Weekly Bible Study – March 30, 2015

The Rapture and the Second Advent. Part 2.

PLEASE READ FIRST

Scripture References, Word & Phrase descriptions: If available on the website you're viewing this on, a few links (i.e., those without an already written scripture quote or brief explanation) are hover pop-up active, meaning the scripture reference will just pop-up if you hover your cursor over it (don’t click on the link, just hover your cursor over it), they work best using the Firefox browser – pop-ups in Internet Explorer, Chrome & other browsers only appear for a few seconds at best. If you don’t have Firefox (or hover pop-ups aren’t available on the website you’re viewing this on), that’s OK, move your cursor off and on the link until it is read; or left click the link which will open the verse at the online bible; or you can always use your Bible to look up the verses.

Prepare yourself for learning the Word of God!

Before we begin, if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ (that is; you have believed [trusted] in Him for His promised gift of eternal life), it is important to prepare yourself to learn God's Word so take a moment to name, cite or acknowledge (confess) your sins privately to God (i.e.; with your thoughts directed only to God the Father).

1 John 1:9 says: "If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins (known sins) and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness [unknown or forgotten sins]." NKJV (New King James Version) [italics added]

If you have never personally believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior (that is, believed in Him for eternal life), the issue for you is not to name your sins; the issue for you is to have faith alone in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life:

John 6:47 says: "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me (Jesus Christ) has everlasting life." NKJV [italics added]

Notice again what Jesus said in John 6:47: "…he who believes in Me (Jesus Christ) has everlasting life." It doesn't say, "will have"; it says, "has." Therefore, the very moment you believe in Jesus Christ for His promise of everlasting life, you have it (it's really just that simple; nothing more and nothing less), and it can never be taken away from you (John 10:28-29). Furthermore, the gift (Ephesians 2:8c) of everlasting life (also called eternal life in scripture) is available to every human being; there are absolutely no exceptions.

John 3:14-18 says: "¹⁴ And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, ¹⁵ that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. ¹⁷ For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. ¹⁸ He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." NKJV

Let us now bow our hearts and take a moment to prepare for worship and learning God's Word. If there is any known sin in your life, this is the time to just cite it privately to God the Father with your thoughts directed towards Him. With your head bowed and your eyes closed, you have total privacy in your mind and soul:

Study to show yourself approved to God!

Grace Bible Church
Robert R. McLaughlin Bible Ministries

The Tree of Life is a weekly teaching summary:
God’s Word is Wednesday, Friday and Sunday mornings

STUDY TITLE:

The Rapture and the Second Advent. Part 2.


OPTION: If you would prefer to go directly to the Grace Bible Church website to read this study message, all verse reference links are active there (but not hover active) and Enlarged Text is also an available option – right click the above link then left click “Open Link in New Window” or “New Tab”

Terms & Abbreviations used:

PPOG = Predesigned Plan of God
Human Good = Evil + Good Deeds while not in fellowship with God
OSN = Old Sin Nature
TLJC = The Lord Jesus Christ
SSE = Spiritual Self Esteem
PVTD = Positive Volition Towards Doctrine
+H - The Happiness of God
NVTD = Negative Volition Towards Doctrine
Doctrine = Bible Truth

To look up other “terms”, go to:

Alphabetical Listing

BEGIN BIBLE STUDY
Unless otherwise noted, all scripture quotes and references
are from the NASB – New American Standard Bible

The Rapture and the Second Advent. Part 2.

1. Rapture - imminent - can happen at any moment.
2. Second advent - approximately 7 years after the Rapture.

MAT 24:37-39, “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, they were marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so shall the coming of the Son of Man be.

Whether it’s the Rapture or the Second Advent which is the Second coming they are both going to be a startling event.

Isagogics is the historical setting of the passage.
Categories is the systematic theology developed from combining Scripture with Scripture.

Exegesis is the grammatical and syntactical analysis of the passage from the original languages.

The most overt dramatic arrival the world will ever see is in REV 1:7. It is followed by 1,000 years of our Lord’s Millennial reign.

REV 21:1, And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.

2PE 3:12, looking for and hastening or expecting the coming of the day of God, on account of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!

ROM 9:27-28, And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, “Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea [a reference to both believers and unbelievers who are Jewish] it is the remnant [those who have become born again] that will be saved;

The distinction is between all those who are Jews by blood and all those who are Jews who have been regenerated or have believed on the lord jesus Christ for salvation.

ROM 9:6, But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel;

ROM 9:28, for the Lord will execute His word upon the earth, thoroughly and quickly.

This statement has to do with the immanency of the Rapture, for according to the Word of God, the Rapture is next prophecy to be fulfilled and it can happen at any time. True, there will be some historical events that take place before the Rapture and those are the “signs of the times” and they are prevalent today. So that the Rapture can happen at any moment. Seven years later, the Second Coming or the Second Advent will take place on this earth.

These two events could happen anytime. And, even though they have not happened as of yet, what do we have to lose by living as though they could have happened in this generation at any moment? We lose nothing except living a life for eternity rather than time. What Paul is teaching is to warn the Romans of the fact that just like God used prophecies in the OT which He fulfilled concerning the discipline of His people, don’t do what they did, which was to ignore His warnings.

There is a time coming on this earth which the Bible says more about than any other period of time in all of human history, including the time that the Lord Jesus Christ walked the face of this earth for the first time.

JUD 1:14-15, And about these also Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones, to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”

Satan’s time of desperation, DAN 9:27;
Day of wrath; ZEP 1:14-16;
The hour of testing, REV 3:10.

It is a great period of wrath on this earth, both from God and from Satan, ZEP 1:15-18. It is a time of great judgment on the earth like never before, REV 6:16-17.

A great time of indignation, ISA 26:20-21.
Destruction, JOE 1:15;
Darkness, JOE 2:2;

The Tribulation is a seven year dispensation whereby the first 3 1/2 years are times of blessings and prosperity, but that last 3 1/2 years are the worse years in human history. Because of this theological event known as the Rapture, the church, the body of Christ will not go through this period. The Rapture is used in a technical theological sense for the resurrection of the royal family of God.

Prin - The rapture or the resurrection of the Church is God’s means of terminating the Church-age and delivering us from the wrath to come.

1TH 1:10, Wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.

This is why TIT 2:13 calls the Rapture or the appearing of the lord Jesus Christ, “Our blessed hope or happy guarantee”, even the appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.” In this way you should learn to apply doctrine, be occupied with the person of Jesus Christ so that you have a wonderful life and death.

Prin-”All believers can have confidence, hope and a guarantee with regard to the Rapture!

TIT 2:13 states that the rapture is a “happy” guarantee or a doctrine which produces fantastic and marvelous confidence.


1CO 15:57 “Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The doctrine of the translation of the church is found in many passages. JOH 14:1-3; 1CO 15:51-52; 2TH 2:1; PHI 3:20-21; 1TH 4:13-18; 2CO 5:1-9; 1CO 1:8.

Alexis Tsipras - just recently come out from nowhere and has taken a charismatic control of Greece, and is backed by another individual who is very powerful but as Satan does, he has kept himself hidden behind the scenes, he is a man called George Soros. Many who know of him and the Rothschild’s, believe he is even more powerful than them, his name is George Soros. He gave billions and billions of dollars to left-wing causes against the USA and Jews and Christians. Soros has given more than billion to these groups who are anti-Semitic and anti Christian. Solos has also influence the U.S. elections: Soros once said that removing President George W. Bush from office in 2004 was the “central focus of my life.” His early financial support helped jump-start Barack Obama’s political career. Soros hosted a 2004 fund-raiser for Obama and within hours Obama announced that he was running for President. Soros wants to destroy American sovereignty: Soros would like nothing better than for America to become submissive to international Nations. In Media Matters: Soros is a financial backer of Media Matters for America, a progressive media watchdog group that wants to take away America’s freedom. Soros has been a major funder of MoveOn.org, a progressive advocacy group and political action committee that raises millions for liberal candidates. He gave millions of dollars to the Center for American Progress: promoting President Clinton as well as President Obama. He is also an environmental extremist: He was instrumental in getting billions for Obama’s stimulus package condoning socialism and communism.

ISA 14:12-14. - he has the thinking of Satan who wants to be like the most high.

Currency manipulation: A large part of Soros’ multibillion-dollar fortune has come from manipulating currencies. Known as “The Man who Broke the Bank of England,” Soros initiated a British financial crisis by dumping 10 billion sterling into the English banking system, forcing the devaluation of the currency and gaining over a billion-dollar profit. Soros has repeatedly said that he sees himself as a messianic figure. Soros has become very powerful because with his money he influences the mainstream media throughout the entire world, including America, England, Russia, China and the middle East.
Alexis Tsipras, not only has he formed an alliance with George Soros but also with Russia and is talking with Pope Francis about a peace treaty between Israel and the Palestinians. His party in Greece is called SYRIZA which means the party for the left radicals, promoting socialism and communism, both designed to take away human rights and freedom.

TIT 2:13, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.

The following link is to a good news message describing how one can receive eternal life:
Ticket to Heaven, it was written for anyone not absolutely certain about their eternal future.

Internet Church Service – March 29, 2015

This week’s sermon title: The Sword of the Spirit. The word of God Manifested in the life of Jesus.
Satan’s motivations. Q and A following class.

Today’s Sermon Message:
This week’s sermon title: The Sword of the Spirit. The word of God Manifested in the life of Jesus.
Satan’s motivations. Q and A following class.

Video & Audio

Please join us as we fellowship in the Word of God, listen to
Christian Music, Pray in Christ’s Name and Praise the Lord
in our Hearts and Minds.

ALL ARE WELCOME!!

# # # # # # # #

from - Romans 8:38-39

Thank you for joining us for today’s worship service. Please enjoy the music before you watch and|or listen to today’s message.

TIP to enlarge the print hold down the “Ctrl” key on your key board, while it is being held down, move your mouse forward until the desired print size is just right for you. To return to normal screen size, reverse the process (some will see a % in the lower right corner of your screen, normal is 100%)

The lyrics have been provided so you can sing along with the artist in your mind and soul; imagine that the artist’s voice is your voice. I’m not a very good singer myself so I often get the lyrics for some of my favorites and sing along in my mind and soul, this way it’s as if I’m doing the singing to the Lord; try it.

Hymn #1

My Redeemer Lives – Lyrics in Video
(Google puts the video commercials on most YouTube Christian videos.
You can usually skip the commercial if there is one.)

Hymn #2

My Savior My God – Lyrics in Video
(Google puts the video commercials on most YouTube Christian videos.
You can usually skip the commercial if there is one.)

Preparing yourself for the study of God’s Word

Before we begin, if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ (that is— you have trusted in Him for eternal life), it is important to prepare yourself to take-in God’s Word so take a moment to name, cite or acknowledge your sins privately to God the Father.

1 John 1:9 says—“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” NKJV (New King James Version)

If you have never personally believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior (that is, believed in Him for eternal life), the issue for you is not to name your sins; the issue for you is faith alone in Jesus Christ alone:

John 6:47 says: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me (Jesus Christ) has everlasting life.” NKJV

Notice again what John 6:47 says, “he who believes in Me (Jesus Christ) has everlasting life.” It doesn’t say, “will have”; it says, “has.” Therefore, the very moment you believe Jesus Christ’s promise of everlasting life, you have it (it’s really just that simple), and it can never be lost or taken away from you (John 10:28-29). Furthermore, the gift of everlasting life (also called eternal life in scripture) is available to every human being; there are absolutely no exceptions.

John 3:14-18 says: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” NKJV

Let us now bow our hearts and take a moment to prepare for worship and learning God’s Word, if there is any known sin in your life, this is the time to just cite it privately to God the Father with your thoughts directed towards Him. With your head bowed and your eyes closed, you have total privacy in your mind and soul:

Lectionary

The word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It cuts all the way through, to where soul and spirit meet, to where joints and marrow come together. It judges the desires and thoughts of the heart. (Heb. 4:12) GNB-UK

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living, so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed. (2 Tim. 3:16-17) GNB-UK

Do your best to win full approval in God's sight, as a worker who is not ashamed of his work, one who correctly teaches the message of God's truth. (2 Tim. 2:15) GNB-UK

Study to show yourself approved to God!

Opening Prayer
(Do your best to make it your own – below is a sample prayer)

Heavenly Father, we pray that we will all be richly edified by Your Word today and that You will make what we study today clear to us. We pray that all participants in this service as well as those who review it at a later date will be edified and blessed by today’s message. We pray this in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen

Our guest Pastor-Teacher is:

Robert McLaughlin - Grace Bible Church
and Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries

Doctrinal Statement

This ministry is non-denominational and is dedicated to teaching the Word of God from the original languages and making it available at no charge throughout the world.

Today's Sermon

This week’s sermon title: The Sword of the Spirit. The word of God Manifested in the life of Jesus.
Satan’s motivations. Q and A following class.

TO VIEW THE SERMON: Right click the link above, a small window will open then left click either “Open in New Window” or “Open in New Tab” and the church service notes page will open, it has three options in the upper right side of the page, right click the link titled “download mp3” and just like before, select either Open New Window or Open New Tab to open the MP3 player, this will leave the notes page open so you can move back to it, so go back to the notes page to follow along in the notes, the streaming audio should begin automatically in your default audio/video player (like, Windows Media Player).

If you need to leave the service, when you come back, to move the MP3 player forward, press and hold the left click down on the player progress bar where you see the little arrow under the time on progress bar and move your mouse forward

OPTIONAL: On-line Bible – NASB95

If you wish to use it, right click the link and in the drop-down box, left click the "Open Link in New Window"; when the new window opens, reduce the window size of both the on-line bible and the slideshow and configure them to be side-by-side. Also, the window opens to John 3:16, click the word “more” below the verse, you will then see two online bible columns, Use the column on the left as it is set for the NASB95, at the top of the column where you see John 3:16 in the search box, type the book and verse the Pastor asks you to go to a particular Bible verse, e.g., 1tim 5:21, or eph 3:10, etc., then click “Enter” on your key board. You can use the “right column” if you wish for a different bible version but you’ll need to type in the verse you want each time as I directed you for the column on the left side.

Hymn #3

Amazing Grace – Lyrics in Video
(Google puts the video commercials on most YouTube Christian videos.
You can usually skip the commercial if there is one.)

Hymn #4

Native American - Amazing Grace – No Lyrics
(Google puts the video commercials on most YouTube Christian videos.
You can usually skip the commercial if there is one.)

CLOSING PRAYER:
(Again, below is a sample prayer, do your best to make it your own)

Heavenly Father, we pray that the Holy Spirit will make what I’ve learned today clear to me, for I pray this in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’s name. Amen

If you have any questions that are pertinent about today’s message, please don’t hesitate to ask, you are welcome to ask them via a private message or by a reply in today’s post. However, sometimes questions can be real short but require a much longer answer in order to give an adequate answer. If I don’t think that the question is able to be answered quickly I’ll reply back telling you that I’ll research it and get to you with the answer (it may even be a few days as I’m a little slower than I used to be). Please don’t let what I’ve just said make you hesitate to ask questions.

I want to thank all of you who have attended this Sunday service as well as those who will view it at a later time or date.

The following link is to a good news message describing how one can instantly receive eternal life: Ticket to Heaven, it was written for anyone not absolutely certain about their eternal future.

Weekly Bible Study – March 23, 2015

The Rapture and the Second Advent

PLEASE READ FIRST

Scripture References, Word & Phrase descriptions: If available on the website you're viewing this on, a few links (i.e., those without an already written scripture quote or brief explanation) are hover pop-up active, meaning the scripture reference will just pop-up if you hover your cursor over it (don’t click on the link, just hover your cursor over it), they work best using the Firefox browser – pop-ups in Internet Explorer, Chrome & other browsers only appear for a few seconds at best. If you don’t have Firefox (or hover pop-ups aren’t available on the website you’re viewing this on), that’s OK, move your cursor off and on the link until it is read; or left click the link which will open the verse at the online bible; or you can always use your Bible to look up the verses.

Prepare yourself for learning the Word of God!

Before we begin, if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ (that is; you have believed [trusted] in Him for His promised gift of eternal life), it is important to prepare yourself to learn God's Word so take a moment to name, cite or acknowledge (confess) your sins privately to God (i.e.; with your thoughts directed only to God the Father).

1 John 1:9 says: "If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins (known sins) and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness [unknown or forgotten sins]." NKJV (New King James Version) [italics added]

If you have never personally believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior (that is, believed in Him for eternal life), the issue for you is not to name your sins; the issue for you is to have faith alone in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life:

John 6:47 says: "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me (Jesus Christ) has everlasting life." NKJV [italics added]

Notice again what Jesus said in John 6:47: "…he who believes in Me (Jesus Christ) has everlasting life." It doesn't say, "will have"; it says, "has." Therefore, the very moment you believe in Jesus Christ for His promise of everlasting life, you have it (it's really just that simple; nothing more and nothing less), and it can never be taken away from you (John 10:28-29). Furthermore, the gift (Ephesians 2:8c) of everlasting life (also called eternal life in scripture) is available to every human being; there are absolutely no exceptions.

John 3:14-18 says: "¹⁴ And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, ¹⁵ that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. ¹⁷ For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. ¹⁸ He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." NKJV

Let us now bow our hearts and take a moment to prepare for worship and learning God's Word. If there is any known sin in your life, this is the time to just cite it privately to God the Father with your thoughts directed towards Him. With your head bowed and your eyes closed, you have total privacy in your mind and soul:

Study to show yourself approved to God!

Grace Bible Church
Robert R. McLaughlin Bible Ministries

The Tree of Life is a weekly teaching summary:
God’s Word is Wednesday, Friday and Sunday mornings

STUDY TITLE:

The Rapture and the Second Advent


OPTION: If you would prefer to go directly to the Grace Bible Church website to read this study message, all verse reference links are active there (but not hover active) and Enlarged Text is also an available option – right click the above link then left click “Open Link in New Window” or “New Tab”

Terms & Abbreviations used:

PPOG = Predesigned Plan of God
Human Good = Evil + Good Deeds while not in fellowship with God
OSN = Old Sin Nature
TLJC = The Lord Jesus Christ
SSE = Spiritual Self Esteem
PVTD = Positive Volition Towards Doctrine
+H - The Happiness of God
NVTD = Negative Volition Towards Doctrine
Doctrine = Bible Truth

To look up other “terms”, go to:

Alphabetical Listing

BEGIN BIBLE STUDY
Unless otherwise noted, all scripture quotes and references
are from the NASB – New American Standard Bible

The Rapture and the Second Advent

We are still looking at some of greatest chapters in the New Testament, Romans 9-11. Romans 9:27 took us on an extensive study of the doctrine of Election and the subjects related to it.

ROM 9:27-28, And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, “Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, it is the remnant that will be saved; for the Lord will execute His word upon the earth, thoroughly and quickly.

Verses 27 & 28 is a quotation from Isaiah 10:22-23.

ISA 10:22-23, For though your people, O Israel, may be like the sand of the sea, Only a remnant within them will return; [then we have a phrase Paul did not quote which states] A destruction is determined, overflowing with righteousness. For a complete destruction, one that is decreed, the Lord God of hosts will execute in the midst of the whole land.

The context in the Hebrew is a prophecy regarding the restoration of Israel at the Second Advent. In the prophecy of Isaiah, at the time, there was a tremendous build-up of a spiritual cancer, a great blot-out which is a concentration of people who have maximum hardness of heart. This blot-out was a complete ignoring of the first advent, when the Lord would come to die for the sins of the whole world because the Jews wanted the crown without the Cross. This was the expression of maximum negative volition.


Even in the Tribulation there will be those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, beginning with the 144,000 Jews scattered throughout the entire earth from twelve of the thirteen tribes. There are really 13 tribes of Israel, but one tribe received a double portion and therefore was made up of two tribes identified as one tribe.

The 13 tribes are: 1. Reuben 2. Simeon 3. Gad 4. Judah 5. Issachar 6. Zebulun 7. Ephraim 8. Manasseh 9. Benjamin 10. Dan 11. Asher 12. Naphtali 13. Levi.

There are some very interesting principles regarding these Tribes. For example, polygamy is forbidden in the word of God, only monogamy is condoned. Polygamy means to have a plurality of wives. It is the antithesis of monogamy which means to only have one wife. Polygamy is prohibited by DEU 17:14 17; LUK 16:18, therefore it is a sin. This does not mean that remarriage is always forbidden, but it means you should not have more than one wife at the same time.

DEU 17:14-17, “When you enter the land which the Lord your God gives you, and you possess it and live in it, and you say, ‘I will set a king over me like all the nations who are around me,’ you shall surely set a king over you whom the Lord your God chooses, one from among your countrymen you shall set as king over yourselves; you may not put a foreigner over yourselves who is not your countryman. Moreover, he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor shall he cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses, since the Lord has said to you, ‘You shall never again return that way.’ Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away; nor shall he greatly increase silver and gold for himself.”

Polygamy violates the divine law of right man and right woman, GEN 2:24, ECC 9:9, 1CO 7:17. In fact, cases of polygamy in the Bible are always related to reversionism and apostasy. Jacob had two wives, Leah and Rachel, plus two mistresses and he always had trouble with his sons. Gideon in Judges 8:29 9:57 had many problems with his 70 sons plus his many daughters. Solomon had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines, and his wives turned his heart away from the true God. David had at least seven wives and many concubines and had nothing but trouble from his children, 1Ch 3, 2Sa 11-13.

Polygamy causes everything from incest and murder to rape and violence as illustrated by David’s polygamy, 2Sa 13.

Polygamy is not the will of God. God doesn’t condone polygamy. All polygamous believers have trouble as a result.

No man is designed physically or mentally for polygamy. Monogamy is God’s order under the laws of divine establishment. No one should have understood the problems of polygamy more than Solomon and David.

The point is that even though polygamy was forbidden, God still brought forth the 12 Tribes of Israel from Jacob’s two wives and two maidens. Why? Well many of us can only speculate as to why and how come. However, the bottom line is that we know DEU 32:4, “The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He.”

We also believe ROM 9:20, On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it? When Joseph had two boys, Ephraim and Manasseh there in Egypt, Jacob said that instead of Joseph being called a tribe, under the principle of the double-portion that the father would give to whatever he chose, that Joseph’s two sons will be counted among the 12 tribes. The only tribe that was not given an inheritance because they were a nation of Priests for all 12 was the tribe of Levi. So, in reality, there was really 13 tribes. The tribes of the Old Testament were also a type of shadows of what was to come in the New Testament. And so here’s another principle that is interesting concerning the twelve tribes of Israel. How many people were there at the last supper? There were 13, the twelve tribes represented by the 12 disciples and the lord jesus Christ who was representing the tribe of Levi who were the priest’s. Our Lord Jesus Christ functioned as the priest at the last supper.

When you go to Act chapter 1, before the outpouring of the Holy Spirit; Peter said we need to replace this position which was idiotic because the Lord chooses who His apostles would be not man. And so What did they do in Act 1.

ACT 1:23-26, And they put forward two men, Joseph called Barsabbas (who was also called Justus), and Matthias. And they prayed, and said, “Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show which one of these two Thou hast chosen to occupy this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” And they drew lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Now that was idiotic. They drew lots! They offered the Lord two individuals when the Lord had His own replacement in line, Saul of Tarsus, who became the apostle Paul. It was an office that only Jesus could establish among the Apostles. Now, all of this is going to used by the apostle Paul to illustrate to the Romans to beware of the discipline and judgment that God is going to bring upon the world.


ROM 9:27-28, And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, “Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, it is the remnant that will be saved; for the Lord will execute His word upon the earth, thoroughly and quickly.”

This passage indicates that the Lord Jesus Christ will come back known as the Second Advent. What is the Second Advent?

The Doctrine of the Second Advent.

First of all, the word advent means the coming or the arrival of something extremely important. There are two advents of Jesus Christ depicted in the Word of God. The First Advent begins with the virgin birth and concludes with the resurrection, ascension and session. During the First Advent, Jesus Christ in Hypostatic-union accomplished the strategic victory of the angelic conflict and the salvation of the human race. This strategic victory gives Him battlefield royalty. He must have a royal family to go with this royalty. Therefore, there is the need for the Church.

You see, the Lord has Three Royal Families:

1. The divine one = God the Father and God the Holy Spirit.

2. The natural realm = Jewish Royalty, He is the Son of David.

3. The spiritual realm = the head of the Church, the Royal Family of God.

The Second Advent is designed to reveal Him as both battlefield royalty and Jewish royalty. He returns to earth in resurrection body as the Hypostatic-union. At the Rapture of the Church, Christ does not return to the earth as we meet Him in the air.

The Distinction Between the Rapture and the Second Advent.

R=Rapture
SA= Second Arrival or Advent

R Private, ACT 1:11
SA Public, REV 1:7.


REV 1:7, Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. Even so. Amen.

R. In the air, 1TH 4”17
SA. On earth, ZEC 14:4.

ZEC 14:1-4, Behold, a day is coming for the Lord when the spoil taken from you will be divided among you. For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city will be captured, the houses plundered, the women ravished, and half of the city exiled, but the rest of the people will not be cut off from the city. Then the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations, as when He fights on a day of battle. And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in its middle from east to west by a very large valley, so that half of the mountain will move toward the north and the other half toward the south.

R. Judgment of believer’s works, 1CO 5:10.
SA. Baptism of Fire, MAT 25:31-46
.

R. Church goes to heaven, JOH 14:3.
SA. Church returns with Christ, 1TH 3:13.

1TH 3:13, so that He may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.

R. Holy Spirit is removed, 2TH 2:6.
SA. Removal of Satan, REV 20:1-3.

R. Change in believer’s body, PHI 3:21.
SA. Earth is changed, ZEC 14:9; ROM 8:19-22.

R. Christ appears as the groom.
SA. Christ appears as the Messiah.

R. End of the Church Age.
SA. End of the Jewish age.

R. Israel under the fifth cycle of discipline.
SA. Termination of the fifth cycle of discipline.

R. Believers taken from the earth, 1TH 4:13-18.
SA. Unbelievers taken from the earth, MAT 24:37-44.

Mat 24 has always been a passage misunderstood by many as referring to the Rapture but it does not.

MAT 24:37-44, “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. “For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, they were marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so shall the coming of the Son of Man be. Then there shall be two men in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women {will be} grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left. Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason you be ready too; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think {He will.}

R. A time of comfort, 1TH 4:18.
SA. A time of terror, REV 6:15-17.

These are some of the contrasts which exists between the Rapture and the Second Advent.

Analogies to the Second Advent.

The Analogy of Nature: Lightning, MAT 24:27, “For just as the lightning comes from the east, and flashes even to the west, so shall the coming of the Son of Man be.”

The Second Advent will be seen by all, REV 1:7, “Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him.”

The Second Advent disturbs and frightens the unenlightened, REV 6:15-17.

The Second Advent warns of a coming storm.

The Second Advent is characterized by the storms of coming judgment.

The Historical Analogy is found in MAT 24:37 41, “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, they were marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so shall the coming of the Son of Man be. Then there shall be two men in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left. Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.

This refers to the fact that the end times will be like the days of Noah which really points to people living under the wrong priorities even thought may refer to the presence of super-creatures on the earth once again.

Marrying, eating, and drinking (normal pleasures in life) were more important than Bible doctrine.

Secondly, in verse 39, “they did not know” a big judgment was on the horizon. And as in the time of Noah, so also in the Tribulation; people cannot tell what is about to happen because they have no Bible doctrine in their souls. And so in verses 40 and 41, the believer is left and the unbeliever is taken in the baptism of fire.

Just the opposite occurs at the Rapture. In Noah’s day unbelievers were removed by water.

This time fire will be used.

The following link is to a good news message describing how one can receive eternal life:
Ticket to Heaven, it was written for anyone not absolutely certain about their eternal future.

Internet Church Service – March 22, 2015

This week’s sermon title: The Sword of the Spirit. The word of God Manifested in the life of Jesus.
Historical trends. Q and A following class.

Today’s Sermon Message:
This week’s sermon title: The Sword of the Spirit. The word of God Manifested in the life of Jesus.
Historical trends. Q and A following class.

Video & Audio

Please join us as we fellowship in the Word of God, listen to
Christian Music, Pray in Christ’s Name and Praise the Lord
in our Hearts and Minds.

ALL ARE WELCOME!!

# # # # # # # #

from - Romans 8:38-39

Thank you for joining us for today’s worship service. Please enjoy the music before you watch and|or listen to today’s message.

TIP to enlarge the print hold down the “Ctrl” key on your key board, while it is being held down, move your mouse forward until the desired print size is just right for you. To return to normal screen size, reverse the process (some will see a % in the lower right corner of your screen, normal is 100%)

The lyrics have been provided so you can sing along with the artist in your mind and soul; imagine that the artist’s voice is your voice. I’m not a very good singer myself so I often get the lyrics for some of my favorites and sing along in my mind and soul, this way it’s as if I’m doing the singing to the Lord; try it.

Hymn #1

Majesty (Here I Am) – Lyrics in Video
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You can usually skip the commercial if there is one.)

Hymn #2

Make Me a Servant – Lyrics in Video
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You can usually skip the commercial if there is one.)

Preparing yourself for the study of God’s Word

Before we begin, if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ (that is— you have trusted in Him for eternal life), it is important to prepare yourself to take-in God’s Word so take a moment to name, cite or acknowledge your sins privately to God the Father.

1 John 1:9 says—“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” NKJV (New King James Version)

If you have never personally believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior (that is, believed in Him for eternal life), the issue for you is not to name your sins; the issue for you is faith alone in Jesus Christ alone:

John 6:47 says: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me (Jesus Christ) has everlasting life.” NKJV

Notice again what John 6:47 says, “he who believes in Me (Jesus Christ) has everlasting life.” It doesn’t say, “will have”; it says, “has.” Therefore, the very moment you believe Jesus Christ’s promise of everlasting life, you have it (it’s really just that simple), and it can never be lost or taken away from you (John 10:28-29). Furthermore, the gift of everlasting life (also called eternal life in scripture) is available to every human being; there are absolutely no exceptions.

John 3:14-18 says: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” NKJV

Let us now bow our hearts and take a moment to prepare for worship and learning God’s Word, if there is any known sin in your life, this is the time to just cite it privately to God the Father with your thoughts directed towards Him. With your head bowed and your eyes closed, you have total privacy in your mind and soul:

Lectionary

The word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It cuts all the way through, to where soul and spirit meet, to where joints and marrow come together. It judges the desires and thoughts of the heart. (Heb. 4:12) GNB-UK

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living, so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed. (2 Tim. 3:16-17) GNB-UK

Do your best to win full approval in God's sight, as a worker who is not ashamed of his work, one who correctly teaches the message of God's truth. (2 Tim. 2:15) GNB-UK

Study to show yourself approved to God!

Opening Prayer
(Do your best to make it your own – below is a sample prayer)

Heavenly Father, we pray that we will all be richly edified by Your Word today and that You will make what we study today clear to us. We pray that all participants in this service as well as those who review it at a later date will be edified and blessed by today’s message. We pray this in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen

Our guest Pastor-Teacher is:

Robert McLaughlin - Grace Bible Church
and Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries

Doctrinal Statement

This ministry is non-denominational and is dedicated to teaching the Word of God from the original languages and making it available at no charge throughout the world.

Today's Sermon

This week’s sermon title: The Sword of the Spirit. The word of God Manifested in the life of Jesus.
Historical trends. Q and A following class.

TO VIEW THE SERMON: Right click the link above, a small window will open then left click either “Open in New Window” or “Open in New Tab” and the church service notes page will open, it has three options in the upper right side of the page, right click the link titled “download mp3” and just like before, select either Open New Window or Open New Tab to open the MP3 player, this will leave the notes page open so you can move back to it, so go back to the notes page to follow along in the notes, the streaming audio should begin automatically in your default audio/video player (like, Windows Media Player).

If you need to leave the service, when you come back, to move the MP3 player forward, press and hold the left click down on the player progress bar where you see the little arrow under the time on progress bar and move your mouse forward

OPTIONAL: On-line Bible – NASB95

If you wish to use it, right click the link and in the drop-down box, left click the "Open Link in New Window"; when the new window opens, reduce the window size of both the on-line bible and the slideshow and configure them to be side-by-side. Also, the window opens to John 3:16, click the word “more” below the verse, you will then see two online bible columns, Use the column on the left as it is set for the NASB95, at the top of the column where you see John 3:16 in the search box, type the book and verse the Pastor asks you to go to a particular Bible verse, e.g., 1tim 5:21, or eph 3:10, etc., then click “Enter” on your key board. You can use the “right column” if you wish for a different bible version but you’ll need to type in the verse you want each time as I directed you for the column on the left side.

Hymn #3

My Lord, What Love Is This – Lyrics in Video
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You can usually skip the commercial if there is one.)

CLOSING PRAYER:
(Again, below is a sample prayer, do your best to make it your own)

Heavenly Father, we pray that the Holy Spirit will make what I’ve learned today clear to me, for I pray this in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’s name. Amen

If you have any questions that are pertinent about today’s message, please don’t hesitate to ask, you are welcome to ask them via a private message or by a reply in today’s post. However, sometimes questions can be real short but require a much longer answer in order to give an adequate answer. If I don’t think that the question is able to be answered quickly I’ll reply back telling you that I’ll research it and get to you with the answer (it may even be a few days as I’m a little slower than I used to be). Please don’t let what I’ve just said make you hesitate to ask questions.

I want to thank all of you who have attended this Sunday service as well as those who will view it at a later time or date.

The following link is to a good news message describing how one can instantly receive eternal life: Ticket to Heaven, it was written for anyone not absolutely certain about their eternal future.

Weekly Bible Study – March 16, 2015

Why does He still find fault? Part 2.

PLEASE READ FIRST

Scripture References, Word & Phrase descriptions: If available on the website you're viewing this on, a few links (i.e., those without an already written scripture quote or brief explanation) are hover pop-up active, meaning the scripture reference will just pop-up if you hover your cursor over it (don’t click on the link, just hover your cursor over it), they work best using the Firefox browser – pop-ups in Internet Explorer, Chrome & other browsers only appear for a few seconds at best. If you don’t have Firefox (or hover pop-ups aren’t available on the website you’re viewing this on), that’s OK, move your cursor off and on the link until it is read; or left click the link which will open the verse at the online bible; or you can always use your Bible to look up the verses.

Prepare yourself for learning the Word of God!

Before we begin, if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ (that is; you have believed [trusted] in Him for His promised gift of eternal life), it is important to prepare yourself to learn God's Word so take a moment to name, cite or acknowledge (confess) your sins privately to God (i.e.; with your thoughts directed only to God the Father).

1 John 1:9 says: "If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins (known sins) and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness [unknown or forgotten sins]." NKJV (New King James Version) [italics added]

If you have never personally believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior (that is, believed in Him for eternal life), the issue for you is not to name your sins; the issue for you is to have faith alone in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life:

John 6:47 says: "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me (Jesus Christ) has everlasting life." NKJV [italics added]

Notice again what Jesus said in John 6:47: "…he who believes in Me (Jesus Christ) has everlasting life." It doesn't say, "will have"; it says, "has." Therefore, the very moment you believe in Jesus Christ for His promise of everlasting life, you have it (it's really just that simple; nothing more and nothing less), and it can never be taken away from you (John 10:28-29). Furthermore, the gift (Ephesians 2:8c) of everlasting life (also called eternal life in scripture) is available to every human being; there are absolutely no exceptions.

John 3:14-18 says: "¹⁴ And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, ¹⁵ that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. ¹⁷ For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. ¹⁸ He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." NKJV

Let us now bow our hearts and take a moment to prepare for worship and learning God's Word. If there is any known sin in your life, this is the time to just cite it privately to God the Father with your thoughts directed towards Him. With your head bowed and your eyes closed, you have total privacy in your mind and soul:

Study to show yourself approved to God!

Grace Bible Church
Robert R. McLaughlin Bible Ministries

The Tree of Life is a weekly teaching summary:
God’s Word is Wednesday, Friday and Sunday mornings

STUDY TITLE:

Why does He still find fault? Part 2.


OPTION: If you would prefer to go directly to the Grace Bible Church website to read this study message, all verse reference links are active there (but not hover active) and Enlarged Text is also an available option – right click the above link then left click “Open Link in New Window” or “New Tab”

Terms & Abbreviations used:

PPOG = Predesigned Plan of God
Human Good = Evil + Good Deeds while not in fellowship with God
OSN = Old Sin Nature
TLJC = The Lord Jesus Christ
SSE = Spiritual Self Esteem
PVTD = Positive Volition Towards Doctrine
+H - The Happiness of God
NVTD = Negative Volition Towards Doctrine
Doctrine = Bible Truth

To look up other “terms”, go to:

Alphabetical Listing

BEGIN BIBLE STUDY
Unless otherwise noted, all scripture quotes and references
are from the NASB – New American Standard Bible

Why does He still find fault? Part 2.

In our study of ROM 9:19 we have, You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?” We have now come to the second debater’s qestion: “For who For who resists His will?”

In the original language it begins with the inferential use of the postpositive conjunctive particle “gar” translated “for,” used here in order to bring out the inferential concept. This is an inference from the previous debater’s question, “Why does He still find fault?” With this is we have the dative singular indirect object from the Greek noun “boulema,” which refers to will, a plan or project or purpose, a goal or intention. His purpose or intention includes the concept of His mercy or severity, which we have seen is given in verse 18.

Paul anticipates from these two debater’s questions the blasphemous attitude of the racial Jew as well as the nerve of any member of the human race to even question God. Many people, even believers have asked if God hardened Pharaoh’s heart how can God then blame Pharaoh or condemn Pharaoh for what he has done? In fact, when Job was going through his personal suffering, we read in Job 8 about a debate he had with his friend Bildad. We have a so-called friend contributing to Job's personal suffering which is also a part of Job’s testing. From his self-righteous arrogance, Bildad implies that Job is getting what he deserves.

In JOB 8:1 we read, Then Bildad the Shuhite answered, Bildad's name means the confused mixed up lover. Many believers are just like this, they really don't know how to operate in love. The Biblical subject of love begins with learning how to love. Biblical love is not an emotion or a feeling; it is a system of thinking. Whether it's personal or impersonal love, concentration and doctrinal love is needed, therefore true Biblical love is something that needs to be taught (1JO 4:16; ROM 5:5; PHI 1:9; 1TH 1:9).

JOB 8:2, “How long will you say these things, And the words of your mouth be a mighty wind [or a lot of air].” Bildad starts out judging Job and stating some true facts but they do not apply. Verse 3, “Does God pervert justice or does the Almighty pervert what is right?” Of course the answer to that is No. However, like most religious self-righteous individuals, Bildad assumes that any suffering is because of divine discipline, which is an erroneous assumption.
Then he not only judges Job, but he judges his entire family, this is the blindness of arrogance. Verse 4, “If [or in reality when] your sons sinned against Him, then He delivered them into the power of their transgression.” In his terrible legalism, he implies that Job's children all suffered and that they died the sin unto death. So now Job's self-righteous and legalistic friend is going to give an altar call.

Verses 5-6, “If you would seek God and implore the compassion of the Almighty, If you are pure and upright, surely now He would rouse Himself for you and restore your righteous estate.”

In other words, just plead your case before God and beg God to stop. Confess your sins to Him. Bildad is getting his opinions from false doctrine, which is the doctrine of demons.

Verse 7, “Though your beginning [of this event] was insignificant, yet your end will increase greatly.” Little does Bildad know that Job's beginning was not insignificant at all. In reality, Job is being given the opportunity to glorify God in the historical trial of the angelic conflict. Bildad is implying that everything will be restored if Job just gets right with God. Then Bildad makes an appeal to for Job to learn from former generations.

Verses 8-9, “Please inquire of past generations, and consider the things searched out by their fathers. For we are only of yesterday and know nothing, Because our days on earth are as a shadow.” Sounds so humble doesn't it? Pseudo-humility always accompanies the self righteous believer.

Verses 10-11, “Will they not teach you and tell you, and bring forth words from their understanding? Can the papyrus grow up without marsh or water from the swamp? Can the rushes grow without water?” These are all agricultural descriptions of natural and biblical principles that simply do not apply to Job’s current situation.

Verses 12-13, “While it is still green and not cut down, Yet it withers before any other plant. So are the paths of all who forget God, and the hope of the godless will perish.” Notice he assumes that Job has forgotten God. Here again we see the self-righteousness of the religious crowd. The legalist is always judging the mature believer (see GAL 4:29).

Job is a believer who is far more advanced in the spiritual life than Bildad, but Bildad calls him godless or carnal. Verses 14-15, “Whose confidence is fragile, And whose trust a spider's web. He trusts in his house, but it does not stand; He holds fast to it, but it does not endure.” He is saying that Job was leaning on a spider's web which literally refers to Job's home. Bildad is accusing Job of materialistic lust, and apparently Bildad's jealousy of Job's prosperity is being brought out. This illustrates that you can have a lot of doctrine and still be a mixed up believer. Bildad is saying that the wicked put their trust in their home, or in the things that they have built. That is a true statement, but it does not apply to Job.

Verse 16, “He thrives before the sun, and his shoots spread out over his garden.” Bildad says Job, you looked like a plant, well watered in the garden with a lot of beauty and prosperity, but now we are seeing you for what you really are. Oh how people rejoice in other people's failures. However, Impersonal unconditional love (1CO 13:6) does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;

“Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; Lest the Lord see {it} and be displeased, And He turn away His anger from him,” (PRO 24:17-18).

Verse 8:19, “Behold, this is the joy of His way; And out of the dust others will spring.” Bildad is saying that this is the inevitable result of someone who trusts in his riches, as if Job did. What a great friend to have at a time like this? However, our attitude should be to answer and understand questions like ROM 9:19, “Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?” We should not be occupied with the opinions of others. However, remember the principle, in time of disaster you discover who your real friends are. It is very difficult for a mature believer like Job to have real good friends. You have to find individuals who have their priorities straight and will not be competing and comparing.

“I am a companion of all those who fear or reverence Thee, And of those who keep Thy precepts.” (PSA 119:63)

“A man of {many} friends {comes} to ruin,” (PRO 18:24)

The Bible does warn us to be very careful in the selection of friends. Friendships are the types of relationships which can sneak up on you and take advantage of you. That's why David tells us to be careful of the familiar friend who you think that you can trust and then you find out you shouldn't have (PSA 41:9). Remember that you know you have a true friend when he or she knows a lot about you and still likes you. However, if that person is an opportunist, one who takes advantage of any opportunity to achieve a personal goal, you will be shocked at how fast they will take advantage of you. That's why the word of God warns us about the friend who will take advantage of you and deceive you for personal gain as Jonadab did to Amnon in 2SA 13:3. Amnon listened to the advice from Jonadab, the son of David's brother Shimeah. Jonadab was exceptionally streetwise. When Amnon told Jonadab that he was in love with his half-sister Tamar, Jonadab gave him some terrible advice.

Jonadab said, "Here's what you do, Go to bed and pretend you're sick. When your father comes to visit you, say, 'Have my sister Tamar come and prepare some supper for me here where I can watch her and she can feed me. '" (2SA 13:5)

David sent word to Tamar who was home at the time: “Go to the house of your brother Amnon and prepare a meal for him.” (2SA 13:7)

When she took the cooking pot and served him, he wouldn't eat. Amnon said, “Clear everyone out of the house,” and they all cleared out. Then he said to Tamar, “Bring the food into my bedroom, where we can eat in privacy.” She took the nourishing dumplings she had prepared and brought them to her brother Amnon in his bedroom. But when she got ready to feed him, he grabbed her and said, “Come to bed with me, sister!” “No, brother!” she said, “Don't hurt me! This kind of thing isn't done in Israel! Don't do this terrible thing! Where could I ever show my face? And you, you'll be out on the street in disgrace. Oh, please! Speak to the king, he'll let you marry me.” But he wouldn't listen. Being much stronger than she, he raped her. No sooner had Amnon raped her than he hated her, an immense hatred. The hatred that he felt for her was greater than the love he'd had for her. “Get up,” he said, “and get out!” (2SA 13:9-15)

Then in 2SA 13:28-29, Absalom commanded his servants to kill his half-brother Amnon, and they did. So, the word of God warns us about the friend who will take advantage of you and deceive you for personal gain as Jonadab did to Amnon in 2SA 13:3.

Be careful for those who become your friend because of what they can get from you (PRO 19:6). Remember this principle: Prosperity makes friends, adversity tries them. Then, we all need to learn about those so-called friends who flatter you with their speech as the friend in PRO 27:14. We all better learn that principle to be able to objectively answer ROM 9:19, “Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?” Or we will subjectively be occupied with people and forget such passages like 2CO 5:16 Therefore from now on we recognize no man according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.

There are also friends who will forsake you and flee from you when you need them the most as in MAR 14:50, And they all [all of our Lord's disciples] left Him and fled. This is very difficult at times because sometimes the unkindness of our friends is a greater trial to us then the hatred of our enemies (PSA 55:12-14). Don't you ever be surprised at someone who is close to someone in authority and uses their own position of authority and power to turn on the one in charge. Don't you ever be so naive to say “Well, they were close to the one in authority so they must be justified in what they're doing!” There are many illustrations of this:

- Lucifer was the Messiah's personal angel in authority.

- Joseph's brothers sold Joseph into slavery.

- Korah, the cousin of Moses attacked Moses.

- Prince Absalom attacked King David, Judas was very close to TLJC.

Jeremiah was the victim of a conspiracy from his friends and notice what he tells us in JER 20:10, For I have heard the whispering of many, “Terror on every side! Denounce {him;} yes, let us denounce him!” All my trusted friends, Watching for my fall, say: “Perhaps he will be deceived, so that we may prevail against him And take our revenge on him.” If there is anything that is priceless and rare to have in life, it is true friends.

When you have a true friendship, remember that friends are not designed to be deceived. Anyone to whom you must give a false impression can never be a true friend. That's why the Bible teaches that all forms of hypocrisy destroy friendship. In fact, some people never have true friends because they are arrogant and proud of their hypocrisy and their ability to deceive others.

There is a verse in the Apocrypha in the book of Wisdom which says “A friend cannot be known in prosperity: and an enemy cannot be hidden in adversity.” When you go through adversity, you will discover who your enemies really were. However, instead of wondering who your enemies are or “Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?” Keep your mind upon TLJC and being occupied with the plan of God, 1PE 1:8.

Capacity to love someone who is invisible requires a tremendous amount of information in the right lobe of the soul. The capacity to love Jesus Christ comes only from metabolized doctrine converted into problem solving devices stationed on the FLOT line of your soul. Those who truly love the Lord Jesus Christ have made a role model out of our Lord. These are the believers with true happiness, and who are spiritually self-sustaining. Having the thinking of Christ results in occupation with Christ in contrast to preoccupation with people.

There are two divine commands with regard to occupation with Christ. HEB 12:2, Be concentrating on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our doctrine, who because of the exhibited happiness, He endured the Cross and disregarded [use of the problem solving devices] the shame [imputation of our sins], and He sat down at the right hand of God.

The second one is 1PE 3:15 But sanctify [set apart as more important than anything else] the Lord Christ in your hearts.

God makes a direct positive demand on your will and volition to be occupied with Christ, which is a mandate to be consistent in the metabolization of doctrine (PHI 2:2-5; 2CO 5:14, 2CO 5:15).

The following link is to a good news message describing how one can receive eternal life:
Ticket to Heaven, it was written for anyone not absolutely certain about their eternal future.