Jim – Page 88 – Bible Truth 4u

Death – Part 3

Didn’t Old Testament teach life after death? …

Job 14:12-15 So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep. O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me! If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands.
Job 19:25-27 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
Psalm 17:15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
Psalm 49:15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.
Daniel 12:2-3 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
Daniel 12:13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
Hosea 13:14 I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.
Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
We all face death. But for the Believer in Christ, there’s hope, knowledge of life after death. Reunited with God, and fellow believers who have gone before us.
It’s a paradox, we desire to die and go to heaven, but we have a strong desire to remain here as long as we can.

⇛ checkout List of Topics

Body Soul Spirit

Body – the Tabernacle we dwell in – Our identity to each other
Soul – The real person that dwells within the Body
Spirit – Our connection to God

Adam was created a Triune Being (in the image of God). When he sinned, he died, spiritually (cut off from direct communion with God) and some 900 years later, he died physically (Genesis 2-3).
Sin entered into mankind thru Adam. (Romans 5:12-15)
Since then, each person born is still a Triune Being (Body-Soul-Spirit) but the spirit is dead (separated from God).

⇒ “Quickened – to be made alive”

Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Ephesians 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
2 Timothy 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick (saved) and the dead (unsaved) at his appearing and his kingdom;
Only God can separate the soul from the spirit.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then shall the dust (body) return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
The Lord Jesus said He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
(John 3:36)

It appears from the Scripture, man is born with a body, a soul, and a dead spirit. If he dies in this condition his body is disposed of on earth, his soul goes to Hell (separated from God), and his dead spirit returns to God.
(Compare Luke 16:19-31)
When man gets saved his spirit is made alive, and when he dies, his body is disposed of on earth, his soul and spirit go to be with God, Heaven.

⇛ checkout List of Topics

Book of Life – Lamb’s Book

Book of Life – Lamb’s Book of Life, are they the same? There are 2 views!

1st view – YES, they are the same book.
2nd view – NO, your name is entered into the book of life from the foundation of the world and removed when you die rejecting Faith in God. Your name is entered into the Lamb’s Book of Life when you are saved and never removed.

A study of each time the terms are used is needed and it makes an interesting study.
The Book of Life is mentioned 4 times in the Old Testament.
Exodus 32:32-33, Psalm 69:27-28, Daniel 12:1
It is mentioned 6 times in the New Testament.
Philippians 4:3, Revelation 3:5, 17:8, 20:12,15, 22:19
Lamb’s Book of Life is referenced in Revelation 13:8 21:27
In Exodus a name will be blotted out of the Book of Life.
Exodus 32:32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin–; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.
Exodus 32:33 And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.

In Psalm removal is mentioned from the book of the living.
Psalm 69:27-28 Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness. Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.
In Daniel, only those still written shall be delivered.
Daniel 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
The Lord Jesus commented on this:
Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
The Apostle Paul wrote of the book of life.
Philippians 4:3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
Again the Lord Jesus from heaven commented.
Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

⇛ continue reading Book of Life – Lamb’s Book Part 2
⇛ checkout List of Topics ⇛

Tree(s) Part 2

Let your imagination run wild -think of everything trees are good for: all the do-it yourself projects that involve wood. Probably one of the most pliable and durable of all natural products that man has ever worked with. What good is a tree? It prevents erosion, provides shade, food, lumber products for homes, furniture, boats, wagons, paper products, heat, etc…
Trees are very important to man. Not only have they protected, sheltered, and fed him throughout history, but they have also been his weapons of war, bows, arrows, spears, even guns. (Ezekiel 39:9)
A new process of pressing wood together makes it harder than steel. (Look it up on internet).

The Bible has much to say about trees. Over 300 references, naming over 30 types of trees are in the Scriptures. Trees were worshipped by the pagans and many times sacrifices were offered under trees (Deuteronomy 12:2). The Hebrews were forbidden to plant a tree near a sacred altar (Deuteronomy 16:21). Tree limbs were used in the Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:40).

Places of importance were often referenced by trees:
Genesis 12 Abram received promises from God under an Oak Tree
Judges 4:5 Debora dwelt under a Palm Tree
1 Samuel 14:2 King Saul and 600 men rested under pomegranate tree
The Lord Jesus referenced trees in his parables:
The Olive tree… The Fig tree… The Fruit tree…
Palm trees paved the way for the Lord entering Jerusalem.

There are many lessons to be learned from the trees named in the Scriptures:
Leviticus 27:30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’s: it is holy unto the LORD.
Isaiah 65:22 They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
Psalm 92:12 The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Exodus 15:25 And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,
Just to mention some of them.

BUT the three most important trees:
Genesis 2:9 The TREE of Life (Also in Revelation 22:1-2)
Genesis 2:9,17 The TREE of the knowledge of Good an Evil
Deuteronomy 21:22 The TREE of Death Galatians 3:13

Joyce Kilmer wrote:
I think I shall never see, A poem as lovely as a tree,
A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed, Against the earth sweet flowing breast,
A tree that looks at God all day, And lifts her leafy arms to pray,
A tree that may in summer wear, A nest of Robins in her hair,
Upon whose bosom snow has lain, Who intimately lives with rain,
Poems are made by fools like me, But only God can make a tree.

⇛ checkout List of Topics ⇛

The Future

Everyone would like to know the Future. What’s coming? How can I prepare? Well, fortunately the Bible gives us a head’s up. As each of the following is looked at in some detail, we can be prepared for what will happen to us as believers in the Death, Burial and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus and His soon return.

1. The Church
2. The Calling
3. The Judgment
4. The Marriage
5. The Tribulation
6. The Great Tribulation
7. The War
8. The Return
9. The Exile
10. The Reign
11. The Release
12. The Final Battle
13. The Great White Throne
14. The New Future

NOTE: This study is adapted from a Sunday School series taught at Prairie Baptist Church, Scotts, MI. by former Assistant Pastor John Woullard.

⇛ return to Coming Events

1 The Church

The church was started after the Lord’s ascension into Heaven and will continue until He removes it. Revelation 2-3 gives a glimpse at the church.

There are three views of these passages.
One view, this is a picture of the church down thru the ages.
Another view is these are a view of all churches today.
Another view points out that these 7 were Jewish Assemblies in seven different cities that John was to write letters to. Where are they today?
The Church of Ephesus no longer exists (neither does the city).
The Church of Smyrna is located within modern-day Izmir.
The Church of Pergamum is also in ruins.
The Church of Thyatira may be found in modern Akhisar’s Ulu Cami (Great Mosque).
The Church of Sardis no longer exists.
The Church of Philadelphia remained a strong center of Orthodox Christianity until the early 20th century, and remains a titular see of the Roman Catholic Church.
The Church of Laodicea is now situated near the modern city of Denizli, Turkey.
Whichever view is taken, the true church is to be removed from earth very soon.
Revelation 4:1 records John being called up into Heaven [A picture of the church being called up (1 Thessalonians 4:16 “… with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God …”)] and shown things to come.

⇛ continue reading 2. The Calling
⇛ checkout List of Topics ⇛

2 The Calling

The next event … The call from heaven, “a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God:”

The Lord Jesus made this a promise John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

The Apostle Paul wrote about it in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
“Wherefore comfort one another with these words”.

It is called a MYSTERY and it is explained in 1 Corinthians 15:51-57.
A new body of FLESH and BONE, just like the one the Lord Jesus had when He came out of the tomb.

And believers refer to it as the RAPTURE.

⇛ continue reading 3. The Judgment
⇛ checkout List of Topics ⇛

3 The Judgment

The one of first things John saw in Heaven was The Judgment Seat of Christ. Revelation 4-5

All believers will be judged. Romans 14:10 “… for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ”.
Everything will be judged by the Lord, good and bad.
2 Corinthians 5:10 “… according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad”.

The way of the Judgment and the results are found in 1 Corinthians 3:9-15
The foundation is the Lord Jesus.
The building is built by the Believer –
“gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble”
Tested by fire (foundation is secure)
Remains determine the reward.
Nothing left – no rewards BUT still has salvation.

⇛ continue reading 4. The Marriage
⇛ checkout List of Topics ⇛

4 The Marriage

In Heaven there is a gala event for believers following the Judgment …
… The Marriage supper of the Lamb. Revelation 19:6-9

Revelation 16:7 “… for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.” Many believe ‘his wife’ is the Church. (true Believers)

A comparison is found in a parable the Lord Jesus taught. Matthew 22:1-14

The supper has been likened to an awards banquet where the rewards from The Judgment Seat of Christ are awarded.

Meanwhile, back on Earth …

⇛ continue reading 5. The Tribulation
⇛ checkout List of Topics ⇛

5 The Tribulation

Meanwhile a period of 7 years begins on earth … but first … why a pre-tribulation rapture?
Jeremiah 30:7 “… it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble …”
This is speaking to Israel – it’s NOT for the Church.
The Church is in Heaven (The Judgement – The Marriage) during this 7-year period. How can the church return with Christ? (The Return)
Romans 5:9 “… being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him”.
The Tribulation is a judgment against the Jew, but the whole earth will be affected. It is broken down into two 3 ½ year periods. It will consist of a one world government, one world leader, probably one world money and perhaps only two religions; Judaism and a one world church.
Daniel 9:27 is an overview of the 7 years. (week = 7 years)
Daniel 11:36-45 a description of Anti-Christ and his reign and during this period;
The Anti-Christ is made known –
The Temple is rebuilt –
Animal sacrifice for atonement is resumed.
At the end of 3 ½ years the Anti-Christ defiles the Temple, entering into the Holy of Holies, proclaiming himself as God.
Daniel 12:11-12 This alerts the Jew that this is not the Messiah they are looking for and the great persecution begins.

All equal 3 ½ years and a week = 7 years

⇛ continue reading 6. The Great Tribulation
⇛ checkout List of Topics ⇛