‘Mid-Acts-ers’ teach that we should not pray to God for mercy on the sick (physical healing) .... because they say God is not a doctor. But ‘their’ apostle Paul wrote:
Phil 2:25-27 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.
27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ teach that we should not pray to God for ‘traveling mercies’ .... because they say God has ‘no will’ concerning trips. But ‘their’ apostle Paul wrote:
Rom 1:10-11a Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
11a For I long to see you,
Furthermore, ‘mid-Acts-ers’ teach that Satan doesn’t care where you go either. But ‘their’ apostle Paul wrote:
1 Thess 2:18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ teach that we should not pray to God about selling our house .... because they say God is not a realtor.
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ teach that we should not pray to God for a job .... because they say God is not an employment agent.
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ can give you a list of what NOT to pray to God about. But ‘their’ apostle Paul wrote to pray about every thing:
Phil 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
I remember hearing ‘mid-Acts-ers’ snicker when Mr. W. lost his journal and told them he was praying that God would help him find it. Whether God helped him find it, or whether he located it because he kept looking for it .... who can say? But when he did find it, he gave God thanks and praise. The ‘mid-Acts-ers’ found fault with that and mocked him .... but “he had a verse”. That’s more than I can say for them:
1 Thess 5:18 In every thing give thanks:
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
This is David Dowell saying, “Think about it!”
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Are You Willing to Suffer for Christ?
Moses chose suffering for Christ .... being assured of the reward afterward:
Heb 11:24-27 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt:
for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
Jesus Himself endured the suffering of death .... knowing the joy that awaited on the other side:
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Heb 13:12-15 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
We look forward to glory in the new (Rev 3:12, 21:2), heavenly Jerusalem (Heb 12:22-24), the mother of us all (Gal 4:26):
14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
The prophets predicted Jesus would experience suffering followed by glory:
1 Peter 1:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
Paul lost all his worldly possessions for the sake of Christ .... but that pales in comparison to being in communion with the sufferings of Christ in His death:
Phil 3:8-11 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,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Paul and Peter both taught .... that those who suffer for Christ will be glorified:
Rom 8:17-18 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ;
if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
1 Peter 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
1 Peter 5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
Those who suffer for Christ will be consoled:
2 Cor 1:7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing,
that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
Those who suffer for Christ will reign with Him:
2 Tim 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him:
if we deny him, he also will deny us:
Suffering for Christ is evidence of one’s belief. God assured His saints of the impending judgment upon those by whose hands they suffered:
Phil 1:27-29 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries (also see Matt 10:28):
which is to them an evident token of perdition (also see 2 Thess 1:4-6), but to you of salvation, and that of God.
29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
Ask yourself, do you really believe on Christ?
If the answer is no, then you will fall away in time of temptation.
If the answer is yes, then you will be willing to suffer for Him.
This is David Dowell saying, “Think about it!”
Heb 11:24-27 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt:
for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
Jesus Himself endured the suffering of death .... knowing the joy that awaited on the other side:
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Heb 13:12-15 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
We look forward to glory in the new (Rev 3:12, 21:2), heavenly Jerusalem (Heb 12:22-24), the mother of us all (Gal 4:26):
14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
The prophets predicted Jesus would experience suffering followed by glory:
1 Peter 1:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
Paul lost all his worldly possessions for the sake of Christ .... but that pales in comparison to being in communion with the sufferings of Christ in His death:
Phil 3:8-11 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,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Paul and Peter both taught .... that those who suffer for Christ will be glorified:
Rom 8:17-18 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ;
if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
1 Peter 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
1 Peter 5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
Those who suffer for Christ will be consoled:
2 Cor 1:7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing,
that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
Those who suffer for Christ will reign with Him:
2 Tim 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him:
if we deny him, he also will deny us:
Suffering for Christ is evidence of one’s belief. God assured His saints of the impending judgment upon those by whose hands they suffered:
Phil 1:27-29 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries (also see Matt 10:28):
which is to them an evident token of perdition (also see 2 Thess 1:4-6), but to you of salvation, and that of God.
29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
Ask yourself, do you really believe on Christ?
If the answer is no, then you will fall away in time of temptation.
If the answer is yes, then you will be willing to suffer for Him.
This is David Dowell saying, “Think about it!”
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Waiting Patiently?
God, through Paul, told the saints to patiently wait for Christ to come:
2 Thess 3:5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God,
and into the patient waiting for Christ.
God, through Paul, showed that the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ will be at the end .... in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ:
1 Cor 1:7-10 So that ye come behind in no gift;
waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end,
that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that ye all speak the same thing, (that would include the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, as well as Peter, James, John, and ALL the apostles of the Lord)
and that there be no divisions among you;
but that ye be perfectly joined together
in the same mind
and in the same judgment.
God, through James, taught the same truth .... thus, speaking the SAME thing:
James 5:7-8 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts:
for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
The coming of the Lord is not imminent. It could NOT happen ANY moment. There are events that must occur FIRST .... BEFORE the day of Christ.
2 Thess 2:1-4 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (when the abomination of desolation is set up - Dan 11:31, 12:11; Matt 24:15; Mark 13:14):
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
Whatever generation (Matt 24:34, Luke 21:31-32) sees the beginning of sorrows (Matt 24:8) .... will see the coming of the Lord and the end of the world (Matt 24:3). It will be a horrific time on the earth (Matt 24:21) .... but saints will know when their redemption is near:
Luke 21:25-28 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
God, through Paul, encouraged the saints to patiently wait for the redemption of our body at the coming of the Lord:
Rom 8:22-25 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit (also see 1 Cor 15:20-24), even we ourselves groan within ourselves,
waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
If you are alive during ‘that generation’ .... will you wait patiently for the coming of the Lord?
This is David Dowell saying, “Think about it!”
2 Thess 3:5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God,
and into the patient waiting for Christ.
God, through Paul, showed that the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ will be at the end .... in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ:
1 Cor 1:7-10 So that ye come behind in no gift;
waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end,
that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that ye all speak the same thing, (that would include the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, as well as Peter, James, John, and ALL the apostles of the Lord)
and that there be no divisions among you;
but that ye be perfectly joined together
in the same mind
and in the same judgment.
God, through James, taught the same truth .... thus, speaking the SAME thing:
James 5:7-8 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts:
for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
The coming of the Lord is not imminent. It could NOT happen ANY moment. There are events that must occur FIRST .... BEFORE the day of Christ.
2 Thess 2:1-4 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (when the abomination of desolation is set up - Dan 11:31, 12:11; Matt 24:15; Mark 13:14):
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
Whatever generation (Matt 24:34, Luke 21:31-32) sees the beginning of sorrows (Matt 24:8) .... will see the coming of the Lord and the end of the world (Matt 24:3). It will be a horrific time on the earth (Matt 24:21) .... but saints will know when their redemption is near:
Luke 21:25-28 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
God, through Paul, encouraged the saints to patiently wait for the redemption of our body at the coming of the Lord:
Rom 8:22-25 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit (also see 1 Cor 15:20-24), even we ourselves groan within ourselves,
waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
If you are alive during ‘that generation’ .... will you wait patiently for the coming of the Lord?
This is David Dowell saying, “Think about it!”
Sunday, January 16, 2011
No More Sacrifice?
Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ say that Heb 10:26 is a different salvation program than we have today under grace. Since the verse is in Hebrews, they completely exclude it from anything to do with us. I completely DISAGREE.
Here is my current understanding of that verse, in the context of Hebrews chapter 10.
Sacrifices under the OLD testament could never cleanse the conscience of sins and had to be repeated:
Heb 10:1-4 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.
4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
In contrast to the OLD testament, Christ was the sacrifice Himself for the NEW testament:
Heb 10:5-10 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God.
He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
10 By the which (the 2nd, or NEW, testament) will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
To recap, under the OLD covenant, sacrifices had to be repeated, and could never cleanse ....
but under the NEW, Jesus made 1 sacrifice, never to be repeated, that DID cleanse from sins:
Heb 10:11-14 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
God’s Spirit testified in the writings of the NEW covenant:
Heb 10:15-17 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us:
God’s Spirit had also prophesied long ago of the NEW (then future) covenant, when Israel was still living under the OLD:
for after that he had said before,
16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
Verse 18 is similar to verse 26 .... under the NEW testament .... in Christ’s blood .... there is no more offering for sin .... there is no more sacrifice for sin:
Heb 10:18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
Because of Christ’s one blood-sacrifice .... man may now approach God in a ‘new’ way .... directly:
Heb 10:19-21 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
The brethren are encouraged on how to persevere through the last days of great tribulation and persecution, when the physical lives of believers will be threatened, when the time of Christ’s appearing is getting close:
Heb 10:22-25 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (what day? the day of Christ's appearing)
Jesus made one sacrifice for sins. It was sufficient. He will make no more.
If anyone ‘falls away’ or ‘draws back’ from it .... that is all there is or will be .... there is nothing else left for them but God’s judgment and wrath:
Heb 10:26-31 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Jesus told His disciples not to fear man, but to fear God .... which is the beginning of wisdom (Psa 111:10, Prov 9:10) and knowledge (Prov 1:7):
Matt 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Heb 10:26-31 repeated the same principle written earlier in:
Heb 6:4-6 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
Heb 10:26-31 and Heb 6:4-6 are talking about the falling away .... before the day of Christ comes .... that Paul also prophesied about:
2 Thess 2:1-4 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means (also Matt 24:4): for that day (what day? the day of Christ) shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
God’s Spirit, through Paul, specifically identified the time as being near the end when some fall away:
1 Tim 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
The falling away was also taught by Jesus in the parable of the sower and the seed:
Luke 8:13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
When will the time of temptation be? I believe it will be at the end time, during great tribulation, when the man of sin/son of perdition makes war with the saints (Dan 7:21, Rev 13:7) .... and kills them (John 16:2) .... as anyone who will not worship the image of the beast or receive his mark in their right hand or forehead (Rev 13:15-18) will be killed:
Rev 3:10-11 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Maybe they will watch the executions (Rev 20:4) to be persuaded. Maybe they will be allowed 10 days to recant, to deny the Lord Jesus (Matt 10:33, 2 Tim 2:12), to save their physical life in this world (John 12:25) only to lose it eternally as they experience the wrath of God poured out without mixture (Rev 14:9-12):
Rev 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Faithful saints encourage others who see them, to also be strong in the Lord:
2 Thess 1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: (also keep reading through 2 Thess 1:5-10)
Paul’s writings prepared saints to stand in the evil day (Amos 6:3):
Eph 6:10-13 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Saints will need to be focused on persevering through all the hardships, and enduring to the end (Mark 13:12-13), and waiting patiently for Christ’s appearing (2 Thess 3:5, James 5:7-8), and keeping the faith so they will receive a crown of righteousness (2 Tim 4:7-8):
Heb 10:32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
.... when ‘mockers’ (Jude 1:17-24) and ‘scoffers’ (2 Pet 3:3-4) stare and discredit them:
Heb 10:33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions;
.... when they help other saints in need (Matt 25:35-40, James 2:14-18), maybe because they can’t buy or sell:
and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.
Paul encouraged the saints in the same way:
Rom 12:12-15 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Gal 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Saints will lose their earthly possessions (Phil 3:8; Matt 6:31-34; Luke 12:15,22-23; James 5:6):
Heb 10:34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
Saints will receive the promise of eternal inheritance (Heb 9:15), even as Paul, like the other prophets before him said .... suffering followed by glory:
Rom 8:17-18 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him (also 2 Tim 2:12), that we may be also glorified together.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
It is absolutely necessary that one follow through to the end:
Heb 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. (also 1 Cor 15:58, Luke 14:14, Heb 11:26)
The faithful will be rewarded .... but quitters will lose:
Gal 6:7-9 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption;
but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
You are not singled-out for persecution. It will be world-wide against the saints of the most High God .... as they are worn out for 3-1/2 years (Dan 7:25):
1 Pet 5:8-10 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
When you’re tempted to give up .... take courage from those who went before:
Matt 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Saints will need to be both diligent and wise, and not be deceived:
2 John 1:7-8 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. (also Col 2:18)
Col 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
Every thing and every one will have to be checked out. Many will be offended and betray one another (Matt 24:13) .... but hang on till Christ comes:
1 Thess 5:21-23 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
.... and keep hanging on:
Heb 10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. (also Heb 6:12, James 5:10-11)
It will pay off in the end .... and not until then:
Rom 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
God tested Abraham’s faith with the issue of physical death (Heb 11:17-19).
CAN you do this? DO you do this? WOULD you do this?
James 1:2-3 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
These qualities of life go hand-in-hand:
Rom 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also:
knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
This is where ‘the rubber meets the road’. What would YOU do?
Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints:
here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
‘Waiting on the Lord’ will take on a sense of urgency in the end times. How often do you think of it?
Heb 10:37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
Rev 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Rom 16:20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Physical life and eternal death .... or physical death and eternal life ....
which would YOU choose?
Heb 10:38-39 Now the just shall live by faith (Hab 2:4, Rom 1:17, Gal 3:11):
but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition;
but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
Can someone change their mind?
I know I won’t .... what about YOU?
It will be helpful to fasten your eyes on the prize at the END of the race .... as both PAUL and PETER taught:
Rom 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.
1 Peter 1:3-9 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
By inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Peter wrote that Paul wrote ‘of these things’ (in the context of 2 Peter chapter 3.
‘These things’ are
*the coming of the Lord,
*the day of the Lord,
*the day of God,
*when the heavens will be on fire,
*when the earth will be burned up,
*when there are new heavens and a new earth).
Paul wrote ‘of these things’ in every one of his epistles, thus, you can read ‘all his epistles’ and see them:
2 Peter 3:15-16 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
Many people who claim to be saved are totally unprepared for the last days ahead:
2 Pet 3:17-18 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
My advice is to study your Bible and get ready .... either way (Phil 1:21)! Be prepared, rather than stick your head in the sand by believing in a ‘pre-tribulation rapture of Paul’s converts!
Rom 14:8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord;
and whether we die, we die unto the Lord:
whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
We know what Jesus did .... what would YOU do?
John 15:13-15 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (also John 3:36, Rom 5:8)
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
Would you lay down your life for Him?
Luke 12:4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
This is David Dowell saying, “Think about it!”
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ say that Heb 10:26 is a different salvation program than we have today under grace. Since the verse is in Hebrews, they completely exclude it from anything to do with us. I completely DISAGREE.
Here is my current understanding of that verse, in the context of Hebrews chapter 10.
Sacrifices under the OLD testament could never cleanse the conscience of sins and had to be repeated:
Heb 10:1-4 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.
4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
In contrast to the OLD testament, Christ was the sacrifice Himself for the NEW testament:
Heb 10:5-10 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God.
He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
10 By the which (the 2nd, or NEW, testament) will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
To recap, under the OLD covenant, sacrifices had to be repeated, and could never cleanse ....
but under the NEW, Jesus made 1 sacrifice, never to be repeated, that DID cleanse from sins:
Heb 10:11-14 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
God’s Spirit testified in the writings of the NEW covenant:
Heb 10:15-17 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us:
God’s Spirit had also prophesied long ago of the NEW (then future) covenant, when Israel was still living under the OLD:
for after that he had said before,
16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
Verse 18 is similar to verse 26 .... under the NEW testament .... in Christ’s blood .... there is no more offering for sin .... there is no more sacrifice for sin:
Heb 10:18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
Because of Christ’s one blood-sacrifice .... man may now approach God in a ‘new’ way .... directly:
Heb 10:19-21 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
The brethren are encouraged on how to persevere through the last days of great tribulation and persecution, when the physical lives of believers will be threatened, when the time of Christ’s appearing is getting close:
Heb 10:22-25 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (what day? the day of Christ's appearing)
Jesus made one sacrifice for sins. It was sufficient. He will make no more.
If anyone ‘falls away’ or ‘draws back’ from it .... that is all there is or will be .... there is nothing else left for them but God’s judgment and wrath:
Heb 10:26-31 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Jesus told His disciples not to fear man, but to fear God .... which is the beginning of wisdom (Psa 111:10, Prov 9:10) and knowledge (Prov 1:7):
Matt 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Heb 10:26-31 repeated the same principle written earlier in:
Heb 6:4-6 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
Heb 10:26-31 and Heb 6:4-6 are talking about the falling away .... before the day of Christ comes .... that Paul also prophesied about:
2 Thess 2:1-4 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means (also Matt 24:4): for that day (what day? the day of Christ) shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
God’s Spirit, through Paul, specifically identified the time as being near the end when some fall away:
1 Tim 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
The falling away was also taught by Jesus in the parable of the sower and the seed:
Luke 8:13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
When will the time of temptation be? I believe it will be at the end time, during great tribulation, when the man of sin/son of perdition makes war with the saints (Dan 7:21, Rev 13:7) .... and kills them (John 16:2) .... as anyone who will not worship the image of the beast or receive his mark in their right hand or forehead (Rev 13:15-18) will be killed:
Rev 3:10-11 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Maybe they will watch the executions (Rev 20:4) to be persuaded. Maybe they will be allowed 10 days to recant, to deny the Lord Jesus (Matt 10:33, 2 Tim 2:12), to save their physical life in this world (John 12:25) only to lose it eternally as they experience the wrath of God poured out without mixture (Rev 14:9-12):
Rev 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Faithful saints encourage others who see them, to also be strong in the Lord:
2 Thess 1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: (also keep reading through 2 Thess 1:5-10)
Paul’s writings prepared saints to stand in the evil day (Amos 6:3):
Eph 6:10-13 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Saints will need to be focused on persevering through all the hardships, and enduring to the end (Mark 13:12-13), and waiting patiently for Christ’s appearing (2 Thess 3:5, James 5:7-8), and keeping the faith so they will receive a crown of righteousness (2 Tim 4:7-8):
Heb 10:32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
.... when ‘mockers’ (Jude 1:17-24) and ‘scoffers’ (2 Pet 3:3-4) stare and discredit them:
Heb 10:33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions;
.... when they help other saints in need (Matt 25:35-40, James 2:14-18), maybe because they can’t buy or sell:
and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.
Paul encouraged the saints in the same way:
Rom 12:12-15 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Gal 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Saints will lose their earthly possessions (Phil 3:8; Matt 6:31-34; Luke 12:15,22-23; James 5:6):
Heb 10:34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
Saints will receive the promise of eternal inheritance (Heb 9:15), even as Paul, like the other prophets before him said .... suffering followed by glory:
Rom 8:17-18 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him (also 2 Tim 2:12), that we may be also glorified together.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
It is absolutely necessary that one follow through to the end:
Heb 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. (also 1 Cor 15:58, Luke 14:14, Heb 11:26)
The faithful will be rewarded .... but quitters will lose:
Gal 6:7-9 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption;
but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
You are not singled-out for persecution. It will be world-wide against the saints of the most High God .... as they are worn out for 3-1/2 years (Dan 7:25):
1 Pet 5:8-10 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
When you’re tempted to give up .... take courage from those who went before:
Matt 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Saints will need to be both diligent and wise, and not be deceived:
2 John 1:7-8 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. (also Col 2:18)
Col 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
Every thing and every one will have to be checked out. Many will be offended and betray one another (Matt 24:13) .... but hang on till Christ comes:
1 Thess 5:21-23 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
.... and keep hanging on:
Heb 10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. (also Heb 6:12, James 5:10-11)
It will pay off in the end .... and not until then:
Rom 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
God tested Abraham’s faith with the issue of physical death (Heb 11:17-19).
CAN you do this? DO you do this? WOULD you do this?
James 1:2-3 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
These qualities of life go hand-in-hand:
Rom 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also:
knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
This is where ‘the rubber meets the road’. What would YOU do?
Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints:
here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
‘Waiting on the Lord’ will take on a sense of urgency in the end times. How often do you think of it?
Heb 10:37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
Rev 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Rom 16:20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Physical life and eternal death .... or physical death and eternal life ....
which would YOU choose?
Heb 10:38-39 Now the just shall live by faith (Hab 2:4, Rom 1:17, Gal 3:11):
but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition;
but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
Can someone change their mind?
I know I won’t .... what about YOU?
It will be helpful to fasten your eyes on the prize at the END of the race .... as both PAUL and PETER taught:
Rom 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.
1 Peter 1:3-9 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
By inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Peter wrote that Paul wrote ‘of these things’ (in the context of 2 Peter chapter 3.
‘These things’ are
*the coming of the Lord,
*the day of the Lord,
*the day of God,
*when the heavens will be on fire,
*when the earth will be burned up,
*when there are new heavens and a new earth).
Paul wrote ‘of these things’ in every one of his epistles, thus, you can read ‘all his epistles’ and see them:
2 Peter 3:15-16 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
Many people who claim to be saved are totally unprepared for the last days ahead:
2 Pet 3:17-18 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
My advice is to study your Bible and get ready .... either way (Phil 1:21)! Be prepared, rather than stick your head in the sand by believing in a ‘pre-tribulation rapture of Paul’s converts!
Rom 14:8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord;
and whether we die, we die unto the Lord:
whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
We know what Jesus did .... what would YOU do?
John 15:13-15 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (also John 3:36, Rom 5:8)
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
Would you lay down your life for Him?
Luke 12:4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
This is David Dowell saying, “Think about it!”
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Who Has the Spirit of Christ?
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ are supportive of the truth that God’s Spirit dwells in us, since PAUL penned it:
Rom 8:8-9 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.
Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ will even agree that we have the Spirit of Christ, since PAUL wrote it, too:
Gal 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
However, ‘mid-Acts-ers’ are dismissive of the fact that the Spirit of Christ was in Israel’s prophets of the OLD testament. PETER wrote that, and ‘mid-Acts-ers’ divide it away. Do they think this is a DIFFERENT Spirit of Christ than the Spirit of Christ that Paul wrote of?
1 Peter 1:10-11 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ will admit that God gave us the Holy Spirit, since PAUL’s epistle says it:
1 Thess 4:8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit. (also 2 Cor 5:5)
But ‘mid-Acts-ers’ don’t like, don’t want, and don’t take, the SAME promise of the gift of the Spirit in JOHN’s epistle:
1 John 3:24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
1 John 4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
PETER told the council of apostles and elders at Jerusalem that God gave the Holy Ghost to the Gentiles, the same as He did to the Jews:
Acts 15:7-9 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ are constantly dividing and contrasting, in the name of ‘rightly’ dividing .... but the truth is, they are ‘WRONGLY’ dividing.
This is David Dowell saying, "Think about it!"
Rom 8:8-9 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.
Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ will even agree that we have the Spirit of Christ, since PAUL wrote it, too:
Gal 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
However, ‘mid-Acts-ers’ are dismissive of the fact that the Spirit of Christ was in Israel’s prophets of the OLD testament. PETER wrote that, and ‘mid-Acts-ers’ divide it away. Do they think this is a DIFFERENT Spirit of Christ than the Spirit of Christ that Paul wrote of?
1 Peter 1:10-11 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ will admit that God gave us the Holy Spirit, since PAUL’s epistle says it:
1 Thess 4:8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit. (also 2 Cor 5:5)
But ‘mid-Acts-ers’ don’t like, don’t want, and don’t take, the SAME promise of the gift of the Spirit in JOHN’s epistle:
1 John 3:24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
1 John 4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
PETER told the council of apostles and elders at Jerusalem that God gave the Holy Ghost to the Gentiles, the same as He did to the Jews:
Acts 15:7-9 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ are constantly dividing and contrasting, in the name of ‘rightly’ dividing .... but the truth is, they are ‘WRONGLY’ dividing.
This is David Dowell saying, "Think about it!"
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Knowing Who ‘He’ Is
Many ‘mid-Acts-ers’ think 2 Thess 2:1 is about 2 different events, separated by ‘several more than 7 years’ of time. They describe ‘the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ’ as His 2nd coming to earth to establish a 1,000 year kingdom for the nation Israel .... and they believe ‘our gathering together unto Him’ is a ‘pre-tribulation rapture’ that occurs -- not AFTER (as is shown in the sequence of the verse) -- but way BEFORE Christ’s coming. They teach that a ‘pre-tribulation rapture’ will occur 7 years -- PLUS an unknown period of YEARS they call a ‘prophesied GAP’ covering the years of time for the events in Daniel chapter 11 to occur -- before the Lord’s return. You have to accept their paradigm first, in order to wrest a verse that way:
2 Thess 2:1-7 Now we beseech you, brethren,
by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and by our gathering together unto him,
Verse 2 presents a huge problem for them as it assigns the term "the day of Christ" to the events in verse 1, because of what follows in verse 3:
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
Verse 3 makes the day of Christ NOT be imminent. The day of Christ CANNOT come until 2 things happen FIRST: a falling away, and the man of sin be revealed:
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
Verse 4 tells us how he will be revealed. It is by the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet (Dan 11:31, 12:11) and prophesied by Jesus (Matt 24:15, Mark 13:14):
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ really go berserk with verse 6. Out of nowhere, they insert ‘the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ’ into verse 6 to teach that ‘the presence of us on the earth is what holds back the wrath of God from being poured out’:
6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
Then in verse 7, they continue their folly with the same scenario, saying that ‘he’ is ‘the body of Christ that must be raptured before the 70th week of Daniel can begin’:
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
Here is where we will start over, in order to see the pronoun ‘he’ in the context, flowing through the passage. We will even back up to chapter 1, where these same events are also found. Notice in the SAME sentence, that "when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven .... taking vengeance" is the SAME DAY (the day of Christ) "when He shall come to be glorified in His saints" .... "in THAT day":
2 Thess 1:7-10 And to you who are troubled rest with us,
when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God,
and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints,
and to be admired in all them that believe
(because our testimony among you was believed)
in that day.
We are on the subject of "that day" ....
"when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven" ....
"when He shall come" .... as we begin chapter 2:
2 Thess 2:1-12 Now we beseech you, brethren,
by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thess 1:7,10),
and by our gathering together unto him (2 Thess 1:10),
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ (when Christ appears / comes .... to take vengeance on His enemies and be glorified in His saints) is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means:
for that day (what day? the day of Christ .... when He appears / comes) shall not come,
except there come a falling away first (see 1 Tim 4:1, Luke 8:13, Heb 6:4-6),
and that man of sin be revealed (remember ‘who’ will be ‘revealed’), the son of perdition;
4 Who (that man of sin, the son of perdition) opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he (that man of sin, the son of perdition) as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he (that man of sin, the son of perdition) is God.
5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
6 And now ye know what withholdeth (withholdeth his true identity - that man of sin has been masquerading as a man of peace, but working deceitfully - Dan 11:23-24) that he (that man of sin, the son of perdition) might be revealed (when?) in his time. (what will reveal him? the abomination of desolation, when he proclaims himself to be God in the temple)
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work (see Matt 24:12, 13:41): only he (that man of sin, the son of perdition) who now letteth (this Greek word for ‘letteth’ is the same Greek word that was translated 'withholdeth' in verse 6) will let,
until he (that man of sin, the son of perdition) be taken out of the way. (how will he be taken out? the Lord will take him out!)
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed (this is who the entire passage has been talking about ‘being revealed’), whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: (see Rev 19:11-16)
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (see 2 Thess 1:8-9)
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ are defending a paradigm that will not hold up to what the verses say.
This is David Dowell saying, "Happy New Year and think about it!"
2 Thess 2:1-7 Now we beseech you, brethren,
by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and by our gathering together unto him,
Verse 2 presents a huge problem for them as it assigns the term "the day of Christ" to the events in verse 1, because of what follows in verse 3:
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
Verse 3 makes the day of Christ NOT be imminent. The day of Christ CANNOT come until 2 things happen FIRST: a falling away, and the man of sin be revealed:
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
Verse 4 tells us how he will be revealed. It is by the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet (Dan 11:31, 12:11) and prophesied by Jesus (Matt 24:15, Mark 13:14):
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ really go berserk with verse 6. Out of nowhere, they insert ‘the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ’ into verse 6 to teach that ‘the presence of us on the earth is what holds back the wrath of God from being poured out’:
6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
Then in verse 7, they continue their folly with the same scenario, saying that ‘he’ is ‘the body of Christ that must be raptured before the 70th week of Daniel can begin’:
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
Here is where we will start over, in order to see the pronoun ‘he’ in the context, flowing through the passage. We will even back up to chapter 1, where these same events are also found. Notice in the SAME sentence, that "when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven .... taking vengeance" is the SAME DAY (the day of Christ) "when He shall come to be glorified in His saints" .... "in THAT day":
2 Thess 1:7-10 And to you who are troubled rest with us,
when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God,
and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints,
and to be admired in all them that believe
(because our testimony among you was believed)
in that day.
We are on the subject of "that day" ....
"when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven" ....
"when He shall come" .... as we begin chapter 2:
2 Thess 2:1-12 Now we beseech you, brethren,
by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thess 1:7,10),
and by our gathering together unto him (2 Thess 1:10),
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ (when Christ appears / comes .... to take vengeance on His enemies and be glorified in His saints) is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means:
for that day (what day? the day of Christ .... when He appears / comes) shall not come,
except there come a falling away first (see 1 Tim 4:1, Luke 8:13, Heb 6:4-6),
and that man of sin be revealed (remember ‘who’ will be ‘revealed’), the son of perdition;
4 Who (that man of sin, the son of perdition) opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he (that man of sin, the son of perdition) as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he (that man of sin, the son of perdition) is God.
5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
6 And now ye know what withholdeth (withholdeth his true identity - that man of sin has been masquerading as a man of peace, but working deceitfully - Dan 11:23-24) that he (that man of sin, the son of perdition) might be revealed (when?) in his time. (what will reveal him? the abomination of desolation, when he proclaims himself to be God in the temple)
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work (see Matt 24:12, 13:41): only he (that man of sin, the son of perdition) who now letteth (this Greek word for ‘letteth’ is the same Greek word that was translated 'withholdeth' in verse 6) will let,
until he (that man of sin, the son of perdition) be taken out of the way. (how will he be taken out? the Lord will take him out!)
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed (this is who the entire passage has been talking about ‘being revealed’), whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: (see Rev 19:11-16)
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (see 2 Thess 1:8-9)
‘Mid-Acts-ers’ are defending a paradigm that will not hold up to what the verses say.
This is David Dowell saying, "Happy New Year and think about it!"
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