Studying God's Word

The Bible tells us God always does as he pleases and his will is never thwarted. God always prevails in all circumstances and against all odds. God has never been defeated and never can be. However, the greater the odds God faces and overcomes in his dealings with man the greater the “glory” God receives. Throughout the Bible we see numerous stories where God prevailed against tremendous odds. In each case the Bible informs us God was glorified. God gave us these Bible stories for our edification; so that we might know him and have faith in the Lord our God in all circumstances, no matter the odds.

Isaiah 55:11 – So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing in which I sent it.

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

Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.

2 Peter 3:18 – But grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

What glory does God receive if he helps one army defeat another army of equal size? None. What glory does God receive if he uses the best and brightest of us to achieve his goals. None. We see this pattern play out in the Bible over and over where God uses the least of us for his purposes or God ensures the odds are heavily stacked against him before he acts. It’s as if God is trying to level the playing field so his victory is not a given. Or maybe God just wants to work up a sweat or get a good workout. I’m kidding of course. Everything is easy for God. What we do know is that God receives more glory the harder the task and the greater the odds are against God. Let’s take the Bible story of Gideon for example. Gideon was a timid Israelite who was scared of his own shadow. Gideon was probably the last person anyone would choose to be the savior of Israel yet God chose him to be a mighty man of valor and champion of Israel. God instructed Gideon to gather an army of 32,000 Israelites to go against 135,000 invading Midianites. The odds were still not great enough to glorify God to his satisfaction so God had Gideon send all but 300 soldiers home. God then used the 300 Israelites to defeat the 135,000 Midianites. God did this for his glory and to prove that he is God Almighty.

Psalm 46:10 – Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

Isaiah 46:9 – Remember the former things of old, for I am God and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me.

Luke 1:37 – For with God nothing will be impossible.

Psalm 18:46 – The Lord lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let the God of my salvation be exalted.

A second example is Moses. Egypt was the greatest country on earth when Israel was in bondage and they had the greatest army of that time. Did God raise an army to free his people? Did God stretch out his hand and destroy all of Egypt? No. Instead God used a stuttering eighty year old shepherd armed with a simple wooden staff to free his people Israel. It was Moses who delivered Israel out of Egyptian bondage by the strong right arm of Almighty God. No person would have conceived such a thing; only the mind of God. God stacked the odds against himself and triumphed; to his eternal glory! Are you starting to see the picture here and God’s modus operandi? God always goes against great odds, against all odds, otherwise what’s the point of the struggle? In addition, God almost always chooses an unlikely underdog to be his champion.

Isaiah 45:5 – I am the Lord, and there is no other; there is no God besides Me.

Psalm 50:15 – Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.

Psalm 34:19 – Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

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

Do you want another example? Let’s look at the Bible story of David and Goliath. In one corner we have a nine foot tall giant Phillistine warrior named Goliath who weighed in at close to 400 pounds. Every day for a month Goliath issued a challenge to the Israelite army to send their champion out to fight him in one on one combat to the death with the winner’s country being declared the victor in the war between the two countries. Goliath had no takers. Goliath also blasphemed God every day so God sent forth his underdog; a shepherd boy named David armed with only a sling. David hurled a stone that struck Goliath in the forehead knocking him unconscious. David then cut off Goliath’s head with his own sword and held it up for the Philistines to see. The Philistine army ran away in terror, knowing God was with Israel. God’s honor was restored and God was glorified!

Jeremiah 17:7 – Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord.

Isaiah 43:11 – I, even I, am the Lord, and besides Me there is no Savior.

Psalm 50:23 – Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; and to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.

Psalm 37:3 – Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.

You’re probably telling yourself that could only happen in the Old Testament times but not today because God no longer does miracles. You’d be dead wrong. God does not change. If God did miracles in ancient times then he still does miracles today; they’re just not as obvious as in the past. I’ve studied all the Arab-Israeli wars and I can tell you in every instance God miraculously saved Israel from destruction. In every war Israel has fought Israel was outnumbered one thousand to one in personnel and equipment yet Israel managed to win and win convincingly. If it happened only once you could say maybe it was a lucky win or a coincidence. But Israel has won five or six times in the same fashion which tells me each victory was a miracle. The hand of God was at work protecting his beloved Israel. One thousand to one odds are right up God’s alley. God used his power to defeat the Arabs, who were supported by Satan. God saved his people and was glorified! The spiritually aware believer can see the hand of God at work when he performs miracles but the nonbelievers cannot see the truth of God because Satan, the god of this world, has put blinders over their eyes.

Malachi 3:6 – For I am the Lord, I do not change.

Ephesians 1:6 – To the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

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.

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 Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

God will usually choose an unlikely underdog for his service; someone you’d least expect. That’s why I’m certain the Apostle Paul was appointed by God to bring the gospel message to the Gentiles. Saul of Tarsus (later called Paul), a Jewish Pharisee, was the perfect candidate for God and the last person on earth anyone in the ancient world would expect to serve Jesus Christ. Did God choose on of his disciples or another holy man of God to minister to the Gentiles? No. That would be too easy. Instead God chose the worst enemy of every Christian; a persecutor who hated all Christians and who relentlessly imprisoned and killed Christians at every opportunity. God’s choosing Paul was the personal equivalent of winning a battle against great odds. The result was the same. God was glorified by selecting Christianity’s greatest enemy and making him the champion of Christianity. Never before or since in recorded history has the greatest enemy of anything flipped to become the greatest champion in three days. That’s why I know without a doubt that Paul met Jesus Christ in his glorified body on the road to Damascus. That’s why I know Paul is an Apostle of Jesus Christ. There is no other feasible explanation for what happened. If Paul met Jesus on the road to Damascus it could be for only one reason. Jesus was appointing Paul the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles. God was flipping the script and charging Paul with helping those he previously persecuted. This about face brought glory to God!

Psalm 32:8 – I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.

1 Peter 1:25 – But the word of the Lord endures forever.

2 Peter 1:3 – As His divine power has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.

John 17:5 – (Jesus speaking) – And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.

Scripture says God is “inscrutable”, which just means God is impossible to understand and interpret. Nobody knows the mind of God. Prophets, kings, priest and holy men of ancient times served the Lord for forty years and never came close to knowing what was on God’s mind and why God acted as he did. God knows everything and we know next to nothing. What I’m saying is not new or unexpected. I don’t have any special knowledge of what motivates God. However, as Christians living in the current end times we have an advantage over all believers who came before us. God has provided us with a record of human history through his eyes. I’m referring to the Bible, where God recounts the history of man from creation to the last Day. We can look at the stories in the Bible to see how God handled various situations when dealing with man. Yes, God is unpredictable but God is also unchanging and he likes to do things a certain way. If we’re students of the Bible and spiritually aware we can detect patterns of behavior that not only verify God’s identity but also helps us predict what God will do in the future. I mean, God is not being sneaky about this. God is purposely telling us everything he has done in the past and will do in the future as an example to believers so we can know him and what is to come.

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

Psalm 112:1 – Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments.

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

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.

It’s not hard to discern the patterns of history if you’re paying attention. King Solomon tells us there is nothing new under the sun. It is hard to see historical patterns in the times in which we live because we’re too close to the situation. We can’t see the forest for the trees. However, we can evaluate the current and future historical trends if we have a proper guide and that guide is the truth of God, our Holy Bible. What proof do we have that our God is the one true God? Only God can do two things; bring someone back to life and tell the future. Only our God Jehovah has the documented eyewitness testimony in the Bible of bringing several people back to life. Only the power of God can bring someone back to life. God’s word contains over 1000 prophecies, over 500 of which have been fulfilled and documented as historical fact. God is the author of history and prophecy is only history recorded in advance. Prophecy is telling the future and it’s easy for God. Prophecy that comes true verifies the identity of God. All the other fake religions and false gods sponsored by Satan throughout human history do not contain even one fulfilled prophecy. This proves our God is God and Satan is a liar and an imposter. Resist Satan and flee from him!

John 8:32 – (Jesus speaking) – And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Hebrews 2:10 – For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through suffering.

1 Peter 4:16 – Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

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

The main purpose of this blog is to allay the fears of all believers living in these perilous times when it seems the world is going to hell in a hand basket. God said these times would come but we are not to worry because we have the hope of resurrection and eternal life in heaven. We are to put our faith in the Lord and persevere in our good works until the last Day. We know the times will become more evil, wars will flourish, and society will start to crumble. Man will ultimately destroy himself were it not for God’s intervention. This is all chronicled in the Bible so we shouldn’t be surprised by what is coming. Believers are in God’s hands. The question for nonbelievers is, “what are you going to do about it?”

Psalm 37:5-6 – Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass, He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday sun.

2 Corinthians 4:17 – For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

John 17:4 – (Jesus speaking) – I have glorified You on earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.

2 Timothy 3:1 – But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come.

Believers will be raptured to heaven before the end time tribulation starts but God is going to do what he’s always done for those left on earth and that is to save us from ourselves at the very last minute when the situation is bleak, the odds are greatest against us and our destruction seems imminent. For those who don’t know, I’m talking about the battle of Armageddon on the last Day. Then everyone will see the Second Coming of Jesus Christ to the earth on the clouds of heaven and in the presence of his holy angels and all the saints; to save Israel from destruction. God will be glorified on earth and in heaven! It’s a little bit like those old western movies where right when it appears all is lost we hear the bugle of the U. S. Calvary coming to the rescue. Only this time the bugle is the trump of Almighty God and the calvary is Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords. Praise God in heaven for his mercy and grace!

Isaiah 40:5 – The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

Revelation 19:16 – And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: King of kings and Lord of lords.

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

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

Man is God’s greatest creation yet man is born lost because of Adam’s sin in the Garden of Eden. All men are therefore destined for eternal damnation in hell forever. God receives his greatest glory whenever a person is saved unto eternal life in heaven through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The Bible tells us that God and all the angels in heaven rejoice whenever a human soul is saved. There is no greater glory to God than that. Very few people will go to heaven when you look at all those who have ever lived. Maybe only one in a thousand people go to heaven. All I know is the odds of going to heaven are great so whenever someone is saved God is glorified. This fits God’s pattern perfectly.

John 14:6 – (Jesus speaking) – I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

1 Corinthians 6:20 – For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

2 Thessalonians 2:14 – To which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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.

If you’re a believer you’re one of the lucky few who will fellowship with God in heaven forever as a son of the Most High. As a nonbeliever you’re in trouble from the start because you’re going to hell when you die unless you make a dramatic change. The only way to escape hell is to accept the grace God is offering you through the blood of his son Jesus Christ. Salvation through faith in Jesus Christ is easy and the instructions are in the Bible (see Romans 10:9). Jesus died on the cross for your sins so God is always ready to receive you, against all odds, but you must choose God of your own free will and you must do it before the rapture occurs or before you die. If you die unsaved you’ll abide in your sins and go to hell for all eternity where you’ll be in continual pain and torment. So you have a choice. You can go to hell and cause grief to the God who made you or you can glorify your heavenly Father by accepting his grace. Please don’t make the wrong choice on this one. Forever is a very long time. A trillion billion years is only a day in eternity! Give God the glory he deserves by accepting his precious gift of eternal life! As a disciple of Jesus Christ I’ve told you the truth of God which I’m commanded to do. It’s up to you to decide whether to serve God or Satan. Choose wisely!

Oddly enough the Bible doesn’t tell us the year of Jesus’ crucifixion. Why is it important? It’s imperative we know the year of Christ’s death because the timing of God’s end time prophecies are very precise and they’re all tied to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Savior of the world. It’s the most important event in human history because if Jesus rose from the dead it means our sins have been forgiven and we too will be resurrected when we die. Those who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior will not see eternal death in hell but instead will see the resurrection of eternal life in heaven as God’s children. It will be proof our sins have been forgiven by God.

Mark 13:32 – But about that day or hour (the rapture) no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

John 14:3 – And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back (the rapture) and take you to be with me that you may also be where I am.

I’m a long time student of Bible prophecy, especially end time prophecy. Bible scholars almost universally agree Jesus died between 29 AD and 33 AD. That’s a five year gap which is unacceptable for those of us trying to pinpoint when the Second Coming of Jesus Christ will occur or when the rapture will happen. Most experts now think Jesus died in either 30 AD or 33 AD, with plenty of people advocating each date. I used 33 AD as the date of Christ’s deaths in my blog titled, “Jesus is Coming!!!” , posted on February 5, 2022. In that blog I calculated the date of the Second Coming of Christ and the rapture. What if I chose the wrong date? I’m currently taking a New Testament course and my renowned professor is of the opinion that Jesus died in 30 AD. My confidence has taken a hit so let’s go back and review the evidence for each date.

Revelation 3:10 – (Jesus speaking) – Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial (the tribulation) which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

Matthew 24:30-31 – (Jesus speaking) – Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Before we start I need to explain how the world dating system came into being. It took several centuries after Christ’s death for Christianity to become the dominant religion of the world and for everyone to realize the importance of Jesus’ birth. A Roman world dating system was in use at that time, but in 527 AD Pope John 1 commissioned a noted monk and mathematician named Dionysius Exiguus to come up with a new world dating system that made the birth of Jesus Christ the dividing point of world history. Dionysius probably based his new world dating system on early Christian writings. There was no zero in his system so the birth of Jesus was set at 1 AD, which means the year before Jesus’ birth would have to be 1 BC, a difference of two years instead of one like it should be. The first year the new dating system was actually put in use became 532 AD. AD doesn’t mean “after death” like some people think. AD is from the Latin “Anno Domini” meaning, “the year of our Lord.” The use of BC (before Christ) for earlier periods in world history did not start until two centuries later, in 731 AD, by a man named Venerable Bede.

Luke 17:34-36 – (Jesus speaking about the rapture) – I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left. Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left.

Philippians 3:20-21 – For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (the rapture), who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

Right now the majority of scholars advocate the 30 AD date but most Christian laymen still believe Jesus died in 33 AD. If 30 AD is the right date it means Jesus was born some time between 2-4 BC and not 1 AD. God is so precise in everything he does I just can’t bring myself to believe that God would allow a mistake like that in the world dating system that honors his son Jesus Christ. In the gospels we learn that Jesus attended at least three Passovers and possibly four which is not consistent with a 30 AD crucifixion date. Jews can’t be called Rabbi or teach in the synagogue until age 30 and Jesus did both. If Jesus’ ministry lasted three and a half years that’s consistent with the crucifixion date being 33 AD and Jesus being 33 and a half years of age at his death. When Jesus was born and how old he was when he died is not nearly as important for us as the date Jesus died and rose from the dead.

1 Corinthians 15:51-53 – (Paul describing the rapture) – 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 all be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

Romans 6:8 – Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him.

What do the scholars say about the death of Jesus? First, Jesus was crucified by the Roman Prefect Pontius Pilate. We know from Roman historical records that Pilate was the Prefect of Judea from 26 AD to 36 AD which gives us a ten year window for Jesus’ death. Second, we know from the gospel accounts of Jesus’ death that Jesus died on a Thursday (preparation day) before the Passover the following day, which fell on a Friday. Jewish days start at sundown and continue to the following sundown. Jesus was buried before sundown on Thursday and was in the earth for three Jewish days and rose from the dead early Sunday morning, which is why Sunday is the sabbath for Christians. A review of the Jewish calendar and lunar astronomical records show that during that ten year window when Pilate was Prefect in Judea the Passover fell on a Friday only twice; in 30 AD and again in 33 AD. There’s a 99% probability Jesus died on one of those two dates. But which date is the correct date of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection?

Luke 3:1-3 – Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberias Caesar, Pontius Pilate became governor of Judea, Herod became tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, while Annas and Caiaphas were high priests, the word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. And he went into all the region around Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

Luke 2:1-5 – And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Agustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.

Third, according to the gospel of Luke, John the Baptist’s ministry started in the fifteenth year of the reign of the Roman Emperor Tiberius Caesar. John the Baptist was only six months older than Jesus and he was the prophesied forerunner of Christ, preaching in the wilderness shortly before Jesus started his ministry. The problem is there are two dates for the start of Tiberias’ reign. Tiberias became co-regent with Caesar Augustus in 11 AD and then he became sole regent and Caesar after Augustus’ death in 14 AD so Luke could be referring to either date and be technically correct. With the 11 AD date John the Baptist began his ministry in 26 AD and in 29 AD if the later date is right. That means Jesus Christ probably began his ministry in the following year; which is either 27 AD or 30 AD. The Bible makes no reference to a co-regent ruling with Tiberias so we have to assume their was none which makes the 30 AD ministry date more plausible. If Jesus started his ministry in 30 AD his crucifixion had to have occurred three and a half years later in 33 AD.

Matthew 27:45-46 – Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. and about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

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

On the other hand, four noted historians from those times independently described a darkening of the sun in the eighteenth year of Tiberius on Nisan 14, the Passover which would be dated 30 AD. This perfectly correlates with the three hours of darkness when Jesus died. It was not a lunar eclipse because Passover is held on the full moon. Eclipses don’t last for three hours and cannot happen during the full moon of Passover. Scripture also indicates Jesus was born during the time of the first Roman census when Quirinius was governor of Syria in 5 BC, but not in 1 AD. The gospels said Herod died in 1 BC and Jesus was born before then (2-3 BC). I was once 90% sure of the 33 AD date for Jesus’ death. I’m still supporting 33 AD as the year Jesus died but my confidence level is down to about 70%. When your confidence level is only 70/30 your best option is to make sure you’re ready for either date to be correct.

Luke 21:36 – (Jesus speaking) – Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass (the tribulation), and to stand before the Son of Man.

Revelation 16:15 – (Jesus speaking) – Behold, I am coming as a thief (the rapture). Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.

I think the clincher for me to stick with the original 33 AD date for Jesus’ death was the actions of Pontius Pilate during the crucifixion week. The feckless behavior of Pilate during Passover week was consistent with 33 AD but not 30 AD. Let me explain. Prior to 30 AD the Roman Emperor Tiberius had retired to the Isle of Capri and left the running of the empire to Lucius Sejanus, the head of the Praetorian Guard in Rome. It was Sejanus who appointed his protege Pilate as Prefect in Judea. Both were antisemites. Normally Roman governors wouldn’t hesitate to ruthlessly exert Roman power at the slightest provocation. If Jesus had come before Pilate in 30 AD he would have been crucified immediately. Pilate wouldn’t have sent Jesus to Herod for judgment and he wouldn’t have tried to wash his hands of Jesus’ death because in 30 AD Pilate was secure politically and his benefactor Sejanus would have made sure nothing negative about Pilate or Judea ever reached the emperor’s ear.

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 (the rapture).

Philippians 2:9-11 – Therefore God has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on the earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Pontius Pilate’s situation had changed dramatically by 33 AD. In 31 AD Tiberias found out Sejanus planned a palace coup so Tiberias had Sejanus executed. Friends of Sejanus, like Pilate, were immediately under suspicion as possible collaborators in the attempted coup against Tiberias. Tiberias was looking for the slightest excuse to replace all of Sejanus’ political appointments so Pilate was on tender hooks and in a very weakened position politically. Pilate simply couldn’t afford a confrontation with Herod nor could he allow a Jewish uprising in Judea or Herod would send a bad report about Pilate back to Tiberias. In my mind, actions taken in those tumultuous times speak louder than the words of historians who lived hundreds of years after those events occurred. Pilate’s actions in Judea were consistent with the political realities that existed in 33 AD but not in 30 AD.

2 Peter 3:8 – But beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is a thousand years (a God day), and a thousand years as one day.

Hosea 6:1-2 – Come, let us return to the Lord; for He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up. After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His sight.

In verse one of the above Scripture God is referring to nonbelieving Gentiles who receive his grace (salvation). In verse two God is saying the time of the Gentiles will last two days. God is referring to God-days lasting 1000 each, or 2000 years total. If the church age started on Pentecost of 33 AD then it must go to 2033 AD at Pentecost, which is exactly 2000 years, in order to fulfill the Scripture. After this 2000 years God says he will revive us, which is just another way of saying he will rapture the believer. In the same sentence God says he will raise the believer up on the third day so we may live in his sight. The word revive means to return an incapacitated person to their previous state. After Jesus calls all believers to himself in the air (the rapture) he will return us to our previous state of having glorified bodies like Adam and Eve had before they fell from grace. The word “revive” tells us everything we want and need to hear. It also tells us the second day was ended by the rapture and the third day is about to begin.

The beginning of the third day is the Second Coming of Christ and the third day is actually the millennial kingdom of Christ where we’ll reign with Jesus for a thousand years. God doesn’t say “then” after the second day but instead he pauses, which leaves an obvious gap between reviving us and raising us up at the Second Coming (the last Day). That gap is the seven year tribulation period. I’ve often heard the rapture could happen at anytime because there are no more prophecies that have to be fulfilled. I disagree with that. Hosea 6:1-2 tells me the rapture can’t happen until at least Pentecost of 2033 AD. The rapture has to happen between Pentecost 2033 AD and the signing of a peace agreement between Israel and the antichrist. That’s the window in which the rapture will occur but we don’t know the timeframe. The rapture could occur precisely on Pentecost of 2033 AD or God could wait months or years before he pulls the trigger. Godly men can figure out the approximate time of the rapture but only God knows the actual date and time of our “blessed hope.”

There are two more things that lead me to believe Jesus died in 33 AD. During the tribulation we know Russia attacks Israel. If Russia can’t defeat the Ukraine they are certainly no match for the Israeli defense force (IDF). Russia’s army is currently being destroyed by fighting in the Ukraine and who knows when that war will end. Military experts say it’ll take Russia at least ten years to rebuild their armed forces back to their pre-war levels. That timeframe coincides perfectly with 33 AD. If the rapture comes in 2033 AD as I predict then the Second Coming will be seven years later in 2040 AD. If you’re a student of the Bible like I am then you know God is fond of the number forty and any multiple of forty. 2040 AD not only ends in forty it’s a multiple of forty. Jesus left this earth at the Mount of Olives on Pentecost of 33 AD and the angels told the disciples Jesus would also return to that spot the same way he left. The Second Coming will come after the time of the Jews has been fulfilled. All of these facts support 2033 AD as the date for the rapture and 2040 AD as the date for the Second Coming.

Hebrews 9:28 – So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time (the rapture), apart for sin, for salvation.

Matthew 24:42 – (Jesus speaking) – Watch therefore, you do not know what hour your Lord is coming (the rapture).

In a previous blog titled, “Jesus is Coming” I predicted the rapture would occur in April 2026 and the Second Coming on Easter Sunday of 2033. I mistakenly subtracted the seven year tribulation period from the time allotted to the Gentiles. I should have added the seven year tribulation period to the time God deals with Israel (Daniel’s seventieth week) which comes immediately after the time of the Gentiles has been fulfilled in 2033 AD. The Scriptures confirm that God has a sense of humor and we know God can laugh. I can see why God would laugh at my feeble attempt to figure out his timeline for the end of time. I don’t mind being laughed at by God or anyone else because I love Bible prophecy and my machinations will never stop. I know what I know and I’ll stand for my beliefs against all comers. I’ll let God decide whether I’ve been faithful or not on the last day. I personally think God is pleased when his servants meditate on the kingdom of God and look forward to the rapture; even if we do get the timing all wrong.

Revelation 20:6 – Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

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

As I mentioned in a previous blog, all of human history, from creation to the Great White throne judgment, will encompass only 7000 years. The seven days of creation represent our 7000 years of human history; seven God-days of 1000 years each. The seventh creation day of rest represents the 1000 year millennial kingdom of God where we’ll rest in Jesus. Do you really think God rested on the seventh day because he was tired? The Scriptures confirm the time of the Gentiles will be two God days, each 1000 years in length. This is the 2000 year church age we’re currently in. The church age began at Pentecost of 33 AD, ten days after the ascension of Jesus back to heaven, when God sent the Holy Spirit to earth to indwell all believers and be their helper forever. This 2000 year time of the Gentiles ends on Pentecost of 2033 at sundown. The rapture won’t occur before then or God’s word would be wrong and that can’t happen. The rapture could occur in the first hour of Pentecost or it’s possible God could decide to wait a little while in order to save as many of the lost as possible.

Isaiah 40:5 – The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

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

God could also choose to rapture the saints at the Feast of Trumpets which is next Jewish holiday on the calendar. Some people think the trumpets blown during this feast are the same trumpets that will announce the rapture so that makes sense. Next on the calendar comes the most important Jewish holiday, Yom Kippur, the day of atonement, when Jews repent of their sins and seek reconciliation with God. Yom Kippur would also make perfect sense for the Second Coming. In 2040 Yom Kippur falls on September 16. Or God might even decide to postpone the rapture until just prior to the prophesied peace agreement that Israel will sign because that agreement will begin the seven year Tribulation period. The rapture has to occur before then because God promised to remove his church before the time of God’s wrath, which starts immediately after the peace agreement signing between Israel and the antichrist. It’s true what Scripture says that no man knows the exact day and time of the rapture; only God the Father. However, spiritually aware Christians can know the approximate timeframe in which the rapture could occur. In fact, God wants believers to know the season of his coming so we’ll be ready for Jesus when he appears in the air.

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 (the rapture). 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 one another with these words.

Romans 8:18-19 – For I consider that the sufferings of this present age are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God (the rapture).

It’s important to remember that although the time of the Gentiles will end with the rapture of the saints, God still has to complete Daniel’s seventieth week because God suspended the last seven years of his dealing with Israel at 483 years when Christ was crucified. The Second Coming cannot happen until the 490 years of God’s promised time dealing with Israel has been completed. Believers need to be concerned with the time of the rapture because that’s the important event for us. Forget about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ for now because we won’t be on earth to see it. At the rapture all believers, both dead and alive, will be called to meet Jesus in the air where he’ll give us our glorified bodies before taking us back to heaven with him. At the Second Coming of Christ all the saints in heaven will return to earth in the air with Jesus.

2 Corinthians 4:14 – Knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus (the rapture), and will present us with you.

Romans 14:9 – For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

In summary, don’t start worrying about the rapture until Pentecost of 2033 AD, but be looking for it from that point onward until the peace agreement is signed by Israel. The rapture could happen immediately after Pentecost of 2033 AD or it could take a while. Everyone will know when the peace agreement with Israel is about to be signed because it’ll be front page news. Don’t be surprised by these events because the Bible tells us they will happen. Continue to witness for Christ and do the good works that God has planned for you to do from the foundation of the world. Watch for the rapture and be ready for it to occur in 2033 AD. Over 500 prophecies in the Bible have already been fulfilled and documented as fact. That gives us confidence that the remaining 500 plus prophecies in the Bible will also be fulfilled in like manner. So far all the prophecies in the Bible have been fulfilled in the time that was allotted to them. Early church believers always greeted each other by saying, “Jesus is coming.” We need to start doing that again because the time of Jesus’ return is near; just ten short years away. When we expect Jesus to return soon there will be greater fellowship among believers and we’ll be better witnesses for Christ.

1 John 5:10 – He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself (the Holy Spirit); he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son.

Every human being has a duty to serve the God who made them whether they realize it or not. God always has a reason for everything he does and he made us to serve him. You’re a foot soldier for Christ if you accept your calling. We can either run toward our destiny and embrace it by doing our duty or we can run away and deny our reason for being here. Man’s first duty is to find out the reason for his existence. God made man in his image so that we would seek out our God and find salvation unto eternal life by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. If a person does these two things then their life has been a success. In fact, life is meaningless without a right relationship with God. Don’t just take my word for it. King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, said the same thing in the book of Ecclesiastes. The second duty of man is to share the gospel of Christ with nonbelievers in order to save as many lost souls as possible for the kingdom of God. Man’s third duty is to do other good works so that nonbelievers will see the light of God in our actions and be attracted to God’s message of hope. These three duties are man’s all; it’s why believers are left here on earth after their salvation unto eternal life.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 – 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.

Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

As a believing Christian I’m constantly striving to maintain my fellowship with God the Father by being obedient to his commands and just by doing the right thing. It’s not easy to do because I’m weak and I’m a sinner. Believers are disciples of Jesus Christ and our number one priority is to share the gospel of Christ, the Great Commission, with all nations and all peoples. This is the work that Jesus gave us to do just before his ascension back to heaven. Witnessing should always be on our minds throughout the day every day as our number one mission in life. After all, witnessing for Christ is the primary reason God leaves us here on earth after our salvation. God should always be on our mind because man is always on God’s mind. Repeating things that are important is a literary device I picked up by reading my Bible.

Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Matthew 28:18-19 – (Jesus) – All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Witnessing for Christ is the number one good work we do for God. If we want to please God we must work alongside him (the Holy Spirit) in his harvest field to save lost souls for the kingdom of God. It’s the Holy Spirit who actually does the saving of the spirit of man unto eternal life and writes our names in the book of life. The Holy Spirit is God. It pleased God to allow us to help in his salvation plan for man. God does this to bless our lives. If believers don’t share the gospel message of Christ with nonbelievers then all the other good works they may do are meaningless when they have to stand before the bema judgment seat of Jesus Christ on the last day. Their works will be burned up by fire.

1 Peter 3:15 – But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.

Matthew 4:19 – (Jesus) – Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.

Staying in fellowship with God is fairly easy if you follow this rule: love what God loves and hate what God hates. It sounds simple I know but in practice it’s harder than you realize. What does God love more than anything else? Us, of course; we’re God’s children and he loves us dearly. The fact that God the Father sent his beloved son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins proves beyond any doubt that God loves us. If God loves us that much then we should love ourselves and every other person just as much because God made us all and Jesus Christ died on the cross for each and every one of us. God made each one of us to be unique individuals in our own right and each person is equal and priceless in God’s eyes.

John 3:16 – (Jesus) – For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Isaiah 46:4 – Even to your old age and gray hair I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

On the flip side, what does God hate the most? Losing us, of course; because we’re God’s beloved children. God hates Satan and so should we because he is evil incarnate, he causes us to sin and he steals the souls of men. Satan is our mortal enemy! Have you ever taken your children somewhere and lost them? I have. I lost my boys on three separate occasions and I’ll never forget the sheer panic I felt each time in that moment when I realized I’d lost them. As the author of history, God never panics about anything because he knows the end from the beginning. However, that doesn’t stop God from grieving for every human soul when it’s lost to the clutches of Satan. God loves deeply therefore God grieves deeply. It doesn’t have to be this way. God created all of us to live with him as royalty in heaven forever but he won’t force us to accept his grace. God has revealed himself to his creatures by the universe he has made and also by the word of God (the Bible) that he has left us so we can know God and find his salvation unto eternal life in heaven. God gives every man he has made the free will choice to serve God or Satan. Choose wisely!

Psalm 19:1 – The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.

Isaiah 44:24 – Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, and He who formed you in the womb: I am the Lord, who makes all things, who stretches out the heavens all alone, who spreads abroad the earth by Myself.

God is an eternal spirit so when he gave us a part of himself at our conception (our spirit) it means we too are eternal spirit beings. We will live forever like God. The only question to be decided is where we will live. Our eternal spirit is now housed in a physical body on earth that grows, matures, ages and eventually dies, leaving only our spirit behind. Our soul then returns to God in heaven if we’ve accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior during our life on earth. Our eternal spirit goes straight to hell when we die if we don’t acknowledge God and don’t believe in Jesus Christ while we’re alive in the flesh. God hates losing his children through the rejection of his saving grace because it results in man’s eternal separation from God and eternal damnation of that soul in the fires of hell for all eternity.

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

Psalm 139:14 – I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made, marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.

We’re talking about a billion trillion years being only a single day in eternity. The human mind cannot grasp the length of eternity. That’s why God grieves for every lost soul that he has made. Therefore the number one job of every Christian is to prevent as many people as possible from going to hell by witnessing Christ to nonbelievers in order to save them. By effectively witnessing for Christ we’re showing that we love what God loves (every person) and that we hate what God hates (losing human souls). When we witness for Christ we’re doing something about it, in the face of rejection and ridicule. We’re doing what God intended for us to do from the foundation of the world and we’ll receive rewards in heaven for our obedience to God’s number one command, which is to witness for Christ in order to save souls.

Proverbs 11:30 – The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.

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

Look, if you’re alive today congratulations because you’re an immortal being. Start acting like it by thinking about your future life after you depart this earth. With immortality comes responsibility and accountability. Our life on earth is very brief; seventy years if we’re lucky. Then what? You’ll have many trillions of years to spend somewhere. Where might that be? Don’t you think the issue is important enough to spend a little time now investigating your options before it’s too late? When your heart stops beating it’s too late. If you’re smart, you will seek out the truth of the Christian God Jehovah while you yet live. You’ll find in God’s word (the Bible) that the eternal soul can only end up in one of two places, heaven or hell, depending on whether you decide to serve God or Satan. If you accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior it’ll be the smartest decision you’ll ever make in your life because it will save your soul and you’ll be royalty in heaven forever where you’ll be showered with heavenly riches from God the Father.

Joshua 24:15 – Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Ezekiel 36:27 – I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.

On the other hand, if you reject God and his Christ you’ve made a bad decision that’ll result in you losing your soul to the fires of hell where you’ll be in pain and agony forever. Think it over carefully. It’s a stark choice and I find it hard to believe that anyone in their right mind would choose hell over heaven; but there are fools who will. In fact, most people do wind up choosing Satan because, as the god of this world, he has successfully deceived most men so that they cannot see the truth of God. Satan has put blinders over their eyes. Satan has convinced many people that there is no God and where he hasn’t been successful with that Satan has created fake religions and false gods to divert man from the truth of God and his saving grace. Don’t be fooled by the devil!

Exodus 20:3 – (God) – You shall have no other gods before Me.

Hosea 13:4 – (God) – Yet I am the Lord your God…there is no Savior besides Me.

As believers our duty to God is clear. We’re to witness Christ to nonbelievers in order to point the way to salvation for the lost. We’re to expose all the lies told by all the fake religions and false gods used by Satan as a smokescreen to hide the truth of God from man. Study your Bible (King James version only) so you can answer any questions the nonbeliever may have. Learn how to share the gospel message of Christ and how to guide the nonbeliever into accepting God’s grace unto salvation. In my earlier blogs I’ve created a set of useful guides and proofs that are a great help to anyone wanting to share their witness for Christ with nonbelievers. I have a list of 23 physical proofs of God (there are over 200). I have Bible proofs of God. I have a list of 36 prophecies foretold in the Old Testament and fulfilled by the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. There are over sixty prophecies about Jesus in the Bible. I also have a witness outline, known as the “Roman road” to salvation, using the Scriptures in the book of Romans to guide someone to the logical conclusion that they’re a sinner who needs God’s saving grace.

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

Isaiah 33:6 – Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, and the strength of salvation; the fear of the Lord is His treasure.

These are all good starting points when discussing whatever it is that’s holding a person back from accepting God. You can prepare to witness all you want but in the end you must know your Bible well enough to answer any questions that come up. And you must also take a leap of faith and share your witness if you want to save someone. Don’t be afraid to fail. The Holy Spirit will help you. Preparation plus action equals success. It’s so very important that your witness for Christ be effective in order to save at least one soul for the kingdom of God. I don’t want to put any pressure on you but your witness for Christ might be a nonbelievers only chance at heaven so you want to be ready to do it well. You don’t want to stand before the bema judgment seat of Jesus Christ empty handed. Jesus will ask every believer if they’ve witnessed in his name and you must be able to answer yes. If any believer saves at least one priceless soul for the kingdom of God they will be rewarded by Jesus Christ on the last day. The Lord will be pleased with you. How could he not be?

Isaiah 1:18 – Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord, though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Jeremiah 17:7 – Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord.

The vast majority of believers in heaven will be there only because of their faith in Jesus Christ, not having saved even a single soul for the kingdom of God. Because of that they’ll have eternal regret that they didn’t witness for Christ on earth. However, if you save at least one person for the kingdom of God you will be satisfied. More is always better but one will do. If you save one person for the kingdom of God you’ll probably be in the top ten percent of all believers in heaven, with the rewards that go with it. If you want to be great in heaven, like I do, that’s another matter entirely. That will require a lot more planning and hard work on your part to achieve it; plus the help of the Holy Spirit. Most people aren’t up to the task but if you think you are then follow me.

Habakkuk 2:2-3 – (God) – Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

First, set a goal for yourself. If you don’t have a goal then you’re not really serious about it. My first goal is to save one hundred nonbelievers to the kingdom of God and after I reach that goal my next goal is to save one thousand souls for heaven and then as many more as I can after that. I’ll never stop working God’s harvest field until the Lord takes me home. I don’t know how many people I’ll help save for the kingdom of God but God knows. All I know is God has protected me from harm all my life for this moment. I feel it more than I know it if that makes sense. I plan to shine for the Lord and be a co-worker with God in his harvest field. And so, I will work diligently, with love and gratitude toward God and joy in my heart.

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

Psalm 20:4 – May He grant you according to your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your purpose.

How did I come up with my goals in the first place? I came up with my first goal of saving one hundred lost souls because in the Bible God often talks about a good harvest being a “hundredfold.” If one hundred is good enough for God it’s good enough for me as my first goal. There’s not a doubt in my mind that if I save a hundred souls for the kingdom of God I’ll hear the Lord say on the last day, “well done good and faithful servant.” In the Scriptures the number one thousand is also important to God so it’s a logical number for my next goal after one hundred. One thousand saved souls will be hard for me to achieve but it’s not an impossible number to reach. In the Bible it says those who save many will shine like the stars in the firmament. In my mind I associate the term “many” with one thousand. I feel certain that if I save a thousand souls for the kingdom of God I’ll be in that top one percent of Christians in heaven who will likely shine like the stars in the firmament. I don’t know exactly what that means on a personal level but I trust in God that it’ll be wonderful.

Daniel 12:3 – And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

Psalm 33:18-19 – Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in his mercy, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.

One on one witnessing is always the best way to go but let’s face it, you’re not going to save more than a half dozen people that way because the witness opportunities are few. The key to saving “many” is to leverage your witness so you get the gospel message out to as many people as possible. To be sure, witnessing is a volume business like any sales transaction only this time you’re selling God. So how do we do it successfully? It’s rare for anyone to accept Jesus Christ the first time they hear the gospel message. It usually takes hearing the gospel 15-20 times or more before someone internalizes the gospel message which allows the Holy Spirit to convict someone of their sin and make them aware of their need for God’s saving grace. The key is to focus on spreading the gospel seed because it moves someone along the path to salvation. God generously rewards each sower equally with the eventual reaper of every soul for the kingdom of God.

Psalm 16:11 – You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness and joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Isaiah 55:6 – Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.

If you want to save many and you haven’t been called to the ministry to preach then be a Sunday school teacher or a missionary. Share the gospel on a television show or radio program if you have the money to do it. You can start a Christian blog and share the gospel of Christ through the internet like I do (see also www.christiantractministry.com). You could become a Christian author and share the gospel that way. Do whatever the Holy Spirit calls you to do. God has a plan for your life but it’s up to you to find it. Everyone needs to brainstorm and come up with their own way to leverage their witness for Christ. I know the perfect way for me to witness for Christ. It’s been in use for many years and I’ve just adopted it as my own. I have bought and personally distributed Christian tracts for the last eight years. I leave them wherever I go when I’m out and about shopping, doing errands, etc. I have expanded my Christian tract ministry this past year to include fourteen new ministry partners (primarily prisons) so that other godly men can distribute for me the free tracts I provide for nonbelievers. A generous God will reward all sowers of the gospel seed, including those like me who provide tracts for that purpose.

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

Isaiah 44:22 – I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, and like a cloud, your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.

These little Christian tracts are cartoon booklets that contain the gospel message in written form. There is documented proof that thousands of people have been saved over the last seventy five years by Christian tracts alone so I know they work. I also provide free Bibles for nonbelievers. I believe at least one tract out of a thousand will be instrumental in moving a nonbeliever along the gospel path that ultimately leads to salvation and I’ll be rewarded as a sower of that seed when the person is saved. I also believe that to be the case with one Bible out of every hundred I provide, because the Bibles aren’t disposable like tracts are. Bibles might get passed around for forty years. One tenth of one percent return on Christian tracts I’m providing is only a conservative guess but I prefer to be pleasantly surprised in heaven on the last day by the number of souls I’ve saved rather than over estimate and be disappointed. I also count one saved soul for ever one thousand hits on my two blogs with the same rationale. It’s just a way for me to keep score and stay on track. The number of souls we save for God isn’t as important as the consistent effort we give in working God’s harvest field. As 2022 comes to a close, my ministry this year has given away 20,445 Christian tracts, 910 Bibles and New Testaments and 255 gospel comics and pamphlets. In 2023 I pray that God will bless me even more!

Deuteronomy 12:32 – Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.

Isaiah 64:4 – For since the beginning of the world men have not heard nor perceived by ear, nor has the eye seen any God besides You, who acts for the one who waits for Him.

The trick is to plan your work in God’s harvest field as his co-worker and then go work you plan. It’s all about the work we put in with perseverance. The Apostle Paul said it’s okay to strive for treasures in heaven. There’s nothing to be ashamed of so go for it. The point is even if there were no rewards in heaven for saving lost souls I’d still be doing the same thing because I love God and I love my fellow man. I don’t want to see anyone go to hell for the lack of a witness. Rewards in heaven are just a way of staying motivated; it’s the work for God that’s important. My goal is to always act in such a way that God is pleased. When I stand before the bema judgment seat of Jesus Christ on the last day my heart’s desire is to hear Jesus say, “well done good and faithful servant.” Join me in my work and you’ll share in my joy on the last day. The Holy Spirit has given me my ministry of blogging about the kingdom of God, although it took me a while to recognize it. I’ll never stop doing my duty to the Lord my God while I live. Don’t shirk you duty to God. It’s our responsibility to recognize our duty to God and then go do it. Now you have been told what you should do so you have no excuse. Pray and meditate on God’s word daily and he’ll show you the way you should go.

Psalm 95:6 – Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.

Psalm 51:1 – Have mercy upon me, O God, according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.

Explaining the problem of suffering is probably the most difficult challenge of Christianity in modern times. Even ordained ministers and Bible scholars have a hard time explaining why a loving God allows suffering to continue in the world he created. I’m just a layman; a believer who loves studying God’s word and sharing what I know and think through my blog. Do I think I know more than the experts? No I don’t. But I do meditate daily on the magnitude and majesty of God and the issue of suffering is often on my mind. My ministry of writing about the kingdom of God was given to me by the Holy Spirit so I won’t belittle what I’ve been given. Let’s discuss human suffering but at the same time I want you to study your Bible and go to God in prayer asking for a personal revelation on the nature of suffering.

Romans 5:12 – Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.

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

Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 8:22 – For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pains together until now.

First of all, why do we always blame God for our suffering when we brought suffering on ourselves? God is perfect and his creation was once perfect. In the beginning there was no sin, pain, suffering or death in the world. The first man, Adam, was given dominion over the whole earth by God. But then Adam sinned against God and Adam became a fallen creature. As the father of the human race, that fate was imputed to all men who came after Adam. Sin, pain, suffering and death all entered the earth because of the disobedience of Adam to the commands of God and not through any action on God’s part. Adam’s sin allowed dominion over the earth to pass from him to Satan, who is the master of dispensing pain, suffering and death on the human race whom he hates.

1 Peter 4:16 – Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

1 Peter 4:19 – Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful creator.

Philippians 1:29 – For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.

Romans 8:17 – And if children, then heirs – heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

God has given all men the freewill choice to serve God and obey his commands or serve Satan through disobedience. One of the spiritual truths of heaven is, “you reap what you sow.” In Adam’s case, he sowed the seeds of sin, pain, suffering and death by his disobedience to God and, as a result, the human race has reaped what Adam has sown because he is the earthly father of us all. God does not change. God dispenses justice fairly to all. It grieves God greatly to see all the sin, pain, suffering and death in the world. That’s why God sent his only begotten son, Jesus Christ, to the earth to defeat Satan, reclaim the earth and save mankind from their sins and eternal death in the fires of hell.

Joshua 24:15 – Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

1 Peter 2:21 – For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.

1 Peter 4:1 – Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.

1 Peter 5:10 – But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

It will take the entirety of human history (7000 years) to eliminate all sin from God’s creation and imprison Satan and all his demons in hell forever. Why does God take so long? I don’t know. God has his own timetable for doing things. God’s actions are perfect, as is his timing. God always does as he pleases when he pleases. We are not to question the motives and actions of Almighty God. The finite human mind cannot understand the infinite mind of God and his ultimate use of and purpose for our suffering. We know from our own experience that suffering is inevitable and that fact is confirmed numerous times in God’s word. The key for believers is to accept that suffering is part of the human condition and trust that God has a purpose for our suffering that will benefit us. Christ’s suffering and death is a prime example of this.

Romans 8:28 – And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Revelation 2:10 – (Jesus speaking about the tribulation period) – Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

1 Peter 3:14 – But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.

John 16:33 – (Jesus) – These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

We know from a study of the Scriptures that when we suffer for the Christian faith then God is glorified. The more we suffer for God the more we ourselves are glorified in heaven. Through stories in the Bible we learn that our physical suffering for God purifies us spiritually and makes us more fit to live in heaven. Our earthly suffering is an important part of God’s sanctification process for us whereby we become more like Christ over time. Jesus could have died an easier death and it would’ve still redeemed us. Instead, Jesus died an excruciation death on the cross to the glory of God the Father. As believers we’re called to suffer in our lifetime as Christ suffered, although not to the same degree. No matter what suffering we encounter during our life it’ll never come close to matching Christ’s suffering on the cross. Our Lord Jesus Christ gave us the example how to bear up under suffering with dignity and grace and if believers emulate Jesus in their suffering they will receive honor and glory in heaven.

Philippians 3:10 – That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.

2 Corinthians 1:7 – And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.

1 Peter 4:13 – But rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

James 5:10 – My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.

When the early church leaders compiled the books of the Bible they didn’t know where to place the book of Job. The 66 books of the Bible are the revelation of Jesus Christ and they also chronicle God’s relationship with man in general and God’s people (Israel) in particular. Job is different from any other book in the Bible. Job doesn’t add to the historical narrative of the human race in any way. Job also doesn’t quite fit any of the known sections of the Bible so the compilers eventually decided to put the book of Job in the poetry and wisdom section of the Bible, after Ester and before Psalms. Most of the Old Testament was written by the prophets of God but the author of Job is unknown. We do know the book of Job is one of the oldest books of the Bible. Job was a man of God and a contemporary of Abraham so the setting of the story was in the time of the patriarchs which means Job could be as old as the book of Genesis. The question is why did God give us the book of Job?

Job 1:21 – Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will leave this life. The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Job 14:1 – Anyone born of woman is short of days and full of trouble.

2 Corinthians 1:5-6 – For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

James 1:2-4 – My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

The book of Job is in the Bible because God wants to talk to us about suffering. The book of Job teaches us that suffering comes to everyone, the righteous and unrighteous alike. Suffering comes to the innocent as well as the guilty. God does not always keep the righteous and innocent from danger or suffering. The fact that one person may suffer more than another is God’s choice as the Sovereign Lord of creation. God doesn’t have to explain his reasoning to his creatures, which we are. Ultimately, God controls all of life’s situations and we have to trust in God’s provision for us and his love for his children, which we are. In Job we get to see the veil of heaven pulled back with God talking to Satan. We see that Satan cannot harm one of God’s children without God’s permission. We learn that Satan does indeed go to and fro across the earth seeking to do evil to men and to cause suffering at every opportunity. The book of Job is a stark reminder that man is only safe in the arms of God.

Hebrews 12:5-6 – My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 – For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Hebrews 11:6 – But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Romans 8:18 – For I consider that the sufferings of this present age are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

The Bible has many examples of godly men who endured suffering during their lives. These men were no different from you and me. They were persecuted for their faith and, in many cases, they compounded their suffering by making bad decisions. Take the psalmist David for example. David endured much pain and suffering in his life and this is reflected in many of his poems collected in the book of Psalms. David was hounded and chased by King Saul for years and after David became king himself he was punished by God for his adultery with Bathsheba. God loved David as a man after his own heart but he didn’t spare the rod.

James 1:12 – Blesses 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.

2 Corinthians 12:10 – Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Psalm 22:1-2 – (David) – My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear; and in the night season, and am not silent.

Romans 8:24-25 – For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

We all remember the Bible story of Joseph, son of Jacob, who was sold into slavery by his brothers. Joseph was taken to Egypt where he was later thrown into prison for years based on false charges. Joseph suffered greatly through no fault of his own. Then we have the example of the Apostle Paul who served the Lord for forty years. Paul was beaten up regularly for preaching the word of God and Paul was often cold and hungry. Several times Paul was whipped, stoned and imprisoned for sharing the gospel of Christ. Paul also had some sort of physical ailment he had to deal with all his life. Paul endured his hardships and sufferings with stoicism knowing his reward in heaven would be great. We should all have the same mindset as the Apostle Paul when it comes to dealing with suffering.

Philippians 1:21 – (Paul) – For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain (go to heaven).

2 Corinthians 12:9 – (God speaking to Paul who asked God to relieve his physical suffering) – My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 – I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 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 those who have loved His appearing.

Proverbs 13:15 – Good understanding gives favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard.

God could prevent suffering but if he did that he’d be perverting his perfect justice. Instead, God uses suffering to achieve his own purpose in our lives. God can use suffering for good. God can use suffering to draw us to God, to prove our faith is real or to make us focus on heaven and not earth. Suffering can be used by God as a form of discipline to bring the believer back into fellowship with God. Suffering enables Christians to identify with and encourage other sufferers. Suffering can remind us that this world is not our home. Our citizenship is in heaven. In the end, the genuineness of our faith determines our response to suffering.

1 Peter 1:6-7 – In this (salvation) you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that in the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glorify at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 21:4 – (in heaven) – And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.

Genesis 3:17-19 – (God speaking to Adam) – Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and you shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground.

John 18:36 – (Jesus) – My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I am not delivered to the Jews, but now My kingdom is not from here.

In summary, to live life is to suffer. There’s no way around it. Some will suffer more and some less. We have no say in the matter. It’s all up to God. What we do know is the believer has the hope of salvation. When the believer suffers in this life he’s suffering with Christ. When believers suffer they’re building up honor and glory in heaven. God has promised the believer they will not suffer more than they can bear. On the other hand, when the nonbeliever suffers they have no such assurance or comfort. They have no champion whereas the believer is protected by God. The nonbeliever is on their own and adrift in a sea of pain, suffering, misery and evil without end. They have no anchor in the storms of life. The nonbelievers are without hope which is one of the reasons they are prone to committing suicide. Decide beforehand whom you will serve, God or Satan, and also how you will endure suffering in this life. Gird yourself for the ordeal to come. Make sure you bear your sufferings with dignity and in such a way that it’s pleasing in the sight of God.

John 15:18-19 – (Jesus) – If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, therefore the world hates you.

John 14:6 – (Jesus) – I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Psalm 34:19 – Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

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

I’ve been an avid reader all of my life and I find the poetry and prose of the Bible to be uplifting and unparalleled, not only by its obvious wisdom, but also because of its beautiful words and the clear message of God’s love for us by the coming of Christ to save us from our sins. The books of the Bible were written starting around 3400 years ago with the book of Genesis written by Moses. The book of Revelation was the last book of the Bible and it was written approximately 1900 years ago by the Apostle John. Over this 1500 year period the Bible has been consistent in its message of Christ and also in the majesty of its writing. All 66 books of the Bible mesh together seamlessly without any contradictions or errors as if they were written by one author, which they were. God is the author of the Bible and he used holy men under the influence of the Holy Spirit to be his writers. Let’s look at a few of the Scriptures that sing to our soul:

John 3:16 – (Jesus speaking) – For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

When God refers to the world he means us, you and me, and all human beings who have ever lived in the past or who will ever live in the future. The only begotten Son of God is Jesus Christ, the second person of the triune godhead. Jesus has always existed in heaven along with God the Father and the Holy Spirit because Jesus is God. Three distinct persons but one God. When God says he “gave” his son it means that he (God) voluntarily stepped down from his throne and humbled himself by coming to the earth in the incarnation of Jesus Christ as a sacrifice to save man. God came to this earth as a poor, humble servant to give his life as a ransom so that our sins could be forgiven by a just and loving God. God didn’t just simply die for us; God died for us in the most cruel and agonizing way possible. Roman crucifixion was designed to be torture of the worst kind; designed to keep the victim alive as long as possible while inflicting the most pain and suffering.

1 John 2:25 – And this is the promise that He has promised us – eternal life.

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

Luke 24:46 – (Jesus speaking) – Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day.

John 10:28 – (Jesus speaking) – And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hand.

Crucifixion was so cruel that by law no Roman citizen could die by that method. Crucifixion was so cruel that it only existed as a means of execution for about 200 years before Rome banned its use. When God says all who believe in Him (Jesus) he means the believer must acknowledge God, repent from their sins, and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. A believer must believe the gospel message; that Jesus died on the cross, was buried and rose from the dead on the third day, before returning to heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father. God says believers will live forever in heaven in the presence of Jesus. Those who don’t believe in Jesus will perish. There is no middle ground. The human spirit received from the hand of God at our conception is immortal because God is giving us a part of himself. Since God is eternal that part of himself which he gives us must also be eternal. It can’t be any other way. When God refers to unbelievers being destroyed (perishing) he doesn’t mean they will cease to exist. God means they will separated from God and suffer eternal death by being condemned to hell for all eternity for their iniquity.

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

Psalm 33:18-19 – Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.

Psalm 62:1-2 – Truly my soul silently waits for God; from Him comes my salvation; He is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.

1 Peter 1:3 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

We all know John 3:16 is the best known verse of the entire Bible. There’s a reason. It tells us unequivocally that God loves us. God is giving up his most treasured possession to save us and as human beings who love and value our own children we can see the love God has for us when he sends Jesus Christ to die in our place. Actions speak louder than words and God proved his love for us. Just think of the grief and anguish that God had to go through to watch his beloved son die on the cross. God allowed that to happen because God also loves us just as much as he loves Jesus.

It’s hard for us to understand the depth of God’s love for us but one day we’ll understand. We can see from John 3:16 that we can all have the free gift of salvation in heaven for simply believing the gospel message of Christ. There are no exclusions or exceptions to this precious gift from God. God loves every person that he has made equally. God is not only saving us; God is making it easy for all to accept his grace unto salvation. While salvation is freely offered to all people it must be accepted individually by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. There is no other way to heaven other than through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let’s look at another beloved set of verses from the Bible; Psalm 23:

Psalm 23:1-2 – The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.

If John 3:16 is the most memorized verse in the Bible then Psalm 23 is a close second. There’s a reason for this. John 3:16 gives us our fondest desire which is a promise of God’s love for us and a guarantee of salvation unto eternal life. Psalm 23 is beloved because it assures us in verse one that God will provide for all our needs. God will take care of us. In verse two God assures us we’ll have the peace of God that is beyond understanding. When we make peace with God he will give us his peace in this life and also later on when we’re living through the 1000 year millennial kingdom of Jesus Christ in our glorified bodies. I see verse two also pertaining to the new heaven and new earth at the close of the 1000 year millennium period. When God says in Scripture that he’ll never leave us he means it. Believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit forevermore.

Psalm 23:3-4 – He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

When God says, “He restores my soul”, he’s referring to Old Testament saints being declared “righteous” in the eyes of God for their faith. That means Old Testament saints went to Paradise within the earth when they died to await the coming of Christ so their sins could be forgiven. When Jesus was buried three days in the earth he went down to Paradise and escorted the saints to heaven. Jesus was restoring the souls of Old Testament saints to the condition they were in before Adam’s fall from grace in the Garden of Eden and sin entered the world.

In the New Testament God is referring to the fulfilled prophecy of Jesus Christ coming to die on the cross for the sins of all men, thereby restoring man’s soul to the way it was before it was stained by sin. Adam sinned against God in the Garden of Eden and he was expelled. Adam’s sin remained in his body and spirit and also in the body and spirit of all men who came after Adam. Man became a fallen creature full of sin whose destiny changed from eternal life in heaven to eternal death in hell in that moment. To make the restoration of man’s fellowship with God possible the Lord himself came to earth in the incarnation of Jesus Christ to die on the cross so our sins could be forgiven (removed). One of the spiritual truths of heaven is, “the wages of sin is death.” There was no qualifying sinless human sacrifice available on earth to save us so God himself had to save us or we all would’ve gone down to the pit (hell) for all eternity. For this reason Jesus Christ is our Savior and we must never forget for a moment what Jesus has done for us. All believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

While Jesus has reconciled us to God by his death on the cross, each person is responsible for completing the process by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It’s a two part process. God took the first step by his sinless sacrifice to remove our sins and we must take the second step by repenting and asking forgiveness of our sins. If we don’t do our part then we still abide in our sins before God and eternal death in hell is our fate. God himself will make the believer more like Christ during their lifetime in a process we see referred to in Scripture as “sanctification.” The Psalm says God is doing this to glorify his name. Once we get to heaven God will complete the process of making us like Christ (glorification). I don’t know exactly what that’ll look like but I know it’ll be wonderful.

Galatians 3:13 – Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us.

John 11:25-26 – (Jesus speaking) – I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.

John 3:36 – (Jesus speaking) – He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe in the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.

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.

In verse four of Psalm 23 we find the most important verse in the entire Psalm. Our journey through life is compared by God to a walk through a valley. Once we’re born we must continue on through the valley of life until we die, or we get raptured or we reach the other side safely. We can’t have the privilege of life without facing the almost certain probability of death. Most of us will die along the way. All believers, both dead and alive, will be raptured to Jesus in the air at his appearing. A small number of people who miss the rapture will later become believers during the tribulation period and reach the other side of the valley alive to see the second coming of Jesus Christ. Most people who miss the rapture and become believers during the tribulation period will have to live through God’s wrath on earth and possibly suffer a martyr’s death by having their head cut off. The raptured saints will go to heaven first in their glorified bodies but they will return with Jesus Christ at his Second Coming on the last day. All nonbelievers will go to hell forever.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 – Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

John 14:23 – (Jesus speaking) – If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him (Holy Spirit) and make Our home with him.

Romans 5:5 – Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Ephesians 1:4-5 – Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.

The history of the world is divided into two parts; before Christ and after Christ. We see that in the world’s dating system. It’s not an accident. The resurrection of Jesus Christ was the single most important event in the history of the world because it meant that believers would likewise rise from the dead and not die. Jesus’ death and resurrection was proof that believers were saved unto eternal life in heaven. Because if Jesus rose from the dead it means that we too will not see eternal death if we believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We’re told not to fear physical death because death is the beginning not the end. God was with the “righteous” of the Old Testament and he saved them from eternal death. The Holy Spirit did not indwell all the righteous in Old Testament times but only a few selected individuals. Those New Testament believers living after the resurrection of Jesus are living under the new blood covenant of Christ and not the law. That means ALL believers are now indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God. What a marvelous thing to behold!

We are to have no fear of physical death because the Holy Spirit of God indwells all the believers as soon as they accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Praise God! When we die in Christ the Holy Spirit will immediately return our soul to heaven from whence it came to be in the presence of Jesus. How could it not? The Holy Spirit and our spirit are together inside our living body. One of the spiritual truths of God is eternal spirits cannot remain inside a corrupted (unclean) corpse so they have to come out immediately upon our death. At our death do you think the Holy Spirit is going to say to our spirit, “so long, see you later?” Of course not. The Holy Spirit is going to say, “come with me, let’s go home to Jesus.” It can happen no other way.

God is reciprocal so the opposite is also true. When nonbelievers die their souls are also expelled from their dead bodies. The difference is their immortal souls are taken down to hell by demons kind of like we saw in the movie “Ghost” only they will be much scarier. Nobody goes to hell voluntarily. The spirits of the damned must be dragged down to hell against their will. When we walk with God he will protect us, guide us and discipline us when we need it like any parent would their child; hence the reference to rod and staff in this verse. This shows God’s love for us which should comfort us as we go through the hardships of this life.

Psalm 23:5-6 – You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

In verse five of the Psalm God assures us that all believers who obey his counsel will have his protection and live very fruitful lives in service to the Lord. Goodness and mercy will follow believers all their lives because they are attributes of God and God is on the inside of us. We know we’re talking about God because only God can dispense mercy. The anointing of someone’s head in Old Testament times symbolized their selection by God as his own. We see that in the case of the king of Israel or a ‘”righteous” saint or prophet if they belonged to God. After the time of Christ the anointing of believers is accomplished internally by the washing and regeneration of our eternal spirit by the Holy Spirit of God. Verse six reaffirms verse five by restating God’s salvation and provision for our lives by using different words so there can be no misunderstanding or ambiguity about what God is saying to us. The very last statement in the Psalm says it all. God doesn’t say believers could or might go to heaven; God says believers “will” live in heaven in the presence of Jesus Christ forever. This is a promise from God to us and God cannot lie or break a promise once made. Psalm 23 is so popular because it gives us a glorious “hope” for the future.

Deuteronomy 17:19 – And it (God’s law; the Bible) shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes.

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.

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

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

I have read the entire Bible several times and each time through I find a new revelation about the kingdom of God that I missed on prior readings. I’m currently reading in the Old Testament, in the book of Jeremiah. We know the entire Bible is about the coming of Jesus Christ to save us from our sins. We see in Jeremiah 23:5-6 the complete revelation of Jesus Christ in two verses. The only thing missing is when Jesus comes in the air to rapture all believers to himself before taking all the saints with him back to heaven. Let’s break down the two verses to see what God is telling us about the coming of Jesus Christ.

Jeremiah 23:5 – “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, that I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.

Jeremiah was one of the major prophets of God and also one of the 15 writing prophets who produced books in the Old Testament. Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, also had the distinction of writing the longest book in the Bible, which bears his name, as well as a second book called Lamentations. Jeremiah served the Lord for forty years from 626 BC to 586 BC. In verse five we see that Jeremiah prophesied about the coming of the Messiah, the son of God, about 600 years before the blessed event took place. Jesus lived and died over 2000 years ago. The second statement in verse five is the prophesied millennial kingdom of Jesus Christ on the earth which hasn’t occurred yet. We know it will come true in the future because the first part of the prophecy came true. The Bible contains over 1000 prophecies, over 500 of which have been fulfilled and documented as historical fact. We know God promised King David that his branch, or descendant, would sit on his throne and rule forever and that branch is Jesus Christ; a direct descendant of King David and also God in the flesh.

Luke 1:32 – He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.

Ephesians 1:7 – In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.

2 Corinthians 5:21 – For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

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

By capitalizing the word branch we know that Jeremiah is talking about the Messiah; Jesus Christ, the divine son of God, as well as a direct descendant of King David. There’s only one God so Jesus Christ is God in the flesh. God is righteous therefore Jesus is righteous. All believers God considers righteous because at our salvation Jesus gave his righteousness to us in exchange for our sins. The wages of sin is death so Jesus died so we wouldn’t have to. Let me say this again. When Jesus came down from heaven he took away our sins and in exchange gave his righteousness to everyone who believes in his name. That’s the best trade in the history of the world and it’s in our favor. Jesus took the sins of all men upon himself when he died on the cross in our place so that our sins might be forgiven by a just and loving God.

Psalm 18:30 – As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

1 Chronicles 22:19 – Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God.

John 6:47 – (Jesus speaking) – Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.

Hebrews 13:5 – I will never leave you nor forsake you.

The last statement of verse five is referring to the 1000 year millennial kingdom of Jesus Christ which starts immediately after the Second Coming of Jesus Christ to the earth on the last day. Jesus came to earth the first time as a suffering servant but his second coming will be to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords. We know this is the prophesied second coming of Jesus because the word king is capitalized indicating a devine person (Jesus) will rule the entire earth and the Bible tells us that only happens during the millennial kingdom of Jesus Christ. This is further emphasized by saying the king will execute judgment and righteousness in the earth, which only the Lord Jesus Christ has the authority and power to accomplish.

Jeremiah 23:6 – In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; now this is His name by which He will be called:

THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

The divine pronoun is used three times to reinforce we’re talking about Jesus Christ. We know the Jews rejected Jesus Christ as their promised Messiah and they have been punished by God for over 2000 years for their sins. Make no mistake, the Jews are still God’s chosen people. God does not change. We know from this Scripture that a Jewish remnant (Judah) will be saved at the battle of Armageddon on the last day when Jesus sets foot on the Mount of Olives (the Second Coming). We know Israel will only dwell in safety with Jesus during the 1000 year millennial reign of Jesus Christ as King of the earth. Jesus is Lord. Jesus is righteousness (morally good; virtuous) and we have our righteousness through his sacrificial death on our behalf. “THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS,” is capitalized which means we have our righteousness (salvation) because of Jesus and God is screaming out this truth of God from his throne in heaven and we better recognize it and praise God for his mercy and grace toward us. Only God could have saved us from an eternity in hell and he did it through Jesus Christ who voluntarily died on the cross in our place. Praise God for his love and mercy! Jesus Christ is Lord of all forevermore.

1 Corinthians 6:20 – For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

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

Hebrews 9:22 – And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission (of sins).

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

The three verses I’ve just commented on, John 3:16, Jeremiah 23:5-6, and Psalm 23, are prime examples of the beauty of God’s poetry and the majesty of God’s prose. There are millions of people dying every day and going to hell because they haven’t chosen to serve the Lord our God. Satan has blinded them. There are countless thousands of people every day who are committing suicide because they don’t know God. Satan has fooled them. They consider themselves to be failures in life whom nobody loves. Satan has convinced them of this and led them to take their own life. It’s so sad! There are millions more who suffer symptoms of depression and live out their lives in utter despair. Satan seeks our destruction continually, every second of the day. It doesn’t have to be this way! If every person would simply read the three sets of verses I’ve just described every morning it would totally change their outlook on life. Write them on index cards so they can be reviewed every day. If everyone took the time to just meditate on these words every day they would soon realize they’re God’s masterpiece of creation and just how precious they are in the eyes of God.

Knowing the love of God these people could then fend off the fiery darts of Satan trying to convince them they’re worthless. The scales would be removed from their eyes and they could see the truth of God clearly. If God loves you so should you. If God thinks you’re priceless so should you. If everyone saw themselves as God sees them suicide rates would likely drop dramatically. Once Satan has been exposed as the one who wants to kill us he can be easily rebuffed by the word of God. God has plans for all of us to prosper here on earth. God wants all believers to reside in heaven with Jesus Christ forever. God never created anyone with the intention of sending them to hell. That’s a choice we make. Don’t let Satan harvest your soul for the kingdom of hell and divert you from your true destiny which is to live in heaven with Jesus forever. Fight back with all your might! Resist Satan and he will flee according to Scripture. All you have to do is read the Bible daily and pray to God daily. If you are in fellowship with God Satan has no power over you other than what you give him. God will protect you from Satan and the powers of darkness if you ask him because Satan is no match for the power of God.

Isaiah 41:13 – For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, fear not, I will help you.

Psalm 31:15 – My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me.

Psalm 62:8 – Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.

Psalm 50:15 – Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.

Philippians 4:8 – Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things.

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.

God made man and put us on this earth to find our salvation, live in obedience to God and do good works for the kingdom of God. These are preconditions for living in fellowship with God here on earth. God’s word, our Bible, is our owner’s manual so that as believers we can know what to do; how to be saved unto eternal life and how to live a happy and successful life here on earth by being obedient to God’s word. There’ll be a pecking order in heaven and our position up in heaven will be determined by our obedience to the commandments of God here on earth, along with the good works we do on behalf of the kingdom of God. We have a loving God who has graciously given us his truth, his wisdom, in written form to guide us on our journey through life. Believers who don’t read their Bibles daily and study it for knowledge, understanding and wisdom cannot please God because they won’t know what it is they must do and how to do it.

Genesis 2:7 – And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

Genesis 12:2-3 – I will make you (Abram) a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all of the families of the earth shall be blessed.

The Bible contains 129 direct commandments from God that man is to obey in order to please God. Some of these commandments are redundant, but any way you slice it there are about one hundred commandments of God that every believer should know and make every attempt to obey. You will not remember all the commandments of God nor will you come close to full obedience. But you must make a good faith effort to do so if you’re a believer who wants to please God. Do you know the ten commandments by heart? Most believers don’t. If believers can’t even get the first ten commandments right how on earth are they going to know the other ninety commandments of God unless they study their Bibles? They can’t; which is why believers cannot please God unless they immerse themselves in God’s word. Only 10% of Christians who attend church regularly have read the entire Bible and fewer still study their Bibles on a regular basis. Very few believers are living their lives with pleasing God as their top priority; but they should be.

Romans 4:7-8 – Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.

Luke 11:28 – (Jesus speaking) – Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.

If you’re a believer and you don’t know your Bible intimately then start down that path immediately. In addition to learning God’s commandments and doing them, keep an eye out for the curses and blessings of God as you study your Bible. God is not shy about telling us about the things he hates and the curses that go along with them. On the flip side, God tells us plainly what pleases him and the blessings that accrue to those believers that obey God. It’s really quite simple to stay on God’s good side; love and obey what God loves and hate and avoid what God hates. If you follow this simple guideline you’ll always be in fellowship with God and living a life that’s pleasing in God’s sight.

Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

Proverbs 4:1-2 – Hear, my children, the instructions of a father, and give attention to know understanding; For I give you good doctrine: Do not forsake my law.

When I say read and study God’s word I’m referring to both the Old and New Testaments. It’s true you only need the New Testament to be saved but you need to also know the Old Testament to please God. Why is that? The word “cursed” appears in the Bible 72 times; 67 times in the Old Testament and five times in the New Testament. That means 93% of the curses of God appear in the Old Testament. You can’t avoid all the curses of God if you don’t know what they are. Old Testament familiarity is critical for the believer who wants to avoid the curses of God and also find the blessings of God that are there for the taking. Not knowing the Old Testament is a little bit like walking through a minefield blindfolded. It won’t end well for you.

Psalm 1:1-2 – Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.

Psalm 2:12 – Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

It’s the same thing when it comes to the blessings of God. The word “blessed” appears in the Bible 302 times; 217 times in the Old Testament and 85 times in the New Testament. A person unfamiliar with the Old Testament would miss out on two thirds of the blessings of God intended for those who love him. By studying the entire word of God we can have a clearer picture of who God is and we can live a more bountiful life here on earth. You will only need the knowledge contained in the New Testament in order to be saved but you’ll need to know the information contained in the Old Testament if you want to really know and please God and receive all the blessings God wants to give you. The New Testament did not come to invalidate God’s law or replace the Old Testament. The New Testament came to add to, or supplement, God’s existing law and both the Old and New testaments are equally God’s law and both should be studied thoroughly for knowledge, understanding and wisdom.

Psalm 65:4 – Blessed is the man You choose, and cause to approach You, that he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, of Your holy temple.

Psalm 84:5 – Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage.

The dictionary defines the word “curse” as an appeal to a supernatural power to harm someone or something. To be “cursed” is to be continually affected by something bad. Only God can curse man and once God has cursed someone it lasts forever. On the flip side, the definition of the word “bless” is to ask God to protect someone or something from harm. To be “blessed” is to have or be given something that is of great value. Only God can bless man and once God has truly blessed someone (i.e. salvation) it lasts forever. To be blessed is the exact opposite of being cursed. They are two sides of the same coin; each dispensed by God. God blesses man for their obedience to the word of God and God curses man for their disobedience to the same.

Let’s look at the five verses in the New Testament where God talks about being cursed:

Matthew 25:412 – (Jesus speaking) – Then He will also say to those on the left hand, “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”

In God’s economy man is either blessed with eternal life in heaven or cursed with eternal death in the lake of fire. Those are the only two destinations that are possible for the creatures God has made. God is never going to curse those believers who are saved unto eternal life nor is God going to bless those men who have rejected the saving grace of Almighty God. In the above verse God defines those going to hell as being “cursed.” When God curses someone in the Bible he is sentencing them to hell.

John 7:49 – But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.

The law refers to the entire Bible. God is saying man can only be saved by the word of God and without it man is acursed, or cursed, which means they are condemned to hell for eternity. The primary reason God gave us the Bible is so that we can find our salvation and know how to be obedient to God. Nothing on this earth is more important for man to do than reading and studying God’s word; along with daily prayer.

Galatians 3:10 – For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.”

Salvation is only achieved by having faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and not by doing any works of the law. Going to church every Sunday and giving money to charitable causes won’t do you a bit of good if you don’t first believe in Jesus and put him above any church, pope, pastor, doctrine or ritual. This New Testament Scripture reaffirms that the Old Testament is still a valid part of God’s word. Jesus Christ did not come to destroy the Old Testament law, but to fulfill it and add a new blood covenant to it by his crucifixion, death and resurrection. Those who think the Old Testament is no longer valid should spend time meditating on this Scripture.

Galatians 3:13 – Christ has redeemed us for the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs from a tree).

Because of the sin nature all men inherited from Adam’s fall from grace in the Garden of Eden, all men are born under the curse of God. To be cursed by God means we’re all destined for eternal death in the lake of fire because of the stain of sin in our body and soul. One of the spiritual truths of God is the wages of sin is death. There was no perfect (sin free) sacrifice available to atone for man’s sin so a perfect God came off his throne and came to earth in the incarnation of Jesus Christ to die in our place so that our sins could be forgiven by a merciful God. When Jesus was crucified on a cross (tree) he took our curses upon himself and gave us his righteousness. Jesus saved us from hell by his death and he gave us eternal life in heaven by his resurrection; for those who believe on his name. Praise God for his mercy!

2 Peter 2:14 – They (evil men) have a heart trained in covetous practices; and are accursed children.

Evil men are nonbelievers. Believers and nonbelievers are both made by God and since we we’re all made by same loving God we are all equally God’s children. God is just and gives everyone the free will choice to serve God or Satan. Nonbelievers are accursed, or cursed, by God because they have chosen to serve Satan. Jesus is the only way to heaven. Nonbelievers have not been forgiven of their sins because they haven’t asked for God’s mercy and grace by accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. The sins of the nonbeliever still abides on them and they will receive the wrath of God on the last day. Nonbelievers are “cursed” because God has condemned them to eternal death in the lake of fire for spitting in God’s face; for rejecting Jesus’ sacrificial death on their behalf. All nonbelievers deserve the fate they have chosen.

Revelation 1:3 – Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

Revelation 22:14 – Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.