You have heard people say the world started with an explosion, others it was created-that God put it all into being, and tons of other theories.
Many Christians fear science, as science fears Christians, because each believe the other is out to disprove what they believe. What if they prove each other?
What if the more you study science, the more you believe there has to be a supreme being who put this world together, because it is too complex and causal and related and detailed to be random? That there has to be a supreme being who made this?
What if the more you study about Christ, you realize things are too complex and causal and related and detailed to be random? That there is some science to it?
I think both beliefs arrive at the same place! A supreme being with a super supreme plan brought all this together, and someday will change all this to eternity on earth! That makes God a scientist (and more)! Doesn't it?
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Saturday, March 19, 2016
Light and dark
John 8:12
12When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Light and dark. Christ is light, we know that from the scripture above at the very least! We know Christ forgives our sins and gives us hope. We know because of Him, we will spend eternity in heaven. So who is darkness?
Having just read Billy Graham's book, Where I Am, I can tell you Billy makes it very clear that the darkness is Satan and his lies. Lies like you will never be good enough, you can't do anything right, everyone does things better than you, no matter how hard you try you always mess things up, you are useless. Those are all lies Satan wants you to believe, because if he can get you to believe his lies he might be able you convince you that Jesus Christ can't save you and couldn't possibly love you. If he can convince you of that, he can win your soul.
God however, sent His son to die for all the mistakes and blunders we could possibly make...no matter how big or small. He covers them with the sacrifice He made on the cross. As far as God is concerned, that is good enough...we are made new with no more sin or guilt.
So the next time you are feeling you can't do anything right, remember God sent His Son, Jesus, to ensure that you can know that just isn't true. We are human, and as such we will sin. However, we have Jesus Christ to take that sin away and make us pure and holy with God. We can do things right, through Him!
Father, we thank you for sending your Son. Jesus, we thank you for dying on the cross for our sins, so that we can be found perfect with our holy God. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
12When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Light and dark. Christ is light, we know that from the scripture above at the very least! We know Christ forgives our sins and gives us hope. We know because of Him, we will spend eternity in heaven. So who is darkness?
Having just read Billy Graham's book, Where I Am, I can tell you Billy makes it very clear that the darkness is Satan and his lies. Lies like you will never be good enough, you can't do anything right, everyone does things better than you, no matter how hard you try you always mess things up, you are useless. Those are all lies Satan wants you to believe, because if he can get you to believe his lies he might be able you convince you that Jesus Christ can't save you and couldn't possibly love you. If he can convince you of that, he can win your soul.
God however, sent His son to die for all the mistakes and blunders we could possibly make...no matter how big or small. He covers them with the sacrifice He made on the cross. As far as God is concerned, that is good enough...we are made new with no more sin or guilt.
So the next time you are feeling you can't do anything right, remember God sent His Son, Jesus, to ensure that you can know that just isn't true. We are human, and as such we will sin. However, we have Jesus Christ to take that sin away and make us pure and holy with God. We can do things right, through Him!
Father, we thank you for sending your Son. Jesus, we thank you for dying on the cross for our sins, so that we can be found perfect with our holy God. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
It seems my testimony/witness bears no fruit
I hear others talking about people they have led to Christ. I try to think of whom exactly have I led to Christ. The list is short. Then I think of whom I should be leading to Christ and the list is very long. I don't see progress. Shouldn't I see progress? Am I not trying hard enough? Am I trying too hard and pushing people away? Do I need to speak up more? Do I speak up too boldly and turn people away? Do I start talking about God and His love for humanity by sending Christ at the wrong time? Is there a wrong time? Is there a right time?
I think all of these are questions I have asked myself at one time or another. The best thing to do when I am having doubts about what I should and shouldn't do is go to scripture.
Galatians 6:9
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
Psalm 37:4-6
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.
Mark 16:15
He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
Look at these verses carefully. No where in them does it say that I will control the outcome of my conversations. No where does it say I will even learn the outcome. The scriptures say I should persevere, trust God's understanding not mine, God will act, just do it!
So, that means that my focus when I am questioning things is on me and what I do and don't see happening. However, scripture tells me not to focus on me, but on God and doing His work. It is not my work; it is His work. I am His hands and feets. I am the one people meet and hear. God is the one who brings them to salvation, and maybe sometimes He does that in spite of me.
I just need to go and tell.
Father, thank you for the privilege of sharing salvation with others. Thank you that you will do your work no matter how clumsy I might be at telling others. Thank you that all who will believe you will ensure they get there! In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
I think all of these are questions I have asked myself at one time or another. The best thing to do when I am having doubts about what I should and shouldn't do is go to scripture.
Galatians 6:9
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
Psalm 37:4-6
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.
Mark 16:15
He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
Look at these verses carefully. No where in them does it say that I will control the outcome of my conversations. No where does it say I will even learn the outcome. The scriptures say I should persevere, trust God's understanding not mine, God will act, just do it!
So, that means that my focus when I am questioning things is on me and what I do and don't see happening. However, scripture tells me not to focus on me, but on God and doing His work. It is not my work; it is His work. I am His hands and feets. I am the one people meet and hear. God is the one who brings them to salvation, and maybe sometimes He does that in spite of me.
I just need to go and tell.
Father, thank you for the privilege of sharing salvation with others. Thank you that you will do your work no matter how clumsy I might be at telling others. Thank you that all who will believe you will ensure they get there! In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Psalm 23 - The Lord is my Shepherd.
Psalm 23
1The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4Even though I walk through the darkest valley,[a] I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
The shepherd watches over the sheep. The sheep are "stupid." The shepherd keeps the sheep from wandering off, getting out, being led astray, making pour decisions, because the shepherd knows what is out there that could harm the sheep.
Jesus is the shepherd. We are the sheep. Jesus knows the trouble we can get ourselves into. He knows we are easily swayed by new things, then even newer things, what others say, keeping up with the Joneses, or better yet trying to better them. He knows we get tired and weak. He knows we know Him. He knows we want to follow His voice. He knows we still are led astray.
So, the God shepherd, Jesus Christ, continually leads us, find us, brings us back, in order to keep us safely with God. It is only when our little sheep hooves keep running from His voice rather than to His voice that we run into real danger! Danger of going to hell instead of heaven because the sheep might decide he doesn't want Jesus as His Shepherd. Or maybe we are little sheep who are going to heaven with fewer jewels on our crown to put at Jesus's feet because we spent more time doing what we wanted instead if what He wanted us to do.
Father, help me to focus on you. To remember at all times, that if I turn to you for advice (pray), I will always be led down the correct path. In Jesus name I pray. Amen
1The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4Even though I walk through the darkest valley,[a] I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
The shepherd watches over the sheep. The sheep are "stupid." The shepherd keeps the sheep from wandering off, getting out, being led astray, making pour decisions, because the shepherd knows what is out there that could harm the sheep.
Jesus is the shepherd. We are the sheep. Jesus knows the trouble we can get ourselves into. He knows we are easily swayed by new things, then even newer things, what others say, keeping up with the Joneses, or better yet trying to better them. He knows we get tired and weak. He knows we know Him. He knows we want to follow His voice. He knows we still are led astray.
So, the God shepherd, Jesus Christ, continually leads us, find us, brings us back, in order to keep us safely with God. It is only when our little sheep hooves keep running from His voice rather than to His voice that we run into real danger! Danger of going to hell instead of heaven because the sheep might decide he doesn't want Jesus as His Shepherd. Or maybe we are little sheep who are going to heaven with fewer jewels on our crown to put at Jesus's feet because we spent more time doing what we wanted instead if what He wanted us to do.
Father, help me to focus on you. To remember at all times, that if I turn to you for advice (pray), I will always be led down the correct path. In Jesus name I pray. Amen
Love one another, and everyone will know you are my disciples...
John 13
34“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
They will know you are my disciples (that you believe in me, that you are saved for heaven) by your love for each other!
Hmmmm. I am a to do list person. I get things done. I am a Martha. I have to work really hard at focusing on relationships over work as work is my "go to" inclination.
I am trying though. I keep trying over and over again every day, because I want others to know we are Christians. Jesus said others would know we are Christians by our love for each other, so I owe it to Him to do my best to show His love to other Christians and then to non-Christians.
Father, I love you. I know without a doubt that you love me. Please give me opportunities to show others your love today. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
34“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
They will know you are my disciples (that you believe in me, that you are saved for heaven) by your love for each other!
Hmmmm. I am a to do list person. I get things done. I am a Martha. I have to work really hard at focusing on relationships over work as work is my "go to" inclination.
I am trying though. I keep trying over and over again every day, because I want others to know we are Christians. Jesus said others would know we are Christians by our love for each other, so I owe it to Him to do my best to show His love to other Christians and then to non-Christians.
Father, I love you. I know without a doubt that you love me. Please give me opportunities to show others your love today. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Think 16 - Living as a Christian in this culture, Church history, Why be a member of the local church
These are notes from College Park Church's Think 16 sermon March 2016 about the church.
Psalm 31
Mark Dever
1. Puritan on church of England that wanted to make out more clear.
2. So, preaching the Gospel is more fundamental than how a church is governed, when choosing a church.
3. Preaching is more generative than discipline. Not that discipine is important, or boundaries, is important, but not as important as preaching the Gospel.
4. Preaching is more substantial than literary, ligerature?, or how things are done.
Preaching is Moe central than anything else too our churches.
Preaching is more complete than the sacraments.
Five reasons to be a member of a local church (the body)
1. Do it for non-christians. If you love them, you won't encourage them in their sin. You will want to show them their sin in order for them to be saved. Help people who believe they are Christians understand that they are not. Show them Galatians 5,-fruit if the flesh - are these you? And then fruit of the spirit. But you can have Christ.
2. Do it for weaker Christians. Stronger Christians should set example for weaker. Show them that church membership is beneficial. Cine along side weaker members and bring them along.
3. Do it for stronger Christians. Jn 13:34-35. Stronger Christians should show their love for God by loving others. For the survival of your faith in our current culture. Luke 18 will the Sob of man find faithful
4. Do it for the sake of our leaders. Pray for them, so they can remain strong.
5. Do it for God. The church is God's idea. Acts 2:47. Saul on the road to Damascus, Jesus said "why do you persecute ME?"
Psalm 31
Mark Dever
- Churches exist for supernatural change. It seems it is harder to be a Christian today...but really, it has always been hard work to be a Christian
- We are being persecuted today. Jesus said we would be persecuted. This is nothing new. It is the norm. We should not play the victim. Many times persecution is based on a secondary action rather than the gospel. Matthew 5 -Sermon on the Mount. It really doesn't end well. In Acts 5:41, the apostles rejoiced because they had been counted worthy to suffer on Jesus name...Then they are scattered and preach gospel as they go. A witness happens because of persecution. Philippians 1:7, 12
- Washed utopianism. That is God's job not ours. Ours is to tell the gospel. Utopianism has a track record of distracting us from the gospel. The Holy Spirit uses us, but it is not our job too force change.
- Make use of our Democratic stewardship. Romans 13 , we are to submit to the state...party of that is a share in its authority...So we share in its tyranny. Read. Pray. Think. Discuss. Vote.
- Trust the Lord not circumstances. The has never been a set of circumstances we could not trust God as we endure.
- Remember that everything we have is God's grace. We deserve hell...anything better than hell...thank you Jesus. Hebrews 10:34 - we know we have a life after this, so we will joyfully give away our lives to others now. 2 Corinthians , 2 Timothy 1, 1Peter 4. Our sufferings are the stewardship of sharing in the sufferings of Christ. Romans 8:16, 18. Suffering is not all there is, Moe importantly is the glory that is being prepared in us.
- Rest in the certainty of Christ's victory. The gates of hell will not prevail.Jesus said He shall lose none.
Richard Sibbes, a Puritan, Anglican?
Reformers two essential marks of a church
-the right administration of the Lord supper.
-the right teaching from the Word
Have Evangelicals forgotten what a church is?
Puritans. Maligned. Found joy in the freedom of the gospel and the church.
Have Evangelicals forgotten what a church is?
Puritans. Maligned. Found joy in the freedom of the gospel and the church.
1. Puritan on church of England that wanted to make out more clear.
2. So, preaching the Gospel is more fundamental than how a church is governed, when choosing a church.
3. Preaching is more generative than discipline. Not that discipine is important, or boundaries, is important, but not as important as preaching the Gospel.
4. Preaching is more substantial than literary, ligerature?, or how things are done.
Preaching is Moe central than anything else too our churches.
Preaching is more complete than the sacraments.
Five reasons to be a member of a local church (the body)
1. Do it for non-christians. If you love them, you won't encourage them in their sin. You will want to show them their sin in order for them to be saved. Help people who believe they are Christians understand that they are not. Show them Galatians 5,-fruit if the flesh - are these you? And then fruit of the spirit. But you can have Christ.
2. Do it for weaker Christians. Stronger Christians should set example for weaker. Show them that church membership is beneficial. Cine along side weaker members and bring them along.
3. Do it for stronger Christians. Jn 13:34-35. Stronger Christians should show their love for God by loving others. For the survival of your faith in our current culture. Luke 18 will the Sob of man find faithful
4. Do it for the sake of our leaders. Pray for them, so they can remain strong.
5. Do it for God. The church is God's idea. Acts 2:47. Saul on the road to Damascus, Jesus said "why do you persecute ME?"
Jesus - the vine. Us - the branches...
John 15
5“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Here is the Greek dictionary's information about the vine:
STRONGS NT 288: ἄμπελος - http://biblehub.com/greek/288.htm
ἄμπελος, , ἡ (from Homer down), a vine: Matthew 26:29; Mark 14:25;Luke 22:18; James 3:12. In John 15:1, 4f Christ calls himself a vine, because, as the vine imparts to its branches sap and productiveness, so Christ infuses into his followers his own divine strength and life.ἄμπελος τῆς γῆς in Revelation 14:18 (Rec.st omits τῆςἀμπέλου.), John 15:19, signifies the enemies of Christ, who, ripe for destruction, are likened to clusters of grapes, to be cut off, thrown into the winepress, and trodden there.
Here is the Greek dictionary's information on the branch:
STRONGS NT 2814: κλῆμα - http://biblehub.com/greek/2814.
κλῆμα, κληματος, τό (from κλάω, which see), equivalent toκλάδος, a tender and flexible branch; specifically, the shoot or branch of a vine, a vine-sprout: John 15:2-6 (so Aristophanes eccles. 1031; Aeschines in Ctesias (), p. 77, 2; Theophrastus, h. pl. 4, 13, 5;ἀμπέλου κλῆμα, Plato, rep. i., p. 353 a.; the Sept., Ezekiel 15:2;Ezekiel 17:6; Joel 1:7).
In this passage, Jesus is the vine. He chose us, he wraps himself around us. We don't have to do anything. He wraps Himself around us willingly. He protects us. He feeds our souls. We will bear fruit if we focus on Him and not on ourselves. He has taken care of everything already. Apart from Him we will wither and die.
Father, thank you for taking care of my every need before I even know it! In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
5“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Here is the Greek dictionary's information about the vine:
STRONGS NT 288: ἄμπελος - http://biblehub.com/greek/288.htm
ἄμπελος, , ἡ (from Homer down), a vine: Matthew 26:29; Mark 14:25;Luke 22:18; James 3:12. In John 15:1, 4f Christ calls himself a vine, because, as the vine imparts to its branches sap and productiveness, so Christ infuses into his followers his own divine strength and life.ἄμπελος τῆς γῆς in Revelation 14:18 (Rec.st omits τῆςἀμπέλου.), John 15:19, signifies the enemies of Christ, who, ripe for destruction, are likened to clusters of grapes, to be cut off, thrown into the winepress, and trodden there.
Here is the Greek dictionary's information on the branch:
STRONGS NT 2814: κλῆμα - http://biblehub.com/greek/2814.
κλῆμα, κληματος, τό (from κλάω, which see), equivalent toκλάδος, a tender and flexible branch; specifically, the shoot or branch of a vine, a vine-sprout: John 15:2-6 (so Aristophanes eccles. 1031; Aeschines in Ctesias (), p. 77, 2; Theophrastus, h. pl. 4, 13, 5;ἀμπέλου κλῆμα, Plato, rep. i., p. 353 a.; the Sept., Ezekiel 15:2;Ezekiel 17:6; Joel 1:7).
In this passage, Jesus is the vine. He chose us, he wraps himself around us. We don't have to do anything. He wraps Himself around us willingly. He protects us. He feeds our souls. We will bear fruit if we focus on Him and not on ourselves. He has taken care of everything already. Apart from Him we will wither and die.
Father, thank you for taking care of my every need before I even know it! In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Is there sin in heaven? After all, Satan was there.
Is there sin in Heaven? I never thought so before, because God us holy and cannot tolerate sin. Then I read about Satan talking to God about Job...God is on heaven, so I am assuming this took place in heaven. So, how was Satan, the king of sin, talking to God? I was confused. So, I did some research. I am happy to say, it all makes sense to me now...well at least I understand that God is holy and sinless and if He wants to talk to Satan, well, Satan doesn't have a choice.
From for questions.org
http://www.gotquestions.org/war-in-heaven.html
Question: Is the war in heaven in Revelation 12 describing Satan's original fall or an end times angelic battle?The last great angelic battle and Satan’s ultimate expulsion from heaven are described inRevelation 12:7–12. In this passage, John sees a great war between Michael and the angels of God and the dragon (Satan) and his fallen angels or demons that will take place in the end times. Satan, in his great pride and delusion that he can be like God, will lead a final rebellion against God. It will be a cosmic mismatch. Thus, the dragon and his demons will lose the battle and be thrown out of heaven forever.
A common misconception is that Satan and his demons were locked away in hell after the fall of Satan. It is clear from many Bible passages that Satan was not barred from heaven or the earth after his first rebellion, which predated the creation. In Job 1:1—2:8, he appears before God to accuse Job of ulterior motives in his worship of God. In Zechariah 3, he again appears before God to accuse Joshua, the high priest. Indeed, the name Satan means “accuser.” In Genesis, he visited the Garden of Eden and tempted Eve. He tempted Jesus in the wilderness before Jesus began His ministry, an incident recorded inMatthew 4:1–11. The question arises that, if Satan had already rebelled and been cast from heaven before the world was created, why is he free to be in heaven and on earth?
In 2 Corinthians 12:2–3, the apostle Paul provides a major revelation that there are three “heavens.” In this passage, he seemingly talks about himself being taken up to the “third heaven” where God the Father and Jesus dwell. The second heaven is the universe or outer space, and the first is our atmosphere or air. The Bible indicates that Satan and some of his demons are allowed to move in this space (Ephesians 2:1–2; 6:12).
In this age, Satan and his highest ranking angels can still oppose the work of God and hinder the angels of God (Daniel 10:10–14) within the boundaries of the middle or second heaven. The battle recorded in Revelation 12 removes Satan and his minions from this realm.
When Satan is expelled from the middle heaven, there will be great rejoicing in heaven, since the age-old accuser will be forever banned from his mission of accusation and slander against the elect. Satan’s power and freedom will be seriously curtailed. However, the inhabitants of the earth will suffer terribly after this event, because Satan will be enraged. He will also be aware that he only has three and a half more years until he is bound and cast into the bottomless pit. This will usher in a period of intensified suffering on earth (the Great Tribulation) during which the Antichrist violates his peace treaty with Israel, desecrates their temple, declares himself as god, and begins to systematically murder all those who refuse to worship him.
Also, in gotquestions.org
http://www.gotquestions.org/Satan-access.html
Question: Does Satan still have access to Heaven? Why does God allow Satan to enter Heaven, as recorded in the Bible?
Satan was originally one of God's holy angels, but he rebelled against God and was cast out of heaven (Luke 10:18). That was only the first stage of his judgment. Satan's kingdom was vanquished at the cross (John 12:31-32). Later, he will be bound in the abyss for one thousand years (Revelation 20:1-3) and then will be cast into the lake of fire for eternity (Revelation 20:10).
Until his final judgment, Satan is "the prince of this world" (John 14:30), but it seems that he still has restricted access to the heavenly realms. InJob 1:6, Satan stands in the presence of God. (See2 Chronicles 18:18-21 for a similar situation involving a "lying spirit.")
Since God is holy and absolutely without sin (Isaiah 6:3), and since He will not even look on evil (Habakkuk 1:13), how can Satan be in heaven? The answer involves God's sovereign restraint of sin. In Job 1, Satan stood before God to give an account of himself. God initiated the meeting, led the proceedings, and remained in absolute control (verse 7). The result was that Satan's power was limited (verse 12) and God was glorified.
Here are some other facts to note: 1) Satan does not have open access to God's presence. He is summoned by God. 2) The visits are temporary. His time before God's throne is limited. 3) In no way is the purity of heaven tainted by the brief, God-ordained presence of a sinful being, "quarantined," as it were, by God's regulatory power. And, 4) Satan's access is only granted prior to the final judgment. After the judgment, God creates a new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1), wipes away all tears from our eyes (verse 4), reveals the New Jerusalem (verse 10), and promises the complete absence of sin (verse 27).
When we say, "God cannot allow sin into heaven," we simply mean that God cannot allow human beings who are still in their sin to live in His presence. But it is possible for God to command a sinful being to stand (temporarily) in His presence in order to commission him (Isaiah 6), to exact an account from him (Job 1-2), or to judge him (Revelation 20:11-15) without compromising His holiness.
God's holiness will eventually consume all sin. Until that day, His holiness regulates sin, and that means that Satan, on certain occasions, is briefly summoned before his Creator to give an account of his actions.
From for questions.org
http://www.gotquestions.org/war-in-heaven.html
Question: Is the war in heaven in Revelation 12 describing Satan's original fall or an end times angelic battle?The last great angelic battle and Satan’s ultimate expulsion from heaven are described inRevelation 12:7–12. In this passage, John sees a great war between Michael and the angels of God and the dragon (Satan) and his fallen angels or demons that will take place in the end times. Satan, in his great pride and delusion that he can be like God, will lead a final rebellion against God. It will be a cosmic mismatch. Thus, the dragon and his demons will lose the battle and be thrown out of heaven forever.
A common misconception is that Satan and his demons were locked away in hell after the fall of Satan. It is clear from many Bible passages that Satan was not barred from heaven or the earth after his first rebellion, which predated the creation. In Job 1:1—2:8, he appears before God to accuse Job of ulterior motives in his worship of God. In Zechariah 3, he again appears before God to accuse Joshua, the high priest. Indeed, the name Satan means “accuser.” In Genesis, he visited the Garden of Eden and tempted Eve. He tempted Jesus in the wilderness before Jesus began His ministry, an incident recorded inMatthew 4:1–11. The question arises that, if Satan had already rebelled and been cast from heaven before the world was created, why is he free to be in heaven and on earth?
In 2 Corinthians 12:2–3, the apostle Paul provides a major revelation that there are three “heavens.” In this passage, he seemingly talks about himself being taken up to the “third heaven” where God the Father and Jesus dwell. The second heaven is the universe or outer space, and the first is our atmosphere or air. The Bible indicates that Satan and some of his demons are allowed to move in this space (Ephesians 2:1–2; 6:12).
In this age, Satan and his highest ranking angels can still oppose the work of God and hinder the angels of God (Daniel 10:10–14) within the boundaries of the middle or second heaven. The battle recorded in Revelation 12 removes Satan and his minions from this realm.
When Satan is expelled from the middle heaven, there will be great rejoicing in heaven, since the age-old accuser will be forever banned from his mission of accusation and slander against the elect. Satan’s power and freedom will be seriously curtailed. However, the inhabitants of the earth will suffer terribly after this event, because Satan will be enraged. He will also be aware that he only has three and a half more years until he is bound and cast into the bottomless pit. This will usher in a period of intensified suffering on earth (the Great Tribulation) during which the Antichrist violates his peace treaty with Israel, desecrates their temple, declares himself as god, and begins to systematically murder all those who refuse to worship him.
Also, in gotquestions.org
http://www.gotquestions.org/Satan-access.html
Question: Does Satan still have access to Heaven? Why does God allow Satan to enter Heaven, as recorded in the Bible?
Satan was originally one of God's holy angels, but he rebelled against God and was cast out of heaven (Luke 10:18). That was only the first stage of his judgment. Satan's kingdom was vanquished at the cross (John 12:31-32). Later, he will be bound in the abyss for one thousand years (Revelation 20:1-3) and then will be cast into the lake of fire for eternity (Revelation 20:10).
Until his final judgment, Satan is "the prince of this world" (John 14:30), but it seems that he still has restricted access to the heavenly realms. InJob 1:6, Satan stands in the presence of God. (See2 Chronicles 18:18-21 for a similar situation involving a "lying spirit.")
Since God is holy and absolutely without sin (Isaiah 6:3), and since He will not even look on evil (Habakkuk 1:13), how can Satan be in heaven? The answer involves God's sovereign restraint of sin. In Job 1, Satan stood before God to give an account of himself. God initiated the meeting, led the proceedings, and remained in absolute control (verse 7). The result was that Satan's power was limited (verse 12) and God was glorified.
Here are some other facts to note: 1) Satan does not have open access to God's presence. He is summoned by God. 2) The visits are temporary. His time before God's throne is limited. 3) In no way is the purity of heaven tainted by the brief, God-ordained presence of a sinful being, "quarantined," as it were, by God's regulatory power. And, 4) Satan's access is only granted prior to the final judgment. After the judgment, God creates a new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1), wipes away all tears from our eyes (verse 4), reveals the New Jerusalem (verse 10), and promises the complete absence of sin (verse 27).
When we say, "God cannot allow sin into heaven," we simply mean that God cannot allow human beings who are still in their sin to live in His presence. But it is possible for God to command a sinful being to stand (temporarily) in His presence in order to commission him (Isaiah 6), to exact an account from him (Job 1-2), or to judge him (Revelation 20:11-15) without compromising His holiness.
God's holiness will eventually consume all sin. Until that day, His holiness regulates sin, and that means that Satan, on certain occasions, is briefly summoned before his Creator to give an account of his actions.
Heaven - an introduction
Here is a collection of readings about heaven that I found very interesting. Today, we very rarely hear about heaven. We are supposed to be excited to go there, yet all most of us envision are harps and clouds. Really? The God who created the universe couldn't do better than sitting on a cloud playing a harp all day? If you read through the snippets below, you will see heaven is much more complex and exciting than anyone can imagine! It will be a wonderful place to be!
Not only will it be exciting, but it turns out "heaven" means more than one thing in the ancient world and the "third" heaven is mentioned in scripture. What is the third heaven? Well, read below, there are excerpts that attempt to explain that, also.
I don't think I have all the answers here, and there is so much more I will find as I continue to study. However, just this information is so exciting! I can't wait to get to heaven and live there for eternity. There will be celebrations, family and friends, beauty, love, no sorrows, but most of all God will be there. Who knows if it doesn't take an eternity to figure Him out even in heaven! We will also receive rewards, jewels perhaps?, that we can put at Jesus feet in recognition of His love and sacrifice for us!
Gotquestions.org - Different levels of Heaven?
http://www.gotquestions.org/levels-heaven.html
Question: Are there different levels of Heaven? Are there three heavens?
The closest thing Scripture says to there being different levels of heaven is found in 2 Corinthians 12:2, “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows.” Some interpret this as indicating that there are three different levels of heaven, a level for “super-committed Christians” or Christians who have obtained a high level of spirituality, a level for “ordinary” Christians, and a level for Christians who did not serve God faithfully. This view has no basis in Scripture.
Paul is not saying that there are three heavens or even three levels of heaven. In many ancient cultures, people used the term heaven to describe three different “realms”—the sky, outer space, and then a spiritual heaven. Paul was saying that God took him to the “spiritual” heaven—the realm beyond the physical universe where God dwells. The concept of different levels of heaven may have come in part from Dante’s The Divine Comedy in which the poet describes both heaven and hell as having nine different levels. The Divine Comedy, however, is a fictional work. The idea of different levels of heaven is foreign to Scripture.
Scripture does speak of different rewards in heaven. Jesus said regarding rewards, “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done” (Revelation 22:12). Since Jesus will be distributing rewards on the basis of what we have done, we can safely say that there will be a time of reward for believers and that the rewards will differ somewhat from person to person.
Only those works that survive God’s refining fire have eternal value and will be worthy of reward. Those valuable works are referred to as “gold, silver, and costly stones” (1 Corinthians 3:12) and are those things that are built upon the foundation of faith in Christ. Those works that will not be rewarded are called “wood, hay, and stubble”; these are not evil deeds but shallow activities with no eternal value. Rewards will be distributed at the “judgment seat of Christ,” a place where believers’ lives will be evaluated for the purpose of rewards. “Judgment” of believers never refers to punishment for sin. Jesus Christ was punished for our sin when He died on the cross, and God said about us: “I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more” (Hebrews 8:12). What a glorious thought! The Christian need never fear punishment, but can look forward to crowns of reward that he can cast at the feet of the Savior. In conclusion, there are not different levels of heaven, but there are different levels of reward in heaven.
According to John MacArthur - What is heaven?
http://www.gty.org/resources/questions/QA109/what-is-heaven?Term=heaven
The New King James Version of the Bible uses the word heaven 532 times in 502 different verses. The Hebrew word usually translated "heaven," shamayim, is a plural noun form that literally means "the heights." The Greek word translated "heaven" is ouranos (the same word that inspired the name of the planet Uranus). It refers to that which is raised up or lofty. Both shamayim andouranos are used variously in Scripture to refer to three different places. (That explains why in 2 Corinthians 12:2 Paul refers to being caught up into "the third heaven.")
There is, first of all, the atmospheric heaven. This is the sky, or the troposphere-the region of breathable atmosphere that blankets the earth. For example, Genesis 7:11-12 says, "The windows of heaven were opened. And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights." There the word "heaven" refers to the blanket of atmosphere around the world, which is where the hydrological cycle occurs. Psalm 147:8 says that God "covers the heavens with clouds." That is the first heaven.
The planetary heaven, the second heaven, is where the stars, the moon, and the planets are. Scripture uses the very same word for heaven to describe this region. For example, Genesis 1 says,
Then God said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth"; and it was so. Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth (14-17).
The third heaven, the one Paul speaks of in 2 Corinthians 12, is the heaven where God dwellswith His holy angels and those saints who have died. The other two heavens will pass away (2 Pet. 3:10)--this heaven is eternal.
Also, gotquestions.org states - What is heaven like?
http://www.gotquestions.org/heaven-like.html
Question: "What is Heaven like?"
Answer: Heaven is a real place described in the Bible. The word “heaven” is found 276 times in the New Testament alone. Scripture refers to three heavens. The apostle Paul was “caught up to the third heaven,” but he was prohibited from revealing what he experienced there (2 Corinthians 12:1-9).
If a third heaven exists, there must also be two other heavens. The first is most frequently referred to in the Old Testament as the “sky” or the “firmament.” This is the heaven that contains clouds, the area that birds fly through. The second heaven is interstellar/outer space, which is the abode of the stars, planets, and other celestial objects (Genesis 1:14-18).
The third heaven, the location of which is not revealed, is the dwelling place of God. Jesus promised to prepare a place for true Christians in heaven (John 14:2). Heaven is also the destination of Old Testament saints who died trusting God's promise of the Redeemer (Ephesians 4:8). Whoever believes in Christ shall never perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
The apostle John was privileged to see and report on the heavenly city (Revelation 21:10-27). John witnessed that heaven (the new earth) possesses the “glory of God” (Revelation 21:11), the very presence of God. Because heaven has no night and the Lord Himself is the light, the sun and moon are no longer needed (Revelation 22:5).
The city is filled with the brilliance of costly stones and crystal clear jasper. Heaven has twelve gates (Revelation 21:12) and twelve foundations (Revelation 21:14). The paradise of the Garden of Eden is restored: the river of the water of life flows freely and the tree of life is available once again, yielding fruit monthly with leaves that “heal the nations” (Revelation 22:1-2). However eloquent John was in his description of heaven, the reality of heaven is beyond the ability of finite man to describe (1 Corinthians 2:9).
Heaven is a place of “no mores.” There will be no more tears, no more pain, and no more sorrow (Revelation 21:4). There will be no more separation, because death will be conquered (Revelation 20:6). The best thing about heaven is the presence of our Lord and Savior (1 John 3:2). We will be face to face with the Lamb of God who loved us and sacrificed Himself so that we can enjoy His presence in heaven for eternity.
From John MacArthur - What will heaven be like?
http://www.gty.org/resources/bible-qna/BQ021813/what-will-heaven-be-like?Term=heaven
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. (21:1)
The phrase kai eidon (I saw) is used throughout Revelation to indicate chronological progression (cf. 6:1, 2, 5, 8, 12; 7:2; 8:2, 13; 9:1; 10:1; 13:1, 11; 14:1, 6, 14; 15:1; 16:13; 17:3; 19:11, 17, 19; 20:1, 4, 11). It has introduced each of the climactic events beginning with the return of the Lord Jesus Christ in 19:11. As chapter 21 opens, all the sinners of all the ages, as well as Satan and his demons, have been sentenced to the lake of fire (20:10–15). With all ungodly men and angels banished forever and the present universe destroyed (20:11), God will create a new realm for the redeemed and the holy angels to dwell in forever.
The phrase a new heaven and a new earth derives from two passages in Isaiah. In Isaiah 65:17God declared, “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things will not be remembered or come to mind.” In Isaiah 66:22 He added, “ ‘For just as the new heavens and the new earth which I make will endure before Me,’ declares the Lord, ‘so your offspring and your name will endure.’ ” What Isaiah predicted is now a reality in John’s vision.
Kainos (new) does not mean new in a chronological sense, but new in a qualitative sense. Thenew heaven and the new earth will not merely succeed the present universe in chronological sequence; they will be something brand new, fresh, never before seen. God must create a newheaven and a new earth because the first heaven and the first earth passed away. God originally created the earth to be suitable as mankind’s permanent home. The entrance of sin, however, corrupted the earth and the universe, and God will destroy them (cf. 20:11). What lies ahead for the earth is not a nuclear or an ecological holocaust, but a divine judgment.
The Old Testament describes the pollution and destruction of the present universe. Job 15:15declares that “the heavens are not pure in His sight.” Isaiah 24:5 adds, “The earth is also polluted by its inhabitants, for they transgressed laws, violated statutes, broke the everlasting covenant.” The psalmist writes, “Of old You founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. Even they will perish, but You endure; and all of them will wear out like a garment; like clothing You will change them and they will be changed” (Ps. 102:25–26). The Lord Jesus Christ confirmed that Old Testament teaching when He declared, “Heaven and earth will pass away” (Luke 21:33).
The first hint of what the new heaven and new earth will be like comes in John’s observation that there will no longer be any sea. That will be a startling change from the present earth, nearly three- fourths of which is covered by water. The sea is emblematic of the present water-based environment. All life on earth is dependent on water for its survival, and the earth is the only known place in the universe where there is sufficient water to sustain life. But believers’ glorified bodies will not require water, unlike present human bodies, whose blood is 90 percent water, and whose flesh is 65 percent water. Thus, the new heaven and the new earth will be based on a completely different life principle than the present universe. There will be a river in heaven, not of water, but of the “water of life” (22:1, 17). Without a sea, there can be no hydrological cycle, so that every feature of life and climate will be dramatically different.
From a metaphorical perspective, commentators have seen the absence of the sea as symbolic of the absence of evil. Robert L. Thomas summarizes:
Most justifiably see this void as representing an archetypical connotation in the sea (cf. 13:1; 20:13), a principle of disorder, violence, or unrest that marks the old creation (cf. Isa. 57:20; Ps. 107:25–28; Ezek. 28:8).… It is not that the sea is evil in itself, but that its aspect is one of hostility to mankind. For instance, the sea was what stood guard over John in his prison on Patmos and separated him from the churches of Asia.… The sea is the first of seven evils that John says will no longer exist, the other six being death, mourning, weeping, pain (21:4), the curse (22:3), and night (21:25; 22:5). (Revelation 8–22: An Exegetical Commentary [Chicago: Moody, 1995], 440)
Gotquestions.org - What we will do in heaven
http://www.gotquestions.org/doing-in-Heaven.html
Question: What will we be doing in Heaven? What will we do in Heaven?
In Luke 23:43, Jesus declared, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with me in paradise." The word Jesus used for "paradise" is paradeisos which means "a park, that is, (specifically) an Eden (place of future happiness, paradise)". Paradeisos is the Greek word taken from the Hebrew word pardes which means "a park: - forest, orchard" (Strong's). Jesus said, "Today you shall be with me "en paradeisos," not "en nephele" which is Greek for "in clouds." The point is that Jesus picked and used the word for "a park." Not just any park but "the paradise of God" or park of God (Revelation 2:7) which for us will be a place of future happiness. Does this sound like a boring place? When you think of a park, do you think of boredom?
Jesus said, "You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve" (Matthew 4:10). It's interesting to note that Jesus did not say "praise and serve." Even the briefest examination of the word praise in the Bible quickly shows it's a verbal thing and is for the most part singing. Worship, however, is from the heart. Worship manifests itself in praise. Serving God is worship, and Scripture is clear we will serve God in heaven. "His servants will serve Him" (Revelation 22:3).
We are unable to fully serve God in this life due to sin, but in heaven "every curse will no longer be" (Revelation 22:3). We will not be under the curse of sin any longer, so everything we do will be worship in heaven. We will never be motivated by anything other than our love for God. Everything we do will be out of our love for God, untainted by our sin nature.
So what will we do? My favorite thing is to learn. "For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor?" (Romans 11:34), "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3). God is the "the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity" (Isaiah 57:15). God is bigger than forever, and it will take eternity "to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height, and to know the love of Christ" (Ephesians 3:18-19). In other words, we will never stop learning.
God's Word says we won't have to be in His paradise alone. "I shall fully know even as I also am fully known" (1 Corinthians 13:12). This would seem to indicate that we will not only know our friends and family, we will "fully know" them. In other words, there is no need for secrets in heaven. There is nothing to be ashamed of. There is nothing to hide. We will have eternity to interact with "a great multitude, which no man could number, out of all nations and kindreds and people and tongues" (Revelation 7:9). No wonder heaven will be a place of infinite learning. Just getting to know everyone will take eternity!
Any further anticipation about what we shall do in God's eternal park, heaven, will be far surpassed when "the King shall say to those on His right hand, 'Come, blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world'" (Matthew 25:34). Whatever we will be doing, we can be sure it will be wonderful beyond our imaginations!
Also - what is heaven like?
http://www.gotquestions.org/heaven-like.html
Question: What is Heaven like?
Heaven is a real place described in the Bible. The word "heaven" is found 276 times in the New Testament alone. Scripture refers to three heavens. The apostle Paul was "caught up to the third heaven," but he was prohibited from revealing what he experienced there (2 Corinthians 12:1-9).
If a third heaven exists, there must also be two other heavens. The first is most frequently referred to in the Old Testament as the "sky" or the "firmament." This is the heaven that contains clouds, the area that birds fly through. The second heaven is interstellar/outer space, which is the abode of the stars, planets, and other celestial objects (Genesis 1:14-18).
The third heaven, the location of which is not revealed, is the dwelling place of God. Jesus promised to prepare a place for true Christians in heaven (John 14:2). Heaven is also the destination of Old Testament saints who died trusting God's promise of the Redeemer (Ephesians 4:8). Whoever believes in Christ shall never perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
The apostle John was privileged to see and report on the heavenly city (Revelation 21:10-27). John witnessed that heaven (the new earth) possesses the "glory of God" (Revelation 21:11), the very presence of God. Because heaven has no night and the Lord Himself is the light, the sun and moon are no longer needed (Revelation 22:5).
The city is filled with the brilliance of costly stones and crystal clear jasper. Heaven has twelve gates (Revelation 21:12) and twelve foundations (Revelation 21:14). The paradise of the Garden of Eden is restored: the river of the water of life flows freely and the tree of life is available once again, yielding fruit monthly with leaves that "heal the nations" (Revelation 22:1-2). However eloquent John was in his description of heaven, the reality of heaven is beyond the ability of finite man to describe (1 Corinthians 2:9).
Heaven is a place of "no mores." There will be no more tears, no more pain, and no more sorrow (Revelation 21:4). There will be no more separation, because death will be conquered (Revelation 20:6). The best thing about heaven is the presence of our Lord and Savior (1 John 3:2). We will be face to face with the Lamb of God who loved us and sacrificed Himself so that we can enjoy His presence in heaven for eternity.
Our bodies
http://www.gotquestions.org/physical-bodies-heaven.html
Question: Will we have physical bodies in Heaven?
Although the Bible tells us little about what it will be like in heaven, it seems that we will most likely have a physical body, although not in the same sense of "physical" that we have now. First Corinthians 15:52 says that "the dead will be raised incorruptible" and that those who are alive at the time of Christ's return for His saints "shall be changed." Jesus Christ is "the first fruits" of those who have died (1 Corinthians 15:20, 23). This means that He set the example and leads the way. First Corinthians 15:42 says that our "body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption." In a precursor to the believers" resurrection, some were raised at the time of Christ's resurrection in Matthew 27:52 where it says that their "bodies...were raised." Thomas, inJohn 20:27, physically touched the body of Christ following His resurrection, so He obviously had a body that was solid.
We can expect that all believers" resurrection will be like that of Christ's. What a wonderful truth! The Bible is not specific, but it seems that we will be able to eat. John, in Revelation 22:2, writes of his vision of the eternal state where he saw that "in the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month." This seems to be a reversal of the Genesis 3 punishment where Adam and Eve, and hence all of mankind, were banned from eating from this tree. As for hunger, it appears that there won't be any. Isaiah 49:10 says that there will be no hunger or thirst in the millennial kingdom. This is speaking of mortal men during that period, not of translated saints, but by extension it can be said that if mortals on earth during Christ's Kingdom do not hunger, then surely there will be no hunger in heaven (see also Revelation 7:14-16).
Finally, Job wrote that he knew for sure that even after he dies and his skin is long gone, that "in my FLESH I shall SEE God" (Job 19:26 - all caps added for emphasis). So that means our bodies will consist of some kind of glorified flesh. Whatever form we have, we know that it will be perfect, sinless and flawless.
Not only will it be exciting, but it turns out "heaven" means more than one thing in the ancient world and the "third" heaven is mentioned in scripture. What is the third heaven? Well, read below, there are excerpts that attempt to explain that, also.
I don't think I have all the answers here, and there is so much more I will find as I continue to study. However, just this information is so exciting! I can't wait to get to heaven and live there for eternity. There will be celebrations, family and friends, beauty, love, no sorrows, but most of all God will be there. Who knows if it doesn't take an eternity to figure Him out even in heaven! We will also receive rewards, jewels perhaps?, that we can put at Jesus feet in recognition of His love and sacrifice for us!
Gotquestions.org - Different levels of Heaven?
http://www.gotquestions.org/levels-heaven.html
Question: Are there different levels of Heaven? Are there three heavens?
The closest thing Scripture says to there being different levels of heaven is found in 2 Corinthians 12:2, “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows.” Some interpret this as indicating that there are three different levels of heaven, a level for “super-committed Christians” or Christians who have obtained a high level of spirituality, a level for “ordinary” Christians, and a level for Christians who did not serve God faithfully. This view has no basis in Scripture.
Paul is not saying that there are three heavens or even three levels of heaven. In many ancient cultures, people used the term heaven to describe three different “realms”—the sky, outer space, and then a spiritual heaven. Paul was saying that God took him to the “spiritual” heaven—the realm beyond the physical universe where God dwells. The concept of different levels of heaven may have come in part from Dante’s The Divine Comedy in which the poet describes both heaven and hell as having nine different levels. The Divine Comedy, however, is a fictional work. The idea of different levels of heaven is foreign to Scripture.
Scripture does speak of different rewards in heaven. Jesus said regarding rewards, “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done” (Revelation 22:12). Since Jesus will be distributing rewards on the basis of what we have done, we can safely say that there will be a time of reward for believers and that the rewards will differ somewhat from person to person.
Only those works that survive God’s refining fire have eternal value and will be worthy of reward. Those valuable works are referred to as “gold, silver, and costly stones” (1 Corinthians 3:12) and are those things that are built upon the foundation of faith in Christ. Those works that will not be rewarded are called “wood, hay, and stubble”; these are not evil deeds but shallow activities with no eternal value. Rewards will be distributed at the “judgment seat of Christ,” a place where believers’ lives will be evaluated for the purpose of rewards. “Judgment” of believers never refers to punishment for sin. Jesus Christ was punished for our sin when He died on the cross, and God said about us: “I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more” (Hebrews 8:12). What a glorious thought! The Christian need never fear punishment, but can look forward to crowns of reward that he can cast at the feet of the Savior. In conclusion, there are not different levels of heaven, but there are different levels of reward in heaven.
According to John MacArthur - What is heaven?
http://www.gty.org/resources/questions/QA109/what-is-heaven?Term=heaven
The New King James Version of the Bible uses the word heaven 532 times in 502 different verses. The Hebrew word usually translated "heaven," shamayim, is a plural noun form that literally means "the heights." The Greek word translated "heaven" is ouranos (the same word that inspired the name of the planet Uranus). It refers to that which is raised up or lofty. Both shamayim andouranos are used variously in Scripture to refer to three different places. (That explains why in 2 Corinthians 12:2 Paul refers to being caught up into "the third heaven.")
There is, first of all, the atmospheric heaven. This is the sky, or the troposphere-the region of breathable atmosphere that blankets the earth. For example, Genesis 7:11-12 says, "The windows of heaven were opened. And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights." There the word "heaven" refers to the blanket of atmosphere around the world, which is where the hydrological cycle occurs. Psalm 147:8 says that God "covers the heavens with clouds." That is the first heaven.
The planetary heaven, the second heaven, is where the stars, the moon, and the planets are. Scripture uses the very same word for heaven to describe this region. For example, Genesis 1 says,
Then God said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth"; and it was so. Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth (14-17).
The third heaven, the one Paul speaks of in 2 Corinthians 12, is the heaven where God dwellswith His holy angels and those saints who have died. The other two heavens will pass away (2 Pet. 3:10)--this heaven is eternal.
Also, gotquestions.org states - What is heaven like?
http://www.gotquestions.org/heaven-like.html
Question: "What is Heaven like?"
Answer: Heaven is a real place described in the Bible. The word “heaven” is found 276 times in the New Testament alone. Scripture refers to three heavens. The apostle Paul was “caught up to the third heaven,” but he was prohibited from revealing what he experienced there (2 Corinthians 12:1-9).
If a third heaven exists, there must also be two other heavens. The first is most frequently referred to in the Old Testament as the “sky” or the “firmament.” This is the heaven that contains clouds, the area that birds fly through. The second heaven is interstellar/outer space, which is the abode of the stars, planets, and other celestial objects (Genesis 1:14-18).
The third heaven, the location of which is not revealed, is the dwelling place of God. Jesus promised to prepare a place for true Christians in heaven (John 14:2). Heaven is also the destination of Old Testament saints who died trusting God's promise of the Redeemer (Ephesians 4:8). Whoever believes in Christ shall never perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
The apostle John was privileged to see and report on the heavenly city (Revelation 21:10-27). John witnessed that heaven (the new earth) possesses the “glory of God” (Revelation 21:11), the very presence of God. Because heaven has no night and the Lord Himself is the light, the sun and moon are no longer needed (Revelation 22:5).
The city is filled with the brilliance of costly stones and crystal clear jasper. Heaven has twelve gates (Revelation 21:12) and twelve foundations (Revelation 21:14). The paradise of the Garden of Eden is restored: the river of the water of life flows freely and the tree of life is available once again, yielding fruit monthly with leaves that “heal the nations” (Revelation 22:1-2). However eloquent John was in his description of heaven, the reality of heaven is beyond the ability of finite man to describe (1 Corinthians 2:9).
Heaven is a place of “no mores.” There will be no more tears, no more pain, and no more sorrow (Revelation 21:4). There will be no more separation, because death will be conquered (Revelation 20:6). The best thing about heaven is the presence of our Lord and Savior (1 John 3:2). We will be face to face with the Lamb of God who loved us and sacrificed Himself so that we can enjoy His presence in heaven for eternity.
From John MacArthur - What will heaven be like?
http://www.gty.org/resources/bible-qna/BQ021813/what-will-heaven-be-like?Term=heaven
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. (21:1)
The phrase kai eidon (I saw) is used throughout Revelation to indicate chronological progression (cf. 6:1, 2, 5, 8, 12; 7:2; 8:2, 13; 9:1; 10:1; 13:1, 11; 14:1, 6, 14; 15:1; 16:13; 17:3; 19:11, 17, 19; 20:1, 4, 11). It has introduced each of the climactic events beginning with the return of the Lord Jesus Christ in 19:11. As chapter 21 opens, all the sinners of all the ages, as well as Satan and his demons, have been sentenced to the lake of fire (20:10–15). With all ungodly men and angels banished forever and the present universe destroyed (20:11), God will create a new realm for the redeemed and the holy angels to dwell in forever.
The phrase a new heaven and a new earth derives from two passages in Isaiah. In Isaiah 65:17God declared, “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things will not be remembered or come to mind.” In Isaiah 66:22 He added, “ ‘For just as the new heavens and the new earth which I make will endure before Me,’ declares the Lord, ‘so your offspring and your name will endure.’ ” What Isaiah predicted is now a reality in John’s vision.
Kainos (new) does not mean new in a chronological sense, but new in a qualitative sense. Thenew heaven and the new earth will not merely succeed the present universe in chronological sequence; they will be something brand new, fresh, never before seen. God must create a newheaven and a new earth because the first heaven and the first earth passed away. God originally created the earth to be suitable as mankind’s permanent home. The entrance of sin, however, corrupted the earth and the universe, and God will destroy them (cf. 20:11). What lies ahead for the earth is not a nuclear or an ecological holocaust, but a divine judgment.
The Old Testament describes the pollution and destruction of the present universe. Job 15:15declares that “the heavens are not pure in His sight.” Isaiah 24:5 adds, “The earth is also polluted by its inhabitants, for they transgressed laws, violated statutes, broke the everlasting covenant.” The psalmist writes, “Of old You founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. Even they will perish, but You endure; and all of them will wear out like a garment; like clothing You will change them and they will be changed” (Ps. 102:25–26). The Lord Jesus Christ confirmed that Old Testament teaching when He declared, “Heaven and earth will pass away” (Luke 21:33).
The first hint of what the new heaven and new earth will be like comes in John’s observation that there will no longer be any sea. That will be a startling change from the present earth, nearly three- fourths of which is covered by water. The sea is emblematic of the present water-based environment. All life on earth is dependent on water for its survival, and the earth is the only known place in the universe where there is sufficient water to sustain life. But believers’ glorified bodies will not require water, unlike present human bodies, whose blood is 90 percent water, and whose flesh is 65 percent water. Thus, the new heaven and the new earth will be based on a completely different life principle than the present universe. There will be a river in heaven, not of water, but of the “water of life” (22:1, 17). Without a sea, there can be no hydrological cycle, so that every feature of life and climate will be dramatically different.
From a metaphorical perspective, commentators have seen the absence of the sea as symbolic of the absence of evil. Robert L. Thomas summarizes:
Most justifiably see this void as representing an archetypical connotation in the sea (cf. 13:1; 20:13), a principle of disorder, violence, or unrest that marks the old creation (cf. Isa. 57:20; Ps. 107:25–28; Ezek. 28:8).… It is not that the sea is evil in itself, but that its aspect is one of hostility to mankind. For instance, the sea was what stood guard over John in his prison on Patmos and separated him from the churches of Asia.… The sea is the first of seven evils that John says will no longer exist, the other six being death, mourning, weeping, pain (21:4), the curse (22:3), and night (21:25; 22:5). (Revelation 8–22: An Exegetical Commentary [Chicago: Moody, 1995], 440)
Gotquestions.org - What we will do in heaven
http://www.gotquestions.org/doing-in-Heaven.html
Question: What will we be doing in Heaven? What will we do in Heaven?
In Luke 23:43, Jesus declared, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with me in paradise." The word Jesus used for "paradise" is paradeisos which means "a park, that is, (specifically) an Eden (place of future happiness, paradise)". Paradeisos is the Greek word taken from the Hebrew word pardes which means "a park: - forest, orchard" (Strong's). Jesus said, "Today you shall be with me "en paradeisos," not "en nephele" which is Greek for "in clouds." The point is that Jesus picked and used the word for "a park." Not just any park but "the paradise of God" or park of God (Revelation 2:7) which for us will be a place of future happiness. Does this sound like a boring place? When you think of a park, do you think of boredom?
Jesus said, "You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve" (Matthew 4:10). It's interesting to note that Jesus did not say "praise and serve." Even the briefest examination of the word praise in the Bible quickly shows it's a verbal thing and is for the most part singing. Worship, however, is from the heart. Worship manifests itself in praise. Serving God is worship, and Scripture is clear we will serve God in heaven. "His servants will serve Him" (Revelation 22:3).
We are unable to fully serve God in this life due to sin, but in heaven "every curse will no longer be" (Revelation 22:3). We will not be under the curse of sin any longer, so everything we do will be worship in heaven. We will never be motivated by anything other than our love for God. Everything we do will be out of our love for God, untainted by our sin nature.
So what will we do? My favorite thing is to learn. "For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor?" (Romans 11:34), "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3). God is the "the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity" (Isaiah 57:15). God is bigger than forever, and it will take eternity "to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height, and to know the love of Christ" (Ephesians 3:18-19). In other words, we will never stop learning.
God's Word says we won't have to be in His paradise alone. "I shall fully know even as I also am fully known" (1 Corinthians 13:12). This would seem to indicate that we will not only know our friends and family, we will "fully know" them. In other words, there is no need for secrets in heaven. There is nothing to be ashamed of. There is nothing to hide. We will have eternity to interact with "a great multitude, which no man could number, out of all nations and kindreds and people and tongues" (Revelation 7:9). No wonder heaven will be a place of infinite learning. Just getting to know everyone will take eternity!
Any further anticipation about what we shall do in God's eternal park, heaven, will be far surpassed when "the King shall say to those on His right hand, 'Come, blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world'" (Matthew 25:34). Whatever we will be doing, we can be sure it will be wonderful beyond our imaginations!
Also - what is heaven like?
http://www.gotquestions.org/heaven-like.html
Question: What is Heaven like?
Heaven is a real place described in the Bible. The word "heaven" is found 276 times in the New Testament alone. Scripture refers to three heavens. The apostle Paul was "caught up to the third heaven," but he was prohibited from revealing what he experienced there (2 Corinthians 12:1-9).
If a third heaven exists, there must also be two other heavens. The first is most frequently referred to in the Old Testament as the "sky" or the "firmament." This is the heaven that contains clouds, the area that birds fly through. The second heaven is interstellar/outer space, which is the abode of the stars, planets, and other celestial objects (Genesis 1:14-18).
The third heaven, the location of which is not revealed, is the dwelling place of God. Jesus promised to prepare a place for true Christians in heaven (John 14:2). Heaven is also the destination of Old Testament saints who died trusting God's promise of the Redeemer (Ephesians 4:8). Whoever believes in Christ shall never perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
The apostle John was privileged to see and report on the heavenly city (Revelation 21:10-27). John witnessed that heaven (the new earth) possesses the "glory of God" (Revelation 21:11), the very presence of God. Because heaven has no night and the Lord Himself is the light, the sun and moon are no longer needed (Revelation 22:5).
The city is filled with the brilliance of costly stones and crystal clear jasper. Heaven has twelve gates (Revelation 21:12) and twelve foundations (Revelation 21:14). The paradise of the Garden of Eden is restored: the river of the water of life flows freely and the tree of life is available once again, yielding fruit monthly with leaves that "heal the nations" (Revelation 22:1-2). However eloquent John was in his description of heaven, the reality of heaven is beyond the ability of finite man to describe (1 Corinthians 2:9).
Heaven is a place of "no mores." There will be no more tears, no more pain, and no more sorrow (Revelation 21:4). There will be no more separation, because death will be conquered (Revelation 20:6). The best thing about heaven is the presence of our Lord and Savior (1 John 3:2). We will be face to face with the Lamb of God who loved us and sacrificed Himself so that we can enjoy His presence in heaven for eternity.
Our bodies
http://www.gotquestions.org/physical-bodies-heaven.html
Question: Will we have physical bodies in Heaven?
Although the Bible tells us little about what it will be like in heaven, it seems that we will most likely have a physical body, although not in the same sense of "physical" that we have now. First Corinthians 15:52 says that "the dead will be raised incorruptible" and that those who are alive at the time of Christ's return for His saints "shall be changed." Jesus Christ is "the first fruits" of those who have died (1 Corinthians 15:20, 23). This means that He set the example and leads the way. First Corinthians 15:42 says that our "body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption." In a precursor to the believers" resurrection, some were raised at the time of Christ's resurrection in Matthew 27:52 where it says that their "bodies...were raised." Thomas, inJohn 20:27, physically touched the body of Christ following His resurrection, so He obviously had a body that was solid.
We can expect that all believers" resurrection will be like that of Christ's. What a wonderful truth! The Bible is not specific, but it seems that we will be able to eat. John, in Revelation 22:2, writes of his vision of the eternal state where he saw that "in the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month." This seems to be a reversal of the Genesis 3 punishment where Adam and Eve, and hence all of mankind, were banned from eating from this tree. As for hunger, it appears that there won't be any. Isaiah 49:10 says that there will be no hunger or thirst in the millennial kingdom. This is speaking of mortal men during that period, not of translated saints, but by extension it can be said that if mortals on earth during Christ's Kingdom do not hunger, then surely there will be no hunger in heaven (see also Revelation 7:14-16).
Finally, Job wrote that he knew for sure that even after he dies and his skin is long gone, that "in my FLESH I shall SEE God" (Job 19:26 - all caps added for emphasis). So that means our bodies will consist of some kind of glorified flesh. Whatever form we have, we know that it will be perfect, sinless and flawless.
Jonah threw a tantrum! What?
Jonah 4
1But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. 2HE PRAYED TO THE LORD, “ISN’T THIS WHAT I SAID, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. 3Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.” 4But the Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?”
After Jonah preaches to the Ninevites that they must repent and change their wicked ways, they do. Jonah has done what God asked...finally. What happens? The Ninevites repented and changed their ways, and God true to His word is merciful and loving to an evil city. He accepts their repentance and does not destroy them! I imagine they were walking around exclaiming "Praise God!"
What does Jonah do now that He has fulfilled what God wanted him to do? What does he do after he has been an instrument used by God to turn an entire city from the path of destruction? Jonah throws a fit. A tantrum! Not only is he upset that God had mercy on this evil, disobedient city (just like He had mercy on Jonah for disobeying), but He tells God this is why he ran in a different direction than where God told him to go in the first place. What? So, he is scolding God for having mercy on this city? He is telling God he knew God would be nice to them if they repented, and he didn't want God to be nice to them? Wow! That seems very childish and vindictive.
Yet, in all this, God is still caring and teaching and showing mercy to Jonah. Supplying shade; then taking it away so he can understand that God always has a plan and will care for him and will show him the right way and will discipline us when we are wrong (think belly of the whale). And Jonah is having none of it! He is sticking to His tantrum and wants to just die! Oh, the drama!
So, basically Jonah is telling God that He knows better as to what should happen to Nineveh than God does. It is a good thing our God is a loving God or He would have destroyed Jonah right there, but He doesn't. He just shows him love.
Then I think about how I feel about people who are mean, wicked in my opinion, use others, have only their agenda, think only of themselves. What do I do? How do I treat them? Do I show them God's never ending love and mercy? Or do I decide that they should get what they deserve?
Do I want to get what I deserve? For all the mistakes I have made, the wrong things I have done, the mean things I have thought and said, do I want what I deserve? Oh no, I do not! I want God's love and mercy! I want what God gave Nineveh and Jonah...forgiveness and a patient and all encompassing mercy!
Father, please help me to shower your love, patience, and mercy on EVERYONE as you have done for me! In Christ's name I pray. Amen.
1But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. 2HE PRAYED TO THE LORD, “ISN’T THIS WHAT I SAID, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. 3Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.” 4But the Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?”
After Jonah preaches to the Ninevites that they must repent and change their wicked ways, they do. Jonah has done what God asked...finally. What happens? The Ninevites repented and changed their ways, and God true to His word is merciful and loving to an evil city. He accepts their repentance and does not destroy them! I imagine they were walking around exclaiming "Praise God!"
What does Jonah do now that He has fulfilled what God wanted him to do? What does he do after he has been an instrument used by God to turn an entire city from the path of destruction? Jonah throws a fit. A tantrum! Not only is he upset that God had mercy on this evil, disobedient city (just like He had mercy on Jonah for disobeying), but He tells God this is why he ran in a different direction than where God told him to go in the first place. What? So, he is scolding God for having mercy on this city? He is telling God he knew God would be nice to them if they repented, and he didn't want God to be nice to them? Wow! That seems very childish and vindictive.
Yet, in all this, God is still caring and teaching and showing mercy to Jonah. Supplying shade; then taking it away so he can understand that God always has a plan and will care for him and will show him the right way and will discipline us when we are wrong (think belly of the whale). And Jonah is having none of it! He is sticking to His tantrum and wants to just die! Oh, the drama!
So, basically Jonah is telling God that He knows better as to what should happen to Nineveh than God does. It is a good thing our God is a loving God or He would have destroyed Jonah right there, but He doesn't. He just shows him love.
Then I think about how I feel about people who are mean, wicked in my opinion, use others, have only their agenda, think only of themselves. What do I do? How do I treat them? Do I show them God's never ending love and mercy? Or do I decide that they should get what they deserve?
Do I want to get what I deserve? For all the mistakes I have made, the wrong things I have done, the mean things I have thought and said, do I want what I deserve? Oh no, I do not! I want God's love and mercy! I want what God gave Nineveh and Jonah...forgiveness and a patient and all encompassing mercy!
Father, please help me to shower your love, patience, and mercy on EVERYONE as you have done for me! In Christ's name I pray. Amen.
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Nicodemus - from sinner to saint
Here is Nicodemus's first encounter with Jesus:
John 3
1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him." 3 Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4 Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" 5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." 9 Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?" 10 Jesus answered him, "Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
Later, we find out the results of this encounter:
John 7
50 Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, 51 "Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?" 52 They replied, "Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee."
Here is what happens later due to Nicodemus's faith in Christ:
John 19
39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.
This is amazing! I had never noticed this before. The Bible, God's word, weaves everything together. God takes all the details and puts them into one cohesive plan.
When I first read of Nicodemus questioning Jesus in John 3, he was one of the "bad" Pharisees trying to trick Jesus or get him to say something that would cause Rome to at the very least imprison him. I wrote him off as one of the villains.
However, in John 7, without fanfare or explanation, we see this same man trying to defend Christ by insisting that he have a hearing before judgment is passed. Everyone ridiculed him for this. He actually defended the very person all of his fellow Pharisees wanted to murder. That not only took guess, but He had to count the cost also. The cost? Maybe his plush pharisitical position?
Then in chapter 19, we find out Nicodemus had been secretly going to hear Jesus in the evenings since his first encounter. He then brings myrrh and aloes for burial customs in honor of his love for Jesus and in direct opposition to what the Pharisees wanted. He is risking everything, just as Jesus did, to follow Jesus and shows the world, and the Pharisees, that He is a follower of Jesus.
I wonder, do I risk anything to show the world I am a follower of Jesus? Does anyone even notice that I am a follower of Jesus based on my actions at work? At home? In public ? Are my actions as loving as Jesus's were, are?
Father, thank you for your amazing Grace, your attention to every detail of my life, of everyone's life. please help me to always be open about your love for us and my love for you. Please help me to always share about Jesus saving grace! In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
John 3
1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him." 3 Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4 Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" 5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." 9 Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?" 10 Jesus answered him, "Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
Later, we find out the results of this encounter:
John 7
50 Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, 51 "Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?" 52 They replied, "Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee."
Here is what happens later due to Nicodemus's faith in Christ:
John 19
39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.
This is amazing! I had never noticed this before. The Bible, God's word, weaves everything together. God takes all the details and puts them into one cohesive plan.
When I first read of Nicodemus questioning Jesus in John 3, he was one of the "bad" Pharisees trying to trick Jesus or get him to say something that would cause Rome to at the very least imprison him. I wrote him off as one of the villains.
However, in John 7, without fanfare or explanation, we see this same man trying to defend Christ by insisting that he have a hearing before judgment is passed. Everyone ridiculed him for this. He actually defended the very person all of his fellow Pharisees wanted to murder. That not only took guess, but He had to count the cost also. The cost? Maybe his plush pharisitical position?
Then in chapter 19, we find out Nicodemus had been secretly going to hear Jesus in the evenings since his first encounter. He then brings myrrh and aloes for burial customs in honor of his love for Jesus and in direct opposition to what the Pharisees wanted. He is risking everything, just as Jesus did, to follow Jesus and shows the world, and the Pharisees, that He is a follower of Jesus.
I wonder, do I risk anything to show the world I am a follower of Jesus? Does anyone even notice that I am a follower of Jesus based on my actions at work? At home? In public ? Are my actions as loving as Jesus's were, are?
Father, thank you for your amazing Grace, your attention to every detail of my life, of everyone's life. please help me to always be open about your love for us and my love for you. Please help me to always share about Jesus saving grace! In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Why did Jesus tell Mary not to cling to Him?
Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"
Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
So in verse 17, Jesus tells Mary not to hold on to Him or cling to Him. Then in verse 27, just 10 verses later, He tells Thomas to reach out and touch Him to prove He was really there and really Jesus. He walks around in the next chapters and eats food, talks, has deep spiritual discussions, walks through walls, etc. I will grant you the "walk through walls" part is a whole different discussion about what our resurrected bodies will be like, so for now, let's stick with phrase "do not hold on to me" on verse 10 and then telling Thomas he can touch Him in verse 17.
As I struggled to understand the seemingly incongruity of these two statements, my first thought was that Jesus hadn't ascended yet, so He couldn't be touched by anyone. In fact, I have always thought that is what that meant, and that was fine, until I started studying about heaven and read verse 27. In my reading about heaven, our bodies are refered to as like Christ's. We think we are going to eat and drink and do activities and have jobs, etc. So, if that is the case, and we can do all that, why couldn't Mary cling to Jesus? I realize Jesus is the Son of God, so He could be different than us, so, I wondered if that was it. I read some more and that didn't really make sense as were are made in God's image. Also, verse 27 then indicated it is okay to touch Jesus's body. That doesn't make sense.
As I struggled to understand the seemingly incongruity of these two statements, my first thought was that Jesus hadn't ascended yet, so He couldn't be touched by anyone. In fact, I have always thought that is what that meant, and that was fine, until I started studying about heaven and read verse 27. In my reading about heaven, our bodies are refered to as like Christ's. We think we are going to eat and drink and do activities and have jobs, etc. So, if that is the case, and we can do all that, why couldn't Mary cling to Jesus? I realize Jesus is the Son of God, so He could be different than us, so, I wondered if that was it. I read some more and that didn't really make sense as were are made in God's image. Also, verse 27 then indicated it is okay to touch Jesus's body. That doesn't make sense.
So, I started searching for answers as I was really disturbed by what appeared to be opposing statements in the Bible. Isn't the Bible the Word of God? How can there be a mistake? At least it looked like there was a mistake to me. As I searched in commentaries, I finally read John MacArthur's Study Bible for verse 17. He stated"
"Mary was expressing a desire to hold on to his physical presence for fear that she would once again lose him. Jesus’ reference to his ascension signifies that he would only be temporarily with them and though she desperately wanted him to stay, he could not. Jesus was with them only for 40 more days and then he ascended (Acts 1:3–11)."
Also, here is a link to a belief.net discussion on this which says basically the same thing.
So, although I found verse 17 rather confusing at the start, it now makes sense. Apparently, the words we use and the Greek don't always translate perfectly, so we need to study carefully when the Bible doesn't make sense. Jesus wasn't telling Mary that somehow He would not be able to ascend if she clung to Him. He was telling her that He was leaving, ascending after 40 days and that He would send the Holy Spirit to be with them after that. He didn't want her to think He would be staying there. He had a bigger plan than they could have imagined. Isn't that always the case? And isn't it always the case that everything in the Bible makes sense if you study it to try and figure out what is confusing you?
Thank you, Father, that you are always planning and watching over and caring for us, both here on this earth and in heaven. In Jesus name. Amen.
So, although I found verse 17 rather confusing at the start, it now makes sense. Apparently, the words we use and the Greek don't always translate perfectly, so we need to study carefully when the Bible doesn't make sense. Jesus wasn't telling Mary that somehow He would not be able to ascend if she clung to Him. He was telling her that He was leaving, ascending after 40 days and that He would send the Holy Spirit to be with them after that. He didn't want her to think He would be staying there. He had a bigger plan than they could have imagined. Isn't that always the case? And isn't it always the case that everything in the Bible makes sense if you study it to try and figure out what is confusing you?
Thank you, Father, that you are always planning and watching over and caring for us, both here on this earth and in heaven. In Jesus name. Amen.
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Keep your eyes on the horizon
Jonah 1
11The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, “What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?” 12“Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.”
Kaitlin Wernet writes of this Bible event on Shereadstruth.com. Here is an excerpt from what she wrote. She introduced the topic by telling us that her family made a yearly fishing trip and she was extremely seasick because of the storm on this particular trip:
“What should we do to you to calm this sea that’s against us?” they asked Jonah (Jonah 1:11).
I remember asking the first mate of the fishing boat a similar question. Surely there was a pill, lotion, elixir, balm, trick, cure—something, anything to soothe the sickness. His answer couldn’t have been more frustrating. “Look to the horizon,” he said. “Don’t look anywhere else until it’s over.”
Look to the horizon. Don't look anywhere else! That was the advice to help her calm down and make it through the storm. If we look at Jonah, as soon as he was thrown overboard, the storm stopped. There was a storm because of a Jonah's disobedience to God. Jonah had turned his back on the horizon. On God. He was in the middle if a horrible storm because of his disobedience. Once he owned up to his sin, disobedience to God, the storm was over!
Many times we are in the middle of "storms" because if our disobedience also. During those times, we need to turn our focus back to the horizon of Jesus Christ and His forgiveness of our wrongs. We can learn and grow from our mistakes if we turn back to Christ.
However, many times we are in the storms of life for other reasons beyond our control or knowledge. In these times, if we keep our eyes on the horizon, Jesus Christ, also, we will come through it wiser and stronger than ever.
We don't always know why things are happening, but we do know who is in charge...God. We can rest peacefully in everything that happens by keeping our eyes on Him no matter what!
Father, thank you for loving us enough to correct us, forgiving us of our wrongs, and giving us your peace. Amen.
11The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, “What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?” 12“Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.”
Kaitlin Wernet writes of this Bible event on Shereadstruth.com. Here is an excerpt from what she wrote. She introduced the topic by telling us that her family made a yearly fishing trip and she was extremely seasick because of the storm on this particular trip:
“What should we do to you to calm this sea that’s against us?” they asked Jonah (Jonah 1:11).
I remember asking the first mate of the fishing boat a similar question. Surely there was a pill, lotion, elixir, balm, trick, cure—something, anything to soothe the sickness. His answer couldn’t have been more frustrating. “Look to the horizon,” he said. “Don’t look anywhere else until it’s over.”
Look to the horizon. Don't look anywhere else! That was the advice to help her calm down and make it through the storm. If we look at Jonah, as soon as he was thrown overboard, the storm stopped. There was a storm because of a Jonah's disobedience to God. Jonah had turned his back on the horizon. On God. He was in the middle if a horrible storm because of his disobedience. Once he owned up to his sin, disobedience to God, the storm was over!
Many times we are in the middle of "storms" because if our disobedience also. During those times, we need to turn our focus back to the horizon of Jesus Christ and His forgiveness of our wrongs. We can learn and grow from our mistakes if we turn back to Christ.
However, many times we are in the storms of life for other reasons beyond our control or knowledge. In these times, if we keep our eyes on the horizon, Jesus Christ, also, we will come through it wiser and stronger than ever.
We don't always know why things are happening, but we do know who is in charge...God. We can rest peacefully in everything that happens by keeping our eyes on Him no matter what!
Father, thank you for loving us enough to correct us, forgiving us of our wrongs, and giving us your peace. Amen.
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