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The Reign of the Antichrist

The Reign of the Antichrist
A forceful political leader, usually called the Antichrist, will come forth to dominate world leadership during the Tribulation. He will have much help in the person of the false prophet, who will be the world religious leader. A world system of government under one head will envelop the political, religious, and the economic areas of life.

The Antichrist

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:3-10 describes this evil leader, calling him the “man of sin.”
    • Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
    • Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
    • Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
    • And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
    • For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
    • And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
    • Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
    • And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
  • It further teaches:
    • The son of perdition, that man of sin will be revealed.
    • He will oppose God (verse 4).
    • He will exalt himself above God (verse 4).
    • He will sit in the Temple, showing himself as God (verse 4).
    • He will be destroyed by the Lord Jesus at Armageddon (verse 8).
    • Satan will empower him with signs and lying wonders (verse 9).
    • He will deceive those who do not love the truth (verse 10).
    • God will allow those who do not love the truth and are deceived by the Antichrist to believe a lie and be damned (verses 11-12).
  • The Devil has the same desires now as when he was in Heaven.
    • Isaiah 14:10-16
      • All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us?
      • Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee.
      • How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
      • For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
      • I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
      • Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
      • They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;
  • Revelation 13 describes him as a “beast” rising up out of the sea.
    • The dragon (Satan) will give him his power and authority.
      • Rev. 13:2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
    • The one-world system of government will be, in some sense, a revival of the old Roman Empire.
      • Rev 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
    • The people will worship the beast.
      • Rev. 13:4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
    • He will have total power the last three and a half years of the Tribulation.
      • Rev 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
    • He will blaspheme God, His name, and the heavenly dwellers.
      • Rev 13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
    • He will make war against those who turn to God during this time.
      • Rev 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
    • He will cause all to receive a mark in the right hand or forehead in order to buy or sell (verses 16-17).
      • Rev 13:16-17  And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
    • His number is calculated to be 666.
      • Rev 13:18  Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

The False Prophet (Religious Government)

  • Revelation 13 also describes a religious leader in the Tribulation who works closely with the Antichrist. He will assist the Antichrist in attaining world supremacy. The false prophet is mentioned three other times (Revelation 16:13; 19:20; 20:10).
  • According to Revelation 13:
    • Rev 13:11-15
      • 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.
      • And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
      • 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.
        • He will exercise great power.
        • He will cause the people to worship the Antichrist and submit to the world system (verse .
        • He will perform miracles by the power of Satan.
        • He will be a deceiver.
        • He will have an image of the Antichrist made.
        • He will give life to the image and cause the image to speak.
        • He will put to death all that will not worship the image of the beast.

The Antichrist System of Political Government

  • The ten toes of the image of Nebuchadnezzar and the ten horns of the beast of Revelation 13:1; 17:12; and Daniel 7:7, 24 are a confederation of ten nations that will constitute a world power in the last days.
  • These nations will help the Antichrist come to power and sustain that power for some years.
  • Their authority will be lessened by the Antichrist after he has used them to gain world power.
  • This confederation will probably develop into a very powerful economic bloc, which will give them great influence in the making of a world leader.
    • Daniel 7:7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.
    • Daniel 7:24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
    • Rev 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
    • Rev 17:12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
  • This world will be greatly dominated by a world religion, which Revelation 17 describes as a great harlot drunk with blood of saints and martyrs. This harlot will ride the beast until the beast kills her. The political-economic system will destroy the false world church, taking its power and wealth.

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Understanding the Holy Spirit: Key Teachings and Insights

The Holy Spirit is often misunderstood. Here are some teachings about the Holy Spirit.

Here are some points to consider

Baptist involves water and the Holy Ghost. Baptism is the part of the new birth. Water Baptism is the public demonstration and acknowledgement of what has happened Spiritually.

  • Mark 1:6-8
    • And John was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey; And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
  • John 3:5-7
    • Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
    • That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
    • Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

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Key Events in Ancient History: A Comprehensive Timeline

Ancient History is a fascinating subject. Here is a timeline of many of the major events that happened in History. An approximate date is also given next to the event. With the list of events will be links to articles giving more information about the event. Some of the resources are from secular sources such as The Story of Mankind.

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The Seventieth Week: Unpacking Tribulation Judgments

The Tribulation
The end time is portrayed in an awesome way in the Scripture.

  • “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).

Daniel, the great prophet during the Babylonian captivity of the Jews, recorded a period of seven years at the end time. This period of time will bring terrible calamity on the earth. He described seventy “weeks,” or periods of seven, that would relate to Jewish history. Each “week” represents seven years, for a total of 490 years. Daniel did not prophesy about the church age; his prophecy concerns the state of the Jews in God’s plan.

Daniel’s Seventieth Week
To understand the seventieth week of Daniel’s prophecy, it is necessary to have an understanding of how the Scripture describes the seventy weeks.

  • Daniel 9:24
    • Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

Sixty-nine of these weeks were to take place between the decree to restore Jerusalem and the crucifixion of “Messiah the Prince” (Jesus Christ)

  • Daniel 9:25-26
    • Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
    • And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

Seven weeks (or 49 years) were used to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
There were sixty-two weeks (or 434 years) from the rebuilding of the walls until the crucifixion of the Messiah. Using the scriptural year of 360 days each, there were 69 weeks or 483 years between 445 BC. and A.D. 32. This leaves one week remaining of the seventy. Daniel 9:27 says that in this week of years the Antichrist system (“the prince that shall come” in verse 26) will break a covenant with the Jewish nation and bring much havoc on the earth.

There is an interval of time between the sixty-ninth week and the seventieth week, during which time the
church age exists. The church age will continue until the time of the Rapture. The seventieth week that follows is the period called the Tribulation.

The Tribulation Judgments
During the seven years of tribulation, evil people will bring various calamities upon the earth, and God will
pour out severe judgment on the earth. These devastating events are introduced by the seals, the trumpets, and the vials (Revelation 6, 8, 9, 15, and 16).
During this time the people of the earth will go through a time of suffering and death such as the world has never known.

  • The Seals (Revelation 6; 8:7)
    • The seals describe the following events:
      1. An evil leader who is usually called the Antichrist will win the world to himself.
      2. Terrible war will come, followed by famine and death.
      3. One-fourth of the world’s population will die.
      4. There will be much persecution of people who turn to God during this time.
      5. Catastrophic earthquakes will disturb the earth.
      6. The moon will become as blood and people will hide in the mountains for fear.
  • The Trumpets (Revelation 8-9)
    1. During these judgments hail will fall, and fire will burn over a third of the earth.
    2. A falling meteor will destroy one-third of the shipping.
    3. The fish of the sea will die.
    4. One-third of the sea will become blood.
    5. Poisons will contaminate one-third of the water supply and many will die.
    6. Great darkness will come over the earth.
    7. For five months scorpions will sting people on the earth.
    8. A 200,000-man army will kill one-third of the population.
  • The Vials or Bowls (Revelation 16)
    • The vials represent God’s final judgments for the Tribulation.
      1. Awful sores will afflict those with the mark of the beast (those who follow the Antichrist).
      2. Everything in the ocean will die.
      3. The water will become blood.
      4. The sun will burn hotter than usual and will scorch people.
      5. The earth will be thrown into darkness, and great pain will come upon people.
      6. The river Euphrates will dry up so the armies of the east can come to Armageddon.
      7. Hail will fall, destroying whole cities.
  • The Terrible Death
    • In the fourth seal, one-fourth of the earth’s population will die. With over five billion people living today, that would be well over one billion people dying in a short time.
    • In the sixth trumpet, one-third of the remaining population, again over one billion, will die in a short period. The population of the United States is a little less than one fourth of a billion, which means that ten times the present population of the U.S. will die. Death brings misery and heartaches. All the world will feel this heartache over and over again.

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Weekly Recap of Articles for Christians for Dec 14th to the 20th

Bible

Education

Poetry

Cooking/ House Keeping

Family Stories

Estudio Bíblico en Español

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Understanding Jesus’ Birth: Traditions vs. Scripture

Many years ago, Jesus called me to teach His children to read. He wants His children to read His word with understanding and learn from it how they are supposed to behave. Sometimes I have loved teaching the Word of God. Other times I have not liked what was placed on my heart to teach. Sometimes I have had a hard time learning it myself. Those are the times when what I am reading does not line up with what has been traditionally taught. This is one of those times.

When, meaning the month of the year, was Jesus born? Tradition says December. Some teachers say around October while others say around April. People will say that the Bible does not tell us. The question is does the Bible really not say or have people been so caught up in tradition that no one notices what it really says.

Luke 1:26-27 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

Now I have heard preachers explain away this by saying, “It means that Elizabeth was 6 months pregnant.” I have tried hard to believe that. However, that is not what it says. It says that in the 6th month the Angel Gabriel was sent from God.

Now the question is when according to God is the 6th month. In order to find the answer to that you first need to know when the 1st month is according to God. Thankfully, we are told that in the book of Exodus.

Exodus 12:1-6 And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt saying, This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.

This event is Passover. Passover takes place on 14th day of the 1st month on the Jewish calendar. Below is a simplified Jewish Calendar.

NameLength in a regular yearBiblical Month NumberCorresponding Month
  Tishri  30  7Last of Sept or October
  Heshvan  29  8Last of Oct or November
  Kislev  30  9Last of Nov. or December
  Tevet  29  10Last of December or January
  Shevat  30  11Last of January or February
  Adar I  30  12Last of February or March
  Nisan  30  1March or April
  Iyar  29  2Normally May
  Sivan  30  3June
  Tammuz  29  4Last of June to July
  Av  30  5Last of July to August
  Elul  29  6Last of August to September

Notice that the 1st month corresponds to either March or April. Passover is normally close to Easter. Normally Easter is in April but sometimes it is in March. Now count forward to the 6th month. You come to around September.

That means that Gabriel came to her in what we would call September. Now for the hard part. Remember how long it takes for a baby to come to full term. (Hint 9 months). Count forward 9 months. You now come to around the month of June.

An interesting thing to note is that Pentecost is normally in the month of June. It was on the day of Pentecost that the Holy Spirit was poured out for all people.

Not everyone is ready for this revelation. Please do not take this information and start a fight. The most important things to remember are that:

  • Jesus was born.
  • Jesus lived a sinless life.
  • Jesus died on the cross.
  • Jesus rose again.
  • Jesus did all of this so that we could be reconciled to God through Jesus.

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The Good Shepherd

THE GOOD SHEPHERD

In one of His beautiful parables, Jesus compares Himself to a shepherd. “I am the good shepherd,” says He, “the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” And Jesus tells how the hired servant who cares for nothing but his wages, runs away when the wolf comes; but how the faithful shepherd, when robbers threaten his flock, or wild beasts attack them, defends his sheep bravely, often laying down his life for their sake. Jesus also speaks of how the shepherd knows his sheep by name; and how, when he goes before them, they will follow him, because they know his voice, but that they will not follow strangers. And the Bible, speaking of Jesus Himself, says, “He shall carry the lambs in His bosom,” or His arms, like the kind shepherd is doing in our picture.

Now, why does Jesus call Himself the “good shepherd,” and the Bible speak of Him as carrying the little lambs? Is it not because He loves us; because He knows each one of us; because He gave His life for us when He died on the cross, and has gone to heaven showing us the way thither; because He calls us to follow Him; and because He is so willing to lead even the tiny ones, and shield them from harm, just like the good shepherd carries the poor wee lamb? But Jesus asks one thing of us in return for all His kindness and care, and that one thing is our love. Are we giving Him our love now? Are we asking Him to lead us, and keep us safe from harm? May we seek to follow Him and to know His voice.

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Matthew Chapter 24 Explained

Matthew 24 is of great significance when studying the end times. After Jesus predicted the fall of Jerusalem, His disciples asked Him Privately able what he had said.

  • Matthew 24:1-3
    • And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.
    • And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
    • And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

Here is Jesus’ answer broken down so that you can better understand it.

Be careful of Deception.

  • Matthew 24:4-5
    • And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
    • For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
  • Matthew 24:7
    • And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

War, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes will become common.

  • Matthew 24:6-7
    • And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
    • For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

This is only the beginning of the end (sorrows).

  • Matthew 24:8
    • All these are the beginning of sorrows.

Persecution shall be bad.

  • Matthew 24:9-10
    • Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
    • And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
  • Matthew 24:12-13
    • And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
    • But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
  • Remember that the persecution did get bad.
    • Acts 8:1-4
      • And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
      • And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
      • As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
      • Therefore, they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word.

The Gospel will be preached everywhere before the end.

  • Matthew 24:14
    • And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Remember the question was a two-part question.

  • the 1st question is “when shall these things be?”
    • This is a question to when the temple would be destroyed.
  • the 2nd question is “what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?”
    • This is about the end of the world.

These verses are about the destruction of the temple.

  • Matthew 24:15-20
    • When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
    • Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
    • Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
    • Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
    • And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
    • But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
  • The city was taken. Those that understood these verses had warning about the sign to leave before it was too late.
  • I believe that there will be a third temple build. That temple will be the final fulfillment of the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet.

This part (I believe) is for the end of the world, The Tribulation.

  • Matthew 24:21-22
    • For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
    • And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

Still we are warned of deception

  • Matthew 24:23-28
    • Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
    • For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
    • Behold, I have told you before.
    • Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
    • For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
    • For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

There will be signs in the sky.

  • Matthew 24:29-31
    • Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
    • And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
    • And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Next Jesus instructions them to learn a parable of the fig tree.

  • Matthew 24:32
    • Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
    • So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.

This generation means that this age or time period will end when all has been fulfilled.

  • Matthew 24:34-35
    • Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
    • Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

The Coming of Jesus

The coming of Jesus is compared to the time of Noah.

  • Matthew 24:37-39
    • But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
    • For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
    • And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
  • For more information on this topic, please read Judgment of Mankind: Lessons from Noah’s Days

Then Jesus explained that some would be taken and some left.

  • Matthew 24:40-42
    • Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
    • Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Always be ready

  • Matthew 24:42-44
    • Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
    • But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
    • Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Jesus explains that we are the servants. Those that are faithful and wise will be rewarded.

  • Matthew 24:45-51
    • Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
    • Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
    • Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
    • But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
    • And shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
    • The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
    • And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

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THE UNMERCIFUL SERVANT

THE UNMERCIFUL SERVANT

A certain King took account of his servants and began to reckon what they owed him. And there was brought to him one that owed him nearly ten million dollars. But as he had not the money to pay, the King commanded that he should be sold, together with his wife and children and everything that he had, that payment might be made. Then the servant fell down before the King and worshipped him, saying, “Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.” Then the King had compassion on his servant, and loosed him, and forgave him his debt.

But when that servant had gone out from the presence of the King, he found a fellow-servant who owed him a little over fifteen dollars, and he laid hands on him and seized him by the throat, saying, “Pay me that which thou owest.” And his fellow-servant fell down at his feet and implored him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.” And he would not have patience, but cast his fellow-servant into prison till he should pay the debt.

When his other fellow-servants saw what had been done they were very sorry, and came to their King to tell him all about it. Then the King called the unmerciful servant to him, and said, “O thou wicked servant; I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me. Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow-servant, even as I had pity on thee?”

And the King was wroth, and delivered him up to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

So likewise, says Christ, shall our Heavenly Father do also unto us if from our hearts we forgive not every one that trespasses against us.

“Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us.”

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Jesus’ Promise: The Hope of Believers in Christ

Jesus Comes for His Church
The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica of the great hope that was ahead for the bride of Christ, the church. This event is commonly called the rapture of the church. Several things are clear concerning this monumental event as described in I Thessalonians 4:13-18.

  • But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 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. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
    • Concerning the dead, we are not to sorrow as one without hope (verse 13).
    • Because Jesus rose again He will raise the dead in Christ also (verse 14).
    • The Lord himself will descend from heaven. There will be a heavenly shout with the voice of the archangel included, and the trumpet of God will sound (verse 16).
    • Those who died after living their lives for Jesus will be raised first (verse 16).
    • The living saints will be caught up together with the dead saints in the clouds (verse 17).
    • All will meet the Lord Jesus in the air, never to be parted again (verse 17).
    • We are to comfort one another with this truth (verse 18).

Jesus, in Matthew 24:40-42, warned of the danger of not being ready for His coming. There will be a separation between those who are ready and those who are unprepared.

  • Matthew 24:40-42 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
    • Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
    • Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

In sum, there will be a resurrection of the righteous dead. Jesus Christ will return for His church. There will be a glorious catching away of the saints of God, and there will be a wonderful reunion with the saints of God who have gone on before. The following passage describes the proper response to this great truth.

  • Titus 2:11-13
    • For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
    • Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
    • Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

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