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Eternity After Judgment: New Heaven and Earth

Time Ends-Then Eternity
The time after the white throne judgment is not described in detail, but the Bible does give us some insights that are very interesting.

  1. Earth Aflame
    • 2 Peter 3:10 tells us, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat; the earth also, and the works that are therein, shall be burned up.
    • The whole earth and space around it will be aflame. Everything humanity has made on the earth will be burned and destroyed.
    • Everything humans have sent into outer space will be totally obliterated. The earth and the heavens around it will be completely purged.
  2. New Heaven and New Earth
    • We look for a new heaven and a new earth.
      • Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away, and there was no more sea.
      •  2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
  3. The New Jerusalem
    • John saw a beautiful city coming down from God.
      • “And I, John, saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Revelation 21:2).
    • There will be a new heaven, a new earth, and a new city.
      • Jesus said, “In my Father’s house are many mansions….I go to prepare a place for you… that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:2-3).
    • Revelation 21 uses wonderful imagery to describe the splendor of the eternal dwelling place of God’s people.
      • It depicts the city as 12,000 furlongs (1,500 miles) in length, breadth, and height (verse 16).
      • It is made of pure gold like clear glass (verse 18), with walls of jasper and gates of pearl (verse 21).
      • It will not need any power plant, or sun, or moon to shine, for Jesus will be
        the light (verse 13).
    • There time and eternity will meet. The temporal will cease forever, and the hope of the righteous from all ages shall be fulfilled. We shall live with our Lord Jesus Christ forever.

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Weekly Recap of Articles for Christians Dec 21st to Dec 27th

Bible

Education

General Reference

Poetry

Stories by Bell

Inspirational

Cooking/ House Keeping

Estudio Bíblico en Español

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Understanding the Great White Throne Judgment

The Great White Throne Judgment

  • After one thousand years of the reign of Jesus Christ upon the earth, the great white throne judgment will take place.
  • It will be a judgment of all the dead from the beginning of human existence on the earth.
  • The only people who will not need to be judged will be the redeemed people, both dead and living, who arose to meet the Lord at the Rapture.
    • Revelation 20:11-12
      • 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.
  1. The Throne
    • John saw an impressive, large white throne.
  2. The Judge
    • Jesus Christ will sit upon the throne.
  3. The Judged
    • The dead from all walks of life will be judged.
      • Revelation 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and
        hell delivered up the dead that were in them.
  4. The Evidence
    • 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
      • Rev. 20:12 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.
    • The books represent:
      • The Bible, which reveals God’s plan for humanity.
      • The recorded history of each person’s life.
      • The book of life, the book with the names of the righteous of all ages.
  5. The Witnesses
    • The saints of the church will be present with Jesus.
  6. The Judgment
    • Those whose names are not in the book of life will be cast in the lake of fire.
      • Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

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Witness of the Stars: SERPENS and OPHIUCHUS

The Struggle with the Enemy

Here, Serpens, the serpent, is seen struggling vainly in the powerful grasp of the man who is named O-phi-u-chus. In Latin he is called Serpentarius. He is at one and the same moment shown to be seizing the serpent with his two hands, and treading on the very heart of the scorpion, marked by the deep red star Antares (wounding).

Just as we read the first constellation of the woman and child Coma, as expounding the first sign Virgo, so we have to read this first constellation as expounding the second sign Libra. Hence, we have here a further picture, showing the object of this conflict on the part of the scorpion.

In Scorpio we see merely the effort to wound Ophiuchus in the heel; but here we see the effort of the serpent to seize the Crown, which is situated immediately over the serpent’s head, and to which he is looking up and reaching forth.

The contest is for Dominion! It was the Devil, in the form of a serpent, that robbed the first man of his crown; but in vain he struggled to wrest it from the sure possession of the Second Man. Not only does he fail in the attempt, but is himself utterly defeated and trodden under foot.

Plate 10: SERPENS (the Serpent) and OPHIUCHUS (the Serpent Holder)

There are no less than 134 stars in these two constellations. Two are of the 2nd magnitude, fourteen of the 3rd, thirteen of the 4th, etc.

The brightest star in the Serpent, α (in the neck), is named Unuk, which means encompassing. Another Hebrew name is Alyah, the accursed. From this is Al Hay (Arabic), the reptile. The next brightest star is β (in the jaw), named, in Arabic, Cheleb, or Chelbalrai, the serpent enfolding. The Greek name, Ophiuchus, is itself from the Hebrew and Arabic name Afeichus, which means the serpent held. The brightest star in Ophiuchus, α (in the head), is called Ras al Hagus (Arabic), the head of him who holds.

Other Hebrew names of stars, not identified, are Triophas, treading under foot; Saiph (in the foot of Ophiuchus), bruised; Carnebus, the wounding; Megeros, contending. In the Zodiac of Denderah we have a throned human figure, called Api-bau, the chief who cometh. He has a hawk’s head to show that he is the enemy of the serpent, which is called Khu, and means ruled or enemy.

All these combines to set before us in detail the nature of the conflict and its final issue. That final issue is, however, exhibited by the last of the three constellations of this chapter. The Victor Himself requires a whole picture to fully set forth the glorious victory.

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Biblical Insights on God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit

There is one God, who eternally exists in the GodHead.

  • Colossians 2:8-10
    • Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
    • For in him (Jesus) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
    • And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
  • 1 John 5:7
    • For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word (Jesus), and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
  • John 1:1
    • In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
  •  Genesis 1:1-3
    • In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
    • And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
    • And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
      • Notice that God spoke and things were created. It was by God’s Word that everything was created.
  • John 1:3
    • All things were made by him (Jesus); and without him (Jesus) was not any thing made that was made.
  • John 1:14  
    • And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

From the above verses it is clear that Jesus is the word of God. In the beginning God created the earth with His Word. Therefore, Jesus was there in the beginning with God and He was God. Later he became flesh.

  • 1 Timothy 3:16
    • And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

The Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost) was there in the beginning as the Spirit of God.

  • Genesis 1:2
    • And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

The Holy Spirit works in many ways. Here is some Bible Studies on the Holy Spirit: Understanding the Holy Spirit: Key Teachings and Insights.

The Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove and a voice spoke from heaven when Jesus was baptized.

  • Matthew 3:13-17
    • Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
    • But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
    • And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
    • And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
    • And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Remember that God is omnipresent.

  • Proverbs 15:3
    • The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
  • Psalms 139:7-10
    • Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
    • If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
    • If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
    • Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

Jesus is the Word that came out of God. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God. They are all part of each other.

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Understanding the Millennium: Christ’s Reign on Earth

The Return of Christ and the Millennium


To the Mount of Olives

  • When Jesus Christ comes with His armies to Armageddon and destroys the Antichrist system, He will then
    stand on the Mount of Olives.
    • And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the
      west, and there shall be a very great valley” (Zechariah 14:4).
  • The landscape around Jerusalem will never be the same again after He comes in glory to set up His kingdom.
  • The mountain will be divided as a monument to the deliverance of the Lord.

Characteristics of the Kingdom Age

  • Jesus Christ Will Be King of the Earth
    • And the LORD shall be king over all the earth; in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one (Zechariah 14:9).
  • He Will Rule on the Earth for a Thousand Years
    • Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years (Revelation 20:6).
  • Judgment of the Nations
    • The nations of the world that have blessed or persecuted the Jews, especially during the Tribulation, will then be judged.
      • Matthew 25:31-46
        • “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
        • 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
        • 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
        • 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
        • 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
        • 44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
        • 45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
        • 46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
  • God’s People Will Rule with Christ
    • Revelation 20:1-6
      • And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
      • And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
      • And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
      • And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
      • But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
      • Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
  • The Capital Will Be Jerusalem
    • The nations will come there annually to worship the Lord.
      • Zechariah 14:16-17 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.
  • Satan Will Be Bound during this time
    • Revelation 20:2-3 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

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Peter’s Wife’s Mother Cured

PETER’S WIFE’S MOTHER CURED

After Jesus had left the Centurion He went to the house of his disciple Peter, and there He saw Peter’s wife’s mother, laid on a bed, sick with fever. And He took her by the hand and lifted her up. The fever left her and she was cured. She rose up from her bed and attended upon them.

That evening, when the sun was setting, they brought to Jesus all those that were ill, and many that were possessed with devils. And He cast out the devils by His word, and healed all those that were sick.

“At even, ere the sun had set, The sick, O Lord, around Thee lay; Oh, in what divers pains they met, Oh, with what joy they went away!”

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The Battle of Armageddon

The Battle of Armageddon

  • The valley of Jezreel or Esdraelon is located west of the Jordan River and east of the Mediterranean Sea.
    • The Battle of Armageddon will be fought in this area.
  • The name “Armageddon” is taken from the strategic military city of Megiddo, which was the fortified chariot city of Solomon.
  • Armageddon, it has been said, “will be the battleground for the greatest blood bath the world has ever seen!”

144,000 Sealed

  • The Antichrist, with the false prophet, will rule the world with an iron hand for three and a half years. He will extend control over the political, religious, and economic life of the world.
  • God will preserve 144,000 believers during this time. He will deliver this remnant, who will be hidden from the destructive power of the Antichrist.
    • Most believe that the 144,00 will be Jews who turn to Jesus during this time.

Preparation for Armageddon

  • The Jews will be a thorn in the flesh of this world leader. He will be able to break the will of the other nations but not them.
  • He will determine to destroy them and will gather his leaders and armies together for this purpose.
  • At this time the Lord will intervene with a heavenly army.
    • Rev 19:19 And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army
    • Rev 16:13-14; 16 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty… And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

Armageddon Closes Out the Tribulation

  • This battle will be the end of the Tribulation. It will be the final attack of the Antichrist against God and His people.
  • The cup of God’s wrath will be full at this time, and He will personally come to end the wild and savage earthly reign of the beast and his system.
  • After this battle Jesus will set up the millennial reign on earth (one thousand years of peace).

The King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:11, 14, 16).

  • And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse, and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge, and make war
  • And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean
  • And he had on his vesture, and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS

The Judgment of the Beast and False Prophet

  • Rev 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

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The Gift of Salvation: A Christian Perspective

Everyone has sinned and needs salvation. Salvation comes by grace through faith based on the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

  • Romans 3:23-25
    • For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
  • Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
  • Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
  • Acts 2:38-39 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Salvation Topics for Bible Study

  • Who can have salvation
    • Who Shall be Saved: The content discusses salvation, emphasizing that merely believing is inadequate. True salvation requires repentance and a relationship with Jesus. This results in the adherence to Biblical teachings.
    • Salvation offered for all: God forgives everyone, regardless of their background or past. Judging others is wrong; we must teach God’s word to all, focusing on the heart, not appearance.
  • How to obtain salvation
    • How to be Saved: The content outlines a path to salvation through admitting sin, believing in Jesus, confessing Him as Savior, and departing from evil while studying the Bible.
    • The Significance of Jesus’ Blood for Salvation: Jesus’ death was necessary for the forgiveness of sins, as Adam’s disobedience introduced death. His pure blood provides eternal redemption, replacing temporary animal sacrifices and restoring our relationship with God.
    • Understanding the Cross: Salvation and Redemption Explained: The content emphasizes Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, showcasing faith, salvation, reconciliation, and the transformative power of His resurrection for believers.
  • Baptism
    • In what Name to Baptize In: The church must unite in faith, focusing on Jesus, rather than dividing over baptismal phrases and unnecessary legalism.
    • Key Bible Verses Discussing the Concept of Baptism: The Bible discusses various aspects of baptism, including its significance, methods, and prerequisites, emphasizing its role in salvation and spiritual rebirth.
    • Should We Call God by His Hebrew Name?: The discussion emphasizes that while addressing God in Hebrew can be meaningful, it should not be mandated for salvation; God understands all languages and knows our hearts.
  • Other information
    • Once Saved Always Saved?: The content discusses the permanence of salvation, emphasizing the necessity of a relationship with Jesus and warning against willful disobedience and turning away from God.
    • God’s Plan of Salvation: Past, Present, Future: The content outlines God’s faithful plan for humanity’s redemption, demonstrating His purpose through scripture, history, and ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ’s work and future promise.
  • How to tell others

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The Prodigal Son

THE PRODIGAL SON

A certain man had two sons, and the younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the portion of thy wealth that would fall to me at thy death.” He did so, and a few days after the younger son gathered all his wealth together and journeyed into a far country. There he met with evil companions, and wasted his money in riotous living. When he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land, and he began to be in want of bread to eat. So he went and hired himself to a man of that country, who sent him into the fields to feed his pigs. And he was so hungry that he would have been glad to have eaten the coarse food such as the swine eat; but no one gave it to him.

His sufferings brought him to his senses, and he thought how foolish he had been, for he remembered that his father’s servants had food enough and to spare, whilst his father’s son was perishing with hunger. He said, “I will leave this land and go to my father and tell him how I have sinned against heaven and him. I will tell him I am no longer worthy to be called his son, and will implore him to make me one of his hired servants.” And he arose and went towards his father’s house, but when he was still a great way off, his father saw him, and was sorry for him, and ran and embraced him. Then he told his father how he had sinned and had lost his title to be called the old man’s son, but the father was so glad to have his son come back repentant, that he told his servants to bring the best clothing and a ring to put on his son. And he made a great feast, and they were merry, for he said, “This is my son that was as one dead to me and is now alive again; he was lost and is found.”

But the elder son was very angry, and would not go in to the feast, but said to his father, “Lo, these many years have I served thee, and never offended or disobeyed thee, and thou hast never made a feast for me and my friends; but now this thy other son has come back, that has wasted thy wealth in riotous living, thou hast made a great feast for him.” And his father said, “Son, thou art ever with me, and all I have is thine. It is right that we should make merry and be glad, for this thy brother was as one dead to us and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”

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