued to grow spiritually to a point God called him a man after his own heart. Israel for the most part continued to follow and obey king David as their king. Israel experienced peace after this and king David died knowing his son Solomon would build the temple.

God knows our short comings and when he chooses leaders he deals with them directly. We should not speak ill of them. Korah did this and lead many astray and it cost many of lives. By questioning Moses and Aarons right to lead Israel they were directly opposing Jehovah. He chose them and by questioning this they were actually questioning God’s authority and wisdom. I am sure the rest of Israel were aware of Moses and Aarons imperfections but they respected God’s authority and took God’s side in the matter when Korah rebelled and they remained loyal to Jehovah.

Aaron made an error when he gave into pressure of the Israelites and built an idol of a golden calf at the request of the people Aaron tried to down play his error by saying worshiping the calf was a celebration to Jehovah. While Moses was absent it was Aarons job to keep the Israelite’s from going astray. Aaron even made it seem as if he melted the gold and the calf just appeared. Aaron’ error cost 3000 people their lives because he did not stand his ground and gave in to the pressure of the people. If our spiritual leaders make errors we can be confident God will set matters straight. We should not gossip, or speak ill of them. Jehovah always set matters straight. Korah and others most likely knew what God required very well. But they cannot read hearts and also do not know what gifts a person has. Jehovah can read hearts and understands our gifts better then we ourselves do. God knows we will fall short the bible even tells us that. If we claim we do not fall short the bible tells us we are a liar. So to claim we will not make errors or fall short is arrogant. God can send his holy spirit to guide us but this does not mean we will not make errors. Look at Israel they were being directly guided by God and they still fell short many times.

Very soon we will be put in positions where we have to decide do we obey God or do we obey man. We know we are to obey the superior authorities, but we are also told we obey God first. This is why it is very important to know when to let our yes mean yes and our no mean no. Since we are in the last days we know many will fall away and quit worshiping in truth even some of the elite we have been warned may fall away. If we write God’s word on our hearts and let it guide all we do when these things occur we will know what to do. If we do not trust Jehovah we could become like Korah and rebel against the arrangements God has made. Peter stated we must listen to God rather then men. Meaning in times were man may want us to disobey God, or do something contrary to what he would want us to do we must obey God because there is no authority above his. We have the example of Daniel and his companions. They chose obeying God rather then men knowing at times could put their life in danger. They also had the faith that whatever happened God would take care of them. When Daniel and his companions were wronged they did not take matters into their own hands they trusted Jehovah. We are told to love even our enemies. Now I will discuss the things Daniel and his companions endured.

Babylon had besieged Jerusalem and had taken many into captivity. Jehovah left this occur because of the rebellion of Israel against God. The king had ordered that some of the younger men that had been captured learn the language and writing of the Chaldeans. They were to be younger ones who were full of, wisdom, knowledge and discernment. They were allotted daily rations from the kings delicacies. Many of the foods they consumed in Babylon violated the laws that God had given Israel. Daniel and his companions knew they would risk offending the king if they chose not to eat those foods. In those times offending a king could cost you your life. Daniel and his companions petitioned the king and ask if they could have vegetables to eat and only water to drink. The king showed them mercy. He ask the king to compare the health of the youths who were eating the kings delicacies to the health of he and his companions at the end of ten days. The king agreed to his proposition. At the end of the ten days their appearance and health was better then the youths who were consuming the kings delicacies. Daniel and his companions eventually earned the kings respect enough they were given a lot of authority. Daniel was put in positions that many of us will experience now days. For example many medical procedures violate the laws of the new covenant Jesus had given us. Some products contain blood. We really need to do our research because they do not list all the ingredients in their products nor are they required to. Some of these products carry dangers and some are even experimental. Do you think God would want us to blindly go into things without researching them and carefully considering if this would go against what God would require? Just as in time past refusing to submit may put us in a situation where our lively hood and even our freedom may be at risk. It may even hinder our ability to worship just as in times past when , true worship was hindered and obstacles were put in the way. Obedience to Jehovah is the most important because it is him who is the giver of life. Things have progressed now to the point Satan and his people are not only trying to force things on those who worship in truth that may go against what God requires. If you do not comply there is a lot of pressure put on people. There is a lot of hatred and anger directed at them and many have lost their jobs for refusing to comply. Most are aware of who the beast is in the bible and the beast has many sub organizations set up such as WHO. WHO has been pressuring member nations to enforced these medical procedures and to put pressure on those who do not comply. They have even petitioned religious leaders world wide to pressure those in their congregations to comply. This is laying the ground work for compliance because WHO is part of the United Nations. The United Nations and it’s allies are the beast mentioned in the bible. Very soon the beast will have authority over the whole earth and we will be ask to turn our backs on God and to bow to the beast receiving the figurative mark. Those who receive the mark by submitting to the beast will, are going to be destroyed. There is a fine line between obeying the superior authorities and obeying Jehovah. Satan and his people have done a good job of blurring these lines and making it difficult to know what we should do. Jesus warned that even some of the elect may fall away and Peter reminded them to stay alert so they would not be drawn away. If this could occur to even the elect, this shows us how much more we should stay on the alert.

These are frightening times for many. Disease is rampant, famine is rampant, man is destroying the earth almost to the point of no return, violence and wars are rampant. All these are being exaggerated to induce fear. Fear causes the brain to pretty much shut down and we lose our ability to reason. If we fear God above all other things it works as a protection and prevents others from inducing panic and fear. Many corporations especially the biotech, pharmaceutical and medical industries have been caught deceiving people and doing very harmful things and then covering it up. Governments world wide have been caught often times helping them cover up the harm these industries are doing. When we are weighting matters would it not be wise to consider those things when determining if we should trust those entities before we go forward with things they may be asking us to do? Even now there are experimental medical procedure practically being forced on people. The data coming out is showing these medical procedures are causing a lot of death and harm. There is a lot of reliable information coming out showing the medical communities and governments world wide are covering up the harm these medical procedures are doing. Greed for power and money has blinded many. Fear of the consequences that a person may suffer if they do not comply is blinding people. We need to put fear of God first so we cannot be blinded as these things occur. Very soon the beast will be fully in power. The lines have become so blurred that many will bow to the beast and not even realize it until it is too late. Even now if people do not get these experimental medical procedures their religious organizations are banning their members from attending the meetings. WHO has been pressuring religious organizations world wide to pressure their members into getting these experimental medical procedures. Thousands have already died from them. You can see things are being put in place slowly for the mark of the beast. Even now they are working on a currency that would be used world wide. The United Nations has already put things in place to control trade and they are working on implementing a method of payment for goods that would be used by the whole world. So very soon the beast will be in full power. Those of us who stay alert and know what God requires have no need to fear because when these things start to occur we know it is a sign our deliverance is near. We will be put in a position very soon where we will not be able to by sell or trade if we do not bow down to the beast. Daniel and his companions set a good example of putting fear of God first instead of fear of man or the consequences they would suffer for putting obedience to God over obedience to man when obeying man would mean they would have to rebel against God.

The king had built a golden idol. We know we are not to bow down to idols. Jesus and the apostles reaffirmed this in the new covenant. Daniel and his companions refused to bow to the idol. They were called in front of the king and told if they did not bow to the idol they would be thrown into the fiery furnace. The king ordered that the furnace be made exceptionally hot and for Daniel and his companions to be thrown into the furnace. They were not sure if it would be God’s will to rescue them or not. But they informed the king if it was God’s will he would rescue them from the fiery furnace. They informed the king even if God did not rescue them they still would not bow down to his idols. The fire was so hot that the men who threw Daniel and his companions in the fire died while doing so. The next day when the king came to check on Daniel and his friends he found they were unharmed there wasn’t even the smell of smoke on them from the fire.

Very soon we will be ask to do things that we should not do. We have to keep in mind that it is little things the beast will do to get us to bow down to it. It may not be obvious, if we do not know God’s word well and have it written on our hearts, or if we leave ourselves get blinded by fear. We need to keep in mind that even death cannot separate us from the love of Jesus and the love of God. Now I will discuss when something similar happened to Daniel and his friends.

The satraps were always trying to manipulate the king so that he would turn against Daniel and punish him. The satraps were the chief representatives of the king. They had a lot of authority and over seen many things. Daniel and his friends had been put in positions of authority over them. They clearly did not like this so were constantly trying to undermine Daniel and his companions. They knew that Daniel would refuse to pray to any other God but the one true God. They knew that Daniel would continue to worship the one true God no matter what , so they manipulated the king into putting into law that no one could petition any God in matters but would have to petition the king. A petition is when a person is making a request , asking for something , or asking for relief. Though we are instructed in the bible we should petition our leaders, we are also taught to pray to God on the matters first. By implementing this law the king was removing God from the picture because Daniel was no longer permitted legally to petition God. So the law was trying to remove Daniels right to worship the one true God. The first thing Daniel did was to petition God concerning the matter. This resulted in him being thrown in a pit with lions. These were not normal lions. Often times the lions were starved and would have been very hungry. God sent his angels to protect Daniel and the lions did not harm Daniel. When the king seen this he had the men who tried to ensnare Daniel thrown into the pit and because they did not worship the one true God but rebelled against him the outcome for them was not good. But you can see how the satraps used what would seem like a little thing to try and trip Daniel up. Daniel could have false reasoned and thought as long as I obey God , I could petition the king instead of God and I will not die. But Daniel refused to cut God out of his life and his decision making. We should always put God first and in the decisions we make it should be God we petition first.

As the conclusion of this system draws nearer we need to rely on Jehovah God more then ever in our decision making. We are told in “Proverbs 14:15 15 The naive person believes every word, But the shrewd one ponders each step.” , we are also told “Proverbs 27:12 12 The shrewd person sees the danger and conceals himself, But the inexperienced keep right on going and suffer the consequences.” So we need to make sure we are not naive and we weigh our decisions and do our research and most of all we should pray to God on matters before we make our decisions. We are not to let ourselves be fooled. We have been warned the whole world lies in the power of the wicked one. We have also been warned Satan and the demons have been cast out of heaven and down to the earth and they know their time is short. We are warned Satan has great anger because of this. So we can be sure his deception and his attacks are going to increase. Jesus taught us how to stay in union with God. By trying our best to imitate him it will protect and guide us through these confusing times. As for these medical procedures they are a matter of choice. But when we make these choices we need to consider the time frame we are in. The history of the pharmaceutical industries , medical industries and government entities all working together to hide the harm being done by the pharmaceutical industry and of covering it up. These medical procedures are experimental. There is a very good chance they will cause a lot of harm. The evidence coming out now is showing this is true. Thousands have died and hundreds of thousands have been injured. They do not know what the long term effects of these experimental medical procedures will be but for many their lives have already been destroyed or even taken by these experimental procedures. Many medical professionals have been stating publicly when they try to report adverse reactions to the medical procedures they are ostracized and even lose their jobs. Their are still many medical professionals speaking out even though they know their lively hood and reputation is at stake. Many victims are speaking out stating their adverse reactions are not being reported. Why would people risk their careers and risk having their reputations smeared if these things are not true? Many medical professionals lost their jobs because they refused to get the experimental procedure base on the harm they are seeing it cause. So it would be wise to weight the risk. As for myself I will choose not to get the experimental medical procedure because of the long criminal history of the pharmaceutical industry. They have a proven record of betraying peoples trust. Many in the medical community has a history of covering up for the pharmaceutical industry. These are not conspiracy theories they are things that have been proven to occur many times. Would God really want us to put our confidence in an entity that has such a long criminal history? Not only that but would God want us to put our confidence in government entities that have been caught helping the pharmaceutical industry cover up their criminal activity? As I stated this is a matter of conscience but the bible tells us we are not to be naive, and we should be shrewd and conceal ourselves from danger.

How we treat those who make there choice should not be prejudiced, or with partiality or favoritism the bible warns if we do so we are sinning. As for me I will try to keep my distance from those who got the experimental procedure because the data coming out has shown they are the one keeping the pandemic going. This is not being partial or judgmental this is being cautious.

As for those taking the lead among us. We still have to obey and continue to take in the spiritual food they provide, but when it comes to secular decisions that is between us and Jehovah. When it comes to matters of conscience we need to consider all information, we need to look at all sides of a matter and determine the reliability of our sources. Do these sources have a reputation of being forthright and honest? Can those sources of information but trusted. We know in the last days many will fall away from Jehovah. We need to keep in mind they are imperfect humans also and will make errors. The bible says if we say we do not sin then we are a liar. The apostle Paul even mentioned the struggles he had in abstaining from sinning. If those taking the lead among us error we should not gossip or speak ill of them or do anything that may oppose Jehovah’s arrangement. Since they are appointed by Jehovah he will deal with them directly. It is not our place to question things. Jehovah always sets matters straight. He can read their hearts we cannot. We have to keep in mind we are imperfect also. Jehovah has done some amazing things throughout history with imperfect humans and he continues even now to do amazing things. Look how quickly he restored true worship even with the world conditions becoming worse. With opposition towards true worship being worse then it ever has and with all the distress and distractions now days, God still used imperfect humans to guide others back to him and taught us how to worship in truth and draw closer to him and Jesus. He accomplished all this using imperfect humans. If those taking the lead do make errors we can be certain Jehovah will set matters straight as he has in the past. This shows us the importance of being aware of our own short comings as the apostle Paul was , and the importance of putting Jehovah and what he would require before any man. We have many examples in the bible of those taking the lead falling short but they accepted God’s discipline and still carried out the work that God had ask them to do. So we have to be careful we do not judge those taking the lead. It is not our place to judge anyone especially those Jehovah has placed in position. We need to do as they have in the past. Those who knew what God required, still took in the spiritual food and did what God required while not partaking of the error. The bible tells us to test all we hear. This is something we should continue doing.

We can see how close we are to the beast being given full authority. The medical procedures were being forced on people. Those who refused them could not work, some were not even allowed to go in public so they could not go shopping for necessities. In some nations they even welded doors shut trapping people inside and they starved to death. WHO that is part of the United Nations put pressure on religious organizations to enforce much of this. This demonstrates how much authority and how easily the beast can influence people, nations and even religious organizations. We do not owe our faith to any human. Our loyalty and faith is to Jehovah God and Jesus first. We need to learn to be very aware of what the mark is and how to identify those who received the mark because it will not be as clear as people may think . If it was God would not of had it written in his world how to identify the mark and those receiving it.

Keep in mind what would be required because remember the mark of the beast is not a literal mark but a symbolic mark. So it will be acts of obedience to the beast. Putting the things the beast would require before what God would require. If we do not comply then our lively hoods, our homes, our security and even our lives will be threatened. We may even be required to put our petitions to the beast first instead of God. The symbolic acts will be subtle and not obvious. When this one world order is implemented, they will most likely implement a system of purchasing and selling things that will be used world wide. This most likely will come with things that are subtle that may require us to do things that may not seem very serious but remember God requires exclusive devotion and it is him we petition above man. We need to keep in mind that many who are worshiping in truth will also be deceived by the beast so now more then ever we need to make it a habit to give God thanks, give him glory and do all we can to sanctify his name. We should always petition God first and get in the practice of doing these things so when the time arrives we will be fully prepared and not easily deceived. We need to write this scripture of how Jesus responded when Satan was trying to tempt him. “(Matthew 4:9, 10) . . .” ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to him: “Go away, Satan! For it is written: ‘It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.’”

As things wind down we should question the things we hear even more. We were warned some would would sneak in among us and teach some deceptive things. Not only that but God is using imperfect humans , he told us if we know God we will know if something is from God or from their own originality. So is it wrong to question when those taking the lead tell us to do something and we have knowledge they may not have? Should we blindly obey. Of course not. The pharmaceutical and medical industry have a history of covering up the harm the pharmaceutical industry has done. Not only that but again the pharmaceutical industry had a long history criminal recored. It would not be wise for someone to blindly submit themselves to an experimental medical procedure. We need to question why the FDA tried to have the data hidden for 55 years. They have covered up for the pharmaceutical industry before. The fact they attempted to do that should have us asking questions. They are imperfect humans and cannot know everything. We are also warned there are some who can appear as angels of light so it is wise to be cautious. If they ask us to do something that we know Jehovah would not want us to do this is a matter of conscience. If they request we get an experimental medical procedure and the effects are still unknown is this something Jehovah would want us to subject ourselves to, especially considering the history of those who developed and those who are promoting these experimental injections. The information is now coming out showing these experimental medical procedures may have caused many more deaths then the Pandemic has. Many harmed by the experimental procedures are being discredited and pushed aside as being paranoid or even pretending to be ill. This will hurt their hearts but they also need to keep in mind we are all imperfect. To ignore the harm being done is a dishonor to those who have been harmed or families who lost loved ones because of the experimental injection. Jehovah knows the truth in matters and I am fully confident he will set matters straight. The apostle Paul said we must continue in the faith, this includes those taking the lead among us. So not matter what we may have to endure there is one truth and we have to continue taking in spiritual food and not let anything deter us, even things we may experience in the congregation. We need to work on developing the mindset of Christ so if something occurs that may not be what Jehovah would want us to do we will be certain of what he requires. When it comes to matters of conscience many of us know people personally who have been injured by the experimental medical procedures. To ask someone to submit to these and put pressure on others to submit to this experiment is putting undo burden on them this is something we have been told not to do. It can be a stumbling block. The apostle Paul warned all things are lawful but not all things are advantageous. The data is coming out showing those who submitted to the experimental medical procedures are the cause of the pandemic continuing. They are spreading the infections. We are to treat our bodies as our temple. If a person looks at the patents for these experimental injections they would see there are many disgusting and toxic things in those injections. They are not required to list all the ingredients so it takes diligence to find out what they contain. Often times the ingredients are in code and to find out what the ingredient is we have to do a search on Pubmed of that code. This is how I learned some of the injections have fetal tissue and animal tissues in them. Studies have shown these things cannot be completely filtered out of the injections. These experimental injections have been show to have a negative efficacy. They actually make someone more prone to Covid infection this is why those getting the injections are keeping the pandemic going. Not only this but with the new data coming out , it is becoming clear these injections severely damage the immune system making those who received them more prone to infection. We are not to seek our own advantage. If we demand someone submit to an experiment that is proving to be a dangerous and harmful one, Would we be truly seeking the advantage of others? With the data now being released showing how harmful these injections are making such demands and ignoring the evidence and demanding or pressuring people to get them could result in them being harmed or even killed. It also results in the pandemic being prolonged which could cause more harm and cost more lives could carry blood guilt. If this does occur it does not mean the person is blood guilty it may mean they do not have the knowledge or seen the harm being done and may truly believe making these types of demands are for the good of others. But this also comes back to things that are a matter of conscience. They should not ignore the concerns of others who have seen the harm first hand , or who has seen the data being released and are very aware of the harm being done. I do know Jehovah is going to hold all accountable who are responsible for the harm that is being done and has been done. Anyone who believes humans that even though the bible has warned are easily corrupted and fooled and who have a proven track record of corruption is being unreasonable if they ask others to blindly trust them or the pharmaceutical industry. This could cause a stumbling block for many. Surely we do not want this to occur. There are those who may choose the experimental medical procedure. We should not hold this against them. Some I am learning do not know how to find the information concerning these injections so only have mainstream media as a source of information. They truly may not be aware of the harm being done. It can take months for those who got the procedure to realize they have been harmed. By then the medical community will blame it on something else such as genetics or call their illness idiopathic, which is calling the cause of illness unknown. Fortunately many medical professionals and even those involved in the research are speaking out and the truth is becoming very difficult for them to hide. So much so they have been removing those speaking out from social media. But these people have been persistent and have become whistle blowers so the truth will come out. We just need to be patient and not let it deter us or cause us to lose faith and continue to cling to our spiritual family as much as possible. We may even have doubts about those taking the lead. We have to keep in mind that God restored true worship. We know the future promises he gave us. Though things may seem overwhelming , we can have confidence that some of the 144,000 will be with us through this great tribulation to guide us because the bible tells us in Revelation the end will not come until they have all been sealed. Keep in mind if someone is telling you not to question things they either have something to hide or they have doubts about what they are saying. If they had full confidence in what they were saying or recommending they would welcome questions. The truth defends itself. When a person has to be silenced there is something to hide.

Many claim that vaccines are a blessing from God. I provide a link below why this is not true.

(Numbers 20:9-13) ⁹ So Moses took the rod from before Jehovah, just as He had commanded him. ¹⁰ Then Moses and Aaron called the congregation together before the crag, and he said to them: “Hear, now, you rebels! Must we bring out water for you from this crag?” ¹¹ With that Moses lifted his hand up and struck the crag twice with his rod, and much water began to pour out, and the assembly and their livestock began to drink. ¹² Jehovah later said to Moses and Aaron: “Because you did not show faith in me and sanctify me before the eyes of the people of Israel, you will not bring this congregation into the land that I will give them.” ¹³ These are the waters of Merʹi·bah, where the Israelites quarreled with Jehovah, so that he was sanctified among them.

(Numbers 16:8-11) ⁸ Moses then said to Korʹah: “Listen, please, you sons of Leʹvi. ⁹ Does it seem to you such a little thing that the God of Israel has separated you from the assembly of Israel and allowed you to approach him in order to perform the service of Jehovah’s tabernacle and to stand before the assembly to minister to them, ¹⁰ and that he brought you near to him along with all your brothers, the sons of Leʹvi? Must you also try to secure the priesthood? ¹¹ For this reason, you and all your supporters who are gathering together are against Jehovah. As for Aaron, who is he that you should murmur against him?”

(Numbers 16:28-30) ²⁸ Then Moses said: “By this you will know that Jehovah has sent me to do all these things, that it is not of my own heart: ²⁹ If these people die a natural death as all men do and if their punishment is the same as that of all mankind, then Jehovah has not sent me. ³⁰ But if Jehovah does something extraordinary with them and the ground opens and swallows them and everything that belongs to them and they go down alive into the Grave, you will certainly know that these men have treated Jehovah disrespectfully.”

(Numbers 16:31-35) ³¹ As soon as he finished speaking all these words, the ground beneath them split apart. ³² And the earth opened and swallowed them up, along with their households and everyone who belonged to Korʹah and all their goods. ³³ So they and all who belonged to them went down alive into the Grave, and the earth covered them over, so that they perished from the midst of the congregation. ³⁴ All the Israelites who were around them fled at their screaming, for they said: “We are afraid that the earth may swallow us up!” ³⁵ Then a fire came out from Jehovah and consumed the 250 men offering the incense.

(Deuteronomy 32:50-52) . . ., ⁵¹ because both of you were unfaithful to me among the Israelites at the waters of Merʹi·bah of Kaʹdesh in the wilderness of Zin, because you did not sanctify me before the people of Israel. ⁵² You will see the land from a distance, but you will not enter the land that I am giving to the people of Israel.

(Numbers 16:1-3) 16 Then Korʹah the son of Izʹhar, the son of Koʹhath, the son of Leʹvi, got up together with Daʹthan and A·biʹram the sons of E·liʹab, and On the son of Peʹleth, of the sons of Reuʹben. ² They rose up against Moses along with 250 Israelite men, chieftains of the assembly, chosen ones of the congregation, prominent men. ³ So they gathered together against Moses and Aaron and said to them: “We have had enough of you! The whole assembly is holy, all of them, and Jehovah is in their midst. Why, then, should you exalt yourselves above the congregation of Jehovah?”

(2 Samuel 11:2-6) ² One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the rooftop of the king’s house. From the rooftop he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful. ³ David sent someone to inquire about the woman, and he reported: “Is this not Bath-sheʹba the daughter of E·liʹam and the wife of U·riʹah the Hitʹtite?” ⁴ Then David sent messengers to bring her. So she came in to him, and he lay down with her. (This happened while she was purifying herself from her uncleanness.) Afterward, she returned to her house. ⁵ The woman became pregnant, and she sent a message to David: “I am pregnant.” ⁶ At this David sent a message to Joʹab: “Send to me U·riʹah the Hitʹtite.” So Joʹab sent U·riʹah to David.

(2 Samuel 11:14-17) ¹⁴ In the morning David wrote a letter to Joʹab and sent it by the hand of U·riʹah. ¹⁵ He wrote in the letter: “Put U·riʹah in the front lines where the fighting is fiercest. Then retreat from behind him, so that he will be struck down and die.” ¹⁶ Joʹab had been carefully watching the city, and he stationed U·riʹah where he knew there were mighty warriors. ¹⁷ When the men of the city came out and fought against Joʹab, some of David’s servants fell, and U·riʹah the Hitʹtite was among those who died.

(2 Samuel 12:1-6) 12 So Jehovah sent Nathan to David. He came in to him and said: “There were two men in one city, the one rich and the other poor. ² The rich man had very many sheep and cattle; ³ but the poor man had nothing but one small female lamb, which he had bought. He cared for it, and it grew up together with him and his sons. It would eat from the little food he had and drink from his cup and sleep in his arms. It became as a daughter to him. ⁴ Later a visitor came to the rich man, but he would not take any of his own sheep and cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.” ⁵ At this David grew very angry against the man, and he said to Nathan: “As surely as Jehovah is living, the man who did this deserves to die! ⁶ And he should pay for the lamb four times over, because he did this and showed no compassion.”

(2 Samuel 12:7-12) ⁷ Then Nathan said to David: “You are the man! This is what Jehovah the God of Israel says: ‘I myself anointed you as king over Israel, and I rescued you from the hand of Saul. ⁸ I was willing to give you your master’s house and put your master’s wives in your arms, and I gave you the house of Israel and of Judah. And as if that were not enough, I was willing to do much more for you. ⁹ Why did you despise the word of Jehovah by doing what is bad in his eyes? You struck down U·riʹah the Hitʹtite with the sword! Then you took his wife as your wife after you killed him by the sword of the Amʹmon·ites. ¹⁰ Now a sword will never depart from your own house, because you despised me by taking the wife of U·riʹah the Hitʹtite as your wife.’ ¹¹ This is what Jehovah says: ‘Here I am bringing against you calamity from within your own house; and before your own eyes, I will take your wives and give them to another man, and he will lie down with your wives in broad daylight. ¹² Although you acted in secret, I will do this in front of all Israel and in broad daylight.’”

(2 Samuel 12:7-12) ⁷ Then Nathan said to David: “You are the man! This is what Jehovah the God of Israel says: ‘I myself anointed you as king over Israel, and I rescued you from the hand of Saul. ⁸ I was willing to give you your master’s house and put your master’s wives in your arms, and I gave you the house of Israel and of Judah. And as if that were not enough, I was willing to do much more for you. ⁹ Why did you despise the word of Jehovah by doing what is bad in his eyes? You struck down U·riʹah the Hitʹtite with the sword! Then you took his wife as your wife after you killed him by the sword of the Amʹmon·ites. ¹⁰ Now a sword will never depart from your own house, because you despised me by taking the wife of U·riʹah the Hitʹtite as your wife.’ ¹¹ This is what Jehovah says: ‘Here I am bringing against you calamity from within your own house; and before your own eyes, I will take your wives and give them to another man, and he will lie down with your wives in broad daylight. ¹² Although you acted in secret, I will do this in front of all Israel and in broad daylight.’”

(2 Samuel 12:7-12) ⁷ Then Nathan said to David: “You are the man! This is what Jehovah the God of Israel says: ‘I myself anointed you as king over Israel, and I rescued you from the hand of Saul. ⁸ I was willing to give you your master’s house and put your master’s wives in your arms, and I gave you the house of Israel and of Judah. And as if that were not enough, I was willing to do much more for you. ⁹ Why did you despise the word of Jehovah by doing what is bad in his eyes? You struck down U·riʹah the Hitʹtite with the sword! Then you took his wife as your wife after you killed him by the sword of the Amʹmon·ites. ¹⁰ Now a sword will never depart from your own house, because you despised me by taking the wife of U·riʹah the Hitʹtite as your wife.’ ¹¹ This is what Jehovah says: ‘Here I am bringing against you calamity from within your own house; and before your own eyes, I will take your wives and give them to another man, and he will lie down with your wives in broad daylight. ¹² Although you acted in secret, I will do this in front of all Israel and in broad daylight.’”

(2 Samuel 24:10-14) ¹⁰ But David’s heart was struck with remorse after he had numbered the people. David then said to Jehovah: “I have sinned greatly by doing this. And now, Jehovah, please forgive your servant’s error, for I have acted very foolishly.” ¹¹ When David got up in the morning, Jehovah’s word came to Gad the prophet, David’s visionary, saying: ¹² “Go and say to David, ‘This is what Jehovah says: “I am giving you three options. Choose the one that I should bring on you.”’” ¹³ So Gad came in to David and told him: “Should seven years of famine come on your land? Or should you flee for three months from your adversaries while they pursue you? Or should there be three days of pestilence in your land? Now consider carefully what I should reply to the One who sent me.” ¹⁴ So David said to Gad: “It is very distressing to me. Let us fall, please, into the hand of Jehovah, for his mercy is great; but do not let me fall into the hand of man.”

(Acts 13:21-23) . . .. ²² After removing him, he raised up for them David as king, about whom he bore witness and said: ‘I have found David the son of Jesʹse a man agreeable to my heart; he will do all the things I desire.’ ²³ According to his promise, from the offspring of this man, God has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.

(1 Chronicles 22:17-19) ¹⁷ David then ordered all the princes of Israel to help his son Solʹo·mon: ¹⁸ “Is not Jehovah your God with you, and has he not given you rest on every side? For he handed over to me the inhabitants of the land, and the land has been subdued before Jehovah and before his people. ¹⁹ Now determine with all your heart and soul to seek Jehovah your God,. . .

(Exodus 32:23-29) ²³ So they said to me, ‘Make for us a god who will go ahead of us, for we do not know what has happened to this Moses, the man who led us up out of the land of Egypt.’ ²⁴ So I said to them, ‘Whoever has any gold must take it off and give it to me.’ Then I threw it into the fire and out came this calf.” ²⁵ Moses saw that the people were unrestrained, for Aaron had let them go unrestrained, so that they were a disgrace before their opposers. ²⁶ Then Moses took his position in the gate of the camp and said: “Who is on Jehovah’s side? Come to me!” And all the Levites gathered around him. ²⁷ He now said to them: “This is what Jehovah the God of Israel has said, ‘Each of you must fasten on his sword and pass through all the camp from gate to gate, killing his brother, his neighbor, and his close companion.’” ²⁸ The Levites did what Moses said. So about 3,000 men were killed on that day. ²⁹ Then Moses said: “Set yourselves apart for Jehovah today, for each of you has gone against his own son and his own brother; today he will give you a blessing.”

(Exodus 32:1-4) 32 Meanwhile, the people saw that Moses was taking a long time coming down from the mountain. So the people gathered around Aaron and said to him: “Get up, make for us a god who will go ahead of us, because we do not know what has happened to this Moses, the man who led us up out of the land of Egypt.” ² At this Aaron said to them: “Take the gold earrings from the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters and bring them to me.” ³ So all the people began taking off the gold earrings that were in their ears and bringing them to Aaron. ⁴ Then he took the gold from them, and he formed it with an engraving tool and made it into a statue of a calf. They began to say: “This is your God, O Israel, who led you up out of the land of Egypt.”

(Romans 13:1-4) 13 Let every person be in subjection to the superior authorities, for there is no authority except by God; the existing authorities stand placed in their relative positions by God. ² Therefore, whoever opposes the authority has taken a stand against the arrangement of God; those who have taken a stand against it will bring judgment against themselves. ³ For those rulers are an object of fear, not to the good deed, but to the bad. Do you want to be free of fear of the authority? Keep doing good, and you will have praise from it; ⁴ for it is God’s minister to you for your good. But if you are doing what is bad, be in fear, for it is not without purpose that it bears the sword. It is God’s minister, an avenger to express wrath against the one practicing what is bad.

(1 Peter 2:13-17) ¹³ For the Lord’s sake subject yourselves to every human creation, whether to a king as being superior ¹⁴ or to governors as sent by him to punish wrongdoers but to praise those who do good. ¹⁵ For it is the will of God that by doing good you may silence the ignorant talk of unreasonable men. ¹⁶ Be as free people, using your freedom, not as a cover for doing wrong, but as slaves of God. ¹⁷ Honor men of all sorts, have love for the whole association of brothers, be in fear of God, honor the king.

(Acts 5:29) ²⁹ In answer Peter and the other apostles said: “We must obey God as ruler rather than men.

(Romans 12:17-21) ¹⁷ Return evil for evil to no one. Take into consideration what is fine from the viewpoint of all men. ¹⁸ If possible, as far as it depends on you, be peaceable with all men. ¹⁹ Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but yield place to the wrath; for it is written: “‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay,’ says Jehovah.” ²⁰ But “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by doing this you will heap fiery coals on his head.” ²¹ Do not let yourself be conquered by the evil, but keep conquering the evil with the good.

(Daniel 1:3-9) ³ Then the king ordered Ashʹpe·naz his chief court official to bring some of the Israelites, including those of royal and noble descent. ⁴ They were to be youths without any defect, of good appearance, endowed with wisdom, knowledge, and discernment, and capable of serving in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the writing and the language of the Chal·deʹans. ⁵ Furthermore, the king assigned to them a daily ration from the king’s delicacies and from the wine he drank. They were to be trained for three years, and at the end of that time they were to enter the king’s service. ⁶ Now among them were some from the tribe of Judah: Daniel, Han·a·niʹah, Mishʹa·el, and Az·a·riʹah. ⁷ And the principal court official assigned names to them; he gave to Daniel the name Bel·te·shazʹzar, to Han·a·niʹah the name Shaʹdrach, to Mishʹa·el the name Meʹshach, and to Az·a·riʹah the name A·bedʹne·go. ⁸ But Daniel resolved in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king’s delicacies or with the wine he drank. So he asked the principal court official for permission not to defile himself in this way. ⁹ And the true God caused the principal court official to show Daniel favor and mercy.

(Daniel 3:3-7) ³ So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the administrators of the provinces assembled for the inauguration of the image that King Neb·u·chad·nezʹzar had set up. And they stood in front of the image that Neb·u·chad·nezʹzar had set up. ⁴ The herald loudly proclaimed: “You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and language groups, ⁵ that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, zither, triangular harp, stringed instrument, bagpipe, and all the other musical instruments, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Neb·u·chad·nezʹzar has set up. ⁶ Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into the burning fiery furnace.” ⁷ So when all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, zither, triangular harp, stringed instrument, and all the other musical instruments, all the peoples, nations, and language groups fell down and worshipped the image of gold that King Neb·u·chad·nezʹzar had set up.

(Mark 13:21-23) ²¹ “Then, too, if anyone says to you, ‘See! Here is the Christ,’ or, ‘See! There he is,’ do not believe it. ²² For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will perform signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, the chosen ones. ²³ You, then, watch out. I have told you all things beforehand.

(2 Peter 3:17-18) ¹⁷ You, therefore, beloved ones, having this advance knowledge, be on your guard so that you may not be led astray with them by the error of the lawless people and fall from your own steadfastness. ¹⁸ No, but go on growing in the undeserved kindness and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

(Luke 21:25-28) ²⁵ “Also, there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth anguish of nations not knowing the way out because of the roaring of the sea and its agitation. ²⁶ People will become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ²⁷ And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. ²⁸ But as these things start to occur, stand up straight and lift up your heads, because your deliverance is getting near.”

(Daniel 3:3-7) ³ So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the administrators of the provinces assembled for the inauguration of the image that King Neb·u·chad·nezʹzar had set up. And they stood in front of the image that Neb·u·chad·nezʹzar had set up. ⁴ The herald loudly proclaimed: “You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and language groups, ⁵ that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, zither, triangular harp, stringed instrument, bagpipe, and all the other musical instruments, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Neb·u·chad·nezʹzar has set up. ⁶ Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into the burning fiery furnace.” ⁷ So when all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, zither, triangular harp, stringed instrument, and all the other musical instruments, all the peoples, nations, and language groups fell down and worshipped the image of gold that King Neb·u·chad·nezʹzar had set up.

(Daniel 3:13-15) ¹³ Then Neb·u·chad·nezʹzar, in a furious rage, ordered Shaʹdrach, Meʹshach, and A·bedʹne·go to be brought in. So these men were brought in before the king. ¹⁴ Neb·u·chad·nezʹzar said to them: “Is it really true, Shaʹdrach, Meʹshach, and A·bedʹne·go, that you are not serving my gods and that you refuse to worship the image of gold that I have set up? ¹⁵ Now when you hear the sound of the horn, the pipe, the zither, the triangular harp, the stringed instrument, the bagpipe, and all the other musical instruments, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image that I have made, fine. But if you refuse to worship, you will immediately be thrown into the burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who can rescue you out of my hands?”

(Daniel 3:21-23) ²¹ So these men were tied up while still wearing their cloaks, garments, caps, and all their other clothing, and they were thrown into the burning fiery furnace. ²² Because the king’s command was so harsh and the furnace was exceptionally hot, the men who took up Shaʹdrach, Meʹshach, and A·bedʹne·go were the ones killed by the flames of the fire. ²³ But these three men, Shaʹdrach, Meʹshach, and A·bedʹne·go, fell bound into the burning fiery furnace.

(Daniel 3:16-18) ¹⁶ Shaʹdrach, Meʹshach, and A·bedʹne·go answered the king: “O Neb·u·chad·nezʹzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. ¹⁷ If it must be, our God whom we serve is able to rescue us from the burning fiery furnace, O king, and to rescue us from your hand. ¹⁸ But even if he does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold that you have set up.”

(Daniel 3:26, 27) ²⁶ Neb·u·chad·nezʹzar approached the door of the burning fiery furnace and said: “Shaʹdrach, Meʹshach, and A·bedʹne·go, you servants of the Most High God, step out and come here!” Shaʹdrach, Meʹshach, and A·bedʹne·go stepped out from the midst of the fire. ²⁷ And the satraps, prefects, governors, and the high officials of the king who were assembled there saw that the fire had had no effect on the bodies of these men; not a hair of their heads had been singed, their cloaks looked no different, and there was not even the smell of fire on them.

(Romans 8:37-39) . . .. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life nor angels nor governments nor things now here nor things to come nor powers ³⁹ nor height nor depth nor any other creation will be able to separate us from God’s love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(Daniel 6:6-11) ⁶ So these high officials and satraps went in as a group to the king, and they said to him: “O King Da·riʹus, may you live on forever. ⁷ All the royal officials, prefects, satraps, high royal officers, and governors have consulted together to establish a royal decree and to enforce a ban, that for 30 days whoever makes a petition to any god or man except to you, O king, should be thrown into the lions’ pit. ⁸ Now, O king, may you establish the decree and sign it, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be annulled.” ⁹ So King Da·riʹus signed the decree and the ban. ¹⁰ But as soon as Daniel knew that the decree had been signed, he went to his house, which had the windows of his roof chamber open toward Jerusalem. And three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed and offered praise before his God, as he had regularly done prior to this. ¹¹ At that time those men burst in and found Daniel petitioning and pleading for favor before his God.

(Daniel 6:12) ¹² So they approached the king and reminded him about the royal ban: “Did you not sign a ban stating that for 30 days any man who makes a petition to any god or man except to you, O king, should be thrown into the lions’ pit?” The king replied: “The matter is well-established according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be annulled.”

(Daniel 6:16, 17) ¹⁶ So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the pit of lions. The king said to Daniel: “Your God whom you are continually serving will rescue you.” ¹⁷ Then a stone was brought and placed over the entrance of the pit, and the king sealed it with his signet ring and with the signet ring of his nobles, so that nothing could be changed with regard to Daniel.

(Daniel 6:18-24) ¹⁸ The king then went to his palace. He passed the night fasting and refused any entertainment, and he could not sleep. ¹⁹ Finally at the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ pit. ²⁰ As he got near the pit, he called out to Daniel with a sad voice. The king asked Daniel: “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God whom you are continually serving been able to rescue you from the lions?” ²¹ Daniel immediately said to the king: “O king, may you live on forever. ²² My God sent his angel and shut the mouth of the lions, and they have not harmed me, for I was found innocent before him; nor have I done any wrong to you, O king.” ²³ The king was overjoyed, and he commanded that Daniel be lifted up out of the pit. When Daniel was lifted up out of the pit, he was completely unharmed, because he had trusted in his God. ²⁴ The king then gave an order, and the men who had accused Daniel were brought, and they were thrown into the lions’ pit, along with their sons and their wives. They had not reached the bottom of the pit before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

(1 John 5:18-21) ¹⁹ We know that we originate with God, but the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one. ²⁰ But we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us insight so that we may gain the knowledge of the one who is true. And we are in union with the one who is true, by means of his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and life everlasting. ²¹ Little children, guard yourselves from idols.

(1 Timothy 5:20, 21) . . .. ²¹ I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the chosen angels to observe these instructions without any prejudice or partiality.

(James 2:8, 9) . . .. ⁹ But if you continue showing favoritism, you are committing sin, and you are convicted by the law as transgressors.

(Ephesians 5:6) Let no man deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience.

(Hebrews 13:9) Do not be led astray by various and strange teachings, for it is better for the heart to be strengthened by undeserved kindness than by foods, which do not benefit those occupied with them.

(Revelation 12:7-9) ⁷ And war broke out in heaven: Miʹcha·el and his angels battled with the dragon, and the dragon and its angels battled ⁸ but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them any longer in heaven. ⁹ So down the great dragon was hurled, the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth; he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him.

(Revelation 12:11, 12) . . .. ¹² On this account be glad, you heavens and you who reside in them! Woe for the earth and for the sea, because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing that he has a short period of time.”

(Romans 7:21-25) ²¹ I find, then, this law in my case: When I wish to do what is right, what is bad is present with me. ²² I really delight in the law of God according to the man I am within, ²³ but I see in my body another law warring against the law of my mind and leading me captive to sin’s law that is in my body. ²⁴ Miserable man that I am! Who will rescue me from the body undergoing this death? ²⁵ Thanks to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So, then, with my mind I myself am a slave to God’s law, but with my flesh to sin’s law.

(1 John 1:8-10) ⁸ If we make the statement, “We have no sin,” we are misleading ourselves and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous so as to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we make the statement, “We have not sinned,” we are making him a liar, and his word is not in us.

(1 John 4:1) 4 Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired statement, but test the inspired statements to see whether they originate with God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

(2 Thessalonians 2:1, 2) However, brothers, concerning the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you ² not to be quickly shaken from your reason nor to be alarmed either by an inspired statement or by a spoken message or by a letter appearing to be from us, to the effect that the day of Jehovah is here.

(Revelation 13:11-18) ¹¹ Then I saw another wild beast ascending out of the earth, and it had two horns like a lamb, but it began speaking like a dragon. ¹² It exercises all the authority of the first wild beast in its sight. And it makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first wild beast, whose mortal wound was healed. ¹³ And it performs great signs, even making fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the sight of mankind. ¹⁴ It misleads those who dwell on the earth, because of the signs that it was permitted to perform in the sight of the wild beast, while it tells those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the wild beast that had the sword-stroke and yet revived. ¹⁵ And it was permitted to give breath to the image of the wild beast, so that the image of the wild beast should both speak and cause to be killed all those who refuse to worship the image of the wild beast. ¹⁶ It puts under compulsion all people—the small and the great, the rich and the poor, the free and the slaves—that these should be marked on their right hand or on their forehead, ¹⁷ and that nobody can buy or sell except a person having the mark, the name of the wild beast or the number of its name. ¹⁸ This is where it calls for wisdom: Let the one who has insight calculate the number of the wild beast, for it is a man’s number, and its number is 666.

(Matthew 4:9, 10) . . .” ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to him: “Go away, Satan! For it is written: ‘It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.’”

(1 John 4:1) 4 Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired statement, but test the inspired statements to see whether they originate with God. . .

(2 Thessalonians 2:1, 2) However, brothers, concerning the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you ² not to be quickly shaken from your reason nor to be alarmed either by an inspired statement or by a spoken message or by a letter appearing to be from us, to the effect that the day of Jehovah is here.

(John 7:14-17) ¹⁴ When the festival was half over, Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching. ¹⁵ And the Jews were astonished, saying: “How does this man have such a knowledge of the Scriptures when he has not studied at the schools?” ¹⁶ Jesus, in turn, answered them and said: “What I teach is not mine, but belongs to him who sent me. ¹⁷ If anyone desires to do His will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or I speak of my own originality.

(2 Corinthians 11:12-15) ¹² But what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to eliminate the pretext of those who are wanting a basis for being found equal to us in the things about which they boast. ¹³ For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. ¹⁴ And no wonder, for Satan himself keeps disguising himself as an angel of light. ¹⁵ It is therefore nothing extraordinary if his ministers also keep disguising themselves as ministers of righteousness. But their end will be according to their works.

(Colossians 1:21-23) ²¹ Indeed, you who were once alienated and enemies because your minds were on the works that were wicked, ²² he has now reconciled by means of that one’s fleshly body through his death, in order to present you holy and unblemished and open to no accusation before him— ²³ provided, of course, that you continue in the faith, established on the foundation and steadfast, not being shifted away from the hope of that good news that you heard and that was preached in all creation under heaven. Of this good news I, Paul, became a minister.

(2 Corinthians 1:23, 24) . . .. ²⁴ Not that we are the masters over your faith, but we are fellow workers for your joy, for it is by your faith that you are standing.

(1 Peter 5:2, 3) ² Shepherd the flock of God under your care, serving as overseers, not under compulsion, but willingly before God; not for love of dishonest gain, but eagerly; ³ not lording it over those who are God’s inheritance, but becoming examples to the flock.

(Romans 14:13-18) ¹³ Therefore, let us not judge one another any longer but, rather, be determined not to put a stumbling block or an obstacle before a brother. ¹⁴ I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; only where a man considers something to be unclean, to him it is unclean. ¹⁵ For if your brother is being offended because of food, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not by your food ruin that one for whom Christ died. ¹⁶ Therefore, do not let the good you do be spoken of as bad. ¹⁷ For the Kingdom of God does not mean eating and drinking, but means righteousness and peace and joy with holy spirit. ¹⁸ For whoever slaves for Christ in this way is acceptable to God and has approval with men.

(Colossians 3:1, 2) 3 If, however, you were raised up with the Christ, go on seeking the things above, where the Christ is seated at the right hand of God. ² Keep your minds fixed on the things above, not on the things on the earth.

(1 Corinthians 10:23, 24) ²³ All things are lawful, but not all things are advantageous. All things are lawful, but not all things build up. ²⁴ Let each one keep seeking, not his own advantage, but that of the other person.

(1 Corinthians 6:19, 20) ¹⁹ Do you not know that your body is the temple of the holy spirit within you, which you have from God? Also, you do not belong to yourselves, ²⁰ for you were bought with a price. By all means, glorify God in your body.

(1 Corinthians 10:31-33) ³¹ Therefore, whether you are eating or drinking or doing anything else, do all things for God’s glory. ³² Keep from becoming causes for stumbling to Jews as well as Greeks and to the congregation of God, ³³ just as I am trying to please all people in all things, not seeking my own advantage, but that of the many, so that they may be saved.

(Revelation 6:12-7:4) ¹² And I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and a great earthquake occurred; and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the entire moon became as blood, ¹³ and the stars of heaven fell to the earth as when a fig tree shaken by a high wind drops its unripe figs. ¹⁴ And the heaven departed as a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and every island was removed from its place. ¹⁵ Then the kings of the earth, the high officials, the military commanders, the rich, the strong, every slave, and every free person hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. ¹⁶ And they keep saying to the mountains and to the rocks: “Fall over us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, ¹⁷ because the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” 7 After this I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding tight the four winds of the earth, so that no wind could blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree. ² And I saw another angel ascending from the sunrise, having a seal of the living God; and he called with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, ³ saying: “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until after we have sealed the slaves of our God in their foreheads.” ⁴ And I heard the number of those who were sealed, 144,000, sealed out of every tribe of the sons of Israel:

(Revelation 6:10, 11) . . .” ¹¹ And a white robe was given to each of them, and they were told to rest a little while longer, until the number was filled of their fellow slaves and their brothers who were about to be killed as they had been.

This is a link to information I put together showing vaccines are not a blessing from God.

https://iamajuicer.wordpress.com/2022/04/14/are-vaccines-a-gift-from-god-as-some-claim/

Now more then ever we need to be peaceable.

Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am not the best editor.

We know the world would view those who worship in truth as disapproved by God. This is nothing new, when true worship became corrupted in the past this happened. It is not going to get better. People what to have their itchy ears scratched. This is why they are so indecisive. This is why they do not know what to think about all these crazy things happening. Because we know what God requires and refuse to accept what they believe we should feel or think about something they view us as bad people. It does not matter what they think it only matters what God and Jesus think.

The bible makes it clear there is one truth and one God. Those who do not worship in truth will cause God’s name to be spoken of abusively because of their hypocrisy. We need to follow Jesus example and do our best to pursue peace with all. We will be wronged often because of false religion and it is going to get much worse. Pursuing peace is going to become much more difficult. This is why is is very important to develop our skills at being peaceable now, so it will come naturally for us when things get much rougher. If we do not and we are not peaceable we could also cause Jehovah’s good name to be spoken of abusively.

I know it is difficult wanting people to know God like we do and to know Jesus like we do. We get a peace and comfort they do not enjoy because we have faith in the future promises. I feel kind of sad for them because they are living in constant fear and anxiety the closer this system comes to ending. Because they put their faith in things seen, and do not worship in spirit they cannot have faith in the things unseen. Because they cling to the false teachings , idols and the use of images in their worship they cannot draw as close to God as needed because they remain blinded.

Many still worship Jesus as if he was God. Instead of confessing he is Gods son and and that he is now our king, who will set matters straight before he hands the throne back to God. Because they can only put their faith in things they see they keep looking for signs of him returning in physical form and we know that is not how he will return. Jesus is now a spirit person sitting on the throne in heaven. This is why the bible told us the signs to look for, so we would know when his return was near and prepare. Very soon he is going to set matters straight. We need to stay focused and pursue peace so we will be ready, almost all the signs we have been told to look for have been fulfilled so we know deliverance is near. Very soon death will be done away with then Jesus will hand the kingdom back over to his father and the things occurring now will never occur again. We just need to hang on a little longer. So as we see these things occurring we can draw courage and not be afraid because we know deliverance is near.

Many will be deceived and will look for Christ to make a physical appearance but for those who worship in truth it would be obvious when Jesus returns so we will not be looking for his return in physical form and will not be easily deceived. We recognized he is a spiritual person sitting on the throne in heaven, so we know to look at the signs he told us to look for. This is why Jesus stated “Wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.” If you see eagles grouped together you know there must be a carcass nearby. So in other words he said it will be obvious to those who worship in spirit because they will have trained their spiritual eyes and know what to look for. When this occurs only those who did not worship in truth will have to be in fear. “(Revelation 8:13-9:4) 13 And I saw, and I heard an eagle flying in midheaven say with a loud voice: “Woe, woe, woe to those dwelling on the earth because of the rest of the trumpet blasts of the three angels who are about to blow their trumpets!” 9 The fifth angel blew his trumpet. And I saw a star that had fallen from heaven to the earth, and the key to the shaft of the abyss was given to him. 2 He opened the shaft of the abyss, and smoke ascended out of the shaft like the smoke of a great furnace, and the sun was darkened, also the air, by the smoke of the shaft. 3 And locusts came out of the smoke onto the earth, and authority was given to them, the same authority that the scorpions of the earth have. 4 They were told not to harm the vegetation of the earth or any green plant or any tree, but only those people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.”

Anyone can be peaceful when things are going easy. But it takes someone who truly has faith, and love for Jesus and God to be peaceable even when times are very difficult. In doing so it helps set us apart from those who will be destroyed.

(2 Corinthians 13:5-8) 5 Keep testing whether you are in the faith; keep proving what you yourselves are. Or do you not recognize that Jesus Christ is in union with you? Unless you are disapproved. 6 I truly hope you will recognize that we are not disapproved. 7 Now we pray to God that you may do nothing wrong, not that we may appear approved, but that you may do what is fine, even if we may appear disapproved. 8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth.

(Galatians 6:3-5) . . .. 4 But let each one examine his own actions, and then he will have cause for rejoicing in regard to himself alone, and not in comparison with the other person. 5 For each one will carry his own load.

(Romans 14:4) Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for Jehovah can make him stand.

(2 Corinthians 5:10) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of the Christ, so that each one may be repaid according to the things he has practiced while in the body, whether good or bad.

(Philippians 2:13-16) 13 For God is the one who for the sake of his good pleasure energizes you, giving you both the desire and the power to act. 14 Keep doing all things free from murmuring and arguments, 15 so that you may come to be blameless and innocent, children of God without a blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you are shining as illuminators in the world, 16 keeping a tight grip on the word of life. Then I may have reason for rejoicing in Christ’s day, knowing that I did not run in vain or work hard in vain.

(Jeremiah 10:14, 15) 14 Every man acts unreasonably and without knowledge. Every metalworker will be put to shame because of the carved image; For his metal image is a falsehood, And there is no spirit in them. 15 They are a delusion, a work of mockery. When their day of reckoning comes, they will perish.

(2 Corinthians 4:16-18) 16 Therefore, we do not give up, but even if the man we are outside is wasting away, certainly the man we are inside is being renewed from day to day. 17 For though the tribulation is momentary and light, it works out for us a glory that is of more and more surpassing greatness and is everlasting; 18 while we keep our eyes, not on the things seen, but on the things unseen. For the things seen are temporary, but the things unseen are everlasting.

(2 Corinthians 5:7) for we are walking by faith, not by sight.

(Hebrews 11:1) Faith is the assured expectation of what is hoped for, the evident demonstration of realities that are not seen.

Galatians 1:10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant 2 of Christ.

(Romans 8:24) For we were saved in this hope; but hope that is seen is not hope, for when a man sees a thing, does he hope for it?

(2 Timothy 3:1-7) 3 But know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, 3 having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, 4 betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, 5 having an appearance of godliness but proving false to its power; and from these turn away. 6 From among these arise men who slyly work their way into households and captivate weak women loaded down with sins, led by various desires, 7 always learning and yet never able to come to an accurate knowledge of truth.

(John 8:31, 32) 31 Then Jesus went on to say to the Jews who had believed him: “If you remain in my word, you are really my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. . .

(2 Corinthians 4:2-6) 2 But we have renounced the shameful, underhanded things, not walking with cunning or adulterating the word of God; but by making the truth manifest, we recommend ourselves to every human conscience in the sight of God. 3 If, in fact, the good news we declare is veiled, it is veiled among those who are perishing, 4 among whom the god of this system of things has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that the illumination of the glorious good news about the Christ, who is the image of God, might not shine through. 5 For we are preaching, not about ourselves, but about Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God is the one who said: “Let the light shine out of darkness,” and he has shone on our hearts to illuminate them with the glorious knowledge of God by the face of Christ.

(John 4:24) 24 God is a Spirit, and those worshipping him must worship with spirit and truth.”

(Romans 12:1, 2) 12 Therefore, I appeal to you by the compassions of God, brothers, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, a sacred service with your power of reason. 2 And stop being molded by this system of things, but be transformed by making your mind over, so that you may prove to yourselves the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

(Hebrews 12:14) Pursue peace with all people and the sanctification without which no man will see the Lord.

(2 Peter 3:14) Therefore, beloved ones, since you are awaiting these things, do your utmost to be found finally by him spotless and unblemished and in peace.

(James 3:18) Moreover, the fruit of righteousness is sown in peaceful conditions for those who are making peace.

(1 Timothy 2:5) 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus,

(Ephesians 4:4-6) 4 One body there is, and one spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

(Hebrews 9:23-28) . . .. 24 For Christ did not enter into a holy place made with hands, which is a copy of the reality, but into heaven itself, so that he now appears before God on our behalf. 25 This was not done to offer himself often, as when the high priest enters into the holy place from year to year with blood that is not his own. 26 Otherwise, he would have to suffer often from the founding of the world. But now he has manifested himself once for all time at the conclusion of the systems of things to do away with sin through the sacrifice of himself. 27 And just as it is reserved for men to die once for all time, but after this to receive a judgment, 28 so also the Christ was offered once for all time to bear the sins of many; and the second time that he appears it will be apart from sin, and he will be seen by those earnestly looking for him for their salvation.

(1 John 4:14-16) . . .. 15 Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is God’s Son, God remains in union with such one and he in union with God. 16 And we have come to know and believe the love that God has for us.. . .

(1 Corinthians 15:25-28) . . .. 26 And the last enemy, death, is to be brought to nothing. 27 For God “subjected all things under his feet.” But when he says that ‘all things have been subjected,’ it is evident that this does not include the One who subjected all things to him. 28 But when all things will have been subjected to him, then the Son himself will also subject himself to the One who subjected all things to him, that God may be all things to everyone.

(Luke 21:25-28) 25 “Also, there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth anguish of nations not knowing the way out because of the roaring of the sea and its agitation. 26 People will become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 But as these things start to occur, stand up straight and lift up your heads, because your deliverance is getting near.”

(Matthew 24:23-28) 23 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look! Here is the Christ,’ or, ‘There!’ do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will perform great signs and wonders so as to mislead, if possible, even the chosen ones. 25 Look! I have forewarned you. 26 Therefore, if people say to you, ‘Look! He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out; ‘Look! He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For just as the lightning comes out of the east and shines over to the west, so the presence of the Son of man will be. 28 Wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.

How do we know what time frame we are in concerning the end of this system of things?

Written by Lee Stevenson sorry I am not a very good editor.

How do we know we are in the final minutes of this system of things and that man’s rule is coming to an end? Why should we take note of the times we are in?

How do we determine what time frame we are in when it comes to the time of the end of this system of things? Many of the things Jesus mentioned have occurred throughout the history of the earth. If these things have always occurred then what would be different , what could help us determine when the time of the end started?

Some things to take note of is that these things would start to occur simultaneously and on a grand scale. The things would occur at a level they have never occurred before. In 1914 war broke out that effected every nation on the earth. Such a thing had never occurred before. Shortly after that a flu pandemic occurred that killed millions of people. A pandemic of this magnitude had never occurred before. Wars and pandemics have occurred throughout history but they have never effected the whole earth. Disease is so rampant now days that many have come to accept having an illness as being a part of normal life. Cancer is so rampant on the earth that babies are now being born with cancer. Violence is so rampant that many feel it is necessary to carry a weapon to protect themselves. Famine is occurring on a scale it has never occurred before. Even people who live in some of the wealthiest nations in the world have starved from famine. Millions each year die from famine. Hatred would abound and most would not let love guide their actions and would put their confidence in their own understanding causing even more confusion and suffering as man depends more and more on their own understanding. Wars and threats of wars are occurring on a grand scale even now. Man has developed weapons of mass destruction that could destroy all life on earth if the weapons were used. These things have never occurred before. So it has become clear the time of the end of this system started in 1914. We need to ask ourselves why did this occur and what does all this mean?

We were warned the great apostasy would come first. False teaching would become rampant causing many different sects of religion to arise. The bible tells us because of the things those who follow the false teachings would do, it would cause Jehovah’s good name to be spoken of abusively. This behavior would even cause people to scoff at the warnings of the times we are in. This does not mean all hope is lost. So not only will there be corruption on a world wide scale like has never occurred before but even religion would become corrupted.

All these things are occurring because God has sat Jesus on the throne, and one of the first things he did was cast Satan and the demons out of heaven. Because of this they are vengeful because they know their time is short. They want nothing more then for the destruction of the earth and to take down as many with them to the pit of destruction with them. The bible warned whoa to the earth when this occurs. Another sign that Jesus has been seated on the throne is that true worship would be restored and those who worship in truth would spread the good news of the heavenly kingdom in all the earth. The bible also showed those who returned to true worship would have a clear understanding of the prophesies concerning the last days and they would spread this knowledge throughout the earth preparing people for what is about to occur. This kingdom message and the good news of the kingdom has been told throughout the earth and most have had the opportunity to hear it.

This may seem like fearful times but those who returned to true worship do not have to worry these things have to occur as the rebellion that started in the garden of Eden has run it’s course our king appointed by Jehovah God is seated on the throne and these are all signs he is going to set matters straight very soon and that the end of this system is very near. The truth and message of the good news of the heavenly kingdom has reached all the earth which is one of the final signs that will occur. The earth has reached a point were disease and death is rampant. People are living in constant fear there will be a world war and the weapons of mass destruction will be used. People no longer live in security, and hatred is so rampant that peace is becoming difficult to find. It is clear we are in the final minutes of this system and the heavenly kingdom with Jesus as our king is going to restore the earth and all the suffering and evil things occurring on earth will not occur again. Those who prepare and stay on the watch and are taking note of the time frame we are in do not have to fear. God will give Jesus the command to save those who have stayed awake and who remained loyal to save and protect them. Many will walk through the great tribulation into the new system. This is a time to be happy because we now know Jesus is seated on the throne and redemption is near and the end of all the bad is very near. Very soon we will be able to enjoy peace, with no more suffering, violence, illness, greed, or suffering caused by man relying on their own understanding. There will be no more tears only joy. The best part is there will be no more death and those who make it through the great tribulation will get to see the loved ones they lost to death when they are resurrected. We only have to endure a little longer. I know these times may seem overwhelming but keep looking forward better times are very very near. We need to persist in reading God’s word, remaining loyal and faithful and persist in prayer now more then ever. Many of the things in this system especially the world governments will be gone soon and they will be replaced by the heavenly kingdom. Many of the material things of this world will hold no value but it is the treasures we store in heaven that will save us. So we need to focus more on spiritual things now then ever before. Let’s do our best to keep our eyes focused on the heavenly kingdoms and the hope it has given us so we do not lose sight of the things that will not pass away because this system and the things in it will be gone soon and so will the hope of those who put their faith in the world and the things in it.

Many peoples identities are based on what they may own, or the reputation they may have built for things they have done or even the knowledge they have. Build our identities with God, make are reputation in things pertaining to God. Our spiritual treasures are forever and cannot be done away with they are stored in heaven. If our treasures and hope are on spiritual things based on the hope given us by the future promises, no matter what we may lose we still keep our identities and are certain of who we are. For those who base their identity and hope on things that are passing away what do they have to identify with? What hope do they have if they put their faith in the world and the things in it?

(Mark 13:18-20) ¹⁸ Keep praying that it may not occur in wintertime; ¹⁹ for those days will be days of a tribulation such as has not occurred from the beginning of the creation that God created until that time, and will not occur again. ²⁰ In fact, unless Jehovah had cut short the days, no flesh would be saved. But on account of the chosen ones whom he has chosen, he has cut short the days.

(Revelation 11:18) ¹⁸ But the nations became wrathful, and your own wrath came, and the appointed time came for the dead to be judged and to reward your slaves the prophets and the holy ones and those fearing your name, the small and the great, and to bring to ruin those ruining the earth.”

(Revelation 12:7-12) ⁷ And war broke out in heaven: Miʹcha·el and his angels battled with the dragon, and the dragon and its angels battled ⁸ but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them any longer in heaven. ⁹ So down the great dragon was hurled, the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth; he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him. ¹⁰ I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come to pass the salvation and the power and the Kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ, because the accuser of our brothers has been hurled down, who accuses them day and night before our God! ¹¹ And they conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their witnessing, and they did not love their souls even in the face of death. ¹² On this account be glad, you heavens and you who reside in them! Woe for the earth and for the sea, because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing that he has a short period of time.”

(Genesis 6:11, 12) ¹¹ But the earth had become ruined in the sight of the true God, and the earth was filled with violence. ¹² Yes, God looked upon the earth, and it was ruined; all flesh had ruined its way on the earth.

(Romans 15:3-6) . . .” ⁴ For all the things that were written beforehand were written for our instruction, so that through our endurance and through the comfort from the Scriptures we might have hope. ⁵ Now may the God who supplies endurance and comfort grant you to have among yourselves the same mental attitude that Christ Jesus had, ⁶ so that unitedly you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(2 Peter 1:20, 21) ²⁰ For you know this first, that no prophecy of Scripture springs from any private interpretation. ²¹ For prophecy was at no time brought by man’s will, but men spoke from God as they were moved by holy spirit.

(2 Peter 3:14-16) ¹⁴ Therefore, beloved ones, since you are awaiting these things, do your utmost to be found finally by him spotless and unblemished and in peace. ¹⁵ Furthermore, consider the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote you according to the wisdom given him, ¹⁶ speaking about these things as he does in all his letters. However, some things in them are hard to understand, and these things the ignorant and unstable are twisting, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.

(Proverbs 14:6)  ⁶ The scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none, But knowledge comes easily to the person with understanding.

(Proverbs 9:7, 8)  ⁷ The one who corrects a ridiculer invites dishonor, And whoever reproves someone wicked will get hurt.  ⁸ Do not reprove a ridiculer, or he will hate you. Reprove a wise person, and he will love you.

(1 Thessalonians 5:1-5) 5 Now as for the times and the seasons, brothers, you need nothing to be written to you. ² For you yourselves know very well that Jehovah’s day is coming exactly as a thief in the night. ³ Whenever it is that they are saying, “Peace and security!” then sudden destruction is to be instantly on them, just like birth pains on a pregnant woman, and they will by no means escape. ⁴ But you, brothers, you are not in darkness, so that the day should overtake you as it would thieves, ⁵ for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We belong neither to night nor to darkness.

(Matthew 24:43, 44) ⁴³ “But know one thing: If the householder had known in what watch the thief was coming, he would have kept awake and not allowed his house to be broken into. ⁴⁴ On this account, you too prove yourselves ready, because the Son of man is coming at an hour that you do not think to be it.

(Jude 5-7) ⁵ Although you are fully aware of all of this, I want to remind you that Jehovah, having saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those not showing faith. ⁶ And the angels who did not keep their original position but forsook their own proper dwelling place, he has reserved with eternal bonds in dense darkness for the judgment of the great day. ⁷ In the same manner, Sodʹom and Go·morʹrah and the cities around them also gave themselves over to gross sexual immorality and pursued unnatural fleshly desires; they are placed before us as a warning example by undergoing the judicial punishment of everlasting fire.

(Matthew 24:3) ³ While he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples approached him privately, saying: “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?”

(Mark 13:8) ⁸ “For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in one place after another; there will also be food shortages. These are a beginning of pangs of distress.

(Matthew 24:4-22) ⁴ In answer Jesus said to them: “Look out that nobody misleads you, ⁵ for many will come on the basis of my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. ⁶ You are going to hear of wars and reports of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for these things must take place, but the end is not yet. ⁷ “For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be food shortages and earthquakes in one place after another. ⁸ All these things are a beginning of pangs of distress. ⁹ “Then people will hand you over to tribulation and will kill you, and you will be hated by all the nations on account of my name. ¹⁰ Then, too, many will be stumbled and will betray one another and will hate one another. ¹¹ Many false prophets will arise and mislead many; ¹² and because of the increasing of lawlessness, the love of the greater number will grow cold. ¹³ But the one who has endured to the end will be saved. ¹⁴ And this good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. ¹⁵ “Therefore, when you catch sight of the disgusting thing that causes desolation, as spoken about by Daniel the prophet, standing in a holy place (let the reader use discernment), ¹⁶ then let those in Ju·deʹa begin fleeing to the mountains. ¹⁷ Let the man on the housetop not come down to take the goods out of his house, ¹⁸ and let the man in the field not return to pick up his outer garment. ¹⁹ Woe to the pregnant women and those nursing a baby in those days! ²⁰ Keep praying that your flight may not occur in wintertime nor on the Sabbath day; ²¹ for then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again. ²² In fact, unless those days were cut short, no flesh would be saved; but on account of the chosen ones those days will be cut short.

(2 Thessalonians 2:1-5) 2 However, brothers, concerning the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you ² not to be quickly shaken from your reason nor to be alarmed either by an inspired statement or by a spoken message or by a letter appearing to be from us, to the effect that the day of Jehovah is here. ³ Let no one lead you astray in any way, because it will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness gets revealed, the son of destruction. ⁴ He stands in opposition and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits down in the temple of God, publicly showing himself to be a god. ⁵ Do you not remember that when I was still with you, I used to tell you these things?

(2 Timothy 3:1-7) 3 But know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. ² For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, ³ having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, ⁴ betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, ⁵ having an appearance of godliness but proving false to its power; and from these turn away. ⁶ From among these arise men who slyly work their way into households and captivate weak women loaded down with sins, led by various desires, ⁷ always learning and yet never able to come to an accurate knowledge of truth.

(1 Timothy 4:1-5) 4 However, the inspired word clearly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to misleading inspired statements and teachings of demons, ² by means of the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, whose conscience is seared as with a branding iron. ³ They forbid marriage and command people to abstain from foods that God created to be partaken of with thanksgiving by those who have faith and accurately know the truth. ⁴ For every creation of God is fine, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, ⁵ for it is sanctified through God’s word and prayer over it.

(2 Peter 3:5-7) ⁵ For they deliberately ignore this fact, that long ago there were heavens and an earth standing firmly out of water and in the midst of water by the word of God; ⁶ and that by those means the world of that time suffered destruction when it was flooded with water. ⁷ But by the same word the heavens and the earth that now exist are reserved for fire and are being kept until the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly people.

(Matthew 24:36-44) ³⁶ “Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father. ³⁷ For just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be. ³⁸ For as they were in those days before the Flood, eating and drinking, men marrying and women being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, ³⁹ and they took no note until the Flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of the Son of man will be. ⁴⁰ Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken along and the other abandoned. ⁴¹ Two women will be grinding at the hand mill; one will be taken along and the other abandoned. ⁴² Keep on the watch, therefore, because you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. ⁴³ “But know one thing: If the householder had known in what watch the thief was coming, he would have kept awake and not allowed his house to be broken into. ⁴⁴ On this account, you too prove yourselves ready, because the Son of man is coming at an hour that you do not think to be it.

(Luke 17:22-30) ²² Then he said to the disciples: “Days will come when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, but you will not see it. ²³ And people will say to you, ‘See there!’ or, ‘See here!’ Do not go out or chase after them. ²⁴ For just as lightning flashes from one part of heaven to another part of heaven, so the Son of man will be in his day. ²⁵ First, however, he must undergo many sufferings and be rejected by this generation. ²⁶ Moreover, just as it occurred in the days of Noah, so it will be in the days of the Son of man: ²⁷ they were eating, they were drinking, men were marrying, women were being given in marriage until that day when Noah entered into the ark, and the Flood came and destroyed them all. ²⁸ Likewise, just as it occurred in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building. ²⁹ But on the day that Lot went out of Sodʹom, it rained fire and sulfur from heaven and destroyed them all. ³⁰ It will be the same on that day when the Son of man is revealed.

(2 Peter 2:1-3) 2 However, there also came to be false prophets among the people, as there will also be false teachers among you. These will quietly bring in destructive sects, and they will even disown the owner who bought them, bringing speedy destruction upon themselves. ² Furthermore, many will follow their brazen conduct, and because of them the way of the truth will be spoken of abusively. ³ Also, they will greedily exploit you with counterfeit words. But their judgment, decided long ago, is not moving slowly, and their destruction is not sleeping.

(Daniel 12:4) ⁴ “As for you, Daniel, keep the words secret, and seal up the book until the time of the end. Many will rove about, and the true knowledge will become abundant.”

(Hosea 3:4, 5) ⁴ It is because for a long time the people of Israel will dwell without a king, without a prince, without a sacrifice, without a pillar, and without an ephʹod and teraphim statues. ⁵ Afterward the people of Israel will come back and look for Jehovah their God and for David their king, and they will come trembling to Jehovah and to his goodness in the final part of the days.

(1 John 4:11-21) ¹¹ Beloved ones, if this is how God loved us, then we are also under obligation to love one another. ¹² No one has seen God at any time. If we continue loving one another, God remains in us and his love is made perfect in us. ¹³ By this we know that we are remaining in union with him and he in union with us, because he has given his spirit to us. ¹⁴ In addition, we ourselves have seen and are bearing witness that the Father has sent his Son as savior of the world. ¹⁵ Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is God’s Son, God remains in union with such one and he in union with God. ¹⁶ And we have come to know and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in union with God and God remains in union with him. ¹⁷ In this way love has been made perfect in us, so that we may have freeness of speech in the day of judgment, because just as that one is, so are we ourselves in this world. ¹⁸ There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts fear out, because fear restrains us. Indeed, the one who is fearful has not been made perfect in love. ¹⁹ We love, because he first loved us. ²⁰ If anyone says, “I love God,” and yet is hating his brother, he is a liar. For the one who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. ²¹ And we have this commandment from him, that whoever loves God must also love his brother.

(Jude 17, 18) ¹⁷ As for you, beloved ones, call to mind the sayings that have been previously spoken by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁸ how they used to say to you: “In the last time there will be ridiculers, following their own desires for ungodly things.. . .

(Micah 4:1-3) 4 In the final part of the days, The mountain of the house of Jehovah Will become firmly established above the top of the mountains, And it will be raised up above the hills, And to it peoples will stream.  ² And many nations will go and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah And to the house of the God of Jacob. He will instruct us about his ways, And we will walk in his paths.” For law will go out of Zion, And the word of Jehovah out of Jerusalem.  ³ He will render judgment among many peoples And set matters straight respecting mighty nations far away. They will beat their swords into plowshares And their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, Nor will they learn war anymore.

(Daniel 12:10-12) ¹⁰ Many will cleanse themselves and whiten themselves and will be refined. And the wicked ones will act wickedly, and none of the wicked will understand; but those having insight will understand. ¹¹ “And from the time that the constant feature has been removed and the disgusting thing that causes desolation has been put in place, there will be 1,290 days. ¹² “Happy is the one who keeps in expectation and who arrives at the 1,335 days!

(2 Thessalonians 2:6-12) ⁶ And now you know what is acting as a restraint, so that he will be revealed in his own due time. ⁷ True, the mystery of this lawlessness is already at work, but only until the one who is right now acting as a restraint is out of the way. ⁸ Then, indeed, the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will do away with by the spirit of his mouth and bring to nothing by the manifestation of his presence. ⁹ But the lawless one’s presence is by the operation of Satan with every powerful work and lying signs and wonders ¹⁰ and every unrighteous deception for those who are perishing, as a retribution because they did not accept the love of the truth in order that they might be saved. ¹¹ That is why God lets a deluding influence mislead them so that they may come to believe the lie, ¹² in order that they all may be judged because they did not believe the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness.

(Romans 13:11-14) ¹¹ And do this because you know the season, that it is already the hour for you to awake from sleep, for now our salvation is nearer than at the time when we became believers. ¹² The night is well along; the day has drawn near. Let us therefore throw off the works belonging to darkness and let us put on the weapons of the light. ¹³ Let us walk decently as in the daytime, not in wild parties and drunkenness, not in immoral intercourse and brazen conduct, not in strife and jealousy. ¹⁴ But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not be planning ahead for the desires of the flesh.

(Matthew 24:31-35) ³¹ And he will send out his angels with a great trumpet sound, and they will gather his chosen ones together from the four winds, from one extremity of the heavens to their other extremity. ³² “Now learn this illustration from the fig tree: Just as soon as its young branch grows tender and sprouts its leaves, you know that summer is near. ³³ Likewise also you, when you see all these things, know that he is near at the doors. ³⁴ Truly I say to you that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things happen. ³⁵ Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away.

(Hebrews 1:1-4) 1 Long ago God spoke to our forefathers by means of the prophets on many occasions and in many ways. ² Now at the end of these days he has spoken to us by means of a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the systems of things. ³ He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact representation of his very being, and he sustains all things by the word of his power. And after he had made a purification for our sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. ⁴ So he has become better than the angels to the extent that he has inherited a name more excellent than theirs.

(Revelation 21:7, 8) . . .. ⁸ But as for the cowards and those without faith and those who are disgusting in their filth and murderers and the sexually immoral and those practicing spiritism and idolaters and all the liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This means the second death.”

(Revelation 13:14-18) ¹⁴ It misleads those who dwell on the earth, because of the signs that it was permitted to perform in the sight of the wild beast, while it tells those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the wild beast that had the sword-stroke and yet revived. ¹⁵ And it was permitted to give breath to the image of the wild beast, so that the image of the wild beast should both speak and cause to be killed all those who refuse to worship the image of the wild beast. ¹⁶ It puts under compulsion all people—the small and the great, the rich and the poor, the free and the slaves—that these should be marked on their right hand or on their forehead, ¹⁷ and that nobody can buy or sell except a person having the mark, the name of the wild beast or the number of its name. ¹⁸ This is where it calls for wisdom: Let the one who has insight calculate the number of the wild beast, for it is a man’s number, and its number is 666.

(2 Peter 3:8-13) ⁸ However, do not let this escape your notice, beloved ones, that one day is with Jehovah as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. ⁹ Jehovah is not slow concerning his promise, as some people consider slowness, but he is patient with you because he does not desire anyone to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance. ¹⁰ But Jehovah’s day will come as a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar, but the elements being intensely hot will be dissolved, and earth and the works in it will be exposed. ¹¹ Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, consider what sort of people you ought to be in holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion, ¹² as you await and keep close in mind the presence of the day of Jehovah, through which the heavens will be destroyed in flames and the elements will melt in the intense heat! ¹³ But there are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to his promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell.

(Isaiah 13:9) Look! The day of Jehovah is coming, Cruel both with fury and with burning anger, To make the land an object of horror, And to annihilate the land’s sinners from it.

(Zephaniah 1:18) Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them in the day of Jehovah’s fury; For by the fire of his zeal the whole earth will be consumed, Because he will make an extermination, indeed a terrible one, of all the inhabitants of the earth.”

(Matthew 12:36, 37) I tell you that men will render an account on Judgment Day for every unprofitable saying that they speak; ³⁷ for by your words you will be declared righteous, and by your words you will be condemned.”

(Acts 17:31) Because he has set a day on which he purposes to judge the inhabited earth in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and he has provided a guarantee to all men by resurrecting him from the dead.

(Colossians 3:15-17) ¹⁵ Also, let the peace of the Christ rule in your hearts, for you were called to that peace in one body. And show yourselves thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of the Christ reside in you richly in all wisdom. Keep on teaching and encouraging one another with psalms, praises to God, spiritual songs sung with gratitude, singing in your hearts to Jehovah. ¹⁷ Whatever it is that you do in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, thanking God the Father through him.

(Psalm 37:29) ²⁹ The righteous will possess the earth, And they will live forever on it.

(Revelation 21:3, 4) ³ With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. ⁴ And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”

(Daniel 2:44) ⁴⁴ “In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed. And this kingdom will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it alone will stand forever. . .

(Luke 1:30-33) . . .. ³¹ And look! you will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus. ³² This one will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and Jehovah God will give him the throne of David his father, ³³ and he will rule as King over the house of Jacob forever, and there will be no end to his Kingdom.”

(Revelation 19:11-16) ¹¹ I saw heaven opened, and look! a white horse. And the one seated on it is called Faithful and True, and he judges and carries on war in righteousness. ¹² His eyes are a fiery flame, and on his head are many diadems. He has a name written that no one knows but he himself, ¹³ and he is clothed with an outer garment stained with blood, and he is called by the name The Word of God. ¹⁴ Also, the armies in heaven were following him on white horses, and they were clothed in white, clean, fine linen. ¹⁵ And out of his mouth protrudes a sharp, long sword with which to strike the nations, and he will shepherd them with a rod of iron. Moreover, he treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. ¹⁶ On his outer garment, yes, on his thigh, he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

(Revelation 19:19-21) ¹⁹ And I saw the wild beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the one seated on the horse and against his army. ²⁰ And the wild beast was caught, and along with it the false prophet that performed in front of it the signs with which he misled those who received the mark of the wild beast and those who worship its image. While still alive, they both were hurled into the fiery lake that burns with sulfur. ²¹ But the rest were killed off with the long sword that proceeded out of the mouth of the one seated on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.

(Revelation 7:13-17) ¹³ In response one of the elders said to me: “These who are dressed in the white robes, who are they and where did they come from?” ¹⁴ So right away I said to him: “My lord, you are the one who knows.” And he said to me: “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. ¹⁵ That is why they are before the throne of God, and they are rendering him sacred service day and night in his temple; and the One seated on the throne will spread his tent over them. ¹⁶ They will hunger no more nor thirst anymore, neither will the sun beat down on them nor any scorching heat, ¹⁷ because the Lamb, who is in the midst of the throne, will shepherd them and will guide them to springs of waters of life. And God will wipe out every tear from their eyes.”

(Luke 21:25-28) ²⁵ “Also, there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth anguish of nations not knowing the way out because of the roaring of the sea and its agitation. ²⁶ People will become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ²⁷ And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. ²⁸ But as these things start to occur, stand up straight and lift up your heads, because your deliverance is getting near.”

(Matthew 6:19-21) ¹⁹ “Stop storing up for yourselves treasures on the earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ Rather, store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

God no longer accepts ignorance of his word as an excuse.

I had someone tell me once I do not study the bible because if I don’t know it God will not hold me accountable. This isn’t true. There are many times in the bible God chose to hold those who willfully chose to be ignorant of his laws and would pick and choose what they wanted to believe accountable. Israel had been punished for that very thing. By picking and choosing what they wanted to believe they corrupted his word and smeared God’s good name. We should not assume someone is choosing to have an inaccurate knowledge of God or they choose to be ignorant. We also have to consider are we skipping scriptures because they may cause us discomfort? If they do we should ask ourselves why this is occurring and research the scriptures much more deeply. We need to be careful we are not holding on to a belief that is not a bible teaching. God’s own people got angry at his prophets and even killed some of them because they warned Israel they were not worshiping in truth. So we should be careful if someone delivers a message we may not like and we should carefully weight why they delivered the message and meditate on it. Because God has sent messengers out world wide who were very willing to teach people his word if they do not take in knowledge of him and Jesus for the most part it is most likely willful but there are still sheep out there desiring to know God and Jesus better. So not all are choosing to be willfully ignorant. If there were no sheep left to be found this system of things would have ended by now. So we still have work to do in finding those sheep and helping them to learn about the one true God. God not longer accepts ignorance as an excuse because Jesus clarified everything.

When Jesus was being temped, all he had to do was one act of worship to Satan, but Satan could not trick or deceive Jesus into doing an act of worship because Jesus had written God’s word on his heart and it guided all he did. So we need to seek our answers in God’s word and we should not lean on our own understanding.

God tolerated some of Israels disobedience caused by their ignorance in the past but Jesus clarified many matters when he was on earth in human form so God no longer tolerates ignorance especially willful ignorance. We cannot pick or choose what we want to believe.

Very soon all this will be gone and all we will have is our faith and our relationship with God to get us through the times that are coming. If we do not worship him with our whole heart and our whole soul then how will we make it through what is coming. There will not be wealth , and material possessions will not be able to provide the many things those who are faithful will need. Much of that will be gone. The bible even states they will throw the gold and silver in the streets indicating how worthless it will become.

Because many will be deceived they can be easily blinded and many who believe they are worshiping God in the way he would require will be blinded about the times we are in and even scoff at the mention of it. The one act of worship is all it takes for them to be blinded and be led off into destruction. We have to keep in mind that Satan and his people can appear as angels of light so some may have learned from the m and accept those teaching and because they do not research deeper they could be teaching teachings of man or teaching of demons and not realize it. We have to keep in mind this is a spiritual war and we are all involved and some will win by receiving Gods favor and some will be destroyed. So our lives depend on worshiping God in truth.

Some may have been taught things all their lives, maybe by family or at a very early age by someone they trusted. These things become deeply entrenched. So we should not judge if someone holds a belief that isn’t a bible teaching. We have to keep in mind Satan knows God’s word also and quoted it to Jesus when he tried to temp him. Those who hold onto beliefs that are not what the bible teaches may have had years of the scriptures being used in a misleading way so these beliefs may be deeply set in. If we see someone believes something that the bible does not teach we should hear them out. This gives us a better understanding of what they are feeling and what they are thinking so we can respond more effectively. When we notice someone has something deeply entrenched , they often times know their scriptures well but do not have a clear understanding. It isn’t necessary to flood a person with scriptures to show them what the true meaning is or what God wants us to believe. Jesus talked to them got to see what their understanding of the bible was. Then he used questions based on what he learned from talking to them to get them think deeper and more clearly. One of Satan’s biggest weapons was using the religious figures in Jesus day to get people to question what Jesus taught. We can be certain anything we teach someone Satan will send a messenger to undo what they have been taught. God knows their hearts and if they love God then Satan’s weapons will not work they will slowly take in and learn God’s word in truth. We are not fighting a battle with the person this is a spiritual battle and God’s world should not be used to beat someone but to get them to think and reason.

I will give an example of one belief that is deeply entrenched and knowledge a person may have but they have not meditated on those scriptures more deeply because of deeply entrenched beliefs. For example many believe Jesus is God. Jesus himself never equated himself to God and the bible even said we have to confess Jesus is God’s son. How can we state Jesus is God when that contradicts what the bible tells us to believe? Jesus even stated he did nothing on his own authority but he did the things God had instructed him to do. Also we are told after Jesus does the work God has given him to do when he seated him on the heavenly throne, Jesus will hand the kingdom back to God. If we get to know the person and understand what scriptures they have knowledge of we may be able to ask a question that would get them to think on those scriptures and it may help remove the things that are much more deeply entrenched. If we flood them with many scriptures we would seemingly be attacking them and they may have fond memories of the one who taught them those things. So we could be attacking a big part of their life. There are those who will still refuse to accept God’s word in truth. We know this because those ones killed Jesus because the things he said hurt their hearts. Once we share God’s world with someone it is between them and God. We need to learn from Jesus and try our best to imitate him in how we respond to others when we share his world with them. God knows his sheep and the bible tells us it is God who calls them sheep to Jesus.

For those who may be just learning God’s word, as you read it meditate on it considering God’s qualities and Jesus qualities and think would this be in agreement with the rest of God’s word. Is this something God would require, what does God require. How can I better imitate God and Jesus. How can I please God? How do I respond to a scripture that may not be stating what I have been taught? When I realize I have a belief that is not in agreement with God’s word or what God requires am I working to overcome that?

Things are winding down very quickly now. We need to draw close to God and to his only begotten son Jesus now more then ever.

(Acts 17:29-31) ²⁹ “Therefore, since we are the children of God, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, like something sculptured by the art and design of humans. ³⁰ True, God has overlooked the times of such ignorance; but now he is declaring to all people everywhere that they should repent. ³¹ Because he has set a day on which he purposes to judge the inhabited earth in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and he has provided a guarantee to all men by resurrecting him from the dead.. . .

(Matthew 4:8-11) ⁸ Again the Devil took him along to an unusually high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. ⁹ And he said to him: “All these things I will give you if you fall down and do an act of worship to me.” ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to him: “Go away, Satan! For it is written: ‘It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.’” ¹¹ Then the Devil left him, and look! angels came and began to minister to him.

(Job 21:14, 15) ¹⁴ But they say to the true God, ‘Leave us alone! We have no desire to know your ways. ¹⁵ Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What would we gain by being acquainted with him?’

(Zechariah 7:11, 12) ¹¹ But they kept refusing to pay attention, and they stubbornly turned their backs, and they stopped up their ears so as not to hear. ¹² They made their heart like a diamond and would not obey the law and the words that Jehovah of armies sent by his spirit through the former prophets. So there came great indignation from Jehovah of armies.”

(Matthew 13:14-17) . . .. ¹⁵ For the heart of this people has grown unreceptive, and with their ears they have heard without response, and they have shut their eyes, so that they might never see with their eyes and hear with their ears and get the sense of it with their hearts and turn back and I heal them.’ ¹⁶ “However, happy are your eyes because they see and your ears because they hear. ¹⁷ For truly I say to you, many prophets and righteous men desired to see the things you are observing but did not see them, and to hear the things you are hearing but did not hear them.

(Romans 1:28-32) ²⁸ Just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them over to a disapproved mental state, to do the things not fitting. ²⁹ And they were filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, and badness, being full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice, being whisperers, ³⁰ backbiters, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, schemers of what is harmful, disobedient to parents, ³¹ without understanding, false to agreements, having no natural affection, and merciless. ³² Although these know full well the righteous decree of God—that those practicing such things are deserving of death—they not only keep on doing them but also approve of those practicing them.

(1 Timothy 6:2-8) . . .Keep on teaching these things and giving these exhortations. ³ If any man teaches another doctrine and does not agree with the wholesome instruction, which is from our Lord Jesus Christ, nor with the teaching that is in harmony with godly devotion, ⁴ he is puffed up with pride and does not understand anything. He is obsessed with arguments and debates about words. These things give rise to envy, strife, slander, wicked suspicions, ⁵ constant disputes about minor matters by men who are corrupted in mind and deprived of the truth, thinking that godly devotion is a means of gain. ⁶ To be sure, there is great gain in godly devotion along with contentment. ⁷ For we have brought nothing into the world, and neither can we carry anything out. ⁸ So, having food and clothing, we will be content with these things.

(2 Peter 3:2-7) . . .. ³ First of all know this, that in the last days ridiculers will come with their ridicule, proceeding according to their own desires ⁴ and saying: “Where is this promised presence of his? Why, from the day our forefathers fell asleep in death, all things are continuing exactly as they were from creation’s beginning.” ⁵ For they deliberately ignore this fact, that long ago there were heavens and an earth standing firmly out of water and in the midst of water by the word of God; ⁶ and that by those means the world of that time suffered destruction when it was flooded with water. ⁷ But by the same word the heavens and the earth that now exist are reserved for fire and are being kept until the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly people.

(2 Corinthians 11:12-15) ¹² But what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to eliminate the pretext of those who are wanting a basis for being found equal to us in the things about which they boast. ¹³ For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. ¹⁴ And no wonder, for Satan himself keeps disguising himself as an angel of light. ¹⁵ It is therefore nothing extraordinary if his ministers also keep disguising themselves as ministers of righteousness. But their end will be according to their works.

(1 Timothy 4:1-5) 4 However, the inspired word clearly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to misleading inspired statements and teachings of demons, ² by means of the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, whose conscience is seared as with a branding iron. ³ They forbid marriage and command people to abstain from foods that God created to be partaken of with thanksgiving by those who have faith and accurately know the truth. ⁴ For every creation of God is fine, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, ⁵ for it is sanctified through God’s word and prayer over it.

(2 Corinthians 4:2-4) . . .. ³ If, in fact, the good news we declare is veiled, it is veiled among those who are perishing, ⁴ among whom the god of this system of things has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that the illumination of the glorious good news about the Christ, who is the image of God, might not shine through.

(Matthew 15:6-9) . . .. ⁷ You hypocrites, Isaiah aptly prophesied about you when he said: ⁸ ‘This people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far removed from me. ⁹ It is in vain that they keep worshipping me, for they teach commands of men as doctrines.’. . .

(2 Corinthians 10:3-6) ³ For though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage warfare according to what we are in the flesh. ⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but powerful by God for overturning strongly entrenched things. ⁵ For we are overturning reasonings and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are bringing every thought into captivity to make it obedient to the Christ; ⁶ and we are prepared to inflict punishment for every disobedience, as soon as your own obedience is complete.

(Luke 10:25-28) ²⁵ Now look! a man versed in the Law stood up to test him and said: “Teacher, what do I need to do to inherit everlasting life?” ²⁶ He said to him: “What is written in the Law? How do you read?” ²⁷ In answer he said: “‘You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole strength and with your whole mind’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’” ²⁸ He said to him: “You answered correctly; keep doing this and you will get life.”

How can we survive the war of Armageddon?

How to use.

Written by Lee Stevenson. Sorry I am a lousy editor.

Very soon we will be given a choice to turn our backs on God and worship the beast and put our faith in man and this system of things or to remain faithful and loyal to God and put our faith in the future promises he has given us. Just as in times past Satan and his people will put extreme pressure on those who oppose them and choose to remain loyal to God. They will take many peoples belongings, persecute them in many ways, some may be killed, some will be arrested. When these things occur we have no need to fear. I well explain why we should not be in fear and how we can prepare for the things that are about to occur.

Now more then ever wealth and acquiring material things should be the least of our concerns. This system is clearly winding down and we are in the final minutes. In times past when a nation was going to be judged God would have his people flee or go into hiding. Before this occurred he prepared them spiritually by having them repeatedly read from his word until it was written on their hearts and guided all they did. He also had them simplify their lives. Some had to flee, some had to go into hiding and many times some were very wealthy and had to leave all that wealth behind. In times past there were some who ended up being destroyed with the nations that were judged because they tried to cling to the wealth they had or they were too frightened of leaving the life they had been used to. We need to follow Abraham’s example. He was very wealthy and God instructed him to leave most of it behind including some of his family for hope in a future promise that he would not live to see. He and his wife were very old yet God promised his seed would bless people of all the nations. Because Abraham had faith he did as God ask. We know that Jesus was from Abraham’s bloodline and he fulfilled this promise. Because of Abraham’s faith it was counted as righteous on his part. A lack of faith is a very serious sin in God’s eyes so we need to work on building our faith in God. The way we can do that is by learning how he protects and takes care of those who love, obey and trust him.

The bible warns love of the world and the things in the world, for example showy things, power, or wealth does not originate with God. It is not wrong to have those things but it is wrong if we pursue those things and leave them crowd out worship of God and taking in knowledge of him and Jesus. Many know the whole world lies in the power of the wicked one. If we get caught up in the things of a world we can be easily swayed and manipulated by Satan, we could slowly start putting our faith in the world and the things in it. Money, gold, and silver will be worth nothing very soon. The bible warned us many of the things in this system would be gone soon. So why put our faith in things that will be perishing. God is eternal and does not die. He is the giver of life. Because Jesus defeated Satan God has given him much authority including authority over death which will be the final enemy to be destroyed. So even if man killed us, if we died for righteous reasons, we will be remembered during the resurrection just as Jesus was and he was resurrected so we have no need to fear even death.

True happiness does not come from what we own, any power we may have or anything else in this world. God did not put Adam and Even in the Garden of Eden and say now become wealthy and powerful. He told Adam and Eve to make the whole earth like the garden. We have no word that would accurately convey what the word for the garden meant, but it had a meaning very similar to words we use to describe amusement parks. So we know the garden must have been very fun and very pleasant. Adam and Even had no reason not to trust God. He put them in a garden that had plenty of food. He provided all they needed. So when Satan convinced them that they did not need God and that they would not die. They should have known he was not being truthful because God did nothing that should have made them lose trust in him. They should have known life comes from God and that Satan was lying when he said they would not die. It is a lesson for everyone if someone is saying things about God that may cause us doubt or cause us to put our faith in man or ourselves we should not listen. By Adam and Eve listening they got swayed to put faith in themselves and it brought death and a lot of misery on man. Man has had thousands of years to try and do things without God’s guidance and wisdom. We have tried every means necessary to end crime, violence, poverty, pestilence, wars, greed, selfishness, death and many other things that come from rejecting God. We have tried every form of government and we have failed miserably. When Adam and Even rebelled against God this brought imperfection on man. Not only is man imperfect but we lack the foresight and wisdom God has to be able to do things without him. We have thoroughly proven that lie to be wrong. Because we have the long history of the mistakes man has made and the many failures of man, and all the things I mentioned above have only gotten worse, the original lie in the garden has been thoroughly proven to be wrong. So when the world turns on those worshiping God wholeheartedly we need to keep in mind no matter how many people there are and no matter what weapons they have we have God. No one is wiser or more powerful then God. So there is nothing man could do that God could not protect us from or undo. As for them when they experience God’s rage there will be nothing to protect them. They will not be able to escape his justice. When this occurs God will provide for his people, he will protect them. Yes some may die or be arrested but they will not be forgotten. So even death will not separate us from the love of Jehovah God and Jesus.

I provided scriptures below that show God did not leave faithful ones go without food clothing or other necessities. We may suffer most of our lives because of this wicked system but we need to endure to the end because the new system is forever. This system will be gone soon. In the new system we will have all the time we want to pursue things we may want to do. For example I desire to have donkeys and many other things. I am not making it a goal to acquire donkeys and to acquire land to raise them because I know this system will be gone soon and many of us will lose all we have or even have to leave it behind. I prefer trying to keep my life simple for now and to keep a waiting attitude on God knowing all this is temporary and will be gone soon. If we make it into the new system anything we own no man can or will take it from us. We will be ruled by the heavenly kingdom and guided by God so man will not make the errors and be blindly trying to solve problems because in the new system God will be guiding us and teaching us. Death , illness and all the other bad things will be done away with. We will have all the time we need to pursue things that make us happy and not have things that bring , stress , sadness or any other bad things. The bible tells us the bad memories will be replaced by the good. The bible also tells us before we are done speaking our prayers will be answered. Imagine a life free from death , free from illness. Imagine a world free from unrighteousness , free from the consequences of man making bad decisions. Even when man has good intentions often times we make decisions that we think are good and they can effect others negatively because we lack the foresight and wisdom God has. So the world will be free of the errors man makes by putting faith in ourselves. So many of the problems caused by our decisions will no longer occur because we will be guided and taught by God. The bible tells us he will instruct us in the new system and because his knowledge is so vast we will never be able to learn all he knows. Look at Jesus he was the very first creation of God’s so he has been with God the longest, there are many scriptures that indicate he is still learning from God.

So we need to do things to prepare for the many things we were warned would occur like the pestilence, famine, violence and many other things are going to get much much worse very soon. As in times past we need to heed the warnings and prepare. In times past when famine was prophesied God’s people would take the necessary steps in order to prepare. For example Joseph new there would be a drought. So he stored enough grain to last until the drought was over. Also when it was not possible for God’s people to prepare God provided for them and protected them. We need to know our bibles well because when these things occur the bible tells us God will call the things to mind we have learned to help guide us through it. For some friends and family will turn on them and hand them over to the authorities. We do not have to worry about what to say or do. The bible tells us God will send the holy spirit to guide what we say and do.

Just as in times past it may appear that Satan and his people have the upper hand on those who worship God wholeheartedly but often times God left them believe they had the upper hand but he was actually letting them be lured into a trap. Just as when Israel crossed the sea and God parted it for them. Egypt pursued them. When the last of the Israelite’s had gotten across God left the sea consume the Egyptian army. Not a single Egyptian soldier survived. One angel defended God’s people and it wiped out an entire army. Jesus has legions of angels at his commend. A legion can be up to ten thousand. So we know Jesus has tens of thousands of angels at his command to protect God’s loyal ones. We only need to endure a little while longer and soon things will be much much better.

I posted scriptures below they I would recommend reading so we can write God’s word on our hearts and be prepared. Better times are near we just need to endure a little while longer. We need to persist in prayer and taking in God’s word and writing it on our hearts now more then ever. To improve our chances of surviving the war of Armegeddon. All the signs are in place that it is going to occur very soon.

(Genesis 12:1-3) 12 And Jehovah said to Aʹbram: “Go out from your land and away from your relatives and from the house of your father to the land that I will show you. ² I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and I will make your name great, and you will become a blessing. ³ I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who calls down evil on you, and all the families of the ground will certainly be blessed by means of you.”

(Romans 4:16-22) ¹⁶ That is why it is through faith, so that it might be according to undeserved kindness, in order for the promise to be sure to all his offspring, not only to those who adhere to the Law but also to those who adhere to the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all. ¹⁷ (This is just as it is written: “I have appointed you a father of many nations.”) This was in the sight of God, in whom he had faith, who makes the dead alive and calls the things that are not as though they are. ¹⁸ Although beyond hope, yet based on hope, he had faith that he would become the father of many nations according to what had been said: “So your offspring will be.” ¹⁹ And although he did not grow weak in faith, he considered his own body, now as good as dead (since he was about 100 years old), as well as the deadness of the womb of Sarah. ²⁰ But because of the promise of God, he did not waver in a lack of faith; but he became powerful by his faith, giving God glory ²¹ and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to do. ²² Therefore, “it was counted to him as righteousness.”

(1 John 2:15-17) ¹⁵ Do not love either the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him; ¹⁶ because everything in the world—the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the showy display of one’s means of life—does not originate with the Father, but originates with the world. ¹⁷ Furthermore, the world is passing away and so is its desire, but the one who does the will of God remains forever.

(1 Timothy 6:5-8) . . .. ⁶ To be sure, there is great gain in godly devotion along with contentment. ⁷ For we have brought nothing into the world, and neither can we carry anything out. ⁸ So, having food and clothing, we will be content with these things.

(John 17:3-5) ³ This means everlasting life, their coming to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ. ⁴ I have glorified you on the earth, having finished the work you have given me to do. ⁵ So now, Father, glorify me at your side with the glory that I had alongside you before the world was.

(Psalm 37:29) ²⁹ The righteous will possess the earth, And they will live forever on it.

(Matthew 25:41-46) ⁴¹ “Then he will say to those on his left: ‘Go away from me, you who have been cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels. ⁴² For I became hungry, but you gave me nothing to eat; and I was thirsty, but you gave me nothing to drink. ⁴³ I was a stranger, but you did not receive me hospitably; naked, but you did not clothe me; sick and in prison, but you did not look after me.’ ⁴⁴ Then they too will answer with the words: ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not minister to you?’ ⁴⁵ Then he will answer them, saying: ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of these least ones, you did not do it to me.’ ⁴⁶ These will depart into everlasting cutting-off, but the righteous ones into everlasting life.”

(Isaiah 41:10-14) ¹⁰ Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be anxious, for I am your God. I will fortify you, yes, I will help you, I will really hold on to you with my right hand of righteousness.’ ¹¹ Look! All those getting enraged against you will be put to shame and humiliated. Those who fight with you will be brought to nothing and perish. ¹² You will search for men who struggle with you, but you will not find them; The men at war with you will become as something nonexistent, as nothing at all. ¹³ For I, Jehovah your God, am grasping your right hand, The One saying to you, ‘Do not be afraid. I will help you.’ ¹⁴ Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob, You men of Israel, I will help you,” declares Jehovah, your Repurchaser, the Holy One of Israel.

(2 Kings 4:1-7) 4 Now one of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to E·liʹsha, saying: “Your servant my husband is dead, and you well know that your servant had always feared Jehovah. Now a creditor has come to take both of my children as his slaves.” ² At this E·liʹsha said to her: “What can I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” She replied: “Your servant has nothing at all in the house but a jar of oil.” ³ Then he said: “Go outside, ask for containers from all your neighbors, empty containers. Do not limit yourself to a few. ⁴ Then go in and close the door behind you and your sons. Fill all these containers, and set the full ones aside.” ⁵ So she left him. When she closed the door behind her and her sons, they passed the containers to her, and she kept pouring. ⁶ When the containers were full, she said to one of her sons: “Bring another container to me.” But he said to her: “There are no more containers.” At that the oil stopped. ⁷ So she came in and told the man of the true God, and he said: “Go, sell the oil and pay off your debts, and you and your sons can live from what is left.”

(2 Corinthians 12:7-10) . . .To keep me from becoming overly exalted, I was given a thorn in the flesh, an angel of Satan, to keep slapping me, so that I might not be overly exalted. ⁸ Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it would depart from me. ⁹ But he said to me: “My undeserved kindness is sufficient for you, for my power is being made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly, then, I will boast about my weaknesses, in order that the power of the Christ may remain over me like a tent. ¹⁰ So I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in times of need, in persecutions and difficulties, for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am powerful.

(2 Corinthians 4:7-12) ⁷ However, we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the power beyond what is normal may be God’s and not from us. ⁸ We are hard-pressed in every way, but not cramped beyond movement; we are perplexed, but not absolutely with no way out; ⁹ we are persecuted, but not abandoned; we are knocked down, but not destroyed. ¹⁰ Always we endure in our body the death-dealing treatment that Jesus suffered, that the life of Jesus may also be made manifest in our body. ¹¹ For we who live are ever being brought face-to-face with death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be made manifest in our mortal flesh. ¹² So death is at work in us, but life in you.

(Judges 7:19-22) ¹⁹ Gidʹe·on and the 100 men who were with him came to the edge of the camp at the start of the middle night watch, just after the sentries were posted. They blew the horns and smashed the large water jars that were in their hands. ²⁰ So the three bands blew the horns and shattered the large jars. They held the torches in their left hands and blew the horns in their right hands and they called out: “The sword of Jehovah and of Gidʹe·on!” ²¹ All the while each man stood in his place all around the camp, and the whole army ran away, shouting as they fled. ²² The 300 continued to blow the horns, and Jehovah turned the sword of each one against the other throughout the camp; and the army fled as far as Beth-shitʹtah, on to Zerʹe·rah, as far as the outskirts of Aʹbel-me·hoʹlah by Tabʹbath.

(2 Chronicles 20:22-24) ²² When they began joyfully singing praises, Jehovah set an ambush against the men of Amʹmon, Moʹab, and the mountainous region of Seʹir who were invading Judah, and they struck each other down. ²³ And the Amʹmon·ites and the Moʹab·ites turned against the inhabitants of the mountainous region of Seʹir to destroy and annihilate them; and when they finished with the inhabitants of Seʹir, they helped to destroy one another. ²⁴ But when Judah came to the watchtower of the wilderness and looked toward the crowd, there they saw their carcasses fallen to the ground; there were no survivors.

(Daniel 6:18-23) ¹⁸ The king then went to his palace. He passed the night fasting and refused any entertainment, and he could not sleep. ¹⁹ Finally at the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ pit. ²⁰ As he got near the pit, he called out to Daniel with a sad voice. The king asked Daniel: “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God whom you are continually serving been able to rescue you from the lions?” ²¹ Daniel immediately said to the king: “O king, may you live on forever. ²² My God sent his angel and shut the mouth of the lions, and they have not harmed me, for I was found innocent before him; nor have I done any wrong to you, O king.” ²³ The king was overjoyed, and he commanded that Daniel be lifted up out of the pit. When Daniel was lifted up out of the pit, he was completely unharmed, because he had trusted in his God.

(Hebrews 11:32-12:3) ³² And what more will I say? For time will fail me if I go on to relate about Gidʹe·on, Baʹrak, Samson, Jephʹthah, David, as well as Samuel and the other prophets. ³³ Through faith they defeated kingdoms, brought about righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, ³⁴ quenched the force of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from a weak state were made powerful, became mighty in war, routed invading armies. ³⁵ Women received their dead by resurrection, but other men were tortured because they would not accept release by some ransom, in order that they might attain a better resurrection. ³⁶ Yes, others received their trial by mockings and scourgings, indeed, more than that, by chains and prisons. ³⁷ They were stoned, they were tried, they were sawn in two, they were slaughtered by the sword, they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, while they were in need, in tribulation, mistreated; ³⁸ and the world was not worthy of them. They wandered about in deserts and mountains and caves and dens of the earth. ³⁹ And yet all of these, although they received a favorable witness because of their faith, did not obtain the fulfillment of the promise, ⁴⁰ because God had foreseen something better for us, so that they might not be made perfect apart from us. 12 So, then, because we have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also throw off every weight and the sin that easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² as we look intently at the Chief Agent and Perfecter of our faith, Jesus. For the joy that was set before him he endured a torture stake, despising shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Indeed, consider closely the one who has endured such hostile speech from sinners against their own interests, so that you may not get tired and give up.

(Joel 2:32) ³² And everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved; For on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be those who escape, just as Jehovah has said, The survivors whom Jehovah calls.”

(Jeremiah 29:11-14) ¹¹ “‘For I well know the thoughts that I am thinking toward you,’ declares Jehovah, ‘thoughts of peace, and not of calamity, to give you a future and a hope. ¹² And you will call me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.’ ¹³ “‘You will seek me and find me, for you will search for me with all your heart. ¹⁴ And I will let you find me,’ declares Jehovah. ‘And I will gather your captives and collect you together out of all the nations and places to which I have dispersed you,’ declares Jehovah. ‘And I will bring you back to the place from which I caused you to go into exile.’

(1 Thessalonians 5:1-11) 5 Now as for the times and the seasons, brothers, you need nothing to be written to you. ² For you yourselves know very well that Jehovah’s day is coming exactly as a thief in the night. ³ Whenever it is that they are saying, “Peace and security!” then sudden destruction is to be instantly on them, just like birth pains on a pregnant woman, and they will by no means escape. ⁴ But you, brothers, you are not in darkness, so that the day should overtake you as it would thieves, ⁵ for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We belong neither to night nor to darkness. ⁶ So, then, let us not sleep on as the rest do, but let us stay awake and keep our senses. ⁷ For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. ⁸ But as for us who belong to the day, let us keep our senses and put on the breastplate of faith and love and the hope of salvation as a helmet ⁹ because God assigned us, not to wrath, but to the acquiring of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁰ He died for us, so that whether we stay awake or are asleep, we should live together with him. ¹¹ Therefore, keep encouraging one another and building one another up, just as you are in fact doing.

(Hebrews 2:14-18) ¹⁴ Therefore, since the “young children” are sharers of blood and flesh, he also similarly shared in the same things, so that through his death he might bring to nothing the one having the means to cause death, that is, the Devil, ¹⁵ and that he might set free all those who were held in slavery all their lives by their fear of death. ¹⁶ For it is not really angels he is assisting, but he is assisting Abraham’s offspring. ¹⁷ Consequently, he had to become like his “brothers” in all respects, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in things relating to God, in order to offer a propitiatory sacrifice for the sins of the people. ¹⁸ Since he himself has suffered when being put to the test, he is able to come to the aid of those who are being put to the test.

(Revelation 2:9-11) ⁹ ‘I know your tribulation and poverty—but you are rich—and the blasphemy by those who call themselves Jews and really are not, but they are a synagogue of Satan. ¹⁰ Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. Look! The Devil will keep on throwing some of you into prison so that you may be fully put to the test, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Prove yourself faithful even to death, and I will give you the crown of life. ¹¹ Let the one who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the congregations: The one who conquers will by no means be harmed by the second death.’

(Daniel 3:16-18) . . .. ¹⁷ If it must be, our God whom we serve is able to rescue us from the burning fiery furnace, O king, and to rescue us from your hand. ¹⁸ But even if he does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold that you have set up.”

(Daniel 3:17-29) ¹⁷ If it must be, our God whom we serve is able to rescue us from the burning fiery furnace, O king, and to rescue us from your hand. ¹⁸ But even if he does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold that you have set up.” ¹⁹ Then Neb·u·chad·nezʹzar became so furious with Shaʹdrach, Meʹshach, and A·bedʹne·go that the expression of his face changed toward them, and he gave orders to heat the furnace seven times hotter than usual. ²⁰ He ordered some of the mighty men from his army to bind Shaʹdrach, Meʹshach, and A·bedʹne·go and to throw them into the burning fiery furnace. ²¹ So these men were tied up while still wearing their cloaks, garments, caps, and all their other clothing, and they were thrown into the burning fiery furnace. ²² Because the king’s command was so harsh and the furnace was exceptionally hot, the men who took up Shaʹdrach, Meʹshach, and A·bedʹne·go were the ones killed by the flames of the fire. ²³ But these three men, Shaʹdrach, Meʹshach, and A·bedʹne·go, fell bound into the burning fiery furnace. ²⁴ King Neb·u·chad·nezʹzar then became frightened and quickly rose up and said to his high officials: “Did we not tie up three men and throw them into the fire?” They answered the king: “Yes, O king.” ²⁵ He said: “Look! I see four men walking about free in the midst of the fire, and they are unharmed, and the fourth one looks like a son of the gods.” ²⁶ Neb·u·chad·nezʹzar approached the door of the burning fiery furnace and said: “Shaʹdrach, Meʹshach, and A·bedʹne·go, you servants of the Most High God, step out and come here!” Shaʹdrach, Meʹshach, and A·bedʹne·go stepped out from the midst of the fire. ²⁷ And the satraps, prefects, governors, and the high officials of the king who were assembled there saw that the fire had had no effect on the bodies of these men; not a hair of their heads had been singed, their cloaks looked no different, and there was not even the smell of fire on them. ²⁸ Neb·u·chad·nezʹzar then declared: “Praised be the God of Shaʹdrach, Meʹshach, and A·bedʹne·go, who sent his angel and rescued his servants. They trusted in him and went against the command of the king and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. ²⁹ I am therefore issuing an order that any people, nation, or language group that says anything against the God of Shaʹdrach, Meʹshach, and A·bedʹne·go should be dismembered, and their houses should be turned into public latrines; for there is no other god who is able to rescue like this one.”

(Matthew 26:52-55) ⁵² Then Jesus said to him: “Return your sword to its place, for all those who take up the sword will perish by the sword. ⁵³ Or do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father to supply me at this moment more than 12 legions of angels? ⁵⁴ In that case, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must take place this way?” ⁵⁵ In that hour Jesus said to the crowds: “Did you come out to arrest me with swords and clubs as against a robber? Day after day I used to sit in the temple teaching, and yet you did not take me into custody.

(2 Kings 6:15-17) ¹⁵ When the attendant of the man of the true God rose early and went outside, he saw that an army with horses and war chariots was surrounding the city. At once the attendant said to him: “Alas, my master! What are we to do?” ¹⁶ But he said: “Do not be afraid! For there are more who are with us than those who are with them.” ¹⁷ Then E·liʹsha began to pray and say: “O Jehovah, open his eyes, please, that he may see.” Immediately Jehovah opened the attendant’s eyes and he saw, and look! the mountainous region was full of horses and war chariots of fire all around E·liʹsha.

(2 Kings 19:35, 36) ³⁵ On that very night the angel of Jehovah went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the As·syrʹi·ans. When people rose up early in the morning, they saw all the dead bodies. ³⁶ So King Sen·nachʹer·ib of As·syrʹi·a departed and returned to Ninʹe·veh and stayed there.

(Romans 8:35-39) ³⁵ Who will separate us from the love of the Christ? Will tribulation or distress or persecution or hunger or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶ Just as it is written: “For your sake we are being put to death all day long; we have been accounted as sheep for slaughtering.” ³⁷ On the contrary, in all these things we are coming off completely victorious through the one who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life nor angels nor governments nor things now here nor things to come nor powers ³⁹ nor height nor depth nor any other creation will be able to separate us from God’s love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(Jeremiah 17:7, 8)  ⁷ Blessed is the man who puts his trust in Jehovah, Whose confidence is in Jehovah.  ⁸ He will become like a tree planted by the waters, That sends out its roots to the stream. He will not notice when heat comes, But his leaves will always flourish. And in the year of drought he will not be anxious, Nor will he quit producing fruit.

(Matthew 13:18-23) ¹⁸ “Now listen to the illustration of the man who sowed. ¹⁹ Where anyone hears the word of the Kingdom but does not get the sense of it, the wicked one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart; this is the one sown alongside the road. ²⁰ As for the one sown on rocky ground, this is the one hearing the word and at once accepting it with joy. ²¹ Yet, he has no root in himself but continues for a time, and after tribulation or persecution has arisen on account of the word, he is at once stumbled. ²² As for the one sown among the thorns, this is the one hearing the word, but the anxiety of this system of things and the deceptive power of riches choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. ²³ As for the one sown upon the fine soil, this is the one hearing the word and getting the sense of it, who really does bear fruit and produces, this one 100 times more, that one 60, the other 30.”

(1 Peter 5:6-11) ⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time, ⁷ while you throw all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. ⁸ Keep your senses, be watchful! Your adversary, the Devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour someone. ⁹ But take your stand against him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by the entire association of your brothers in the world. ¹⁰ But after you have suffered a little while, the God of all undeserved kindness, who called you to his everlasting glory in union with Christ, will himself finish your training. He will make you firm, he will make you strong, he will firmly ground you. ¹¹ To him be the might forever. Amen.

(1 Corinthians 15:26-28) ²⁶ And the last enemy, death, is to be brought to nothing. ²⁷ For God “subjected all things under his feet.” But when he says that ‘all things have been subjected,’ it is evident that this does not include the One who subjected all things to him. ²⁸ But when all things will have been subjected to him, then the Son himself will also subject himself to the One who subjected all things to him, that God may be all things to everyone.

(John 5:27-30) . . .. ²⁸ Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice ²⁹ and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, and those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment. ³⁰ I cannot do a single thing of my own initiative. Just as I hear, I judge, and my judgment is righteous because I seek, not my own will, but the will of him who sent me.

(Psalm 37:1-18) 37 Do not be upset because of evil men Or envious of wrongdoers.  ² They will quickly wither like grass And shrivel like green new grass. ב [Beth]  ³ Trust in Jehovah and do what is good; Reside in the earth, and act with faithfulness.  ⁴ Find exquisite delight in Jehovah, And he will grant you the desires of your heart. ג [Gimel]  ⁵ Commit your way to Jehovah; Rely on him, and he will act in your behalf.  ⁶ He will make your righteousness shine like daybreak, And your justice like the midday sun. ד [Daleth]  ⁷ Keep silent before Jehovah And wait expectantly for him. Do not be upset by the man Who succeeds in carrying out his schemes. ה [He]  ⁸ Let go of anger and abandon rage; Do not become upset and turn to doing evil.  ⁹ For evil men will be done away with, But those hoping in Jehovah will possess the earth. ו [Waw] ¹⁰ Just a little while longer, and the wicked will be no more; You will look at where they were, And they will not be there. ¹¹ But the meek will possess the earth, And they will find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace. ז [Zayin] ¹² The wicked man plots against the righteous; He grinds his teeth at him. ¹³ But Jehovah will laugh at him, For He knows that his day will come. ח [Heth] ¹⁴ The wicked draw their swords and bend their bows To bring down the oppressed and the poor, To slaughter those whose way is upright. ¹⁵ But their sword will pierce their own heart; Their bows will be broken. ט [Teth] ¹⁶ Better is the little of the righteous one Than the abundance of many wicked ones. ¹⁷ For the arms of the wicked will be broken, But Jehovah will support the righteous. י [Yod] ¹⁸ Jehovah is aware of what the blameless go through, And their inheritance will last forever.

(Isaiah 65:17-25) ¹⁷ For look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth; And the former things will not be called to mind, Nor will they come up into the heart. ¹⁸ So exult and be joyful forever in what I am creating. For look! I am creating Jerusalem a cause for joy And her people a cause for exultation. ¹⁹ And I will rejoice in Jerusalem and exult in my people; No more will there be heard in her the sound of weeping or a cry of distress.” ²⁰ “No more will there be an infant from that place who lives but a few days, Nor an old man who fails to live out his days. For anyone who dies at a hundred will be considered a mere boy, And the sinner will be cursed, even though he is a hundred years of age. ²¹ They will build houses and live in them, And they will plant vineyards and eat their fruitage. ²² They will not build for someone else to inhabit, Nor will they plant for others to eat. For the days of my people will be like the days of a tree, And the work of their hands my chosen ones will enjoy to the full. ²³ They will not toil for nothing, Nor will they bear children for distress, Because they are the offspring made up of those blessed by Jehovah, And their descendants with them. ²⁴ Even before they call out, I will answer; While they are yet speaking, I will hear. ²⁵ The wolf and the lamb will feed together, The lion will eat straw just like the bull, And the serpent’s food will be dust. They will do no harm nor cause any ruin in all my holy mountain,” says Jehovah.

(Hebrews 5:7-10) ⁷ During his life on earth, Christ offered up supplications and also petitions, with strong outcries and tears, to the One who was able to save him out of death, and he was favorably heard for his godly fear. ⁸ Although he was a son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. ⁹ And after he had been made perfect, he became responsible for everlasting salvation to all those obeying him, ¹⁰ because he has been designated by God a high priest in the manner of Mel·chizʹe·dek.

(John 5:30) ³⁰ I cannot do a single thing of my own initiative. Just as I hear, I judge, and my judgment is righteous because I seek, not my own will, but the will of him who sent me.

(John 6:37-40) ³⁷ All those whom the Father gives me will come to me, and I will never drive away the one who comes to me; ³⁸ for I have come down from heaven to do, not my own will, but the will of him who sent me. ³⁹ This is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose none out of all those whom he has given me, but that I should resurrect them on the last day. ⁴⁰ For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who recognizes the Son and exercises faith in him should have everlasting life, and I will resurrect him on the last day.”

(Matthew 10:19-23) ¹⁹ However, when they hand you over, do not become anxious about how or what you are to speak, for what you are to speak will be given you in that hour; ²⁰ for the ones speaking are not just you, but it is the spirit of your Father that speaks by you. ²¹ Further, brother will hand brother over to death, and a father his child, and children will rise up against parents and will have them put to death. ²² And you will be hated by all people on account of my name, but the one who has endured to the end will be saved. ²³ When they persecute you in one city, flee to another; for truly I say to you, you will by no means complete the circuit of the cities of Israel until the Son of man arrives.

(Luke 21:12-19) ¹² “But before all these things happen, people will lay their hands on you and persecute you, handing you over to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and governors for the sake of my name. ¹³ It will result in your giving a witness. ¹⁴ Therefore, resolve in your hearts not to rehearse beforehand how to make your defense, ¹⁵ for I will give you words and wisdom that all your opposers together will not be able to resist or dispute. ¹⁶ Moreover, you will be handed over even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death, ¹⁷ and you will be hated by all people because of my name. ¹⁸ But not even a hair of your heads will perish. ¹⁹ By your endurance you will preserve your lives.

The war of Armageddon, are you prepared?

Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.

Some things are going to happen very soon that will be very frightening if we do not prepare. Also if we do not heed God’s word it could result in us not knowing what to do. So now more then ever we need to persist in prayer, in taking in knowledge of God and Jesus. This will help get us through what is about to occur. This war that about to occur is called the war of Amageddon. It is not going to be fought by God’s people but it will be God and Jesus who will defend them and it will be the nations and people of the earth who oppose God and Jesus that is involved in the battle.

We know that the world will turn on those who worship in truth and see them as defenseless. They will not have fortified walls or weapons so they will be viewed as vulnerable. The world will attack God’s people. We need not to fear. When this occurs those who oppose God will not be around much longer. He will experience his anger, and justice and he will protect his people and destroy those doing the destroying. We will have not need to fight. He will send Jesus who will be commanding legions of angels. As for food and clothing God always provided for his people in the past during times of hardship so we can be certain he will provide for his people again. Jesus will rule as king until all of his enemies are destroyed even death before he hands the thrown back over to his father. He has full authority over everything except God himself so we know he has all he needs to protect us and to accomplish the work God has given him.

We will not be able to buy sell or trade if we refuse to bow to the beast. But those who side with the beast will be destroyed those who remain loyal to God will be given the gift of eternal life. We will not have to worry about food or clothing God has always provided for his people when they were in need and they ask him to help them. So he will give us protection , food and clothing we have to remember to ask. We need to learn now more then ever to pray to God frequently. Since these things will all be gone soon we should focus more now on spiritual things because the things in the new system are forever and we will have all the time we need to pursue things that make us happy.

Those attacking God’s people will believe their wealth is going to protect them but they will lose everything and because they attacked God’s people they will be much worse off because they do not have God to help them.

Many will falter because they did not heed the warnings and prepare. But when these things occur those who prepared themselves will shine because they will have written God’s word on their hearts and will be guide so they were produce fruits during these times of distress. This is when it will really become clear who the sheep are and who the goats are.

Those who should be in fear are those who chose to oppose God or turn their backs on him because they are going to experience some very fearful things, and they will experience destruction. When these things occur we do not need to be afraid it is a sign our deliverance is very very near. Many will walk through the great tribulation and those ones will live forever.

(Ezekiel 38:8-23) ⁸ “‘“You will be given attention after many days. In the final part of the years you will invade the land whose people have been restored from the ravages of the sword, collected together out of many peoples onto the mountains of Israel, which had long been lying devastated. The inhabitants of this land were restored from the peoples, and all of them dwell in security. ⁹ You will come against them like a storm, and you will cover the land like clouds, you and all your troops and many peoples with you.”’ ¹⁰ “This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah says: ‘In that day thoughts will come into your heart, and you will devise an evil plan. ¹¹ You will say: “I will invade the land of unprotected settlements. I will come against those living in security, without disturbance, all of them living in settlements unprotected by walls, bars, or gates.” ¹² It will be to take much spoil and plunder, to attack the devastated places that are now inhabited and a people regathered from the nations, who are accumulating wealth and property, those who are living in the center of the earth. ¹³ “‘Sheʹba and Deʹdan, the merchants of Tarʹshish and all its warriors will say to you: “Are you invading to get much spoil and plunder? Have you assembled your armies to carry off silver and gold, to take wealth and property, to seize a very great spoil?”’ ¹⁴ “So prophesy, son of man, and say to Gog, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah says: “On that day when my people Israel are dwelling in security, will you not know it? ¹⁵ You will come from your place, from the remotest parts of the north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great assembly, a vast army. ¹⁶ Like clouds covering the land, you will come against my people Israel. In the final part of the days I will bring you against my land so that the nations may know me when I sanctify myself through you before their eyes, O Gog.”’ ¹⁷ “This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah says: ‘Are you not the same one I spoke about in the former days through my servants the prophets of Israel, who prophesied for many years that you would be brought against them?’ ¹⁸ “‘On that day, the day when Gog invades the land of Israel,’ declares the Sovereign Lord Jehovah, ‘my great rage will flare up. ¹⁹ In my zeal, in the fire of my fury, I will speak; and in that day there will be a great earthquake in the land of Israel. ²⁰ Because of me the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the wild beasts of the field, all the reptiles that creep on the ground, and all humans on the surface of the earth will tremble, and the mountains will be thrown down, and the cliffs will fall, and every wall will collapse to the ground.’ ²¹ “‘I will call for a sword against him on all my mountains,’ declares the Sovereign Lord Jehovah. ‘Every man’s sword will be against his own brother. ²² I will bring my judgment against him with pestilence and bloodshed; and I will rain down a torrential downpour and hailstones and fire and sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many peoples with him. ²³ And I will certainly magnify myself and sanctify myself and make myself known before the eyes of many nations; and they will have to know that I am Jehovah.’

(Revelation 12:10-17) . . .“Now have come to pass the salvation and the power and the Kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ, because the accuser of our brothers has been hurled down, who accuses them day and night before our God! ¹¹ And they conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their witnessing, and they did not love their souls even in the face of death. ¹² On this account be glad, you heavens and you who reside in them! Woe for the earth and for the sea, because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing that he has a short period of time.” ¹³ Now when the dragon saw that it had been hurled down to the earth, it persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child. ¹⁴ But the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, so that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is to be fed for a time and times and half a time away from the face of the serpent. ¹⁵ And the serpent spewed out water like a river from its mouth after the woman, to cause her to be drowned by the river. ¹⁶ But the earth came to the woman’s help, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the river that the dragon spewed out from its mouth. ¹⁷ So the dragon became enraged at the woman and went off to wage war with the remaining ones of her offspring, who observe the commandments of God and have the work of bearing witness concerning Jesus.

(Haggai 2:22) I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms and annihilate the strength of the kingdoms of the nations; and I will overthrow the chariot and its riders, and the horses and their riders will fall, each one by the sword of his brother.’”

(Zechariah 14:13) “In that day confusion from Jehovah will be widespread among them; and each one will grab hold of the hand of his companion, and his hand will come against the hand of his companion.

(1 Corinthians 15:24-28) . . .. ²⁵ For he must rule as king until God has put all enemies under his feet. ²⁶ And the last enemy, death, is to be brought to nothing. ²⁷ For God “subjected all things under his feet.” But when he says that ‘all things have been subjected,’ it is evident that this does not include the One who subjected all things to him. ²⁸ But when all things will have been subjected to him, then the Son himself will also subject himself to the One who subjected all things to him, that God may be all things to everyone.

(Revelation 14:14-15:1) ¹⁴ Then I saw, and look! a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was someone like a son of man, with a golden crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. ¹⁵ Another angel emerged from the temple sanctuary, calling with a loud voice to the one seated on the cloud: “Put your sickle in and reap, because the hour has come to reap, for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe.” ¹⁶ And the one seated on the cloud thrust his sickle into the earth, and the earth was reaped. ¹⁷ And still another angel emerged from the temple sanctuary that is in heaven, and he also had a sharp sickle. ¹⁸ And still another angel emerged from the altar, and he had authority over the fire. And he called out with a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, saying: “Put your sharp sickle in and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for its grapes have become ripe.” ¹⁹ The angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and he hurled it into the great winepress of God’s anger. ²⁰ The winepress was trodden outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress as high up as the bridles of the horses for a distance of 1,600 stadia. 15 And I saw in heaven another sign, great and wonderful, seven angels with seven plagues. These are the last ones, because by means of them the anger of God is brought to a finish.

(Revelation 11:17, 18) . . .. ¹⁸ But the nations became wrathful, and your own wrath came, and the appointed time came for the dead to be judged and to reward your slaves the prophets and the holy ones and those fearing your name, the small and the great, and to bring to ruin those ruining the earth.”

(Isaiah 13:9-13)  ⁹ Look! The day of Jehovah is coming, Cruel both with fury and with burning anger, To make the land an object of horror, And to annihilate the land’s sinners from it. ¹⁰ For the stars of the heavens and their constellations Will not give off their light; The sun will be dark when it rises, And the moon will not shed its light. ¹¹ I will call the inhabited earth to account for its badness, And the wicked for their error. I will put an end to the pride of the presumptuous, And I will humble the haughtiness of tyrants. ¹² I will make mortal man scarcer than refined gold, And humans scarcer than the gold of Oʹphir. ¹³ That is why I will make the heavens tremble, And the earth will be shaken out of its place At the fury of Jehovah of armies in the day of his burning anger.

(Zephaniah 1:18-2:3) ¹⁸ Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them in the day of Jehovah’s fury; For by the fire of his zeal the whole earth will be consumed, Because he will make an extermination, indeed a terrible one, of all the inhabitants of the earth.” 2 Gather together, yes, gather yourselves, O nation that feels no shame.  ² Before the decree takes effect, Before the day passes by like chaff, Before the burning anger of Jehovah comes upon you, Before the day of Jehovah’s anger comes upon you,  ³ Seek Jehovah, all you meek ones of the earth, Who observe his righteous decrees. Seek righteousness, seek meekness. Probably you will be concealed on the day of Jehovah’s anger.

(1 Thessalonians 5:1-11) 5 Now as for the times and the seasons, brothers, you need nothing to be written to you. ² For you yourselves know very well that Jehovah’s day is coming exactly as a thief in the night. ³ Whenever it is that they are saying, “Peace and security!” then sudden destruction is to be instantly on them, just like birth pains on a pregnant woman, and they will by no means escape. ⁴ But you, brothers, you are not in darkness, so that the day should overtake you as it would thieves, ⁵ for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We belong neither to night nor to darkness. ⁶ So, then, let us not sleep on as the rest do, but let us stay awake and keep our senses. ⁷ For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. ⁸ But as for us who belong to the day, let us keep our senses and put on the breastplate of faith and love and the hope of salvation as a helmet ⁹ because God assigned us, not to wrath, but to the acquiring of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁰ He died for us, so that whether we stay awake or are asleep, we should live together with him. ¹¹ Therefore, keep encouraging one another and building one another up, just as you are in fact doing.

(Revelation 13:16-18) ¹⁶ It puts under compulsion all people—the small and the great, the rich and the poor, the free and the slaves—that these should be marked on their right hand or on their forehead, ¹⁷ and that nobody can buy or sell except a person having the mark, the name of the wild beast or the number of its name. ¹⁸ This is where it calls for wisdom: Let the one who has insight calculate the number of the wild beast, for it is a man’s number, and its number is 666.

(Mark 8:34-38) ³⁴ He now called the crowd to him with his disciples and said to them: “If anyone wants to come after me, let him disown himself and pick up his torture stake and keep following me. ³⁵ For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and for the sake of the good news will save it. ³⁶ Really, what good will it do a man to gain the whole world and to lose his life? ³⁷ What, really, would a man give in exchange for his life? ³⁸ For whoever becomes ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of man will also be ashamed of him when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

(1 Timothy 6:9, 10) ⁹ But those who are determined to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and many senseless and harmful desires that plunge men into destruction and ruin. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all sorts of injurious things, and by reaching out for this love some have been led astray from the faith and have stabbed themselves all over with many pains. . .

(Matthew 6:24-34) ²⁴ “No one can slave for two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stick to the one and despise the other. You cannot slave for God and for Riches. ²⁵ “On this account I say to you: Stop being anxious about your lives as to what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your bodies as to what you will wear. Does not life mean more than food and the body than clothing? ²⁶ Observe intently the birds of heaven; they do not sow seed or reap or gather into storehouses, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth more than they are? ²⁷ Who of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his life span? ²⁸ Also, why are you anxious about clothing? Take a lesson from the lilies of the field, how they grow; they do not toil, nor do they spin; ²⁹ but I tell you that not even Solʹo·mon in all his glory was arrayed as one of these. ³⁰ Now if this is how God clothes the vegetation of the field that is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much rather clothe you, you with little faith? ³¹ So never be anxious and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or, ‘What are we to drink?’ or, ‘What are we to wear?’ ³² For all these are the things the nations are eagerly pursuing. Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ³³ “Keep on, then, seeking first the Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these other things will be added to you. ³⁴ So never be anxious about the next day, for the next day will have its own anxieties. Each day has enough of its own troubles.

(Matthew 6:1-4) 6 “Take care not to practice your righteousness in front of men to be noticed by them; otherwise you will have no reward with your Father who is in the heavens. ² So when you make gifts of mercy, do not blow a trumpet ahead of you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be glorified by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. ³ But you, when making gifts of mercy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ so that your gifts of mercy may be in secret. Then your Father who looks on in secret will repay you.

(Luke 18:9-14) ⁹ He also told this illustration to some who trusted in their own righteousness and who considered others as nothing: ¹⁰ “Two men went up into the temple to pray, the one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee stood and began to pray these things to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like everyone else—extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. ¹² I fast twice a week; I give the tenth of all things I acquire.’ ¹³ But the tax collector, standing at a distance, was not willing even to raise his eyes heavenward but kept beating his chest, saying, ‘O God, be gracious to me, a sinner.’ ¹⁴ I tell you, this man went down to his home and was proved more righteous than that Pharisee. Because everyone who exalts himself will be humiliated, but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

(Psalm 37:1-13) 37 Do not be upset because of evil men Or envious of wrongdoers.  ² They will quickly wither like grass And shrivel like green new grass. ב [Beth]  ³ Trust in Jehovah and do what is good; Reside in the earth, and act with faithfulness.  ⁴ Find exquisite delight in Jehovah, And he will grant you the desires of your heart. ג [Gimel]  ⁵ Commit your way to Jehovah; Rely on him, and he will act in your behalf.  ⁶ He will make your righteousness shine like daybreak, And your justice like the midday sun. ד [Daleth]  ⁷ Keep silent before Jehovah And wait expectantly for him. Do not be upset by the man Who succeeds in carrying out his schemes. ה [He]  ⁸ Let go of anger and abandon rage; Do not become upset and turn to doing evil.  ⁹ For evil men will be done away with, But those hoping in Jehovah will possess the earth. ו [Waw] ¹⁰ Just a little while longer, and the wicked will be no more; You will look at where they were, And they will not be there. ¹¹ But the meek will possess the earth, And they will find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace. ז [Zayin] ¹² The wicked man plots against the righteous; He grinds his teeth at him. ¹³ But Jehovah will laugh at him, For He knows that his day will come.

(Luke 12:32-34) ³² “Have no fear, little flock, for your Father has approved of giving you the Kingdom. ³³ Sell your belongings and give gifts of mercy. Make money pouches that do not wear out, a never-failing treasure in the heavens, where no thief gets near and no moth consumes. ³⁴ For where your treasure is, there your hearts will be also.

(Luke 12:13-21) ¹³ Then someone in the crowd said to him: “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” ¹⁴ He said to him: “Man, who appointed me judge or arbitrator between you two?” ¹⁵ Then he said to them: “Keep your eyes open and guard against every sort of greed, because even when a person has an abundance, his life does not result from the things he possesses.” ¹⁶ With that he told them an illustration, saying: “The land of a rich man produced well. ¹⁷ So he began reasoning within himself, ‘What should I do now that I have nowhere to gather my crops?’ ¹⁸ Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my storehouses and build bigger ones, and there I will gather all my grain and all my goods, ¹⁹ and I will say to myself: “You have many good things stored up for many years; take it easy, eat, drink, enjoy yourself.”’ ²⁰ But God said to him, ‘Unreasonable one, this night they are demanding your life from you. Who, then, is to have the things you stored up?’ ²¹ So it goes with the man who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God.. . .

(Philippians 4:10-13) . . .. ¹¹ Not that I am saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be self-sufficient regardless of my circumstances. ¹² I know how to be low on provisions and how to have an abundance. In everything and in all circumstances I have learned the secret of both how to be full and how to hunger, both how to have an abundance and how to do without. ¹³ For all things I have the strength through the one who gives me power.

(1 Timothy 6:8) So, having food and clothing, we will be content with these things.

(Hebrews 13:5) Let your way of life be free of the love of money, while you are content with the present things. For he has said: “I will never leave you, and I will never abandon you.”

(1 Timothy 4:8) ⁸ For physical training is beneficial for a little, but godly devotion is beneficial for all things, as it holds promise of the life now and the life that is to come. . .

(John 17:3) ³ This means everlasting life, their coming to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.

(1 Timothy 6:17-19) ¹⁷ Instruct those who are rich in the present system of things not to be arrogant, and to place their hope, not on uncertain riches, but on God, who richly provides us with all the things we enjoy. ¹⁸ Tell them to work at good, to be rich in fine works, to be generous, ready to share, ¹⁹ safely treasuring up for themselves a fine foundation for the future, so that they may get a firm hold on the real life. . .

(Matthew 13:22) As for the one sown among the thorns, this is the one hearing the word, but the anxiety of this system of things and the deceptive power of riches choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

(Mark 10:23) After looking around, Jesus said to his disciples: “How difficult it will be for those with money to enter into the Kingdom of God!

money first mentioned in the bible

(1 John 2:15-17) ¹⁵ Do not love either the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him; ¹⁶ because everything in the world—the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the showy display of one’s means of life—does not originate with the Father, but originates with the world. ¹⁷ Furthermore, the world is passing away and so is its desire, but the one who does the will of God remains forever.money first mentioned in the bible

(Psalm 37:29) ²⁹ The righteous will possess the earth, And they will live forever on it.

(Matthew 25:44-46) . . .’ ⁴⁵ Then he will answer them, saying: ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of these least ones, you did not do it to me.’ ⁴⁶ These will depart into everlasting cutting-off, but the righteous ones into everlasting life. . .

(Genesis 13:1-4) 13 Aʹbram then went up out of Egypt to the Negʹeb, he and his wife and all that he had, together with Lot. ² Aʹbram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold. ³ He camped in one place after another as he traveled from the Negʹeb to Bethʹel, until he arrived at the place where his tent had been between Bethʹel and Aʹi, ⁴ to the place where he had previously built an altar. There Aʹbram called on the name of Jehovah.

(Genesis 12:1-3) 12 And Jehovah said to Aʹbram: “Go out from your land and away from your relatives and from the house of your father to the land that I will show you. ² I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and I will make your name great, and you will become a blessing. ³ I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who calls down evil on you, and all the families of the ground will certainly be blessed by means of you.”

(Proverbs 15:27) ²⁷ The one making dishonest profit brings trouble on his own household, But the one hating bribes will keep living. . .

(Proverbs 22:7)  ⁷ The rich one rules the poor, And the borrower is a slave to the lender.

(2 Kings 4:1-7) 4 Now one of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to E·liʹsha, saying: “Your servant my husband is dead, and you well know that your servant had always feared Jehovah. Now a creditor has come to take both of my children as his slaves.” ² At this E·liʹsha said to her: “What can I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” She replied: “Your servant has nothing at all in the house but a jar of oil.” ³ Then he said: “Go outside, ask for containers from all your neighbors, empty containers. Do not limit yourself to a few. ⁴ Then go in and close the door behind you and your sons. Fill all these containers, and set the full ones aside.” ⁵ So she left him. When she closed the door behind her and her sons, they passed the containers to her, and she kept pouring. ⁶ When the containers were full, she said to one of her sons: “Bring another container to me.” But he said to her: “There are no more containers.” At that the oil stopped. ⁷ So she came in and told the man of the true God, and he said: “Go, sell the oil and pay off your debts, and you and your sons can live from what is left.”

(Proverbs 11:27, 28) . . .But the one searching for bad—that is what will surely come upon him. ²⁸ The one trusting in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like the foliage. . .

(Jeremiah 17:7, 8)  ⁷ Blessed is the man who puts his trust in Jehovah, Whose confidence is in Jehovah.  ⁸ He will become like a tree planted by the waters, That sends out its roots to the stream. He will not notice when heat comes, But his leaves will always flourish. And in the year of drought he will not be anxious, Nor will he quit producing fruit.

(1 Peter 5:6-11) ⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time, ⁷ while you throw all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. ⁸ Keep your senses, be watchful! Your adversary, the Devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour someone. ⁹ But take your stand against him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by the entire association of your brothers in the world. ¹⁰ But after you have suffered a little while, the God of all undeserved kindness, who called you to his everlasting glory in union with Christ, will himself finish your training. He will make you firm, he will make you strong, he will firmly ground you. ¹¹ To him be the might forever. Amen.

Why doesn’t the universe run out of energy?

Written by Lee Stevenson

Why doesn’t the universe run out of energy. Why does this energy not burn out?

Mass is energy and energy is mass. This is how Einstein came up with E-MC2. But energy burns out and gets spent eventually so how does it keep getting replenished. Scientist have been trying to solve this problem for decades because based on mathematical models the universe should be out of energy. Scientist have been predicting the end of the universe for decades but their mathematical models do not support this theory. There seems to be some unknown energy source that keeps replenishing the energy in the universe. Scientist cannot figure out where this extra energy is coming from. They have come up with a theory that dark energy keeps fueling the energy needs of the universe. Even if that theory was proven to be true they would have to ask where is the dark energy getting it’s energy from?

So we need to ask ourselves why does the function of the universe defy all scientific models? This is because they do not consider the fact the universe had a creator who is unlimited in power. Not only is he unlimited in power but God cannot die so will live forever, his energy can keep sustaining the universe forever.

Just a side note you notice that the bible mentions someone being with God during the creation of everything. We also know Jesus was referred to as the word because he delivered God’s word to man. So you will notice he was the first born of all creation and worked with God in creating everything, this is why the bible refers to Jesus as the master worker. The bible tells us we must acknowledge that Jesus is God’s son but many reject this and call Jesus God even though Jesus himself never made himself equal to God. This is why God referred to Jesus as his master worker. This is why Jesus is called the only begotten son. Jesus is the only one created directly by God. God has appointed Jesus king on the heavenly throne. When Jesus work is done he will hand the throne back over to his father. If he was God he would have no need to hand the throne back to his father. This is why the bible tells us God is the head over everything including Christ. So by refusing to admit that Jesus is the first born son of God, we are not only rejecting Jesus but we are also rejecting God. By calling the son God we refuse to acknowledge God is the head of everything. By refusing to admit Jesus is the only begotten son we reject he was created meaning there really would have been no ransom because there would have been no son to ransom if Jesus was God.

(Genesis 1:1-28) 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. ² Now the earth was formless and desolate, and there was darkness upon the surface of the watery deep, and God’s active force was moving about over the surface of the waters. ³ And God said: “Let there be light.” Then there was light. ⁴ After that God saw that the light was good, and God began to divide the light from the darkness. ⁵ God called the light Day, but the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, a first day. ⁶ Then God said: “Let there be an expanse between the waters, and let there be a division between the waters and the waters.” ⁷ Then God went on to make the expanse and divided the waters beneath the expanse from the waters above the expanse. And it was so. ⁸ God called the expanse Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, a second day. ⁹ Then God said: “Let the waters under the heavens be collected together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so. ¹⁰ God called the dry land Earth, but the collecting of the waters, he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. ¹¹ Then God said: “Let the earth cause grass to sprout, seed-bearing plants and fruit trees according to their kinds, yielding fruit along with seed on the earth.” And it was so. ¹² And the earth began to produce grass, seed-bearing plants and trees yielding fruit along with seed, according to their kinds. Then God saw that it was good. ¹³ And there was evening and there was morning, a third day. ¹⁴ Then God said: “Let there be luminaries in the expanse of the heavens to make a division between the day and the night, and they will serve as signs for seasons and for days and years. ¹⁵ They will serve as luminaries in the expanse of the heavens to shine upon the earth.” And it was so. ¹⁶ And God went on to make the two great luminaries, the greater luminary for dominating the day and the lesser luminary for dominating the night, and also the stars. ¹⁷ Thus God put them in the expanse of the heavens to shine upon the earth ¹⁸ and to dominate by day and by night and to make a division between the light and the darkness. Then God saw that it was good. ¹⁹ And there was evening and there was morning, a fourth day. ²⁰ Then God said: “Let the waters swarm with living creatures, and let flying creatures fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.” ²¹ And God created the great sea creatures and all living creatures that move and swarm in the waters according to their kinds and every winged flying creature according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. ²² With that God blessed them, saying: “Be fruitful and become many and fill the waters of the sea, and let the flying creatures become many in the earth.” ²³ And there was evening and there was morning, a fifth day. ²⁴ Then God said: “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds, domestic animals and creeping animals and wild animals of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so. ²⁵ And God went on to make the wild animals of the earth according to their kinds and the domestic animals according to their kinds and all the creeping animals of the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. ²⁶ Then God said: “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness, and let them have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and the domestic animals and all the earth and every creeping animal that is moving on the earth.” ²⁷ And God went on to create the man in his image, in God’s image he created him; male and female he created them. ²⁸ Further, God blessed them, and God said to them: “Be fruitful and become many, fill the earth and subdue it, and have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and every living creature that is moving on the earth.”

(Nehemiah 9:6) ⁶ “You alone are Jehovah; you made the heavens, yes, the heaven of the heavens and all their army, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. And you preserve all of them alive, and the army of the heavens are bowing down to you.

(Colossians 1:13-17) ¹³ He rescued us from the authority of the darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, ¹⁴ by means of whom we have our release by ransom, the forgiveness of our sins. ¹⁵ He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; ¹⁶ because by means of him all other things were created in the heavens and on the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All other things have been created through him and for him. ¹⁷ Also, he is before all other things, and by means of him all other things were made to exist,

(John 1:1-3) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god. ² This one was in the beginning with God. ³ All things came into existence through him, and apart from him not even one thing came into existence.. . .

(Revelation 4:10, 11) . . .: ¹¹ “You are worthy, Jehovah our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power, because you created all things, and because of your will they came into existence and were created.”

(Job 36:26) ²⁶ Yes, God is greater than we can know; The number of his years is beyond comprehension.

(Psalm 90:2) Before the mountains were born Or you brought forth the earth and the productive land, From everlasting to everlasting, you are God.

(1 Timothy 1:17) Now to the King of eternity, incorruptible, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

(Isaiah 40:26-28) ²⁶ “Lift up your eyes to heaven and see. Who has created these things? It is the One who brings out their army by number; He calls them all by name. Because of his vast dynamic energy and his awe-inspiring power, Not one of them is missing. ²⁷ Why do you say, O Jacob, and why do you declare, O Israel, ‘My way is hidden from Jehovah, And I receive no justice from God’? ²⁸ Do you not know? Have you not heard? Jehovah, the Creator of the ends of the earth, is a God for all eternity. He never tires out or grows weary. His understanding is unsearchable. . .

(Psalm 147:4, 5)  ⁴ He counts the number of the stars; He calls all of them by name.  ⁵ Our Lord is great and is mighty in power;. . .

(Romans 1:19, 20) . . .. ²⁰ For his invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship, so that they are inexcusable.

(Proverbs 8:22-31) ²² Jehovah produced me as the beginning of his way, The earliest of his achievements of long ago. ²³ From ancient times I was installed, From the start, from times earlier than the earth. ²⁴ When there were no deep waters, I was brought forth, When there were no springs overflowing with water. ²⁵ Before the mountains were set in place, Before the hills, I was brought forth, ²⁶ When he had not yet made the earth and its fields Or the first clods of earth’s soil. ²⁷ When he prepared the heavens, I was there; When he marked out the horizon on the surface of the waters, ²⁸ When he established the clouds above, When he founded the fountains of the deep, ²⁹ When he set a decree for the sea That its waters should not pass beyond his order, When he established the foundations of the earth, ³⁰ Then I was beside him as a master worker. I was the one he was especially fond of day by day; I rejoiced before him all the time; ³¹ I rejoiced over his habitable earth, And I was especially fond of the sons of men.

(John 17:5) So now, Father, glorify me at your side with the glory that I had alongside you before the world was.

(Revelation 3:14) ¹⁴ “To the angel of the congregation in La·o·di·ceʹa write: These are the things that the Amen says, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation by God. . .

(1 John 4:15, 16) ¹⁵ Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is God’s Son, God remains in union with such one and he in union with God. ¹⁶ And we have come to know and believe the love that God has for us.. . .

(John 3:16) ¹⁶ “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.

(Philippians 2:5-8) ⁵ Keep this mental attitude in you that was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, although he was existing in God’s form, gave no consideration to a seizure, namely, that he should be equal to God. ⁷ No, but he emptied himself and took a slave’s form and became human. ⁸ More than that, when he came as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, yes, death on a torture stake. . .

(John 14:27, 28) . . .. ²⁸ You heard that I said to you, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I am.

(1 Corinthians 15:28) But when all things will have been subjected to him, then the Son himself will also subject himself to the One who subjected all things to him, that God may be all things to everyone.

(1 Corinthians 11:3) But I want you to know that the head of every man is the Christ; in turn, the head of a woman is the man; in turn, the head of the Christ is God

https://www.researchgate.net/post/Is-matter-really-energy-condensed

http://www.esalq.usp.br/lepse/imgs/conteudo_thumb/The-Illusion-of-Reality—The-Scientific-Proof-That-Everything-is-Energy-and-Reality-Isnt-Real.pdf

https://astronomy.com/magazine/news/2021/02/the-beginning-to-the-end-of-the-universe-a-cold-lonely-death

Stunning New Image of the Center of Our Galaxy Hints at Previously Unknown Interstellar Energy Source

The time of restoration is near be happy.

Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.

I know times may seem scary and difficult but we have no need to fear and we have a lot of reason to be happy. I will discuss why in this article. What is the restoration, how and why will it occur? What will this time of restoration bring about?

The times of restoration are very near. Very soon God will have Jesus put and end to mans rebellion. We know it started in the garden of Eden. Satan convinced Adam and Eve that man did not need God to rule over and guide us. Satan also accuses us and say man only loves God because he blesses and protects them. We have repeatedly seen these lies proven wrong thoroughly which mean the time of restoration is very near. The original purpose for the earth is very very near. Satan , and the demons who also opposed God will be gone soon. They will no longer be able to corrupt man. Jesus provided the perfect ransom which man could not provide by dying spotless without sin, in doing so he defeated Satan putting to rest all the lies. Jesus thoroughly proved them all to be wrong. Those who chose Satans side in things will also be destroyed. By not accepting Jesus as our redeemer and king, or accepting that his heavenly father is the one true God they take Satan’s side in matters. Those who take God’s side in matters and Satan’s side in matters will be figuratively marked so we must be very cautious who we associate with very soon because those who receive Satan’s mark the mark of the beast are going to turn on those who receive God’s mark. We must use the bible now more then even in guiding our associates and friends. The time of restoration is near we only have a little longer and all sickness, illness, morning, death, oppression, wars, violence, disease, hunger, crying and many other bad things will be gone.

False religion which Satan, the demons and those who promote it has been used to deceive man into rebelling against God very soon it also will be done away with because it is a tool used by Satan to deceive , mislead or corrupt many. This also will be done away with and man will not longer be corrupted or deceived into rebelling against God. So this restoration is also a spiritual restoration.

We may have to flee, or to go into hiding but we can be certain as in times post God is behind us protecting us. We are going to experience some tribulations and trials during these times and many of us already are. These build and strengthen our faith and assurance that Adam and Eve were wrong and that we cannot do it without God. Even when man has good intentions we lack the foresight and wisdom God has. Even very good people have made decisions , they thought would help others. It may have helped one group of people but often times hurts another. Man can be easily deceived and corrupted. God and Jesus cannot be deceived or corrupted.

You may say to yourself I know some pretty nice people who do not believe in God or Jesus. You have to consider this. They are taking the three villains side in matters by putting their faith in man which is the very things that has cause things to escalate on the earth to the point they have. We are in a time were there is no middle of the road you are either for God or against him. We cannot be indecisive, associating with such ones can effect us unknowingly and make us indecisive which could cost us our eternal lives when things suddenly wind down. We need to lead by example and show others whos side we have chosen , in doing so we make it clear to Jehovah God and our king Jesus Christ who’s side in matters we have chosen. We will either desire to have the names of Jehovah and his soon Jesus figuratively written on our foreheads or we will chose to have the name of the beast which is those who oppose God written on our foreheads. If we have the name of the beast written on our foreheads we forfeit the chances of eternal life. Stay strong the time of restoration is very near and it will be well worth it. The time for restoring true worship is occurring now and will continue into the new system. Knowing clearly what God requires will protect us and helps us to walk into the new system.

If we endure trials or tribulations we need to keep in mind the future promises. The promise of the new earth in which there will be no suffering, death or tears. If we are in peril or our lives may be threatened we need not fear God will remember us in the day of resurrection because death has been defeated and will be destroyed so has not hold on those who have died and will have no hold on faithful ones who have died and may die they to will be restored.

We know Jesus loves us as much as God does so we do not have to have fear, neither of death or things to come when we my have to flee or go into hiding because Jesus is our king. God has given him full authority over everything except God himself. So he has legions of angels at his command and a deep love for those who do their best to follow his example. When these things start to occur we need to keep in mind it is the time of restoration and in order to make the way for the new system these things must occur. Afterwards these things will never occur again. Those who remained obedient and faithful will leave in peace and happiness and never have want for anything. The bible assures us before we are finished praying God will have answered our prayer in the new system. We may have to leave some thing behind as God’s people did in the past but we have to keep looking forward. All this is temporary and much better times are coming and there will be less stress involved in owning a home or in our daily living. If we are in fear of what is coming either we have chosen the wrong side or we are not putting faith in the future promises. We must work to keep in mind the future promises and trust God and Jesus wholeheartedly, we have no need for fear because even death could not separate us from God and his only begotten son Jesus. The work Jesus does in restoring God’s right to rule over man and putting an end to the original lie in the garden will endure forever and things like we are experiencing in these last day will never occur again. We should not be viewing this as the last days but we should be viewing it as a time for restoration to occur. When things wind down and get very trying we should not be afraid but need to look to the future promises and keep in mind the destruction of the wicked and destruction of world governments will be a restoration not something dreary or scary. So if we have to go into hiding or have to flee we have to keep in mind we will be going into hiding or fleeing because Jesus is ending mans rule and restoring God’s right to rule over man and all the mourning, and pain are about to end.

(Acts 3:19-26) ¹⁹ “Repent, therefore, and turn around so as to get your sins blotted out, so that seasons of refreshing may come from Jehovah himself ²⁰ and he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus. ²¹ Heaven must hold this one within itself until the times of restoration of all things of which God spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets of old. ²² In fact, Moses said: ‘Jehovah your God will raise up for you from among your brothers a prophet like me. You must listen to whatever he tells you. ²³ Indeed, anyone who does not listen to that Prophet will be completely destroyed from among the people.’ ²⁴ And all the prophets from Samuel and those who followed him, as many as have spoken, have also plainly declared these days. ²⁵ You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your forefathers, saying to Abraham: ‘And by means of your offspring all the families of the earth will be blessed.’ ²⁶ God, after raising up his Servant, sent him to you first to bless you by turning each one of you away from your wicked deeds.”

(Hebrews 2:14) Therefore, since the “young children” are sharers of blood and flesh, he also similarly shared in the same things, so that through his death he might bring to nothing the one having the means to cause death, that is, the Devil,

(Jude 14-18) ¹⁴ Yes, the seventh one in line from Adam, Eʹnoch, also prophesied about them when he said: “Look! Jehovah came with his holy myriads ¹⁵ to execute judgment against all, and to convict all the ungodly concerning all their ungodly deeds that they did in an ungodly way, and concerning all the shocking things that ungodly sinners spoke against him.” ¹⁶ These men are murmurers, complainers about their lot in life, following their own desires, and their mouths make grandiose boasts, while they are flattering others for their own benefit. ¹⁷ As for you, beloved ones, call to mind the sayings that have been previously spoken by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁸ how they used to say to you: “In the last time there will be ridiculers, following their own desires for ungodly things.”

(Isaiah 2:2-4) ² In the final part of the days, The mountain of the house of Jehovah Will become firmly established above the top of the mountains, And it will be raised up above the hills, And to it all the nations will stream.  ³ And many peoples will go and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, To the house of the God of Jacob. He will instruct us about his ways, And we will walk in his paths.” For law will go out of Zion, And the word of Jehovah out of Jerusalem.  ⁴ He will render judgment among the nations And set matters straight respecting many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares And their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, Nor will they learn war anymore.

(Isaiah 61:4-9) ⁴ They will rebuild the ancient ruins; They will raise up the desolated places of the past, And they will restore the devastated cities, The places that lay desolate for generation after generation.  ⁵ “Strangers will stand and shepherd your flocks, And foreigners will be your farmers and your vinedressers.  ⁶ As for you, you will be called the priests of Jehovah; They will call you the ministers of our God. You will eat the resources of the nations, And about their glory you will boast.  ⁷ Instead of shame you will have a double portion, And instead of humiliation they will shout joyfully over their share. Yes, they will possess a double portion in their land. Everlasting rejoicing will be theirs.  ⁸ For I, Jehovah, love justice; I hate robbery and unrighteousness. I will faithfully give them their wages, And I will make an everlasting covenant with them.  ⁹ Their offspring will be known among the nations And their descendants among the peoples. All who see them will recognize them, That they are the offspring whom Jehovah has blessed.”

Amos 9:10-15 ¹⁰ They will die by the sword, all the sinners of my people,

Those who are saying, “The calamity will not come near us or reach us.”’

¹¹ ‘In that day I will raise up the booth of David that is fallen,

I will repair the breaches,

And I will restore its ruins;

I will rebuild it as in the days of long ago,

¹² So that they may take possession of what is remaining of Eʹdom,

And all the nations on whom my name has been called,’ declares Jehovah, who is doing this.

¹³ ‘Look! The days are coming,’ declares Jehovah,

‘When the plowman will overtake the harvester,

And the treader of grapes, the one carrying seed;

And the mountains will drip with sweet wine,

And all the hills will flow with it.

¹⁴ I will gather back the captives of my people Israel,

And they will rebuild the desolated cities and inhabit them;

They will plant vineyards and drink their wine,

And make gardens and eat their fruit.’

¹⁵ ‘I will plant them on their land,

And they will never again be uprooted

From their land that I have given them,’ says Jehovah your God.”

(Isaiah 60:18) No more will violence be heard in your land Or destruction and ruin within your boundaries. And you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise.

(Matthew 26:52) Then Jesus said to him: “Return your sword to its place, for all those who take up the sword will perish by the sword.

(Isaiah 9:14-10:11) ¹⁴ Jehovah will cut off from Israel Head and tail, shoot and rush, in one day. ¹⁵ The elder and highly respected one is the head, And the prophet giving false instruction is the tail. ¹⁶ Those leading this people are causing them to wander, And those who are being led are confused. ¹⁷ That is why Jehovah will not rejoice over their young men, And he will have no mercy on their fatherless children and their widows Because all of them are apostates and evildoers And every mouth is speaking senselessness. In view of all this, his anger has not turned back, But his hand is still stretched out to strike. ¹⁸ For wickedness burns like a fire, Consuming thornbushes and weeds. It will set fire to the thickets of the forest, And they will go up in clouds of smoke. ¹⁹ In the fury of Jehovah of armies The land has been set on fire, And the people will become fuel for the fire. No one will spare even his brother. ²⁰ One will cut down on the right But still be hungry; And one will eat on the left But will not be satisfied. Each will devour the flesh of his own arm, ²¹ Ma·nasʹseh will devour Eʹphra·im, And Eʹphra·im Ma·nasʹseh. Together they will be against Judah. In view of all this, his anger has not turned back, But his hand is still stretched out to strike. 10 Woe to those who enact harmful regulations, Who constantly draft oppressive decrees,  ² To deny the legal claim of the poor, To deprive the lowly among my people of justice, Making widows their spoil And fatherless children their plunder!  ³ What will you do on the day of reckoning, When destruction comes from afar? To whom will you flee for assistance, And where will you leave your wealth?  ⁴ Nothing remains except to crouch among the prisoners Or to fall among the slain. In view of all this, his anger has not turned back, But his hand is still stretched out to strike.  ⁵ “Aha! the As·syrʹi·an, The rod to express my anger And the staff in their hand for my denunciation!  ⁶ I will send him against an apostate nation, Against the people who infuriated me; I will command him to take much spoil and much plunder And to trample them like mud in the streets.  ⁷ But he will not be inclined this way And his heart will not scheme this way; For it is in his heart to annihilate, To cut off many nations, not a few.  ⁸ For he says, ‘Are not my princes all kings?  ⁹ Is not Calʹno just like Carʹche·mish? Is not Haʹmath like Arʹpad? Is not Sa·marʹi·a like Damascus? ¹⁰ My hand has seized the kingdoms of the worthless gods, Whose graven images were more than those of Jerusalem and Sa·marʹi·a! ¹¹ Will I not also do to Jerusalem and her idols Just as I have done to Sa·marʹi·a and to her worthless gods?’

(Exodus 14:19) Then the angel of the true God who was going ahead of the camp of Israel departed and went to their rear, and the pillar of cloud that was in front of them moved to the rear and stood behind them.

(Isaiah 52:12) For you will not depart in panic, Nor will you have to flee, For Jehovah will go ahead of you, And the God of Israel will be your rear guard.

(Isaiah 58:8-10)  ⁸ Then your light will shine through like the dawn, And your healing will spring up quickly. Your righteousness will go before you, And the glory of Jehovah will be your rear guard.  ⁹ Then you will call, and Jehovah will answer; You will cry for help, and he will say, ‘Here I am!’ If you remove from among you the yoke bar And stop pointing your finger and speaking maliciously, ¹⁰ If you grant to the hungry what you yourself desire And satisfy those who are afflicted, Then your light will shine even in the darkness, And your gloom will be like midday.

(1 Peter 5:6-11) ⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time, ⁷ while you throw all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. ⁸ Keep your senses, be watchful! Your adversary, the Devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour someone. ⁹ But take your stand against him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by the entire association of your brothers in the world. ¹⁰ But after you have suffered a little while, the God of all undeserved kindness, who called you to his everlasting glory in union with Christ, will himself finish your training. He will make you firm, he will make you strong, he will firmly ground you. ¹¹ To him be the might forever. Amen.

(Matthew 6:25-34) ²⁵ “On this account I say to you: Stop being anxious about your lives as to what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your bodies as to what you will wear. Does not life mean more than food and the body than clothing? ²⁶ Observe intently the birds of heaven; they do not sow seed or reap or gather into storehouses, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth more than they are? ²⁷ Who of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his life span? ²⁸ Also, why are you anxious about clothing? Take a lesson from the lilies of the field, how they grow; they do not toil, nor do they spin; ²⁹ but I tell you that not even Solʹo·mon in all his glory was arrayed as one of these. ³⁰ Now if this is how God clothes the vegetation of the field that is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much rather clothe you, you with little faith? ³¹ So never be anxious and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or, ‘What are we to drink?’ or, ‘What are we to wear?’ ³² For all these are the things the nations are eagerly pursuing. Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ³³ “Keep on, then, seeking first the Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these other things will be added to you. ³⁴ So never be anxious about the next day, for the next day will have its own anxieties. Each day has enough of its own troubles.

(Matthew 19:27-29) ²⁷ Then Peter said in reply: “Look! We have left all things and followed you; what, then, will there be for us?” ²⁸ Jesus said to them: “Truly I say to you, in the re-creation, when the Son of man sits down on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will sit on 12 thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel. ²⁹ And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit everlasting life.

(Hebrews 10:32-34) ³² However, keep remembering the former days in which, after you were enlightened, you endured a great struggle along with sufferings. ³³ At times you were publicly exposed both to reproaches and to tribulations, and at times you shared with those who were having such an experience. ³⁴ For you expressed sympathy for those in prison and you accepted joyfully the plundering of your belongings, knowing that you yourselves have a better and an enduring possession.

(Romans 8:35-39) ³⁵ Who will separate us from the love of the Christ? Will tribulation or distress or persecution or hunger or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶ Just as it is written: “For your sake we are being put to death all day long; we have been accounted as sheep for slaughtering.” ³⁷ On the contrary, in all these things we are coming off completely victorious through the one who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life nor angels nor governments nor things now here nor things to come nor powers ³⁹ nor height nor depth nor any other creation will be able to separate us from God’s love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(1 Thessalonians 4:13, 14) ¹³ Moreover, brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who are sleeping in death, so that you may not sorrow as the rest do who have no hope. ¹⁴ For if we have faith that Jesus died and rose again, so too God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in death through Jesus.

(John 5:28, 29) Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice ²⁹ and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, and those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment.

(Isaiah 26:19) ¹⁹ “Your dead will live. My corpses will rise up. Awake and shout joyfully, You residents in the dust! For your dew is as the dew of the morning, And the earth will let those powerless in death come to life.

²⁰ Go, my people, enter your inner rooms,

And shut your doors behind you.

Hide yourself for a brief moment

Until the wrath has passed by.

²¹ For look! Jehovah is coming from his place

To call the inhabitants of the land to account for their error,

And the land will expose her bloodshed

And will no longer cover over her slain.”

27 In that day Jehovah, with his harsh and great and strong sword,

Will turn his attention to Le·viʹa·than, the gliding serpent,

To Le·viʹa·than, the twisting serpent,

And he will kill the monster that is in the sea.

 ² In that day sing to her:

“A vineyard of foaming wine!

 ³ I, Jehovah, am safeguarding her.

Every moment I water her.

I safeguard her night and day,

So that no one may harm her.

(Acts 2:22-28) ²² “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus the Naz·a·reneʹ was a man publicly shown to you by God through powerful works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, just as you yourselves know. ²³ This man, who was handed over by the determined will and foreknowledge of God, you fastened to a stake by the hand of lawless men, and you did away with him. ²⁴ But God resurrected him by releasing him from the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held fast by it. ²⁵ For David says about him: ‘I keep Jehovah constantly in front of me, for he is at my right hand that I may never be shaken. ²⁶ On this account my heart became cheerful and my tongue rejoiced greatly. And I will reside in hope; ²⁷ because you will not leave me in the Grave, nor will you allow your loyal one to see corruption. ²⁸ You have made life’s ways known to me; you will fill me with great joy in your presence.’

Matthew 28:18-20 ¹⁸ Jesus approached and spoke to them, saying: “All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth. ¹⁹ Go, therefore, and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.”

(1 Corinthians 15:20-28) ²⁰ But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep in death. ²¹ For since death came through a man, resurrection of the dead also comes through a man. ²² For just as in Adam all are dying, so also in the Christ all will be made alive. ²³ But each one in his own proper order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who belong to the Christ during his presence. ²⁴ Next, the end, when he hands over the Kingdom to his God and Father, when he has brought to nothing all government and all authority and power. ²⁵ For he must rule as king until God has put all enemies under his feet. ²⁶ And the last enemy, death, is to be brought to nothing. ²⁷ For God “subjected all things under his feet.” But when he says that ‘all things have been subjected,’ it is evident that this does not include the One who subjected all things to him. ²⁸ But when all things will have been subjected to him, then the Son himself will also subject himself to the One who subjected all things to him, that God may be all things to everyone. . .

(Revelation 21:1-4) 21 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea is no more. ² I also saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God and prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ³ With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. ⁴ And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”

Why should we raise ourselves up in times of such distress?

Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.

We learn about what seems like scary and dire times. The bible says many their would be great anguish. Yet the bible tells us to stand up straight and lift up our heads. This is a sign Jesus is seated on the throne and deliverance is near. The things that are occurring are occurring because Satan and the demons know they do not have much time left and that the new system is very near and will restore the earth to what it was originally intended to be. A paradise like with no suffering or death. Many will walk through the great tribulation into the new system. Some of us may have to flee or go into hiding but we have no reason to fear if we remain faithful and loyal to God. In times past God’s people have had to flee and go into hiding when he had judged nations. This is will be the final time and things like this will never occur again. I had discussed how the disgusting thing was the beast mentioned in Revelation. God will cut it’s attack on those who worship in truth short. Their destruction along with their allies will be sudden. Just as in times past when God judged a nation the destruction was very sudden. All who opposed God or did not heed his warnings were destroyed when those nations were destroyed. So to escape we have to pay attention , listen to the warnings so we know when it is time to flee or hide.

Why in these times we should be happy? I will discuss this next.

(Luke 21:25-31) ²⁵ “Also, there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth anguish of nations not knowing the way out because of the roaring of the sea and its agitation. ²⁶ People will become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ²⁷ And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. ²⁸ But as these things start to occur, stand up straight and lift up your heads, because your deliverance is getting near.” ²⁹ With that he told them an illustration: “Notice the fig tree and all the other trees. ³⁰ When they are budding, you see it for yourselves and know that now the summer is near. ³¹ Likewise also you, when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near.

(Luke 21:20-24) ²⁰ “However, when you see Jerusalem surrounded by encamped armies, then know that the desolating of her has drawn near. ²¹ Then let those in Ju·deʹa begin fleeing to the mountains, let those in the midst of her leave, and let those in the countryside not enter into her, ²² because these are days for meting out justice in order that all the things written may be fulfilled. ²³ Woe to the pregnant women and those nursing a baby in those days! For there will be great distress on the land and wrath against this people. ²⁴ And they will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled on by the nations until the appointed times of the nations are fulfilled.

(Mark 13:14-20) ¹⁴ “However, when you catch sight of the disgusting thing that causes desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader use discernment), then let those in Ju·deʹa begin fleeing to the mountains. ¹⁵ Let the man on the housetop not come down nor go inside to take anything out of his house; ¹⁶ and let the man in the field not return to the things behind to pick up his outer garment. ¹⁷ Woe to the pregnant women and those nursing a baby in those days! ¹⁸ Keep praying that it may not occur in wintertime; ¹⁹ for those days will be days of a tribulation such as has not occurred from the beginning of the creation that God created until that time, and will not occur again. ²⁰ In fact, unless Jehovah had cut short the days, no flesh would be saved. But on account of the chosen ones whom he has chosen, he has cut short the days.

(Mark 13:14-20) ¹⁴ “However, when you catch sight of the disgusting thing that causes desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader use discernment), then let those in Ju·deʹa begin fleeing to the mountains. ¹⁵ Let the man on the housetop not come down nor go inside to take anything out of his house; ¹⁶ and let the man in the field not return to the things behind to pick up his outer garment. ¹⁷ Woe to the pregnant women and those nursing a baby in those days! ¹⁸ Keep praying that it may not occur in wintertime; ¹⁹ for those days will be days of a tribulation such as has not occurred from the beginning of the creation that God created until that time, and will not occur again. ²⁰ In fact, unless Jehovah had cut short the days, no flesh would be saved. But on account of the chosen ones whom he has chosen, he has cut short the days.

Just as in Noah’s day some will survive and make it into the new system and work to restore the earth. There will no longer be world wide division but there will be peace and those living on the earth will not fight wars they will be the meek. There will be no more suffering no more tears and no more pain. Seeing these things occur lets us know Jesus is starting to set matters straight. It may seem like God is delaying but he desires none to be destroyed so until every sheep is found the destruction will not occur. God is also giving people time to repent. He can read peoples hearts and know if there are others who will return to pure worship. So if things seem delayed we know there are still those out there who need God’s word and are searching for God. As this system winds down the distinction between those being called by God and those who oppose him is becoming clearer and clearer.

(1 John 2:15-17) ¹⁵ Do not love either the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him; ¹⁶ because everything in the world—the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the showy display of one’s means of life—does not originate with the Father, but originates with the world. ¹⁷ Furthermore, the world is passing away and so is its desire, but the one who does the will of God remains forever.

(Zephaniah 3:8, 9)  ⁸ ‘So keep yourselves in expectation of me,’ declares Jehovah, ‘Until the day when I rise up to take plunder, For my judicial decision is to gather nations, to assemble kingdoms, To pour out on them my indignation, all my burning anger; For by the fire of my zeal the whole earth will be consumed.  ⁹ For then I will change the language of the peoples to a pure language, So that all of them may call on the name of Jehovah, To serve him shoulder to shoulder.’

(Psalm 37:27) . . .And you will remain forever. ²⁸ For Jehovah loves justice, And he will not abandon his loyal ones. ע [Ayin] They will always be guarded; But the descendants of the wicked will be done away with. ²⁹ The righteous will possess the earth, And they will live forever on it.

(2 Peter 3:8-13) ⁸ However, do not let this escape your notice, beloved ones, that one day is with Jehovah as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. ⁹ Jehovah is not slow concerning his promise, as some people consider slowness, but he is patient with you because he does not desire anyone to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance. ¹⁰ But Jehovah’s day will come as a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar, but the elements being intensely hot will be dissolved, and earth and the works in it will be exposed. ¹¹ Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, consider what sort of people you ought to be in holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion, ¹² as you await and keep close in mind the presence of the day of Jehovah, through which the heavens will be destroyed in flames and the elements will melt in the intense heat! ¹³ But there are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to his promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell.

(Romans 2:3-11) ³ But do you suppose, O man, that while you judge those who practice such things and yet you do them, you will escape the judgment of God? ⁴ Or do you despise the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, because you do not know that God in his kindness is trying to lead you to repentance? ⁵ But according to your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath and of the revealing of God’s righteous judgment. ⁶ And he will pay back to each one according to his works: ⁷ everlasting life to those who are seeking glory and honor and incorruptibleness by endurance in work that is good; ⁸ however, for those who are contentious and who disobey the truth but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and anger. ⁹ There will be tribulation and distress on every person who works what is harmful, on the Jew first and also on the Greek; ¹⁰ but glory and honor and peace for everyone who works what is good, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. ¹¹ For there is no partiality with God.

(Isaiah 11:4-9) ⁴ He will judge the lowly with fairness, And with uprightness he will give reproof in behalf of the meek ones of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth And put the wicked to death with the breath of his lips.  ⁵ Righteousness will be the belt around his waist, And faithfulness the belt of his hips.  ⁶ The wolf will reside for a while with the lamb, And with the young goat the leopard will lie down, And the calf and the lion and the fattened animal will all be together; And a little boy will lead them.  ⁷ The cow and the bear will feed together, And their young will lie down together. The lion will eat straw like the bull.  ⁸ The nursing child will play over the lair of a cobra, And a weaned child will put his hand over the den of a poisonous snake.  ⁹ They will not cause any harm Or any ruin in all my holy mountain, Because the earth will certainly be filled with the knowledge of Jehovah As the waters cover the sea.

(Revelation 7:11-14) ¹¹ All the angels were standing around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell facedown before the throne and worshipped God, ¹² saying: “Amen! Let the praise and the glory and the wisdom and the thanksgiving and the honor and the power and the strength be to our God forever and ever. Amen.” ¹³ In response one of the elders said to me: “These who are dressed in the white robes, who are they and where did they come from?” ¹⁴ So right away I said to him: “My lord, you are the one who knows.” And he said to me: “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. . .

(Revelation 21:1-4) 21 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea is no more. ² I also saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God and prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ³ With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. ⁴ And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”

(Revelation 7:1-3) 7 After this I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding tight the four winds of the earth, so that no wind could blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree. ² And I saw another angel ascending from the sunrise, having a seal of the living God; and he called with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, ³ saying: “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until after we have sealed the slaves of our God in their foreheads.”

(Matthew 25:31-46) ³¹ “When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit down on his glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ And he will put the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left. ³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right: ‘Come, you who have been blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the founding of the world. ³⁵ For I became hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you received me hospitably; ³⁶ naked and you clothed me. I fell sick and you looked after me. I was in prison and you visited me.’ ³⁷ Then the righteous ones will answer him with the words: ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and receive you hospitably, or naked and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ ⁴⁰ In reply the King will say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ ⁴¹ “Then he will say to those on his left: ‘Go away from me, you who have been cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels. ⁴² For I became hungry, but you gave me nothing to eat; and I was thirsty, but you gave me nothing to drink. ⁴³ I was a stranger, but you did not receive me hospitably; naked, but you did not clothe me; sick and in prison, but you did not look after me.’ ⁴⁴ Then they too will answer with the words: ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not minister to you?’ ⁴⁵ Then he will answer them, saying: ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of these least ones, you did not do it to me.’ ⁴⁶ These will depart into everlasting cutting-off, but the righteous ones into everlasting life.”

We can find comfort in knowing Jesus cares about us. When he was on earth he perfectly reflected his heavenly father Jehovah God. Here cared enough to give his life for us. He suffered as we suffered so we can find comfort in knowing he understands our trials and tribulation and wants nothing more then to end the suffering. Death will be no more, Jesus defeated death when he died sinless and resisted all temptation and remained faithful and loyal to God. So the final act Jesus would do in fulfilling God’s will is to bring death to nothing then he will hand the kingdom back to our heavenly father Jehovah. We will not even remember the bad things that occurred in the new system because the bad memories will be replaced with good memories. In the new system the bible tells us when we pray before we call out God will hear our prayers. While we are yet speaking he will hear those who make it into the new system.

Since we know these times are very very near we can be sure God and Jesus care and even death cannot separate us from their love. Jesus was taught by God when he was along side him in heaven and we seen how he healed the sick, felt compassion for those who were hungry. He showed his sorrow when someone died and even showed he had the power to resurrect the dead. So very soon if we remain faithful , loyal and strong we may see our loved ones we lost in death. We only have a short while longer things have rapidly sped up and this wicked system does not have much time life and happy and joyful times are very very near.

(Matthew 9:35-38) ³⁵ And Jesus set out on a tour of all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the good news of the Kingdom and curing every sort of disease and every sort of infirmity. ³⁶ On seeing the crowds, he felt pity for them, because they were skinned and thrown about like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷ Then he said to his disciples: “Yes, the harvest is great, but the workers are few. ³⁸ Therefore, beg the Master of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.”

(John 18:35-37) . . .” ³⁶ Jesus answered: “My Kingdom is no part of this world. If my Kingdom were part of this world, my attendants would have fought that I should not be handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my Kingdom is not from this source.” ³⁷ So Pilate said to him: “Well, then, are you a king?” Jesus answered: “You yourself are saying that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is on the side of the truth listens to my voice.”

(John 10:16-18) ¹⁶ “And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; those too I must bring in, and they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock, one shepherd. ¹⁷ This is why the Father loves me, because I surrender my life, so that I may receive it again. ¹⁸ No man takes it away from me, but I surrender it of my own initiative. I have authority to surrender it, and I have authority to receive it again. This commandment I received from my Father.”

(Acts 24:14, 15) . . .. ¹⁵ And I have hope toward God, which hope these men also look forward to, that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.

(1 Corinthians 15:20-28) ²⁰ But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep in death. ²¹ For since death came through a man, resurrection of the dead also comes through a man. ²² For just as in Adam all are dying, so also in the Christ all will be made alive. ²³ But each one in his own proper order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who belong to the Christ during his presence. ²⁴ Next, the end, when he hands over the Kingdom to his God and Father, when he has brought to nothing all government and all authority and power. ²⁵ For he must rule as king until God has put all enemies under his feet. ²⁶ And the last enemy, death, is to be brought to nothing. ²⁷ For God “subjected all things under his feet.” But when he says that ‘all things have been subjected,’ it is evident that this does not include the One who subjected all things to him. ²⁸ But when all things will have been subjected to him, then the Son himself will also subject himself to the One who subjected all things to him, that God may be all things to everyone.

(Isaiah 65:17) For look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth; And the former things will not be called to mind, Nor will they come up into the heart.

(Isaiah 65:24) ²⁴ Even before they call out, I will answer; While they are yet speaking, I will hear.

(Romans 8:35-39) ³⁵ Who will separate us from the love of the Christ? Will tribulation or distress or persecution or hunger or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶ Just as it is written: “For your sake we are being put to death all day long; we have been accounted as sheep for slaughtering.” ³⁷ On the contrary, in all these things we are coming off completely victorious through the one who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life nor angels nor governments nor things now here nor things to come nor powers ³⁹ nor height nor depth nor any other creation will be able to separate us from God’s love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(John 8:27-30) . . .. ²⁸ Jesus then said: “After you have lifted up the Son of man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing of my own initiative; but just as the Father taught me, I speak these things. ²⁹ And the One who sent me is with me; he did not abandon me to myself, because I always do the things pleasing to him.” ³⁰ As he was saying these things, many put faith in him.

(John 6:37-40) ³⁷ All those whom the Father gives me will come to me, and I will never drive away the one who comes to me; ³⁸ for I have come down from heaven to do, not my own will, but the will of him who sent me. ³⁹ This is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose none out of all those whom he has given me, but that I should resurrect them on the last day. ⁴⁰ For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who recognizes the Son and exercises faith in him should have everlasting life, and I will resurrect him on the last day.”

(Hebrews 12:1, 2) 12 So, then, because we have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also throw off every weight and the sin that easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² as we look intently at the Chief Agent and Perfecter of our faith, Jesus. For the joy that was set before him he endured a torture stake, despising shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Should we fear the New World Order?

Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.

Things are winding down very rapidly now and the conclusion of this system of things is very near. Those who are not found worthy of everlasting life will be destroyed. Now more then ever it is very very important to know what God requires. God requires exclusive devotion. We are told we cannot drink of the cup of the devil and the cup of God at the same time. We are to remain alert. We are told many will take no note until the day of destruction is suddenly upon them. Just as in times past there may be those who became cold spiritually or kept putting things off and not preparing. Those in our times who may not be a part of false religion may put things off and say we have more time. The bible warns God’s great day of judgment will come as a thief in the night. We are told it will occur suddenly. Those who remain awake will know when it is coming and prepare. Some of us may have to flee or go into hiding. Some may be arrested and persecuted. We are told to raise ourselves up this means our deliverance is near and all the bad will be done away with and will not occur again. The bible warns us that Jesus does not know the day it will occur. We do know he is sitting on the thrown waiting for his heavenly fathers command to bring to ruin those causing the ruin on the earth. This includes literal ruining and spiritual ruining.

Those who stay awake will escape and will not suffer death at all and we are living in a time where we may never taste death because if we walk through the great tribulation into the new system death will be done away with. The earth will be restore to the paradise it was originally intended to be. Jesus will bring this about through the Heavenly Kingdom which God has given him authority over. He has seated Jesus on the thrown and he will destroy all those who oppose God. The gate is narrow and very few will make it. So we know most will be destroyed. Just as in times past many refused to believe God’s warnings or even ignored them it will occur now days. They may believe in God, they may even appear to have faith. But if they are not preparing then we need to be careful because they could drag us down with them and we could be caught unaware when God’s great day arrives.

(1 Thessalonians 5:1-5) 5 Now as for the times and the seasons, brothers, you need nothing to be written to you. ² For you yourselves know very well that Jehovah’s day is coming exactly as a thief in the night. ³ Whenever it is that they are saying, “Peace and security!” then sudden destruction is to be instantly on them, just like birth pains on a pregnant woman, and they will by no means escape. ⁴ But you, brothers, you are not in darkness, so that the day should overtake you as it would thieves, ⁵ for you are all sons of light and sons of day.. . .

(Matthew 24:36-39) ³⁶ “Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father. ³⁷ For just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be. ³⁸ For as they were in those days before the Flood, eating and drinking, men marrying and women being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, ³⁹ and they took no note until the Flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of the Son of man will be.

(Revelation 6:8) And I saw, and look! a pale horse, and the one seated on it had the name Death. And the Grave was closely following him. And authority was given them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with a long sword and with food shortage and with deadly plague and by the wild beasts of the earth.

(Matthew 24:3-14) ³ While he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples approached him privately, saying: “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?” ⁴ In answer Jesus said to them: “Look out that nobody misleads you, ⁵ for many will come on the basis of my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. ⁶ You are going to hear of wars and reports of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for these things must take place, but the end is not yet. ⁷ “For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be food shortages and earthquakes in one place after another. ⁸ All these things are a beginning of pangs of distress. ⁹ “Then people will hand you over to tribulation and will kill you, and you will be hated by all the nations on account of my name. ¹⁰ Then, too, many will be stumbled and will betray one another and will hate one another. ¹¹ Many false prophets will arise and mislead many; ¹² and because of the increasing of lawlessness, the love of the greater number will grow cold. ¹³ But the one who has endured to the end will be saved. ¹⁴ And this good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

(2 Timothy 3:1-7) 3 But know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. ² For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, ³ having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, ⁴ betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, ⁵ having an appearance of godliness but proving false to its power; and from these turn away. ⁶ From among these arise men who slyly work their way into households and captivate weak women loaded down with sins, led by various desires, ⁷ always learning and yet never able to come to an accurate knowledge of truth.

(1 John 2:16, 17) . . .. ¹⁷ Furthermore, the world is passing away and so is its desire, but the one who does the will of God remains forever.

(Psalm 37:29) The righteous will possess the earth, And they will live forever on it.

(Matthew 7:21) “Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of the heavens, but only the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will.

(John 6:40) For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who recognizes the Son and exercises faith in him should have everlasting life, and I will resurrect him on the last day.”

(Isaiah 35:1-4) 35 The wilderness and the parched land will exult, And the desert plain will be joyful and blossom as the saffron.  ² Without fail it will blossom; It will rejoice and shout for joy. The glory of Lebʹa·non will be given to it, The splendor of Carʹmel and of Sharʹon. They will see the glory of Jehovah, the splendor of our God.  ³ Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the knees that are shaking.  ⁴ Say to those who are anxious at heart: “Be strong. Do not be afraid. Look! Your own God will come with vengeance, God will come with retribution. He will come and save you.”

(Matthew 24:9-14) ⁹ “Then people will hand you over to tribulation and will kill you, and you will be hated by all the nations on account of my name. ¹⁰ Then, too, many will be stumbled and will betray one another and will hate one another. ¹¹ Many false prophets will arise and mislead many; ¹² and because of the increasing of lawlessness, the love of the greater number will grow cold. ¹³ But the one who has endured to the end will be saved. ¹⁴ And this good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

(Daniel 2:44) ⁴⁴ “In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed. And this kingdom will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it alone will stand forever. . .

(Revelation 2:24-27) ²⁴ “‘However, I say to the rest of you who are in Thy·a·tiʹra, all those who do not follow this teaching, those who did not get to know the so-called “deep things of Satan”: I am not putting on you any other burden. ²⁵ Just the same, hold fast to what you have until I come. ²⁶ And to the one who conquers and observes my deeds down to the end, I will give authority over the nations, ²⁷ and he will shepherd the people with an iron rod so that they will be broken to pieces like clay vessels, just as I have received from my Father.

(Matthew 7:13, 14) ¹³ “Go in through the narrow gate, because broad is the gate and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are going in through it; ¹⁴ whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are finding it.

(Isaiah 26:20) Go, my people, enter your inner rooms, And shut your doors behind you. Hide yourself for a brief moment Until the wrath has passed by.

(Joel 2:31, 32) The sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood Before the coming of the great and awe-inspiring day of Jehovah. ³² And everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved; For on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be those who escape, just as Jehovah has said, The survivors whom Jehovah calls.”

(Matthew 24:21, 22) for then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again. ²² In fact, unless those days were cut short, no flesh would be saved; but on account of the chosen ones those days will be cut short.

(Revelation 7:13, 14) In response one of the elders said to me: “These who are dressed in the white robes, who are they and where did they come from?” ¹⁴ So right away I said to him: “My lord, you are the one who knows.” And he said to me: “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Many call what will occur the “One World Order or New World Order” . They will all work together to enforce and support each others oppression of true worship. False religion who has already misled many with it’s spiritual prostitution. It is the harlot or Babylon the great mentioned in the bible. This is why it is said to ride on the beast back. It not only commit spiritual prostitution but it prostitutes itself our to political entities worldwide just as Israel did in times past when they lost faith in God and sought out the protection of other nations instead of counting on God for their peace and security. Those political figures may seem powerful and frightful but no one is more powerful and frightful then God. No weapon man has made can stop God’s only begotten son Jesus when he gives the command to destroy the beast which is the cooperative efforts of people world wide to establish a one world system of doing things and to prevent true worship and they will ban worship false gods. First after this one world system is in place God will put it in their hearts to destroy Babylon the Great. So false religion will be done away with. As you can see Babylon and the Harlot are one and the same. They have a lot of push with the worldwide political system. Once the Harlot has help this one world system of doing things get into place God will put it into their hearts to destroy the Harlot. Then Satan and those who were a part of his religious system will become jealous and the world system will turn on true worship. When this occurs then God will give Jesus the command to end this system of things and to bring destruction on those doing the harm. The bible tells us it would be like they stuck their finger in God’s eye when this occurs. Not only will Jesus bring destruction on them but the bible says they will also start to destroy each other. So they will turn on each other. The bible tells us this will occur very suddenly at a time we least expect it.

(Revelation 16:13, 14) ¹³ And I saw three unclean inspired expressions that looked like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the wild beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. ¹⁴ They are, in fact, expressions inspired by demons and they perform signs, and they go out to the kings of the entire inhabited earth, to gather them together to the war of the great day of God the Almighty.

(2 Peter 3:11-13) ¹¹ Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, consider what sort of people you ought to be in holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion, ¹² as you await and keep close in mind the presence of the day of Jehovah, through which the heavens will be destroyed in flames and the elements will melt in the intense heat! ¹³ But there are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to his promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell. . .

(Jeremiah 25:31-33) ³¹ ‘A noise will resound to the ends of the earth, For Jehovah has a controversy with the nations. He will personally pass judgment on all humans. And he will put the wicked to the sword,’ declares Jehovah. ³² This is what Jehovah of armies says: ‘Look! A calamity is spreading from nation to nation, And a great tempest will be unleashed from the remotest parts of the earth. ³³ “‘And those slain by Jehovah in that day will be from one end of the earth clear to the other end of the earth. They will not be mourned, nor will they be gathered up or buried. They will become like manure on the surface of the ground.’

When to flee. Disgusting thing is one world order. False religion will be a part of this one world order.

(Revelation 17:6-8) . . .Well, on seeing her I was greatly amazed. ⁷ So the angel said to me: “Why is it that you were amazed? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the wild beast that is carrying her and that has the seven heads and the ten horns: ⁸ The wild beast that you saw was, but is not, and yet is about to ascend out of the abyss, and it is to go off into destruction. And the inhabitants of the earth—those whose names have not been written in the scroll of life from the founding of the world—will be amazed when they see how the wild beast was, but is not, and yet will be present.

(Revelation 17:15-18) ¹⁵ He said to me: “The waters that you saw, where the prostitute is sitting, mean peoples and crowds and nations and tongues. ¹⁶ And the ten horns that you saw and the wild beast, these will hate the prostitute and will make her devastated and naked, and they will eat up her flesh and completely burn her with fire. ¹⁷ For God put it into their hearts to carry out his thought, yes, to carry out their one thought by giving their kingdom to the wild beast, until the words of God will have been accomplished. ¹⁸ And the woman whom you saw means the great city that has a kingdom over the kings of the earth. . .

(Revelation 18:21-24) ²¹ And a strong angel lifted up a stone like a great millstone and hurled it into the sea, saying: “Thus with a swift pitch will Babylon the great city be hurled down, and she will never be found again. ²² And the sound of singers who accompany themselves on the harp, of musicians, of flutists, and of trumpeters will never be heard in you again. And no craftsman who practices any trade will ever be found in you again, and no sound of a millstone will ever be heard in you again. ²³ No light of a lamp will ever shine in you again, and no voice of a bridegroom and of a bride will ever be heard in you again; for your merchants were the top-ranking men of the earth, and by your spiritistic practices all the nations were misled. ²⁴ Yes, in her was found the blood of prophets and of holy ones and of all those who have been slaughtered on the earth.. . .

(Jeremiah 50:2)  ² “Declare it among the nations and proclaim it. Raise a signal and proclaim it. Do not hide anything! Say, ‘Babylon has been captured. Bel has been put to shame. Merʹo·dach has become terrified. Her images have been put to shame. Her disgusting idols have become terrified.’

(Revelation 18:4-8) ⁴ And I heard another voice out of heaven say: “Get out of her, my people, if you do not want to share with her in her sins, and if you do not want to receive part of her plagues. ⁵ For her sins have massed together clear up to heaven, and God has called her acts of injustice to mind. ⁶ Repay her in the way she treated others, yes, pay her back double for the things she has done; in the cup she has mixed, mix a double portion for her. ⁷ To the extent that she glorified herself and lived in shameless luxury, to that extent give her torment and mourning. For she keeps saying in her heart: ‘I sit as queen, and I am not a widow, and I will never see mourning.’ ⁸ That is why in one day her plagues will come, death and mourning and famine, and she will be completely burned with fire, because Jehovah God, who judged her, is strong.

(Ezekiel 16:20-22) ²⁰ “‘You took your sons and your daughters whom you had borne to me, and you sacrificed these to idols to be devoured—have your acts of prostitution not gone far enough? ²¹ You slaughtered my sons, and you offered them as sacrifices by making them pass through the fire. ²² While engaging in all your detestable practices and acts of prostitution, you did not remember the days of your youth when you were naked and exposed, kicking about in your own blood.

(Hosea 4:11-13) ¹¹ Prostitution and wine and new wine Take away the motivation to do what is right. ¹² My people consult their wooden idols, Doing what their staff tells them; Because the spirit of prostitution causes them to go astray, And by their prostitution they refuse to submit to their God. ¹³ On the tops of the mountains they sacrifice, And on the hills they make sacrifices smoke, Under oak trees and storax trees and every big tree, Because their shade is good. That is why your daughters commit prostitution And your daughters-in-law commit adultery.

(Exodus 34:13-16) . . .. ¹⁴ You must not bow down to another god, for Jehovah is known for requiring exclusive devotion. Yes, he is a God who requires exclusive devotion. ¹⁵ Be careful not to make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, because when they prostitute themselves to their gods and sacrifice to their gods, someone will invite you and you will eat from his sacrifice. ¹⁶ Then you will surely take some of their daughters for your sons, and their daughters will prostitute themselves to their gods and cause your sons to prostitute themselves to their gods.

(Isaiah 54:17) No weapon formed against you will have any success, And you will condemn any tongue that rises up against you in the judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of Jehovah, And their righteousness is from me,” declares Jehovah.

(Haggai 2:22) I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms and annihilate the strength of the kingdoms of the nations; and I will overthrow the chariot and its riders, and the horses and their riders will fall, each one by the sword of his brother.

(Zechariah 2:7-9) ⁷ “Come, Zion! Make your escape, you who are dwelling with the daughter of Babylon. ⁸ For this is what Jehovah of armies says, who after being glorified has sent me to the nations that were plundering you: ‘Whoever touches you touches the pupil of my eye. ⁹ For now I will wave my hand against them, and they will become plunder for their own slaves.’ And you will certainly know that Jehovah of armies has sent me.

So we now know when we see them establish the one system of doing things were they cooperate world wide to accomplish things together on a world wide scale it will be a sign we need to prepare to flee or go into hiding. Their destruction will be sudden and as in times past when we go into hiding we cannot like back or be slow about fleeing. When they turn on true worship then redemption is near it is not a time to be in fear but a time to be happy because better times are very very near. I time when death will be no more there will no longer be tears of sorrow. The bible tells us in the new system God will answer our prayers before they even come up into our minds.

(Matthew 24:15-22) ¹⁵ “Therefore, when you catch sight of the disgusting thing that causes desolation, as spoken about by Daniel the prophet, standing in a holy place (let the reader use discernment), ¹⁶ then let those in Ju·deʹa begin fleeing to the mountains. ¹⁷ Let the man on the housetop not come down to take the goods out of his house, ¹⁸ and let the man in the field not return to pick up his outer garment. ¹⁹ Woe to the pregnant women and those nursing a baby in those days! ²⁰ Keep praying that your flight may not occur in wintertime nor on the Sabbath day; ²¹ for then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again. ²² In fact, unless those days were cut short, no flesh would be saved; but on account of the chosen ones those days will be cut short.

Daniel 12:9-13

⁹ Then he said: “Go, Daniel, because the words are to be kept secret and sealed up until the time of the end. ¹⁰ Many will cleanse themselves and whiten themselves and will be refined. And the wicked ones will act wickedly, and none of the wicked will understand; but those having insight will understand.

¹¹ “And from the time that the constant feature has been removed and the disgusting thing that causes desolation has been put in place, there will be 1,290 days.

¹² “Happy is the one who keeps in expectation and who arrives at the 1,335 days!

¹³ “But as for you, go on to the end. You will rest, but you will stand up for your lot at the end of the days.”

(Luke 21:20-24) ²⁰ “However, when you see Jerusalem surrounded by encamped armies, then know that the desolating of her has drawn near. ²¹ Then let those in Ju·deʹa begin fleeing to the mountains, let those in the midst of her leave, and let those in the countryside not enter into her, ²² because these are days for meting out justice in order that all the things written may be fulfilled. ²³ Woe to the pregnant women and those nursing a baby in those days! For there will be great distress on the land and wrath against this people. ²⁴ And they will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled on by the nations until the appointed times of the nations are fulfilled. . .

(Luke 21:20-28) ²⁰ “However, when you see Jerusalem surrounded by encamped armies, then know that the desolating of her has drawn near. ²¹ Then let those in Ju·deʹa begin fleeing to the mountains, let those in the midst of her leave, and let those in the countryside not enter into her, ²² because these are days for meting out justice in order that all the things written may be fulfilled. ²³ Woe to the pregnant women and those nursing a baby in those days! For there will be great distress on the land and wrath against this people. ²⁴ And they will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled on by the nations until the appointed times of the nations are fulfilled. ²⁵ “Also, there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth anguish of nations not knowing the way out because of the roaring of the sea and its agitation. ²⁶ People will become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ²⁷ And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. ²⁸ But as these things start to occur, stand up straight and lift up your heads, because your deliverance is getting near.”

(Luke 21:34-36) ³⁴ “But pay attention to yourselves that your hearts never become weighed down with overeating and heavy drinking and anxieties of life, and suddenly that day be instantly upon you ³⁵ as a snare. For it will come upon all those dwelling on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶ Keep awake, then, all the time making supplication that you may succeed in escaping all these things that must occur and in standing before the Son of man.”

(Mark 13:35) Keep on the watch, therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether late in the day or at midnight or before dawn or early in the morning,

(2 Thessalonians 1:6-10) ⁶ This takes into account that it is righteous on God’s part to repay tribulation to those who make tribulation for you. ⁷ But you who suffer tribulation will be given relief along with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels ⁸ in a flaming fire, as he brings vengeance on those who do not know God and those who do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus. ⁹ These very ones will undergo the judicial punishment of everlasting destruction from before the Lord and from the glory of his strength, ¹⁰ at the time when he comes to be glorified in connection with his holy ones and to be regarded in that day with wonder among all those who exercised faith, because the witness we gave met with faith among you.

(Revelation 6:16, 17) And they keep saying to the mountains and to the rocks: “Fall over us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, ¹⁷ because the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”

(Revelation 16:15) “Look! I am coming as a thief. Happy is the one who stays awake and keeps his outer garments, so that he may not walk naked and people look upon his shamefulness.”

(Daniel 11:28-43) ²⁸ “And he will go back to his land with a great amount of goods, and his heart will be against the holy covenant. He will act effectively and go back to his land. ²⁹ “At the time appointed he will return and come against the south. But this time will not be as it was before, ³⁰ for the ships of Kitʹtim will come against him, and he will be humbled. “He will go back and hurl denunciations against the holy covenant and act effectively; and he will go back and will give attention to those leaving the holy covenant. ³¹ And arms will stand up, proceeding from him; and they will profane the sanctuary, the fortress, and remove the constant feature. “And they will put in place the disgusting thing that causes desolation. ³² “And those who act wickedly against the covenant, he will lead into apostasy by means of smooth words. But the people who know their God will prevail and act effectively. ³³ And those having insight among the people will impart understanding to the many. And they will be made to stumble by sword and by flame, by captivity and by plundering, for some days. ³⁴ But when they are made to stumble, they will be given a little help; and many will join with them by means of smooth speech. ³⁵ And some of those having insight will be made to stumble, in order to do a refining work because of them and to do a cleansing and a whitening until the time of the end; because it is yet for the time appointed. ³⁶ “The king will do as he pleases, and he will exalt himself and magnify himself above every god; and against the God of gods he will speak astonishing things. And he will prove successful until the denunciation comes to a finish; because what is determined must take place. ³⁷ He will show no regard for the God of his fathers; nor will he show regard for the desire of women or for any other god, but he will magnify himself over everyone. ³⁸ But instead he will give glory to the god of fortresses; to a god that his fathers did not know he will give glory by means of gold and silver and precious stones and desirable things. ³⁹ He will act effectively against the most fortified strongholds, along with a foreign god. He will give great glory to those who give him recognition, and he will make them rule among many; and the ground he will apportion out for a price. ⁴⁰ “In the time of the end the king of the south will engage with him in a pushing, and against him the king of the north will storm with chariots and horsemen and many ships; and he will enter into the lands and sweep through like a flood. ⁴¹ He will also enter into the land of the Decoration, and many lands will be made to stumble. But these are the ones that will escape out of his hand: Eʹdom and Moʹab and the main part of the Amʹmon·ites. ⁴² And he will keep thrusting out his hand against the lands; and as regards the land of Egypt, she will not escape. ⁴³ And he will rule over the hidden treasures of gold and silver and over all the desirable things of Egypt. And the Libʹy·ans and the E·thi·oʹpi·ans will be at his steps.

(Revelation 19:19-21) ¹⁹ And I saw the wild beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the one seated on the horse and against his army. ²⁰ And the wild beast was caught, and along with it the false prophet that performed in front of it the signs with which he misled those who received the mark of the wild beast and those who worship its image. While still alive, they both were hurled into the fiery lake that burns with sulfur. ²¹ But the rest were killed off with the long sword that proceeded out of the mouth of the one seated on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.

(Revelation 13:11-18) ¹¹ Then I saw another wild beast ascending out of the earth, and it had two horns like a lamb, but it began speaking like a dragon. ¹² It exercises all the authority of the first wild beast in its sight. And it makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first wild beast, whose mortal wound was healed. ¹³ And it performs great signs, even making fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the sight of mankind. ¹⁴ It misleads those who dwell on the earth, because of the signs that it was permitted to perform in the sight of the wild beast, while it tells those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the wild beast that had the sword-stroke and yet revived. ¹⁵ And it was permitted to give breath to the image of the wild beast, so that the image of the wild beast should both speak and cause to be killed all those who refuse to worship the image of the wild beast. ¹⁶ It puts under compulsion all people—the small and the great, the rich and the poor, the free and the slaves—that these should be marked on their right hand or on their forehead, ¹⁷ and that nobody can buy or sell except a person having the mark, the name of the wild beast or the number of its name. ¹⁸ This is where it calls for wisdom: Let the one who has insight calculate the number of the wild beast, for it is a man’s number, and its number is 666.

(Revelation 13:1-8) 13 And it stood still on the sand of the sea. And I saw a wild beast ascending out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, and on its horns ten diadems, but on its heads blasphemous names. ² Now the wild beast that I saw was like a leopard, but its feet were like those of a bear, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. And the dragon gave to the beast its power and its throne and great authority. ³ I saw that one of its heads seemed to have been fatally wounded, but its mortal wound had been healed, and all the earth followed the wild beast with admiration. ⁴ And they worshipped the dragon because it gave the authority to the wild beast, and they worshipped the wild beast with the words: “Who is like the wild beast, and who can do battle with it?” ⁵ It was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and it was given authority to act for 42 months. ⁶ And it opened its mouth in blasphemies against God to blaspheme his name and his dwelling place, even those residing in heaven. ⁷ It was permitted to wage war with the holy ones and conquer them, and it was given authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation. ⁸ And all those who dwell on the earth will worship it. From the founding of the world, not one of their names has been written in the scroll of life of the Lamb who was slaughtered.

(Psalm 2:1-12) 2 Why are the nations agitated And the peoples muttering an empty thing?  ² The kings of the earth take their stand And high officials gather together as one Against Jehovah and against his anointed one.  ³ They say: “Let us tear off their shackles And throw off their ropes!”  ⁴ The One enthroned in the heavens will laugh; Jehovah will scoff at them.  ⁵ At that time he will speak to them in his anger And terrify them in his burning anger,  ⁶ Saying: “I myself have installed my king On Zion, my holy mountain.”  ⁷ Let me proclaim the decree of Jehovah; He said to me: “You are my son; Today I have become your father.  ⁸ Ask of me, and I will give nations as your inheritance And the ends of the earth as your possession.  ⁹ You will break them with an iron scepter, And you will smash them like a piece of pottery.” ¹⁰ So now, you kings, show insight; Accept correction, you judges of the earth. ¹¹ Serve Jehovah with fear, And rejoice with trembling. ¹² Honor the son, or God will become indignant And you will perish from the way, For His anger flares up quickly. Happy are all those taking refuge in Him.

(Romans 1:18-23) ¹⁸ For God’s wrath is being revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who are suppressing the truth in an unrighteous way, ¹⁹ because what may be known about God is clearly evident among them, for God made it clear to them. ²⁰ For his invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship, so that they are inexcusable. ²¹ For although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God nor did they thank him, but they became empty-headed in their reasonings and their senseless hearts became darkened. ²² Although claiming they were wise, they became foolish ²³ and turned the glory of the incorruptible God into something like the image of corruptible man and birds and four-footed creatures and reptiles.

(Isaiah 14:12, 13) ¹² How you have fallen from heaven, O shining one, son of the dawn! How you have been cut down to the earth, You who vanquished nations! ¹³ You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to the heavens. Above the stars of God I will lift up my throne, And I will sit down on the mountain of meeting, In the remotest parts of the north.

So when we see all the world powers working together towards the same goals. Trying to replace God’s rightful place to rule over man. Then the destruction of false religion we know it will be time to flee because they will then turn on true worship. When those who are Jesus representatives on earth who worship in truth flee then there will be nothing to restrain them and remind them there is a God that will hold them accountable. This is when Jesus will no longer restrain them and tribulation will occur like it has never occurred before. So we are not only fleeing to avoid destruction but we are going to be fleeing what will happen when Jesus is no longer restraining them.

Jesus moves out of the way

(Revelation 17:12-18) ¹² “The ten horns that you saw mean ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they do receive authority as kings for one hour with the wild beast. ¹³ These have one thought, so they give their power and authority to the wild beast. ¹⁴ These will battle with the Lamb, but because he is Lord of lords and King of kings, the Lamb will conquer them. Also, those with him who are called and chosen and faithful will do so.” ¹⁵ He said to me: “The waters that you saw, where the prostitute is sitting, mean peoples and crowds and nations and tongues. ¹⁶ And the ten horns that you saw and the wild beast, these will hate the prostitute and will make her devastated and naked, and they will eat up her flesh and completely burn her with fire. ¹⁷ For God put it into their hearts to carry out his thought, yes, to carry out their one thought by giving their kingdom to the wild beast, until the words of God will have been accomplished. ¹⁸ And the woman whom you saw means the great city that has a kingdom over the kings of the earth.”

Luke 21:20) ²⁰ “However, when you see Jerusalem surrounded by encamped armies, then know that the desolating of her has drawn near. . .

(Daniel 9:26, 27) “And after the 62 weeks, Mes·siʹah will be cut off, with nothing for himself. “And the people of a leader who is coming will destroy the city and the holy place. And its end will be by the flood. And until the end there will be war; what is decided upon is desolations. ²⁷ “And he will keep the covenant in force for the many for one week; and at the half of the week, he will cause sacrifice and gift offering to cease. “And on the wing of disgusting things there will be the one causing desolation; and until an extermination, what was decided on will be poured out also on the one lying desolate.”

To know when to escape we must keep alert and pray. And follow Jesus, If we do not listen to Jesus we can end up even worse off. If you need advice do not seek it from someone who has not written God’s word on their hearts. Instead of escaping you will get trapped. You will be following a blind guide. Those who have written God’s word on their hearts will show their good fruits and humility. We need not get anxious about what is about to occur. So we do not become afraid or anxious we need to pray to God with our concerns or worries. When it is time to flee or go into hiding we cannot hesitate or have any doubts. This has cost some their lives in times past. We would not want to be like Abraham’s sons-in-law who did not take the warning seriously but took it as a joke. We are told Noah was a preacher of righteousness and he warned many but only he and seven others escaped the flood that destroyed the earth in those days. It was God who closed the door to the ark in Noah’s day. Once the figurative door is closed in our days no one will be able to enter. So if we do not prepare now by the time we realize what is happening , it will be too late to escape. Jesus is the door in order to recognize those guiding people to the door Jesus gave us a clue what to be aware of and who will be the ones to betray and mislead many. These would be the paid shepherds. Jesus and the apostles did not get paid for teaching the bible truths. Jesus stated you received God’s word free you give it free. Those who are truly following Jesus foot steps would be willing to give their lives for the sheep they serve just as Jesus did. Once Jesus closes the door no one will be able to enter. Many will believe the lies of these false teachers. Those who are following Jesus foot steps as closely as they can are his representatives on earth and they work as a restraint preventing things from becoming much worse. When these ones flee , go into hiding or are arrested this restraint will no longer be present and things are going to get very very bad. This is why we cannot hesitate when it is time to flee because once the door is closed those who hesitated will suffer the same fate as the rest who lacked faith or ignored the warning.

This spiritual battle started in the Garden of Eden when the three villains chose to rebel against God. Satan lied said man could be like God and would not die. Adam and Eve chose to believe those lies. Even today false religion teaches we do not die and we go to another place instead of dying. He also convinced them they did not need God’s wisdom or guidance. We have seen the end results of man choosing to believe these lies. Man has tried every form of government, tried fighting wars, any medical or even farm solutions man has tried has resulted in disaster. All God created is good. Man has genetically altered our food believing we could improve something God created and it has resulted in the destruction of many species of animals, insects, and plants. It has resulted in the loss of many insects that pollinate the crops. The genetically altered foods and the chemicals sprayed on them cause chronic illness. Man has produced many chemicals to replace the birds and other methods God put in place to control insects. This is because man has destroyed the habitat needed by Gods creation so the insects have gained the upper hand. Those chemicals cause chronic illness and destroy the environment. I could list the many ways man has failed miserably at their quest to replace God. So imagine when things come to a finality and Jesus is no longer restraining this rebellion.

This is when God will give Jesus the command to end this rebellion that started in the Garden. Man has thoroughly proven those lies to be wrong. It is righteous on God’s part to destroy those who took the three liars side in matters. Because to leave people live believing these lies even though the evidence has proven the lies to be untrue would be cruel on God’s part because it would leave the suffering, corruption and death that comes with it continue. Even those who pay no note are contributing by not doing anything to expose the lies. They may seem like a good person but their apathy or lack of trust in God shows they also believe the lies. These ones are the most dangerous to associate with because they could easily lure us into their mindset. Those who know God and his son our king Jesus Christ will not be afraid or get anxious over what is occurring because when these things occur it is a sign redemption is near and the new system is almost here and all this death, suffering and corruption will be done away with and it will never occur again. The earth will become the paradise it was originally meant to be and the purpose for the earth will be fulfilled. The bibles says in the new system God will answer our prayers before we are finished thinking about them. So these are exciting times because we know better days are very very near and the earth is going to restored and in the new system we will get to see many loved ones we lost in death.

Just as in Noah’s day the righteous were saved by their faith and obedience those who heed the warnings and prepared will be saved and survive, many will walk through the great tribulation into the new system. Those who chose the side of Satan and the humans who continued to rebel against God will be thrown into the lake of fire and destroyed. For those who listened to Jesus and did their best to obey him and have prepared this is happy times because we know redemption is near. Happy times are very very near and there will be no more sorrow.

Hebrews 12:25 See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven.

Luke 21:6 “But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Matthew 15:12 Then the disciples came and said to him: “Do you know that the Pharisees were stumbled at hearing what you said?” 13 In reply he said: “Every plant that my heavenly Father did not plant will be uprooted. 14 Let them be. Blind guides is what they are. If, then, a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

1Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time, 7 while you throw all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. 8 Keep your senses, be watchful! Your adversary, the Devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour someone. 9 But take your stand against him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by the entire association of your brothers in the world. 10 But after you have suffered a little while, the God of all undeserved kindness, who called you to his everlasting glory in union with Christ, will himself finish your training. He will make you firm, he will make you strong, he will firmly ground you. 11 To him be the might forever. Amen.

(Genesis 19:12-14) ¹² Then the men said to Lot: “Do you have anyone else here? Sons-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and all your people in the city, bring out of this place! ¹³ For we are going to destroy this place, because the outcry against them has indeed grown great before Jehovah, so that Jehovah sent us to destroy the city.” ¹⁴ So Lot went out and began to speak to his sons-in-law who were to marry his daughters, and he kept saying: “Get up! Get out of this place, because Jehovah will destroy the city!” But to his sons-in-law, he seemed to be joking.

(Genesis 19:15-17) ¹⁵ As dawn was breaking, the angels became urgent with Lot, saying: “Get up! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here with you, so that you will not be swept away in the error of the city!” ¹⁶ When he kept lingering, then because of Jehovah’s compassion for him, the men seized hold of his hand and the hand of his wife and the hands of his two daughters, and they brought him out and stationed him outside the city. ¹⁷ As soon as they had brought them to the outskirts, he said: “Escape for your life! Do not look behind you and do not stand still in any part of the district! Escape to the mountainous region so that you may not be swept away!”

(Genesis 6:22-7:5) ²² And Noah did according to all that God had commanded him. He did just so. 7 After that Jehovah said to Noah: “Go into the ark, you and all your household, because you are the one I have found to be righteous before me among this generation. ² You must take with you every kind of clean animal by sevens, the male and its mate; and of every animal that is not clean just two, the male and its mate; ³ also of the flying creatures of the sky by sevens, male and female, to preserve their offspring alive over all the earth. ⁴ For in just seven days, I will make it rain on the earth for 40 days and 40 nights, and I will wipe from the surface of the ground every living thing that I have made.” ⁵ Then Noah did everything that Jehovah had commanded him.

(Genesis 7:16) ¹⁶ So they went in, male and female of every sort of flesh, just as God had commanded him. After that Jehovah shut the door behind him.

(Matthew 24:36-39) ³⁶ “Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father. ³⁷ For just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be. ³⁸ For as they were in those days before the Flood, eating and drinking, men marrying and women being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, ³⁹ and they took no note until the Flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of the Son of man will be.

(2 Peter 2:4-10) ⁴ Certainly God did not refrain from punishing the angels who sinned, but threw them into Tarʹta·rus, putting them in chains of dense darkness to be reserved for judgment. ⁵ And he did not refrain from punishing an ancient world, but kept Noah, a preacher of righteousness, safe with seven others when he brought a flood upon a world of ungodly people. ⁶ And by reducing the cities of Sodʹom and Go·morʹrah to ashes, he condemned them, setting a pattern for ungodly people of things to come. ⁷ And he rescued righteous Lot, who was greatly distressed by the brazen conduct of the lawless people— ⁸ for day after day that righteous man was tormenting his righteous soul over the lawless deeds that he saw and heard while dwelling among them. ⁹ So, then, Jehovah knows how to rescue people of godly devotion out of trial, but to reserve unrighteous people to be destroyed on the day of judgment, ¹⁰ especially those who seek to defile the flesh of others and who despise authority.. . .

(John 10:7-15) ⁷ So Jesus said again: “Most truly I say to you, I am the door for the sheep. ⁸ All those who have come in place of me are thieves and plunderers; but the sheep have not listened to them. ⁹ I am the door; whoever enters through me will be saved, and that one will go in and out and find pasturage. ¹⁰ The thief does not come unless it is to steal and slay and destroy. I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance. ¹¹ I am the fine shepherd; the fine shepherd surrenders his life in behalf of the sheep. ¹² The hired man, who is not a shepherd and to whom the sheep do not belong, sees the wolf coming and abandons the sheep and flees—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them— ¹³ because he is a hired man and does not care for the sheep. ¹⁴ I am the fine shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me, ¹⁵ just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I surrender my life in behalf of the sheep.

(Luke 13:24-30) . . .. ²⁵ When the householder gets up and locks the door, you will stand outside knocking at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us.’ But in answer he will say to you: ‘I do not know where you are from.’ ²⁶ Then you will start saying, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our main streets.’ ²⁷ But he will say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from. Get away from me, all you workers of unrighteousness!’ ²⁸ There is where your weeping and the gnashing of your teeth will be, when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown outside. ²⁹ Furthermore, people will come from east and west and from north and south, and will recline at the table in the Kingdom of God. ³⁰ And look! there are those last who will be first, and there are those first who will be last. . .

(Matthew 25:1-13) 25 “Then the Kingdom of the heavens may be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. ² Five of them were foolish, and five were discreet. ³ For the foolish took their lamps but took no oil with them, ⁴ whereas the discreet took oil in their flasks along with their lamps. ⁵ While the bridegroom was delaying, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. ⁶ Right in the middle of the night there was a shout: ‘Here is the bridegroom! Go out to meet him.’ ⁷ Then all those virgins got up and put their lamps in order. ⁸ The foolish said to the discreet, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are about to go out.’ ⁹ The discreet answered, saying: ‘Perhaps there may not be enough for both us and you. Go instead to those who sell it, and buy some for yourselves.’ ¹⁰ While they were going off to buy it, the bridegroom came. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. ¹¹ Afterward, the rest of the virgins also came, saying, ‘Sir, Sir, open to us!’ ¹² In answer he said, ‘I tell you the truth, I do not know you.’ ¹³ “Keep on the watch, therefore, because you know neither the day nor the hour.

(2 Thessalonians 2:6-11) ⁶ And now you know what is acting as a restraint, so that he will be revealed in his own due time. ⁷ True, the mystery of this lawlessness is already at work, but only until the one who is right now acting as a restraint is out of the way. ⁸ Then, indeed, the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will do away with by the spirit of his mouth and bring to nothing by the manifestation of his presence. ⁹ But the lawless one’s presence is by the operation of Satan with every powerful work and lying signs and wonders ¹⁰ and every unrighteous deception for those who are perishing, as a retribution because they did not accept the love of the truth in order that they might be saved. ¹¹ That is why God lets a deluding influence mislead them so that they may come to believe the lie,

(Revelation 19:19-21) ¹⁹ And I saw the wild beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the one seated on the horse and against his army. ²⁰ And the wild beast was caught, and along with it the false prophet that performed in front of it the signs with which he misled those who received the mark of the wild beast and those who worship its image. While still alive, they both were hurled into the fiery lake that burns with sulfur. ²¹ But the rest were killed off with the long sword that proceeded out of the mouth of the one seated on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.

(Isaiah 65:21-25) ²¹ They will build houses and live in them, And they will plant vineyards and eat their fruitage. ²² They will not build for someone else to inhabit, Nor will they plant for others to eat. For the days of my people will be like the days of a tree, And the work of their hands my chosen ones will enjoy to the full. ²³ They will not toil for nothing, Nor will they bear children for distress, Because they are the offspring made up of those blessed by Jehovah, And their descendants with them. ²⁴ Even before they call out, I will answer; While they are yet speaking, I will hear. ²⁵ The wolf and the lamb will feed together, The lion will eat straw just like the bull, And the serpent’s food will be dust. They will do no harm nor cause any ruin in all my holy mountain,” says Jehovah.

(Revelation 21:1-5) 21 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea is no more. ² I also saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God and prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ³ With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. ⁴ And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” ⁵ And the One seated on the throne said: “Look! I am making all things new.” Also he says: “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”

(1 Corinthians 15:24-28) ²⁴ Next, the end, when he hands over the Kingdom to his God and Father, when he has brought to nothing all government and all authority and power. ²⁵ For he must rule as king until God has put all enemies under his feet. ²⁶ And the last enemy, death, is to be brought to nothing. ²⁷ For God “subjected all things under his feet.” But when he says that ‘all things have been subjected,’ it is evident that this does not include the One who subjected all things to him. ²⁸ But when all things will have been subjected to him, then the Son himself will also subject himself to the One who subjected all things to him, that God may be all things to everyone.

(Isaiah 25:8) He will swallow up death forever, And the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will wipe away the tears from all faces. The reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, For Jehovah himself has spoken it.

(Revelation 20:14) And death and the Grave were hurled into the lake of fire. This means the second death, the lake of fire

(Hosea 13:14) From the power of the Grave I will redeem them; From death I will recover them. Where are your stings, O Death? Where is your destructiveness, O Grave? Compassion will be concealed from my eyes.

(John 5:28-30) ²⁸ Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice ²⁹ and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, and those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment. ³⁰ I cannot do a single thing of my own initiative. Just as I hear, I judge, and my judgment is righteous because I seek, not my own will, but the will of him who sent me. . .

(Revelation 20:11-15) ¹¹ And I saw a great white throne and the One seated on it. From before him the earth and the heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. ¹² And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and scrolls were opened. But another scroll was opened; it is the scroll of life. The dead were judged out of those things written in the scrolls according to their deeds. ¹³ And the sea gave up the dead in it, and death and the Grave gave up the dead in them, and they were judged individually according to their deeds. ¹⁴ And death and the Grave were hurled into the lake of fire. This means the second death, the lake of fire. ¹⁵ Furthermore, whoever was not found written in the book of life was hurled into the lake of fire.

(Luke 21:25-28) ²⁵ “Also, there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth anguish of nations not knowing the way out because of the roaring of the sea and its agitation. ²⁶ People will become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ²⁷ And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. ²⁸ But as these things start to occur, stand up straight and lift up your heads, because your deliverance is getting near.”

We do not have to fear when these things occur. We have the living one true God and his son our king on our side. Jesus demonstrated the power God had given him and the authority he had given him when he was on earth. He is now our king in the heavenly kingdom and he has full authority and full power over everything but God himself so he can protect us. Those who may be killed even that will not separate us from Jesus and God. We will be remembered during the resurrection if we remain faithful and loyal. We have many examples of God protecting his people and deterring the enemies who were pursuing Israel. No matter who dire things may have seemed as long as Israel remain faithful and loyal they had God’s protection. Sometimes the enemies of Israel died by the thousands for trying to harm God’s people. There are legions of angels at Jesus commands and he can and will send them to protect those who trust in him and his heavenly father.

(Romans 8:31-39) ³¹ What, then, are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who will be against us? ³² Since he did not even spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, will he not also, along with him, kindly give us all other things? ³³ Who will file accusation against God’s chosen ones? God is the One who declares them righteous. ³⁴ Who will condemn them? Christ Jesus is the one who died, yes, more than that, the one who was raised up, who is at the right hand of God and who also pleads for us. ³⁵ Who will separate us from the love of the Christ? Will tribulation or distress or persecution or hunger or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶ Just as it is written: “For your sake we are being put to death all day long; we have been accounted as sheep for slaughtering.” ³⁷ On the contrary, in all these things we are coming off completely victorious through the one who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life nor angels nor governments nor things now here nor things to come nor powers ³⁹ nor height nor depth nor any other creation will be able to separate us from God’s love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(2 Kings 6:15-18) ¹⁵ When the attendant of the man of the true God rose early and went outside, he saw that an army with horses and war chariots was surrounding the city. At once the attendant said to him: “Alas, my master! What are we to do?” ¹⁶ But he said: “Do not be afraid! For there are more who are with us than those who are with them.” ¹⁷ Then E·liʹsha began to pray and say: “O Jehovah, open his eyes, please, that he may see.” Immediately Jehovah opened the attendant’s eyes and he saw, and look! the mountainous region was full of horses and war chariots of fire all around E·liʹsha. ¹⁸ When the Syrians came down to him, E·liʹsha prayed to Jehovah and said: “Please, strike this nation with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, just as E·liʹsha had requested.

(Daniel 6:18-23) ¹⁸ The king then went to his palace. He passed the night fasting and refused any entertainment, and he could not sleep. ¹⁹ Finally at the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ pit. ²⁰ As he got near the pit, he called out to Daniel with a sad voice. The king asked Daniel: “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God whom you are continually serving been able to rescue you from the lions?” ²¹ Daniel immediately said to the king: “O king, may you live on forever. ²² My God sent his angel and shut the mouth of the lions, and they have not harmed me, for I was found innocent before him; nor have I done any wrong to you, O king.” ²³ The king was overjoyed, and he commanded that Daniel be lifted up out of the pit. When Daniel was lifted up out of the pit, he was completely unharmed, because he had trusted in his God.

(Isaiah 40:10, 11) ¹⁰ Look! The Sovereign Lord Jehovah will come with power, And his arm will rule for him. Look! His reward is with him, And the wage he pays is before him. ¹¹ Like a shepherd he will care for his flock. With his arm he will gather together the lambs, And in his bosom he will carry them. He will gently lead those nursing their young.

Often times God would leave Israels enemies believe they had Israel trapped only to bring them to their destruction. So we can be sure that no matter if it seems death is inevitable or if we do die we can trust our lives in God and Jesus hands. Even in death we will live if we remain faithful and loyal. No one can prevent the future promises God has given but if we are disloyal or lack faith no one can undo the destruction brought on by those who oppose God are do not have faith. This is why the bible warns the cowards will be destroyed. Lacking faith in God shows we fear man more then we fear God and that we doubt the power and wisdom he has. So now more then even we need to write his word on our hearts so our faith and loyalty do not waiver.

(Exodus 14:1-4) 14 Jehovah now said to Moses: ² “Tell the Israelites that they should turn back and encamp before Pi·ha·hiʹroth, between Migʹdol and the sea, within view of Baʹal-zeʹphon. You are to encamp facing it by the sea. ³ Then Pharʹaoh will say about the Israelites, ‘They are wandering in confusion in the land. The wilderness has closed in on them.’ ⁴ I will allow Pharʹaoh’s heart to become obstinate, and he will chase after them, and I will glorify myself by means of Pharʹaoh and all his army; and the Egyptians will certainly know that I am Jehovah.” So that is what they did.

(Exodus 14:21-31) ²¹ Moses now stretched out his hand over the sea; and Jehovah drove the sea back with a strong east wind all night long, turning the sea basin into dry ground, and the waters divided. ²² So the Israelites went through the midst of the sea on dry ground, while the waters formed a wall on their right hand and on their left. ²³ The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharʹaoh’s horses, his war chariots, and his cavalrymen began going after them into the midst of the sea. ²⁴ During the morning watch, Jehovah looked at the camp of the Egyptians from within the pillar of fire and cloud, and he threw the camp of the Egyptians into confusion. ²⁵ He kept taking wheels off their chariots so that they were driving them with difficulty, and the Egyptians were saying: “Let us flee from any contact with Israel, because Jehovah is fighting for them against the Egyptians.” ²⁶ Then Jehovah said to Moses: “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may come back over the Egyptians, their war chariots, and their cavalrymen.” ²⁷ Moses at once stretched out his hand over the sea, and as morning approached, the sea returned to its normal condition. As the Egyptians fled from it, Jehovah shook the Egyptians off into the midst of the sea. ²⁸ The returning waters covered the war chariots and the cavalrymen and all of Pharʹaoh’s army who had gone into the sea after them. Not so much as one among them was allowed to survive. ²⁹ But the Israelites walked on dry ground in the midst of the seabed, and the waters formed a wall on their right hand and on their left. ³⁰ Thus Jehovah saved Israel on that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. ³¹ Israel also saw the great power that Jehovah wielded against the Egyptians, and the people began to fear Jehovah and to put faith in Jehovah and in his servant Moses.

(Revelation 21:7, 8) . . .. ⁸ But as for the cowards and those without faith and those who are disgusting in their filth and murderers and the sexually immoral and those practicing spiritism and idolaters and all the liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This means the second death. . .

Why did God create the earth, and what is his will for the earth?

Written by Lee Stevenson. Sorry I am not much of a writer or an editor. I am trying the best I can.

You may wonder what is the purpose for the earth why did God create the earth. The bible tells us in Genisis 1 verse 28 God created the earth for man to fill the earth. He also put Adam in a paradise like Garden. He then created Eve and they only had to obey one command to prove their loyalty and faith . (Genesis 4:4-25) . The only words that convey a similar meaning to the word Eden in the Garden is luxury or delight. The closest modern day meaning would be similar to a modern day park that contained all a person needed to be happy and healthy. The meaning of the word Eden is not entirely clear but based on it’s usage throughout the bible it becomes clear that it means a land of delight and plenty. Death at the time was not something man would have experienced.The bible says the earth will be here forever. If he has established it to be here forever then it must have a purpose and he must have a will that he desires for it.

If you read the scriptures below the bible clearly shows the earth will be here forever and there are people who will dwell forever upon it. The bible also shows who those people will be.

Psalm 104: 5  He has established the earth on its foundations; It will not be moved from its place forever and ever.

Ecclesiastes 1:4 A generation is going, and a generation is coming,But the earth remains forever.

Isaiah 45:18 “The One who formed the earth, its Maker who firmly established it, . . . did not create it simply for nothing, but formed it to be inhabited.”

The bible gave a very specific number of those who will go to heaven 144,000. It also tells us they will rule as priest with Jesus over the earth. In Revelations it shows a clear distinction between the two flocks. Those of the 144,000 would gather the other sheep Jesus mentions together and would feed them the spiritual food that Jesus mentioned.

Luke 12:32 “Have no fear, little flock, for your Father has approved of giving you the Kingdom.

Revelation 7:2And I saw another angel ascending from the sunrise, having a seal of the living God; and he called with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, 3 saying: “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until after we have sealed the slaves of our God in their foreheads.”

Luke 12:42And the Lord said: “Who really is the faithful steward, the discreet one, whom his master will appoint over his body of attendants to keep giving them their measure of food supplies at the proper time? 43 Happy is that slave if his master on coming finds him doing so! 44 I tell you truthfully, he will appoint him over all his belongings

John 10:16 “And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; those too I must bring in, and they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock, one shepherd.

The bible made a clear distinction between the two sheep folds.

Revelation 7:4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed, 144,000, sealed out of every tribe of the sons of Israel:

5 Out of the tribe of Judah 12,000 sealed;

out of the tribe of Reuʹben 12,000;

out of the tribe of Gad 12,000;

6 out of the tribe of Ashʹer 12,000;

out of the tribe of Naphʹta·li 12,000;

out of the tribe of Ma·nasʹseh+ 12,000;

7 out of the tribe of Simʹe·on 12,000;

out of the tribe of Leʹvi 12,000;

out of the tribe of Isʹsa·char 12,000;

8 out of the tribe of Zebʹu·lun 12,000;

out of the tribe of Joseph 12,000;

out of the tribe of Benjamin 12,000 sealed.

9 After this I saw, and look! a great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes; and there were palm branches in their hands. 10

Daniel 2:44 “In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed. And this kingdom will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it alone will stand forever,

The 144,000 will be resurrected first to rule with Jesus.

Revelation 20: 6 Happy and holy is anyone having part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no authority, but they will be priests of God and of the Christ, and they will rule as kings with him for the 1,000 years.

Romans 8:20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but through the one who subjected it, on the basis of hope 21 that the creation itself will also be set free from enslavement to corruption and have the glorious freedom of the children of God. 22 For we know that all creation keeps on groaning together and being in pain together until now
Matthew 5:5 “Happy are the mild-tempered, since they will inherit the earth

The 144,000 have to rule over someone. They will be ruling over the earth to fulfill the original purpose for the earth.

Psalm 37:29 The righteous will possess the earth,
And they will live forever on it.

This does not mean all is lost God’s will for the earth is certain take place. It has only been delayed . The earth will be filled with obedient humans who will work to make the whole earth like the Garden of Eden. God’s will for the earth to be filled with happy and healthy humans will be fulfilled. Jesus ransom sacrifice paved the way for our redemption by making payment for the sin brought on by Adam and Eves rebellion in the Garden of Eden.

Isaiah 55:10 For just as the rain and the snow pour down from heaven And do not return there until they saturate the earth, making it produce and sprout,

Giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,11 So my word that goes out of my mouth will be.It will not return to me without results,But it will certainly accomplish whatever is my delight, And it will have sure success in what I send it to do.

What life will be like when God’s original purpose for the earth is fulfilled. Death will be swallowed up so those in the new system will not die anymore. There will be no crime , no sickness or suffering. We will be able to enjoy the work of our hands and never have to worry if we will have a home to live in. The world will be at peace and there will be no violence or hatred. There will only be tears of joy not tears of sorrow.

Isaiah 33:24 And no resident will say: “I am sick.”

The people dwelling in the land will be pardoned for their error.

Isaiah 11: 6 The wolf will reside for a while with the lamb, And with the young goat the leopard will lie down,

And the calf and the lion and the fattened animal will all be together;

And a little boy will lead them.

7 The cow and the bear will feed together,

And their young will lie down together.

The lion will eat straw like the bull.

8 The nursing child will play over the lair of a cobra,

And a weaned child will put his hand over the den of a poisonous snake.

9 They will not cause any harm

Or any ruin in all my holy mountain,

Because the earth will certainly be filled with the knowledge of Jehovah

As the waters cover the sea.

Isaiah 6:21 They will build houses and live in them,

And they will plant vineyards and eat their fruitage.

22 They will not build for someone else to inhabit,

Nor will they plant for others to eat.

For the days of my people will be like the days of a tree,

And the work of their hands my chosen ones will enjoy to the full.

23 They will not toil for nothing,

Nor will they bear children for distress,

Because they are the offspring made up of those blessed by Jehovah,

And their descendants with them.

Nor will they bear children for distress,

Because they are the offspring made up of those blessed by Jehovah,

And their descendants with them.

24 Even before they call out, I will answer;

While they are yet speaking, I will hear.

25 The wolf and the lamb will feed together,

The lion will eat straw just like the bull,

And the serpent’s food will be dust.

While they are yet speaking, I will hear.

They will do no harm nor cause any ruin in all my holy mountain,” says Jehovah.

Isaiah 2: 8 He will swallow up death forever,

And the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will wipe away the tears from all faces.

The reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth,

For Jehovah himself has spoken it.

 9 In that day they will say:

“Look! This is our God!

We have hoped in him,

And he will save us.

This is Jehovah!

We have hoped in him.

Let us be joyful and rejoice in the salvation by him.”

Revelation 21:3 With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. 4 And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”

1Corinthians 15:23But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 28When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.

As and end note you may wonder why Satan rebelled against God. We get a clue to that when we read the warning given to Tyrus. The warning clearly did not completely describe his so he is talking about the power behind the bad deeds that Tyrus had done.

Ezekial 28:12 Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.

13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.

14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.

15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.

16 By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.

17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.

18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.

19 All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more.

Just as man was created perfect and had free will the spirit creatures that God created also had free will to choose. We also get another clue in Isaiah. He desired God’s power and authority so he had actually become jealous of God and the authority God gave him seemed to go to his head and he became arrogant. So just as man needed God’s guidance foresight and wisdom so also did his spirit creature. It takes faith and trust to be obedient. God does not force that on his creation but does require it. He still leaves us choose whether we will have faith or not. God has don nothing but good for his creation and his actions have shown he could be trusted and we have no reason to doubt him. Satan, Adam, and Eve had no excuse because they were created perfect. We fall short of God because of the sin we inherited from their rebellion against God. Because we are now imperfect we have to learn to be faithful and to trust God and we have to learn obedience. This is why God gave us his word to guide us, show us how to overcome this imperfection and also to give us a future hope.

Isaiah 14:12  “How  you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn!

How you are cut down to the ground,

you who laid the nations low!

13  You said in your heart,

‘I will ascend to heaven;

above the stars of God

I will set my throne on high;

I will sit on the mount of assembly

in the far reaches of the north;3

14  I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;

I will make myself like the Most High.’

This is also a reason things have gotten so bad on the earth because Satan did not only get man involved in the rebellion but he also got one third of the angels to rebel with him. When Jesus was seated on the throne one of the first things he did was cast those who rebelled in heaven out of the heavenly kingdom and they are now dwelling on earth. They have very little time left so they want to destroy as much of God’s creation as they can before their lives end.

Revelation 12:7 Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 8 But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. 9 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. 10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:

“Now have come the salvation and the power
and the kingdom of our God,
and the authority of his Messiah.
For the accuser of our brothers and sisters,
who accuses them before our God day and night,
has been hurled down.
11 They triumphed over him
by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so much
as to shrink from death.
12 Therefore rejoice, you heavens
and you who dwell in them!
But woe to the earth and the sea,
because the devil has gone down to you!
He is filled with fury,
because he knows that his time is short.”

Revelation 12:4 His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it.

You can find more accurate and information that is more clearly explained at this link. They also have a search feature with very good articles that address many questions a person may have.

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2011247

What did Jesus look like?

Did Jesus look like the man in the picture? Should we really be concerned with what Jesus looked like?

 

Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.

When veiwing things claimed to be historical records we have to make certain they are actual historical records and that they can be validated. For example much of Josephus work can be validated but the numerical information in his writings has been shown to be flawed. So even if the information can be validated historically we have to take into consideration they are historical records and not biblical. God had many things in place to make certain bible records remained accurate and did not deviate from the rest of the theme of the bible. If some things seems to oppose what the bible teaches we need to consider the source. If we do not check the validity and source of information we could easily be misled into taking the wrong path and it could lead to destruction instead of life.

One such example of misleading information claiming to have documented history recording it is that Jesus did not die but fled to Japan living out the rest of his life. We know that is not true. He did not cower in fear but willfully gave his life as a ransom for many. It is because of that ransom we have the future hope.

Many use a page taken from a fiction written after Jesus death and resurrection as proof of what Jesus looked like. The book was not a historical record but the authors fictional story of how things may have occurred. The description of Jesus is fiction based and not factual it is the authors interpretation of what Pontius Pilate may have said to Tiberius Caesar. If you read the letter it depicts Jesus as having fragile arms and hands. Jesus was a carpenter and would have been muscular and most likely would have had callused hands. The table he flapped was known to weigh almost three hundred pounds, not something someone with fragile arms would be capable of. In the letter he depicts Jesus as being greatly different from the others but the bible clearly shows he did not stand out and that when he was in the crowd he could not be distinguish from the rest of the crowd but in that letter it falsely claims Jesus stood out. When you compare bible evidence to that letter it clearly shows the letter is not a historical record but one of fiction. Another thing that indicates this letter is a fake is the fact that Tiberius did not directly interact with those who governed various areas. Those who governed various areas had to approach Tiberius’s deputies. The letter would have been written to one of them and most likely would not have been written directly to Tiberius.

Those who read their bibles should know this is a fiction. The Hebrews of the lineage Jesus came from had dark skin and dark hair. King David’s skin was described as ruddy in the bible which would have made his skin reddish brown which would make sense since he was a shepherd and would have been in the sun a lot and Hebrews from that area were know for having dark skin and dark colored hair and eyes.

https://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2013/05/the-fraudulent-letter-of-pontius-pilate.html

Mark 6:3, 4 3 This is the carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon, is it not? And his sisters are here with us, are they not?” So they began to stumble because of him. 4 But Jesus said to them: “A prophet is not without honor except in his home territory and among his relatives and in his own house.. . .

John 2:14  He found in the temple those selling cattle and sheep and doves,a and the money brokers in their seats. 15  So after making a whip of ropes, he drove all those with the sheep and cattle out of the temple, and he poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.

Aryans theorized that Jesus came from the somatic Jews of European origin. There are a couple of reason this cannot be true. One is they were not of king David’s bloodline and the other is they were light skinned and had light hair and stood out from the others Jews and the bible clearly shows Jesus did not stand out. Judas had to betray Jesus and help the Roman soldiers identify him because he looked like the other Jews that were of Hebrew descent.

https://www.livescience.com/61875-what-did-jesus-look-like.html

There have been images found of Jews who were from the same area as Jesus and about the same time period and they had dark skin, dark curly hair that was kept cut and cropped beards. This would be in line with what the Hebrews who’s lineage Jesus came from would have looked like. Abraham was a decedent of people who would have had the same appearance.

We know Jesus would not stand out in physical appearance he would look like the average Jew. This is indicated in Isaiah.

Isaiah 53:2 And he will come up like a twig before one, and like a root out of waterless land. No stately form does he have, nor any splendor; and when we shall see him, there is not the appearance so that we should desire him.

Hebrews 7: 14 For it is clear that our Lord has descended from Judah, yet Moses said nothing about priests coming from that tribe.

We know Jesus most likely did not have long hair because the apostle Paul taught it was a dishonor for a man to have long hair. He would have followed what Jesus had taught. Not only that but men of those times cut their hair short.

1 Corinthians 11:14 14 Does not nature itself teach you that long hair is a dishonor to a man,

Since we know Jesus was from the lineage of Abraham and king David he would have resembled the Hebrews in appearance. God made Jesus lineage clear and it was not from a European lineage that Jesus would come from but from a Hebrew lineage. He had very strict rules for Israel to maintain the purity of that bloodline.

Matthew 1:1-17 1 The book of the history of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham:  2 Abraham became father to Isaac; Isaac became father to Jacob; Jacob became father to Judah and his brothers;  3 Judah became father to Peʹrez and Zeʹrah by Taʹmar; Peʹrez became father to Hezʹron; Hezʹron became father to Ram;  4 Ram became father to Am·minʹa·dab; Am·minʹa·dab became father to Nahʹshon; Nahʹshon became father to Salʹmon;  5 Salʹmon became father to Boʹaz by Raʹhab; Boʹaz became father to Oʹbed by Ruth; Oʹbed became father to Jesʹse;  6 Jesʹse became father to David the king. David became father to Solʹo·mon by the wife of U·riʹah;  7 Solʹo·mon became father to Re·ho·boʹam; Re·ho·boʹam became father to A·biʹjah; A·biʹjah became father to Aʹsa;  8 Aʹsa became father to Je·hoshʹa·phat; Je·hoshʹa·phat became father to Je·hoʹram; Je·hoʹram became father to Uz·ziʹah;  9 Uz·ziʹah became father to Joʹtham; Joʹtham became father to Aʹhaz; Aʹhaz became father to Hez·e·kiʹah; 10 Hez·e·kiʹah became father to Ma·nasʹseh; Ma·nasʹseh became father to Aʹmon; Aʹmon became father to Jo·siʹah; 11 Jo·siʹah became father to Jec·o·niʹah and to his brothers at the time of the deportation to Babylon. 12 After the deportation to Babylon, Jec·o·niʹah became father to She·alʹti·el; She·alʹti·el became father to Ze·rubʹba·bel; 13 Ze·rubʹba·bel became father to A·biʹud; A·biʹud became father to E·liʹa·kim; E·liʹa·kim became father to Aʹzor; 14 Aʹzor became father to Zaʹdok; Zaʹdok became father to Aʹchim; Aʹchim became father to E·liʹud; 15 E·liʹud became father to El·e·aʹzar; El·e·aʹzar became father to Matʹthan; Matʹthan became father to Jacob; 16 Jacob became father to Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. 17 All the generations, then, from Abraham until David were 14 generations; from David until the deportation to Babylon, 14 generations; from the deportation to Babylon until the Christ, 14 generations.

Jesus blended in with the other crowds of Hebrews. When they were going to seize Jesus he blended into the crowd. So they could not see him. Since the Hebrews in that area were dark complected if he looked like the Jesus the Aryans claim, he would have stood out and been easy to distinguish from the rest of the crowd. Jesus could not be distinguished from the majority of the Jews so Judas had to betray him in order for them to be able to identify him. A Jew of European origin would have stood out because they would have been in the minority. Also Jesus could not have been one of the somatic Jews because they were not from the bloodline of Abraham.

Luke 4:28-30 28 Now all those hearing these things in the synagogue became filled with anger, 29 and they rose up and rushed him outside the city, and they led him to the brow of the mountain on which their city had been built, in order to throw him down headlong. 30 But he went right through their midst and continued on his way.

John 7:10  But when his brothers had gone up to the festival, then he also went up, not openly but in secret. 11  So the Jews began looking for him at the festival and saying: “Where is that man?”

Matthew 26:46-50 46 Get up, let us go. Look! My betrayer has drawn near.” 47 While he was still speaking, look! Judas, one of the Twelve, came and with him a large crowd with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now his betrayer had given them a sign, saying: “Whoever it is I kiss, he is the one; take him into custody.” 49 And going straight up to Jesus, he said: “Greetings, Rabbi!” and gave him a tender kiss. 50 But Jesus said to him: “Fellow, for what purpose are you present?” Then they came forward and seized Jesus and took him into custody.

When you read the bible it becomes clear God did not make physical features an identifying mark of his people. Though Abraham’s decedents would have had a similar appearance as he had God did not focus on that because Abraham’s seed would have blessed the seed of all nations which would make it possible for people of all nations to be a part of Israel. God seemed to have kept the race of most in the bible vague. This would keep those who may be biased from being able to claim someone has to be of a certain race to be accepted by God and we know that is not true because the bible clearly shows people of all nations would become part of the new covenant when the old covenant had been fulfilled.

Genesis 22:18 18 And by means of your offspring all nations of the earth will obtain a blessing for themselves because you have listened to my voice. . .

We know this prophecy was fulfilled when those from the nations had also been blessed with holy spirit showing they had been accepted by God as being a part of the new spiritual nation.

Acts 15:6-11 6 So the apostles and the elders gathered together to look into this matter. 7 After much intense discussion had taken place, Peter rose and said to them: “Men, brothers, you well know that from early days God made the choice among you that through my mouth people of the nations should hear the word of the good news and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness by giving them the holy spirit, just as he did to us also. 9 And he made no distinction at all between us and them, but purified their hearts by faith. 10 So why are you now making a test of God by imposing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our forefathers nor we were capable of bearing? 11 On the contrary, we have faith that we are saved through the undeserved kindness of the Lord Jesus in the same way that they are.. . .

Galatians 3:26-29 26 You are all, in fact, sons of God through your faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor freeman, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in union with Christ Jesus. 29 Moreover, if you belong to Christ, you are really Abraham’s offspring, heirs with reference to a promise.

Now we should cover what clothes Jesus wore. The bible tells us he only had the clothes on his back. So what type of clothes were they and what did they look like? It was clear that even though Jesus only had the clothes on his back they were of value because the soldiers divided them up and cast lots for lots over his inner garment. Because Jesus followed the law and he was a Jew he would have had fringes on his garment because this was one of the laws given to the Jews. The fringed edge of the skirts would have had blue string above the fringe of the edge of the skirt.

John 19:23, 24 23 Now when the soldiers had nailed Jesus to the stake, they took his outer garments and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier, and they also took the inner garment. But the inner garment was without a seam, being woven from top to bottom. 24 So they said to one another: “Let us not tear it, but let us cast lots over it to decide whose it will be.”

This was to fulfill the scripture: “They divided my garments among themselves, and they cast lots for my clothing.” So the soldiers actually did these things. Most skirts at that time would be just below the knees. Jesus would have been modest and would have dressed modestly. He criticized the more prominent ones because they made their skirts longer to show off their wealth and power. They did it as a showy display, Jesus was humble and would not have put on a showy display like that. He most likely wore sandals because John the baptist declared he was unworthy to untie the lace of Jesus sandal. Though he could have meant it figuratively.

Numbers 15:37-39 37 Jehovah went on to say this to Moses: 38 “Speak to the Israelites and tell them that they must make for themselves fringed edges on the skirts of their garments throughout their generations, and they are to put a blue string above the fringed edge of the skirt. 39 ‘You must have this fringed edge so that you will see it and remember all the commandments of Jehovah and observe them. . .

Deuteronomy 22:12 “You should make tassels on the four corners of the clothing you wear.

Matthew 23:5 All the works they do, they do to be seen by men, for they broaden the scripture-containing cases that they wear as safeguards and lengthen the fringes of their garments

John 1:25-27 . . .” 26 John answered them: “I baptize in water. One is standing among you whom you do not know, 27 the one coming behind me, the lace of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.”

So did Jesus look like the Picture above or how most modern art depicts him. It is pretty easy to conclude he did not. Why people want to deny Jesus heritage baffles me but he was a Hebrew from the line of David and not a European. To deny his lineage would be denying he is Jesus Christ. Many use the interpretation in Revelations to say it describes Jesus but Revelations is a book of signs and most of it the signs are explained in Daniel and other books that contain signs to give us a full picture of what Revelations means. The description of Jesus is of a spiritual person and not a human one. It is a description of the king sitting on the throne that God has given him. It is not describing Jesus when he was with us as a human.

What Jesus looked like is not important but it is what he did for us that is important and what he requires of us that we should be paying attention to. God has appointed him as our king so we must obey and respect the authority he has been given.

How can someone put God to the test?

Written By Lee Stevenson

 

This was inspired by something someone said to me. They were eating foods that are known to cause chronic illness. They said that they could eat what they wanted because God would protect them. Jesus would not willfully put himself in harms way to test God and we should follow his example. By willfully putting ourselves in harms way then we are testing God which is something we are told not to do.

Why would Jesus not test God? What harm would it do? Why our trials and tribulation should not cause us to put Jehovah to the test.

As you read the scriptures you will see two examples of how Israel tested God. They tried tempting him and they also lacked faith and constantly ask for proof that he could do as he promised. It also includes whether we believe God’s word is true or not. Jesus had no doubt about the truth of God’s word and quoted it to show Satan the Devil that he did not doubt what Jehovah could do and did not doubt Jehovah’s word.

(Matthew 4:5-7) 5 Then the Devil took him along into the holy city, and he stationed him on the battlement of the temple 6 and said to him: “If you are a son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written: ‘He will give his angels a command concerning you,’ and, ‘They will carry you on their hands, so that you may not strike your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus said to him: “Again it is written: ‘You must not put Jehovah your God to the test.’”

Testing God is a sin, it is saying we do not believe him and that we do not have faith that he can or will save us and fulfill his promises.

(Psalm 78:16-22) 16 He brought streams out of a crag And caused waters to flow down like rivers. 17 But they continued to sin against him By rebelling against the Most High in the desert; 18 They challenged God in their heart By demanding food that they craved. 19 So they spoke against God, Saying: “Can God spread a table in the wilderness?” 20 Look! He struck a rock So that waters flowed and streams flooded out. “Can he also give us bread, Or can he provide meat for his people?” 21 When Jehovah heard them, he became furious; A fire blazed against Jacob, And his anger flared up against Israel 22 Because they did not put faith in God; They did not trust in his ability to save them. . .

Many in Israel seen Jehovah’s miracles first hand and still lacked faith. It was their sins and vanity that caused their lack of faith. This often times resulted in Jehovah having to destroy them because they were spreading their sinful nature and causing others to lose faith.

(Numbers 14:20-24) 20 Then Jehovah said: “I forgive them according to your word. 21 But on the other hand, as surely as I live, all the earth will be filled with the glory of Jehovah. 22 However, not one of the men who have seen my glory and my signs that I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness and yet have kept testing me these ten times and have not listened to my voice 23 will ever see the land about which I swore to their fathers. No, not one of those treating me without respect will see it. 24 But because my servant Caʹleb had a different spirit and kept following after me wholeheartedly, I will certainly bring him into the land where he went, and his offspring will take possession of it.

(Psalm 106:14-18) 14 They gave way to their selfish desires in the wilderness; They tested God in the desert. 15 He gave them what they requested, But then struck them with disease that made them waste away. 16 In the camp they grew jealous of Moses And of Aaron, the holy one of Jehovah. 17 The earth then opened up and swallowed Daʹthan And covered those assembled with A·biʹram. 18 A fire blazed among their group; A flame consumed the wicked.

These things happened as an example to teach us not to listen to murmurers who are causing division or causing us to lose faith. Those who listened would continually put Jehovah to the test. We need to be like A’haz he refused to put Jehovah to the test.

(1 Corinthians 10:8-11) . . .. 9 Neither let us put Jehovah to the test, as some of them put him to the test, only to perish by the serpents. 10 Neither be murmurers, as some of them murmured, only to perish by the destroyer. 11 Now these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for a warning to us upon whom the ends of the systems of things have come.

A’haz’s faith was very strong , he refused to put Jehovah to the test even though there were very fearful things happening. We are going to experience very fearful things very soon but we must stay strong and just as A’haz refused to put Jehovah to the test he held tight to his trust in Jehovah’s ability to save those remaining loyal and obedient to Jehovah.

(Isaiah 7:3-12) 3 Jehovah then said to Isaiah: “Go out, please, to meet Aʹhaz, you and your son Sheʹar-jaʹshub, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool by the highway of the laundryman’s field. 4 You must say to him, ‘Take care to stay calm. Do not be afraid, and do not lose heart because of these two stumps of smoldering logs, because of the hot anger of Reʹzin and Syria and the son of Rem·a·liʹah. 5 For Syria with Eʹphra·im and the son of Rem·a·liʹah have plotted harm against you, saying: 6 “Let us go up against Judah and tear it apart and conquer it for ourselves, and let us appoint the son of Tabʹe·el as its king.”  7 “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah says: “It will not succeed, Nor will it take place.  8 For the head of Syria is Damascus, And the head of Damascus is Reʹzin. Within just 65 years Eʹphra·im will be completely shattered and cease to be a people.  9 The head of Eʹphra·im is Sa·marʹi·a, And the head of Sa·marʹi·a is the son of Rem·a·liʹah. Unless you have firm faith, You will not be firmly established.”’” 10 Jehovah continued speaking to Aʹhaz: 11 “Ask for a sign from Jehovah your God; it may be as deep as the Grave or as high as the sky.” 12 But Aʹhaz said: “I will not ask, nor will I put Jehovah to the test.”

Through our tribulation God is teaching us , building our endurance and helping us to endure things most could not dream of enduring and surviving. Those who tested Jehovah in the past left their imperfections guide their actions. We have Jehovah’s word to guide us and now more then ever it is very important to write it on our hearts because very soon it will be taken from us and all we will have left of his word is what we have written on our hearts. We know it is his word that is going to carry us through all this.

(1 Peter 5:6-11) 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time, 7 while you throw all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. 8 Keep your senses, be watchful! Your adversary, the Devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour someone. 9 But take your stand against him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by the entire association of your brothers in the world. 10 But after you have suffered a little while, the God of all undeserved kindness, who called you to his everlasting glory in union with Christ, will himself finish your training. He will make you firm, he will make you strong, he will firmly ground you. 11 To him be the might forever. Amen.

(James 1:12-15) 12 Happy is the man who keeps on enduring trial, because on becoming approved he will receive the crown of life, which Jehovah promised to those who continue loving Him. 13 When under trial, let no one say: “I am being tried by God.” For with evil things God cannot be tried, nor does he himself try anyone. 14 But each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then the desire, when it has become fertile, gives birth to sin; in turn sin, when it has been carried out, brings forth death.

We are not promised it will be easy but because we know God can and will save his loyal ones we have a peace that will help us endure many types of trials and tribulation.

(Philippians 4:4-7) 4 Always rejoice in the Lord. Again I will say, Rejoice! 5 Let your reasonableness become known to all men. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious over anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus.

Jesus stated the student is no better then the teacher. The world and the wicked one hated him and it will hate those who faithfully follow Jehovah and submit to the authority given his only begotten son Jesus. So one who worships faithfully in truth will be treated no better then our teacher and king Jesus Christ. It does not mean you fell out of favor if you are suffering or if you are being attacked though many who false reason believe that to be so.

(1 Peter 4:12-14) 12 Beloved ones, do not be surprised about the fiery trials that you are experiencing, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 On the contrary, go on rejoicing over the extent to which you are sharers in the sufferings of the Christ, so that you may rejoice and be overjoyed also during the revelation of his glory. 14 If you are being reproached for the name of Christ, you are happy, because the spirit of glory, yes, the spirit of God, is resting upon you.

(2 Timothy 3:11-13) . . .I endured these persecutions, and the Lord rescued me from them all. 12 In fact, all those desiring to live with godly devotion in association with Christ Jesus will also be persecuted. 13 But wicked men and impostors will advance from bad to worse, misleading and being misled. . .

When we suffer trials it exposes our weaknesses so we can work on them and become spiritually stronger and wiser.

(Deuteronomy 8:1-5) . . .. 2 Remember the long road that Jehovah your God made you walk these 40 years in the wilderness, to humble you and to put you to the test so as to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. 3 So he humbled you and let you go hungry and fed you with the manna, which neither you had known nor your fathers had known, in order to make you know that man does not live by bread alone but man lives by every expression from Jehovah’s mouth. 4 The clothing you wore did not wear out, nor did your feet become swollen these 40 years. 5 You well know in your heart that just as a man corrects his son, Jehovah your God was correcting you.

(James 1:2-8) 2 Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you meet with various trials, 3 knowing as you do that this tested quality of your faith produces endurance. 4 But let endurance complete its work, so that you may be complete and sound in all respects, not lacking in anything. 5 So if any one of you is lacking in wisdom, let him keep asking God, for he gives generously to all and without reproaching, and it will be given him. 6 But let him keep asking in faith, not doubting at all, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven by the wind and blown about. 7 In fact, that man should not expect to receive anything from Jehovah; 8 he is an indecisive man, unsteady in all his ways.

For those who like videos here is a wonderful video on examples of when others have put Jehovah to the test.

https://www.jw.org/en/publications/videos/respect-jehovahs-authority/#?insight%5Bsearch_id%5D=bcef40fa-582c-4593-a3c6-d9eb88af008a&insight%5Bsearch_result_index%5D=10

Jesus showed us how to conquer the world and not let the world conquer us.

How to use.

 

To learn to conquer the world in the context Jesus was talking about we need to understand what he was referring to when he referred to the world. When you read in the bible often times you see it is referring to the people in the world and the rebellious system of the world which is run by the people and influenced by Satan.

(John 1:29) ²⁹ The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and he said: “See, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

(1 John 2:1, 2) 2 My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not commit a sin. And yet, if anyone does commit a sin, we have a helper with the Father, Jesus Christ, a righteous one. ² And he is a propitiatory sacrifice for our sins, yet not for ours only but also for the whole world’s. . .

Since Adam and Eve who were perfect brought this sinful rebellion into the world it took a perfect human to show us the way out and for a ransom of a perfect human to be provided to cover those sins.

(2 Corinthians 5:18, 19) ¹⁸ But all things are from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of the reconciliation, ¹⁹ namely, that God was by means of Christ reconciling a world to himself, not counting their offenses against them, and he entrusted to us the message of the reconciliation.

(Romans 5:18, 19) ¹⁸ So, then, as through one trespass the result to men of all sorts was condemnation, so too through one act of justification the result to men of all sorts is their being declared righteous for life. ¹⁹ For just as through the disobedience of the one man many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one person many will be made righteous.

So when the bible says the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one it is referring to the people and this system of rebellion of man choosing to rule themselves and decide right from wrong for themselves. So it is referring to man and man’s system of things.

(John 12:31) ³¹ Now there is a judging of this world; now the ruler of this world. . .

(2 Corinthians 4:3, 4) ³ If, in fact, the good news we declare is veiled, it is veiled among those who are perishing, ⁴ among whom the god of this system of things has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, so that the illumination of the glorious good news about the Christ, who is the image of God, might not shine through.

Jesus Conquered the world.

In order to conquer the world we need to follow the one who conquered the world, God’s only begotten son Jesus. The ruler of this world has already been defeated and judged. Jesus stayed focused on the things above and not on the worldly things.

(John 16:33) ³³ I have said these things to you so that by means of me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but take courage! I have conquered the world.. . .

(John 16:8-11) ⁸ And when that one comes, he will give the world convincing evidence concerning sin and concerning righteousness and concerning judgment: ⁹ first concerning sin, because they are not exercising faith in me; ¹⁰ then concerning righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; ¹¹ then concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged. . .

(Colossians 3:1, 2) 3 If, however, you were raised up with the Christ, go on seeking the things above, where the Christ is seated at the right hand of God. ² Keep your minds fixed on the things above, not on the things on the earth.

Things that can cause us to be conquered by the world.

Pride has been the downfall of many and it was the downfall of the king in Babylon in Daniels time. God does not take pride lightly. It has caused the downfall of many kings.

(Proverbs 16:18, 19) ¹⁸ Pride is before a crash, And a haughty spirit before stumbling. ¹⁹ Better to be humble among the meek Than to share the spoil of the haughty. . .

(Daniel 4:30-32) The king was saying: “Is this not Babylon the Great that I myself have built for the royal house by my own strength and might and for the glory of my majesty?” ³¹ While the word was yet in the king’s mouth, a voice came down from the heavens: “To you it is being said, O King Neb·u·chad·nezʹzar, ‘The kingdom has gone away from you, ³² and from mankind you are being driven away. With the beasts of the field your dwelling will be, and you will be given vegetation to eat just like bulls, and seven times will pass over you, until you know that the Most High is Ruler in the kingdom of mankind and that he grants it to whomever he wants.

(Acts 12:21-23) ²¹ On a set day, Herod clothed himself with royal raiment and sat down on the judgment seat and began giving them a public address. ²² Then the people who were assembled began shouting: “A god’s voice, and not a man’s!” ²³ Instantly the angel of Jehovah struck him, because he did not give the glory to God, and he was eaten up with worms and died.

So we can see those who become haughty from pride Jehovah opposes but he favors those who are humble.

(James 4:6) ⁶ However, the undeserved kindness that He gives is greater. So it says: “God opposes the haughty ones, but he gives undeserved kindness to the humble ones. . .

(Proverbs 3:34) ³⁴ For he mocks those who ridicule, But he shows favor to the meek. . .

(Psalm 37:11) But the meek will possess the earth, And they will find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.

(Psalm 138:6) Though Jehovah is high, he takes note of the humble, But the haughty he knows only from a distance

Jesus set a pattern of humility for us to follow and he demonstrated this by washing the apostles feet something that a servant usually would do. Even though he knew he would be seated on the thrown in the heavenly kingdom and was the only begotten son of God he did not let that go to his head and remained humble and was happy to serve others in a way that pleased his heavenly father.

(John 13:14-17) ¹⁴ Therefore, if I, the Lord and Teacher, washed your feet, you also should wash the feet of one another. ¹⁵ For I set the pattern for you, that just as I did to you, you should also do. ¹⁶ Most truly I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷ If you know these things, happy you are if you do them. . .

(Luke 9:48) and said to them: “Whoever receives this young child on the basis of my name receives me also; and whoever receives me also receives the One who sent me. For the one who conducts himself as a lesser one among all of you is the one who is great.

Avoid being conquered by hatred.

Our actions show whether we are filled with love or filled with hatred. We know we are in the last days and that men will do many hateful and selfish things. The bible has warned us what the last days would be like many times.

(2 Timothy 3:1-7) 3 But know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. ² For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, ³ having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, ⁴ betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, ⁵ having an appearance of godliness but proving false to its power; and from these turn away. ⁶ From among these arise men who slyly work their way into households and captivate weak women loaded down with sins, led by various desires, ⁷ always learning and yet never able to come to an accurate knowledge of truth.

Hatred is a very serious sin. If we have hatred in our hearts it forfeits our chances of eternal life.

(1 John 3:14, 15) . . .. The one who does not love remains in death. ¹⁵ Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has everlasting life remaining in him. . .

This contrast the fruits of the spirit in which love is one of them.

(Galatians 5:22-24) ²² On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, ²³ mildness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Moreover, those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed to the stake the flesh together with its passions and desires. . .

Love would be an identifying mark of those who worship in truth. This love would be so deep if necessary they would give their lives for each other.

(John 13:33-35) . . .I now say it also to you. ³⁴ I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also love one another. ³⁵ By this all will know that you are my disciples—if you have love among yourselves.. . .

(John 15:11-13) ¹¹ “These things I have spoken to you, so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be made full. ¹² This is my commandment, that you love one another just as I have loved you. ¹³ No one has love greater than this, that someone should surrender his life in behalf of his friends.

We are not to show impartiality, Jesus demonstrated this in his treatment of the Samaritan women. Samaritans were very good at counterfeiting legal documents. They would counterfeit documents of their human linage. So no one was certain if they were really jews or gentiles. They were not trusted and for the most part avoided. The Samaritan was aware that the gentiles would also be welcomed to worship the true God and be considered part of the nation of Israel. Jesus revealed to the Samaritan woman would be a spiritual nation he also revealed to her that he was the messiah who would fulfill the things she had mentioned.

(John 4:7-26) ⁷ A woman of Sa·marʹi·a came to draw water. Jesus said to her: “Give me a drink.” ⁸ (For his disciples had gone off into the city to buy food.) ⁹ So the Sa·marʹi·tan woman said to him: “How is it that you, despite being a Jew, ask me for a drink even though I am a Sa·marʹi·tan woman?” (For Jews have no dealings with Sa·marʹi·tans.) ¹⁰ In answer Jesus said to her: “If you had known of the free gift of God and who it is who says to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” ¹¹ She said to him: “Sir, you do not even have a bucket for drawing water, and the well is deep. From what source, then, do you have this living water? ¹² You are not greater than our forefather Jacob, who gave us the well and who together with his sons and his cattle drank out of it, are you?” ¹³ In answer Jesus said to her: “Everyone drinking from this water will get thirsty again. ¹⁴ Whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty at all, but the water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water bubbling up to impart everlasting life.” ¹⁵ The woman said to him: “Sir, give me this water, so that I may neither thirst nor keep coming over to this place to draw water.” ¹⁶ He said to her: “Go, call your husband and come to this place.” ¹⁷ The woman replied: “I do not have a husband.” Jesus said to her: “You are right in saying, ‘I do not have a husband.’ ¹⁸ For you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. This you have said truthfully.” ¹⁹ The woman said to him: “Sir, I see that you are a prophet. ²⁰ Our forefathers worshipped on this mountain, but you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where people must worship.” ²¹ Jesus said to her: “Believe me, woman, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. ²² You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, because salvation begins with the Jews. ²³ Nevertheless, the hour is coming, and it is now, when the true worshippers will worship the Father with spirit and truth, for indeed, the Father is looking for ones like these to worship him. ²⁴ God is a Spirit, and those worshipping him must worship with spirit and truth.” ²⁵ The woman said to him: “I know that Mes·siʹah is coming, who is called Christ. Whenever that one comes, he will declare all things to us openly.” ²⁶ Jesus said to her: “I am he, the one speaking to you.. . .

(Acts 10:34, 35) ³⁴ At this Peter began to speak, and he said: “Now I truly understand that God is not partial, ³⁵ but in every nation the man who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. . .

Jesus also set the example of love by praying for those persecuting him. He commanded us to love our enemies, many love those who love them that is easy but to truly follow in Jesus foot steps we must love those who hate us.

(Luke 23:34) ³⁴ But Jesus was saying: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Furthermore, they cast lots to distribute his garments.

(Matthew 5:43-48) ⁴³ “You heard that it was said: ‘You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ However, I say to you: Continue to love your enemies and to pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ so that you may prove yourselves sons of your Father who is in the heavens, since he makes his sun rise on both the wicked and the good and makes it rain on both the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ For if you love those loving you, what reward do you have? Are not also the tax collectors doing the same thing? ⁴⁷ And if you greet your brothers only, what extraordinary thing are you doing? Are not also the people of the nations doing the same thing? ⁴⁸ You must accordingly be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

(Galatians 6:10) ¹⁰ So, then, as long as we have the opportunity, let us work what is good toward all, but especially toward those related to us in the faith.

Are we to pray for all sinners? The answer is no. There are sins that incur death and they are sins against the holy spirit. We are not to pray for those who are sinning against the holy spirit.

(1 John 5:16) ¹⁶ If anyone catches sight of his brother committing a sin that does not incur death, he will ask, and God will give life to him, yes, to those not committing sin that incurs death. There is a sin that does incur death. It is concerning that sin that I do not tell him to make request. . .

(Mark 3:29) But whoever blasphemes against the holy spirit has no forgiveness forever but is guilty of everlasting sin.

Love the only begotten son and our heavenly father Jehovah.

The way we react to the bibles teachings and apply them in our lives shows whether we love Jesus and our heavenly father. It will not be easy because being no part of the world means you will be hated and persecuted by the world. Jesus warned us many times of this. By following Jesus teachings and applying them in our lives we will be in union with Jesus and our heavenly father.

(John 14:21) ²¹ Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. In turn, whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and will clearly show myself to him.”

(John 15:17-20) ¹⁷ “These things I command you, that you love one another. ¹⁸ If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you. ¹⁹ If you were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because you are no part of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, for this reason the world hates you. ²⁰ Keep in mind the word I said to you: A slave is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have observed my word, they will also observe yours.

(John 17:15-19) ¹⁵ “I do not request that you take them out of the world, but that you watch over them because of the wicked one. ¹⁶ They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world. ¹⁷ Sanctify them by means of the truth; your word is truth. ¹⁸ Just as you sent me into the world, I also sent them into the world. ¹⁹ And I am sanctifying myself in their behalf, so that they also may be sanctified by means of truth. . .

(John 16:27, 28) ²⁷ For the Father himself has affection for you, because you have had affection for me and have believed that I came as God’s representative. ²⁸ I came as the Father’s representative and have come into the world. Now I am leaving the world and am going to the Father.. . .

So observing God’s commands and having faith we can conquer the world.

(1 John 5:2-4) . . .. ³ For this is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments; and yet his commandments are not burdensome, ⁴ because everyone who has been born from God conquers the world. And this is the conquest that has conquered the world, our faith. . .

Jesus did not say it would be easy.

Jesus warns those living in harmony with him and our heavenly father will be persecuted. He tells us the student is no better then the teacher. If the world hated him they would also hate those who loyally follow him.

(2 Timothy 3:12, 13) ¹² In fact, all those desiring to live with godly devotion in association with Christ Jesus will also be persecuted. ¹³ But wicked men and impostors will advance from bad to worse, misleading and being misled. . .

Many will not heed our warning and will ridicule us.

(2 Peter 3:2-4) . . .. ³ First of all know this, that in the last days ridiculers will come with their ridicule, proceeding according to their own desires ⁴ and saying: “Where is this promised presence of his? Why, from the day our forefathers fell asleep in death, all things are continuing exactly as they were from creation’s beginning. . .

(Jude 17-23) ¹⁷ As for you, beloved ones, call to mind the sayings that have been previously spoken by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁸ how they used to say to you: “In the last time there will be ridiculers, following their own desires for ungodly things.” ¹⁹ These are the ones who cause divisions, animalistic men, not having spirituality. ²⁰ But you, beloved ones, build yourselves up on your most holy faith, and pray with holy spirit, ²¹ in order to keep yourselves in God’s love, while you await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ with everlasting life in view. ²² Also, continue showing mercy to some who have doubts; ²³ save them by snatching them out of the fire. But continue showing mercy to others, doing so with fear, while you hate even the garment that has been stained by the flesh.

We must be careful this ridicule can cause us to let down our guard and we could be lured into the world. This is also why we are warned not to become unevenly yoked with the world.

(Luke 21:34-36) ³⁴ “But pay attention to yourselves that your hearts never become weighed down with overeating and heavy drinking and anxieties of life, and suddenly that day be instantly upon you ³⁵ as a snare. For it will come upon all those dwelling on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶ Keep awake, then, all the time making supplication that you may succeed in escaping all these things that must occur and in standing before the Son of man. . .

(2 Corinthians 6:14-17) ¹⁴ Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what sharing does light have with darkness? ¹⁵ Further, what harmony is there between Christ and Beʹli·al? Or what does a believer share in common with an unbeliever? ¹⁶ And what agreement does God’s temple have with idols? For we are a temple of a living God; just as God said: “I will reside among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” ¹⁷ “‘Therefore, get out from among them, and separate yourselves,’ says Jehovah, ‘and quit touching the unclean thing’”; “‘and I will take you in.. . .

The world views people by their status in society if we pursue things of the world and we risk becoming like them which can cause us to become bias towards those who are in need and develop an incorrect view of them. They even show favoritism towards those who are well off, something we are warned not to do.

(James 2:1-4) 2 My brothers, you are not holding to the faith of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ while showing favoritism, are you? ² For if a man with gold rings on his fingers and in splendid clothing comes into your meeting, but a poor man in filthy clothing also enters, ³ do you look with favor on the one wearing the splendid clothing and say, “You take this seat here in a fine place,” and do you say to the poor one, “You keep standing” or, “Take that seat there under my footstool”? ⁴ If so, do you not have class distinctions among yourselves, and have you not become judges rendering wicked decisions?

Ephesians lays out the complete way to protect ourselves by putting on the complete armor of God. The belt of truth with is the truth in God’s word will protect and guide us. Be remaining blameless it protects us. Our faith is our shield, and putting our faith in our redeemer and the hope of salvation is our helmet. Also taking in God’s word and applying it is the Sword of the Spirit. And praying and asking God in times of trouble help us.

(Ephesians 6:10-13) . . .. ¹¹ Put on the complete suit of armor from God so that you may be able to stand firm against the crafty acts of the Devil; ¹² because we have a struggle, not against blood and flesh, but against the governments, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places. ¹³ For this reason take up the complete suit of armor from God, so that you may be able to resist in the wicked day and, after you have accomplished everything, to stand firm.

The bible does not promise wealth or that we would live in comfort. We must remember if we follow in Jesus foot steps will will be falsely accused, many will hate and turn on us. Many of us will go without food. All these things would not stop us from enriching people spiritually.

(2 Corinthians 6:3-10) ³ In no way are we giving any cause for stumbling, so that no fault may be found with our ministry; ⁴ but in every way we recommend ourselves as God’s ministers, by the endurance of much, by tribulations, by times of need, by difficulties, ⁵ by beatings, by imprisonments, by riots, by hard work, by sleepless nights, by times without food; ⁶ by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by kindness, by holy spirit, by love free from hypocrisy, ⁷ by truthful speech, by God’s power; through the weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left, ⁸ through glory and dishonor, through bad report and good report. We are regarded as deceivers and yet we are truthful, ⁹ as unknown and yet we are recognized, as dying and yet look! we live, as punished and yet not handed over to death, ¹⁰ as sorrowing but ever rejoicing, as poor but making many rich, as having nothing and yet possessing all things.

When we endure patiently it may draw others to the bible truths. We must do our best not to let the world shape who we are but to let Jehovah and his word shape us, it will protect us from being conquered by the world. In doing so we conquer the evil with the good.

(2 Timothy 2:23-26) ²³ Further, reject foolish and ignorant debates, knowing that they produce fights. ²⁴ For a slave of the Lord does not need to fight, but needs to be gentle toward all, qualified to teach, showing restraint when wronged, ²⁵ instructing with mildness those not favorably disposed. Perhaps God may give them repentance leading to an accurate knowledge of truth, ²⁶ and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the Devil, seeing that they have been caught alive by him to do his will. . .

(Romans 12:9-21) ⁹ Let your love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is wicked; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ In brotherly love have tender affection for one another. In showing honor to one another, take the lead. ¹¹ Be industrious, not lazy. Be aglow with the spirit. Slave for Jehovah. ¹² Rejoice in the hope. Endure under tribulation. Persevere in prayer. ¹³ Share with the holy ones according to their needs. Follow the course of hospitality. ¹⁴ Keep on blessing those who persecute; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Have the same attitude toward others as toward yourselves; do not set your mind on lofty things, but be led along with the lowly things. Do not become wise in your own eyes. ¹⁷ Return evil for evil to no one. Take into consideration what is fine from the viewpoint of all men. ¹⁸ If possible, as far as it depends on you, be peaceable with all men. ¹⁹ Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but yield place to the wrath; for it is written: “‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay,’ says Jehovah.” ²⁰ But “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by doing this you will heap fiery coals on his head.” ²¹ Do not let yourself be conquered by the evil, but keep conquering the evil with the good. . .

Our endurance and faith shows our love for Jesus and his father. In remaining faithful and strong we set on example for others. Jesus did not say it would be easy he warned that to follow him we would have to endure the same things as he did. Just as they falsely accused him , persecuted him in many ways so those who follow him in truth will be treated. God did not promise us wealth as a matter of fact Jesus did not have a home to sleep in.

(James 1:2-4) ² Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you meet with various trials, ³ knowing as you do that this tested quality of your faith produces endurance. ⁴ But let endurance complete its work, so that you may be complete and sound in all respects, not lacking in anything. . .

(Matthew 10:24-31) ²⁴ “A student is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. ²⁵ It is enough for the student to become as his teacher, and the slave as his master. If people have called the master of the house Be·elʹze·bub, how much more those of his household?