The Road Between Two Ditches

Matthew 7:13, 14 - "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."

The Road
In the above verses, Christ gives an analogy, using the illustration of two roads. One road, which has a wide gate at its entrance, is the broad way that leads to destruction. This is the way to hell. It is comfortable. On it, there is plenty of company. It just has a "feel" about it - it feels right. But this is the way which Solomon spoke of when he said, "There is a way which seemeth right unto men, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Those who are not following Jesus are on this road.  So much about it "seems right," but it is everything but right. It leads to death; more specifically, the second death in the lake of fire.

The other road is road on which I wish to focus. It has a straight gate, and a narrow path. It is far less comfortable. There is not near as much company. But, this is the road on which I travel. I chose this road not because I enjoy a lack of comfort; I chose this road because of its destination - it leads to life eternal. You may ask, "Where is this road?" The question is not, "Where is this road;" the question is, "Who is this road?" Jesus Christ is the way, the only way, that leads to eternal life. Let me be clear so no reader is confused - YOU WILL GO TO HEAVEN THROUGH JESUS CHRIST AND HIM ALONE, OR YOU WILL NOT GO! The blood Jesus shed on the cross is the only cleansing agent that can cleanse your sins and mine. The works of Jesus are the only ones that please the Father. Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven. All religions, creeds, beliefs, good works, prayers, gods, temples, mosques, altars, pulpits, books, philosophies, ideals, and every other sorry, pitiful attempt man makes at trying to save himself will lead man to HELL. You don't want to go hell? Then cast off your religion, creed, belief, and every other thing to which you are clinging, and trust Jesus Christ and His finished work on Calvary, and trust nothing else. Jesus is the absolute only way that leads to life.

The Two Ditches
The straight and narrow way has a ditch on either side. You can go too far either way, and be lost. In the same chapter as the verses mentioned above, Jesus talks about two groups of people, neither of which are on the straight and narrow way. Let us look at these groups together.

Matthew 7:21-23 - "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

The scene in the above verses is the day of Judgment. Jesus speaks of the day when all mankind will stand before God. Jesus talks about two groups of people that will stand before Him on that day, and plead their case. Both groups thought they were on the straight and narrow way, but were not. One group fell in one ditch; the other group fell in the other. Let us look at these two ditches.

The First Ditch
Jesus begins the above passage by saying, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." This is a favorite verse among many Holiness preachers. I have heard it brought out many times. And, what is brought out is mostly true.

The first thought that is brought out of this verse is the fact that not everyone who says, "Lord, Lord" is going to heaven. That is ditch number one. There are those who claim to be saved just because they say a prayer. SAYING A PRAYER WILL NOT SAVE YOU! If all you did was regurgitate a prayer, and there was nothing in your heart that believed, rested, and trusted Jesus Christ solely, resulting in Him giving you a new heart, making you a new creature, you have fallen into the first ditch.

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven," the Lord said. Then, He goes on to say, "...but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." I have heard preachers use the latter part of that verse and say, "You have to do the will of God to be saved." Then, they pull out a long list of works to be done! They say that you must pray so much a day; fast so much a week; witness to so many people; go to church so many times a week - all of this is "the will of the Father," so you must have all these wonderful works if you are going to be saved!

Whoa! Wait a minute. They are right when they say that salvation is more than just saying a prayer. But when you start preaching that we have to keep a long list of works to be saved, you're about to swerve into the second ditch.

Jesus said that those who simply say a prayer are in the first ditch. They're not on their way to heaven. Jesus said the ones who are on their way to heaven are those who "do the will of the Father." What is the will of the Father? THE WILL OF THE FATHER IS NOT A LONG LIST OF WONDERFUL WORKS! In John 6:40, Jesus clearly defines the will of the Father - "And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day." The will of the Father is simply believing on the Son and having everlasting life! It is not fasting, witnessing, a dress code, or any other wonderful work. When you pray to be saved, it must be accompanied with BELIEVING, or putting your trust in, Jesus Christ. Romans 10:9 bears this out - "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." So, "doing the will of the Father" is not completing a long list of wonderful works. If you preach it that way, you're about to land in the other ditch, if you're not already there.

The Second Ditch
Having just looked at Matthew 7:21, let us look at the next two verses.

Matthew 7:22, 23 - "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many WONDERFUL WORKS? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

The first group fell in one ditch because they said a prayer, but did not do the will of the Father - believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. As a result, there was no change in their life. They were not made a new creature because they were not "in Christ." Their heart was still filthy. They were not washed from their sins. There was no deliverance from sin. As a matter fact, no man can tell that they have been to Jesus, because they haven't! This group thought they were on the narrow way, but they had fallen into the ditch!

The other group, however, make an interesting claim on the day of Judgment. "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied and cast out devils in your name, and in your name done many wonderful works?" But Jesus will say to them, "Depart from me, ye that work iniquity; I never knew you."

LISTEN TO ME CAREFULLY. You can knock the crowd that just "says a prayer," and there is no life-changing faith involved; and certainly, they are in the ditch. But if you are trusting in a long list of wonderful works, you are not on the narrow way either! The man who is trusting in a long list of wonderful works and outward standards to get him to heaven is just as lost as the man who says a prayer without exercising faith. You can talk about how lost the crowd is that preaches a gospel that produces no change - but if you are trusting in your long list of wonderful works, you are lying in the ditch just across the road from them! Saying a prayer with no faith in Christ will certainly lead you to hell. But trusting in a long list of standards will lead you to the same hell, just as fast.

Dear friend, I am not against having good works; but I am thoroughly against trusting them! If you think you are on the narrow way because you keep a list of rules, standards, creeds, dress codes, laws, or commandments, you are in the ditch.

Conclusion
Jesus Christ is the narrow way. If you say a prayer, but do not trust Jesus Christ, you are in one ditch. If you claim Christ, but are trusting in any wonderful work outside of Christ, you are in the other ditch. We had better get our faith - all of our faith - in Jesus Christ and in nothing else. Faith in anything else leads to hell.

Is Salvation Difficult?

II Corinthians 11:3 – “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”

Introduction

In my previous post, I examined by the word of God the unscriptural teaching of “tarrying” for salvation. It would benefit the reader to read that article (“Tarrying” for Salvation) before reading this one.

Those who believe that a person is saved only after begging, crying, and spending a great deal time praying usually have an overall mindset concerning salvation that salvation is very difficult to obtain. As a matter of fact, they describe salvation in such a way that they seem to imply that, short of a miracle, salvation is impossible to gain. To these people, being saved is no big deal. It doesn’t mean much, probably because those who have been saved probably will not be able to maintain their salvation. If you hear them tell it, those who have salvation at this moment will probably not be saved in the end anyway.

People with this mindset love to emphasize how hard it is to be saved. It is, without a doubt, a source of pride for them. Salvation, in their mind, is so difficult to obtain and nearly impossible to maintain; but they, dear friend, are among the choice few who have held out through the difficulties of salvation, and they are “still saved.” You can hear the bragging in their voices as they remind you that So-and-so could not hold on to this difficult salvation; this preacher and that one lost their salvation in the overwhelming difficulties that accompany salvation; but alas! They have held on! They have, where others have fallen, stood true in spite of the difficulties that have brought down their brethren. “Not just anybody is going to heaven,” they say. But keep listening. Not everyone is going to heaven, BUT THEY ARE! Oh how superior they are to others!

Those who believe that salvation is extremely difficult to attain almost always believe in a salvation that is gained by works. Oh, they say they don’t believe in such; but the reason that salvation is so difficult to either attain or maintain is because the works necessary to maintain it are so exhaustive. “Salvation is not by works,” they assure us, “but if you do not tilt your head at a certain angle and hold your mouth a certain way, you’re going to hell!” Salvation is not by works, they claim, but if your prayer life does not measure up to their standard, you will lose your salvation. Salvation is not by works, they affirm, but if you do not “fast twice in the week,” (Luke 18:12) like they do, then you will forfeit your salvation. So it is plain to see that those who believe that the way of salvation is difficult often believe in a works-based salvation.

But is salvation difficult to obtain? The clear, concise answer is no. Is salvation difficult to find? In our world of many religions, sects, and creeds, yes! But once the Biblical way of salvation is found, it is not difficult to obtain. Is the way of salvation preceded by obstacles that present difficulties to the seeker? Yes! That is precisely why there are lost people who, after hearing the simple gospel, yet remain lost. Every saved individual overcame obstacles to be saved; but salvation itself is not the obstacle! While there are difficulties that hinder people from coming to Christ, Christ is not the difficulty! I believe that an elementary study of scripture will prove these statements to be true.

A Look at Our Text

The text marking the beginning of this post, II Corinthians 11:3, states, first, that being “in Christ” is simple; and second, that the removal from this simplicity is defined as “corruption.” It is not commendable to make the matter of salvation complicated; it is utter corruption to do so.

In the verse following our text, II Corinthians 11:4, Paul refers to those who complicate the gospel as “preaching another Jesus,” “receiving another spirit,” and “receiving another gospel.” The Jesus of a complicated gospel is not the Jesus of the Bible.

Though the Bible is plain that there is simplicity in Christ, those who promote the “complicated gospel” have scriptures that they use. Let us examine a few of them.

Strait is the Gate and Narrow is the Way

The first passage used to promote a complicated gospel is found in the Lord’s Sermon on the Mount:

Matthew 7:13-14 – “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

Notice first, in verse 13, the word “many.” Speaking of the broad way that leads to destruction, “MANY there be which go in thereat.” Notice then in verse 14 the word “few.” Speaking of the narrow way that leads to life, “FEW there be that find it.”

The primary message of Christ’s exposition of the two roads is to show how many are on the broad way in contrast to how few are on the narrow way. Notice again the last words of verse 13, which speak of the broad way – “Many there be which go in thereat.” Here, a question is raised. Why do so many walk the broad way? In the next verse, Jesus answers that question clearly – “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life.” The way that leads to life is strait and narrow.

Now, please stay with me. The word “strait” in the King James Bible is not synonymous with the modern word “straight.” The modern word “straight” means “not curved” or “level.” The Greek word translated “strait” in the King James Bible means “narrow, from obstacles standing close about.” Noah Webster defines “strait” as “narrow; close.” He further defines “strait” as “difficult; distressful.”

So, there it is. The gate that opens the way of life is said to be “strait,” defined by Webster as “difficult.” Listen to me carefully. Jesus plainly teaches here that there is difficulty associated with the gate that opens the way to eternal life. But where does the difficulty lie? Is the gate said to be “strait,” or difficult, because the way that leads to life is a hard road? That’s not what Christ said. Christ says nothing in these verses about the narrow way being a hard way to walk. Show me where Christ stated that the narrow way is difficult to walk. It is not there. That’s not what Christ said, yet that is what people teach.

Look again at the last words of verse 14 – “Few be there that find it.” Did you get that? Jesus, speaking of the strait gate and narrow way, is not talking about that way being hard to walk, but rather hard to find. There is great difficulty in the “strait” gate and narrow way; but that difficulty lies in finding it, not walking  in it. Once this is understood, there is no contradiction with Paul’s words in II Corinthians 11, when he speaks of the simplicity that is in Christ.

How true I have found Christ’s words! The strait gate is hard to find! Many of you reading this have had no difficulty finding the strait gate, but you were raised around the strait gate. But I have dealt with lost people who expressed a desire to be saved. The Jehovah’s Witnesses told them that the way to the gate was their way. The oneness movement pointed them another direction to the strait gate. The Methodists assured them that the way to eternal life was yet another direction. The Christian Science movement, the Seventh-Day Adventists, the Church of Christ, and a myriad of other movements insist that their creeds point to the strait gate. Yes, there is a great difficulty associated with the gate that the opens the way of life. The difficulty lies in finding the way, not walking  in it.

Strive to Enter In

In Luke’s gospel, Christ spoke similar words to those words written by Matthew.

Luke 13:24 – “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

This is a very popular verse used by those who believe in a difficult salvation. In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus spoke of both a strait gate and a narrow way. Here, in Luke’s gospel, Jesus speaks nothing about the narrow way. He speaks only of the strait gate.

Look at the opening words of this verse. Christ says, “Strive to enter in at the strait gate.” Just like Matthew’s gospel, we have the word “strait” describing the gate. We see again that there is difficulty associated with the gate that opens the way of life. In Matthew’s gospel, we saw that the difficulty associated with the gate lies with finding the gate – “Few be there that find it.” Here, in Luke’s gospel, Christ does not emphasize that the gate is hard to find. But there is a difficulty associated with the gate. Christ even enforces the difficulty associated with the gate by commanding his hearers to strive to enter in. Webster defines “strive” as “to make efforts; to use exertions; to endeavor with earnestness; to labor hard.” But please notice that we are not told to strive because the way of salvation is hard; as a matter of fact, the “way” is not even mentioned in Luke’s gospel. So, if you conclude from this verse that the way of salvation is hard, there is something about this passage you are not understanding.

Is there difficulty associated with the gate? Yes. It is called the “strait” gate. If we get to the gate, we will do so by striving. In this verse, Jesus is dealing with one of the greatest difficulties presented to the sinner – the difficulty of procrastination. When a sinner hears the gospel, his greatest temptation is not to resist the gospel; but rather to put it off. “Don’t reject the Lord,” the devil tells him. “Just don’t respond today.” This temptation should be resisted with every fiber of the sinner’s being. The sinner should strive against this great temptation. Hell is full of people who meant to be saved someday, but they did not strive against the temptation and now they are lost eternally. Though they seek to enter in, they shall not be able.

How do I know that this is the difficulty to which Christ is referring? Let’s look at our verse once more. “Strive to enter in at the strait gate,” Christ says. Why strive? “For many shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” This arouses a question in the heart of the careful reader. When will people seek to enter in, and find themselves unable to do so? Christ answers that question clearly in the next verse:

Luke 13:25 – “When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are.”

When will people seek to enter in and not be able? “When the master of the house shuts the door and you stand without and knock.” There is a great difficulty associated with the gate. But the gate itself is not the difficulty. Salvation is not the difficulty. Procrastination is the difficulty. And if it is not striven against at all costs, the sinner will soon find that the gate that he delayed to enter will be shut forever.

Salvation, like Paul said in II Corinthians 11, is simple. The act of putting off salvation is a great difficulty and a great temptation that must be resisted. Failure to overcome this difficulty has landed many souls in a burning hell. The gate is open now, but not always. That’s the difficulty. Salvation is not the difficulty; salvation is the solution to the difficulty.

The Righteous Are Scarcely Saved

Perhaps the scripture that is misused the most to prove that salvation is difficult is found in I Peter 4:

I Peter 4:18 – “And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?”

This verse is often misused by, in the first place, changing the word “scarcely” to “barely.” Those who believe that salvation is difficult often quote this verse by saying, “Salvation is so hard to attain that if the righteous are saved, they will barely be saved.” This is a gross mutilation of a blessed verse. James Strong defines the Greek word translated “scarcely” as “with difficulty.” Noah Webster defines the word “scarcely” as “hardly; with difficulty.” Both men define this word to mean “with difficulty.”

This verse does not mean that salvation is so complicated and hard to obtain that those who live perfect in every way will just “barely” obtain it. Then what does this verse mean?

First, we have seen that the word “scarcely” means “with difficulty.” So, look again at the first part of this verse – “If the righteous scarcely be saved,” or we could say, “If the righteous be saved with difficulty.” Those who are righteous are saved with difficulty. Everyone who is saved has been saved with difficulty. Keep this in mind; I will come back to it later.

Now, let us examine the latter part of the verse. We have the question, “Where shall the ungodly appear?” Peter is speaking of the Day of Judgment. How do we know? The verse prior to this one makes it clear. In I Peter 4:17 – “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God. And if it begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” Peter is talking about the end of those who do not obey the gospel. Their end is the lake of fire, into which they will be cast at the final judgment.

At the Great White Throne Judgment, the lost will try to negotiate with God, but it will be of no avail (Matthew 7:22). In the midst of the negotiations, the lost will no doubt use their difficulties – whatever obstacles hindered them from being saved – as excuses. We see this in Luke 14, where Jesus tells of a man who made a supper. The man began to invite people to the supper. One by one, those invited began to make excuse. One said that he could not come because he bought a piece of land and had to go see it. Another said that he had just purchased five yoke of oxen, and needed to go prove them. Another said that he had married a wife, and therefore could not come. Notice very carefully – there was no difficulty with the supper itself. There was no difficulty with the invitation to the supper. The difficulties lied in the events in the lives of those men who received the invitation. The men who were invited used their difficulties as excuses. The piece of land became the hindrance. The oxen became the obstacle. The newlywed wife became the difficulty. The supper was not the difficulty! Salvation is not the difficulty! The invitation to salvation is not the difficulty. However, some people use difficulties of life as excuses for not being saved. When lost people stand before God, will these excuses be valid?

Perhaps you can envision the scene of the final judgment. A man stands before God. He is lost, but tries to assure the Lord that, had he been raised in a Christian home, he would have been saved. Will that excuse hold up? Absolutely not! A witness will rise up, and say, “Lord, I wasn’t raised in a Christian home either, but I was saved!” And the excuse will be thrown out.

You see, the righteous are “scarcely saved.” The righteous are saved “with difficulty.” Everyone who is saved had difficulties to overcome. You say that the reason you’re not saved is because you had to bury one of your babies? There are some people who had to bury their children, and yet they are saved. You say that the reason you are not saved is because you’ve had a hard life? A hard life is a difficulty for sure, but there are saved people who were saved in spite of the difficulty of having a hard life. To put it as gently as possible, these difficulties are not valid excuses for rejecting salvation. Everyone who has been saved could have used some difficulty as an excuse to remain lost. But they didn’t. They overcame those difficulties. They strove to enter in at the strait gate. They overcame their difficulties and were saved.

That’s the meaning of the verse – “If the righteous scarcely be saved,” – and the righteous truly are saved with difficulty – “where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” – where shall the lost, who try to use their difficulties as excuses, appear? Since every saved person overcame difficulties to be saved, every difficulty that the lost man tries to use as an excuse on Judgment Day will be overthrown on that fateful day.

This verse is not about salvation being difficult. It is about lost people using their difficulties as excuses. They’ll have no excuse, because righteous people were saved having to overcome the very same difficulties. No wonder John said in I John 5:5, “Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?” The believer is an overcomer because he overcame difficulties to be saved!

False Teachers - Part 1

Introduction

II Peter 2:1 – “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.”

The next few posts will be occupied with false teachers. It is not my goal to identify every false teacher. Instead, I will rather teach principles from the word of God so that every reader can identify a false teacher when they see one. Not everyone who is teaching in front of a camera with their Bible open is a man of God. Not every man who stands behind a pulpit is of God. Not every Tom, Dick, and Harry who carries a Bible under his arm is obedient to the heavenly calling. Some men are men of God who are preaching truth; others are the devil’s ministers who are preaching lies. The importance of identifying false teachers cannot be overstated.

There are three principles at which we will look. These principles regarding false teachers will help us identify false teachers and avoid their poison. These principles are found in the eleventh verse of the book of Jude:

Jude 11 – “Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.”

Jude gives three Old Testament illustrations that serve as an example of false teachers. Some false teachers can be identified because they go in the way of Cain; others because they run after the error of Balaam; and others because they bear the marks of Korah. Beginning with my next post, we will look at these three Biblical illustrations and how they relate to false teachers.

Doctrine is Supremely Important

When you hear a preacher or a teacher, you should be able to clearly identify what he or she is teaching. We call a man’s teaching his “doctrine.” In the day in which we live, doctrine takes a back seat to almost everything. However, that which a teacher is teaching is the most important trait about him. If he is teaching false doctrine, he is a false teacher, regardless of his personality, his use or abuse of “gifts,” or the size of his ministry.

MIRACLES

Suppose that there are two churches in your town. The first church has a pastor who performs miracles on a regular basis. His congregation speaks regularly of seeing the miraculous. The second church has a pastor who never does anything counted as miraculous, but instead he preaches the word of God. He teaches sound doctrine from the Bible, equipping his church to win souls, and feeding his people with the bread of heaven. Which pastor would you say has the superior ministry? If your answer is the pastor of the first church, the miracle-working pastor, you are set up to be deceived. Let me educate you.

In the Bible, we are told that a false prophet is coming to this earth during the Great Tribulation. Revelation 13:11 speaks of the false prophet, saying, “And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.” Notice – this beast coming up out of the earth, the false prophet, had two horns like a lamb, but notice how he speaks – “he spake as a dragon.” Keep this in mind. I will expound on it in a moment. Notice what else John says about this beast.

Revelation 13:13-15 – “And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.”

This beast does great wonders. He makes fire come down from heaven. He even DOES MIRACLES, and John says he deceives people with those miracles! One of the first things John says about the false prophet is that he “speaks like a dragon.” He does miracles, but he speaks like a dragon! It does not matter how many miracles he does; notice what he SPEAKS! What is he SAYING? That is the important question to ask regarding those who are teaching. It doesn’t matter how many miracles they do; it matters what they are teaching. If their teaching does not line up with the Bible, then stay away from them! If they are speaking like a dragon, that is, their teachings do not line up with God’s word, then you’d be better off to steer clear of them!

So, which pastor is more spiritual? The one who is doing the miracles, or the one who is teaching sound doctrine from God’s word? Clearly, a man may do miracles, and yet may not be sent from God. In your Bible there is a man by the name of John the Baptist. Two things are true of John the Baptist. First, it is true that John the Baptist was the greatest man who ever lived, according to Christ.

Matthew 11:11 – “Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist.”

Second, it is true that John the Baptist never performed a miracle.

John 10:41 – “And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.”

John did no miracle, but the things he SAID were true. John was a true prophet. He performed no miracle, but in Matthew 3:1, we are told that John the Baptist came PREACHING! He preached truth, and was therefore superior to every minister who thinks his ministry is validated because he works miracles.

PROPHESYING

Suppose again that there are two churches in your town. The first church has a pastor who spends much of his ministry prophesying. That is, he points people out in the congregation and tells them what God has told them. The second church has a pastor who never prophesies in this manner. Instead, he simply preaches the word of God. Which pastor would you deem more spiritual than the other? If you think that the man who prophesies is more spiritual than the man who merely preaches the word of God, you again are set up to be deceived. Notice carefully what Jesus says.

Matthew 7:22-23 – “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

What could be plainer? A man or woman is not spiritual because he or she prophesies. As a matter of fact, Christ plainly states that on the Day of Judgment, some will be lost in spite of their prophesying! When men say, “Lord, I have prophesied in your name,” He will respond with the words, “I NEVER knew you!” Can you not see it? It is possible for you to prophesy, cast out devils, perform miracles, and do it all as an individual who has never been saved a day in your life! Clearly, the pastor of the second church, the man who never prophesies, but who preaches the sound doctrine of the word of God has the superior ministry.

DREAMS, VISIONS, AND SO-CALLED REVELATIONS

Suppose again that there are two churches in your town. The first church has a pastor who is always hearing voices via dreams and visions. He has so many visions that he is constantly referring to “the last vision I had.” The second church has a pastor who never speaks of dreams or visions, but preaches the sound doctrine of God’s word on a regular basis. Who, in your opinion, has the greater ministry? No doubt, some of my readers would be impressed with the pastor of the first church mentioned. Let us turn to the word of God to see whose ministry is greater.

When a man says, “I have seen a vision,” there is no way for me to verify it. It could be that he has seen such a vision; it could be that he is mistaken. However, I know that the apostle Peter saw a vision. In his second epistle, he writes about it.

II Peter 1:16-18 – “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.”

“We were eyewitnesses of Christ’s majesty,” Peter recalls. Peter is able to tell the reader how, on the Mount of Transfiguration, he saw the glory of God. He saw Jesus speaking with Moses and Elijah. He heard a voice of heaven. I do not know if you have had a vision or not, but I know Peter had a vision. He testifies of it in the word of God. After Peter tells the details of the vision on the mountain, look at his very next words:

II Peter 1:19 – “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.”

Immediately after telling of his vision on the Mount of Transfiguration, Peter tells us that we have a more sure word of prophecy! What could be more sure than a vision? Perhaps my reader is saying, “If I had a vision like Peter had, I would be sure of my salvation.” Someone may be saying, “If I had a vision like Peter had, I would know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am living a life that is pleasing to God.” But Peter said that we have something more sure than the vision he had! What a thought! I do not know about you, but if there is something that is surer than a vision, I want it! In the next verses, Peter tells us what it is that is surer than his vision on the mount. Read it carefully:

II Peter 1:20-21 – “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

Look at Peter’s first words in these verses – “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture…” He goes on to tell how the scriptures were written by “holy men of God” as “they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” The written word of God, according to Peter, is superior to the vision Peter had on the Mount of Transfiguration!

Since it is plain that the written word of God is far superior to visions, why, when I have the written word, would I take a step down to seek for visions, dreams, and such? I have something much higher than that!

Dear reader, let me ask you a question. Which is more valuable to you, dreams and visions or the Bible? Which is superior to you, prophecies or the Bible? Which do you deem more important, the written word of God or miracles? If the Bible is not far superior to these other things in your eyes, then you are probably already deceived by false teachers. You probably already think that some man is a man of God when his teachings blatantly contradict scriptures.

What about these individuals who claim to have dreams, see visions, and hear voices? I do not have to give any answer regarding them. Even if a man really has a vision where an angel from heaven comes to him, notice Paul’s strong words:

Galatians 1:8 – “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”

Paul, in essence, does not care about what an angel told you in a vision. If an angel tells you something that does not line up with scripture, let that angel be accursed – let him go to hell! It is therefore clear that God’s written word is far superior to anyone’s vision.

Conclusion

To put it plainly, I couldn’t care less about how many miracles a man performs. I am in no way moved by a man’s word of prophecy, or by his dreams and visions.

I mention these things because there are many today who run after false teachers because they prophesy. Many of these teachers do not know soup beans from apple butter about the Bible, but they prophesy. They are always having dreams and visions. They are always hearing voices. They don’t pay tithes; they don’t have a home church; they wander from place to place; they sit under no pastor; and what little they do teach is not sound doctrine.

Dear reader, when you hear a man teaching, find out what he is teaching. Just because he sees miracles performed does not mean he is a man of God. The antichrist will do miracles. The fact that he prophesies is no indicator of spirituality. Many, according to Christ, prophesy who have never been saved a day in their lives. Just because they have dreams and visions – even if angels visit them – does not mean that they are spiritual. If an angel comes with another gospel, Paul said to let that angel from heaven be accursed. The written word of God is far superior to miracles, prophecies, dreams, and visions. If they are not preaching the word of God, then they are false teachers.

The Millennium - Part 2A

Why a Millennium?

After clearly understanding that the Millennium is a literal, 1000-year period where Jesus Christ reigns literally upon this earth, the student of this subject is, in most cases, questioning the purpose of such a time. WHY? Why have a literal Millennium where we, the saints of God, reign with Jesus Christ for 1,000 years, and then have a little time when Satan is again released, and then have the judgment of the doomed and the damned, and then reign with Christ for ever? Why don’t we just reign with Christ for ever starting at the second coming of Christ?

In studying the following points, I hope the reader considers my efforts to answer this question a success. I feel like there are good reasons why the literal reign of Jesus Christ upon this present earth will come to pass.

It would do the reader good to understand, first and foremost, that when dealing with subjects such as the Millennium, we are dealing with items relating to the plan of God. We must always remember, especially when attempting to answer “why this…” and “why that…” that God’s ways are higher than our ways. I will never be able to answer fully why God does this or that. I do not understand everything about God; and, if I ever do, I would do good to seek a better concept of God. There are, however, answers in the Bible to some of our questions concerning the Millennium. A look at a few scriptures may enable us to understand the purposes of a literal Millennium upon this present earth.

Some Upcoming Events

Before looking at the Millennium exclusively, it is necessary to examine a few events that will happen to us all; some events occurring sooner than others.

DEATH

The first event that is certain to happen to all of us who are not alive at the coming of Christ is death. Let us look at what happens at the death of the Christian, then at the death of the sinner.

When a Christian dies, his body becomes lifeless; his soul goes to be with Jesus Christ immediately. There is no soul sleep. Notice:

II Corinthians 5:8 – “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”

When an unsaved man dies, the moment he closes his eyes in this world, he opens them in hell. Listen to the account of Jesus Christ of a rich man who died and what happened to him immediately:

Luke 16:22, 23 – “…the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.”

It is clear that the moment he died, the rich man found himself within the regions of the doomed and the damned.

I understand that there are gospel tracts that seem to indicate that as soon as an unsaved person dies, they are immediately before God in judgment. The Bible does not teach this. The Bible does teach that judgment comes after death. Notice:

Hebrews 9:27 – “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this the judgment.”

It is Bible truth that judgment occurs after death, but the scripture does not say that judgment occurs immediately after death. Actually, Revelation 20 tells us that there will be a resurrection of the unsaved dead after the Millennium, and they will stand before God at that time. Hell, we are told, will deliver up the dead that is in it. Those who are in hell will come forth out of hell and be judged after the Millennium at the Great White Throne Judgment. The unsaved man does not go to a judgment immediately at the time of death. He immediately goes to a literal, burning hell.

THE RAPTURE

The rapture means nothing to the man who dies without Jesus Christ. At the time of the rapture, the man who died lost will be yet in hell. The rapture will not change that fact.

The word “rapture” is one of those words that does not appear in the King James Bible. Like the word “millennium,” though the actual word is not in the Bible, its meaning certainly is. By the word “rapture,” we mean “caught up.” Notice:

I Thessalonians 4:16, 17 – “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

There are two things that happen in this verse. First, the dead in Christ will rise to meet the Lord in the air. Secondly, we who are alive and remain will join them. The “dead in Christ” refer to Christians who will have already died when Jesus comes for the church. As for these Christians who have already died, the “dead in Christ,” what are they doing when Jesus comes for them? Are they sleeping in a grave? NO! Absolutely not! Their bodies are in graves, but their souls are with the Lord. As a matter of fact, when Christ comes for the church, the souls of these Christians will come with Him. Notice:

I Thessalonians 4:13 – “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.”

So, it is clear that when a Christian dies, he goes immediately to be with the Lord. Then, when Jesus comes for the church, his soul will come with Christ to be reunited with his body. His body will come forth from the grave, being changed into a glorious body, “like unto His glorious body!” Those who are saved and yet alive when Jesus comes for His church will immediately be changed, receiving at once a glorious body like Christ’s, and will meet Christ in the air.

We will receive a “glorified body,” as we call it, at the rapture. Once we receive this glorified body, it is impossible for us to be lost at that point. The Bible says concerning us who receive a glorified body – “…so shall we ever be with the Lord.” When I rise to meet Jesus in the air, I will receive a glorified body, and never again will I be separated from Christ.

THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST

This is another event that is meaningless to the one who has died as an unbeliever. I personally believe that the judgment of the believer will take place at the rapture. The Bible says in Romans 14:10 and II Corinthians 5:10, “We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” I believe that the best picture of the judgment seat of Christ is found in I Corinthians chapter 3:

I Corinthians 3:10-15 – “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”

There are a couple of things to note concerning this passage. First, nothing is said in the passage regarding sins. God is not judging sins in this passage. God the Father already judged my sins. The judgment of my sins took place nearly 2,000 years ago. Look at it:

Isaiah 53:6 – “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

Christ was judged at the cross of Calvary for my sins. I will not have to stand in judgment for my sins; Christ stood in Pilate’s judgment hall for my sins! When a believer stands at the judgment seat of Christ, he is not standing there to find out if he’s saved or not – the glorified body he received at the rapture tells him he’s saved! He is not standing there to show the Lord whether he’s saved or not, for “the Lord knoweth them that are His.”

So, it is clear that sins are not dealt with at this judgment. Four times in the above passage, we read the word “work.” The judgment seat of Christ is about our works. In the aforementioned passage, Paul gives us a picture of a building. The apostles and prophets laid the foundation for this building. Paul gives us the warning – “But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.” What we do for Christ will be examined at this judgment. At this judgment, our works for the kingdom of God will be added to the foundation. After everyone’s works have been added to the building, the fire will be set to it. Everything we did for show, for selfish motives, for self-benefit, out of hypocrisy, or anything else that brought glory to self will be burned to a crisp. Those works will be gone. They will go up in smoke, and no reward will be given for those works. But the works that truly promoted the work of God out of a pure heart will remain. When the smoke clears, here is what we will have –

Ephesians 5:27 – “That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”

This judgment of the believers’ works will take place, I believe, shortly after the rapture.

THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

After the tribulation, the scripture makes it clear that Christ will return to the earth. He will come with the saints who met him in the air at the event we call the rapture. It is at this time that the Millennium will begin. Christ, when he comes to the earth again, will come to set up His kingdom upon this earth. At this time, the beast (antichrist) and false prophet will be cast into the lake of fire. The devil will not be cast into the lake of fire at this time. I will elaborate more on the second coming of Christ shortly.

THE MILLENNIUM

This is the 1,000 year reign of Christ. It immediately begins when Christ returns to earth with His saints. During this time, the devil will be bound. He will no longer deceive the nations.

SATAN LOOSED

After the Millennium, Satan will be loosed out of his prison for a short time. He will then be able to deceive the nations again. Those of us who were in the rapture will NOT IN ANY CASE BE DECEIVED. As I stated earlier, the Bible says that when we meet Jesus in the air, “so shall we ever be with the Lord.” We will never be separated from Christ. So, when the devil is loosed for a short season after the Millennium, there is no way he will deceive us who were with Christ in the rapture. There is no way for us to be lost at that point.

SATAN DESTROYED

After the short time when Satan is loosed, those whom he deceives will fight one final battle with Satan as their leader. Fire from heaven will destroy them, and Satan will be cast into the lake of fire, where the beast and the false prophet are.

THE FINAL JUDGMENT

After the destruction of Satan, the unsaved dead will be resurrected. They will stand before God at the great white throne. The books will be opened. They will see that God is just in allowing them to go to hell. They will see that their name is not in the Lamb’s book of Life. Then, “death and hell” will be cast into the lake of fire.

THE NEW HEAVEN AND THE NEW EARTH

After the final judgment, Satan and unbelievers are gone for good. At this time, God destroys the heaven and earth that are in existence now, and He creates a new heaven and a new earth. The New Jerusalem will come down from God out of heaven and will settle upon this earth. In the new heaven and new earth, we will reign with Christ for ever and ever.

STAY TUNED...

The Fact of an Eternal, Burning Hell

It’s Reality
As the old saying goes, you are entitled to your own opinions, but not your own facts. One such unalterable fact is the fact of a literal, eternal, burning hell. I am not taking a poll; I am declaring absolute, infallible truth. There is a burning hell. Perhaps the reader says, “I do not believe in a hell.” What does the Bible say to that? Notice Romans 3:3, 4 – “For what if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid. Yea, let God be true and every man a liar.” The scriptures plainly declare that one’s unbelief does not void the truth. Hell is a fact, and I do not strengthen its existence by believing in a place called hell. Neither does the reader diminish its existence by refusing to believe in hell. Refusal to believe in the Bible does not change its truth one iota. Not believing in God won’t pull Him off the throne; not believing in the Day of Judgment won’t keep that day from coming; not believing in the coming of Jesus Christ to this world won’t stop Him from coming; and not believing in hell won’t put out the flames! Hell is no less real because you refuse to believe in it. The flames are no less hot; the screams are no less real; the souls are no less tormented because of your unbelief.

The law dictating that souls who die lost end up in hell is as sure and steadfast as the law declaring the reality of gravity. Many today run through this life, heading swiftly into hell. They think that their own stubborn unbelief will shield them from the flames. A man may jump off the John Hancock Building, defying the law of gravity. However, we are all persuaded that he is certain to meet gravity at the ground, regardless of his unbelief in it. And the man who lives a Christless life is certain to find hell at the end of it, regardless of his unbelief in its reality. Billy Sunday said it correctly when he stated positively, “You will not be in hell five minutes until you believe that there is one.”

Why I Believe in Hell
I do not believe in hell because the thought of it is pleasant. I do not enjoy thinking about hell. I receive no pleasure in declaring to the unsaved reader that he is on his way to hell. As a matter of fact, there is a part of me that wishes there were no hell. There is another part of me, however, that understands that God is much wiser than I am; and if God thinks there needs to be a hell, there needs to be a hell.

I believe in hell because the Bible declares its existence. The Bible is the only source that we have on this subject. I know there are religious scholars to deny the existence of hell. Religious scholars they may be; but they are not Bible scholars. As for the man who believes that the Bible denies the existence of hell, one or more of the following is true about him:

1) He is either partially or completely illiterate.
2) He has a serious problem with reading comprehension. Perhaps a first grade reading course will help.
3) He has determined to disregard hell regardless of what the Bible teaches.

The Bible is as clear on few subjects as it is the subject of hell. I believe in hell because the Bible teaches hell.

The Preaching of Hell
There are those within the church who believe in hell, but seldom preach it. One minister told me, “I don’t think we ought to get people saved by preaching hell.” He went on to say, “Many Baptists try to get people saved by asking the question, ‘Are you sure you will go to heaven when you die?’ I try to show people that salvation results in living a Christian life NOW.”

That man is correct in many ways. Salvation is often presented as “fire insurance.” Many people have the idea that as long as they say a prayer of some sort before they die, their eternal destination is sealed. That’s all salvation is to them – a home in heaven someday. Salvation is much more than that. Salvation is the beginning of a relationship. Salvation begins a believer’s walk with God. I agree that too many look at salvation as an escape from hell ONLY.

In spite of these truths, the subject of hell is not off-limits to the preacher. While I agree that there is much more to salvation than simply being saved from hell, salvation from the flames of hell is part of it, and it is a major part of it. Even though there are some preachers who, in their preaching of salvation, emphasize eternity only, I still say that the subject of hell is not off-limits to Bible preachers. As a matter of fact, if a man is determined to be a preacher of the Word of God, he cannot preach the whole counsel of God and neglect to preach the literal, fiery hell.

Jesus Preached Hell
If I had no other reason for preaching hell, I would preach it because Jesus Christ did so, and He did so more than He preached heaven. I heard one preacher tell of how he preached on the subject of hell. After the conclusion of the service, a lady came to him, and said, “Your message was awful.”

“Yes, ma’am. Hell is an awful place,” the minister replied.

She went on to say, “Yes, but just the thought of your preaching of such a place. Jesus preached beatitudes. Jesus said, ‘Blessed are the pure in heart.’”

The minister then asked, “Ma’am, have you read the entire sermon from which you are quoting?”

“Oh, yes,” she confidently stated. “I have read all the beatitudes.”

“That’s not what I asked,” the minister said. “I said, ‘Did you read the entire Sermon on the Mount?’ Jesus, in that same sermon, said, ‘Whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.’ Jesus went on to say, ‘If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.’ That was His first recorded sermon. In His last recorded sermon, Jesus asked this question, ‘How can ye escape the damnation of hell?’ Jesus preached hell.”

Paul the Apostle Preached Hell
Some time ago, while with a pastor, we stopped at a flea market. We stopped at the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ booth. They were giving away some of their literature, so we picked up some of it and took it with us. I grabbed a few books so someone else wouldn’t get them. Jehovah’s Witnesses’ literature is not recommended reading.

In one of the books, there was a chapter on the subject of hell. Of course, the so-called Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe in a place called hell. They say that if the hell that Jesus preached was a literal, fiery hell, then why didn’t the apostles preach it? Oh, but the apostles most certainly preached hell! The apostle Paul never used the word, “hell,” but he preached everlasting punishment. Consider:

Philippians 3:18, 19 – “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is DESTRUCTION.”

I Thessalonians 5:3 – “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden DESTRUCTION cometh upon them.”

II Thessalonians 1:7-9 – “…the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, IN FLAMING FIRE taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with EVERLASTING DESTRUCTION from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.”

The Jehovah’s Witnesses also deny that there will be a Day of Judgment as the Bible teaches it. They deny the plain, Bible teaching that, “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” They teach, rather, that the Day of Judgment is a one-thousand year period of “hope and restoration.”

Paul the Apostle, however, preached to Felix. Notice:

Acts 24:25 – “And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and JUDGMENT to come, FELIX TREMBLED, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.”

Let us understand this. Paul the Apostle preached “judgment to come.” As a direct result, Felix trembled. What do you think made him tremble? Was it “hope” or “restoration” that made him tremble? Jehovah’s Witnesses are dead wrong! There is a day appointed, according to Acts 17:31, when God shall judge the world by Jesus Christ!

Paul further declares in Romans 14:12 – “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”

Paul believed in the judgment of Almighty God. Paul preached this judgment as being “eternal judgment.” Notice:

Hebrews 6:1, 2 – “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of ETERNAL JUDGMENT.”

John the Revelator Preached Hell
Perhaps the most vivid picture of the final judgment is given by John the beloved Apostle.

Revelation 20:11-15 – “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

John clearly declares that whoever was not found written in the Lamb’s book of life was cast into the lake of fire. The reader may say, “It doesn’t say that the lake of fire is eternal.” Actually, John didn’t say it here because he already said it in Revelation 14:10 and 11, which states, “The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and 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 ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.”

Paul the Apostle, as well as John the beloved, both preached the eternal judgment of hell.

Others Preached Hell
Jude referred to getting people saved as “pulling them out of the fire!” Jude also makes reference to those who will be "suffering the vengeance of ETERNAL FIRE!" Peter spoke of angels that had sinned, who were reserved in hell until the Day of Judgment. James associated hell with fire when he said, “it [the tongue] is set on fire of hell.” In the Old Testament, Moses associated the word, “hell” with fire when he wrote of God’s anger burning to the lowest hell in Deuteronomy 32:22. David spoke of hell when he said, “The wicked shall be turned into hell” in Psalm 9:17. Isaiah spoke of hell in Isaiah 33:14, which states, “Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?”

So, it is clearly established that the man who does not preach hell is a man who does not preach the Bible.

Purpose and Conviction in the New Year

Daniel 1:8 - "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself."

Concerning this text, there are two great truths present. I would like to expound briefly on these principles.

Daniel Purposed
It is written in the above verse that Daniel purposed. This means that what he intended to do, he did it on purpose. There is little that gets accomplished accidentally, either in the affairs of the material world, or in the kingdom of God. If I could encourage Christians who read this post, I would encourage them to live for God in 2011, and to live purposely. If you worship God in your home, you will do it on purpose. If you spend time in prayer, it will be done purposely. If you spend time fasting, it will happen purposely. If you wait until you stumble onto a period of fasting, you will never fast. It must be purposed in the heart, and carried out. When you go to church, purpose to let the Lord speak to your heart. Here is something so few are doing these days - purpose to win souls. Set out to talk to people about the Lord, and try to persuade them to trust Jesus Christ to save them. It is amazing how so many will spend time in prayer, read the Word of God, and go to church, all on purpose. But they mosey through life to see if perhaps they stumble into witnessing opportunities. If we are going to win anyone for Jesus Christ, we must purpose to do it. We must make a conscious effort to do so. We plan nearly everything else, but there is little purposing to win souls. Daniel purposed in his heart.

What Daniel Purposed
Now, let us look at the thing which Daniel purposed. He purposed that he would not defile himself with the king's meat. I asked the Lord a few years ago a question that so many are asking today. I asked, "Where has conviction gone?" "Why do people feel no shame concerning their wicked, ungodly, filthy, rotten, stinking sins?" I believe I received a clear answer from the Word of God. The Lord reminded me in His Word, how that Daniel was cast into a den of lions. After the king threw Daniel into the den of lions, he arose the following morning to check on Daniel. Let's get this straight. The king threw Daniel into a den of lions. They were hungry lions. We know this because they devoured the men that cast Daniel into the den! The king waits until the following morning and looks into the den of lions. Why does he look inside the den? Why would anyone look inside the den? He looked in, expecting to find Daniel still alive! Why? The Bible says that the king "passed the night fasting." "Passed the night" meant he couldn't sleep; "fasting" meant he couldn't eat. Something had gotten a hold of him to the extent that the king could not eat or sleep. This is good, old-fashioned conviction. The Spirit of God had made the king feel so badly about what he had done unjustly to Daniel. This is conviction. It is what we need today. We need the Lord to show people how filthy they are outside of Christ, even with their best works! The question is this: Why did the king experience such conviction? The answer is in Daniel 1:8 - "Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat." Where has conviction gone? Here's the answer: The wicked king was convicted because Daniel lived by convictions! Daniel said, "I will not defile myself!" He proclaimed, "I will live a clean, undefiled life!" The answer for you and me is this: When we (the Christians) live by convictions, the world will be convicted. If you and me are not stirred about people going to hell, do not expect the world to be stirred about going to hell. If the Day of Judgment doesn't bother us; don't expect it to bother the world. The world will change their attitude about sin when the church of Jesus Christ changes her attitude about sin.

So, in the coming year, let us purpose to have convictions. Then and only then will the unsaved be convicted.

The Transition from Time to Eternity

It has been stated that only two things are certain – death and taxes. While I understand the point of the statement, it is necessary to speak concerning two firm events that are positively sure to occur. These two events will occur in the life of literally every individual that is living, or that has lived. The first is the conclusion of this life; the second is the initiation of the next.

The Conclusion of This Life
Your life upon this earth is temporary, and its end is as sure as its beginning. The end of one’s life is never escaped; it is only delayed. Refusal to speak of life’s end will not prohibit its occurrence. Omit the thought from your mind, and its reality will seize your physical being into its clutches. Every life ends in one of two ways; either by death, or by rapture. Most lives have ended, and will end, in death. The heart will stop. The brain will cease its activity. The lungs will exhale its final breath of air. The blood will flow no longer. The body temperature will drop. This is the route by which most lives transit from time to eternity. This is the well-beaten path by which so many have, and so many will, travel from this life to the next.

Those whose lives will not end in death will end in rapture. The rapture, or the “catching up” of the saints of God, is an absolute true event that will occur, despite opposing opinion. Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of the living God, will descend from heaven with a shout. The dead in Christ shall rise first, and we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air. Should I be alive when Jesus returns to gather His church and pour out His wrath upon the children of disobedience, I will avoid the clutches of death. This is what the Bible means when Paul writes, “We shall not all sleep.” He is referring to the bodily sleep of death. Some will escape death. Those who are washed in the blood of Jesus Christ at His coming will undergo a change. Our physical bodies will be changed into a body like His glorious body. Those children of God who have already died will be resurrected, and will be changed as well. They will rise to the atmosphere, their bodies being changed into a glorious body. Whether I die to be resurrected later, or whether I live until Jesus comes; my life as I know it now, will assuredly and positively come to an end. I will not live for ever in this body or in this life.

The Initiation of the Next Life
As sure as the fact that this life will end, the next life will begin. Those who oppose the very thought of any existence after this life are opposing an already-proven fact. It is proven by the words of a God who cannot lie. Nothing is as irrelevant as a man’s opinion that opposes God’s absolutely true words.

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

Man whose life has ended will surely face God Almighty at the eternal judgment bar. Three witnesses who have testified to you on earth will testify, either for you or against you, on this Judgment Day. The first witness that you face on that day is the Spirit of God. He has pricked your heart to be saved while you were on earth. He will testify to the Father as to whether you yielded to Him, or rejected Him. The second witness that will testify to the Father is the water, that is, the Word of God. When you heard the gospel message, how did you respond? When you read its pages or heard its pages proclaimed, how did you respond? Perhaps you never read a page of the Bible in your life. Then, those who lived a holy life in your presence LIVED its holy words before you! How did you respond? Did you obey its words? Did you accept the gospel call to repent and believe the gospel? Or, did you reject the eternal Word of God? The Word will testify concerning you on that day. The third witness you will face is the Blood, that is, the blood of Jesus Christ. Did you let the blood of Christ cleanse you of your sin? Or, did you rather trample the blood of the Son of God under your feet? The blood will testify concerning you on that day. And, should you have rejected these witnesses, it is stated clearly what is waiting:

Hebrews 10:29, 30 – “Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted THE BLOOD of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto THE SPIRIT of grace? For we know him that hath said [THE WORD], Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.”

You may ask, “Where do you get the idea that there are three that witness to us on earth?”

I get it from I John 5:8 – “And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.”

It is absolutely true that this life will conclude, and the next will begin. Only those who have cast off every weak attempt to save themselves, and trust solely in Jesus Christ and His atoning blood, will be saved.

Facing Death with Grace
Death, though defined as a dark-shadowed valley, has no terror for me. I am amazed at how many people I have heard testify of death’s “lonesome valley.” I hereby declare with absolute certainty and blessed assurance that the One who has promised never to leave me, will not forsake me in the hour of death!

I have heard of many who tell of their loved ones passing from this life to the next, who were simply escorted by heavenly hosts into realms of glory. Jesus told of one such occurrence. He tells, first, about a rich man who died and went to hell. The man closed his eyes for the last time in this life, to open them for the first time in hell. This rich man had no help getting to hell. No one escorted him. No one stood at the brink of the river to make sure his crossing was safe. He crossed the dark valley of death ALONE. No help, no escort, no support, no comfort, and no escape.

Then, Jesus tells, in the same story, of a beggar who died. The beggar did not go to a fiery hell. He departed from this life to the next, being escorted by angels! Jesus tells us, “He was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom!” He had plenty of company in his transition from time to eternity! He had light in death’s dark valley! Death always looks like an end, until a child of God faces it. Then, the child of God opens his eyes, and sees that there is much more over there than there is over here!

A minister visited his dying mother in the hospital. She asked, “Son, aren’t the flowers beautiful?” The son looked for flowers. There were flowers in the hospital room, but they were below the hospital bed. It shocked the minister that his mother even saw those flowers. Nevertheless, he responded, “Yes, Mother, the flowers are beautiful.” She went on to say, “The walls! Aren’t the walls beautiful?” The minister looked at the unattractive, grey hospital walls. Failing to see any beauty before his eyes, it dawned on the minister. He then realized that his ailing mother was seeing the jasper walls of the heavenly world. So, responded to his dear mother, “Yes, Mother, the walls are beautiful!” With those final words, the minister, Monroe Parker, took his mother’s hand. She closed her eyes in this life and opened them in the next! What a peaceful transition! Not a trace of fear was present in that room!

Augustus Toplady, author of the well-known hymn “Rock of Ages,” lived out the hymn’s plea at the hour of his death. Having seen his physician, Toplady’s physician told him, “Your pulse is becoming weaker.” Toplady responded, “That is a good sign that my death is fast approaching; and I can add that my heart beats every day stronger and stronger for glory.” When Toplady’s physician tried to encourage him, he simply responded, “No, no; I shall die, for no mortal could endure such manifestations of God’s glory as I have had, and live.” This man experienced at his death what he wrote in his life:

Rock of Ages, cleft for me!
Let me hide myself in Thee.
Let the water and the blood
From thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure –
Save from wrath and make me pure.

When I draw this fleeting breath;
When my eyes shall close in death;
When I rise to worlds unknown;
And behold Thee on Thy throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me!
Let me hide myself in Thee!

Make It as Sure as Ye Can

Matthew 27:65 - "Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.

In the above text, Jesus has died. He has been taken off the cross and has been buried. His enemies remember what He said while He was living (though His own disciples did not) - "After three days I will rise again." His enemies, bearing this in mind, went to Pilate, the governor, to ask for a band of soldiers to guard the tomb. "This man's disciples may come and steal his body away," they claimed. So, Pilate gave them a band of soldiers with this admonition - "Make it as sure as ye can." It seems that Pilate knew that the band of soldiers sent to guard the corpse of Christ was pathetic and pitiful. But, he granted the request of Christ's enemies and told them, "Do the best you can."

Unbelievers today are still trying to deny the resurrection of Jesus Christ, discredit the Bible, and hinder the work of God Almighty Himself. Although their attempts are skimpy, they are "making it as sure as they can." It's not very sure. It won't hold up on the Day of Judgment. It won't stop God from doing what He will do. Yet, they continue to get their best forces together to destroy faith in Jesus Christ. However, when any man fights against God, this man's forces look like Iraqi's skimpy army going against the massive United States military. Let's look at a few attempts of the wicked to destroy Christ and all that pertains to Him, and we'll see how pathetic they are.

Stephen Hawking's Recent Stupidity
British Professor Stephen Hawking, one of Britain's most noted professor, was quoted recently giving his explanations on the origins of the universe. Let me give an EXACT QUOTE - "Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing." FROM NOTHING! This man believes that the universe was created BY ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! I don't who you are - that's STUPID! Don't laugh, though. This is a quote from the atheists' best! This is a prominent professor of theirs! This is not one of their uneducated paupers on the streets of downtown Detroit; this is the VERY BEST THEY HAVE TO OFFER! And, rather than believing in a Creator who created the universe with nothing, for a specific purpose, they would rather believe that the massive amount of matter and order in the universe came from nothing! How pitiful!

Evolution
NPR (National Public Radio) has been trying to figure out recently how humans became the dominant species. Again, instead of believing in an intelligent Being who created the world with a divine plan, they believe that over a period of BILLIONS OF YEARS, the human race evolved from primates. That is the most laughable theory I have ever heard. Evolution is philosophy, not science. It is not science because it has NEVER BEEN OBSERVED. No species has even been witnessed to evolve into another. No organism has ever been witnessed to reproduce another organism of a different species. IF IT HAS NOT BEEN OBSERVED, IT IS NOT SCIENCE. As laughable as it is, they are "making it as sure as they can." It's weak, but it's the best they have.

Their Pitiful Defenses Won't Change a Thing!
In Romans 3:3, 4 - "For what if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid. Yea, let God be true, and every man a liar."

Here, Paul asks the question, "What if some did not believe?" Then he asks, "Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?" His answer - God forbid! Absolutely not! Friend, you may choose to reject everything the Bible proclaims - but know this - your unbelief won't change a thing! You don't believe in God? It won't pull Him off the throne! You don't believe in hell? Not believing in hell won't put out the flames. You don't believe in a Day of Judgment? You'll reject it until you stand before God. You don't believe that Jesus Christ is coming again? It won't keep Him from coming. Go ahead - make it as sure as you can! Give it your best shot! That's what the band of soldiers did. They tried to keep Christ from coming out of the tomb. But out He came, and on the ground as dead men is where they were! Your stupid anti-God reasoning won't keep God from doing what God is going to do!

How Will Your Fate Be Determined on Judgment Day?

Two truths that have been set forth are Biblically evident. First, a person's works, words, and thoughts will be examined on the Day of Judgment; and second, witnesses will stand and testify against any and all excuses you may wish to offer on that dreadful day.

How many of our works, words, and thoughts will be examined on that day? I would personally like to think that all the sins I committed that have been forgiven will not be mentioned. There are even verses that seem to indicate this, such as the following:

1) Isaiah 38:17 - "Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back."

2) Micah 7:19 - "He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea."

3) Psalm 103:12 - " As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us."

When I read these verses, it sure seems to me that my past sins that have been forgiven will be placed in places that will never be dug up again. It appears that places like "behind God's back," "in the depths of the sea," and "as far as the east is from the west," are places I won't have to worry about!

However, there are other scriptures that indicate that EVERY work, word, and thought will be brought up at the final judgment. Consider the following:

1) Matthew 12:36 - "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment."

2) Ecclesiastes 12:14 - " For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."

So, which is it? Will we give account of all of our works, or just some of them? The fact is this: the above verses that speak of sins being removed deal with those who are saved.  The verses that deal with every work being judged deal with the lost.  But know this: Romans 14:12 states clearly that "...every one of us shall give account of himself to God." That is the important thing, and it affects every one of us.

Picture this: You are standing before God.  The books are opened. Your works are examined, both the good and the bad. After the books (the record of your works) have been opened, God has three last witnesses that come forward. They are named in I John 5:8 -

"And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one."

These are God's witness that testify to every lost person in the world NOW. All of God's witnesses DEMAND a response. You will respond one way or another. You are not neutral. You are for Him or against Him. You are a sheep or a goat. You are saved or lost. No in-betweens. No fence-straddling. And when God's witnesses on the earth testify to you, you will meet them again at the Judgment.

"The Spirit" is the witness of God's Spirit, the Holy Ghost, in this world. He convicts you of your sins, letting you know that you are lost, and you need a Saviour. You may be atheistic in thought, but very few atheists (probably none of them) are really that stupid. When the atheist says in his heart that there is no God, God's Spirit has spoken to them in a still, small voice, saying, "You know better than that." When God's spirit deals with anyone about being saved, it is that person's responsibility to RESPOND to Him by yielding, turning his life over to Jesus Christ, and making Christ Lord of his life.

"The water" is the Word of God. Note Ephesians 5:26 - "That he might sanctify and cleanse it by the washing of water by the word." God's Word is testifying to you in this life. When you hear a gospel message, the truth presented in a blog, a gospel tract, or simply someone living the precepts of the Bible in front of you, the Word of God is testifying to you, and you will meet this witness again on the Day of Judgment.

"The blood" is the witness of the blood of Jesus Christ. When the message of His atoning blood is presented to you, you will respond one way or the other. Everyone responds to the blood of Jesus. The day that Jesus was crucified, everyone that was present on that day witnessing the execution was moved one way or another. Pilate said, "I am innocent of this blood." The Jews said, "His blood be on us, and on our children." The Judas betrayed innocent blood. One thief mocked the blood of Christ; the other was washed in the blood of Christ. But NO ONE WAS NEUTRAL. Everyone responded to the blood, and now you must do the same. Christ died to pay for your sins and appease the wrath of the Father. Will you trust His blood to save you today, or will you reject the blood of Jesus? The blood will meet you again at the Judgment.

So, there you are, standing before God. Your works have been examined. Suppose that the Father looks at you after all your deeds have undergone examination. Suppose He says this: "I am willing to put away every sin you ever committed, if you responded correctly to my three witnesses while you were living on the earth." Then, the Father calls the Spirit to testify. He asks, "Did **** respond to you correctly when you dealt with his/her heart to be saved?" Will the Spirit testify for you or against you? Then, the Father calls the water (or the Word of God) to the stand to testify. The Father asks, "Did **** respond to the Word by believing it or rejecting it?" Will the Word of God testify for you or against you? Then, the blood of Jesus will cry out. The Father's next question is simply "Did **** respond correctly to the blood of Jesus Christ?" What will the blood of Jesus testify concerning you? The Father doesn't want anyone to be cast into the lake of fire. He is willing to forgive every sin you've ever committed, but you must rightly respond to the Spirit, the water, and the blood. If you fail to do so, there's nothing else but the Father to do. One final book will be opened - the book of life. Revelation 20:15 - "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death."

The good news is this: If you will respond right to the Spirit, the water, and the blood, every sin will be forgiven, and you will obtain eternal life in spite of anything you have said, done, or thought. The blood of Jesus Christ washes every sin! Why not respond correctly RIGHT NOW? Ask the Lord Jesus Christ to save you, washing your sins away in His precious blood. He will save you, and He'll cast every sin into the depths of the sea, never to be remembered against you again! Be saved today!

Witnesses on the Day of Judgment

Yes, as you are standing before God, witnesses will testify either for you, or against you. Consider Matthew 12:41, 42 -

"The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here."

Romans 14:12 says this: "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God."

Noah Webster defines account as "an assignment of reasons; explanation by a recital of particular transactions, given by a person in an employment, or to a superior, often implying responsibility."

Giving an "account" means giving an "explanation." Let me be clear. Some have the idea that, if they do stand before God, God will be obligated to tell them "why this happened" and "why that happened." You need to back up just a minute. God Almighty will not be the one required to explain anything; YOU will be the one on trial. God Almighty will be the One asking questions and demanding answers. AND YOU WILL GIVE ACCOUNT. You can explain to Him why you put off salvation too long. You can explain to Him why you disregarded the preaching of God's unadulterated Word. You can explain to Him why you let crummy excuses cause you to be lost forever. The good news is this - it does not have to be that way. You can ask the Lord to save you today and give your life to Him, and Judgment Day will not be day of agony for you!

I am sure that, as people stand before God, and give account of themselves, there will be excuses offered. Understand this - NO EXCUSE WILL HOLD WATER ON JUDGMENT DAY! Whatever excuse you offer for why you didn't let Jesus save you, there will be a witness stand up to testify against you. Let me illustrate. Suppose "Bill" is standing before God. He offers his excuse for his lost state - "Lord, I had to go to work every day in a bad evironment! No one can live for you in those conditions!" Then, a witness will stand up in the crowd. Being granted permission to speak, he says to the Lord, "Lord, I worked IN THE SAME EVIRONMENT, but I served you." And that lame, sorry excuse will be thrown out. Perhaps "Susie" stands before God and offers her excuse for not heeding to the Spirit of God. She says, "Lord, you know my husband left me. If he hadn't left me, we would have served you together." Now, do you think "Susie" is only woman in the world whose husband left her? Nope. And another woman will rise on that day, and say, "Lord, my husband left me as well, but I lived my life for you." That excuse, though it is a hard circumstance, will be thrown out and rendered meaningless to the Creator of heaven and earth.

So, what's your excuse? Why are reading this, yet unsaved? One of the most popular excuses is this - "there are too many hypocrites in church." Oh, really? How does that let you off the hook, and make it okay for you to reject Christ? Someone will rise in the Judgment, and say, "Lord, I went to church with hypocrites, but it didn't stop me from serving you." And, before God and the entire world, you will look like an idiot if you offer the "hypocrite excuse" on the Day of Judgment.

There is only one way your circumstance will be a valid excuse for rejecting Christ when you stand before God. If there is just ONE Christian in the entire world who went through the same circumstance you did, but they served God, then your circumstance is really not your problem. The Day of Judgment will illustrate Romans 2:1, which states, "Therefore, thou art inexcusable, O Man!" Hear me well. There is absolutely NO EXCUSE for you being lost. NONE. You're depressed? Many who were depressed turned their life over to God. NO EXCUSE. You've had a hard life? Your parents died when you were young? You were molested as a child? You've had to bury one of your children? You've had to bury a spouse? A relative committed suicide? Have you went to church regularly in the past, but got hurt? Listen, I'm not trying to be hard. All these things are very hard things to take, and many of them are things with which I have not been acquainted. However, I know Christians who are serving God with all their hearts who have been through THESE EXACT SAME THINGS. Rather than using them as excuses, they used them as a means to take steps to the Saviour, and let Him save them. That puts you, dear friend, without a single excuse. If you are letting circumstances keep you from serving God, why don't you turn those circumstances over to Jesus, and let Him be a friend to you today? Ask Jesus to save you. Make Him Lord of your life today.