A place to grow your relationship with God

Posts tagged ‘faith’

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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The Children’s Six Minutes: Him and Hymn

HIM AND HYMN

I want to tell you to-day about two “Hims.” The first is a man “Him.” The second is a song “Hymn.”

The man “him” is Phillips Brooks. He was born in 1835 and died in 1893. He never married, so he had no girls and boys of his own. But he loved all children. He had a great, warm heart, and in that heart was a big corner for all young people. He became a minister. His first church was in Philadelphia. Later he moved to Boston. He had not been in Boston very long when, one night, about midnight, the people saw flames breaking out through the roof of the church. A sorrowing congregation, with their pastor, watched their loved church as it burned to the ground.

When, after the fire, they came together, they inquired, “What shall we do? Shall we rebuild here or shall we take another location?” Finally, it was decided to build a new church on Copley Square. That was many years ago. They built a beautiful temple of worship. It is still known everywhere as “Phillips Brooks’ Church,” so wonderfully did his personality enter into the project.

Now the second “hymn.” When Phillips Brooks was a young man in Philadelphia he made a trip to the Holy Land. As Christmas drew near he wrote and sent back to the girls and boys of his Sunday School, a Christmas poem. The organist of his church composed music for the words, and this hymn was sung for the first time in Trinity church, Philadelphia. It is a beautiful Christmas hymn. Yes, it is my favorite.

“Oh, little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie.”

MEMORY VERSE, Matthew 2: 6

“Thou, Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: For out of thee shall come a Governor that shall rule my people Israel.”

MEMORY HYMN

“O little town of Bethlehem.”

THE CHILDREN’S SIX MINUTES by Bruce S. Wright

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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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Onward, Christian Soldiers

By S. Baring – Gould

Onward, Christian soldiers, Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus Going on before!
Christ the royal Master Leads against the foe;
Forward into battle, See His banners go.
Onward, Christian soldiers, Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus Going on before!

Like a mighty army Moves the Church of God;
Brothers, we are treading Where the saints have trod;
We are not divided, All one body we,
One in hope and doctrine, One in charity.
Onward, Christian soldiers, Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus Going on before!
Onward, then ye people! Join our happy throng!


Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song!
Glory, laud, and honor Unto Christ the King.
This through countless ages Men and angels sing.
Onward, Christian soldiers, Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus Going on before!

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Morning Prayer by Rebecca J. Weston

MORNING PRAYER

Father, we thank Thee for the night
And for the pleasant morning light,
For rest and food and loving care,
And all that makes the world so fair.
Help us to do the things we should,
To be to others kind and good,
In all we do, in all we say,
To grow more loving every day.


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