Revelation 1:7 Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of Him. Even so. Amen.
The Christian life is to believe โinโ the Gospel which is โImmanuelโ – God with us.
Romans 10:9-10 โฆif you ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ with your mouth the Lord Jesus and ๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ฏ๐ in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Jesus accomplished perfect obedience to God in the Law and performed miracles. He remained obedient unto death and exited the Old Covenant. He was the only person able to say, โIt is finishedโ. Because of His righteous act, death has no legal claim on Him. Ever.
This is why God resurrected Him. It is proof that the Old Covenant of Sin and Death is finished.
When we believe โinโ Him, He who is the New Covenant Representative we are betrothed, engaged. By the indwelling of the Holy Spirit we are being prepared for the Wedding.
We know we have the Holy Spirit when we exhibit the fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Just as Jesus is the 2nd Adam, He remained faithful and finished the covenant. We the Church are the 2nd Eve. Even though weโve sinned we are protected by His perfect, permanent, irrevocable, eternal grace of Him doing everything right.
Even though the Church has sinned, our sins donโt fall to us. Because of His obedience we are protected by the New and Everlasting Covenant between Jesus and God that canโt be broken because by His grace โit is finishedโ.
John 1:29 โBehold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.โ
Thatโs the Good News.
As someone betrothed, engaged to be married, our duty is to remain faithful until the wedding.
What many people call โgetting savedโ is actually accepting a marriage proposal from God. We state a willingness to be in covenant with God (the one between the Father and Jesus). At the point we accept that proposal we are engaged, betrothed. The โpromissory ringโ of the engagement is the gift of the Holy Spirit who teaches us about Jesus. But we arenโt married until the Wedding. The wedding is not in this body, and itโs not on this earth. Itโs in Heaven in Revelation 19.
In this body on this earth weโre still in the broken covenant we were born into from Adam. We have to exit that old covenant. That means dying. โTill death do we part.โ
Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,โฆ
Death and the afterlife is something we will all face. So itโs a good idea to prepare for it by rehearsing your mindset before it happens.
What then is baptism? Is it just a rinse in water to remove some dirt from your body? No, itโs much more than that.
๐๐๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฆ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ ๐ซ๐๐ก๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐๐ฅ to prepare you for your death, which is the exit from the covenant that Adam broke, and then to resurrection, being โborn againโ into eternal life in Christ Jesus. It consists of a few simple elements:
* Your declaration of faith
* Your simulated death and burial
* Your simulated resurrection
Depending on your circumstances, declaring your faith moments before you die might not be possible. It may occur suddenly or while youโre unconscious. So itโs a good idea to โbankโ your statement of faith. Make it known to yourself so youโre confident. And make it known to others so they can have peace when youโre gone.
The Apostle Peter explains that baptism is so you may be at peace, having a good conscience toward God before you die.
1 Peter 3:21 โโฆbaptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,โ
Jesus Himself referred to His death as a โbaptismโ.
Luke 12:50 โBut I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished!
Luke 9:23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.โ
Jesus wasnโt talking about us wearing a piece of jewelry, He was talking about following Him to our baptism through death and resurrection into eternal life. Not the rehearsal, the real thing. This is why the rehearsal is so important. Because when death comes it will be the ultimate test.
The question of whether or not โthe thief on the crossโ next to Jesus had to be baptized is simply answered by recognizing that he wasnโt rehearsing.
Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Romans 6:3-5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,
Itโs not just dying and resurrecting that we rehearse with baptism, from that point on it is a rehearsal of our โwalk in the newness of lifeโ for eternity. So that when we cross over into eternity we will be familiar with it because we have rehearsed the walk. Our previous sinful lifestyle simply isnโt appropriate there. We should start getting rid of it now.
Our physical death is the exit from this covenant of sin and death that we are born into from Adam. Our bodies have already been corrupted by sin. We have to shed this mortal existence to be free of it. We wouldnโt want eternal life in a body that continually sins and decays!
1 Corinthians 15:53-54 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
Through our true baptism of death and resurrection we are โborn againโ into eternal life.
John 14:1-4 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.”
Romans 10:9-10 โIf you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.โ
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Let God into your life. Itโs not only about you answering an invitation but you offering one in exchange. When you sense God knocking on the door of your heart, open the door and let Him in. It goes both ways, you let God into your house, God lets you into His.
What else must you do?
Listen to Him. Godโs Holy Spirit will begin to produce the fruits of Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control. When you see these things manifesting in your life you will know that these things are done in God through you.
Read the Bible. Get to know God.
The New Covenant is this: Godโs Law will not be written just in stone, but God will write His Law on your heart.
Jeremiah 31:33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
Youโll know Godโs Law is written on your heart when โThou Shall Notโ becomes โI Donโt Want Toโ. That is the evidence of repentance. Thatโs how youโll know youโve repented.
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ of things hoped for, the ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ of things not seen.
The name of the ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ is “And it came to pass…”
The ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ is a person’s behavior until it comes to pass.
Hebrews 11 is sometimes called โthe hall of faithโ. It mentions Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham & Sarah, Issac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses and the prophets. Even though they all had a close encounter with God they were still required to have faith! They were justified by acting in faith, doing what God told them to do. We can know God interacted with them because we see the ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐๐๐๐ of what happened when they acted in faith.
The same is true of our own actions. When we behave in a Godly way, not only we ourselves but others too have evidence of our faith.
In conversations with atheists, they continually demand, โprove to me God existsโ. They reject the notion of faith.
If โthe just shall live by faithโ then without faith one cannot be justified. The very thing atheists demand – absolute undeniable proof, would disqualify them for justification.
Recently I was watching videos of NDEโs (Near Death Experiences). In all the tellings of these experiences there is one common element; after death all doubt is removed. Whether itโs a Heavenly or Hellish experience after death, they have absolute undeniable certainty of the truth of God. They know the Truth. However when they โcome backโ to this life they still have to demonstrate faith when explaining their experience to others.
In the presence of absolute undeniable certainty, Faith is simply impossible. They are exact opposites. In the afterlife Faith does not exist any longer. When there is no faith possible neither is there any possibility of justification by faith. Justification comes only by faith.
When a person dies and experiences absolute undeniable certainty their fate is permanently sealed. If they did not have justification by faith in this life, they cannot achieve it after death. This is why Hell is permanent. There is no faith in Hell, only absolute certainty.
Hebrews 11:6 But 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 diligently seek Him.
Jesus explained that faith is required in this life before we die. โโฆthat whosoever shall believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
The Bible, ALL of it, is the Word of God. ALL of it is for our benefit. God’s Word finishes us as humans and makes us whole. God is the source of knowledge and revelation.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.
2 Peter 1:20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from oneโs own interpretation.
God exists in three eternal, individual personalities: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. Each is equally God. They are one essence, perfect harmony.
Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One.
2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
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Jesus Christ is the central figure and person in human history.
Jesus is God in human form. His Hebrew name, Yeshua, means “He saves.”
Titus 2:13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ…
John 1:1-2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.
Jesus is eternal.
1 Peter 1:20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you.
John 17:24 Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
Jesus, born of a virgin
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel (God with us).
Fulfilled in Matthew 1:22-23
Jesus is the “Good News”, the Gospel message.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures…
Jesus is currently alive and at the right hand of God the Father.
Psalm 110:1 A Psalm of David. The Lord says to my Lord: โSit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.โ
1 Peter 3:22 Who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to Him.
Hebrews 1:3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
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The church is not a physical building. The church is a body of believers in Jesus Christ.
Matthew 16:18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. -Jesus
Romans 12:4-6a For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them:
Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.
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All of humanity who has physically died, all of the bodies will ultimately be resurrected. The question is the destination.
Daniel 12:2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
1 Corinthians 15:13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.
Revelation 20:15 And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
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Pre Tribulation Rapture: At a designated point in time before the beginning of the seven year Tribulation or the Day of the Lord, the entire body of the church of Jesus Christ will be caught up into the clouds to meet Him in the air.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-5
1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Psalm 27:5 For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.
The church will physically return to earth to rule and reign with Jesus Christ during the Millennial Kingdom.
Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection! The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.
2 Timothy 2:12If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He will also deny usโฆ
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for Godโs own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
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Believers can respectfully proclaim God’s truth and love people who disagree with or live outside of God’s laws and precepts.
Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus declared, โโLove the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.โ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: โLove your neighbor as yourself.โ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.โ
1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: โYou shall love your neighbor as yourself.โ
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Human life is sacred from conception to its natural end. God is the Creator of life from before time.
Psalm 139:13-16 For You formed my inmost being; You knit me together in my motherโs womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works, and I know this very well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all my days were written in Your book and ordained for me before one of them came to be.
Job 31:15 Did not He who made me in the womb also make them? Did not the same One form us in the womb?
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God sovereignly and purposefully creates each person biologically male or biologically female.
Genesis 1:27 So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Matthew 19:4 Jesus answered, โHave you not read that from the beginning the Creator โmade them male and female,โ
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Marriage is between a biological man and a biological woman.
Mark 10:6-9 But from the beginning of creation, โGod made them male and female.โ โTherefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.โ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate. -Jesus
Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.
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Humanity has inherited a sin nature from the fall of Adam. We are all in need of forgiveness and redemption from our individual sins.
Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all mankind, because all sinned…
1 John 4:9-10 This is how Godโs love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
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Salvation is by Faith alone apart from works. One cannot work, earn, or buy their way into eternity with God. He will not accept the fallen individual’s effort or payment.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.
Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the Law.
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Satan is a real personality and angelic being.
Jesus personally encountered Satan in Matthew 4:1-11.
1 John 3:8 The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil.
Zechariah 3:1 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him.
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Hell is a real physical place. No one in the Bible teaches more about Hell than Jesus.
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 was found whose name was not written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
Matthew 25:41 Then He will say to those on His left, โDepart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
So, what if Jesus was not raised from the dead? Whatโs the big deal about the resurrection? Who cares? Scripture states twice in the below verses, we are wasting our time with Christianity and the Bible if the resurrection is not true. Without the resurrection, we physically die and our bodies are eternally buried. Death wins. We are dirt and worm food. Our bodies become the byproduct of worm digestionโฆ
Job 21:26 Together they lie down in the dust, and worms cover them.
Without Jesusโ resurrection, our faith is described as โvainโ and โworthlessโ.
1 Corinthians 15:14b โฆyour faith is also in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:17 and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.
The Greek word for โvainโ is ฮบฮตฮฝฮฟฯ/kenos. It means: empty, devoid of truth; contains nothing; empty handed; without a gift; fruitless; no purpose.
The Greek word for โworthlessโ is ฮผฮฑฯฮฑฮนฮฟฯ/mataios. It means: devoid of force, truth, success, result; useless, of no purpose. -Definitions per Strongโs Concordance
This is our faith without the resurrection of Christ. Without Jesusโ resurrection, there is no hope for our bodies. We are dead and buried, a corrupt and purposeless mess, an empty shell.
If we are not resurrected in the future, then Christโs resurrection in the past did not occur. We have historical proof of Jesus overcoming death with hundreds of witnesses. We know what happened to Jesus. This observation is stated at least twice by Paul. Thatโs the security and truth of our future resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raisedโฆ
1 Corinthians 15:16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised;
With the resurrection of Christ, Psalm 16:10 was prophetically fulfilled.
Psalm 16:10For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.
With His death, Jesus did not stay in Sheol or Hades or the grave (see Ephesians 8-10). There was no decomposition of His body.
Acts 2:31 Foreseeing this, David spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did His body see decay.
Doctrinal Emphasis: Faith, Believing and Doing Godโs Word
Scripture: Hebrews Chapters 11-13
Key Theme: The focus of these three chapters is how one responds to Godโs word once they believe it.
What is faith? Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1).
Scripture clearly defines the concept of faith. Without faith, it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6a). Faith is how we obtain our salvation. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the Law (Romans 3:28). We can not work or earn our way to Heaven.
A historical review of persons with faith and their actions is discussed in Hebrews chapter 11. Faith begins with creation. God spoke creation into existence (Hebrews 11:3, Genesis 1). There are many examples of men and women with faith (Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, and Rahab to name a few). Short term results are noted because of the faith of these men and women. All these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised (Hebrews 11:13, 39). The promise is an eternal, heavenly city.
Specifically, take Noah and his faith. We should be thankful for Noahโs belief in Godโs warning and Noahโs subsequent actions. If Noah had not acted on what God told him, we would not be here. The result of Noahโs action has allowed us the opportunity of life. Could Noah have believed and not built an ark? Yes. Can people believe that Jesus died for sins of the world and not respond? Yes. In Noahโs case as well as others, faith, if it has no works, is dead (James 2:17).
Jesus is our object of faith (Hebrews 12:2).
He died for us, sinners (Romans 5:8).
The text of Hebrews Chapters 11-13 does offer description, location, and characteristics of Christ. He is the author and perfecter of faith. He endured the cross. He is at the right hand of the throne of God the Father (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus endured the hostility of sinners for us (Hebrews 12:3). Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. He does not change (Hebrews 13:8).
The text offers practical advice and application to our response to faith in Jesus. Reasons for conduct are given immediately after a command. We are called to endure discipline (Hebrews 12:7). It is for our own good. Discipline allows us to share Godโs holiness (Hebrews 12:10) and it ultimately yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness (Hebrews 12:11).
Strengthen weak hands and feeble knees. We are to make the paths of our feet straight. This leads to healing (Hebrews 12:12-13).
Pursue peace with all men, otherwise no one will see the Lord. Avoid bitterness, it can cause trouble and leads to defilement, or contamination. Do not be an immoral or a godless person like Esau. He initially sold his birthright for a single meal. Later he wanted his inheritance. He was rejected. It was too late and Isaac was not going to be changing his mind. Even crying did not help (Hebrews 12:14-17, see also Genesis 27:36-39).
Let the love of the brothers continue. Show hospitality to others because some have entertained angels without knowing it (Hebrews 13:1-2).
Remember fellow believers who are in prison because they are part of the body, the church (Hebrews 13:3).
Honor marriage by Godโs Law. God will judge people who are unfaithful in their marriage (Hebrews 13:4).
We are to be free from the love of money and we are to be content with what we have. The Lord will never desert you, nor will He ever forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).
Remember those who spoke and led you to the word of God. Consider what they did and imitate their faith (Hebrews 13:7).
Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings. It is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace (Hebrews 13:9).
We are to continually offer up sacrifices of praise and give thanks to His name. Do good and share with others, this is pleasing to God (Hebrews 13:15-16).
Obey and submit to leaders because they keep watch over your souls (Hebrews 13:17).
Tisha B`Av or the 9th of Av, not a good day on the Jewish calendar. Av is a Hebrew month. It is the 11th month of the civil calendar or the 5th month of the religious calendar. It usually occurs during July or August in the Gregorian calendar. This year, the 9th of Av is observed on sundown of Saturday, August 6th and ends at sundown on Sunday, August 7, 5782/2022. The month of Av is not named in the Bible.
The 9th of Av is a day of mourning in Israel. Tragedy came about because of the account of Numbers 13-14. This event occurred immediately after God had delivered Israel out of bondage in Egypt.
A Cliffs Notes like version is the Lord told Moses to send a group of spies to go scout the Promised Land. The spies came back and proclaimed the Jews could not take the land because of the inhabitants of the land were too big and too strong. The people rebelled against Moses. The people stated they would rather go back to Egypt. The nation (except Caleb and Joshua) did not believe God to give them the Promised Land.
Numbers 13:20 โฆand whether the land is rich or poor, and whether there are trees in it or not. Be of good courage and bring some of the fruit of the land.โ Now the time was the season of the first ripe grapes.
We know it occurred during the grape harvest per the text (Numbers 13:20). This event is said to have occurred on the 9th of Av. God pronounced judgment on the nation at that time. And this date is said to be a reminder of nation Israelโs lack of faith in God.
Historically, the date has resulted in heartache for the Jewish people.
Here is a list of Jewish history on the 9th of Av/Tisha B `Av.
586 BC, the first Temple was destroyed.
70 AD, the second Temple was destroyed.
135 AD, Betar fell. It was the last fortress to hold out against the Romans during the Bar Kochba revolt.
136 AD, one year after the fall of Betar, the Temple area was plowed.
1290 AD, Jews were expelled from England.
1492 AD, King Ferdinand of Spain issued the expulsion decree, setting Tisha BโAv as the final date by which not a single Jew would be allowed to walk on Spanish soil.
1914 AD, World War I began the downward slide to the Holocaust.
We are less than two months from the onset of the Fall Feasts. It appears to be the close of a Sabbatical or Shemitah year. If history is any indicator, fasten your seat belts. Look at the world around us. There is significant geo political unrest. Global economies are headed towards recession. We are likely in for a wild ride.
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Over the past few years, the Temple Institute has chosen to look to the future and the promise of the building of the third Temple on Tisha B`Av or 9th of Av. They have chosen to post videos regarding the reconstruction of the third Temple.
Keep in mind, what Christians call the Old Testament is the source of information that is being referenced during the video.
The following is from Temple Institute out of Jerusalem, Israel.
We recently took to the streets of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and asked the question: “What would building the Holy Temple mean to you?” We asked Israelis and tourists alike: men, women, older people and younger, religious and not religious, and were amazed at their answers. Everyone took time to think, to take a deep breath, and to answer us honestly, some with great hope and anticipation, some with skepticism and trepidation, but all with sincerity and heart. And now we are asking you: “What would building the Holy Temple mean to you?” “If you woke up tomorrow and the Holy Temple was built, how would it change your life?” “Will it bring peace to the world?”
Hebrews 11:1ย Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Faithย in God is everything! Maybe because we loseย faithย in others, it makes us question ourย faithย in God. We must haveย faithย that Heโs hearing our prayers. We must haveย faithย that He willย guideย us. We must haveย faithย in His timing. All God truly wants isย completeย faithย from us. Thatย faithย willย change your life.
2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.
Matthew 21:22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.
If you keep looking back, youโll keep yourself from moving forward to the great things God has planned for you. In order to get to where youโre supposed to be, you have to leave where youโve been. Do not stay stuck in what is holding you back. Most often, thatโs something on the inside. The windshield is bigger than the rear view mirror for a reason. Step out in faithโฆ
Isaiah 43:18 Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
Isaiah 65:17 โFor behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.โ
If someone isnโt experiencing much change in their behavior and thinking after giving their lives to Jesus, then itโs because they stopped somewhere along the Way, but didnโt make it all the Way to gloryโto the Father.
They thought perhaps Jesus was the Way to the cross, or the Way to the resurrection. They never understood that those are only โpointsโ along the Way.
But the destination is the Father. Jesus is the Way to the Father. Jesus never said He was the Way to the cross. He went to the cross, and we too have to go through the cross as we die to the old nature, but Jesus didnโt stay at the cross. The glory of the Father raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 6:4), and the same glory raises us too…right now, not some day.
We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4)
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We are seated in heaven in places in Christ now. Jesus always said His destination was the Father, and that is where He went to make our place so that we can be with Him where He is…right now. Itโs not only a place for when we die and leave this earth, but a place where we are to live NOW while still here (John 14:3).
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. (John 14:3)
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Itโs okay if we didnโt know that; God is not condemning anyone. But itโs time to see everything from the position of Christ, the One who already overcame the world and even death.
โTo him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.โ (Revelation 3:21)
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Even just knowing this begins to activate the glory of the Father in us and it activates the new nature. We will feel it happening and hope will rise up within us that all things truly are possible. The imagination of the child is restored instantly (Matthew 8:13).
And to the centurion Jesus said, โGo; let it be done for you as you have believed.โ And the servant was healed at that very moment. (Matthew 8:13)
Everything in our lives now begins to change, beginning with our perspective from above rather than beneath (Deuteronomy 28:13).
And the LORD will make you the head and not the tail, and you shall only go up and not down, if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you today, being careful to do them… (Deuteronomy 28:13)
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We are seated in Christ right now where He is on the throne of glory, restored to the Father. No one can take us out of Jesusโ hand or the Fatherโs hand (John 10:28-30).
…and I giveย them eternalย life, and they will neverย perish; and noย oneย will snatchย them out of My hand. My Father, whoย has givenย themย to Me, is greaterย than all; and noย oneย is ableย to snatchย themย out of the Fatherโsย hand. I and the Fatherย are one.โ (John 10:28-30)
Nothing can separate us from His love whom have been separated unto Him (Romans 8:38-39, John 17:19).
For I am convincedย that neitherย death, norย life, norย angels, norย principalities, norย thingsย present, norย thingsย toย come, norย powers, norย height, norย depth, nor anyย otherย createdย thingย will be ableย to separateย us from the loveย of Godย that is in Christย Jesusย our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)
And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. (John 17:19)
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His throne is in you (Acts 2:3), His power is in you (Ephesians 3:20), His kingdom is in you (Luke 17:21), heaven is in you; therefore your ability to accomplish anything already lives in you and is awaiting your command.
The Spirit of glory living in you will teach you how to separate darkness from light in every situation you encounter, even the secret ones in your mind, and you will help Him divide the old nature from the new through your spoken words. He may also show you something that you need to do in some cases. His words and works weigh the same and both will release His glory.
…but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.โ(John 10:38).
