My other Bible site, MyBibleBase.com was hacked... In fact it wasn't the website specifically but the hosting provider. The company that was hosting the site and several of my sites was a Christian hosting company. In the aftermath of the attack they released this:
"We found out why we were attacked by this Sarbot511 team... Our company is a Christian based company... we proclaim our faith publicly... We don't think they are attacking your website(s), but 2ip or Ichthys Media LLC in particular."
After the attack they tried to reset their servers but the new severs where compromised. In the end they announced that, "Due to this incident, 2ip cannot sustain the financial damaged caused by it. We have decided to close our services effective October 31, 2009. Our servers will remain online until October 31, 2009. Afterwards everything will be shutdown."
So I have had to get new hosting for my web sites... The MyBibleBase.com website is back up which is great, however one other casualty seems to be Earley Christian Fellowship as it has dropped out of Google’s index which makes me fear it go dropped as Google saw it was hacked!!! I hope that in a few days it will be back in again!!!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Friday, July 03, 2009
The 100 Most-read Bible Verses at BibleGateway.com
The guys over at BibleGateway.com thought it would be interesting to find out what are the most popular Bible verses on BibleGateway.com.
So they crunched some numbers from a (relatively) small sample of 25 million Bible passage searches from March and April 2009.
Here are the top 100 most-read Bible verses on BibleGateway.com (all verses quoted from the NIV):
- John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
- Jer 29:11: For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
- Rom 8:28: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
- Phil 4:13: I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
- Gen 1:1: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
- Prov 3:5: Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
- Prov 3:6: in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
- Rom 12:2: Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
- Phil 4:6: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
- Matt 28:19: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
- Eph 2:8: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
- Gal 5:22: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
- Rom 12:1: Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.
- John 10:10: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
- Acts 18:10: For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”
- Acts 18:9: One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.
- Acts 18:11: So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.
- Gal 2:20: I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
- 1 John 1:9: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
- Rom 3:23: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
- John 14:6: Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
- Matt 28:20: and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
- Rom 5:8: But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
- Phil 4:8: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
- Phil 4:7: And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
- Josh 1:9: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
- Isa 40:31: but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
- Eph 2:9: not by works, so that no one can boast.
- Rom 6:23: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- Gal 5:23: gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
- Isa 53:5: But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
- 1 Pet 3:15: But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
- 2 Tim 3:16: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
- Matt 6:33: But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
- Heb 12:2: Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
- 1 Pet 5:7: Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
- Eph 2:10: For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
- 1 Cor 10:13: No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
- Matt 11:28: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
- Heb 11:1: Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
- 2 Cor 5:17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
- Heb 13:5: Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
- 2 Cor 12:9: But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
- Rom 10:9: That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
- Isa 41:10: So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
- Gen 1:26: Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
- Matt 11:29: Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
- John 16:33: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
- Acts 1:8: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
- 2 Tim 1:7: For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
- Isa 53:4: Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.
- 2 Cor 5:21: God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
- Rom 15:13: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
- John 11:25: Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;
- Heb 11:6: And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
- John 5:24: “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.
- Jas 1:2: Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
- Isa 53:6: We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
- Acts 2:38: Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
- Eph 3:20: Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
- Matt 11:30: For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
- Gen 1:27: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
- Col 3:12: Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
- Heb 12:1: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
- Jas 5:16: Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
- Acts 17:11: Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
- Phil 4:19: And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
- John 1:1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
- 1 Cor 6:19: Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
- 1 John 3:16: This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
- Ps 133:1: How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!
- John 14:27: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
- Heb 4:12: For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
- John 15:13: Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
- Mic 6:8: He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
- Rom 10:17: Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
- John 1:12: Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—
- Jas 1:12: Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
- Jas 1:3: because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
- Rom 8:38: For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
- Rom 8:39: neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- Heb 10:25: Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
- 2 Pet 1:4: Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
- Phil 1:6: being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
- Ps 133:3: It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.
- Heb 4:16: Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
- Ps 37:4: Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
- John 3:17: For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
- Acts 4:12: Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
- Isa 26:3: You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
- 1 Pet 2:24: He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
- Josh 1:8: Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
- Matt 28:18: Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
- Col 3:23: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,
- Matt 22:37: Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
- Ps 133:2: It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes.
- Matt 5:16: In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
- Isa 55:8: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.
- Heb 4:15: For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.
- John 13:35: By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
If you’re curious to know what the least popular Bible passage is, it’s 1 Chronicles 23-27, which details the organization of the priests and officials under King David.
Related links:
The 100 most-read Bible verses at BibleGateway.com
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Strangers in a strange land
In my daily reading I notice this small connection:
And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. (Gen 37:1).
By faith he lived in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (Heb 11:9,10).
We too are strangers in this world, living in tents until the day we see the city of God.
And all these, uthough commended through their faith, udid not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, vthat apart from us they should not be made perfect. (Heb 11: 39,40).
And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. (Gen 37:1).
By faith he lived in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (Heb 11:9,10).
We too are strangers in this world, living in tents until the day we see the city of God.
And all these, uthough commended through their faith, udid not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, vthat apart from us they should not be made perfect. (Heb 11: 39,40).
Reinvigoration of this blog
This blog has been stagnating a bit and so I want to reinvigorate it a bit... My biggest obstacle to writing here is that I always want to write long and well formed posts... But taking a leaf from Twitter and Facebook, I will try the more micro-blogging approach and just jot down there and thoughts I have...
Thursday, November 20, 2008
That I may dwell among them
Ex 29:42-46 concludes with a wonderful statement of God's purpose in bringing the people of Israel out of Egypt. Apparently it was so that He might be able to 'dwell among them'. This is an important focus. So often we focus on the phrase 'brought them out that he might bring them in'. There is truth in the statement although it needs another step in it; 'he brought them out to bring them to himself and then bring them in..' This concluding sentence of Exodus 29 is the key truth; I am the LORD their God, who brought them up out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them. I am the LORD their God.
Read more here: The Residency
(Via Biblebase Second Thoughts.)
The Covenant
Covenant points towards relationship and of a relationship that has a specific beginning. There can be no 'covenant' without a beginning, but beginnings have no guarantee of permanency unless there is a 'covenant'. In that the whole story of the Bible is about relationships, the way that they are created, broken and restored, it is a wonderful topic for consideration.
Read more here: The Covenant
(Via Biblebase Second Thoughts.)
Codex Sinaiticus
The Codex Sinaiticus is a Greek hand-written manuscript of the Old and New Testaments. It was written in the 4th century, in uncial letters. It came to the attention of scholars in the 19th century at the Greek Monastery of Mount Sinai, with further material discovered in the 20th century, and most of it is today in the British Library.
For many the whole area of Bible Texts and original manuscripts is just an unintelligible minefield. To help you understand more about the CS I recommend the following links:
For many the whole area of Bible Texts and original manuscripts is just an unintelligible minefield. To help you understand more about the CS I recommend the following links:
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Second Thoughts - New Blog Started
Ron Bailey, a Bible Teacher, good friend of mine and brother in the Lord, has started a new blog called "Second Thoughts" which is really a place for him to dump his current thoughts and meditations... The blog is a place for thoughts that have stirred him and which might stir others.
You might find it provoking and interesting...
You might find it provoking and interesting...
Read more here: Thinking Aloud and Thinking Allowed
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
He is the Rock
Introduction
For I will proclaim the name of the LORD; ascribe greatness to our God! The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.
(Deu 32:3-4 ESV)
For their rock is not as our Rock; our enemies are by themselves.
(Deu 32:31 ESV)
God is our Rock... As our Rock he is our shelter... Those who don't know God they "are by themselves."
If God isn't your Rock then maybe you are trying to find shelter in something else. What are the "idols" of todays western culture? There are many for sure, but they include Alcohol, Drugs and Money. If you put your trust in these, if you try to shelter in these you will sink.
In ancient Israel a large Rock in the wilderness provided shelter from different hazards. As well as being the picture of something stable, constant and immovable, the Rock is also a practical shelter.
A shelter from the burning sun
When we shelter from the heat of the sun we can rest, we can rest before we move on, we can rest in the shade of the Rock. But the thing about shade is that it is only found near the object casting the shadow. In the same way we can only rest in the shade of the Rock if we come near to the Rock.
A shelter in the storm
There is none holy like the LORD; there is none besides you; there is no Rock like our God.
(1Sa 2:2 ESV)
This is Hannah's testimony, having been through the storm of being childless she found shelter in the Rock.
Other times in our lives can be stormy. A rock provides shelter from the storm. From the wind and from the beating rain. Like sheltering from the sun, you can only shelter from the storm when you stay near the Rock.
A shelter from the attacks of the enemy
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
(2Co 4:8-9 ESV)
There are times in our lives when circumstances bring heat or storm but there are also times when the enemy attacks. In every attack we mustn't pretend the attack isn't happening, we must be blind to the reality, we may be "afflicted in every way" but we are "not crushed". The Rock provides refuge from the attack. He doesn't move and the enemy can't penetrate the shield of the Rock.
Conclusion
For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.
(Psa 27:5 ESV)
Why do we search for other Rocks? God is our ever present Rock, constant, always available and always able to offer shelter.
The wonder of it all is that if we call him "he will lift me high upon a rock." I don't need to climb up there myself, I call, he lifts.
God bless,
Gary
For I will proclaim the name of the LORD; ascribe greatness to our God! The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.
(Deu 32:3-4 ESV)
For their rock is not as our Rock; our enemies are by themselves.
(Deu 32:31 ESV)
God is our Rock... As our Rock he is our shelter... Those who don't know God they "are by themselves."
If God isn't your Rock then maybe you are trying to find shelter in something else. What are the "idols" of todays western culture? There are many for sure, but they include Alcohol, Drugs and Money. If you put your trust in these, if you try to shelter in these you will sink.
In ancient Israel a large Rock in the wilderness provided shelter from different hazards. As well as being the picture of something stable, constant and immovable, the Rock is also a practical shelter.
A shelter from the burning sun
When we shelter from the heat of the sun we can rest, we can rest before we move on, we can rest in the shade of the Rock. But the thing about shade is that it is only found near the object casting the shadow. In the same way we can only rest in the shade of the Rock if we come near to the Rock.
A shelter in the storm
There is none holy like the LORD; there is none besides you; there is no Rock like our God.
(1Sa 2:2 ESV)
This is Hannah's testimony, having been through the storm of being childless she found shelter in the Rock.
Other times in our lives can be stormy. A rock provides shelter from the storm. From the wind and from the beating rain. Like sheltering from the sun, you can only shelter from the storm when you stay near the Rock.
A shelter from the attacks of the enemy
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
(2Co 4:8-9 ESV)
There are times in our lives when circumstances bring heat or storm but there are also times when the enemy attacks. In every attack we mustn't pretend the attack isn't happening, we must be blind to the reality, we may be "afflicted in every way" but we are "not crushed". The Rock provides refuge from the attack. He doesn't move and the enemy can't penetrate the shield of the Rock.
Conclusion
For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.
(Psa 27:5 ESV)
Why do we search for other Rocks? God is our ever present Rock, constant, always available and always able to offer shelter.
The wonder of it all is that if we call him "he will lift me high upon a rock." I don't need to climb up there myself, I call, he lifts.
God bless,
Gary
6 Verses to Show the Meaning of the Hebrew Word for Mercy
The hebrew word kheh'-sed is often translated as mercy in the King James Version of the Bible. For example in Psalm 23:
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORDH for ever. (Psalm 23:6)
But what does it mean?
Here are 6 verse which will you give you a feel for the meaning of the word:
Behold, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have shown me great kindness in saving my life. But I cannot escape to the hills, lest the disaster overtake me and I die. (Gen 19:19 - ESV)
And Jehovah is with Joseph, and stretcheth out kindness unto him, and putteth his grace in the eyes of the chief of the round-house; (Gen 39:21 - YLT)
'The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation.' (Num 14:18 - ESV)
I want your constant love, not your animal sacrifices. I would rather have my people know me than burn offerings to me. (Hos 6:6 - GNB)
And the spies saw a man coming out of the city, and they said to him, "Please show us the way into the city, and we will deal kindly with you." (Jdg 1:24 - ESV)
Solomon answered, "You always showed great love for my father David,your servant, and he was good, loyal, and honest in his relation with you. And you have continued to show him your great and constant love by giving him a son who today rules in his place. (1Ki 3:6 - GNB)
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORDH for ever. (Psalm 23:6)
But what does it mean?
Here are 6 verse which will you give you a feel for the meaning of the word:
Behold, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have shown me great kindness in saving my life. But I cannot escape to the hills, lest the disaster overtake me and I die. (Gen 19:19 - ESV)
And Jehovah is with Joseph, and stretcheth out kindness unto him, and putteth his grace in the eyes of the chief of the round-house; (Gen 39:21 - YLT)
'The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation.' (Num 14:18 - ESV)
I want your constant love, not your animal sacrifices. I would rather have my people know me than burn offerings to me. (Hos 6:6 - GNB)
And the spies saw a man coming out of the city, and they said to him, "Please show us the way into the city, and we will deal kindly with you." (Jdg 1:24 - ESV)
Solomon answered, "You always showed great love for my father David,your servant, and he was good, loyal, and honest in his relation with you. And you have continued to show him your great and constant love by giving him a son who today rules in his place. (1Ki 3:6 - GNB)
Starting to blogging again
I haven't posted to this blog for at least a year mainly because I wanted to finish my Eschatology series (I think there should be another two posts or so) but I never got around to writing them and that stopped me from writing any other posts.
But I shall leave the Eschatology series now and start fresh with new content...
So watch this space!
God bless,
Gary
But I shall leave the Eschatology series now and start fresh with new content...
So watch this space!
God bless,
Gary
Friday, December 08, 2006
Eschatology 101 (Part 14)
Last time we looked at the gathering of the elect (some times called the rapture) at the return of Jesus Christ. We left with the question, how do I qualify for inclusion?
"For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ." (I Corinthians 15:21-23)
The key phrase here is "those who belong to Christ." But before we look at that we need to notice what was written previous. "For as by a man came death," that is Adam. But his disobedience mankind was plunged into the dark pool of sin and death. But "by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead," that is Jesus. By his obedience we have a route out of death, a resurrection of the dead. "For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive." It is all a question of location. Where are you?
So how does one get into Christ or belong to Christ?
"For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body..." (1 Corinthians 12:13)
This "one body" is Jesus. It is also referred to in the Scriptures as "the church" and "the bride". The only way into the church is by baptism. But what baptism? "For by one Spirit we were all baptized..." Not by water, as some have been led to think...
Like wise, "In him you also... were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. Which is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1:14)
When we are baptised in the Holy Spirit we are sealed. This belongs of Jesus Christ. Just like letters of old were sealed with wax to ensure their authenticity, so we are sealed by our owner.
Are you sealed? Will you be part of the gathering?
God bless,
Gary
"For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ." (I Corinthians 15:21-23)
The key phrase here is "those who belong to Christ." But before we look at that we need to notice what was written previous. "For as by a man came death," that is Adam. But his disobedience mankind was plunged into the dark pool of sin and death. But "by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead," that is Jesus. By his obedience we have a route out of death, a resurrection of the dead. "For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive." It is all a question of location. Where are you?
So how does one get into Christ or belong to Christ?
"For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body..." (1 Corinthians 12:13)
This "one body" is Jesus. It is also referred to in the Scriptures as "the church" and "the bride". The only way into the church is by baptism. But what baptism? "For by one Spirit we were all baptized..." Not by water, as some have been led to think...
Like wise, "In him you also... were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. Which is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1:14)
When we are baptised in the Holy Spirit we are sealed. This belongs of Jesus Christ. Just like letters of old were sealed with wax to ensure their authenticity, so we are sealed by our owner.
Are you sealed? Will you be part of the gathering?
God bless,
Gary
Eschatology 101 (Part 13)
"and he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." (Matthew 24:31)
What is this gathering of his elect? Several times through scriptures the return of Christ is coupled with a gathering together of those who belong to Christ. For example in John 14 Jesus tells this disciples that he is leaving, but "... I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." (John 14:3)
This event is some times called "the rapture". The word "rapture" comes from the Latin verb "rapere" which means "to carry off, abduct, seize or take forcefully". It was used in the Latin Vulgate (about 405 A.D.) translation of 1 Thessalonians 4:17, which is a key verse about the gathering of the saints to Jesus Christ.
"For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the archangel's call, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first; then we who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we shall always be with the Lord." (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17)
Again we see the familiar pattern, Jesus returning with Angels (even Archangels), with the sound of a trumpet and then a gathering of the saints (both dead and alive).
What is this gathering of his elect? Several times through scriptures the return of Christ is coupled with a gathering together of those who belong to Christ. For example in John 14 Jesus tells this disciples that he is leaving, but "... I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." (John 14:3)
This event is some times called "the rapture". The word "rapture" comes from the Latin verb "rapere" which means "to carry off, abduct, seize or take forcefully". It was used in the Latin Vulgate (about 405 A.D.) translation of 1 Thessalonians 4:17, which is a key verse about the gathering of the saints to Jesus Christ.
"For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the archangel's call, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first; then we who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we shall always be with the Lord." (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17)
Again we see the familiar pattern, Jesus returning with Angels (even Archangels), with the sound of a trumpet and then a gathering of the saints (both dead and alive).
1) Clouds 2) Angels 3) Trumpets 4) The gathering.
We are told that the dead in Christ will rise first and then those who remain, those alive will be taken up (raptured) to be with those we where just resurrected and to be with Jesus.
How does one qualify for this resurrection? Did you notice how 1 Thessalonians 4:16 puts it, "And the dead in Christ will rise first". This is the key, it is those in Christ.
Next time we shall look at what that means.
God bless,
Gary
We are told that the dead in Christ will rise first and then those who remain, those alive will be taken up (raptured) to be with those we where just resurrected and to be with Jesus.
How does one qualify for this resurrection? Did you notice how 1 Thessalonians 4:16 puts it, "And the dead in Christ will rise first". This is the key, it is those in Christ.
Next time we shall look at what that means.
God bless,
Gary
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