From 6/23/2009
Question:
Chapter 1 says God created plants before man, but chapter 2 says God created man before plants... Isn't this a contradiction?
Answers:
Chapter 1 is not to be taken literally. Its purpose is to say that God is creater than the gods of the time (God created the sun, animals, etc., debunking the notion that the sun is a god, etc.). Chapter 1 is not literally saying how existence came into being but just that God is greater. We must remember who the audience is. On the other hand, chapter 2 is to be taken more literally (so yes, God created man before plants).
Another answer is that neither the first creation account nor the second are supposed to be chronological accounts. They were each written to illustrate different big picture purposes (i.e. the first shows man as the pinnacle of God's creation, and the second illustrates how man was given authority and a woman). Since neither is chronological, they cannot contradict in chronology.
Another answer is that in the second creation account, the plants that are referred to are crops rather than plants in general. Gen 2:3 does specifically mention plants "of the field" and herbs "of the field" not existing before man. So plants in general existed, then man, then later, crops in the field.
January 29, 2011
Role Play
From NL Retreat 2008
Eph 4:3 -- Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace
Eph 4:13 -- until we all reach unity in the faith & knowledge of the Son of God
Eph 4:3 -- Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace
Eph 4:13 -- until we all reach unity in the faith & knowledge of the Son of God
A Gift Especially For You
From Women's Retreat 2/2008
SHAPE
S = spiritual gifts
H = heart
A = abilities
P = personality
E = experience
My ministry is determined by my SHAPE.
I HAVE BEEN / AM / WILL BE _______________ FOR MINISTRY!
- created (Eph. 2:10)
- saved (2 Tim 1:9)
- called (Gal 1:15, Eph 4:1)
- gifted (1 Peter 4:10)
- authorized (Matt 28:18-19, 2 Cor 5:20)
- commanded (Matt 20:28)
- equipped (Eph 4:11-13)
- needed (1 Cor 12:27, Matt 9:36-37)
- accountable (Rom 14:12, Matt 25:14-30)
- rewarded (Col 3:23-24, Matt 25:23)
SPIRITUAL GIFT
for the benefit of others, for maturity & harmony in church family
(1 Cor 12:7, Eph 4:11,13-14, 1 Pet 4:10, 1 Cor 12)
LISTS OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS
(1 Cor 12:8-10, 1 Cor 12:28, Rom 12:6-8, Eph 4:11, 1 Pet 4:9-10, Exodus 31:3, 1 Tim 2:1-2, Psalm 150:3-5)
TRUTHS ABOUT SPIRITUAL GIFTS
(1) Only believers have them (1 Cor 2:14)
(2) Every Christian has at least one (1 Cor 7:7)
(3) No one has all (1 Cor 12:27-30)
(4) No single gift is given to everyone (1 Cor 12:29-30)
(5) Can't earn a gift (Eph 4:7)
(6) Holy Spirit decides what gifts I get (1 Cor 12:11)
(7) Gifts I'm given are permanent (Rom 11:29)
(8) I'm to develop the gifts given me (1 Tim 4:14)
(9) It's a sin to waste the gifts given me (1 Cor 4:1-2, Matt 25:14-30)
(10) Using my gifts honors God and expands me (John 15:8)
CAUTIONS ABOUT SPIRITUAL GIFTS
(1) Don't confuse them w/ natural talents
(2) Don't confuse them w/ fruit of Spirit (Gal 5:22-23)
Fruits show MATURITY
Gifts show MINISTRY
(3) Don't confuse w/ Christian responsibilities
(4) Don't expect others to serve the way I do and have similar results (1 Cor 12:21)
(5) Gifts w/o love is worthless! (1 Cor 13:1-3)
PRIMARY MINISTRY - serving where I'm gifted
SECONDARY MINISTRY - serving where I'm needed (in the body)
SHAPE
S = spiritual gifts
H = heart
A = abilities
P = personality
E = experience
My ministry is determined by my SHAPE.
I HAVE BEEN / AM / WILL BE _______________ FOR MINISTRY!
- created (Eph. 2:10)
- saved (2 Tim 1:9)
- called (Gal 1:15, Eph 4:1)
- gifted (1 Peter 4:10)
- authorized (Matt 28:18-19, 2 Cor 5:20)
- commanded (Matt 20:28)
- equipped (Eph 4:11-13)
- needed (1 Cor 12:27, Matt 9:36-37)
- accountable (Rom 14:12, Matt 25:14-30)
- rewarded (Col 3:23-24, Matt 25:23)
SPIRITUAL GIFT
for the benefit of others, for maturity & harmony in church family
(1 Cor 12:7, Eph 4:11,13-14, 1 Pet 4:10, 1 Cor 12)
LISTS OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS
(1 Cor 12:8-10, 1 Cor 12:28, Rom 12:6-8, Eph 4:11, 1 Pet 4:9-10, Exodus 31:3, 1 Tim 2:1-2, Psalm 150:3-5)
TRUTHS ABOUT SPIRITUAL GIFTS
(1) Only believers have them (1 Cor 2:14)
(2) Every Christian has at least one (1 Cor 7:7)
(3) No one has all (1 Cor 12:27-30)
(4) No single gift is given to everyone (1 Cor 12:29-30)
(5) Can't earn a gift (Eph 4:7)
(6) Holy Spirit decides what gifts I get (1 Cor 12:11)
(7) Gifts I'm given are permanent (Rom 11:29)
(8) I'm to develop the gifts given me (1 Tim 4:14)
(9) It's a sin to waste the gifts given me (1 Cor 4:1-2, Matt 25:14-30)
(10) Using my gifts honors God and expands me (John 15:8)
CAUTIONS ABOUT SPIRITUAL GIFTS
(1) Don't confuse them w/ natural talents
(2) Don't confuse them w/ fruit of Spirit (Gal 5:22-23)
Fruits show MATURITY
Gifts show MINISTRY
(3) Don't confuse w/ Christian responsibilities
(4) Don't expect others to serve the way I do and have similar results (1 Cor 12:21)
(5) Gifts w/o love is worthless! (1 Cor 13:1-3)
PRIMARY MINISTRY - serving where I'm gifted
SECONDARY MINISTRY - serving where I'm needed (in the body)
Amazing Freedom
From Women of Faith Conference 2007
Sheila Walsh - like in Oz, 4 friends came together b/c they were open w/ each other; God doesn't want PR agents but for us to follow yellow brick road together; if being open, people walk away, let them walk
Anita Renfroe - don't be afraid to clap off beat, sing off key
Marilyn Meberg - to heal it, you have to feel it (pain); to fully experience God, have to fully experience life, including pain; don't close yourself off or get busy
Nicole Johnson - forgiveness never sets the betrayer right but allows the one who is betrayed free
Sheila Walsh - like in Oz, 4 friends came together b/c they were open w/ each other; God doesn't want PR agents but for us to follow yellow brick road together; if being open, people walk away, let them walk
Anita Renfroe - don't be afraid to clap off beat, sing off key
Marilyn Meberg - to heal it, you have to feel it (pain); to fully experience God, have to fully experience life, including pain; don't close yourself off or get busy
Nicole Johnson - forgiveness never sets the betrayer right but allows the one who is betrayed free
Consolation and Desolation
CONSOLATION: the felt presence of God; it reinforces our behaviors / spiritual disciplines
DESOLATION: the felt absence of God; God shows you where pieces of your heart really are; God wants to make my heart His home, but my vices etc. hinder this. So must purge-- bring it up and deal w/ it. God is NOT withdrawing, but taking you into new weaknesses. POWER IS PERFECTED IN WEAKNESS
Dark nights of the soul: How to know if I'm in dark times?
(1) can't stay focused in spiritual disciplines
(2) don't want to do spiritual disciplines
(3) the truth about #1 and #2 worries me
Temptation in dark nights:
(1) I'm doing something wrong i.e. I used to experience God back when I did it right
(2) I need to work harder to get back that feeling (it's really just a gift)
(3) I just end up doing spiritual disciplines less and less
What to do in dark nights:
(1) be open to the fact that maybe God wants to get your attention
(2) REMEBER THAT SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES HAVE CHANGED IN PURPOSE (not reinforcement/encouragement, but a mirror)
(3) resist temptation to fix ourselves to make prayer etc. work; not like we were doing it worse than before; we can't do it on our own
(4) resist temptation to generate spiritual experience; He's already there. Discern by faith, not feeling. Worship movement is romance. People hope to gain loving feelings. If it's there, cool. But if not, it's not ours to generate.
(5) avoid temptation to generate experiences for others (as a leader)
(6) be willing to go with the spirit for heart surgery
THE GIFT OF CONSOLATION:
to encourage us, to give us a taste of the presence of God even ahead of our character development in order to direct our heart to Him (prayer, word, fellowship, service), to reinforce these behaviors with zest
THE GIFT OF DESOLATION:
to mirror what is in the heart, to show what is going on inside (the hidden heart), to see ourselves as we are, so see parts of the heart that do not love Him, that do not enjoy prayer, etc
Good Parenting
From English Church Conference 2007 (Dr. John Coe)
Good parenting brings the kid out of hiding, brings the kid out of faking it (cover).
They believe they won't be loved in their badness. We need to love them when they are bad (like Christ does). You don't want them to think "Mommy loves me more when I'm good." or "I can't share this with Dady because he'll get angry."
Parents are okay to restrict and to say "Don't do it" but must also take them on a journey into their heart and explore the badness, so they'll say, "I don't want to cover/hide but I want to share it with Dad." We want them to feel that it was better to go to the depths with Dad than not at all. Psalm 139.
Example: "I noticed you were really angry with Dad." She poured out stuff for the next 5 minutes, angrily. It's cool she can share this with Dad. EXPLORE THEIR HEARTS (Lord search my heart). But you can't just ask them, "How are you feeling in your heart?" but must articulate it for them, then discipline (but not condemn). After the journey, then must lead the kid.
Good parenting brings the kid out of hiding, brings the kid out of faking it (cover).
They believe they won't be loved in their badness. We need to love them when they are bad (like Christ does). You don't want them to think "Mommy loves me more when I'm good." or "I can't share this with Dady because he'll get angry."
Parents are okay to restrict and to say "Don't do it" but must also take them on a journey into their heart and explore the badness, so they'll say, "I don't want to cover/hide but I want to share it with Dad." We want them to feel that it was better to go to the depths with Dad than not at all. Psalm 139.
Example: "I noticed you were really angry with Dad." She poured out stuff for the next 5 minutes, angrily. It's cool she can share this with Dad. EXPLORE THEIR HEARTS (Lord search my heart). But you can't just ask them, "How are you feeling in your heart?" but must articulate it for them, then discipline (but not condemn). After the journey, then must lead the kid.
Moral Temptation and Moralism
From English Church Conference 2007 (Dr. John Coe)
MORAL TEMPTATION - to use Christian works/effort to overcome guilt/shame/failure
MORALISM - to deal with guilt/shame by human effort
1st human response to sin = cover self (fig leaves); God came, but Adam/Eve hid
Inherited corruption --> shame --> cover
Inherited guilt --> fear --> hide
Being moral is the best cover; covering/hiding are habits of the heart
- You're a moralist if, whenever convicted of sin, you say, "I'll work on it. I'll do better." This is as opposed to "I can't do it. That's why I need Christ."
- I am not the vine; i.e. I cannot do it on my own. "Apart from me, you can do nothing."
MORAL TEMPTATION - to use Christian works/effort to overcome guilt/shame/failure
MORALISM - to deal with guilt/shame by human effort
1st human response to sin = cover self (fig leaves); God came, but Adam/Eve hid
Inherited corruption --> shame --> cover
Inherited guilt --> fear --> hide
Being moral is the best cover; covering/hiding are habits of the heart
- You're a moralist if, whenever convicted of sin, you say, "I'll work on it. I'll do better." This is as opposed to "I can't do it. That's why I need Christ."
- I am not the vine; i.e. I cannot do it on my own. "Apart from me, you can do nothing."
Importance of Understanding Cultural Context
From NL Retreat 2007 (Dale/Jonalyn Fincher)
It is important to understand your cultural context
- makes your testimony more effective
- builds credibility, trust
- not an ignorant Christian
Examples:
- Daniel 1:3-20: Daniel gained respect of others and that provided basis for influence
- Acts 17:16-31: Paul knew secular culture and had their respect/audience
It is important to understand your cultural context
- makes your testimony more effective
- builds credibility, trust
- not an ignorant Christian
Examples:
- Daniel 1:3-20: Daniel gained respect of others and that provided basis for influence
- Acts 17:16-31: Paul knew secular culture and had their respect/audience
Theology Leads to Doxology
From 2/15/2008
Theology matters because theology inspires worship. (D. Low)
All theology leads to doxology (worship). (K. Lai)
Theology matters because theology inspires worship. (D. Low)
All theology leads to doxology (worship). (K. Lai)
Faith and Works
From 2007 (K. Lai)
James 2:14-26 is NOT about "faith" vs. "works." Rather, it's about "faith without works" vs. "faith with works."
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
James 2:14-26 is NOT about "faith" vs. "works." Rather, it's about "faith without works" vs. "faith with works."
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
Cocooning
From 4/20/2007 (D. Lau)
Tax collectors (Luke 19, "worst of sinners")
Stereotype: the sinners
Normal reaction: judgment
Jesus' reaction: befriends them
Modern day examples: homosexual community
Sick (Mark 1)
Stereotype: unclean, outcasts, untouchable
Normal reaction: avoided
Jesus' reaction: touched and healed them
Modern day examples: homeless, AIDS, mentally ill
Children (Matt 19:13-15)
Stereotype: insignificant
Normal reaction: dismissed, rebuked
Jesus' reaction: "do not hinder them"; welcomed them
Modern day examples: young, elderly
Normal reaction: dismissed, rebuked
Jesus' reaction: "do not hinder them"; welcomed them
Modern day examples: young, elderly
Samaritans (John 4; half-breeds due to captivity of Northern Kingdom and 1/2 Jew)
Stereotype: traitorsNormal reaction: avoided
Jesus' reaction: interacted with
Modern day examples: other religions, ethnicities
Jesus invites himself over!
Cycle of Eternal Life
John 17:3 "Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."
January 28, 2011
To Be Mastered
From 10/12/2008
Piper: Not to master many things but to be mastered by a few great things
Piper: Not to master many things but to be mastered by a few great things
Retributive vs. Distributive Justice
From 2/3/2008
RETRIBUTIVE justice -- punishment for crime
DISTRIBUTIVE justice -- equality of wealth
RETRIBUTIVE justice -- punishment for crime
DISTRIBUTIVE justice -- equality of wealth
3 Kinds of Righteousness
From 9/22-23/2007
(1) natural (which is like filthy rags to Him)
(2) imputed (credited to us)
gospel is double imputation in that Jesus took our sin, we were granted his righteousness
(3) imparted (conforming to Jesus)
(1) natural (which is like filthy rags to Him)
(2) imputed (credited to us)
gospel is double imputation in that Jesus took our sin, we were granted his righteousness
(3) imparted (conforming to Jesus)
Notes From Expect More NL Retreat
From 9/2006 Pastor Jason Kim
- Buddhists may have more faith, devotion but it's not how much faith you have, but IN WHOM. Matt 17:20 says that faith of a mustard seed can move mountains. He can take what little we have and multiply. If you keep it yourself, it'll stay what little it is.
- John 6:1-21 Feeding of 5k (the only miracle other than resurrection found in all 4 gospels)
- HEAVEN: the first two change at the 2nd Coming
(1) 1st heaven - Isaiah 55:9 atmospheric heaven
(2) 2nd heaven - Gen 1 planetary heaven
(3) 3rd heaven - 2 Cor 12:2 divine heaven
- Lord vs LORD
Lord = Adonai (the sovereign one, the king of kings)
LORD = Yahweh (God's essential nature)
= Jehovah (German spelling of Yahweh since Y=J in German)
= Hebrew no punctuation so use repetition instead to emphasize like truly truly or holy holy holy
no vowels hence YHWH
- The trauma of holiness / holy fright
It humiliates us, humbles us, breaks us
Peter says I am a sinner (after Jesus fills net w/ fish)
Isaiah says I'm a man w/ unclean lips
- Some code
- Buddhists may have more faith, devotion but it's not how much faith you have, but IN WHOM. Matt 17:20 says that faith of a mustard seed can move mountains. He can take what little we have and multiply. If you keep it yourself, it'll stay what little it is.
- John 6:1-21 Feeding of 5k (the only miracle other than resurrection found in all 4 gospels)
- HEAVEN: the first two change at the 2nd Coming
(1) 1st heaven - Isaiah 55:9 atmospheric heaven
(2) 2nd heaven - Gen 1 planetary heaven
(3) 3rd heaven - 2 Cor 12:2 divine heaven
- Lord vs LORD
Lord = Adonai (the sovereign one, the king of kings)
LORD = Yahweh (God's essential nature)
= Jehovah (German spelling of Yahweh since Y=J in German)
= Hebrew no punctuation so use repetition instead to emphasize like truly truly or holy holy holy
no vowels hence YHWH
- The trauma of holiness / holy fright
It humiliates us, humbles us, breaks us
Peter says I am a sinner (after Jesus fills net w/ fish)
Isaiah says I'm a man w/ unclean lips
- Some code
kevin.phileo(connie); /* love of loyalty, friendship */
kevin.agape(connie);
//kevin.eros(connie); /* commented out until marriage */
Relational Apologetics
From 9/24/2006 Dale Fincher
Love is the greatest apologetic we can offer to a loveless world.
3 "loves" pretend to be virtuous but actually hypocritical:
(1) POLITICALLY CORRECT LOVE-- love that tolerates.
Counter: How do you know (that we're all the same)?
Counter: Love doesn't exist because it's not matter?
Tolerance is disagreement with dignity.
(2) CODEPENDENT LOVE-- love that needs to be needed
"That person really needs me."
(3) APPROVAL LOVE-- love that requires
Prodigal son's brother
Following law for the law's sake
REAL LOVE is LOVE that God provides, unconditional love to will the good of another. Not only forgives (silver cutlery) but gives you extra blessings (silver candlesticks).
Love is the greatest apologetic we can offer to a loveless world.
3 "loves" pretend to be virtuous but actually hypocritical:
(1) POLITICALLY CORRECT LOVE-- love that tolerates.
Counter: How do you know (that we're all the same)?
Counter: Love doesn't exist because it's not matter?
Tolerance is disagreement with dignity.
(2) CODEPENDENT LOVE-- love that needs to be needed
"That person really needs me."
(3) APPROVAL LOVE-- love that requires
Prodigal son's brother
Following law for the law's sake
REAL LOVE is LOVE that God provides, unconditional love to will the good of another. Not only forgives (silver cutlery) but gives you extra blessings (silver candlesticks).
Being Liked / Disliked
From Summer 2006 (KL)
Your goal is to be faithful to Christ. If that means someone doesn't like you, so be it. If someone dislikes you, it better be because of Jesus, not just because you suck.
Your goal is to be faithful to Christ. If that means someone doesn't like you, so be it. If someone dislikes you, it better be because of Jesus, not just because you suck.
The Lord's Day
From 8/2006 Dr. Donald Whitney- It's about activity (not inactivity of Old Covenant Sabbath)
- Changed from Sat --> Sun (Jews changed it b/c God made it so clear via significant events like Resurrection, Pentecost, Great Commission, etc.
- Honor mother/father everyday, but then there's Mother's/Father's Day. Same with the Lord. Honor every day, but then there's the Lord's Day (more special honor).
- If your week never starts, your week never ends.
- Jesus is the cross. The Sabbath is the shadow. The Sabbath was the shadow that came first.
- Signs of the covenant: (1) Lord's Supper, (2) Baptism
- Purpose of the LAW is to show that we can't keep it, that we need a Savior.
There Is Only One Goal
From 8/2006 Dr. Donald Whitney
- He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to get what he cannot lost.
- Jesus didn't come to be first but to be the center.
- Basketball gets complicated (tirnagle offense etc.) but still one goal-- simply get ball in basket.
- Faith gets complicated but still one goal-- I love Jesus and this is why we do all that.
- Do things for KL because one day, Jesus will say thanks for the iced tea.
- He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to get what he cannot lost.
- Jesus didn't come to be first but to be the center.
- Basketball gets complicated (tirnagle offense etc.) but still one goal-- simply get ball in basket.
- Faith gets complicated but still one goal-- I love Jesus and this is why we do all that.
- Do things for KL because one day, Jesus will say thanks for the iced tea.
Son of Man
From 7/2006 Kevin's comments
"Son of Man"
(1) human being --> Psalm 8 used by David about himself
(2) Messiah --> used by Hebrews to describe Jesus because Jesus is a man LIKE David
"Honey"
(1) tasty sauce --> used by Winnie the Pooh
(2) Connie --> used by Kevin to describe Connie because she is sweet like honey
"Son of Man"
(1) human being --> Psalm 8 used by David about himself
(2) Messiah --> used by Hebrews to describe Jesus because Jesus is a man LIKE David
"Honey"
(1) tasty sauce --> used by Winnie the Pooh
(2) Connie --> used by Kevin to describe Connie because she is sweet like honey
Human Not Defined By Sin
From 7/2006 Walt Russell (Church Summer Conference)
Sin is not a defining element of a human (Adam, Jesus, us in future).
Sin is not a defining element of a human (Adam, Jesus, us in future).
Football Analogy
From 1/29/2006 Walt Russell (Spiritual Formation Conference)
22 people badly in need ot rest watched by
22k people badly in need of exercise
This is an analogy to church leaders & congregation
22 people badly in need ot rest watched by
22k people badly in need of exercise
This is an analogy to church leaders & congregation
The Gospel Plain and Simple
Describing the picture
Relationship
Separation
Good works
Fall short
Death
Bridge
Paid
Receive
How to receive Jesus
Admit
Believe
Confess
If they receive Jesus
Eternal life (God's presence)
Salvation (from sins)
Paid penalty
New creation
If they don't
That's OK
Anytime
Love That Surpasses Knowledge
From 7/13/2006 Church Summer Conference (More Love To Thee)
Walking RESOLUTELY with Jesus
- Luke 9:60 burier vs. bearer: Let the dead [spiritually] bury their own dead, but you do and proclaim the kingdom of God
- Don't look back
Gen 19:26 Lot's wife
Ex 16:3 Israel left Egypt, looked back
1 Kings 19:19 Elisha wants to say bye
Phil 3:7-14 forget what is behind, strain toward what's ahead
Walking in love
- Info overload --> learn to internalize what we already know
- Don't substitute thoughts about God for an experience w/ God
- You can know all about someone but not have a personal reln (celebs, God)
- He sends you flowers every spring, a sunrise every morning; everytime you want to talk, He listens; He could live anywhere in the universe yet chooese your heart
- Just as she takes joy in watching son play music, so Father is thrilled to watch me in every venue of my life.
EPHESIANS 3:17-19 Knowing love that surpasses knowledge: "I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power... to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge."
Ps. 42:1-2 "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God."
Psalm 63
Isaiah 49:14-16
Walking RESOLUTELY with Jesus
- Luke 9:60 burier vs. bearer: Let the dead [spiritually] bury their own dead, but you do and proclaim the kingdom of God
- Don't look back
Gen 19:26 Lot's wife
Ex 16:3 Israel left Egypt, looked back
1 Kings 19:19 Elisha wants to say bye
Phil 3:7-14 forget what is behind, strain toward what's ahead
Walking in love
- Info overload --> learn to internalize what we already know
- Don't substitute thoughts about God for an experience w/ God
- You can know all about someone but not have a personal reln (celebs, God)
- He sends you flowers every spring, a sunrise every morning; everytime you want to talk, He listens; He could live anywhere in the universe yet chooese your heart
- Just as she takes joy in watching son play music, so Father is thrilled to watch me in every venue of my life.
EPHESIANS 3:17-19 Knowing love that surpasses knowledge: "I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power... to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge."
Ps. 42:1-2 "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God."
Psalm 63
Isaiah 49:14-16
Isaac vs. Ismael
Abraham had Isaac and Ishmael
Isaac ==> blessed, supernatural by Rebekah (barren)
Ishmael ==> jacked, natural through Hagar
Isaac ==> blessed, supernatural by Rebekah (barren)
Ishmael ==> jacked, natural through Hagar
Differentiating the Gospels
From 7/13/2006
Matt, Mark, Luke ==> kingdom about to come
John ==> kingdom is now; emphasis on Holy Spirit
Some distinguishing verses:
Matt 5:17
I have not come to abolish them [the Law of the Prophets] but to fulfill them
Mark 10:45
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Luke 19:10
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost
John 20:31
these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name
Matt, Mark, Luke ==> kingdom about to come
John ==> kingdom is now; emphasis on Holy Spirit
Some distinguishing verses:
Matt 5:17
I have not come to abolish them [the Law of the Prophets] but to fulfill them
Mark 10:45
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Luke 19:10
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost
John 20:31
these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name
Notes on the Trinity
From 7/13/2006
Holy Spirit is the ressurrected Jesus
We see Jesus through Holy Spirit
We see god through Jesus
Titus 3:5-6 Trnity is mentioned
Holy Spirit is the ressurrected Jesus
We see Jesus through Holy Spirit
We see god through Jesus
Titus 3:5-6 Trnity is mentioned
70 AD
From 7/13/2006
70 AD --> Temple in Jerusalem destroyed linked w/ 2nd coming cuz
(1) rooting out bad Jews
(2) allowing gospel to be spread since persecution was coming from other Jews
Matt 10:5 when Jesus says this gen won't pass away before kingdom comes
70 AD --> Temple in Jerusalem destroyed linked w/ 2nd coming cuz
(1) rooting out bad Jews
(2) allowing gospel to be spread since persecution was coming from other Jews
Matt 10:5 when Jesus says this gen won't pass away before kingdom comes
The Kingdom of God... and Its Outsiders
Matthew 11:1-19
"We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge and you did not mourn..."
No matter what John or Jesus does, they will not believe
Matthew 12:22-45
Pharisees accused Jesus of driving out demons in Satan's name even though that argument is logically absurd. It's not that they don't understand but that they WILL NOT believe.
UNFORGIVEABLE SIN = UNBELIEF
Their hearts are prideful, evil. From those hearts, words of unbelief come.
This generation will be condemned compared w/ Ninevites (repented at sign of Jonah) and Queen of Sheba (accepted Solomon).
Matthew 13:1-19
- Jesus spoke in parables because He wanted those who were committed (disciplines asked what parables meant, not those who wanted a miracle worker / political revolutionary... they get bored and fall away)
- The condemned (by God's sovereignty)... "You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people's heart has become calloused..."
- Parable of the seeds... many will fall away, but true Christians have true commitment, are true disciplines.
"We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge and you did not mourn..."
No matter what John or Jesus does, they will not believe
Matthew 12:22-45
Pharisees accused Jesus of driving out demons in Satan's name even though that argument is logically absurd. It's not that they don't understand but that they WILL NOT believe.
UNFORGIVEABLE SIN = UNBELIEF
Their hearts are prideful, evil. From those hearts, words of unbelief come.
This generation will be condemned compared w/ Ninevites (repented at sign of Jonah) and Queen of Sheba (accepted Solomon).
Matthew 13:1-19
- Jesus spoke in parables because He wanted those who were committed (disciplines asked what parables meant, not those who wanted a miracle worker / political revolutionary... they get bored and fall away)
- The condemned (by God's sovereignty)... "You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people's heart has become calloused..."
- Parable of the seeds... many will fall away, but true Christians have true commitment, are true disciplines.
The Will of God (John 15:1-11)
From 3/12/2006
I. Know God, grow in Him, walk in Him
(1) Love the Word of God (READ BIBLE)
Man shall not live by bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4
(2) Communion with God (PRAY)
Note: Knowing God involves trials, pain, pruning... towards growth.
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him. Philippians1:29
II. Bear much fruit
- We are saved by God's grace, not works, but if no fruit, question the authenticity of one's faith
- Fruit can be saving souls, giving praise, but in this context it is Galatians 5:23... But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
I. Know God, grow in Him, walk in Him
(1) Love the Word of God (READ BIBLE)
Man shall not live by bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4
(2) Communion with God (PRAY)
Note: Knowing God involves trials, pain, pruning... towards growth.
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him. Philippians1:29
II. Bear much fruit
- We are saved by God's grace, not works, but if no fruit, question the authenticity of one's faith
- Fruit can be saving souls, giving praise, but in this context it is Galatians 5:23... But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
The Kingdom of God (Already Not Yet)
The image is supposed to show how we are in an age that overlaps "this age" and the "age to come." We are not "no longer" or "not yet" but "already."
JEWS
- believed New Heavens, New Earth, judgment at Messiah's coming but did not anticipate the first coming
- what they looked toward is actually the 2nd coming
- so the Kingdom of God has already come, albeit not fully, in the overlap (aka the church)
==> John & others: sinners repent, for God is coming!!
JESUS
- is the Messiah. Matthew 11:4-6 shows Jesus saying that miracles are happening that reveal characteristics of the Kingdom of God here & now (no sickness, death --> healing of blindness, lameness, resurrection)
- Kingdom of God is God dwelling among man-- happens in the person of Jesus and also in the CHURCH
- Kingdom of God renewal begins now, with new creations in humans (2 Cor 5:17) and @ 2nd coming, the new Heavens & Earth. WE are a glimpse of age to come
==> Jesus: did not deny God's coming judgment (2nd coming) but preaches God's love & grace in this overlap period. Rejoice!
January 22, 2011
1st & 2nd Death and Resurrection
1st DEATH: physical
1st RESURRECTION: 1000+ years where martyrs are resurrected; v5-6: "(The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection."
2nd RESURRECTION: non-martyr believers raised up; unbelievers thrown in Hell
2nd DEATH: death, Hades thrown to Hell
Reference: Rev 20, 1 Cor 15:26
Sadducees did not believe that resurrection of the dead is possible (no afterlife); this explains the argument below that if there's no resurrection then all we believe is in vain and we are fools for believing in this faith.
3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas,[b] and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
9 For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 11 Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.
20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For he “has put everything under his feet.”[c] Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.
29 Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? 30 And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? 31 I face death every day—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised,
“Let us eat and drink,
for tomorrow we die.”[d]
33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”[e] 34 Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.
42 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.
If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”[f]; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. 46 The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven. 48 As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we[g] bear the image of the heavenly man.
50 I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”[h]
55 “Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”[i]
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They[a] had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.
1st RESURRECTION: 1000+ years where martyrs are resurrected; v5-6: "(The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection."
2nd RESURRECTION: non-martyr believers raised up; unbelievers thrown in Hell
2nd DEATH: death, Hades thrown to Hell
Reference: Rev 20, 1 Cor 15:26
Sadducees did not believe that resurrection of the dead is possible (no afterlife); this explains the argument below that if there's no resurrection then all we believe is in vain and we are fools for believing in this faith.
1 Corinthians 15
The Resurrection of Christ
1 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas,[b] and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
9 For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 11 Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.
The Resurrection of the Dead
12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For he “has put everything under his feet.”[c] Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.
29 Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? 30 And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? 31 I face death every day—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised,
“Let us eat and drink,
for tomorrow we die.”[d]
33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”[e] 34 Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.
The Resurrection Body
35 But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?” 36 How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 37 When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. 38 But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body. 39 Not all flesh is the same: People have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another. 40 There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. 41 The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.42 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.
If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”[f]; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. 46 The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven. 48 As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we[g] bear the image of the heavenly man.
50 I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”[h]
55 “Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”[i]
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Revelation 20
The Thousand Years
1 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. 2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3 He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They[a] had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.
The Judgment of Satan
7 When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—and to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. 9 They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.The Judgment of the Dead
11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.Notes on Revelation (Rev 12)
THE WOMAN AND THE DRAGON
woman gives birth to sin; dragon wants to snatch it; angels hurled Satan to earth; dragon pursued woman but God helped save woman; woman represents Israel giving birth to Christ, and dragon is Satan (sweeping 1/3 stars = fallen angels)
BEAST OUT OF THE SEA
people worshipped it
BEAST OUT OF THE EARTH
performed signs, deceived people, forced them to carry the mark in order to buy/sell (666)
THE LAMB AND THE 144,000
sang song to the throne (martyrs, pure ones)
THE THREE ANGELS
(1) fear God and give him glory
(2) fallen is Babylon the great
(3) those with the beasts' mark will be tormented
THE HARVEST OF THE EARTH
reap the earth with sickles
SEVEN ANGELS WITH SEVEN PLAGUES (last plauges)
(given the) SEVEN BOWLS OF GOD'S WRATH
(1) sores on those w/ mark of the beast
(2) sea became blood; all in sea died
(3) rivers became blood; all in them died
(4) sun scorched people (who refused to repent)
(5) beast's world plunged into darkness
(6) river Euphrates died; 3 frogs went to gather kings of world to fight against God
(7) earthquake and hail
THE WOMAN ON THE BEAST
the great prostitute (Babylon) will be punished; the Beast "once was, now is not, but will come (to be destroyed)" (ch 17) vs. God (was, is, and is to come)
THE FALL OF BABYLON
city is fallen to sin; God calls his people out of it; kings. merchants, captains will mourn over city b/c it's ruined (the losing side)
HALLELUJAH!
the punishment is just; rejoice! (the winning side); wedding of Lamb has come!
THE RIDER ON THE WHITE HORSE
King of Kings and Lord of Lords; Battle of Armageddon; God won by a landslide
woman gives birth to sin; dragon wants to snatch it; angels hurled Satan to earth; dragon pursued woman but God helped save woman; woman represents Israel giving birth to Christ, and dragon is Satan (sweeping 1/3 stars = fallen angels)
BEAST OUT OF THE SEA
people worshipped it
BEAST OUT OF THE EARTH
performed signs, deceived people, forced them to carry the mark in order to buy/sell (666)
THE LAMB AND THE 144,000
sang song to the throne (martyrs, pure ones)
THE THREE ANGELS
(1) fear God and give him glory
(2) fallen is Babylon the great
(3) those with the beasts' mark will be tormented
THE HARVEST OF THE EARTH
reap the earth with sickles
SEVEN ANGELS WITH SEVEN PLAGUES (last plauges)
(given the) SEVEN BOWLS OF GOD'S WRATH
(1) sores on those w/ mark of the beast
(2) sea became blood; all in sea died
(3) rivers became blood; all in them died
(4) sun scorched people (who refused to repent)
(5) beast's world plunged into darkness
(6) river Euphrates died; 3 frogs went to gather kings of world to fight against God
(7) earthquake and hail
THE WOMAN ON THE BEAST
the great prostitute (Babylon) will be punished; the Beast "once was, now is not, but will come (to be destroyed)" (ch 17) vs. God (was, is, and is to come)
THE FALL OF BABYLON
city is fallen to sin; God calls his people out of it; kings. merchants, captains will mourn over city b/c it's ruined (the losing side)
HALLELUJAH!
the punishment is just; rejoice! (the winning side); wedding of Lamb has come!
THE RIDER ON THE WHITE HORSE
King of Kings and Lord of Lords; Battle of Armageddon; God won by a landslide
Notes on Revelation (Rev 1-11)
Write to 7 churches
(1) Ephesus: "You have forsaken your first love"
(2) Smyrna
(3) Pergamum
(4) Thyatira
(5) Sardis
(6) Philadelphia
(7) Laodicea: "You are lukewarm... I am about to spit you out of my mouth."
The THRONE in Heaven
- 24 elders
- 4 living creatures
- All of them WORSHIPPING Holy! Holy! Holy!
The LAMB is worthy to open the scroll (Lamb opened seals)
THE 7 SEALS (Lamb opened all 7)
(1) White horse rode to conquest (w/ rider)
(2) Fiery red horse to remove peace, make men slay each other (w/ rider)
(3) Black horse (w/ rider)
(4) Pale horse with rider Death, and Hades following, to kill 1/4 of earth
(5) Martyred souls addressed & told to wait
(6) Earthquake, sun, moon, stars, mountains ablaze, falling; everyone calls out to rocks to die rather than withstand God's wrath
(-) 144,000 sealed for God
(-) INTERLUDE
(7) 1/2 hour silence in Heaven
THE 7 TRUMPETS (7 angels sounded 7 trumpets)
(1) Hail & fire & blood (1/3 of earth burned, 1/3 trees burned)
(2) Mountain thrown into sea (turned to blood) (1/3 sea blood, 1/3 sea creatures died, 1/3 ships gone)
(3) Star fell in rivers (1/3 water bitter, star named Wormwood)
(4) 1/3 sun, 1/3 moon, 1/3 stars turned dark
(-) Woe! Woe! Woe!
(5) Star opened the Abyss (smoke rises & darkens sky) and scorpion-locusts tormen but not kill those w/o seals for 5 months; during those days men will seek death, but will not find it
(6) 4 angels returned to kill 1/3 of mankind (breathe fire/smoe/sulfur, tails of snakes)
(-) Great angel gives little scroll for John to eat
(-) INTERLUDE
(-) 2 witnesses to earth... terror & destruction
(7) Kingdom has come!
(1) Ephesus: "You have forsaken your first love"
(2) Smyrna
(3) Pergamum
(4) Thyatira
(5) Sardis
(6) Philadelphia
(7) Laodicea: "You are lukewarm... I am about to spit you out of my mouth."
The THRONE in Heaven
- 24 elders
- 4 living creatures
- All of them WORSHIPPING Holy! Holy! Holy!
The LAMB is worthy to open the scroll (Lamb opened seals)
THE 7 SEALS (Lamb opened all 7)
(1) White horse rode to conquest (w/ rider)
(2) Fiery red horse to remove peace, make men slay each other (w/ rider)
(3) Black horse (w/ rider)
(4) Pale horse with rider Death, and Hades following, to kill 1/4 of earth
(5) Martyred souls addressed & told to wait
(6) Earthquake, sun, moon, stars, mountains ablaze, falling; everyone calls out to rocks to die rather than withstand God's wrath
(-) 144,000 sealed for God
(-) INTERLUDE
(7) 1/2 hour silence in Heaven
THE 7 TRUMPETS (7 angels sounded 7 trumpets)
(1) Hail & fire & blood (1/3 of earth burned, 1/3 trees burned)
(2) Mountain thrown into sea (turned to blood) (1/3 sea blood, 1/3 sea creatures died, 1/3 ships gone)
(3) Star fell in rivers (1/3 water bitter, star named Wormwood)
(4) 1/3 sun, 1/3 moon, 1/3 stars turned dark
(-) Woe! Woe! Woe!
(5) Star opened the Abyss (smoke rises & darkens sky) and scorpion-locusts tormen but not kill those w/o seals for 5 months; during those days men will seek death, but will not find it
(6) 4 angels returned to kill 1/3 of mankind (breathe fire/smoe/sulfur, tails of snakes)
(-) Great angel gives little scroll for John to eat
(-) INTERLUDE
(-) 2 witnesses to earth... terror & destruction
(7) Kingdom has come!
January 21, 2011
The Climax of God's Wrath
From 11/20/2005
Rev 8:13 "As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in mid-air call out in a loud voice: Woe! Woe! Woe! to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!"
... is a foil to...
Rev 4:8 "Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."
THIS IS NOT HELL BROKEN LOOSE ON EARTH, BUT IT IS HEAVEN'S WRATH POURED OUT ON EARTH.
Rev 11:13 "... and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven." <== the only place in Bible that mentions conversion of wicked
Rev 11:17 "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the one who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign." <== no more "is to come"
Follows same pattern as that of seals:
- First four trumpets (8:2-13): Earthly destruction
- Next two trumpets (9:1-21): More cosmic destruction
- The second interlude (10:1-11:14)
- Seventh trumpet
Rev 8:13 "As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in mid-air call out in a loud voice: Woe! Woe! Woe! to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!"
... is a foil to...
Rev 4:8 "Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."
THIS IS NOT HELL BROKEN LOOSE ON EARTH, BUT IT IS HEAVEN'S WRATH POURED OUT ON EARTH.
Rev 11:13 "... and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven." <== the only place in Bible that mentions conversion of wicked
Rev 11:17 "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the one who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign." <== no more "is to come"
Follows same pattern as that of seals:
- First four trumpets (8:2-13): Earthly destruction
- Next two trumpets (9:1-21): More cosmic destruction
- The second interlude (10:1-11:14)
- Seventh trumpet
The Beginning of the End (Rev 6:1 - 8:1)
From 11/13/2005
Rev 6-16
- God's vindication of anger/wrath
- What must come to pass
- "Tribulation Period"
- "When will you show that you take sin seriously?"
- We'd rather die right away than suffe God's wrath (6:16-17)
3 Groups of 7: judgment on earth and on universe during 7 years
- seals
- trumpets
- bowls
SEALS
- Seals 1-4: Death/desctruction on earth (6:1-8)
- Seals 5-6: Heaven's Q / Earth's A (6:9-17)
- First Interlude: Saints on Earth and Heaven (7:1-17)
- Seal 7: Silence in Heaven (8:1)
GOSPEL - not just good news in the salvation of righteous but also in the judgment of wicked
Rev 6-16
- God's vindication of anger/wrath
- What must come to pass
- "Tribulation Period"
- "When will you show that you take sin seriously?"
- We'd rather die right away than suffe God's wrath (6:16-17)
3 Groups of 7: judgment on earth and on universe during 7 years
- seals
- trumpets
- bowls
SEALS
- Seals 1-4: Death/desctruction on earth (6:1-8)
- Seals 5-6: Heaven's Q / Earth's A (6:9-17)
- First Interlude: Saints on Earth and Heaven (7:1-17)
- Seal 7: Silence in Heaven (8:1)
GOSPEL - not just good news in the salvation of righteous but also in the judgment of wicked
Hot, Cold, or Lukewarm
From 10/30/2005
Revelation 3:15-16 "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I am about to spew you out of my mouth."
An interpretation I've not heard before is that to be COLD is a good thing-- this is, to be HOT is to be PASSIONATE whereas to be COLD is to be REFRESHING in one's faith.
Revelation 3:15-16 "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I am about to spew you out of my mouth."
An interpretation I've not heard before is that to be COLD is a good thing-- this is, to be HOT is to be PASSIONATE whereas to be COLD is to be REFRESHING in one's faith.
Living As Citizens of Heaven
From 7/24/2005
Jesus longs for us to be with Him in Heaven so we can see His glory: "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world." (John 17:24)
HE CAME IN HUMILITY
==> HE WILL COME IN FULL GLORY
He came on a donkey
==> He will rise a white horse
He wore sandals and went barefoot
==> His feet will be polished bronze
He wore a tattered robe
==> He will have white linen
He wore a crown of thorns
==> He will wear a crown of diadems (jewels)
He was mockingly called "King of the Jews"
==> He will be called the "King of Kings" and "Lord of Lords"
He had eyes of sorrow
==> His eyes will be piercing, as if one is looking into the sun
He was silent before His accusers
==> He will have a voice like the sound of thunder
Few bowed to Him on Earth
==> Every knee will bow and every tongue shall confess
He told Peter to put away his sword
==> He shall hold the sword of judgment
Forgiveness
==> Judgment
Meekness = strength under control, restraining of fleshly passions
Jesus longs for us to be with Him in Heaven so we can see His glory: "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world." (John 17:24)
HE CAME IN HUMILITY
==> HE WILL COME IN FULL GLORY
He came on a donkey
==> He will rise a white horse
He wore sandals and went barefoot
==> His feet will be polished bronze
He wore a tattered robe
==> He will have white linen
He wore a crown of thorns
==> He will wear a crown of diadems (jewels)
He was mockingly called "King of the Jews"
==> He will be called the "King of Kings" and "Lord of Lords"
He had eyes of sorrow
==> His eyes will be piercing, as if one is looking into the sun
He was silent before His accusers
==> He will have a voice like the sound of thunder
Few bowed to Him on Earth
==> Every knee will bow and every tongue shall confess
He told Peter to put away his sword
==> He shall hold the sword of judgment
Forgiveness
==> Judgment
Meekness = strength under control, restraining of fleshly passions
January 20, 2011
The Rapture: When the Church Goes Home (How Life Ends)
From 7/16/2005
- God first had attention for Israel but now it's on the Gentiles in a time where the church is to spread the gospel. But one day God will turn attention back to Israel (Rom 11:25)
- Illustration/analogy of the above seen in Ezekiel 37:1-14. Dry bones represent Israel (v11). The Lord gave them fleshly existence at first (v4-8) then takes the spirit from the winds, representing the gospel's spreading, calls it back home to the bones (v9-10,14).
- So when we hear of death = "going to sleep", it's not losing consciousness (because we are with the Lord!) but it's our bodies going to sleep until that day when God will take those bodies up as seed for the heavenly bodies (1 Cor 15:35-44,51-53, Ezekiel 37:11-14). When it says in 1 Cor 15:51 "we will not all sleep" it's because some will be living when Jesus comes back.
- Communion isn't just looking back but looking forward to that day. Unleavened bread represents sinless body.
- In Leviticus 23, we have six feasts. The first three have been fulfilled in Christ (The Passover & Unleavened Bread (v4-8), the First Fruits (v9-14), the Feast of Weeks (v15-22). Those are through crucifixion, ??, and Pentecost/acsension. Then come the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles. I don't quite get it but think it's cool that here's another OT prophecy being fulfilled in NT and beyond.
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