Tag Archives: devotion

Marriage is sealed by a portion of Yahweh’s Spirit

When studying Malachi, my wife and I were amazed to find this verse: “Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth.” (Malachi 2:15)

First, God is rebuking the Israelites for their complicity with regard to their understanding of the importance of marriage with the primary goal of raising up holy children. This can only be realized if a couple understands that God’s Spirit actually unites them in a spiritual bond as one. “The two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh” (Mark 10:8)

With divorce at an all-time high, the exact opposite of God’s will designed for a godly upbuilding of His kingdom has ensued.

When the young consider another soul for marriage, it would do them well to consider the divine creation of God, unifying the couple in mind and viewpoint, firstly, to realize that as they move forward with their lifelong commitment, godliness, while submitting to Jesus Christ as Lord, is paramount. In fact, the scripture warns us, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14). Also, God obviously hates divorce.

Divorce, God considers as an act of violence among spouses, especially when the negative witness affects the holiness of children. (Malachi 2:16) In the time of the prophet Malachi, men led the home, and divorce decisions would have been made by their decision. Today, both husband and wife are generally responsible for maintaining mutual harmony as they live in a loving and kind manner, trusting each other and avoiding adultery. Moreover, the Spirit of the Lord God enables the couple and their children to be transformed into the likeness of Christ’s righteousness through the living Word of God, which guides their lives.

From two souls, Zechariah and Elizabeth, even before conception, John the Baptist was called to be the Great Proclaimer of the Grace of Christ. We know this is true because an angel came to Zechariah, telling him of one to be born to him and Elizabeth. He went, unable to speak until John was born, as he replied to the angel in doubt due to his and Elizabeth’s age. When John was born, his first words were when asked about the child’s name: “He motioned for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s surprise, he wrote, ‘His name is John.” as Yahweh God had declared to him via the angel.

The implications of not having the Lord unify and empower transformative marriage may mean that he cannot bless the marriage if the two marrying disregard the Lord’s biblical guidance. The Good News: There is always hope when a married couple decides to repent and accept Jesus Christ as Lord over their family’s life. The Body of Believers — the church — is the Bride of Christ.

Meditate on the full context of the text: You cover the Lord’s altar with tears, with weeping and groaning because he no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favour from your hand. 14 But you say, “Why does he not?” Because the Lord was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. 15 Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth. 16 “For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her, says the Lord, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the Lord of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless. (Malachi 2:13, 14, 15, 16)

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King Nebuchadnezzar’s Lesson about Pride versus Contrition

As you read, please hover over and read all the scriptures within the study.

Nebuchadnezzar’s Madness: Daniel 4 describes a period of madness that Nebuchadnezzar experienced, as foretold by a dream interpreted by Daniel. This humbling experience led him to recognize the sovereignty of the God of Israel. Daniel 4:34-35 captures his declaration: “His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation.” 1

Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream: God dealt with Nebuchadnezzar’s pride and idolatry, which he had dreamt about, and which Daniel interpreted. (Daniel 4:24, 25, 26, 27) Herein lies a lesson that pride goes before a fall. The dream becomes reality when Nebuchadnezzar begins boasting of his own glory. He is immediately struck with insanity until he confesses that Yahweh God is Sovereign over his life, despite his sin. He was warned, his madness lasted seven years, until he eventually repented and confessed to his entire kingdom that Yahweh, the God of the Jews, is the absolute Sovereign ruler of all men over the entire world. (Daniel 4:28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)

Theological Significance: Nebuchadnezzar’s account is a testament to God’s sovereignty over earthly kingdoms and rulers. His interactions with the Jewish people and the prophet Daniel highlight themes of divine judgment, repentance, and God’s ultimate authority. Despite his initial pride and idolatry, Nebuchadnezzar’s eventual acknowledgment of God’s power serves as a powerful narrative of transformation and divine intervention.

As I write this, many complain of President Donald Trump’s pride. Perhaps we can learn a lesson about our Lord’s supremacy even over this man, Trump. Yahweh places leaders in position to protect the citizenship of the remnant of His righteous followers in this world, even today, just as he did a king years ago to protect the Jews in exile. He is a God of mercy and unlimited grace, ready to protect those who repent and follow his Son, Jesus Christ, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. (Psalm 75:7; Revelation 19:16)

Legacy: Nebuchadnezzar’s legacy is multifaceted. Historically, he is remembered as a great builder and military leader. Biblically, he is a complex figure whose life illustrates the tension between human pride and divine authority. His account remains a subject of study and reflection in both religious and historical contexts.

1 Bible Hub

Characteristics of Anti-Christ in the words of Scripture.

1. His moral characteristics are these.
Isaiah 14:14 … He shall say in his heart, I will be like the Most High.
Dan. 8:25 … He shall stand up against the Prince of princes.
Dan. 11:36 … He shall exalt himself above every god.
2 Thess. 2:4 … He shall exalt himself “above all that is called God.”
2 Thess. 2:4 . He shall show himself that he is God.
1 John 2:22 … He shall deny both the Father and the Son.
Rev. 13:6 … He shall open his mouth in blasphemy against God.
Rev. 17:3 … He shall be full of names of blasphemy.

2. The extent of his power.
Isaiah 14:16 … He shall make the earth to tremble, and shall shake kingdoms.
Isaiah 14:17 … He shall make the world as a wilderness.
Dan. 7:25 … Times and laws shall be given into his hand.
Dan. 8:9 … He shall wax exceeding great.
Dan. 8:24 … His power shall be mighty. … He shall destroy wonderfully.
Dan. 11:36 … He shall do according to his will.
Dan. 11:40 … He shall enter into the countries and overflow.
Dan. 11:42 . He shall stretch forth his hand upon the countries.
2 Thess. 2:9 … His coming shall be with all power.
Rev. 13:7 … Power shall be given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
Rev. 17:13 … The ten kings shall give their strength and power to him.

3. His power will be supported by miracles.
2 Thess. 2:9 … His coming shall be after the working of Satan, with all power, and signs, and lying wonders.
Rev. 13:12 … He that ministers in his presence shall do great wonders, so that he shall make fire come down from heaven on the earth, in the sight of men, and shall deceive them that dwell upon the earth by means of these miracles which he shall have power to do.
Rev. 13:15 … He shall have power to give life to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

4. His reception on the earth.
Rev 13:8 … All that dwell upon the earth shall worship him whose names are not written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Rev. 13:15 … Whosoever will not worship the image of the beast shall be killed
Rev. 17:8 … All whose names are not written in the book of life shall wonder.
John 5:43 … If another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

5. The place of his manifestation in blasphemy.
Isaiah 14:13 … He will sit on the mount of the congregation, on the sides of the north.
Dan. 8:11 … He will take away the daily sacrifice.
Dan. 11:45 … He will plant the tabernacles of his palace on the glorious holy mountain.
2 Thess. 2:4 … He will sit in the temple of God.

6. He is named.
Isaiah 14:12 … “Lucifer,” as blasphemously assuming Christ’s character of “the morning star.”
Isaiah 14:4 … “The King of Babylon.”
Isaiah 10:5 … “Asshur,” or “Assyria,” as being king over that country.
Dan. 7:20 … “The Horn that has eyes,” as denoting intelligence and strength.
Isaiah 30:33 … “THE KING,” for whom Tophet is prepared.

These are his principal names in the Old Testament, where he is always referred to in connection with the Jews. In the New Testament, he is called, in contrast to the holiness which is the Church’s character, the Man of Sin, or the Wicked One. In Isaiah also he is called the Wicked One.”By the breath of his lips He (the Lord) shall slay the Wicked One.” Isaiah 11 (quoted in 2 Thess. 2). In John, he is called “the Antichrist,” in his special character of opposition to Christ. In the Revelation, he is called the Beast, denoting his moral estimate in the sight of Heaven.

7. He will be destroyed by no mere human agency.
Dan. 8:25 … He shall be broken without hand.
Isaiah 11:4 … The Lord with the breath of his lips shall slay the wicked one.
2 Thess. 2:8 … The Lord shall consume him with the breath of his lips, and with the brightness of his coming.
Rev. 19:15, 20. When He comes forth who shall tread the wine-press of wrath, the Beast is taken, and cast alive into the lake of fire.

The following connections may also be found useful:

1. Between Dan. 8 and Dan. 9.
Dan. 8:25 … By peace he shall destroy many.
Dan. 9:27 … He (the Prince that shall come) shall confirm the covenant with many.
Dan. 8:11 … He shall take away the daily sacrifice.
Dan. 9:27 … He shall cause the sacrifice to cease.
Dan. 8:19 … He shall prosper in the latter end of the indignation.
Dan. 9:27 … till that determined is poured on the desolator.

2. Between Dan. 8 and Dan. 11, we see his influence in Israel and Palestine.
Dan. 8:9 … He waxes great towards the pleasant land.
Dan. 11:41 … He enters into the glorious land.
Dan. 8:17 … At the time of the end shall be the vision.
Dan. 9:40, 41 … At the time of the end shall he enter.
Dan. 8:19, 24 … He prospers in the last end of the indignation.
Dan. 11:36 … He shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished.

Between Dan. 7 and Dan. 11, we see he is against Yahweh: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — the God of the Jews and Christians.
Dan. 7:25 He shall speak great words against the Most High.
Dan. 11:36. … He shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods.
Dan. 7:25 He shall change times and laws.
Dan. 11:37, 38 … He shall not regard the God of his fathers, but honour another.
Dan. 7:22 He shall continue until the saints possess the kingdom.
Dan. 11:36 … he shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished.

It is stated in the bible that the Anti-Christ will show up in the area of Palestine. This will precede the Battle of Armageddon, also known as Judgment Day, when Christ will return to judge all mankind (and everyone will see Him), raise the dead, and so on. From this perspective, God is in charge of the narrative, as He uses all these things to bring His prophecies to pass in an increasingly evil world.

Curated Source:  Public Domain, Christian Author W. W. Fereday, born on March 31, 1866 and died on July 31, 1959. 

The choice of Two Paths

Catherine Jackman has compiled a few texts to convey the seriousness of life’s paths, from which our choices have eternal consequences.

John 8:12 When Jesus spoke to the people, He said: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (NIV)

Two Paths of your eternal soul 

There are two paths—the path of darkness and the path of LIGHT.

You get to choose your path.

The path of darkness leads to eternal destruction.

The path of LIGHT leads to eternal life. — I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. John 12:46

You are on the path of darkness; unless you choose the path of LIGHT.

 God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5

Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 1 John 4:8

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. John 3:16

What has come into being in him (Jesus) was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. John 1:5

To choose the path of LIGHT, you need to: 

A: Accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” John 8:1

B: Believe in Him and acknowledge that He was born of a virgin, died and rose again.  “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through His Spirit that dwells in you.” John 8:11

C: Confess your sins, and you will find forgiveness and be saved.   “…and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations…” Luke 24:47

Remember, you are not ‘perfect until you get to heaven,’ so that any future sins or mistakes can be confessed and removed as you ask forgiveness in Jesus’ name.

D: Do God’s will and talk about Him and read the Bible to learn about (Suggest starting by reading the book of Luke): Jesus, God the Son; God the Father; and God the Holy Spirit, and share Jesus Christ with others. Allow the Holy Spirit to reveal where you need healing and deliverance from any past brokenness. This will allow God to prepare you to use the gifts and talents He has given you. Firstly, the great quest is — Luke 10:27 (Jesus) answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.”

 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. 1 John 5:13

For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:40

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2 Cor 4:6

There are consequences for not obeying the law of Love. — The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but must endure God’s wrath. John 3:35-36

**How do you accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour?

“For with the heart (core being) man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” ( Romans 10:10)

Through prayer, invite Jesus into your heart to become your personal Lord and Saviour

Suggested prayer:  Lord Jesus, I confess my sins and ask for your forgiveness. Please come into my heart as my Lord and Saviour. Take complete control of my life and help me to walk in Your footsteps daily by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank you, Lord, for saving me and for answering my prayer.

Just in case you are not a believer yet…you can call on the name of the Lord if you feel you might die and …

We only have one life to live. Salvation can be immediate if you call on the Lord, repent and accept him.

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

Social Media Distortion vs a Spirit-led Mindset

Constant viewing of Facebook video feeds can potentiate several negative temptations or spiritual issues in Christian life, which biblically and theologically align with core warnings about the dangers of unchecked desires and “worldly” patterns.

Temptations such as pride, idleness, envy, lust, covetousness, and distraction are recurrent themes in Scripture regarding the misuse of time and attention, and Satan may exploit these to hinder spiritual transformation and destabilize marital and family relationships. 1 Founders Ministry

Biblical Definition of Temptations

Scripture frequently describes temptation as any lure or enticement that leads to actions, attitudes, or desires contrary to God’s will (see James 1:14-15, Galatians 5:17-21). Facebook and similar platforms may facilitate: 2 Gospel Coalition

Idolatry of self: Promoting one’s image, achievements, or desires over God’s glory. “For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2, 8-9)

Sexual immorality and impurity: Exposure to suggestive content or interactions that feed lustful thoughts (Matthew 5:27-28).

Envy and covetousness: Endless comparison with others, dissatisfaction, and greed (Colossians 3:5, Hebrews 13:5).

Idleness and distraction: Wasting time online at the expense of spiritual disciplines and relationships (Proverbs 14:23). 1 ibid. Founders Ministry

Distracting believers from prayer, worship, and godly living, leading to spiritual stagnation and relational decay.  3 Redemption Bible College

Spiritual and Psychological Dangers

Social media, such as Facebook video feeds, can create cognitive and spiritual distortion by:

Warping reality and identity: The curated content and algorithms may shape Christians’ minds toward anxiety, outrage, or numbness, pulling them away from transformation by the Spirit of Christ (Romans 12:1–2). 4 Abounding Grace Radio, Chris George

Fostering division and critical spirit: Learned patterns of response to others on social media can foster quick judgments, arguments, and dissensions that can arise, damaging unity with others (Galatians 5:19-21). 4 Ibid. Abounding Grace Radio, Chris George

Idolic Digital addiction: Where your attention gravitates, your mind may have a preoccupation with feeds that can disrupt healthy spiritual practices and relationships, as most evangelicals, such as John Piper’s Desiring God website, warn strongly of the  negative effects on a Christian’s faith from heavy social media use. 5 DesiringGod.org

Satan’s Strategies Against Spiritual Transformation, Family and Marriage

Biblically, Satan is described as an adversary who “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). His strategies include:

Encouraging patterns of selfishness and instant gratification that may undermine sacrificial love in marriage. We are told to stay awake because Satan is doing his damnedest to influence us for our destruction. (Ephesians 6:10-13, 18)

Using digital platforms to facilitate lust, secrecy, or emotional affairs erodes intimacy and trust between spouses. 1 Ibid. Founders Ministry

Theological Framing and Response

Theologically, Christians are called to “deny self,” “walk by the Spirit,” and “renew their minds” (Mark 8:34, Galatians 5:22-26, Romans 12:2). Practices to counter negative spiritual influences include: 2 Ibid. Redemption Bible College

Set your mind on things above” is a biblical command from Colossians 3:2, encouraging believers to focus their thoughts, priorities, and aspirations on spiritual, eternal matters rather than temporal, earthly concernsThis involves aligning one’s mindset with heavenly values and God’s eternal purposes, leading to a life transformed by Christ and centered on spiritual goods like peace, love, and a new identity in Him. Regular self-examination, confession, and mindful content selection. (Colossians 3:2-4)

Selecting online and social media platforms that embody the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ, and cultivating a spiritual discipline that carefully considers every thought and action, reflecting love, peace, joy, humility, and purpose.  This biblical mindset helps strengthen and protect marriages and families. Active resistance to divisive, lustful, or envious patterns that may undermine both personal transformation and marital fidelity. 5 Ibid. Abounding Grace Radio, Chris George

In summary: Constant viewing of Facebook video feeds may foster biblically defined temptations and psychological issues, which Satan can use to weaken a Christian’s spiritual growth and family relationships unless intentionally moderated through prayer, accountability, and Spirit-led discernment. abounding 2 Ibid. Gospel Coalition, Ian Harber

1 Founders Ministry

2 Gospel Coalition

3 Redemption Bible College

4 Abounding Grace Radio, Chris George

5 DesiringGod.org

The Body of Believers is “The Bride of Christ”

The term “The Bride of Christ” is a metaphorical expression used to describe the collective body of believers, the Church, in its relationship with Jesus Christ. This imagery is deeply rooted in Scripture and reflects the intimate, covenantal relationship between Christ and His followers. The concept is primarily derived from the New Testament, where the Church is portrayed as the bride awaiting the return of her bridegroom, Jesus Christ.

Biblical Foundations

1. Ephesians 5:25-27: The Apostle Paul provides a profound exposition of the relationship between Christ and the Church using the marriage metaphor. He writes, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.” This passage highlights the sacrificial love of Christ for the Church and His ongoing work to purify and prepare her for Himself.

2. Revelation 19:7-9: The imagery of the wedding feast is vividly depicted in the Book of Revelation. “Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure.” This eschatological vision portrays the ultimate union of Christ and His Church, celebrating the consummation of their relationship at the end of the age.

3. 2 Corinthians 11:2: Paul expresses his pastoral concern for the Corinthian believers, saying, “I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.” Here, Paul emphasizes the purity and devotion expected of the Church as she awaits her bridegroom.

Theological Significance

The metaphor of the Bride of Christ underscores several key theological themes:

Covenantal Relationship: The imagery of marriage reflects the covenantal nature of the relationship between Christ and the Church. Just as marriage is a covenantal bond, so is the relationship between Christ and His followers, marked by faithfulness, love, and commitment.

Purity and Holiness: The Church, as the Bride of Christ, is called to a life of purity and holiness. This is not only a future hope but a present reality, as believers are sanctified through the work of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.

Eschatological Hope: The anticipation of the marriage supper of the Lamb provides believers with hope and motivation to live faithfully in the present. The consummation of the relationship between Christ and His Church in the future is a central aspect of Christian eschatology.

Practical Implications

The concept of the Bride of Christ has practical implications for the life of the Church and individual believers:

Unity and Love: As members of the Bride of Christ, believers are called to live in unity and love, reflecting the relationship between Christ and His Church. This unity is a testimony to the world of the transformative power of the Gospel.

Faithfulness and Devotion: The Church is called to remain faithful and devoted to Christ, rejecting spiritual adultery and idolatry. This involves a commitment to sound doctrine, worship, and service.

Preparation and Readiness: Believers are encouraged to live in a state of readiness, preparing for the return of Christ. This involves spiritual growth, discipleship, and active participation in the mission of the Church.

In summary, the metaphor of the Bride of Christ is a rich and multifaceted biblical theme that encapsulates the love, commitment, and hope inherent in the relationship between Christ and His Church. It serves as a powerful reminder of the Church’s identity and calling in the world.

Topical Bible Verses

Revelation 19:7-9
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife has made herself ready.

Ephesians 5:25-27
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Ephesians 5:25
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Revelation 21:2
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

2 Corinthians 11:2
For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

Scripture Source: Topicalbible.org

The Great New Jerusalem Allegories

There are several allegories in the Book of Revelation that relate to the New Jerusalem. Those depict pictures of people prepared to meet the Lord Jesus Christ at the Second Advent, which is Judgement Day.

Jesus Christ gave these allegories to His church through the Apostle John on the Isle of Patmos. They offer profound insights into God’s perspective on living holy lives before Him as His people in the New Covenant. The teaching of Sanctification – to be spiritually transformed into the image of His Son when led by the Holy Spirit of Christ — is a teaching of the utmost importance today.

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:14-16)

It is clear that to be cleansed from sin by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit is very important for the Church, under the headship of our Lord Jesus Christ. None of us will attain perfection in this lifetime. Yet, sanctification is the work of a lifetime, as one seeks to obey the Lord’s guidance in His Word. Even the apostle Paul noted that he had not yet attained perfection. “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.” (Philippians 3:12)

The Light of the City Analogy

“The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.” (Rev 21: 23-24)

Scripture tells us that Jesus came as a great Light into the world. The spiritual symbol of light is also a predominant teaching of Christ, emphasizing the filling of the Spirit, which is actualized in the New Jerusalem. Jesus declared, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) John further developed the teaching of light to mean that we would have fellowship and unity with Christ. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)

The light of the Holy Spirit is also to extend to the nations in the new earth as the Gospel goes out from the true church. “The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendour into it.” (Rev 21:24)

Light is the subject of Jesus Christ’s parable of the ten virgins, and is dependent on oil in the lamps, oil being another symbol of the Spirit of God. Expanding on light, we read “I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.” (Rev 21:22-23)

The Allegory of the Purity of the Bride of Christ

The New Jerusalem imagery is about the Holy Spirit bearing the light of Christ into the hearts of men who will abide as one with Christ and His Father in His spiritual kingdom, a city not built with hands, one that Abraham foresaw, “whose designer and builder is God” (Heb 11:10b).

It is interesting that the angel showing John this symbolic vision is one of the seven angels pouring out the seven last plagues, the outpouring of which is evidently prior to the Second Advent of Christ. He says to John in his vision:

“‘Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.’ And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal” (Rev 21: 9-11).

The marriage of Christ to His church, the bride, is a teaching that is common to all Christians. The angel says, “I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb…and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem”. This symbolism was accomplished “in the Spirit” because it is meant to reveal the place where Christ rules as King in His authority, yet is united to His subjects in a matrimonial way as a loving husband is to his Bride. By showing us the symbolism of the bride, we see in parallel the New Jerusalem as the sanctified individuals who make up the final church of Jesus Christ. It is my belief that this is not a denomination-based movement, but rather one led by those who are guided by the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

Paul made this clear in the epistle to the Ephesians: “For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Saviour of the body” (Eph 5: 23 ).

In the same chapter, Paul emphasized the idea of mystery and we learned from Daniel that God reveals mysteries regarding His own symbols. “This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church” (Eph 5: 32). Paul was specifically called by Jesus to articulate the meaning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The City Dimensions Analogy

The perfection of the city is emphasized by the use of twelve tribes and twelve apostles, twelve gates, twelve angels; and further twelve times twelve indicated by the wall being “144 cubits thick” and the city being 12,000 stadia high; and the redeemed are indicated as being of a number of symbolic multiple of twelve being 144,000 yet of a group that no man can number. Symbols and reality intertwine in the book of Revelation as scripture unwinds scriptural truth:

It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long. He measured its wall and it was 144 cubits thick, by man’s measurement, which the angel was using. The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass ” (Rev 21: 12-21).

Further examine the symbolism of purity in the symbolic foundation of the city decorated with “every kind of precious stone” verse 19 and the element of pure gold:

The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass. (Rev 21: 19-21)

Gold is also used in the Old Testament by the prophet Zechariah to depict a refining process which God’s faithful people go through, referring to sanctification – prophecies about sanctification are nothing new in the Word:

And I will put this third into the fire,
and refine them as one refines silver,
and test them as gold is tested.
They will call upon my name,
and I will answer them.
I will say, ‘They are my people’;
and they will say, ‘The LORD is my God.’” (Zech 13:9)

The world today is distracted by two primary sins: 1) new age sorcery, such as witchcraft, the law of attraction (which is theosophy), tarot card reading, and horoscopes; and 2) sexual immorality, such as adultery, homosexuality, and pornography. This will carry on until judgment day. In fact, look at the prophecy that declares these sins will proceed right up to the Second Advent of our Lord on Judgment Day – in fact, during the seven last plagues, prior to His coming, two-thirds of the earth will not repent:

The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk, nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts. (Rev 9:20-21)

“In the whole land,” declares the LORD, “two-thirds will be struck down and perish; yet one-third will be left in it. This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’

In Revelation, Jesus uses gold as an allegory and states, “I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.” (Rev 3:19)

The Purification from Sin: Clothing Allegories

Another allegory common to the Revelation is the symbolism of white clothing, which serves as a covering of righteousness to conceal our Adamic nature of sin, emphasizing the idea of total reliance on Christ’s righteousness to cover our sin. (cf. Rev 3:5, 19; 21:19-21, 27)

Further, we find contrasted people who cannot enter into the city in Revelation 21: 27: “Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life”. Our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, prior to the Lord’s Second Advent. “He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels”. (Rev 3:5) This is pre-Second Advent language.

Prior to the Second Advent

There is an invitation to those who will hear prior to this period, being given by the true church of Jesus, referred to as His Bride. This is the church in sync with His Spirit, working in unison to proclaim the truths of the New Jerusalem together. Only certain people will hear that call: “The Spirit and the bride say, “Come” and let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.” (Rev 22:17) The gift of the Holy Spirit is being offered to those who will hear, to come into union with the Lord, as One.

“Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book.” (Rev 22: 7)  Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near. Let him who does wrong continue to do wrong; let him who is vile continue to be vile; let him who does right continue to do right; and let him who is holy continue to be holy.” (Rev 22: 10-11)

“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” (Rev 22: 12) Jesus prayed that the church would enter into a sanctification process in order to become one with Him. “They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified”. (John 17: 16-19)

 Water of the River of Life Allegory

The Holy Spirit indwelling the church of Jesus Christ is depicted as running in her midst as a river from the throne of God in the New Jerusalem, which is evidently His church:

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.” (Rev 22: 1-4)

Conclusion

The sanctification message of Jesus Christ is proclaimed by His Holy Spirit within His church, as He continues to summon His church and the world today to repent and walk in holiness before Him, bearing the image of Jesus Christ as ambassadors for Him prior to His return on Judgment Day. “For ‘we will all stand before the judgment seat of God'” (Rom 14:10)

The doctrine of Sanctification through the Spirit of God, as we claim the merits of Christ’s blood for our redemption as we repent, is a very important doctrine of the Word to proclaim in the last days prior to the Second Advent of our Lord.

To comment, email editor: glenjackman@adviceon.com

Top 10 Highlighted verses in the ESV Bible

I’ll leave you with these several scriptures: Top 10 Most-Highlighted Verses in the English Standard Version

1    Proverbs 1:7: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

2    Proverbs 3:5–8: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him…

3    Romans 10:9–11: because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved…

4    1 Corinthians 10:12–13: Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability…

5    Galatians 2:19–21: For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me…

6    Philippians 1:5–6: because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

7    Philippians 4:4–9: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything…

8    Colossians 1:9–14: And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding…

9    2 Timothy 3:14–17: …All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness…

10    Hebrews 11:6: And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

The Glorious Implication of Being ‘Born Again’

This is a very interesting and logical piece by a fellow we do not know, David Prince, about being born again, which my wife noted on Facebook:

No one brags about being conceived or born.

Only a fool or madman would claim any credit for that.

How did each of us come to be? Well, Dad’s sperm united with Mom’s egg, we were conceived, and then some forty weeks later, we were born.

It is hard to imagine a more passive experience. All this happened to us and for us.

Being conceived and born is thus a gift we receive, to which we contribute nothing.

So it is with being re-conceived and re-born as a Christian.

In 1 Peter 1, Peter twice speaks of us being “born again”: Verse 3: “According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be BORN AGAIN to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…”

Verse 23: “…You have been BORN AGAIN, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God…” Peter uses the Greek verb ἀναγεννάω (anagennaō), which more accurately means to be “begotten [or conceived] again” (vv. 3, 23).

Now understand the clear implications of this: just as when we were first conceived and born again, we contributed nothing, but all work was performed by our earthly parents, so also when we are reconceived and reborn, it is a work done upon us, a gift given to us by our Heavenly Father.

We had no involvement in it.

We are purely passive.

Therefore, we are not re-conceived because of some work we performed.

We are not reborn because we made a decision to do so.

We are not born anew because we reasoned our way into it, committed our lives to God, or cooperated in our new conception and new birth.

Just as none of us decided to be conceived and born the first time, neither did any of us Christians decide to be reconceived and reborn as children of the Father.

All glory goes to God, who by the Gospel brings us to faith in Christ, generates new life within us, makes us a new creation, and causes us be born again.

God gives, we receive. And that’s that.

Source: Pastor David Prince titled “The Glorious Implication of Being ‘Born Again’”

Logos Article: Are You Making These 7 Common Evangelism Mistakes?

Here is an article written by James Rayment about evangelism, courtesy of Logos.com, the platform where I manage my biblical resources.

Introduction

I run The Al-Ma’idah Initiative, an organization that trains Christians to communicate truth to Muslims in ways that resonate. I work out of a coffee shop in Seattle, where I regularly have conversations with people from a wide range of worldviews. Over the years, my evangelism relationships have led me on extraordinary adventures—from the streets of Guadalajara, Mexico, to the deserts of Saudi Arabia—and I have seen God do amazing things.
Yet I find most Christians dread evangelism. They feel inhibited from having conversations about faith with non-believers. But in my experience, their efforts at evangelism feel unnatural and unnecessarily difficult due to some simple mistakes.
Let’s identify and address these so that you can feel more confident—and even enjoy—what God has called each of us to do.
  1. Waiting to earn the right to share
  2. Avoiding controversial topics
  3. Rejecting those who resist
  4. Losing your composure
  5. Relying on a script
  6. Outsourcing your evangelism
  7. Trying to evangelize alone

1. Waiting to earn the right to share

Many Christians feel they must earn someone’s trust before sharing the gospel with them. So instead of being upfront about what they believe, they try to avoid bringing attention to their faith, hoping that one day, when the time is right, they’ll be able to speak as a friend whose input is valued.
But building a relationship on a shallow foundation of shared activities or pop culture without anything of depth requires Christians to shrink back from their identity and God’s Spirit within them. Yet it’s precisely this Spirit and our nature as “salt of the earth” that our non-believing friends need (Matt 5:13).
Sometimes Christians have an evangelism strategy that looks like this: Be someone’s friend for years, waiting for them to face an existential crisis, at which point we swoop in and share the gospel. (In this way, we are kind of rooting for our friends’ lives to collapse, so that we can help them rebuild.) Now, such collapse certainly happens to some. But remember, not every testimony is, or needs to be, a dramatic one. For instance, although Jesus’s healing ministry is memorable, there were also thousands in the crowds who just saw him and believed.

2. Avoiding controversial topics

Growing up as a Christian in the UK, every piece of conventional wisdom I received instructed me that the best thing Christians could do was steer clear of controversial issues, as such things get in the way of our ability to share the gospel. After all, the Bible does say to avoid foolish controversies (Titus 3:9).
Yet we err when we apply this too broadly. Consider that many of the controversies modern Christians want to avoid are the very things the Bible thinks important to address. Jesus and his apostles don’t merely address salvation. They address our sinful human nature as the reason we need God’s salvation in the first place. They address sexuality, money, politics, culture, and how we are to live as transformed individuals.
While many in our culture will be offended by what the Bible has to say about these topics, others will experience God’s Word as the remedy to a sickness they could never diagnose. In fact, I would argue that our failure to apply the Bible to a host of issues has created a vacuum that non-Christians, like Jordan Peterson, are filling with Bible-adjacent ideas.

3. Rejecting those who resist

When I worked for a well-known missions agency, I was trained to categorize people into three groups: seeker, neutral, or closed. I was taught to respond to each based on their openness to the gospel.
But while this may be a natural way to deal with people, I don’t believe it aligns with what the Bible teaches.
First, according to the Bible, the reason we are saved isn’t primarily because we seek God, but because God himself seeks us: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10).
Further, if you look at the ministry of Jesus, some who were initially receptive to him, like Judas, later betrayed him. Others who were originally antagonistic to Jesus—like James (John 7:5) and Paul (Acts 9:1–2)—God redirected for his own purposes, making them into some of his greatest messengers.
One of my friends is from Turkmenistan. His brother-in-law was the first Turkmen to become a Christian after the fall of the iron curtain. My friend’s friend reacted, “Turkmen are Muslim! If you weren’t my wife’s brother, I would kill you right now!”
Sensible mission agencies would tell you this person is closed to the gospel and you should move on. However, being in the same family meant that there were months of heated arguments, which eventually resulted in my friend becoming a Christian—and eventually a pastor. In fact, he essentially became one of the founding fathers of Turkmen Christianity, facing imprisonment, torture, and assassination attempts. None of that has stopped him from faithfully teaching the Bible for decades and becoming the leading provider of Christian Turkmen content worldwide.
It haunts me to think about non-Christians we may have given up on due to their initial resistance. When you look at leaders like Moses (Exod 3–4) and Paul, both of these men were resistant before God intervened. And God did not squash their stubbornness and aggression; he redirected it for his glory.
http://logos.com/church?blog_campaign=l4c&blog_adtype=inline_middle

4. Losing your composure

Running a ministry to Muslims in a liberal city like Seattle, I’ve notice some interesting patterns. I’ve observed a commonality between those with revolutionary worldviews and those with Islamic ones: Both often expect me, their convinced ideological opponent, to respond to them with fear or anger. They either anticipate that I’ll bow to the inevitability of their ascendant ideology without pushback, or that I’ll react with unhinged fury, confirming their stereotype of the bigot or Islamophobe. What they are not prepared for is a jolly Christian who is friendly and honest, confident yet calm!
We’re familiar with Peter’s call to give a defense “with gentleness and respect.” But I’ve never sat through an evangelism training that emphasized courage. Yet courage is such an important part of evangelism that the Apostle Paul actually refers to it as a sign to them: “[A]nd not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God” (Phil 1:28).
Not only will being calm and courageous make us more interesting to talk to, it’s also a way of leaning on the promises of God.

5. Relying on a script

In my experience, much of the evangelism training in the Christian world—both East and West—focuses on simple methods or formulas designed to make evangelism easy to teach. There is certainly a measure of wisdom in that.
What I have observed is that many such methods, like the Four Spiritual Laws, are built for very specific contexts, like sharing the gospel with a stranger on a college campus. The downside of this simplification is that people may become well equipped to share on campus, but have a hard time adapting what they’ve learned once they leave that open marketplace of ideas (and their flexible schedules) for a more structured life with fewer natural opportunities to engage others.
The New Testament never gives us an exact formula for how to share the gospel. Instead, we see the gospel preached in different ways to different groups of people depending on context. Paul puts it this way: “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Col 4:5–6).
Notice Paul’s assumption: “each person” may need a different answer. Therefore, we should not be preparing to repeat the same conversation over and over, but to apply the whole counsel of God to any situation. This takes more training and discipleship than an evangelistic script can provide, but it will serve us better in the long run and make evangelism more natural.

6. Outsourcing your evangelism

Growing up in England, where there were not as many evangelical Christians around, inviting friends to church always felt difficult. For me, that meant I felt a need to explain the gospel to my non-Christian friends in a way that made sense to them, because I didn’t expect church to resonate with them.
When I moved to America, I joined a rising Seattle megachurch—one that later imploded. For my first couple of years there, I loved it, and I couldn’t wait to invite people to hear the Bible clearly preached in a way that connected with our time and place. But once problems and church drama came to the surface, I was no longer excited to bring my non-Christian friends. This gave me an important realization: If I don’t share the gospel with my non-Christian friends, there might not be anyone else who does.
At this point I realized I had been slacking. I hadn’t been working to communicate Christianity in a way that my friends would understand. I had just been inviting them to hear someone else do it.
Now, inviting your friends to church is good. But consider that you may actually be better suited to share the gospel with them then your pastor or favorite speaker might. God is capable of introducing your friend to anyone—but he chose to put you in their life.

7. Trying to evangelize alone

To counterbalance my previous point, we also need to understand that the church is one body with many parts. Your words will uniquely resonate with some people and not others, and you probably know who those people are.
But you probably also know people in your Christian community who could reach those you can’t. Perhaps there’s a way you could introduce them?
And even for those you can reach, introduce them to your Christian community. Show them that it’s not about you being exceptional, but that God is at work, not only in your life, but also in the lives of others.
After all, Jesus said: “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). If your non-believing friends only encounter you alone, how would they ever get to see the love amongst Christians in action?
Jesus told his disciples he would make them “fishers of men” (Matt 4:19). Maybe we picture one guy with a line catching a single fish. But the fishing his disciples practiced was a team sport—several men shoulder to shoulder, each holding part of a net, wading through the water together.
So find your team. Walk shoulder to shoulder in speaking the truth in love to the people around you who need to know Jesus.
And I hope you have as good a time doing it as I have.