Month: October 2022

I’m from Oklahoma, which makes me an “Okie.” You can tell an Okie, you just can’t tell him much! Most people who know me consider me to be stubborn and a contrarian and I agree with that assessment. Some people think that I’m also argumentative and I’m all that. I have a natural tendency to go against the flow most of the time. I usually take the road less traveled because most of the time that’s the right road. I have dogged determination. I know what I know and I’m not easily swayed by the opinions of others. I’m also getting long in the tooth which is a nice way of saying I’m older than dirt. In short, I have most of the attributes needed to be an effective witness for Christ. Do you? If so then come join me as a foot soldier for God.

In the grand scheme of things our brief life here on earth is meaningless apart from a right relationship with God. King Solomon reminds us of that in the book of Ecclesiastes. Our life is like a morning mist that lingers but a short while and is no more. However, when we witness for Christ and save others for the kingdom of God that good work will be remembered by God in heaven and the rewards we receive will last for an eternity. Knowing that, can you think of any better use of your time? I can’t. It’s critically important that we use our brief time here on earth to witness for Christ as God commands us. It’s very important each believer saves at least one person for the kingdom of God.

Psalm 90:12 – Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 119:2 – Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart!

Psalm 33:11 – The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations.

I’m comfortable in my own skin which is what we should all strive for. I know who I am, where I came from, and where I’m going. Best of all, I know why I’m here on earth. Do you? The Bible, the wisdom literature of God, has all the answers to life’s questions so go find out your destiny if you don’t already know. You know, older people tend to get cranky and not suffer fools lightly because they’ve seen it all and done it all. I’m in that age group. I don’t have time to waste on foolish things. I don’t have time for false teachings, false doctrines and dealing with fools. I enjoy my own company and value my own counsel more than anyone else’s; with one exception. I will seek out and listen very carefully to anyone I consider to be wise. I recommend you also be wise and always strive to learn from those you consider wiser than yourself.

Proverbs 12:15 – The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise.

Colossians 3:2 – Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

1 John 5:11 – And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.

Ephesians 5:15-16 – See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

How can you tell if someone is wise? I’m glad you asked; but first let me tell you what I know. I rarely take anyone’s word about anything and that’s a good way to approach the world because the world is full of swindlers, thieves, liars and cheats. We’re in a fallen world and that’s just the way it is until Jesus comes. I never take anyone else’s opinion as the final word on any matter without verifying it and neither should you. Everyone has their own vested interests which may be different from yours so beware. I like to do my own homework in areas that interest me and I like to research the truth of any matter before I commit myself. I have always applied this process to the study of all religion, and with Christianity in particular. As I searched for God he found me. The Scriptures confirm that if you earnestly seek God you will find him. You have God’s promise and God cannot lie. I’ve been studying God’s word for over twenty years and you have my testimony that God is who he says he is and his word is true. I urge you to verify this yourself by studying God’s word.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

1 Timothy 2:3-4 – For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

1 Timothy 4:13 – Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

I know that the Holy Bible is God’s word and God’s wisdom. In fact, the Bible is the only true source of wisdom in this world. Nobody can be truly considered as wise without at least a basic understanding and familiarity with the Bible. Many people have a hard time believing there’s a God or that the Christian God is the one and only true God. That’s understandable because we live in a fallen world where sin is pervasive. Satan is the god of this world and he has put blinders on nonbelievers so they can’t see the truth of God on their own and if that’s not enough then Satan will also seek to deceive men with false religions and fake gods. Regular reading of the Bible and prayers to God on a daily basis will keep Satan at bay. Scripture says to resist Satan and he will flee from you. The word of God can remove the scales from your eyes that Satan has put there and allow you to see the truth of God.

2 Corinthians 4:4 – Whose minds the god of this age (Satan) has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

Psalm 14:1 – The fool has said in his heart, there is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none who does good.

Psalm 53:1 – The fool has said in his heart, there is no God. They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity; there is none who does good.

If you look closely at the holy books of all the false religions of the world you’ll see they are a bunch of vague contradictions and trite platitudes. It’s obvious they were all written by evil men with their own agenda. A plethora of words that sound good but signify nothing; words without meaning, power or wisdom. All the fake gods of all the false religions of the world stand mute before the true God of creation. Satan is not an original thinker but he is a master at imitation so he created false religions to compete with God for the affections of men. Satan is the father of Islam, Hinduism, Bhuddism and all the other Christian cults that are out there. Don’t be fooled by the lies of Satan and be drug down to the pit of hell with him. On the other hand, when you read the Bible the truth and wisdom of God shines through like the noon day sun.

Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 Corinthians 2:14 – But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

1 Thessalonians 5:9 – For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

If you also want to find God start reading the Bible daily, starting with the New Testament. Read the entire Bible all the way through and then do it again. As you do this ask God daily in prayer before your start reading the Bible to reveal himself to you and he will do it because God has promised in his word that he would do so. The Bible is without error and God cannot lie. At some point in your walk with the Lord the truth of God will be settled in your soul and give you peace like you have never known. Rarely does it take more than one reading of the Bible to find God, if you have an open mind. You have my testimony that it’ll happen to you like it did for me and millions of other Christians throughout the world.

Psalm 119:97-99 – Oh, how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation.

Romans 15:4 – For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope (salvation).

Psalm 119:105 – Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

As I continue my study of the Bible, God’s word is confirmed in countless ways and never contradicted. The books of the Bible fit together seamlessly as one word of God with one consistent message about the love God has for us. How could it be otherwise since God himself authored the Bible over a period of 1500 years, from 1400 BC to 100 AD, using godly men who were moved by the Holy Spirit? Bible critics have been trying to disprove the Bible for over 2000 years and they haven’t found any errors or inconsistencies yet but they keep looking. Only the Christian Bible has over 1000 prophecies, over 500 of which have been fulfilled and documented as historical fact. All the false religions in the entire history of the world do not have even one fulfilled prophecy. They can’t because they are not from God. Only the true God of creation knows the end from the beginning. Our God is the Lord, and Jesus Christ is his son.

2 Peter 1:21 – For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 37:27-28 – Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell forevermore. For the Lord loves justice, and does nor forsake His saints; they are preserved forever, but the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off.

2 Timothy 4:1-2 – I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

God wants us to know him and his salvation plan for man. When I first read about God’s plan for our salvation and fully understood the implications the first thought that came into my mind was, “this is perfect.” This could only have come from the mind of God. God’s salvation plan is perfect in its simplicity; so simple in fact that men think there must be a catch. I can tell you there is no catch. God wanted to make salvation easy for us. God is not trying to keep us out of heaven. God is inclusive and doing all he can to get as many of his children to heaven as possible. Never lose sight of the fact that God is good and he is always for us. Unlike all the other false religions that require men to jump through hoops without promising salvation, the Lord our God freely gives salvation unto eternal life to any man who asks for it. Those who repent of their sins, acknowledge God, and then accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior have salvation unto eternal life in heaven given to them as a free gift by the grace of God. By his goodness and generosity God shows his love for us.

1 Corinthians 1:18 – For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

1 Thessalonians 1:5 – For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance.

2 Corinthians 4:3 – But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.

In Scripture God has identified those who have been saved as “wise” and those men who have rejected God and his saving grace as “fools.” These are only two types of people in the world. Don’t get me wrong, there are intelligent people, smart people, and clever people out there but that doesn’t make them wise. You also can’t use money as a yardstick for wisdom because money can’t buy happiness or salvation nor can man save himself like the humanists want us to believe. The only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ our Lord and the only way to true happiness is through obedience to the commands of God. The only way to know the command of God is to study the Bible. God gave us his word so we’ll know what we must do and why.

Romans 1:16 – For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek (Gentile).

Romans 11:33 – Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

2 Peter 1:2 – Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

God watches over all believers because we are his children. We are God’s portion on this earth, his holy inheritance. All believers are saved but not all believers are wise; only those believers who actually immerse themselves in a study of God’s word and obey God’s commandments can be considered as wise. Truly wise men of God are as rare as hen’s teeth. Search them out and when you find them seek them as mentors and listen to their counsel. Of course the #1 counselor is God himself so talk to God often in prayer and watch for his revelations in Scripture. We talk to God in prayer and he promises to listen to us. God talks to us in Scripture so we need to be spiritually aware to hear him; the small still voice of God that speaks to our soul.

1 Timothy 1:9 – Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.

1 John 3:1 – Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!

Colossians 4:2 – Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.

God calls nonbelievers “fools” because they reject the truth of God that is right before their eyes and as a result of their unbelief they are destined to spend eternity in hell. All they have to do is believe in God, repent, and ask for his forgiveness of their sins. How hard is that? The nonbeliever can’t even do that simple little thing so their sins still abide on them and a just and fair God has no choice but to condemn them to the lake of fire and brimstone for all eternity where they will be in constant pain and agony. Millions of people are dying every day and going to hell forever for the lack of a witness about the saving grace of God. It’s such a waste! God leaves believers on this earth to witness the gospel message of Christ to nonbelievers to save as many as we can for the kingdom of God. We can’t save everyone but we can save one more for Jesus if we try.

Hebrews 10:31 – It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Hebrews 9:27 – And it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.

Proverbs 13:13 – He who despises the word will be destroyed, but he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.

God is good and always has our best interests at heart so therefore God never made man with the intent of sending anyone to hell. The nonbeliever makes the free will choice to serve God or Satan on their own, so they are without excuse. God knew who would accept his grace and who wouldn’t before he laid the foundation of the world because God knows the end from the beginning. Seek wisdom where you can find it and make the decision to serve God while you yet live. Once your heart stops beating your testing time on this earth is over and your fate is sealed. The ultimate destination of your eternal soul is either heaven or hell. There are no other choices so don’t delay making your choice. It only takes five minutes to change the destination of your eternal soul from hell to heaven for all eternity. Do it right now this minute!

Proverbs 16:4 – The Lord has made all for Himself, yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.

Ephesians 2:10 – For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Romans 8:1 – There is therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

After our salvation God leaves us here to witness for Christ and do good works. That is our reasonable service to the God who made us and saved us. God has blessed all believers by allowing us to participate in his salvation plan for man and build up treasures for ourselves in heaven. God has bestowed this honor upon us and it’s our sacred duty to help save as many lost souls as we can for the kingdom of God. God says his harvest field is great and believers are his co-workers. Nonbelievers are the harvest field. I have answered God’s call to join him in helping save the lost. Come join me. Failure to obey God in this regard will mean the loss of rewards in heaven for all eternity.

2 Corinthians 9:8 – And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

1 John 3:22 – And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

1 John 5:12 – He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

All believers will one day have to stand before the bema seat of Jesus Christ to have their good works judged before the Lord. If you haven’t witnessed for Christ and helped save at least one person for the kingdom of God all your other works will burn with fire. You could give a billion dollars to charity and it won’t do you a bit of good unless you also do the main thing, the important thing, which is to witness for Christ and save at least one soul for the kingdom of God. If you disobey God you will not have any rewards in heaven because you haven’t obeyed the Great Commission of Jesus given to all disciples of Christ, which is to witness the gospel message to all nonbelievers. See, I have told you. You must obey God or lose all rewards. Scripture tells us the mind of man cannot comprehend the riches God has in store for those who love him. Take God at his word and strive for the prize.

Titus 2:11 – For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

Psalm 34:15 – The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears open to their cry.

Romans 10:9 – That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

I know I’m repeating myself here but repetition is good for the soul. When we say something over and over the mind starts to incorporate it into our belief system. That’s why if you’ll notice God repeats important spiritual truths many times in is word. God is trying to drum his truth into our heads. I’m moved by the Holy Spirit to blog so witnessing for Christ is always on my mind. It’s a consuming fire that never leaves me. During my early morning walk every day I’m talking to God and mentally composing my next blog. I love what I do. By his knowledge God created the physical universe we live in. Through his understanding God made the angels and man and established the physical laws of nature. Because of his wisdom God developed his perfect salvation plan for man. We don’t know God’s plan for us in heaven but we do know it’ll be greater than we can possibly imagine because Scripture says so. God is the source of all wisdom. God is wisdom. As children of the Most High we have the wisdom of God on the inside of us (the Holy Spirit) and we’ll share in God’s divine nature forevermore. The Holy Spirit will also reside in our glorified bodies in heaven which is why we will not be able to sin in heaven. God will complete our glorification by himself once we get to heaven. Praise God!

Ephesians 6:10 – Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

Philippians 4:6 – Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Hebrews 13:15 – Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks in His name.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

We know the Bible contains secrets of heaven for us to discover. The Bible also contains some secrets of hell as well. People often refer to heaven, hell, and the last Day without an understanding that there are actually two heavens, two hells and two last Days mentioned in Scripture. We sometimes can’t tell which heaven, hell or last Day the Bible is talking about until we look at all of the surrounding Scriptures and examine the target audience or the topic of the book where the verse or verses are found. Never take Scripture out of context if you want to fully understand its true meaning. The Bible refers to the earth’s atmosphere as the first heaven and outer space as the second heaven. The third heaven is where God lives. Don’t confuse those descriptions of heaven with my listing of heaven number one and heaven number two.

Heaven #1 is Paradise within the earth and heaven #2 is upward where God lives. Hell #1 is also within the earth and is sometimes called Hades or the Pit. Hell #2 is the lake of fire and brimstone mentioned in the book of Revelation where all nonbelievers and fallen angels will eventually end up after final judgment at the Great White Throne of Jesus Christ. Last day #1 is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ to the earth to set foot on the Mount of Olives at the battle of Armageddon. Jesus will then judge all the nations for their iniquity before establishing his 1000 year millennial kingdom to be ruled from Jerusalem. The last day #2 will occur at the end of the thousand years. This is when all nonbelievers in hell #1 will be resurrected bodily to stand before Jesus Christ at the Great White Throne judgment. All who appear at this final judgment are condemned already. An angel of the Lord will grab hold of each nonbeliever and throw them into the lake of fire and brimstone where they will be in pain and agony without end for all eternity.

Matthew 5:16 – (Jesus speaking) – Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven (#2).

Matthew 5:18 – (Jesus speaking) – For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven (#2) and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled,

John 3:18 – (Jesus speaking) – He who believes in Him is not condemned (to hell #1); but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Isaiah 14:15 – Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol (hell #1), to the lowest depths of the Pit (hell #1, within the earth).

Nonbelievers don’t believe in hell and even some believers don’t think hell is real. They think hell is an allegory or a spiritualization of God’s word. First of all, God speaks only the truth and God speaks plainly. When God speaks with symbolism it’s easy to recognize, like in the book Revelation. The rule of thumb with Bible interpretation is this: if the Bible verse makes plain sense when you read it, then seek no other sense. Hell (Hades) is mentioned 54 times in the Bible. Hell is also often referred to as the “pit”. The word pit occurs 88 times in the Bible and at least half of those occurrences are talking about hell within the earth, which I am calling hell number one. When God mentions hell in his word 100 times you can be sure hell is a real, literal place. You have been told so you are without excuse.

Matthew 10:28 – (Jesus speaking) – And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (#1).

NOTE: Upon death the spirit of all nonbelievers immediately goes to hell #1 within the earth. The human corpse decays here on earth so it’s destroyed on this physical plane. When the spirits of the damned are resurrected for the Great White throne judgment they will all be given bodies that are decayed (destroyed) and they will keep those maggot-infested bodies throughout all eternity in the lake of fire and brimstone. The souls of all men are immortal but the soul of the nonbeliever is destroyed in the sense that he suffers eternal death in hell forever. The Bible often equates destruction with going to hell.

Matthew 8:12 – (Jesus speaking) – But the sons of the kingdom will be cast into outer darkness (hell #1). There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

NOTE: When Jews speak about “outer darkness” they are talking about hell #1. Matthew was a Jewish disciple of Christ writing his gospel for a Jewish audience.

ln Old Testament times when the righteous died their eternal spirits went to Paradise within the earth, which I’m calling heaven #1. The Old Testament saints couldn’t go directly to heaven above, which I’m calling heaven #2, because their sins were not forgiven at that time. When God came down from heaven in the incarnation of Jesus Christ and died on the cross his atoning death allowed the sins of all men, past, present and future, to be forgiven. During his three days in the earth Jesus Christ, the son of God, descended into Paradise and escorted the saints waiting down there to heaven because he had paid their sin debt. Paradise within the earth is now empty and is no longer needed because all believers living after the time of Christ’s resurrection have their sins forgiven already. After the time of Christ the spirit of all believers who die immediately goes to heaven to be in the presence of Jesus. In the Old Testament when it talks about going to heaven it is usually referring to Paradise within the earth (heaven #1) unless the Scripture’s context indicates otherwise. In the New Testament all reference to heaven is heaven #2 above, with the same caveat.

Daniel 12:2 – And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life (heaven #1), some to shame and everlasting contempt (hell #1).

John 5:28-29 – (Jesus speaking) – For the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth-those who have done good, to the resurrection of life (the rapture or glorious appearing of Christ), and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of the damned (from hell #1 on the last Day #2).

John 5:24 – (Jesus speaking) – Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My words and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life (heaven #2), and shall not come into judgment (on last Day #2), but has passed from death into life.

John 12:31-32 – (Jesus speaking) – Now is the judgment of this world (last Day #2); now the ruler of this world (Satan) will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth (the appearing of Christ in the air), will draw all peoples to Myself (all believers, dead and alive).

When a nonbeliever dies their eternal spirit immediately goes to hell within the earth (hell #1) where they’ll be suspended in total darkness, alone, and in great pain and torment continually. All the unrighteous dead who lived before Christ also go to hell #1 within the earth. Cain was the first person to go hell for killing his brother Abel. God made the lake of fire and brimstone for Satan and his fallen angels to reside for all eternity (this is the second hell). The lake of fire and brimstone is currently empty until such time as Jesus Christ executes final judgment on the damned, both angel and man. I don’t know where this lake of fire and brimstone is located. It may be within the earth or somewhere else in the universe. Only God knows. In the book of Revelation, after hell #1 is emptied of all condemned people the final resting place of all the damned is only referred to as the lake of fire and brimstone (hell #2).

Psalm 16:10 – For you will not leave My soul in Sheol (hell #1), nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption (bodily decay).

Psalm 86:13 – For great is Your mercy toward Me (Jesus), and You have delivered My soul from the depths of Sheol (hell #1).

Hebrews 10:31 – It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Titus 2:`13 – Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing (rapture) of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

The first last Day will be when Jesus Christ sets his foot on the earth for the second time (on the Mount of Olives). Before then Jesus will come in the air with all his angels to call all believers to himself, both dead and alive, and Jesus will give all the believers their glorified bodies right there in the air. This is the “rapture” of the saints or the “appearing” of Jesus Christ in the air. It will occur exactly seven years to the day before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ to the earth. The Second Coming of Jesus Christ will be just after the battle of Armageddon and before Israel can be destroyed. Jesus will save a remnant of Israel, God’s chosen people, before defeating Satan, the antichrist and all the nations surrounding Jerusalem with the intent of destroying Israel. Jesus will then judge all the nations for their sins against God. Believers alive at the Second Coming will become a part of the millennial kingdom and all nonbelievers will be sent to hell #1.

John 12:48 – (Jesus speaking) – He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him-the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day (#2).

John 6:40 – (Jesus speaking) – And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day (#1).

Acts 10:42 – And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He (Jesus) who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead.

Hebrews 9:27 – And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgement (last day #2).

After this, Jesus will establish his 1000 year millennial kingdom on the earth to be ruled from Jerusalem. At the end of the 1000 years the second last Day will occur when all the damned throughout history will be resurrected bodily from hell #1 within the earth to stand before Jesus Christ in judgment at the Great White Throne. All who will appear here are condemned already. After sentencing, all nonbelievers will be grabbed bodily by an angel of the Lord and hurled into the lake of fire and brimstone where they will remain for all eternity along with Satan, the antichrist, the false prophet and the fallen angels (demons). Those in the lake of fire and brimstone will be in constant pain and agony. At this time hell #1 within the earth will be emptied and remain empty and unused just like Paradise.

1 Corinthians 3:12-13 – Now if anyone builds on this foundation (Jesus Christ) with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the day (last day #1) will declare it; because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.

Proverbs 16:4 – The Lord has made all for Himself, yes, even the wicked for the day of doom (last day #2).

1 Peter 1:17 – And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear.

Isaiah 45:22 – Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.

Think of hell #1 as a temporary lockup for condemned prisoners in use for only 7000 years; a holding cell for the guilty, until such time as they get to go before the righteous judge, Jesus Christ, to receive final judgment ( their eternal sentence). This is known as the Great White Throne judgment and all who appear here are condemned already. All nonbelievers receive the same sentence. All the damned will be incarcerated in the lake of fire and brimstone forever where they will be in continual pain and torment without end. Please don’t be in this group! Avoid the nonbeliever’s fate by believing in God, repenting of your sins, and accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. God gave us his word to show us the way while we yet live. Take advantage of your opportunity while you still have time. The wrath of God is a terrible thing. Once you die unsaved your fate is sealed forever.

Jude 1:6 – And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, he has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness (hell #1)for the judgment of the great day (last Day #2).

Philippians 1:6 – He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (the rapture or the glorious appearing of Christ).

Numbers 16:31-33 – Now it came to pass, as he finished speaking all these words, that the ground split apart under them, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men with Korah, with all their goods. So they and all those with them went down alive into the pit (hell #1); the earth closed over them, and they perished from among the assembly.

Revelation 20:1-3 – Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven (#2), having the key to the bottomless pit (hell #1) and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years (the length of the millennium); and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.

In summary, God created the universe and allotted man 7000 years on this earth. From creation to Abraham was 2000 years and from Abraham to Jesus was 2000 years. From Jesus to now it has been almost 2000 years. The millennium is the final 1000 years. According to God’s timetable the Second Coming of Jesus Christ will end the current 2000 year period of human history and that time is almost upon us. It will be exactly seven years prior to the Second Coming Jesus to the earth that Jesus Christ will appear in the clouds to “rapture” all believers to himself, both dead and alive. Jesus Christ will give all believers their glorified bodies in the air before taking all the saints back to heaven with him.

The rapture could occur at any moment. If the rapture occurs the whole world will know about it. If you’re not one of those Jesus calls to meet him in the air all is not lost. The good news is you have seven years after the rapture occurs to change your mind and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The bad news is you might not last that long. If you become saved you’ll probably end up a martyr and get your head chopped off. You could also die from one of the many plagues God is about to unleash on the earth (read Revelation). Why not skip all that terror and accept God’s salvation unto eternal life right now before it’s too late? Either way you’ll kneel before Jesus one day.

Revelation 14:9-11 – Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of his indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.

Revelation 20:10 – The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

Revelation 21:8 – But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.

We know there are different levels in heaven based upon our good works. God is fair to the believer and nonbeliever alike so I’m pretty sure there are also different levels in hell based upon our sins committed against God. I can’t believe that a person going to hell for not accepting Christ will be punished the same way as a mass murderer like Hitler, Stalin, Genghis Khan or Muhammad. God is just so I expect levels of punishment that fits the crime. The Bible doesn’t give us a breakdown with hell the way it does with heaven but we can make a few guesses. The Bible does tell us that fallen angels who took on human form and slept with women are an abomination to God and he has chained them in the bottom of the “pit” until judgment day. Next level above that would be the mass murderers of the world. I list four levels of heaven so there must be at least four levels in hell. Heaven and hell probably have many more levels I don’t know about.

Mark 9:43-44 – (Jesus speaking) – If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, go to hell (#2), into the fire that shall never be quenched-where, “Their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.”

Mark 9:45-46 – (Jesus speaking) – And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell (#2), into the fire that shall never be quenched-where, “Their worm does not die. and the fire is not quenched.”

Mark 9:47-48 – (Jesus speaking) – And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire (#2)-where, “Their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.”

There is one last thing you need to know. When nonbelievers are resurrected bodily on the second last Day for judgment before the Great White Throne of Jesus Christ the body they receive will be decayed, rotting and filled with maggots (worms) that will never die. Imagine the zombies in the “walking dead” movies and on television and multiply that putrefaction by a factor of ten and you get the general idea. It won’t be a pleasant sight.

Just imagine the eternal spirit of the damned locked up inside a decaying corpse and bobbing up and down in the lake of fire and brimstone like a cork while screaming their head off forever because of the pain and agony. To make matters worse, the damned will be constantly gawked at in their pain and misery by all the saints, angels and Jesus himself. Oh, the indignity of it all! Don’t be that man or woman! Save yourself while you yet live! The putrid bodies of the lost will be as gross as the glorified bodies of believers are wonderful. They are complete opposites, which is how God does things.

God is fair, just and reciprocal to both the believer and the nonbeliever. If the believer gets a resurrection body then so does the nonbeliever; only at opposite extremes. That’s only fair. In this blog I’m including Scriptures from the book of Mark that confirm what I’m saying about the resurrected bodies of the damned. God says it plainly three times in a row. When God repeats anything twice we need to pay attention. When God says anything three times it’s like shouting from the rooftops and we better pay attention. Don’t just blindly believe everything I’m telling you. The purpose of my web site has always been to encourage you to check out God’s word and then you decide yourself what is true and what is not. That’s all I can ask of you and all God commands you to do. You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink. That’s true for both horses and men. Your salvation is in your hands. God has given you the free will to make that decision. Don’t delay making it.

The wonders of heaven are revealed by God all throughout the Bible. In fact, the word “heaven” appears 582 times in the Bible and in 50 of the 66 books of the Bible. God’s word is his testimony about heaven and God speaks the truth plainly and without any exaggeration. The Lord our God cannot lie. We also have the personal testimonies of two Apostles, John and Paul, who went to heaven in the spirit and described it for us in the books of Revelation and 2 Corinthians, respectively. God doesn’t allow sin to enter heaven so man can’t go there in the flesh but we can go to heaven in the spirit if called upward by God. John was brought to heaven so he could record what he saw in the book of Revelation. The Bible also records that Paul visited the third heaven on one occasion.

Revelation 4:1-2 – After these things I (John) looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” Immediately I was in the spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.

2 Corinthians 12:3-4 – And I (Paul) know such a man-whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows-how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

1 Timothy 2:3-4 – For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.

As the Apostle appointed by God to preach the word to the Gentiles, Paul met with Jesus several times personally and he spoke with Jesus Christ often in the Spirit. Many of the mysteries of God and secrets of heaven were revealed to Paul and he wrote them down in his epistles, which later became books of the New Testament. I look to Paul as an example of how to lead a Christian life in service to God. Paul uses the analogy of a competitive race to explain what believers are to do with their lives here on earth in their personal walk with God. No two people will run the same race before the Lord.

1 Corinthians 9:24-25 – Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things, now they do it for a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.

The one who receives the prize from God is the believer who uses his time wisely on earth to witness for Christ at every opportunity and saves people for the kingdom of God. The prize spoken of in this verse is a crown which is in reality the heavenly rewards referred to as precious stones, silver and gold. Which prize, reward or treasure the believer receives will depend largely on the total number of souls saved for the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 9:26-27 – Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

For the believer to witness for Christ effectively he must be in fellowship with God and live his life in obedience to the commandments of God so that the nonbeliever can see the light of God in the believer’s actions and be drawn to the gospel message of Christ. This takes personal discipline on the part of the believer and a plan of action to witness for Christ effectively over a long period of time.

Philippians 1:21-22 – For to me (Paul), to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I choose I cannot tell.

The Apostle Paul had seen the wonders of heaven and he knew he would be better off going to heaven as soon as possible. But Paul also knew God had chosen him to preach the word of God to the Gentiles and so establish God’s church so that more people could be saved unto heaven. Paul took the harder road of obedience to God’s word and accepted his hardships and persecutions because he knew all his labors (saving the lost) would earn him honor, glory and riches in heaven that he would receive from Jesus Christ on the last day. No Christian will receive more honor, glory, and riches in heaven than the Apostle Paul. The Apostle Paul set an example for us all to follow and we would be wise to emulate the actions of Paul to the best of our ability.

Philippians 1:23-24 – For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.

Paul made the decision to remain on this earth and endured his hardships persecutions for God for more than forty years so he could save all the people he could for the kingdom of God. At the end of his forty year ministry, and just before he was beheaded in Rome by the Emperor Nero, Paul said he had fought the good fight and run his race for God to the best of his ability. He surely did and if all believers can accomplish even a small fraction of what the Apostle Paul was able to accomplish then they will be great in heaven.

Philippians 3:13-14 – But one thing I do, forgetting those things that are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Proverbs 4:18 – But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.

1 John 5:11 – And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.

Romans 1:16 – For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also the Greek (Gentile).

Ephesians 5:15-17 – See that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Proverbs 14:25 – A true witness delivers souls, but a deceitful witness speaks lies.

The bottom line for all believers is we need to be determined in our walk with God; immovable and resolute in our witness for Christ in order to save as many people from the fires of hell as we possibly can and we need to continue in that calling while we have breath in our bodies. All we can do is our best at all times and in all circumstances. After that it’s up to God to sort out the details and judge us based on our body of work once we get to heaven. Our ultimate goal on the last day is to hear Jesus say to us, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

1 Thessalonians 1:5 – For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance.

James 1:7 – Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

Proverbs 11:24-25 – There is one who scatters, yet increases more; and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.

1 Corinthians 3:9 – For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.

One last thing. Some believers are under the false assumption that when they die they will sleep until they are resurrected on the last day. The Apostle Paul makes it clear that when we die our eternal spirit, which is the real us, returns to heaven immediately to be in the presence of Jesus. I think the confusion stems from Paul’s Scripture about the rapture where he says the dead in Christ will rise first to get their new glorified bodies; then followed by those still alive at the appearing of Jesus in the air. What Paul doesn’t say is that all the dead in Christ are already with Jesus in the air when he comes.

It’s only natural that those saints arriving with Jesus in the air should get their new bodies first. So, in a sense, they are risen first but it has nothing to do with their rotting corpses rising out of the grave or believers sleeping until the last day. Our human bodies are corrupted by sin and not one molecule will be used in the creation of our new heavenly bodies. God doesn’t allow sin in heaven. After all believers, both dead and alive, receive their new incorruptible bodies in the air Jesus will take them back to heaven with him. Praise the Lord!

1 Thessalonians 4:18 – Therefore comfort one another with these words (the gospel).

Job 22:2 – Can a man be profitable to God, though he who is wise may be profitable to himself?

Proverbs 3:9-10 – Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

Hebrews 13:16 – But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifice God is well pleased.

1 Corinthians 15:51-53 – Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-15 – But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will be no means precede those who are asleep.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 – For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort on another with these words.

God has graciously given us his word, our Holy Bible, so that we might know the secrets of heaven. God doesn’t tell us everything. God tells us what we need to know to find him and our salvation. God commands us to do good works and the number one good work we do for God is witnessing for Christ. God tells us how to live our lives in obedience to his will so that God is glorified. The Bible describes God’s dealings with man; from his creation in the book Genesis to the end of man’s reign on earth in the book of Revelation. As believers it would behoove us to study God’s word so that we know what has happened in the past, what is happening now, and what will happen in the future. You cannot please God if you’re not obedient to his commandments and you can only know what God’s commandments are by studying God’s word.

1 Corinthians 3:12-13 – Now if anyone builds on this foundation (Jesus Christ) with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it; because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.

Proverbs 23:12 – Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to words of knowledge.

Psalm 119:105 – Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

God wrote the Bible over a period of 1500 years, from 1400 BC to 100 AD. God used forty writers, mostly prophets of God, to write the 66 books of the Bible as they were moved by the Holy Spirit of God. These forty writers may have penned the Bible but every word they wrote was from the mouth of God. The evidence that God wrote the Bible is undeniable. How can anyone refute the fact that the Bible contains over 1000 prophecies, over 500 of which have been fulfilled and documented as historical fact? How can anyone dispute the fact that over 60 prophecies about the coming Messiah were fulfilled by the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ? They can’t because only God can tell the future because he is the author of history. Only God knows the end from the beginning.

1 Corinthians 3:14-15 – If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures (the foundation of Jesus), he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss (rewards); but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

Psalm 33:11 – The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations.

Psalm 19:7 – The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

God appointed the Apostle Paul to preach the word of God to the Gentiles. We need to pay particular attention to Paul’s letters (epistles), which comprise 13 of the 27 books of the New Testament, if we want to know about the kingdom of God in more detail. As believers, we know we’ll be spending all eternity in heaven in the presence of Jesus Christ. Exactly what that will look like we’re not sure? God knows. One thing I do know is we’re not going to be floating on a cloud all day strumming on a harp. We know God loves work and that there will be work for us to do in heaven. We know we’ll be constantly busy in heaven but it’s not clear exactly what type of work we’ll be doing or where. I know God will make all things clear once we get to heaven but I want to know what I can do right now here on earth because all we receive in heaven will be based on the works we do during our lives here on earth. If we wait until we get to heaven it’ll be too late to earn treasures in heaven. We need to spend some time meditating on what heaven will be like when we get there and how we can reap rewards in heaven.

2 Corinthians 5:10 – For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

Romans 14:12 – So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.

Ephesians 5:15-16 – See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Based on my study of the Bible and its references to heaven I’ve come up with a mental picture of heaven that works for me. It’s not a complete picture of heaven by any means but enough of one so that I’m motivated to change my actions here on earth to coincide with my expected rewards in heaven. Let me share my thoughts with you. I believe there are at least four levels in heaven for believers, with each upward level having increasingly greater honor, glory, privileges and responsibilities. God refers to these reward levels as crowns. The Bible mentions only five crowns by name, Joy, Life, Glory, Righteousness and Incorruptible. I’m guessing there are many more unnamed crowns to be earned in heaven. I can’t believe that the thief who was saved by Jesus while on the cross just hours before his death will have rewards in heaven equal to the Apostle Paul. Paul labored for the Lord for over forty years suffering many hardships and enduring great persecution. Paul established the early Christian church and he is universally considered to be the greatest Christian who ever lived. Would that fair to Paul? No it wouldn’t. One thing I know about the Lord is that he is a just God. Paul and the thief are both equal in the sense they’re both saved but their rewards in heaven have to be vastly different because their works before God are polar opposites. One of the spiritual truths of God is you reap what you sow. The thief had no works and should be on level one. Paul, on the other hand, saved many thousands and will have the rewards of level four (gold).

Galatians 6:7 – Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

2 Corinthians 9:6 – But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

2 Timothy 4:8 – Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

James 1:12 – Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love him.

1 Thessalonians 2:19 – For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming.

1 Peter 5:4 – And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

In 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, the Apostle Paul gives us a vivid picture of what’s going to happen on the last day when believers stand before the judgment seat of Jesus Christ to receive their rewards for good works done in the body here on earth. We know we’re saved by faith and not by works and the Scriptures are clear about this. So you can go to heaven without any works; not having saved a single person for the kingdom of God. In fact, I believe the majority of believers who go to heaven will fall into the level one category. The thief on the cross is a good example. We see that confirmed in 1 Corinthians 3:15, with believers having their good works burned up without losing their salvation. This is what I call level one; in heaven by faith but without any works. Don’t get me wrong, getting to heaven at any level will be wonderful beyond our wildest dreams. For one thing, we avoid eternal death in the lake of fire and Scripture confirms those in heaven will experience great joy. I’m just saying there’ll be some kind of a pecking order in heaven based on our actions here on earth to serving God. Everyone can’t be a chief. Somebody has to be the Indians and I think that’ll be the believers without any works (saved souls). That’s just being fair to everyone and it makes perfect sense. You keep what you earn with God.

Romans 12:1 – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

Romans 3:28 – Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.

Romans 4:5 – But to him who does not work but believes on him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.

Paul refers to the rewards in heaven as being precious stones, silver and gold, each of which I call a level of heaven (levels two to four). These things are worthless to anyone in heaven but God is using them as a reference we’re familiar with to show that his rewards will have great value to us much like precious stones, silver and gold here on earth; only much better. The most important thing to God is saving us, his children, from the fires of hell. That’s why God sent his only son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins through his atoning death. When Jesus ascended back to heaven his work of saving souls for the kingdom of God was passed on to his disciples as their life’s work. This Great Commission is also commanded by God to be the life’s work of all believers as disciples of Christ, which we are.

2 Timothy 4:1-2 – I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

Titus 2:15 – Speak these things (the gospel), exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

1 Timothy 4:13 – Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

The reward levels of heaven can only be based on how many people we help save for the kingdom of God by our witness for Christ. It’s the most important thing to God and nothing else makes any sense. Good works in the usual sense like helping the poor and needy Paul refers to those good works as wood, hay, and straw to show they won’t survive the fire of God on their own on the last day. Those good works can only be added to the rewards of someone who has already been rewarded precious stones, silver or gold. We know a human soul is priceless to God and I can’t imagine a good, kind and generous God who wouldn’t reward a believer who witnessed for Christ and saved at least one priceless soul for the kingdom of God. If a believer saves one person they will receive precious stones from God as a reward. God is generous and he cares more about quality than quantity.

Hebrews 6:10 – For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

2 timothy 2:15 – Be diligent tp present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

1 Corinthians 15:58 – Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

God doesn’t say what qualifies us to receive the silver and gold rewards levels so we have to search the Bible for clues. Over and over in the Bible God talks about a good harvest being a “hundredfold.” I’m taking this clue from God and arbitrarily assigning 100 saved souls as the number required to reach the silver rewards level. The silver rewards level has to be hard to reach by the believer but realistically attainable with continuous effort. One hundred is a good number. Whatever rewards God gives us for effectively witnessing for Christ in obedience to God’s will it will blow our minds. Our finite minds simply cannot conceive the riches God has in store for those who love him. I’m not really focused on what we’ll receive from God. God’s got that under control. I’m more focused on how to receive the maximum rewards God has to offer. As long as I give my all I’ll let the chips fall where they may. As my old boss used to say, don’t worry about the mule being blind, just load the wagon!

Galatians 6:9-10 – And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Titus 3:8 – This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

Colossians 3:2 – Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

And last we come to the gold reward level. The millennium lasts 1000 years. With God 1000 years is as one day and one day is as a 1000 years. The number 1000 is important to God so it is to me too. I’m arbitrarily assigning 1000 saved souls as the number to reach the gold rewards level. 1000 is a good number too because it can be reached with a lifetime of service to the Lord. I’m guessing only one in a hundred believers in heaven will receive the silver reward level and with the gold level it’s probably more like only one in a thousand. In the Bible God says those who save “many” will shine like the stars of the firmament. I believe “many” is 1000 people saved for the kingdom of God and that’s my personal goal. I know from experience that witnessing is a slog and the constant rejection can eventually wear you down to the point where it becomes overwhelming. Witnessing for Christ is “selling” God and sales is hard. It’s a volume business that takes a lot of time and effort. In order to save 1000 souls for the kingdom of God you must have a plan you can stick to and you must greatly leverage your witness for Christ to reach that level.

Daniel 12:2-3 – And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt. those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.

Proverbs 14:25 – A true witness delivers souls, but a deceitful witness speaks lies.

Ecclesiastes12:13-14 – Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.