July | 2015 | Paul the Poke

Archive for July, 2015

Trend Update: I am the Christ…July 2015

Posted in Prophecy, Trend Update with tags Acts, Australia, blood, body of Christ, church, Colossians 1, cross, Doubting Thomas, Ephesians 5, jerusalem, Jesus Christ, John 20, Matthew 24, Mount of Olives, Revelation 11, Second Coming, Zechariah 14 on July 29, 2015 by paulthepoke

Matthew 24:5 “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.

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What the Hell…Not with Jesus

Posted in Gospel, Hell, Prophecy with tags 1 Peter 3, 2 Corinthians 5, Ephesians 8-10, God the Father, grave, Hades, Heaven, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, Luke 23, Paradise, Psalm 16, Resurrection, Revelation 11, Right Hand of Father, sheol on July 26, 2015 by paulthepoke

We all know what happened to Jesus’s body after He died on the cross. He was taken off of the cross. The body was prepared and buried in a rich man’s tomb. What about the soul and spirit? Where did the Spirit of Christ go? Luke 23:46 And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT.” Having said this, He breathed His last. See also Matthew 27:50, John 19:30.

The Greek word for “commit” is paratithemi. Per Strong’s Concordance: to place beside or near or set before; to deposit; to entrust or commit to one’s charge.

Jesus trusted the Father to place His Spirit near Him. The Father is in Heaven per the Lord’s Prayer.

One of the men on his cross next to Jesus believed He was the Messiah. Jesus’ words to the thief on the cross next to him verify His destination. Luke 23:43 And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

The Greek for “Paradise” is paradeisos. Per Strong’s Concordance paradeisos means: a garden, pleasure ground; Heaven; the part of Hades which was thought by the later Jews to be the abode of the souls of pious until the resurrection; the upper regions of the heavens. According to the early church Fathers, the paradise in which our first parents dwelt before the fall still exists, either on the earth or in the heavens, but above and beyond the world.

1 Peter 3:18-20 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water.

Note, Jesus’ Spirit remains alive and does not see death at the cross.

The Apostle Peter notes Christ visited “spirits” or “pneuma” in the Greek after His physical death. The “spirits” could refer to fallen angels and/or dead humanity. Peter discusses both parties in his epistles. These “spirits” are in prison (phulake in the Greek: of the place where captives are kept, a prison, a guarding).

With the resurrection of Christ, Psalm 16:10 was fulfilled. For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. Jesus did not stay in Sheol/Hades (see Ephesians 8-10). He was resurrected on the third day. Acts 2:31 he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that HE WAS NEITHER ABANDONED TO HADES, NOR DID His flesh SUFFER DECAY.

Currently He is alive in a resurrected body at the right hand of the God the Father in Heaven. Hebrews 10:12 but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD…

Romans 8:34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

Ephesians 1:20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places…

For other references of Jesus at the right hand of the Father: Acts 7:55-56; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 8:1; Hebrews 12:2; 1 Peter 3:22; Revelation 3:21; Matthew 22:44; Acts 2:33.

Today, with Jesus at the right hand of the Father, what happens to believers in Christ when they experience bodily death? Where do the soul and spirit go? 2 Corinthians 5:8 we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.

Home is in Heaven with the Father and Son.

Revelation 1:18 and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. –Jesus

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Trend Update: Abortion/Planned Parenthood, July 2015

Posted in Culture, Trend Update with tags abortion, Amos 1, Bible, Deuteronomy 27, Dr. Mary Gatter, Exodus 20, Exodus 21, God, Law, Manslaughter, Murder, Planned Parenthood, Proverbs 6, Ten commandments on July 22, 2015 by paulthepoke

In the news (July 2015), Planned Parenthood has recently come under scrutiny for their practices with aborted human tissue from the womb. Dr. Mary Gatter, the previous president of Planned Parenthood Medical Directors’ Council discussed compensation for aborted tissue. Dr. Gatter currently serves in leadership and advisory at the local and national level of Planned Parenthood. In the interest of fairness to Dr. Gatter’s comments, see the link below. She articulates her position clearly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=82&v=MjCs_gvImyw

Yes, abortion is a highly controversial topic. The culture has communicated its position on the subject. Elements of the culture and critics state the Bible has nothing to say on the subject. This is incorrect. God has plenty to say in His word.

Next are God’s words. It is acknowledged, His words are offensive to segments of society. Eventually, His words are offensive to all of us if we are honest with ourselves. Please take your complaints and comments directly to Him. He will listen. He is a big boy. He can handle it.

The focus of the post is in regards to the definition of abortion and legal considerations as God states in His word. Here is what God says.

Amos 1:13 Thus says the Lord, “For three transgressions of the sons of Ammon and for four
I will not revoke its punishment, because they ripped open the pregnant women of Gilead
In order to enlarge their borders.

The sons of Ammon are modern day Jordan. Back in the day, Ammon wanted to expand their territory at the expense of unborn children. God states judgment is coming because they “ripped”. The Hebrew word for “ripped” is baqa`. Per Strong’s Concordance, it means: to cleave, cleave open; to break through or break into.

A modern day abortion chemically and mechanically breaks through and into the womb invasively.

Abortion is premeditated and not accidental. God makes provision for the unborn child in His Law. Even if the child is harmed in utero and lives to see birth, there are consequences to the offending party. God’s Law accounts for the involuntary manslaughter of an infant in the womb of a mother. He recognizes the baby in the womb as a person and an individual life.

Exodus 21:22-25 “If men struggle with each other and strike a woman with child so that she gives birth prematurely, yet there is no injury, he shall surely be fined as the woman’s husband may demand of him, and he shall pay as the judges decide. But if there is any further injury, then you shall appoint as a penalty life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.

The Hebrew word for “child” is yeled. It is defined as: child, son, boy, offspring, youth, or descendants. God states the life inside the mother is a child.

Exodus 20:13 You shall not murder. Obviously, pre meditated murder is not acceptable.

Hands that shed innocent blood are one of the seven things God hates in Proverbs 6:16-19.

Planned Parenthood and doctors are getting paid and profiting to murder innocent lives. Others profit from the removed tissue. They are not even taking a bribe. It is a series of business transactions. Our tax dollars fund this process.

Deuteronomy 27:25 Cursed is he who accepts a bribe to strike down an innocent person.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

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Prophet Jeremiah, Resume

Posted in Prophecy with tags Israel, Jeremiah, Old Testament, Weeping Prophet on July 19, 2015 by paulthepoke

Faithful service to God does not depend on life’s circumstances.

A picture of faithful service in the Bible is the Old Testament Prophet Jeremiah. He was called into service early in his life by God, and like Moses, Jeremiah pleads that he is not an articulate speaker (Jeremiah 1:6).

Jeremiah served God for approximately forty years. In our terms, he spent his career being a prophet. Granted, he did not always have the best attitude. He was reluctant to be a prophet and had no problem expressing his concerns and attitudes with God. Jeremiah was blunt, direct, and irreverent at times. Raw emotion was on display on many occasions (1:6; 12:1-6; 17:16; 20:7-18).

Jeremiah was asked to lead a life of social isolation by God. He was told to live a life without marriage or children (16:2). Jeremiah stayed away from the life of a party and mockers (15:17). There were no elaborate feasts with food and drink. This was forbidden by God (16:8). By our culture and lifestyle, this would not appear to be much fun.

Jeremiah was persecuted and mocked. His writings were burned (36:23). There were plots to kill him (11:19). He was accused and convicted of treason. He was beaten and jailed (20:1-2; 32:2-3; 37:12-17). He was thrown into a mud pit and left for dead (38:6-7). His countrymen took him to Egypt against his and God’s will. God had instructed Israel through Jeremiah to stay in the land. Israel disobeyed (Chapters 40-43).

Despite all of these trials and lifestyle, he faithfully served God. Although his fellow countrymen rejected and ignored warning during his life, kings and leaders sought his insights and asked him to pray to God on their behalf (21:1-2; 37:3; 38:14; 42:1-2). He ultimately was so respected, Jews believed he would rise from the dead and be the forerunner of the messiah during the life of Christ (Matthew 16:14).

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What the Hell…No, Bosom of Abraham

Posted in Gospel, Hell, Prophecy with tags Bosom of Abraham, chasm, faith, God, Gospel, grave, Hades, Heaven, Hebrews 11, Jesus Christ, Lazarus, Luke 16, Peace, sheol on July 10, 2015 by paulthepoke

Luke 16:22 Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried. Not everyone dies and goes to a place of torment. Prior to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, those who believed in God’s coming promises went to be in a place of comfort, the Bosom of Abraham (Luke 16:19-31). Things changed after the good news of the works of Christ. But prior to…

Luke 16:23 In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. The text is clear. There are two different places in Hades or Sheol or the grave, the right side of the chasm and the wrong side of the chasm. One is a place of comfort. The other is a place of hell. The distance in the verse is “far away” or the Greek phrase makrothen apo. It means: a long way off, afar off, a great distance.

Luke 16:26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who wish to come over from here to you will not be able, and that none may cross over from there to us.

The distance between the two places is “great” or megas in the Greek text. Per Strong’s Concordance it means: great; of the external form or sensible appearance of things (or of persons); in particular, of space and its dimensions, as respects of compass and extent: large and spacious; of measure and height: long. In English we get the adjective “mega” from this Greek work. Anybody watch Mega Structures on TV?

The Greek word for “chasm” is the transliteration chasma. Per Strong’s it means: a gaping opening, a chasm, a gulf.

This gap is ridiculously huge no matter how it is defined. Notice the destination is fixed. Depending on which side you are, there are no transfers. The transfer request is one way. Those with Abraham are not requesting a move. The instructions are for those on the wrong side of gap. They can not come over.

Luke 16:25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony. With Abraham’s space there is “comfort”. The original Greek word is parakaleo. It means: to receive consolation; strengthen; exhorting and comforting and encouraging; to call to one’s side, call for, summon. Abraham’s bosom was a call to comfort.

So how did these people arrive at a place of comfort instead of torment? The book of Hebrews provides the answer. With God, it has always been about faith in His word. Ultimately, does one believe what God says? Faith is defined by Hebrews 11:1-2 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval.

Hebrews 11 provides many examples of Old Testament characters who believed of future things to come. Hebrews 11:13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.

Faith without an object is pointless. “I believe! I believe! I believe!” In what?!?!

The Bible calls on humanity to have faith in the good news or Gospel of Jesus Christ, the promises of His second coming, and a future eternity of peace.

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

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What the Hell…Lake of Fire

Posted in Hell, Prophecy with tags Angels, Antichrist, beast, brimstone, devil, False Prophet, God, hell, Jesus Christ, lake of fire, Matthew 25, Millennial Kingdom, Resurrection, Revelation 19, Revelation 20, Revelation 21, satan, sulphur, Tribulation on July 5, 2015 by paulthepoke

The term “Lake of Fire” does not occur in the Bible until Revelation 19. The phrase is noted four times. One other time, the lake is referred as a place which burns with fire. Revelation 21:8b “…their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Matthew 25:41 “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;” –Jesus

Man was never intended for eternal fire. The Lake of Fire was created for Satan and fallen angels.

Revelation 20:10b and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. The Lake of Fire is the destination of eternal torment and judgment.

The Lake of Fire stinks. The place has to smell like rotten eggs or bad flatulence. It is burning Sulphur.

Revelation 19:20 And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone.

The Lake of Fire is a physical place on Earth as described by the Bible. The antichrist, a real person on Earth, will be thrown alive into the Lake of Fire. The false prophet, a real person, will be thrown alive into the Lake of Fire. The antichrist and false prophet will be escorted to the lake by Jesus Himself.

These two people (antichrist and false prophet) get to spend 1,000 years in the fiery lake all to themselves. They will have company later. Satan has a 1,000 year time out in the abyss guarded by an angel (Revelation 20:1-3). Believers in Christ who perish during the tribulation will be resurrected to rule and reign with Christ on Earth during the Millennial Kingdom. Those who were in opposition to Christ during the tribulation, well…Revelation 20:5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection.

Satan will be released one last time after his 1,000 year jail sentence. He will not be rehabilitated or changed for the betterment of society. He will not learn any hard lessons. Satan started as a deceiver in the Garden of Eden and he ends as a deceiver of humanity. Both times humanity has the best of earthly environmental conditions. Yet, humanity is deceived. Despite 1,000 years of Christ’s leadership, a great physical environment, untold riches and resources, the serpent leads a revolt of humanity against Jesus Christ. In the end, the created beings declare war on God the Son. The result…Revelation 20:10 And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

Everyone who has ever lived will come before the Judge. It does not matter how rich or poor or lot in life. It does not matter how or where one died. All will be judged according to their deeds. Revelation 20:14-15 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Per God, below is the resume and criteria for admission to the Lake of Fire …

Revelation 21:8 “But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

To those who want nothing to do with God, you get your wish.

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