We will not take the time to talk further about the four keys to interpreting Revelation; I invite you to listen to the first lesson on Revelation, on our website or YouTube page. Let’s get into the study itself…

THE BEAST ARISING OUT OF THE SEA – 13:1-10:

What if…” The federal government decided under the auspices of “civil rights” to require doctors and nurses to perform gender reassignment surgery (or feminizing hormone therapy or abortion) or assist in them, or at least sign a statement saying they would if the hospital administration required them to. Imagine… That the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department wrote a letter to our local hospitals (Hurley, McLaren, and Genesys) and informed them if that they did not require all their doctors and nurses on staff to sign a statement to that effect, the federal government would cut off all Medicare and Medicaid funds to that hospital? What would our Christian doctors and nurses do? What if…?

Who is this beast that John sees coming up out of the abyss?

Notice that this beast looks very similar to the devil himself from 12:3 – seven heads and ten horns. Since these horns have diadems, we except them to refer to some kind of civil authority. In other words, this beast symbolizes the state, the government. But not a government as Paul writes in 1 Timothy 2:1-2 that exists to make sure Christians can live a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. Rather, this is the type of government, like the one Daniel lived under, which wants to persecute the people of God. In John’s case, we’re talking about Christians.

Satan’s “kingdom” is also as universal as Christ’s kingdom – he has authority over every tribe, people, and tongue and nation. There is no nation on earth that is more godly than the United States of America – as wicked as we are becoming. There is no nation where Christians will escape persecution by Satan and his beasts. Notice in verse 8: “All who dwell on the earth worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain.”

THE BEAST COMING OUT OF THE EARTH – 13:11-18:

I remind you that one of the key messages that the letters include that are found in chapters 2-3 is that the Church must not compromise the truth of the gospel. Jesus criticizes several of those congregations because they were compromising the truth of the gospel. But we will overcome if we do not compromise the truth of the gospel!

Notice that this beast has some characteristics like the picture of Jesus, the Lamb, in the book of Revelation. This beast has the appearance of a lamb. But he spoke as a dragon – Satan. He has the authority of the first beast. In fact, he makes the earth to worship the first beast. In the first and second centuries, this religious beast would be the Roman pagan religions but also the perversions of Christianity evident among those churches of Christ that had compromised with their culture. There can be no compromise with people who pervert the gospel of Christ. We are not going the same direction. You have to be faithful to all of the teachings of Christ or you are not faithful to Christ (Acts 20:27).

In an imitation of God the Creator who breathed the spirit into the nostrils of Adam, here this beast breathes life into the image of the beast. Through his efforts, those who do not worship the image of the first beast are killed. God might not protect us from the physical harm of our faithfulness to Him but He will protect us from the spiritual harm which it could bring.

In Revelation 19:20, John sees yet another vision and this time, the two beasts are thrown into hell – the eternal lake of fire. Yes, if we stay faithful to Christ, we will win!

Christians will be victorious over the beast (the secular government) and the false prophet (false religion, including perverted Christianity) if we stay faithful to the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Paul Holland

A friend of mine once told the story of the first overseas mission trip he ever took. It was to the Caribbean island of Trinidad. The team’s objective was to establish a church in the mountains outside the capital city, Port of Spain. One afternoon he and his companions took a break and went to a movie, an old Randolph Scott western. However, they found themselves spending more time watching the people instead of the movie. What struck them the most about that experience was that everyone laughed at the wrong things! They roared with laughter when the “good guy” got shot! In one scene a woman was slapped and the crowd erupted with laughter, clapping, whistling and cheers! As good, Christian, southerly gentlemen, you can imagine this was a very strange scenario indeed.

What you laugh at is very revealing! It speaks to what your heart truly feels and what your deepest convictions are. The things that make you laugh will tell those around you something about your true inner self. Perhaps you have never taken the time to ponder this, but I promise you it is true. And there are consequences which come along with our laughter.

For one, you cannot rebuke or condemn something you have laughed at. Outwardly expressing amusement at an action or statement is going to be equated as approval in the eyes of those who witnessed your laughter. Romans 1:32 reminds us, “Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.” One does not have to practice or perform a sinful activity to bear a measure of guilt associated with it. Giving hearty approval of (being entertained by) that sin is just as wrong.

Note also that laughing at the wrong things inflicts pain upon our Lord. Solomon wrote in Proverbs 17:5, “Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.” It does matter to God what entertains us.

As men and women seeking to live pure, holy lives before our Maker and Savior, let us make sure that joy and humor are not found in the improper things which displease His.

Cory Waddell

— I have been a member of the Church for over seventy years. Here is why I love the Body of Christ.

1. She Feeds My Soul. A politician sees me as a vote. The store sees me as a customer. But who cares for my spirit? The Church does. Among Christians we are not a thing—noticed for what benefit we contribute.
2. She Reminds Me Who I Am. Once I was an enemy of God. Now He is my friend. I go to worship to be reminded of who I was and who I have become. The Church keeps me grounded.
3. She Tells Me Where To Find Forgiveness. Two men were talking. One of them said, “I love my family. I love my neighbor. That is my religion.” The other man asked, “What does your religion do when you fail to love?” The Church shows me how I can be forgiven.
4. She Holds Me Responsible. The world is filled with selfish people. What they get is what they keep. The Church is different. She says, “We are what we owe.” She leads me to share.
5. She Is The People Of God. It is often said, “I believe in God but not in the Church!” But the Church belongs to God. How can we love the one and hate the other? His Church is His people.
6. She Teaches Truth. Folks want their religion to be neutral. Yet the Church stands for what is right. Is His truth negotiable? Are the commands of heaven to be added to or taken from? The Church teaches the will of God—no more and no less.
7. She Knows The Lord. The Church is a group of people who believe “Jesus is Lord.” Therefore, she obeys His word. She does what He says. The Bride of Christ is the place to be if one wants to know the Savior.
8. She Labors For Eternity. We invest our time and give our money to the Church. Why? The Church is permanent. I will die. She will live. My contributions to the Body of Believers will make a lasting difference.

I marvel at those who are not part of the church because of a bad experience. Do they stop eating because they have had a bad meal? Of course not! Why, then, stop loving the Church?

BY ED MATHEWS

In June of 2006, Warren Buffet announced that he would donate 85% of his 44 billion dollar fortune to five charitable foundations. In response to questions about his generosity, Buffet said: “There is more than one way to get to heaven, but this is a great way.” Unfortunately, Mr. Buffett is not the first to presume there are many paths to an eternal reward with our Heavenly Father. However, the Bible is quite clear that there is only one Way.

In John 14:6, while trying to comfort His disciples, Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” That final phrase “through me” is significant. Throughout John’s gospel he noted the importance of “through Jesus.” The little Greek preposition is sometimes translated with other English words. Still, “through Jesus” is vital because:

1. Creation was through Him (1:3, 10, 14).
2. Grace and truth came through Him (1:17).
3. People believed through (because of) His word (4:41).
4. We can believe through (because of) His works (14:11).
5. Salvation comes through Him (3:17).
6. We can live through (because of) Him (6:57).
7. We find protection, salvation, and nutrition through (by) Him (10:1-2, 9).

John was not alone in his teaching the importance of the Way. The New Testament that peace (Acts 10:36), forgiveness (Acts 13:38), salvation (Acts 15:11), righteousness (Rom. 3:22), justification (Rom. 3:24), eternal life (Rom. 5:21), victory (I Cor. 15:57), redemption (Eph. 1:7), acceptance (I Pet. 2:5), and a host of other great blessings come only through Jesus!

There are many paths by which man will claim we can make it to eternal life. Jesus and the inspired writers of the New Testament assure us there is only one Way:” Jesus. We must go through Him. Galatians 3:36-27 and Romans 6:3-4 tell us how to get into Him. Jesus doesn’t just show us the way, He is the way! So come to Him, follow Him, and go through Him today!

Corey Sawyers

John, in penning his final inspired letter, wrote to the seven churches of Asia concerning the impending persecution from the Romans and God’s victory through the tumultuous oppression. The terminal letter of John is one that is intrinsically spiritual while also remaining carnal practicality. The revelation was to remind the Christians that their spiritual endurance contains the ability to prevail over the physical death of this world.

In the opening verses of this letter, John rapidly reminds the Christians of their status with God. Notice the reminders these faithful Christians needed to hear according to Rev. 1:5,6

1. Jesus Loves You (1:5) — Perhaps this statement in and of itself has lost its gravity over time; not because the reality of Jesus’ love has shifted, but because we have misplaced its power. Jesus, the “faithful witness, firstborn from the dead, and ruler of kings on earth” loves you. The greatest being who will ever exist has sought the unlovable and made us His own. I recall the imperfections in my life, the sins I’ve committed, the shortcomings I’ve crafted, and the goodness I’ve neglected, and yet Jesus’ love has never departed from me. When the world seems entirely against you, the sustainer of the universe embraces you for all that you are. We NEED that reminder.
2. Jesus Freed You (1:5) — Sin is what revoked our privilege of Eden. Iniquity is what pushes God out of our life. Rebellion from God is what entangles us, causing us to drift from the very roots of our origin. We become slaves to this wickedness, imprisoned by its constant bait. Jesus, through His love, took the sin of the world upon Himself as the perfect sacrifice and loosed us from that captivity of sin. Our savior gave us an opportunity to be runaways from death.
3. Jesus Made You a Kingdom (1:6) — Kingdoms of the world are arbitrary. Individuals have their own kingdoms, nations claim royalty, and earthly ideologies broadcast power. There is only but one kingdom that matters, and that’s the principality of Jesus. Daniel prophesied this kingdom to be the only one that would remain eternal, while every other power would fall victim to the follies and ruins of this world (Daniel 2:44,45).
4. Jesus Made You Holy (1:6) — Priesthood is something that is objectively foreign to the Western mind. It’s difficult to wrap our culture-saturated minds around the idea of becoming “spiritual set-apart” entities, but this is what Jesus had in mind when pulling you from death. The expectation that you would no longer by wholly devoted to the world, but be holy loyal to Him. Peter would explain this priesthood as something that pushes us to “proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Pet. 2:9).

Few introductions are nearly as powerful as the one found in John’s final letter. It is here where we can find a place to focus our mind, identity, and spiritual status with God. We may never face the type of persecution the church saw in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Centuries but we can find the same level of encouragement they received from the loyal Apostles.

Tyler King

Below are excerpts reported to be from U.S. and British officer performance reviews:

Actual (?) lines out of U.S. Military OERs (Officer Efficiency Report):

— Not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

— Got into the gene pool while the lifeguard wasn’t watching.

— A room temperature IQ.

— Got a full 6-pack, but lacks the plastic thingy to hold it all together.

— Bright as Alaska in December.

— Gates are down, the lights are flashing, but the train isn’t coming.

— So dense, light bends around him.

— If brains were taxed, he’d get a rebate.

— If he were any more stupid, he’d have to be watered twice a week.

— Was left on the Tilt-A-Whirl a bit too long as a baby.

— Wheel is turning, but the hamster is dead.

Actual (?) excerpts from Royal Navy and Marines officer fitness reports:

— His men would follow him anywhere, but only out of curiosity.

— I would not breed from this officer.

— He has carried out each and every one of his duties to his entire     satisfaction.

— He would be out of his depth in a car park puddle.

— This young lady has delusions of adequacy.

— Since my last report he has reached rock bottom, and has started to dig.

— She sets low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve     them.

— He has the wisdom of youth, and the energy of old age.

— Works well when under constant supervision and cornered like a rat in a    trap.

— This man is depriving a village somewhere of an idiot.

It may be that the comments above are an indication of the intelligence of the men involved.  But I suspect rather that they reflect the attitude of those men.  You see, whether we want to admit it or not, the attitude that we have in the workplace makes an impression on others.  And if we give only a half-hearted effort, or show disrespect for those in authority over us, then it not only leaves a negative impression of us, but of the Christianity we claim to believe and live.

Paul speaks in Colossians 3 to slaves of the first century, but his words apply to all Christians in the workplace:

“Slaves, obey your masters in all things.  Do not obey just when they are watching you, to gain their favor, but serve them honestly, because you respect the Lord.  In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people.” (Col. 3:22-24)

In all that you do at work, it should be the very best you have to offer!  May that be the motto of every Christian in the workplace.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

When one becomes a Christian, it is not an unusual thing that, at any given moment, we might experience envy for something that we have given up, that our non-Christian friends have not.

Perhaps we see them enjoying some activity on a Wednesday night; or, perhaps we, too, would like to “take the edge off” after a long week of work. But (hopefully) we quickly jolt back to reality and remember that our envy is unfounded and unwise.

As a minister, I have experienced similar envy – not just of the world, but even of my own brothers and sisters in Christ. For example, I wouldn’t mind having the “weekend” off, too. I would like the opportunity to put in more effort and time to get overtime pay, or work so that I can earn a promotion, like some of my friends, and as I did before I began ministry. Why wouldn’t I? I’m human.

But some years back I was reading the Bible and something occurred to me that has helped me in ministry, and I think is also helpful for all Christians to remember when they experience some “worldly envy.”

Under the rule of Moses and Joshua, Israel’s tribes were allotted the portions of the land God promised to Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3). Moses announced the fulfillment of this in Deuteronomy, and Joshua administers the survey by which the property lines would be drawn for each tribe.

But not all tribes received allotments of land. One tribe received no land inheritance at all: Levi (Deut. 18:2). It was from this tribe that the priesthood was called upon to serve God. Moses wrote:

At that time the Lord set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the Lord, to stand before the Lord to serve Him and to bless in His name until this day. Therefore, Levi does not have a portion or inheritance, just as the Lord your God spoke to him (Deut. 10:8-9, NASB).

The tribe of Levi was to take on the role of mediator – the “priesthood.” They were to bear the ark of the covenant when the tabernacle was moved about. They were to “stand before the Lord,” i.e., to serve Him and bless in His name continually. They were to do so in perpetuity, until Jesus fulfilled all those roles in himself.

This inheritance was far better than the other tribes’ inheritance of sod and stone. But I’ve often wondered if any of the Levites ever felt the same human emotions we might feel when our friends of the world are enjoying something we have given up. I wonder if they ever felt left out or let down because they had no land to pass down or redeem for their children.

This privilege of serving as God’s ministers of the tabernacle served a significant role in the divine economy: as mediators, the priesthood interceded and petitioned for perpetual mercy on behalf of themselves and others. In short, they kept the wrath of God at bay until Jesus (Messiah) came.

So what does that have to do with Christians today? First, as a minister, my inherited role is not like that even of my Christian brothers and sisters. I am not “off the clock” on Sunday as many are; rather, that is my most significant day of the work week (serving priests didn’t get to Sabbath as everyone else, either). I usually take Monday or Tuesday off to be with my family (it still  feels unusual to me to take these days off, even though I have worked 10 times as long in ministry as I did in secular work). But I try always to appreciate the role I have accepted. It is its own reward. The inheritance of heaven is easily worth far more than a Sunday off, or a promotion.

But more broadly, as Christians, none of us possess the same inheritance as our brothers and sisters of the world. What is there to envy? Long weekends on the lake? Sleeping in on Sundays? (I have to admit, there are some Sundays I wouldn’t mind sleeping-in!) Throw back a few adult beverages heading into the weekend, or to take the edge off during the week?

In the end, are those kinds of things really that enviable? Only momentarily.

But to paint it with a wider brush stroke, at the end of the day, the true “inheritance” of a worldly life is to live as if nothing ultimately matters. The ways in which that attitude is manifested in any individual life varies greatly. The attitude is: “as long as I’m not hurting anyone, it should be fine!”
The problem (well, there are many…) is this is an incomparably dry well when it comes to slaking the thirst of existential questions that, irrespective of the amount of alcohol or entertainment we might consume, never really go away. What is my purpose for existing? And, What happens when I die?

If an inheritance is really only as good as its value, what good does inheriting this old world give me in the end?

Nothing!

Or, paraphrasing Jesus: what does a man profit if he gains (perhaps we could insert, inherits) the whole world, but loses his soul? Or, what “thing” of the world – the most valuable earthly thing we can imagine possessing – can be traded in for heaven?

Christians, remember: you do not possess a portion or inheritance with the world.

The Lord is your inheritance.

You are the priesthood of the Great High Priest.

It has been given to you to mediate on behalf of this world, to stand before the Lord, to serve and bless in His name.

by Rick Kelley

Sometimes I think there must be a target on the back of churches and their leaders. Whenever I see someone take a shot at the church in conversation, or on Facebook, or over dinner, I want to look at the back of church leaders’ shirts to see if there is the old familiar target everyone is shooting at.

The burden of elders and preachers and congregations, too, is they must be right one hundred percent of the time else people begin to take aim. Not only must they always be perfect, but they must be perfect with the right attitude. They can’t be smug or judgmental or harsh. And if they fail on any point, at any time, the command rings out: “Fire at will! Any church, any church leader, just take your free shots!”

In the back of the critic’s mind, of course, is the fact that in his day Jesus took on religious hypocrisy too.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others” (Matthew 23:23).

The great thing about finding a hypocrite in the church is that this discovery frees one from carrying out any of his own responsibilities! As we all know, two wrongs make a right!

In a congregation of, let’s say, two hundred, what are the chances of finding one, just one hypocrite in the church? And when he is found, you have the wonderfully freeing “Aha! Gotcha!” moment. “Brother Smith, that’s why I don’t go to church – there are hypocrites in that church!” “Brother Jones, did you know that I was sick, and not one person sent me a note!”

Can I make an observation with fear and trembling? Is it possible that some of the “hypocrites” we spot in churches are actually human beings trying hard to live right and slipping up once in a while? Rather than our hyped up and over the top outrage at the supposed hypocrite we just found, perhaps we could exhibit some compassion and understanding towards our erring brother?

If you really want to worry about a hypocrite, perhaps you should look in the mirror. The person you see there is the only one you can change, and for what it’s worth, the only one God has demanded that you change!

Stan Mitchell

“But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please” (Galatians 5:16-17, NASB).

During the first half of the twentieth century mankind suffered through two great “world wars.” Greatly advanced technology enabled levels of destruction never before experienced. Almost since the end of World War II there has been the threat of an even greater and more destructive war — “World War III” — which might (or almost certainly would) involve the use of nuclear weapons. Many fear that any such war would irrevocably damage or completely destroy the earth, and humanity with it.

Not all wars are fought by nations, nor are they all fought with military hardware. There is already a war which is truly worldwide, involving every responsible human being. It is the war described in Galatians 5:16-26, which is spiritual in nature and is waged within the souls and bodies of every person. The spirit battles against the flesh (body) and the flesh against the spirit.

Paul described that war in a very personal and vivid manner in Romans 7:14-25, part of which reads:

“For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. … For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want . … Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?”

The war between our spiritual and fleshly natures can be devastating. Paul’s description of the sinful nature of mankind as “wretched” is all too factual. We seek what we do not have, neglect the things of true value, and find ourselves alone and alienated from those whom we once loved.

James described this situation:

“What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have. So you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures” (James 4:1-3).

Every responsible person is engaged in this war. We all have conflicts between what we should do and what we should not. We battle the physical appetites and pleasures of our physical nature, and seek to obtain the blessings of a more spiritual existence. Like Paul, we want to do the right thing, but often fail to do it. We try to avoid harmful and destructive actions or attitudes, but often give in to them. The war within us continues to rage.

What is the answer? Paul states it: “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 7:25). Jesus provides the strength we need to overcome physical temptations and to resist the evils of selfishness, greed, and instant gratification.

One key to achieving that success is to “set one’s mind upon the Spirit” (Romans 8:6). Three applications of that principle are:

1. Follow the teachings of the Spirit of God given in the Bible.
2. Strengthen the spiritual side of our natures so that they predominate in the battle against the flesh (body).
3. Seek spiritual goals rather than physical as the aim of life.

We are and always will be in a war. With God’s help through Jesus his son we will be victorious.

by Michael Brooks

Have you ever felt like everything is going downhill in this country? In many cases, I feel like the church members think this way. We are dealing with the western, woke, post-modern, anti-church culture. The pro-sin agendas of our culture are progressing, and it seems that the forces are gathering around the church. Sometimes these thoughts can be defeating. Like Elijah, we think we are the last remaining beam of light in an increasingly dark world.

Do you ever ask the question, why do these guys hate the church so much? Why does it feel that our government is actively trying to push out religion? The answer is It doesn’t matter. What!? How can we say that?! Of course, it matters! Everything is going terribly, and the righteous will be persecuted and eradicated soon!

That is not what God says in Psalm 2. Davids asks the same question.

Why are the nations in an uproar

And the peoples devising a vain thing?

The kings of the earth take their stand

And the rulers take counsel together

Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,

“Let us tear their fetters apart

And cast away their cords from us!”

Unlike our question, David is asking his question rhetorically. David wants to know why people would try to go against God in vain. He goes on to say:

He who sits in the heavens laughs,

The Lord scoffs at them.

Then He will speak to them in His anger

And terrify them in His fury, saying,

“But as for Me, I have installed My King

Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”

See, despite our concern, God is still in control. In our context, the king installed is Jesus. Praise God the King reigns!

Because we know that Jesus is king, we should be able to let go of our anxieties about the world situation. I know firsthand that watching the news or reading about current events is a quick way to get tense. Knowing that God is truly in control of the situation should bring us great comfort.

In addition to receiving comfort, however, recognizing Jesus is king demands a response. David finishes his psalm with

Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;

Take warning, O judges of the earth.

Worship the Lord with reverence

And rejoice with trembling.

Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,

For His wrath may soon be kindled.

How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!

By understanding who rules, we also understand who needs to be served. We need to heed the warning and worship God with reverence. So the next time you think the world is going downhill, remember who is in control and who we need to worship and serve. Then you can take refuge in him and find blessing.

Brian Ketchem

We tend to protect our valuable stuff. When my wife leaves her purse in the car, she locks the car. Most people keep their money in a bank. Those with influence or fame are often guarded closely while in public. If it has value or potential risk, it is locked up or otherwise guarded. We understand this concept.

The New Testament talks about guarded stuff quite a bit. What follows is an abridged list of ways τηρεω (tereo) is translated, in a very informal word study format. Specific definitions come from BDAG (a fantastic lexicon).

1. Prisoner/Person in Custody – It is used of Jesus (Matt. 27.36ff), Paul and Silas (Acts 16.23), Angels Who Sinned (II Peter 2.4), and Peter (Acts 12.5).
2. To Preserve or Hold Someone or Something – It is used of the “good wine that was kept until after the bad wine was consumed” (John 2). It is used to describe our inheritance, which is being held and is waiting for those who die in Christ (I Peter 2.4). It is used to describe the universe and the earth, which is being preserved because its destruction will be caused by God at the end of time (II Peter 3.7; Cf. Romans 8.22-24). For the Christian, this seems to resolve the climate change issue since God is keeping the earth intact until the last day.
3. To Not Give Up Something – Paul uses it urging Christians to persist in being united (Eph. 4.3). He also used it to tell Timothy that he had held onto his faith, even up to his imminent death (II Timothy 4.7). John uses it to describe our spiritual protection from being lost if we’re trying to live faithfully (I John 5.8).

For the sake of brevity, we’ll stop there. How cool is that our eternal home is being held by God, or that our record is kept clean by Jesus, if we’re trying to be faithful? The two most important assets a Christian has are their eternal home and spiritual state. The first can never be taken away, and the second can only be lost if we give it up willingly and intentionally. God is good.

Ever find yourself listening to something, but not really listening? Maybe it was something on the radio in your car or on the TV. I mean you are listening, but not really. It happens to me all the time. Trying to do a number of things at the same time or just simply being distracted by other “more important” can cause us to lose focus on what is being said. I mean we are listening, but not really. Worse yet can be when someone is speaking to us. Maybe you just aren’t into what they are saying or you just don’t feel like it is that important, but sometimes we can find ourselves listening, but not really. What about during Bible class or during a sermon? Ever find yourself listening, but not really?

Now imagine that you are at the doctor’s office and he or she has just told you you have a serious condition. They begin to tell you what you need to do to deal with the situation. They start to explain the medicines you need to take and how often you need to take them or offer some others details to help you resolve the illness. Are you listening differently now? I mean you are listening differently to that aren’t you? You are listening closely so you can do what you need to to take care of the problem.

As Jesus taught, He often began and ended His parables and teachings with “he who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Mark 4:9, 23; 7:16; 8:18). Sounds like a strange statement at first glance doesn’t it? I mean how many people there with Him don’t have ears? While everyone has ears, the question becomes do they have ears “to hear’? The word hear (akouō) in the original language means “to give careful attention to.” The word also carries the idea of hearing in order to do or obey what is being heard. A form of this word is used when, after Jesus calmed the storm the disciples were amazed and remarked “Even the wind and sea obey (akouō) Him” (Mark 4:41). The wind and sea clearly HEARD Jesus’ command to be still. So what does Jesus mean when He says, “he who has ears to hear, let him hear”? He means listen carefully in order to do/obey what is being said. You aren’t just there. You aren’t just listening to get to the end. You are really paying attention and are looking to do what you are being told. I would suggest that we have “ears to hear” when the doctor is telling us what to do to deal with our serious issue?

So the question becomes, do we have “ears to hear” when God is trying to speak to us? Are we listening carefully during sermons and Bible classes so we can do what God’s word tells us to? Does the amount of time we spend in personal Bible study show God that we have “ears to hear” what He wants to tell us? Are we looking to do what we hear/read in Scripture or are we listening, but not really? Maybe we need to ask ourselves “Do I have ears to hear what God is saying? And then we need to take the time to listen, I mean really listen, to the answer to that question.

“He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Michael Hite

Even a brief survey of the New Testament illustrates the fact that the first petal of Calvin’s TULIP is in error./1 Total hereditary depravity is a false doctrine.

Yes, a person outside of Christ is, in fact, dead (Ephesians 2:1). However, this doesn’t mean he is totally depraved.

The word “dead” does not refer to an unsaved person’s inability to engage in any positive behavior; it refers to his spiritual status before a holy God (cf. Isaiah 6:5). He is dead and therefore separated from God, because he chooses to commit sin (Luke 15:24, 13).

“A sinner in his pre-Christian state is  ‘dead in sin;’ but that deadness is not something he inherits, but comes about through the guilt of the sins he commits.”/2

Consider the following passages:

“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we once conducted ourselves in the lusts of the flesh and mind…” (Ephesians 2:1-3a)

“Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He    will not hear you.” (Isaiah 59:1-2)

Watch it carefully.

An individual is dead “in trespasses and sins” and therefore separated from God. But how so, Paul?

He is dead because (a) he walks according to the course of this world, and (b) he conducts himself in the lusts of the flesh and mind (cf. 1 John 3:4). In essence, he lives his life in conformity to the thoughts and pursuits of this present evil age (cf. Romans 12:2; Colossians 3:7).

He is born pure and sinless (cf. Ezekiel 18:20; Matthew 19:14), as are all infants, but when he sins, he dies spiritually. Later, if and when he comes in contact with the life-giving blood (cf. Ephesians 1:7) of Christ at baptism (Revelation 1:5; Acts 22:16), he is–notice Paul’s words–”made alive” and therefore no longer separated from God.

In fact, quite the opposite-he is “brought near” to God via the blood of Christ (cf. Ephesians 2:13).

Is a man dead prior to his conversion?  Yes, but that doesn’t mean he’s incapable of any of any admirable conduct; it means he’s separated from God.

Make these notes in the margin of your Bible at Ephesians 2:1:

Dead = separated from God by personal sin.

Alive = brought near to God by Christ’s blood.

________________

1/ T=total hereditary depravity, U=unconditional election, L=limited atonement, I=irresistible grace, P=perseverance of the saints.

2/ James Burton Coffman,“Commentary on Ephesians,”

Commentary on Galatians, Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, 152.

by Mike Benson

The Old Testament is a rich mine of truths about God and his ways. The prophets reveal the divine heart and intentions. Get a taste of truths about God from this little slice of Ezekiel 33.

No. 1. God is a revealer. “The word of the Lord came to me” (Ezekiel 33:1, ESV). He tells man what he is doing and what he expects. God does nothing without letting us know his intentions and actions (Amos 3:7; Ephesians 3:5). Things he reveals are for us all, that we might obey his commands and thereby find joy and peace (Deuteronomy 29:29). God’s revelation to us, now contained in the Bible, is for our salvation. “The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations” (Psalm 98:2).

No. 2. God holds people responsible. “I will hold the watchman accountable for that person’s death” (Ezekiel 33:6, NET). This chapter and chapter 13 is all about man’s responsibility and God’s judgment. Each individual answers to God for their own actions, not for anyone else’s. Many parents today tell their children to do something, but don’t care if it’s done or not. (Seems like they enjoy hearing themselves talk.) They’re not willing to follow up and discipline their children. Part of our society’s ills are due to failure to punish a child. Let us never think that God is like a slipshod parent. We will be judged in the last day by the written word (John 12:48).

No. 3. God desires that man live. “As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?” (Ezekiel 33:11; see Lamentations 3:33). God has the best intentions toward man. All that he does is for man’s good (Psalm 119:68). Speaking of Job — of all people!— James wrote, “you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful” (James 5:11). Jeremiah reminded the people, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). Of what do these plans consist? “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart” (vv. 12-13).

No. 4. God is just and judges righteously. “O house of Israel, I will judge each of you according to his ways” (Ezekiel 33:20). Man thinks God is unjust, but he really has no idea. We want judges who will let us off the hook, who hands down sentences based on who his friends are — and we want the judge to be a friend of ours. But God judges according to his principles, which are aligned with his nature and character. What a relief, actually, that we can always know what his judgments will be!

No. 5. God knows the heart of man. “… it is their own way that is not just” (Ezekiel 33:17). Remember that Jesus knew what was in man (John 2:25). Man’s heart is only full of evil, “every intention of the thoughts of his heart [is] only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). Jesus himself said, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander” (Matthew 15:19). So what do we need? A new heart! (Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26). This is what Jesus does in the new birth (John 3:3, 5).

No. 6. God keeps his promises and fulfills his threats. “… a fugitive from Jerusalem came to me and said, ‘The city has been struck down’” (Ezekiel 33:21). The prophets of the Lord said it would happen if the people did not repent. They did not, so the Lord carried through with his threat. If God says it, you can count on it. Don’t let anyone persuade you that he will do things differently at the last minute from what he has declared in his Word. He just ain’t gonna do it. Take the Bible seriously. Very seriously.

No. 7. God wants people to know he alone is God. “Then they will know that I am the Lord, …” (Ezekiel 33:29). The knowledge of the only God is the key to all of man’s desires and hopes and dreams. God is not selfish or self-centered. Jesus’ death on the cross put that idea to death for all time (John 3:16). All else that are called gods are nothing but man’s imaginations and creations, as he flees from happiness with the one, true God toward the exaltation of desire and the certainty of destruction. The one God is our one hope.

There’s more! Read the whole chapter for yourself. Discover who God is. Find out how he works. See what his will is. Seek his face.

A. A. Neale

All Scripture should mean more to us than anything else, but sometimes passages of Scripture hit home more when our circumstances are more relevant. With the cascading effects of economic crisis moving from supply chains and interest rates to market volatility and failing banks, Paul’s words of warning to Timothy are much more stark and meaningful!

• We came into the world empty-handed and we’ll leave that way (1 Tim. 6:7).
• We should be content with basic necessities like food and covering (1 Tim. 6:8).
• We invite disaster when we want to get rich and we love money (1 Tim. 6:9-10).
• We need to run away from materialism (1 Tim. 6:11).
• We had better not get arrogant about how much we have (1 Tim. 6:17).
• We should not attach our hope to uncertain riches (1 Tim. 6:17).
• We should trust God rather than ourselves to take care of our needs (1 Tim. 6:17).
• We should use our wealth to serve God and how He wants us to use it (1 Tim. 6:17-19).

That is quite a challenging list of demands God makes on our spiritual lives. It runs contrary to human nature, self-reliance, and the pride we take in creating and preserving wealth. Some who trust in material things never have to endure an economic crisis in this life, but awaken in eternity to see how costly their approach is (Luke 12:16-21; 16:19-25). Many are blessed to lose the money they “banked” on in time to repent and amend their unhealthy or unholy attitude toward things.

Jesus warned, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:19-21).

Neither Jesus nor Paul warn about the having of wealth, but rather the wanting, loving, and trusting of it. Whether or not the current economic issues are a canary in a coal mine of an impending breakdown, it is an opportunity for us to be reminded that we should invest our hope and trust in God rather than wealth (Matt. 6:24). It is an object lesson about not trusting what is here today and gone tomorrow and will, in the end, be burned up (2 Pet. 3:10-11)!

Neal Pollard

When the storms of life descend on us, sometimes our faith turns to doubting. When all looks dark and without hope, what do we hold on to? The apostle Paul went  through storms in his life, not only mental and emotional but physical ones as well.

In Acts 27 we have one of the most detailed accounts of a storm at sea from the first century. Historians such as William Ramsey have pointed out the authenticity of what Luke recorded.

“Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. ‘For the last fourteen days,’ he said, ‘you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food – you haven’t eaten anything. Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.’ After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. Altogether there were 276 of us on board. When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea.” (Acts 27:33-38)

Can you imagine being in a storm at sea for two weeks? Having crossed the ocean twice on ocean liners when I was a child, my family and I experienced storms at sea. I can still remember the queasy feeling and the seasickness that came as a result when the ship we were on was being tossed this way and that. You didn’t feel like eating anything. It was such a relief when the storm was gone the next day!

Paul and those with him were on a much smaller ship and the storm lasted for two weeks. No wonder he had to urge them to eat – I’m sure they hadn’t felt like eating with the ship being tossed about by the storm.

Notice Paul’s faith and hope in all of this. “Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head” he told them – but they needed the strength to survive. Where did Paul get this calm assurance to face this storm and to encourage others?

His faith and assurance was because of his trust in God. Earlier he had encouraged them to keep up their courage.

“But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.” (Acts 27:22-25)

You might point out that we aren’t the apostle Paul and should not expect an angel to arrive to give us courage – and that is true. But I would suggest it wasn’t the angel as much as God’s word that gave him courage: he had been told that he would stand trial in Rome before Caesar; for that to happen he had to survive.

We have assurances as well. Remember what Jesus told the apostles before he ascended back to the Father? “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). The first part of that verse emphasized that they were to teach those they immersed to obey what Jesus had taught the apostles. That would include the teaching that Jesus will be with us no matter what we go through.

Jesus will always be with us. We should not lose heart but continue to be strong and faithful – even courageous – and be an encouragement to those around us when they are going through their storms of life.

by Jon Galloway

Studying the parable of the lost coin provides rich spiritual treasures. It is informative, for it tells us of the joy in heaven over one lost soul. It is instructive, for it teaches us the value of one soul. It is inspiring, for it compels us to see the urgency of seeking that which is lost. I am particularly interested in the words in verse eight: “If she lose one piece, doth not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek diligently until she find it.” I am not attempting to lift these words out of the immediate context, but like so many passages there are nuggets of truth often hidden within the broader context. Such is the case here.

Try to imagine the woman as she realizes that one coin has gone missing. There is something urgent in her action. She does not seem to hesitate in taking proper action. She does not call a committee together to discuss how to go about searching. She does not shift the blame for her own neglect. She does not berate, belittle, or boast. What does she do? She lights a lamp to illuminate the dark recesses of her house. She takes a broom and sweeps the house, no doubt running that broom under the edges of anything that may hug the floor and obstruct her vision. With broom in one hand, and a lamp in the other, she seeks for the lost coin. Here is a word filled with determination. Thayer tells us that the word means “to seek in order to find.” Another word arrests our attention from this verse. It is translated by our English word “diligently.” The word connotes care coupled with earnestness. “Seek” and “diligently” denote the intensity of the woman’s search.

Now turn your attention to our Lord. Luke tells us that He came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). Like the woman in this parable, He sought lost souls. He came quietly when He entered His sojourn upon this earth. Even as a lad of twelve, He was about His Father’s business (Luke 2:49). Doubtless His years prior to His public ministry were years of seeking, searching, and diligently watching for opportunities to teach others about His Father in heaven. When He entered His public ministry, He searched the highways and byways, in the marketplace, at the customs’ table, and by the seashore. He went into the mountains, down into the valleys, over the sea, all the way to the Cross of Calvary, always seeking, always searching. He gave His life to seeking the lost and shed His blood to bring them home to the Father.

Is there a message in this parable for us? Oh, indeed there is! If the spirit of our Lord was such that He went about seeking and saving the lost, how can we do any less? How shall we go about it? We must light our lamp and carry it with us. That lamp is the Gospel of our Lord. We do not carry some moral idea, or human sophistry, but the light of the Gospel. Beloved, the world will not be saved by maxims or lofty ideals taken from the most brilliant of scholars. Having the lamp in one hand, we must take the broom in the other hand and sweep away the cobwebs of human wisdom, “casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5). With lamp and broom, we must, like the woman in this parable, go forth with diligence. As one author put it, “It is not more organization we want, it is more personal consecration, the surrender of the will and the heart in this seeking mission in the service of the Great Commander who came to seek and to save the lost” (Hastings, 437).

by Tom Wacaster

A supporting congregation had a teacher-appreciation dinner Aug. 18 after the Sunday evening service. We were invited to attend. It wasn’t my moment, but I thought of all the teachers of Bible school, the teachers of evangelistic studies, those who teach to encourage brethren, and all those who have been given the gift of teaching. What would I like to say to them if given the chance? Three things came immediately to mind.

#1. Take the long view

Look beyond the frustrations of the moment, to see the long-term effect you are having, and even the eternal impact you are causing. The most rambunctious child may be the one you have the greatest influence upon. The most resistant student may well be the person whose heart finally opens completely to receive the gospel. While they will listen, keep teaching.

You never know who will finally respond to your teaching. I recall a couple we taught the gospel some years ago. He accepted everything we said and agreed with every lesson. The wife was the resistant one. After one difficult study, I told my wife that I thought it might have been our last study with them, since the wife did not accept well what she had heard. But when it came time to decide, she — not he — was the one who gave her life over to the Lord and was baptized. Her husband responded only some years later.

We tend to focus upon immediate results. That is not bad in and of itself, but we cannot let lack of results discourage us. Let us sow the seed. God will provide the harvest. Focus on the task at hand, of teaching, and leave the results with God, in his time.

#2. Stay close to the text of Scripture

The ultimate power to change people is in the Word. You are teaching your hearers to know God and do his will. Always keep the Bible at hand.

• Don’t paraphrase it — read it.
• Don’t assume people know it — explain it.
• Don’t make it theoretical — apply it.
• Don’t apologize for not following it — live it and put yourself forth as an example to be followed.

Teachers, of all people, ought to apply the phrase, “It’s not about me.” We hide behind the Word of God. We want God to be glorified. We want to shine our light, but that light will focus upon the salvation that God has provided. Let us make every word of ours rise from the text of the Word of God. In one true sense, we have nothing to say. We are messengers who pass on the message we have be given. That message is the Bible.

#3. Imitate Jesus the Teacher

The Gospel of Mark reveals Jesus as the Master Teacher. Study his content, his methods, his motivations, his objectives. Let his teaching teach us how to teach. What we lack, Jesus supplies. With his gospel as our textbook, and his Spirit as our power, we have all we need to be effective teachers.

Jesus’ teaching rose from his relationship with the Father. Ours also rises from our relationship with the Father and the Son. We “were called into fellowship with his son, Jesus Christ our Lord” 1 Corinthians 1.9. It is that calling which we reproduce in our teaching.

As teacher, Jesus sacrificed to bring us to God. We do not impart mere information. We share life in Christ. We enter into Christ’s sufferings for others. Just as we have relationship with God, we call others into relationship with his people. We are purified in order to participate in brotherly love, 1 Peter 1.22. Our mission is to show the way, through teaching, to the proper obedient response, so that all may enter God’s family and find there our purpose and fulfillment.

We’re all teachers

We may not all have the gift of teaching, but we are all teachers in one way or another. Whether in a structured setting or in conversations with friends, let us honor the Lord Jesus Christ who gives the precious eternal gospel into our hands. We are God’s agents so that when we teach, it may be said, “And they will all be taught by God” John 6.45.

by J. Randal Matheny

The Bible is a book whose depths we cannot comprehend. As a result, we discover something new every time we read the Scriptures. Recently, as our devotional Bible reading turned to Psalm 78, I had one of those moments. In verse 25, Asaph refers to manna and says God gave the Israelites “bread of angels.” I couldn’t recall hearing that addressed by any preacher I’d heard, nor had I previously read any commentaries on the verse. So I put on my “scuba gear” and went for a dive.

We must establish the context first. The main goals of Psalm 78 are that Israel should not repeat their unruly past and properly instruct future generations about God’s Law. Asaph recalls God’s miracles in Israel’s history, but Israel still rebelled. Asaph mentions one of these wonders: God feeding the people with manna from heaven. And God did this, although the Israelites had repeatedly enraged Him. According to Asaph, they put God to the test in their hearts (78.18).

As a result, our “bread of angels” was a providential answer to a need. The people were hungry, and God satisfied their hunger and provided more than they required. However, Asaph recalls that the people believed God should cater to their food preferences (78.18). So, God punished them again because they complained after He sent the manna (78.31-33). Asaph’s point was that they were unappreciative of a lavish gift.

Following the context, we will move on to the Hebrew language. Lechem abbirim is Hebrew for “bread of the mighty ones.” The word “abbir” appears 47 times in the Old Testament, referring to everything from animals to strong or stubborn men. However, only twice in some of our English translations is this word rendered as angels (Psalm 78.25,cf. Psalm 103.20). Why is this the case? The Septuagint is most likely the answer because the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures uses the word “angels” here. We should also mention that the Latin Vulgate uses the phrase “panem angelorum” (bread of angels). And the translators of the King James Version were heavily influenced by the Latin Vulgate. But there could be more to it than that.

Another hint comes from a non-canonical book written by a Jew living in Alexandria during the first century BC who pretended to be Solomon. People refer to this as the Book of Wisdom. “In contrast, you fed your people with the food from angels,” Wisdom 16.20 says. Again and again, you provided your people with a bread that had been prepared in heaven. It was a bread that was able to satisfy anyone’s longing and please anyone’s taste.” (Common English Bible) Even though it lacks the weight of what God-breathed (cf. 2 Timothy 3.16), it still provides valuable commentary for understanding Jewish thought before Christ’s birth.

As a result, Asaph may have referred to angels—mighty ones—as ministering spirits (cf. Psalm 103.20-22; Hebrews 1.14). In other words, God prepared and sent the manna from heaven via the angels. If true, it would not be the first time the Bible mentions angels in passing. For example, Stephen stated that an angel was present in the burning bush (Acts 7.35). Otherwise, all we know about manna is that it came with the dew (Numbers 11.9). As a result, it descended from heaven.

Finally, most commentators agree that the bread of angels refers to food fit for angelic consumption or the king’s table (cf. Daniel 1.8). Manna, in other words, was a dish fit for heaven. Nonetheless, God gave it to men who did not value it. We might find a modern parallel in being given a free meal at a three-star Michelin restaurant but complaining that we would rather have eaten at McDonald’s. (With no offense to McDonald’s.)

Fortunately, this is not a matter of salvation, and there is room for debate. I agree with most commentators that the phrase refers to the quality of the food rather than the consumers’ identity. However, it is intriguing to speculate that angels may have been responsible for distributing it to the people. After all, people did not always see the angels who were present. The Arameans, for example, once pursued Elisha to his home in Dothan. The servant of Elisha was terrified, but Elisha prayed to God to open his eyes. God complied, and the servant saw the heavenly host encircling Dothan, protecting Elisha (2 Kings 6.15-17). So, even if manna arrived with the dew, it could still have been brought down from heaven by angels.

Brent Pollard