"It is urgent for you to realize that God has never been content for one soul to perish. Not Adam or you or me or any person born on this earth. Also it is of utmost importance to understand that God changes not, He didn't wait four thousand years watching man perish then at the later years decide to have pity. The infallible word of God says: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth should not perish but have everlasting life."
Chapter one.
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
— 2 Peter 3:9
This text is often quoted and is a familiar text to many.
Most of your professing believers acknowledge this is true. It is readily accepted that the word of God is in fact infallible. Of which I am totally convinced is true.
Another truth that is understood is the fact that God is forever the same and He changes not.
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8
I ask you now to bear with me to ask a few questions.
Why would a God that is not willing for any soul to
perish create man and place him in a garden with two specific trees of the one he has been told that the day he eats thereof he shall surely die. Then allow satan who God himself created come and deceive the man. Then give the man a law that could not save him. All the time man is multiplying and filling the earth with souls that are doomed to perish. This goes on for four thousand years. Then God changes everything and is made flesh now man can be saved,by grace. If you were to take what
Is being taught by many theologians today and truly examined it, you would find this is their gospel.
It is urgent for you to realize that God has never been content for one soul to perish. Not Adam or you or me or any person born on this earth. Also it is of utmost importance to understand that God changes not, He didn't wait four thousand years watching man perish then at the later years decide to have pity. " The infallible word of God says: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth should not perish but have everlasting life."
"So loved the world" includes all mankind for all generations, whosoever believeth, means just that, any man from any generation, tribe, tongue or nation.Should not perish because provision was made before the foundations of the earth for all mankind.
1 Peter 1
¹⁸ Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
¹⁹ But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
²⁰ Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
²¹ Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
Beloved, our God so loved the world, that He planned to create, that He gave His only begotten Son before man was ever made. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, are one therefore our triune God had it all covered, the Father was willing to send His only begotten and the Son was prepared to be crucified. Once God speaks a promise, it is the same has accomplished already. This is why the apostle John said that Jesus was slain before the foundation of the world. Rev. 13:8
The apostle Peter said the Lamb of God was foreordained before the foundation of the world.
The author of Hebrews wrote:
“For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.”
— Hebrews 4:3
The finished work being the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. The promise of Christ was given from the beginning and ever since the world is made up of two races of people those who believe the promise (gospel) and those who don't.
The first one to believe of Adams sons was Abel.
“By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.”Hebrews 11:4
Abel was considered righteous by God. His offering of a lamb testified he believed in the promise of the LAMB of God that taketh away the sin of the world.
Like it says in John 1: 36
“And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." Understood to be all sin of the world, past, present, and future.
"Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin."
“And almost all things are by the law purged with blood, and without shedding of blood is no remission. Hebrews 9:22 This is why Cain's offering was not received.
“And by him (Christ) all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” Acts 13:39
To be justified simply means "just as if you had never sinned"
The means of salvation is the same for all. Our loving Savior is not a respecter of persons neither is He willing that any should perish. Due to His foreknowledge, He knew all those who would be saved in fact He chose us in Him before we were ever born.
Ephesians 1
⁴ According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
⁵ Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
“Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” Romans 8:30
Chapter two.
WALKING WITH GOD.
1 John 1
⁵ This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
⁶ If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
⁷ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
The shed blood, or the death of His Son in the heart of God, preceded the forming of man, this way the cornerstone was laid. Enabling every man from the beginning of time this privilege, by believing and repenting. It is recorded in the word of God people walked with Him in all ages.
For example
“And he said, LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart:” 1 Kings 8:23
“And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:” Genesis 5:22
In fact he walked so close to God that he was taken to heaven without dying.
Genesis 5
²³ And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:
²⁴ And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
These men were justified from their sin and had a personal relationship.
“These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.” Genesis 6:9
1 Kings 8
²⁵ Therefore now, LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that thou promised him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel; so that thy children take heed to their way, that they walk before me as thou hast walked before me.
²⁶ And now, O God of Israel, let thy word, I pray thee, be verified, which thou speakest unto thy servant David.
I encourage you to realize that many modern theologians are failing to believe the word of God.
“Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.” Hosea 14:9
In every generation there have been those who walked with God and those who did not. Like the prophet Amos said: “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”
Amos 3:3
In Order to walk with God, man must humble himself, his pride far too often hinders him.
“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”
Micah 6:8
Perhaps you are wondering how these men walked with the Father before Christ came. Because,
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6
The Son of God is an Eternal being He has always existed. The Son of God and the Word of God are one.
The Word of God did not need to be made flesh before men could believe Him. By believing the Word of God men knew God and walked with the Father. The same as we do today. The Word of God has always been the way to the Father.
No man is without excuse in every generation the promise of salvation has been proclaimed. If man will confess his sin God is faithful and just to cleanse him from all evil. See 1John 1: 9
“Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;” Deuteronomy 7:9
Chapter three
THE CHURCH
Some believe the Church was born on the day of Pentecost. This indeed was an important event and God was manifesting himself in a powerful manner in the believers of that day. The scripture does not say when the Church was born. But I suppose it was born in the heart of God before the foundation of the world. When He choose us all.
Christ said I will build my Church.
Matthew 16
¹⁵ He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
¹⁶ And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
¹⁷ And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18
Some have mistakenly taught that Peter is the rock.
The Rock that Jesus is referring to is the revelation of
" Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."
The cornerstone of the church was laid before as well.
Ephesians 2
¹⁹ Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
²⁰ And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone;"
Jesus was slain from the first therefore the cornerstone was laid and upon it the prophets and apostles were all able to build.
The Christ was promised from the beginning thousands upon thousands have believed in Him and were justified for their faith in the coming of Christ. You and I were justified by believing in what Christ did for us at Calvary. They likewise believed in the same Christ that was promised.
“And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations blessed.”
Galatians
Genesis 17
¹ And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
² And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.
³ And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,
⁴ As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.
“And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.” Genesis 15:5 There are a great number more than you or I can count. Thousands upon thousands. The half has not been told, it is hard to grasp how great our Savior is, will you join me in declaring that He is not willing that any should perish?
The Apostle Paul understood that the gospel was preached to every creature under heaven.
“If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;” Colossians 1:23
The word church means "the called-out ones" in every generation the Holy Spirit, with the Word of God, has been calling out of the world those who believe.
The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthian believers wrote.
2 Corinthians 6
¹⁴ Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
¹⁵ And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
¹⁶ And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk-in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
¹⁷ Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
¹⁸ And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
The Church that Christ is building is not a denomination,
but a family of believers. He has not named it after any mans name other than His own. Many are called, but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:14 We are called to forsake the world. We are to be in the world but not of the world. Jesus prayed for the believers:
John 17
¹⁴ I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
¹⁵ I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
¹⁶ They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
¹⁷ Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Paul gave us some helpful instructions.
Colossians 3
¹ If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
² Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
³ For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
⁴ When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
For you are dead and your life is hidden with Christ. Therefore we no longer seek to please the flesh, but now we seek the life that we have in Christ. Which is invisible and not of this world however by faith we can lay hold on all the riches of His glorious life. The purpose of God is that we should be like Him, therefore we consider the sacrifice of the flesh as nothing in order to be transformed into His glorious image.
All those who have believed have been made partakers of the body of Christ and members in particular. For which we give thanks.
Colossians 1
¹² Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
¹³ Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
¹⁴ In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Delivered from the power of darkness. I remember the day I was saved. Believe me, I was truly rejoicing for I knew without a doubt that I had been set free. Satan is called the god (small g) of this world and rightly so. He is the great deceiver working to deceive all mankind.
( I will get back later to discuss why he exists.)
It was a great day being delivered from sin and the evil one but what made it so great is not what I was saved from but what I had been saved to. Translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of Christ Jesus.
Now I have peace, joy, faith, love, and hope. No one in this world of darkness can even imagine the life of Christ. The believers have a great future, we have everything to live for; imagine eternity in heaven in the presence of Almighty God.
The family of God is so special, they all love one another and serve one another. They give honor unto the weakest member and exalt the humble. They hate pride and arrogance, they are no respecters of persons. The family of God is made up of people from every tongue, tribe, and nation. They come from the poorest of families and from the richest.
They don't have political agendas. Every one of them is under the Lordship of Christ. They all seek for the glory of God and do not seek to put themselves up before one another. They all have compassion for the lost people in the world. Their meat is to do the will of the Father and to finish the work He has given them to do.
The Kingdom of God is overseen by the King of Kings.
Christ Jesus is the head of every congregation of believers as well He is the head of every Christian family and He is the head of every believer. The believers are the salt and light
You may be thinking that I live in a different world than you. The church is not as rosy as you are describing it to be. Of course in the world we have about everything.There are an innumerable amount of religions that claim to be promoting good.But have been exploiting the naive do-gooders for centuries. Some of these religions have even come in the name of Jesus Christ. Of which Jesus warned us about saying: " many shall come in my name and thereby deceive many."
But there are also many Christian Churches that genuinely preach His gospel. Most of them are of one denomination or another. Many are of no denomination.
Among them are some really good ones but as you are more than likely aware. Some real bad. When I say bad meaning they are not living the life of Christ.
Thanks be to Jesus for teaching how we can know who are His. He said by their fruits you shall know them.
Matthew 7
¹⁵ Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
¹⁶ Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
¹⁷ Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
¹⁸ A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
¹⁹ Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire.
²⁰ Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
My Francille and I were saved in the month of November 1969. We have been in ministry around the world in many countries since 1972. The reason for saying this is for you to realize how important it has been for us to be able to discern God's people by their fruits
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Church of Galatia:
.Galatians 5
²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
²³ Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
²⁴ And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
²⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
My reason for describing the Family of God as being very special is because they are indeed. They all bear the same loving fruit. They are truly are the salt and the light of the world. Let's think about salt, why is the Christian considered to be the salt of the world. Salt when sprinkled on meat has the chemical necessary for conserving the meat. In many countries where refrigeration is scarce, they use it a lot for keeping their meat from spoiling. We have been in many congregations where the majority of them did not bear the fruit of the Spirit. But quite often among them would be those Godly ones that stood out from the rest. Upon discovering them and the sweet fruit of the Spirit you would leave being encouraged that God was watching over the group. Another obvious positive happening was that the hypocrites and proud among them were being used of our Father to perfect His chosen ones. His faithful were sowing seeds and we know they will be rewarded for their labor of love.
The work that Saints have been called to do will be used of God to form His servants into His own precious image. The more difficult the field the greater is the need for the light of the gospel. Darkness hates light but the hatred that comes forth gives greater opportunity for the light to shine. The hatred brought against Christ Jesus was used to manifest the greatest love the world has ever seen.
Ok, there is a lot of injustice in the world get over it or it will destroy you. Love is the greatest and most
powerful of all weapons learn to love the ungodly. Be an overcomer don't concentrate on the losers or you will be one. Look for the fruit of the Spirit it is by far the most delicious fruit ever the more you seek it, the more will be seen in you.
The Church of Jesus Christ is to be His bride, the body of believers is magnificent already. It will be perfect in every aspect, within His Body of believers is found all the fullness of the Godhead. Someday soon we will see Him face to face we will see Him because we will be just like Him.
1 John 3
² Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
³ And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
What is your hope? There is nothing better than this it is the best of the best.
Chapter four.
Why does satan exist?
I said I would get back to this question.
To understand the reason for his being here troubling so many every day for centuries requires us to investigate first of all where he came from.
Isaiah the prophet of God gives us the understanding that he fell from heaven.
“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!” Isaiah 14:12
Now wait a minute, you might say, you mean he came from heaven? He was cast out because his heart was lifted up.
Isaiah 14
¹³ For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
¹⁴ I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. (He even thought he could be equal to the Almighty God. )
¹⁵ Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
¹⁶ They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;
Our Heavenly Father put him on earth for a time. Then when he (God) is finished with him satan will be cast into hell fire.
Now I realise in the answering of the question, I brought more.
In order to fully understand why God does what He does, it will help immensely to understand who God is.
I truly enjoy sharing this matter because He is so great and I take much pleasure in speaking of His majesty.
The word of God in fact declares Him in His glory.
We are told "
“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:24 It takes time to learn to appreciate this but after walking with Him for some years, I can say, it is wonderful, at times I long for His presence to come in greater measure, the more of His Spirit comes in the more I want.
Like Paul, I also enjoy sharing these things with you.
“But we are bound to give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:”
2 Thessalonians 2:13
The elect of God hear His voice and readily believe it.
For example The Apostle Peter
Matthew 16
¹⁵ "He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
¹⁶ And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
¹⁷ And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."
Therefore I need not try and convince you of these wonderful truths.
God is Holy:
“Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; LORD our God is holy.” Psalms 99:9
Holy means set apart. There is none like Him.
He is the one and only omnipresent. (Everywhere at the same time is an ability that He alone holds )
He is also the one and only omniscient. (All-knowing)
Besides all this, He is the Omnipotent Creator who spoke everything into existence with his word.
God is eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God.
Any one of these makes him very special but He is all four and more.
“Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
Timothy 1:17
God is just.
Moses sang this anointed truth.
Deuteronomy 32
¹ Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.
² My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distill as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:
³ Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God.
⁴ He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, JUST and right is he.
He is truth.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
John 14:6
He is life.
1 John 5
¹¹ And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
¹² He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
God is perfect!
The prophet Samuel declares,
“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.”
Samuel 22:31
Some have said there is nothing that God cannot do.
However that is not true, there are some things, God cannot do.
He cannot lie.
“In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;” Titus 1:2
It does not say He won't lie but He cannot. This is difficult for the descendants of Adam to understand. Adam’s race has been corrupted therefore we need to teach our children not to lie. To lie is far too easy. Our precious Creator, however, has a Holy Divine nature that can not lie.God doesn't lie, nor tempteth he any man.
The apostle James says: In James chapter 1
¹² Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
¹³ Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
¹⁴ But every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
It is apparent from these texts that from the creation, it has been His desire to give man Eternal life. According to the book of James for man to receive the crown of life he must endure temptation.
This explains why Adam was tempted. Considering that God cannot tempt any man; He would need to find a way for him to be tempted. Our Heavenly Father took the challenge in stride. We can learn much about God from His creation and His word. Even though God is an invisible Spirit,
“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:” Romans 1:20
“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:”
Colossians 1:16
There you have it " whether they be thrones, or dominions, principalities, or powers. All things created were created by him and for him. Satan was created by the Father for a particular task. He created all things visible and invisible. All the angels were created for His purpose. We read earlier about Lucifer's fall from heaven.
“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!” Isaiah 14:12
He fell because our Father had a magnificent special job for him. Why do I sound pleased that Satan came to earth?
Beloved, we could not have the crown of life without his evil temptations.
“Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.”
Revelation 12:12
His time is limited but from Adam until now he has been fulfilling the will of our Creator in spite of his hatred for everything good. Like fiery torch in the hand of the Almighty, God satan is being used to refine the man of God. Once his purpose is fulfilled he will be cast into hell
Isaiah 14
⁹ Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.
¹⁰ All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us?
¹¹ Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee.
Hell is real it was not created for the believers but for satan and the non-believers who choose to follow in the deception.
Here is a word of wisdom for us.
“The way of life is above for the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.” Proverbs 15:24
At this point, it might be hard to believe and trust in the wisdom of God. Take courage our Heavenly Father has considered every aspect of the dangers of releasing Satan lose on humanity.
Our Father's plan for man is for Him to be made in the express image of His Son. For this to happen man will need to know God in all His splendor. The angels are wonderful creatures but they are not made in His image. The only way for man to be made in the image of God is for him to be born of God a child would grow into the image of His Father.
Genesis 1
²⁶ And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
²⁷ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female he created them.
This sounds like God has finished of His making man in His image. Because of our inability to see the future, this is only the beginning, at this point man was innocent without sin. However, for man to be in the express image of God he will need to be born again. (John3: 3) God is love. At creation, man knew nothing of Gods` love. Perhaps now you can understand the need for the temptation. Man is going to be tempted, he was made with a free will, he will make the wrong choice. By believing the lie of satan Eve was deceived and Adam also partook. They passed from life to death in doing this. Aren't you glad that our Heavenly Father had counted the cost and had made preparation that would enable God to carry out His marvelous plan?
The cost was the giving of His only begotten Son to die for man's sin. In this way man would see first hand the love of God. This is why I love God because He first loved me.
We spoke of this in chapter three. How the cornerstone of the church was laid by Christ Himself and how the prophets and apostles have been building on it. As we also said earlier the works were finished from the foundation. This also explains why God said that He created man in His image. In the heart of God, all things were accomplished as far as the things needed for the completion of the Church. Therefore In His foreknowledge He could see us in Christ and He liked what He saw, therefore, He chose us.
The Holy Spirit has given us in the word of God an insight of the great judgment day.
Matthew 25
³¹ When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sat upon the throne of his glory:
³² And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
³³ And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
³⁴ Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world
By fast-forwarding to the book of revelation we see the purpose of creating man in the image of God.
Revelation 19
⁶ And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
⁷ Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
⁸ And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
⁹ And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
It had been the plan of God all along for His Only Begotten Son to have a bride. The bride of Christ is his His body.
Ephesians 5
²⁷ That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
²⁸ So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
²⁹ For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
³⁰ For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
Chapter five.
The Lord is not slack concerning His promises.
as some men count slackness. This was written by the aged Apostle Peter in last epistle: "to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:” 2 Peter 1:1
His concern was genuine, and I share the same concern
for those who are living in this much later date who share the precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.
In previous chapters, I brought out how from the beginning even before man was made God was giving precious promises even Eternal Life.
It appears that in this modern age this cornerstone is being ignored by the theologians of our day as if some do not consider that God really meant what He said.
Please take note that I consider God's` Word is indeed
Infallible and anyone who would make light of such a precious promise will not be a participant of it, until he
believes.
Peter went on to say but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Peter 3:9
Beloved Peter had an important word for us and he knew he didn't have much time to live. It is important to realize that his words were chosen and of the utmost importance,
2 Peter 1
¹³ Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
¹⁴ Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
¹⁵ Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
Beloved as you well know the Apostle Peter passed away many years ago. (64 bc) And I am quite sure that most of the believers today have not kept those things in remembrance.
Peter started out in his epistle in chapter one with a brief introduction then jumped right in speaking of the many benefits of the promises.
2 Peter 1
³ According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
⁴ Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Right away Peter is making the believer aware of what we have in Christ, "All things that pertain unto life and godliness".And is reminded what we have the Divine nature of Christ and that we have escaped the corruption of the world for simply believing the promises.
Unlike many modern evangelists of our day, Peter did not leave it with only the foundational truth, without teaching the expectation of faith in action.
2 Peter 1
⁵ And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
⁶ And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
⁷ And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
⁸ For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
⁹ But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
¹⁰ Wherefore the rather, brethren, give the diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
Make your calling and election sure; he is not talking about a calling into ministry, but a calling of Eternal Life all those who are in Christ have been called out of the world and chosen by the Father for a purpose.
There is an important need of making sure your calling. Unfortunately there are those who profess to be Christians but have not come out of the world. Their numbers are increasing, therefore, we live in perilous times
The fruit of the Spirit cannot be seen in those who love the world. It is hard to fake the fruit of the Spirit.
Although many try but it's easy enough to discern the false.
“For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;”
“Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:”
Colossians 1:5,6
By acknowledging that you have been called out of the world and chosen by God. Will help you to rest in the plan of our Father. Our Heavenly Father is not a respecter of persons. His love never changes He is always the same.
“And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.” Exodus 33:11
Exodus 33
¹⁴ And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
¹⁵ And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.
¹⁶ For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.
¹⁷ And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.
Moses found grace and that same grace is available for anyone who will seek for it , no matter what generation they live in. Because He changes not.
“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” 1John 5:4
The new believer needs to realize a profession of faith, brings the expectation the fruit of faith.
The Apostle is saying add to your faith virtue definition being behavior showing high moral standards. The word add is very significant. After all, faith is the lifeline for the believer. He is not saying beside faith we have to do good works. Good works do not in any way bring salvation. A lot of evangelists for lack of faith, (if we believe someone has been saved we should believe they will bear fruit) lay a charge of things to be done. It never has been the will of God to start out in faith then fall back in keeping a law.
Peter is saying add to your faith, increase in faith.
When a tree is planted, there is no need to tell the tree what to do. The tree is expected to bring forth fruit after its own kind. The new believer in Christ is encouraged to expect (have faith) the fruit (virtue) to come forth.) It is of utmost importance that believers look for the fruit of the Spirit in their own lives.
Galatians 5
²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
²³ Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
²⁴ And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Once virtue is there the new believer will increase as well in knowledge. Have you ever noticed that two people may share the same experience but one will learn much more by the experience? A virtuous person will definitely learn by their experience. The non-virtuous person is hindered by self or pride, therefore, he receives not the blessing of learning by their experience. Knowledge then enables temperance and to temperance patience then patience to godliness, godliness to brotherly kindness, kindness to charity.
“For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:8
Chapter six
Our beloved brother desires us to have assurance in all that he is writing is true. We are very privileged to have this epistle from one who walked with our dear Lord Jesus and was an eyewitness of his crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. This Fisherman became a powerful Apostle of Christ Jesus. Lived a godly life and was faithful unto death. The religious fanatics like the ones who crucified Jesus were not satisfied with the crucifixion of Jesus.
They went after those that were close to him as well. All but Judas who hung himself were persecuted severely.
History says that they wanted to crucify Peter in the same way they did Jesus but Peter said I am not worthy to die as He did so crucify me upside down. They say that they obliged him
When men like this who walked with our Saviour while He was here on earth and were disposed to die for the cause of Christ, surely knew the heart of Jesus. He was not willing that any should perish but have everlasting life.
2 Peter 1
¹⁶ For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
¹⁷ For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
¹⁸ And this voice which came from heaven we heard when we were with him in the holy mount.
Peter is determined to make sure we believe the truth, therefore, gives a more sure word of prophecy.
“ 19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
²⁰ Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
²¹ For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 1Pt 2: 19- 21
The Apostles were all believers of the prophets and they understood that they (the Apostles) were not
only to testify of what they had seen and heard but also confirm the word that had been spoken many years before.
Listen to what the Apostle Paul says:
Ephesians 2
¹⁸ For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
¹⁹ Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God
²⁰ And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone;
²¹ In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
²² In whom ye also are built together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.
They considered themselves fellow citizens of the saints and household of God. Built together for a habitation of God.
It is of the utmost importance to believe what has been established by the holy men of God who
laid down their own lives to bring this glorious truth.
Those who fail to believe the gospel truth ( or the promises of God) will likely be deceived by the false teachers that they were told would come. He was absolutely correct because they are here in great numbers.
2 Peter 2
¹ But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
² And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom, the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
³ And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
Jesus taught us well and informed us the way of destruction and the way of life.
Matthew 7
¹³ Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
¹⁴ Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
¹⁵ Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
¹⁶ Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Jesus is the way the truth and the life. That is the straight gate. The wide gate is the innumerable amount of religions that claim to be the way. These all have persecuted the righteous from the time that Cain who was a religious zealot killed his righteous brother Abel because God approved of Abel's offering but his offerings were not accepted. Cain set the pattern that the religious have followed until this time. In fact the increase of persecution as been alarming in these "modern " days.
Religious leaders want respect and honor even to the degree of worship. This type of honor should never be given unto men. This is reserved for the Creator, God Almighty.
“Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.” 1 Chronicles 16:29
Psalms 95
⁵ The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.
⁶ O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.
Satan wants this honor and power over all men.
Matthew 4
⁸ Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
⁹ And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
¹⁰ Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Without faith, it is impossible to know and follow the invisible God. The carnal man looks for something that he can see to confirm his weak faith. For instance a miracle or a sign. Satan often takes opportunity and brings to his attention a person who appears to be spiritual. Jesus warned us that false prophets and false teachers would come. They have come in great numbers. They are everywhere. Wide is the gate into destruction.
It is the pure in heart who find favor with the Saviour. We all are capable of being deceived. The deceiver is wiser than we are. The proud and arrogant man is easy prey. King Salomon wrote with inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Proverbs 3
³ Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
⁴ So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
⁵ Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
⁷ Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
It is easy to follow men don't be a follower of men. Jesus said: my sheep hear my voice and they follow me. The Word of God is the bread of life. Jesus said blessed is he that hungers and thirsts after me for he shall be filled.
If you are not feasting on this bread you haven't discovered what life is.
Every member In the body of Christ (which is His Church) hears His voice and they all have a personal relationship with Him. This body of believers is not an institution of any sort or any organization of this world. They have been translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God.
We are in the world but not of it. Therefore it is necessary for everyone in the body to be in submission to our Head.
Colossians 2
⁶ As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
⁷ Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
⁸ Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
⁹ For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
¹⁰ And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
The Apostle Paul is warning us lest any man spoil us through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. We are complete in him.
1.Lest any man spoil with PHILOSOPHY.
Man's philosophy is just that don't expect it to do, what God can only do. You are complete in Christ already however to fully enjoy the many riches found in Christ. We must be seeking Him alone not putting our faith in man.
2. Lest any man spoil you with VAIN DECEIT.
Vain deceit
One of the most used because man is vain he has participated in the pride of life. We think too much of ourselves, flattery is an easy way to deceive the proud. A lie that attracts our vanity is dangerous.
3 Lest any man spoil you with TRADITIONS OF
MEN.
Costumes that have been passed from one generation to another. However like theology man's teaching that is assumed to be biblical when in fact it isn't. So can be tradition.
Unfortunately, tradition gains a false pretense
just in the fact that it has existed for so long.
A good example is clergy-laity. This ungodly system has been around for a long time.
It is readily accepted by many however it did not exist in the early church. The term is not found in the bible its origin comes from the catholic religion. The church of England also supported it.
Clergy means a body of men ordained for religious duties. Now it's found in most denominations.
Laity means ordinary people distinct from the clergy, who are professionals or experts.
Our Lord Jesus never has approved of such a system. In the Body of Christ we all are ordinary with no divisions. The clergy-laity system brings division, respect of person, jealous and,politics.
Within the Body of Christ, every believer is led and instructed by the Holy Spirit. There are Elders which are ordained in the Church by the "sent ones" the apostles or missionaries (both meaning sent ones) they are those who came through the work of the Spirit and established the Church under the Headship of Christ Jesus. The Elders are to watch over the fellowship but by no means are they to usurp the authority of Headship which is held by Christ alone. The Apostle Paul was used by God to leave the requirements of an Elder.
There is nothing at all said about professionalism or experts. No requirement of any type of schooling, or special training.
1 Timothy 3
¹ This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, ( the words bishop, elder, or preceptor have all the same meaning and are used interchangeably) he desireth a good work.
² A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, to hospitality, apt to teach;
³ Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
⁴ One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
⁵ (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
⁶ Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he falls into the condemnation of the devil.
⁷ Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
It is obvious that our Lord God puts more importance on the character of a man than He does his education. Today we have numerous of well-educated men but few who meet the qualifications of an elder. His testimony is extremely important or he may fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
4. Lest any man spoil you with RUDIMENTS OF
THE WORLD and not after Christ.
Rudiments meaning is the first principle of a subject.
A certain gentleman may have an idea of a solution to real problems in the Church however if his idea was originated in the world. It will be wise to hear from Christ before doing anything.
For example, there is a need for funds. This gentleman says the men's club I belong to, we raised a lot of money by passing out fliers in our neighborhood letting people know of the need.
It's by far more appropriate to pray and ask our Heavenly Father for the funds, then He will receive the glory and honor. Rather than ask those who are still in the world to support those who supposedly believe in the omnipotent God.
As we said previously, we were told the false prophets would come and now they are still here. And like Peter says:
“And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.”
2 Peter 2:2
“And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” 2 Peter 2:3
Through covetousness shall they with feigned (fake, pretentious) words make merchandise (business or profit) of you: The main problem is man's weakness, the love of money is the root of all evil. The enemy is counting on man’s covetousness. He will simply come with a skeem that is hard for man to resist.
The god (satan) of this world had everything ready for
the false prophets. His target being Christ and His Church to destroy as much as he could of the unity in the body of Christ and destroy the life of Christ in His Church. Satan brought in the clergy-laity system this in itself brought division in the church. It was a system that would breed jealousy, politics, and covetousness.
By exalting man as being something special like a pope or a worker of miracles would put him in a position that would pay well. Many more would desire this lucrative position.
The system he brought in was a total breaking away from the principles that Christ Jesus taught and the Apostles established them in. Where they were experiencing the life of Christ being active in every believer. They loved one another and served their fellow man with pleasure. The gifts of the Spirit were seen among them on a daily basis.
They didn't have a need to pay anyone a salary. They had been taught to seek first the kingdom of God and everything else would be added unto them. They didn't have any professionals in their midst, all were servants. They followed the teaching and example Christ had given. What He received freely He in return gave freely.
The system that satan had brought in gave place to the flesh academic achievement was more important than a godly testimony. The false prophets were endowed with lying spirits that would perform a sign or a miracle. They would draw many after themselves. Many spoke a lot about faith if you have enough faith you can be rich. Cult leaders began to use these practices abusing the innocent to benefit themselves.
I realise this is all a little confusing and brings doubt to some. It helps to realise that the goal of making man in the image of God, is extremely high and not something that even God Almighty could do with the snap of His fingers.
Here are a few verses that should help.
Proverbs 16
² All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
³ Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
⁴ The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
⁵ Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand joins in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
⁶ By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD, men depart from evil.
“For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.”
— Psalms 5:4
“Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.” Psalms 97:10
“The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” Proverbs 15:3
“Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.” Proverbs 28:5
Chapter seven.
Tribulation
This word is scary and we prefer not to think about it.
Mission work can appear to be glamorous for example in Acts. 14 The Apostles Barnabas and Paul encountered a crippled man, Paul said stand up and walk. He did and was immediately healed.
“And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men.”
Acts 14:11
Paul and Barnabas had to persuade them not to make offering unto them.
Just a few verses further you see them stoning Paul and left him for dead. Not so glamorous.
Acts 14
¹⁹ And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.
²⁰ Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
Then we find them confirming the disciples.
“Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." Acts 14:22
Jesus had taught the same.
John 16
³¹ Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?
³² Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
³³ These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
In Christ Jesus, we are called to be overcomers
1 John 5
³ For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. ( I enjoy the Christian life immensely.)
⁴ For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
⁵ Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
All that have believed find grace.
“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;” 1 Peter 1:13
The Apostle Paul writes:
Romans 5
¹ Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
² By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
³ And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
I have learned a little about what Paul is saying.
There are times, not often as should be,
I truly enjoy being tested in the faith, oh at the moment it is hard, but the victory is so delicious. So much so I have looked forward to my next opportunity of testing. The adversity is swallowed up in victory.
The Holy Spirit revealed these things to His Prophet Isaiah.
Isaiah 25
⁷ And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations.
⁸ He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.
⁹ And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
Our beloved Paul confirms the same truth.
1 Corinthians 15
⁵⁰ Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
⁵¹ Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
⁵² In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
⁵³ For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
⁵⁴ So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
⁵⁵ O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Wow, we have wonderful things to look forward to and a little tribulation along the way will not be worth talking about.
Conclusion
God who's not willing that any should perish.
Had a marvelous plan of providing a bride for His Only Begotten Son. This bride would need to be in His same image anything less would not be acceptable.
We discussed earlier that this could only be accomplished by birth. Also, it would only be fitting that the bride would fully love the Son of God. Our omniscient Father knew that Son would need to truly love the bride and desire her as a wife. Jesus was pleased with the plan of His beloved Father.
We also have stated this could not happen with a snap of the fingers. Reason being the creation of man and woman in flesh was easy enough but they would need to love the Son of their own free will. Which would require the experience of knowing evil and participate in its delusion? Our all-knowing Father knew if they once become deceived by sin that most would love sin and not want to let it go. Therefore it will require generations
of people seeing, again and again, the consequence of sin and all its debauchery. At the same time seeing the loving grace of Christ Jesus reaching out to them offering His total forgiveness again and again.
2 Peter 3
³ Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
⁴ And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.
⁵ For this, they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
⁶ Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
⁷ But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
⁸ But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
⁹ The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Our precious heavenly Father In His infinite foreknowledge before the foundations of the world. Saw a remnant from every generation praying the following prayer of repentance or one similar to King David, and He chose them to be the bride of His Only Begotten Son.
Psalms 51
¹ (To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.) Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
² Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
³ For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
⁴ Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
⁵ Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
⁶ Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
⁷ Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
⁸ Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
⁹ Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
¹⁰ Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
¹¹ Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
¹² Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
¹³ Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
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