Author: Jim

Forty Years

Forty Years is mentioned 45 times in the Bible. Usually a time of testing.
Genesis 25:20 And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.
Genesis 26:34 And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite:

After a 40 day trip to the promise land, they didn’t believe God: so, 40 more years of testing!

Exodus 16:35 And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited; they did eat manna, until they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan.
Numbers 14:33-34 And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcases be wasted in the wilderness. After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise.
Numbers 32:13 And the LORD’S anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation, that had done evil in the sight of the LORD, was consumed.
Deuteronomy 2:7 For the LORD thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hand: he knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness: these forty years the LORD thy God hath been with thee; thou hast lacked nothing.\
Deuteronomy 8:2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.
Deuteronomy 8:4 Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years.
Deuteronomy 29:5 And I have led you forty years in the wilderness: your clothes are not waxen old upon you, and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot.
Joshua 5:6 For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: unto whom the LORD sware that he would not shew them the land, which the LORD sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey.

The Lord God continues to remind Israel of their disobedience:

Nehemiah 9:21 Yea, forty years didst thou sustain them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing; their clothes waxed not old, and their feet swelled not.
Psalm 95:10 Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:
Amos 2:10 Also I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and led you forty years through the wilderness, to possess the land of the Amorite.
Amos 5:25 Have ye offered unto me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness forty years, O house of Israel?

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Forty Days

Forty Days of Repentance

Forty days appears 25 times in Scripture.
Of course the first reference is to Noah and the flood:
Genesis 7:4 For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth.
Genesis 7:12 And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.
Genesis 7:17 And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth.
Note: It rained 40 days and nights the water pevailed for 150 days but Noah was on the Ark for 1 year.
Genesis 8:6 And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made:
The next reference in regarding the length of time for embalming a body. Genesis 50:3 And forty days were fulfilled for him; for so are fulfilled the days of those which are embalmed: and the Egyptians mourned for him …
Moses is called by God into the top of Mt Sinai.
Exodus 24:18 And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights.
Moses is called by God unto the top of Mt Sinai a second time, tablets of stone.
Exodus 34:28 And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.
12 men spying out the land. (see 12 Spies)
Numbers 13:25 And they returned from searching of the land after forty days.
Numbers 14:34 After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise.
Moses recounts receiving the tablets (10 commandments) of stone. Deuteronomy 9:9 When I was gone up into the mount to receive the tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant which the LORD made with you, then I abode in the mount forty days and forty nights, I neither did eat bread nor drink water:
Deuteronomy 9:11 And it came to pass at the end of forty days and forty nights, that the LORD gave me the two tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant.
Deuteronomy 9:18 And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
Deuteronomy 9:25 Thus I fell down before the LORD forty days and forty nights, as I fell down at the first; because the LORD had said he would destroy you.
Deuteronomy 10:10 And I stayed in the mount, according to the first time, forty days and forty nights; and the LORD hearkened unto me at that time also, and the LORD would not destroy thee.
Goliath challenges Israel:
1 Samuel 17:16 And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days.
Elijah, when dealing with Ahab and Jezebel: note: Horeb is Siani
1 Kings 19:8 And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.
Ezekiel and the siege against Israel (a sign):
Ezekiel 4:6 And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year.
Nineveh had 40 days to repent and turn to God:
Jonah 3:4 And Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.
At the beginning of his ministry, the Lord Jesus fasted:
Matthew 4:2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
Mark 1:13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.
Luke 4:2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.
The Lord walked on earth to prove he had indeed risen from the Grave.
Acts 1:3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God
To better understand, read the verses in context.

One year for each day. Why the Israelites had to wander 40 years ...

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Forty – Part 2

The number 40 generally symbolizes a period of testing, trial, probation or judgement appearing 145 times in Scripture.

Here are some more interesting references to FORTY:

After the flood waters had receded, and the tops of the mountains were visible, Noah waited another 40 days to open the window of the Ark (Genesis 8:6).
Isaac was 40 years old when he took Rebekah as his wife (Genesis 25:20).
Esau, Isaac’s son, also got married when he was 40 (Genesis 26:34).
Embalming took 40 days in early Bible times (Genesis 50:3).
Moses was on Mt. Sinai for 40 days and 40 nights (twice!) (Exodus 24:18)
(Exodus 34:28)( Deuteronomy 9:9,11,18,25)( Deuteronomy 10:10).
The spies that Moses sent to spy out the Promised Land were there for 40 days (Numbers 13:25)(Numbers 14:34).
One of those spies was Joshua, and he was forty years old when he went
(Joshua 14:7).
Moses died when he was 120 years old (Deuteronomy 34:7). His life can be divided into 3 sections of 40 years: (first 40) being born and growing up in Pharaoh’s house in Egypt (Acts 7:20-23), (middle 40) fleeing to Midian after killing the Egyptian, and living there for 40 years (Acts 7:29-30), (last 40) returning to Egypt, the exodus, and the events that followed
(Acts 7:36)(Exodus 7:7).
Aaron died 40 years after the Israelites had left Egypt (Numbers 33:38).
Three different times in Judges, the land had rest for 40 years
(Judges 3:11)(Judges 5:31)(Judges 8:28).
Eli judged Israel for 40 years (1 Samuel 4:18).
Ishbosheth became king over Israel when he was 40 years old (2 Samuel 2:10).
Three kings reigned for 40 years: David (1 Kings 2:11)(2 Samuel 5:4-5), Solomon (1 Kings 11:42), and Joash (2 Chronicles 24:1)(2 Kings 12:1).
(Saul may also be a part of this group [Acts 13:21], but this is controversial
[1 Samuel 13:1].)
The 10 lavers in the Temple each held “40 baths” (about 230 gal.) of water
(1 Kings 7:38).
The time period between Jesus’ resurrection and ascension was 40 days
(Acts 1:3).
The book of Exodus has 40 chapters.
The average length of a woman’s pregnancy is 40 weeks.
Lent is the 40 days before Easter (not counting Sundays).

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Forty

What is the significance of the number 40 in the Christian Bible ...

Trial, Testing, Or Judgment:

Forty appears 145 times in Scripture. The number 40 generally symbolizes a period of testing, trial, probation or judgement. This certainly seems to be borne out in a number of places in the Bible, however, it also is used for more than that. Let’s first look at the ways it could be taken as a number signifying trial, testing, or judgment, then we will look some other significant uses.

Here are some interesting references to FORTY:

When God destroyed every living thing on the Earth by flood, it rained 40 days and 40 nights (Genesis 7:4,12,17).
Three men in the Bible fasted 40 days and 40 nights: Moses (Exodus 34:28)(Deuteronomy 9:9,18,25)(Deuteronomy 10:10), Elijah (1 Kings 19:8), and Jesus (Matthew 4:2)(Luke 4:2)(Mark 1:13).
Because Israel refused to enter the Promised Land, God condemned them to wander in the “wilderness” for 40 years (Numbers 14:33-34)(Numbers 32:11-13)( Deuteronomy 8:2)(Joshua 5:6).
God also kept their clothing and sandals from wearing out for the whole 40 years: (Deuteronomy 29:5, Deuteronomy 8:4.)
The Israelites were given manna in the desert for 40 years to “test” and “humble” them (Exodus 16:35)( Deuteronomy 8:3,16)
When scourging someone, they could not receive more than 40 lashes
(Deuteronomy 25:3)(2 Corinthians 11:24).
The Israelites were in captivity to the Philistines for 40 years for doing evil
(Judges 13:1).
Goliath taunted Israel for 40 days and nights (1 Samuel 17:16), until David defeated him.
Ezekiel laid on his right side for 40 days to “bear the iniquity” of Judah’s sins
(Ezekiel 4:6).
God proclaimed judgment against Egypt, saying it would be desolate for 40 years (Ezekiel 29:10-12).
God gave Nineveh 40 days to repent or be overthrown (Jonah 3:4).

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Bible Fruit

The Apostle Paul wrote about fruit in at least two different ways: Fruit as individuals being saved and Fruit of the Spirit.
To the church in Roman Paul writes of Fruit as people:
Romans 1:13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.

And again, when writing to the church in Philippi. (his labor was soul winning) But not for just himself but for them also.
Philippians 1:22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
Philippians 4:17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
Back to Romans he writes about Fruit of Holiness (how believers live):
Romans 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
Romans 7:4-5 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
And to the church in Corinth he write of the fruit of righteousness:
2 Corinthians 9:10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;
To the churches of Galatia and Ephesus he lists Fruits of the Spirit that should be (is) in the life of all believers
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Ephesians 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

Yes, Paul was a soul winner and writing to the Colossian church he challenges all believers to be soul winners.
Colossians 1:6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:
Colossians 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Do You know how to be a soul Winner? Just share your faith!


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Remnant

Means remaining, a small quantity remaining
   Found 91 times in the Bible

THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A REMNANT
God saved a REMNANT

The Apostle Paul quotes from Isaiah (Esaias) the judgements concerning Israel.

Romans 9:27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:
      See Isaiah 1:9, 10:20-22, 11:11,16, 14:22,30, 15:9, 16:14, 17:3, 37:4,31-32, 46:3

Yes, over the centuries, Israel, the Jew, has suffered many great trials, BUT they are still God’s chosen and a REMNANT will pass into and through the Tribulation, to help repopulate the earth again during the Millennium.  

Romans 11:5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

Putting this verse back into context, we see Paul is referring to Israel, the Jew, NOT the church. Be sure to read Romans 9-11 where Paul writes about Israel’s spiritual condition during the Church age. Below is just a short picture: (remember, Jacob represents the ungodly side of the Jew, Israel represents the spiritual side of the Jew).

Romans 9:6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
Romans 9:27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:
Romans 9:31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
Romans 10:19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.
Romans 10:21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.
Romans 11:2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel saying,
Romans 11:7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.
Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Romans 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Romans 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

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Doubt

A cartoon illustration is confused by a pile of questions ...
Noun – a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction.
Verb – feel uncertain about.

DOUBT – Many a young believer will doubt their salvation, especially when they sin, when things are falling apart all around them. This is a device of the devil. God would not have us DOUBT our salvation. First of all, Salvation is based on belief not works. Belief in the death, Burial and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus.
1 Corinthians 15:2-4 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And second, our acting on that belief as stated in Romans:
Romans 10:9-13 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Paul mentioned doubt in his epistles; (read them in context to understand them).
Romans 14:1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
Romans 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
1 Corinthians 9:10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
2 Corinthians 12:1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
Galatians 4:20 I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.
Philippians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
1 Timothy 2:8 I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

As a believer we should never doubt our salvation or the word of God. God said it and that settles it.

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America Part 3

Sabbath Herald - Come Out of Her, My People!

America (the USA) is not mentioned in the Bible. Where America will be during the Tribulation and then on into the Millilumen is open to speculation. It appears the USA will be part of that great city, Babylon mentioned in
Revelation 14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication
Revelation 16:19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
Revelation 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

What Is Babylon the Great? | Babylon the great

Revelation 18:2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird
Revelation 18:10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
Revelation 18:21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.

These events will occur during the 7 years Tribulation. But there is a way Not to be there. There is an answer for every individual.
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 10:9-13 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

The choice is yours! And when we obey the above we will escape the wrath.
Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

⇛ to understand “thou shalt confess”, read ‘Confess’ .

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America Part 2

America Today - Home | Facebook

The Apostle continues to describe conditions in Rome, not just the Empire but the people of Rome. He begins with the question: Romans 3:9 What then? are we better than they? And then he answers, No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
He continues his answer by quoting scripture:
Romans 3:10-18 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes.

The last part of his quoting describes many in American (and the world) today: “There is no fear of God before their eyes”. And then he warns:
Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Throughout his letter to Rome Paul refers to God’s wrath.
Romans 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
Romans 2:8-9 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; No one will escape the wrath to come.
Romans 4:15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
Romans 9:22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
Remember getting even is not up to us, as individuals, but to GOD.
Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Romans 13:4-5 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

As noted before, it’s not clear where the USA (America) will be during the Tribulation and Millilumen it is clear what will happen to the individual.
But God did provide a way to escape His wrath:
Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

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America

America's Top States for Business 2018

AMERICA – what’s wrong?

Many, many times it’s been said of America, we are following the path of the Roman Empire. That we, like they, are on a path to destruction. Just ponder how great the Roman Empire was … and where it is now! Is this the fate of the United States of America. History records the fall of Rome. But the Apostle Paul wrote of the reason for their fall BEFORE it happened. Read Romans 1:16-32.

Romans 1:16-17 He begins with faith: “as it is written, The just shall live by faith”.
Romans 1:18-20 And talks about God’s wrath against ungodliness,
“so that they are without excuse:”.
Romans 1:21-25 Knowing God, they thought they were wiser and rejected Him. Worshiped and served creatures and idols; they changed God’s truth into a lie.
Romans 1:26-28 Changing the natural use of men and women they became vile. So, God gave them up unto vile affections and a reprobate mind.
The Apostle Paul lists the evils they were guilty of:
Romans 1:29-31 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

He then concludes:
Romans 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Now substitute THEY with AMERICA and see if this doesn’t fit what’s happening in America today. Is America on the same path as the Roman Empire? The road to Destruction?

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