Think about it.
It’s only been in the last century and a half or so, that we have the automobile, electricity, planes, jets, computers, the advances in the military, medical, and many other things we all could mention.
However, in spite of all the great advances that mankind has discovered or made, the most exciting time in all of human history is the time that is right at the door = Rapture and the Second Advent.
Most of us do agree that we in the last days. There are many believers who believe we are in those last days but unfortunately, in these last days, most believers are too occupied with their own plans rather than the plans of GOD.
We all should consider the fact that there are a few prophecies that were made thousands of years ago that seem to tell us we are in the last days. For example, in Dan 12:3, And those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
Here we see the importance of winning souls to the LORD.
This is why Solomon wrote this in Prov 11:30, The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise wins souls.
Dan 12:4 goes on to say, But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase.
Notice a few things here; in Dan 12:4. Daniel is told by GOD to conceal or hide the words and seal up the book until the end of time. It is also at the end of time or the last days that certain prophecies and promises will be fulfilled by our LORD.
For example: We are told that in the last days people will travel from all over the world and in some cases they will also travel outside of the world and knowledge shall increase.
However, even more importantly than this are the facts that state what the majority of believers have become in these last days of the Church-age; Rev 3:14-22.
Rev 3:14-22, “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of GOD, says this: ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I would that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.
Because you say, I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing, and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich, and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and {that} the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see.
Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me. He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”
One of the most asked questions in a doctrinal ministry is usually that people wonder why we go back to the original language to study the Bible?
Why do we have to note the Greek? Why can’t we just stick with the English translation?
Have you ever thought, or can you imagine what would happen today if we had one book that was proven to be written by hand by our LORD. Can you imagine what would happen today if we had some of the garments that Jesus wore? Or some of the glasses that Jesus drank from?
Well, the answer is that people would begin worshipping the physical object. That was the story of the Brass Serpent in Num 21.
Some people already get too close to this with the objects of the Cross.
This is another reason why we do not have one entire complete Bible Translation anywhere in the world because if we did, then Christianity would be nothing more than just another man-made religion.
My point is that instead of worshipping our LORD, most believers would have settled for a convenient religion which does not require total dedication and devotion on the part of believers; Gal 5:1; John 8:31-32.
Now, many of the principles we have been noting this past week come from the Apostle Peter and they are based upon the principle that Peter wrote in 1Pe 3:15, always being read to give the reasons for your confidence. It’s interesting that if you do a study on 1 Peter and 2 Peter, you will see an amazing difference between the two Epistles.
And what is that difference?
I believe that one of the main reasons that 2 Peter is more advanced than 1 Peter is that 2 Peter teaches more about mystery doctrine than 1 Peter. And, it’s also interesting that the one apostle who learned more about the mystery doctrine of the Church-age was the one apostle who welcomed the Apostle Paul, even more than all the other apostles put together.
The difference between 1Peter and 2Peter = the influence of the apostle Paul. Bible doctrine must be taught based on three principles.
1. Isagogics is the historical setting of the passage.
2. Categories is the systematic theology developed from combining Scripture with Scripture.
3. Exegesis is the grammatical and syntactical analysis of the passage from the original languages.
Matt 24:1-3, And Jesus came out from the temple and was going away when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him. And He answered and said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here shall be left upon another, which will not be torn down.”
And as He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what {will be} the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
This is not a message on the last days, these are just some of the signs or the areas that believers need to be alert to and prepared for the coming of the last days.
1. False prophets and false Christs, Matt 24:5,11.
2. Wars; Matt 24:6.
3. Famines; Matt 24:7.
4. Earthquakes; Matt 24:7.
5. Tribulations; Matt 24:8-9.
6. The Gospel will be preached throughout the world; Matt 24:14.
Now, the “Great Commission” which was given first to HIS disciples who were about to become Apostles, and they needed to understand the commands or the instructions known now as the Great Commission.
The disciples will all need to be prepared and ready to fulfill such challenges as the Great Commission; Matt 28:16-20, But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. And when they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying,
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
With this command to preach the Gospel and make disciples we all, apostles included, need to fulfill 1Pe 3:15.
We continue in 1Pe 3:8-22, To sum up, let all be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil, or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. Let him who means to love life and see good days. Refrain his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile. And let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, And His ears attend to their prayer, But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil. And who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, {you are} blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as LORD in your hearts, always {being} ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better, if GOD should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. For Christ also died for sins once for all, {the} just for {the} unjust, in order that He might bring us to GOD, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits {now} in prison, who once were disobedient, when the patience of GOD kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through {the} water. And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to GOD for a good conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is at the right hand of GOD, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.
The disciples will all need to be prepared and ready to fulfill such challenges as the Great Commission; Matt 28. The point is that all these things should cause us to become excited about the time in which we live. It should also cause us to invest in the kingdom of GOD and not the world controlled by Satan and his kingdom of darkness.
Remember the words of our LORD concerning those who are in bondage to money, riches, and power. However, notice the words of our LORD beginning in Luke 12:16-21, And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a certain rich man was very productive. And he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’
And he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years {to come;} take your ease, eat, drink {and} be merry.
’But GOD said to him, ‘You fool! This {very} night your soul is required of you; and {now} who will own what you have prepared?’ So is the man who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward GOD.”
So, two simple questions:
1. Why do we have to note the Greek Language? Why can’t we have more pot-luck dinners? Singles night? Bingo, Raffles. More children from the church going door to door selling chocolate candy bars, magazines.
2. Why can’t we just stick with the English translation?
Let me try to answer those two questions with a little bit of humor since we seem a large group today who also seem to have a Relaxed Mental Attitude.
And so, as I answer these two questions, they may seem to be a little witty at times but they’re still true. Some of these principles I’m sure you have heard before so relax and enjoy.
There are three languages that the Bible was written in and that would be the Hebrew and the Aramaic which are both found in the Old Testament, and Koine (common Greek) which is found in the New Testament.
I will just give you a simple statement that says what I want you to listen to, and here it is: In the English language some words sound exactly alike and yet they are spelled differently, some words are spelled differently and yet they sound alike.
The point is that when GOD chose the Koine Greek language to write the New Testament, He chose a language that has seven words to every one word in the English language.
Now, consider the English language, think about it objectively, and notice some of the words that are being used and how difficult it would be if all we had was the English translation.
Here are a few things to think about that are funny at times but true. When it comes to the English language:
Why do we drive on parkways and park on driveways? Shouldn’t we be parking on parkways and driving on driveways?
Why do we call something transported by car a shipment, and something transported by ship, cargo?
Or if vegetarians eat vegetables, what do humanitarians eat?
Why do you recite at a play and play a recital?
Why do we have noses that run and feet that smell?
Well, these are just some of the reasons why it’s good to go back to the original language when studying the Bible.
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