By, Michael Harley

God’s Throne is in “the farthest sides of the north” (Isa. 14:13)[i] If a person could travel north from Earth, leave our galaxy, and pass north of all other galaxies, he would reach God’s holy mountain. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised In the city of our God, In His holy mountain. 2 Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, Is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, The city of the great King. (Psalms 48: 1,2) This is why God is the God Most High, “For the Lord Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth (Psalms 47: 2)”

Jesus Christ in time past left the dwelling place of God, in the northern most parts of the universe, a place of universal rule, to the earth, the only place in the vast universe in which Scripture states that disobedience entered God’s universal Kingdom. Jesus came from the farthest sides of the north to accomplish that which man, who was created to rule the earth, was not able to accomplish. Jesus came as a Man and was completely obedient to God so that man could realize that which he was created for in the beginning – to rule the earth.

“Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:6-11)

10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things”. (Ephesians 4:10)

Jesus came from heaven as a Man and was completely obedient to God the Father and overcame all things, Therefore God has given Him rule over the part of God’s overall Kingdom in which rebellion has entered – the earth. This is the gospel which Jesus spoke of continually. The gospel of the Kingdom of heaven. The good news of the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God which Jesus Christ when he returns will rule – The Kingdom over this earth. One place in a vast universe. Christ will sit on His own throne. He will leave a universal throne, at God’s right side, return to earth and sit on His own throne and rule over the earth with a rod of iron for 1,000 years.

“Then comes the end, when He delivers the Kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet” (1 Corinthians 15:24 – 25).

It will take 1,000 years for Christ to put an end to all disobedience. This is why Revelation chapter 20, verses 1 through 7 state the Kingdom being 1,000 years six times – because that’s exactly what it means: 1,000 years. [ii]

When Jesus commanded Jews, who were a saved people, to follow Him, He meant to follow in His footsteps, and just as He found Himself in a position to rule over the earth, those who followed Him would also find themselves in a position to rule over the earth. And this is exactly what you find in the Scriptures: They forsook all and followed Him.

18 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4: 18-19)

11 So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him. (Luke 5:11)

27 After these things He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” 28 So he left all, rose up, and followed Him. (Luke 5:27-28)

11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, [iii] (Luke 9:11a)

And because they left all and followed Him, Jesus promised them positions of power and authority in the Kingdom of heaven.

27 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?”

28 So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife[a] or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. (Matthew 19:27-29New King James Version NKJV)

It is impossible for anyone to be where Jesus is unless they follow Him, for He is “the Way.”

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (Matthew 16:24)

37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. (Matthew 10: 37 – 39)

Just as Jews 2,000 years ago followed Christ will find themselves in positions of power and authority in the coming age, Christians today who follow Christ will find themselves in of positions of power and authority in the coming age, in the Kingdom of heaven, when that in Matthew chapter 25, verse 31 comes to pass, “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.”

 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. (Revelation 3:21)

26: And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—27 ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’ as I also have received from My Father; (Revelation 2: 26-27).

Man was created to rule the earth. Scripture begins this way, and Scriptures ends with man realizing that which he was created for in the beginning. The Man Jesus Christ will rule as King of Kings and Lord of Lords and those who deny themselves and follow Jesus will also sit on His throne and be given power over the nations. Christians minds need to be off the world and set on the age to come. This age is passing away and everything with it, but the coming Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom.

[i] For you have said in your heart:

‘I will ascend into heaven,

I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;

I will also sit on the mount of the congregation

On the farthest sides of the north; Isaiah 14:13

New King James Version (NKJV)

[ii] Revelation 20:1-7New King James Version (NKJV)

Satan Bound 1,000 Years

20 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.

The Saints Reign with Christ 1,000 Years

4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a[a] thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

Satanic Rebellion Crushed

7 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison

[iii] 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. Luke 9:11

 by Michael Harley

16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”

17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

18 He said to Him, “Which ones?”

Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”

20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”

21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

With God All Things Are Possible

23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

25 When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”

26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

27 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?”

28 So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. Matthew 19: 16-29

The preceding verses are about salvation into the Kingdom of heaven (vs. 23); about salvation into the Kingdom of God (v. 24), not salvation from eternal damnation. The one who came to Jesus in verse 16 was a Jew who was just as saved as any Christian is saved today. The nation of Israel had been shedding the blood of lambs since the days of Moses, for the forgiveness of sins, all the way up to the time of Jesus Christ. When this saved Jew asked in verse 16, “what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” he was speaking about life for an age. The Greek word for eternal is aion[i], which means age. An age is a period of time, having a beginning and an end (Ephesians 3:9; Matthew 13:49)[ii]

He was speaking about life in the Messianic Age when Jesus Christ sits on the throne of His glory. He also asked “What good thing shall I do?” Salvation from eternal damnation is “by grace,” “not of works” (Eph. 2:8,9)[iii]. There was nothing that this man could do to save himself from eternal damnation, but to have salvation into the Kingdom of heaven is something that saved man must work for. He must “strive to enter” (Luke 13:24).[iv]

Jesus said to him, “if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments” (v17) Once again demonstrating that this life is something that the saved individual has to work for himself. The young man said that he had kept all these commandments from his youth and asked what he still lacked (v 20). So Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come follow Me.” But the young man was not willing to give up his earthly possessions in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Although the young man was not willing to give up his possessions to have salvation into the Kingdom of God, Perter and the disciples were willing and had given up all and followed Jesus. And because of this Peter asked, “Therefore what shall we have?” (vs 27). “So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me, will also sit on the twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (v. 28).

The Kingdom of heaven is the Messianic Age, when the Son of Man returns sits on the throne of His glory, and rules over the nations for 1,000 years. And just as the disciples who left all and followed Jesus will sit on the thrones in the Kingdom of Heaven and rule over Israel, Any Christian who leaves all and follows Jesus will sit on Jesus’ throne in the Kingdom of heaven and rule over the nations.  26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations— 27 ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’ as I also have received from My Father; Revelation 2:26-27New King James Version (NKJV)

Man was created to have “dominion over all the earth” and God is not going to change His mind about why He created man “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29). Man will realize the purpose for his creation “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. Matthew 25:31New King James Version (NKJV) All Scripture moves toward this purpose.

[i] αἰών (aiōn 165)

ever [KJV]

ages [KJV]

(from ἄω, ἄημι (aō, aēmi) blow, breathe), the life which hastes away in the breathing of our breath, life as transitory; then, course of life, time of life, life in its temporal form; then the space of human life, an age, or generation (αἰών (aiōn 165) looks at a generation from the point of view of duration, while γενεά (genea 1074) does from that of race), αἰών (aiōn 165) always includes a reference to life, filling time or a space of time. Accordingly — the unbounded time, in which the history or life of the world is accomplished; and hence, the world as filling the unmeasurable contents of immeasurable time. Reference(s)

eternal [KJV]

(from ἄω, ἄημι (aō, aēmi) to blow, breathe) the life that hastes away in the breathing of our breath, life as transitory; then, the course of life, time of life, and generally life in its temporal form; then, the space of human life, an age. αἰών (aiōn 165) always includes a reference to the life, filling time or space of time, hence, the unbounded time past and future, in which the life of the world is accomplished; immeasurable time (Genitive plural of ages). Reference(s)

course [KJV]

the life that hastes away in the breathing of the breath, life as transitory, course of life, and generally life in its temporal form; then, the space of human life, a space of time, time as moving, an age, time so far as history is accomplished in it; an age or dispensation. Reference(s)

In phrases:

εἰς αἰών (eis 1519 aiōn 165) ever (for); *with the article, unto the age. [KJV]

εἰς (eis 1519) into, unto.

[ii] Ephesians 3:9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; New King James Version (NKJV) Matthew 13:49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, New King James Version (NKJV)

[iii] Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. New King James Version (NKJV)

[iv] Luke 13:24 “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 4New King James Version (NKJV)

Old Testament Examples

Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

6 Now these things became our examples[i], to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. 7 And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.”[a] 8 Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; 9 nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; 10 nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11 Now all[b] these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10: 1 – 12)

In the preceding verses, Paul, is speaking to Christians “brethren” and is using the nation of Israel “all our fathers,” to illustrate a point – that just as ALL the nation of Israel was called out of Egypt to a promised land (Earthly), and through disobedience “most of them” fell short of the goal of their calling and failed to enter the land of Israel; All Christians have been called out of the world to a promised land (Heavenly), and though disobedience can fall short of the goal of their calling and fail to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

The whole nation of Israel, when called out of Egypt, was saved (But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. Jude 5). ALL the nation of Israel was saved; just as save as ALL Christians are saved. Only saved individuals can eat “spiritual food” or drink “spiritual drink.” Not only did ALL the nation of Israel drink “spiritual drink” but they drank of  “that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ”. But…

“But with most of them God was not well pleased…” God called the nation of Israel out of Egypt for a purpose – to move into a promised land – the land of Israel. Once they were in the promised land they were to be a “A kingdom of priests and a Holy Nation” (Exodus 19:6), and through them “all the families of the earth (Gen12:3) were to be blessed.

ALL the nation of Israel was called out of Egypt to a promised land, but through disobedience to God’s commands “most of them” “were scattered in the wilderness,” short of the goal or purpose for which they had been called. For they lusted “after evil things, “committed “sexual immorality, “tempted “Christ,”, and “complained.”

“now these things became our (Christians) examples”. Examples” is used twice in the preceding verses. The Greek word for “examples” is tupos, meaning, example, ensample, pattern, or exact replica. Thus, the same thing that happened to the nation of Israel can and will happen to Christians. Christians cannot lose their present salvation, which is obtained without merit, “it is a gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Eph.2:8,9), but Christians can lose their future salvation, salvation iinto the kingdom of Heaven.

Christians have been called to a heavenly promised land – the Kingdom of Heaven- and Christian s through disobedience can fall short of this goal “therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. (Hebrews 4:1). Christians have been warned of this fact in the preceding verses “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” and throughout the New Testament.

The Kingdom of heaven is like… For many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:2,4).

VERSE REFERENCE FOR THE PRECEDING MESSAGE ARE:

1. 1 Corinthians 10: 1 – 12 Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. 7 And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.”[a] 8 Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; 9 nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; 10 nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11 Now all[b] these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
2. Jude 5 But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.
3. Exodus 19:6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”
4. Genesis 12:3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
5. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
6. Hebrews 4:1 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.

[i] τύπος (tupos, 5179), -ου, ὁ, (τύπτω), fr. [Aeschyl. and] Hdt. down;

1. the mark of a stroke or blow; print: τῶν ἥλων, Jn. xx. 25a, 25b [where L T Tr mrg. τόπον], (Athen. 13 p. 585 c. τοὺς τύπους τῶν πληγῶν ἰδοῦσα).
2. a figure formed by a blow or impression; hence univ. a figure, image: of the images of the gods, Acts vii. 43 (Amos v. 26; Joseph. antt. 1, 19, 11; 15, 9, 5). [Cf. κύριοι τύπος θεοῦ, Barn. ep. 19, 7; “Teaching” 4, 11.]
3. form: διδαχῆς, i. e. the teaching which embodies the sum and substance of religion and represents it to the mind, Ro. vi. 17; i. q. manner of writing, the contents and form of a letter, Acts xxiii. 25 (3 Macc. iii. 30).
4. an example;

α. in the technical sense, viz. the pattern in conformity to which a thing must be made: Acts vii. 44; Heb. viii. 5, (Ex. xxv. 40).

β. in an ethical sense, a dissuasive example, pattern of warning: plur. of ruinous events which serve as admonitions or warnings to others, 1 Co. x. 6, 11 R G; an example to be imitated: of men worthy of imitation, Phil. iii. 17; with a gen. of the pers. to whom the example is offered, 1 Tim. iv. 12; 1 Pet. v. 3; τύπον ἑαυτὸν διδόναι τινί, 2 Th. iii. 9; γενέσθαι τύπον [τύπους R L mrg. WH mrg.; cf. W. § 27, 1 note] τινί, 1 Th. i. 7; παρέχεσθαι ἑαυτὸν τύπον καλῶν ἔργων, to show one’s self an example of good works, Tit. ii. 7.

γ. in a doctrinal sense, a type i. e. a person or thing prefiguring a future (Messianic) person or thing: in this sense Adam is called τύπος τοῦ μέλλοντος sc. Ἀδάμ, i. e. of Jesus Christ, each of the two having exercised a pre-eminent influence upon the human race (the former destructive, the latter saving), Ro. v. 14. From https://thebible.org/gt/index

But seek first the kingdom of God…  Matthew 6:33[i]

Your kingdom come…Matthew 6:10[ii]

Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” Matthew 16: 28[iii]

Why would any Christian seek the Kingdom of God if he already has it? Why would the Lord Jesus Christ teach us to pray “Your Kingdom Come” if it’s already here? Why would the Lord say that He will be “coming in His Kingdom” if it was already here? The answer is that it’s not already here.

When the Lord was in the world proclaiming these things, He was speaking to a saved Jewish nation, the Israelites.

Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord, Deuteronomy 33:29[iv]

O God of Israel, the Savior!… Israel shall be saved by the Lord With an everlasting salvation; You shall not be ashamed or disgraced Forever and ever. Isaiah 45:15, 17[v]

When Christ was in the world, and speaking to a saved Jewish nation, He was offering them salvation into the kingdom of heaven/ the kingdom of God, not salvation from eternal damnation.

But the Jewish nation as a whole rejected the message, and rejected the Messenger. Therefore, the kingdom of heaven was taken from them, and given to a new nation, yet to be born. a holy nation,
(1 Peter 2:9) Christians[vi]

“Therefore I say to you, [the Jewish Nation (added for clarification) ]the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. Matthew 21:43[vii]

Had the Jewish nation received their King and His message, they would have received the salvation He was proclaiming to them and He would have them set up the Kingdom, but they rejected it.

Today, through the Holy Scriptures, Christians, who have already been saved, just as the saved Jews in past time, are being offered the same salvation that Christ offered the Jews, the same salvation they rejected and was taken from them, salvation into the kingdom of heaven. And just as saved Jews in time past rejected the kingdom, most Christians are rejecting it today, and it will be taken from them.

“20 you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. 22 Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. romans 11:20-22[viii]

The Spirit of God is in the world today searching for a bride for His Son Jesus Christ. When the search is complete, all Christians will be removed from the world, and appear before the judgment seat of Christ to “receive the things done in the body” (2 Corinthians 5:10)[ix]

Faithful Christians who denied themselves in this present world, will be given positions of power and authority in the world to come, the Kingdom of Heaven. Unfaithful Christians who loved this present world, will be denied positions of power and authority in the world to come, the Kingdom of God.

This salvation into the Kingdom of heaven is the salvation of your soul, and can be gained or lost. Christians cannot lose their present salvation, the salvation of your spirit. Man, is a tri-part being: spirit, soul, and body, and Christians have been saved, are being saved, and will be saved.

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.1 Thessalonians 5:23[x]

and through Christians cannot lose the salvation they currently possess the salvation of their spirit, they can lose the salvation of their souls, salvation into the Kingdom of heaven.

“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life [“in this world” John 12:25] will lose it, but whoever loses his life   [“in this world” John 12:25] for My sake will find it. [the world to come, Hebrews 2:5] For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. 28 Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” Matthew 16:24-28[xi]

[i] But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33

[ii] Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10

[iii] Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” Matthew 16: 28

[iv] Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord, The shield of your help and the sword of your majesty! Your enemies shall submit to you, and you shall tread down their high places.” Deuteronomy 33:29

[v] Truly You are God, who hide Yourself, O God of Israel, the Savior! Isaiah 45:15 But Israel shall be saved by the Lord With an everlasting salvation; You shall not be ashamed or disgraced Forever and ever. Isaiah 45:17

[vi] But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;1 Peter 2:9

[vii] “Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. Matthew 21:43

[viii] 20 Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. 22 Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. romans 11:20-22

[ix] For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10

[x] Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.1 Thessalonians 5:23

[xi] Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. 28 Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”Matthew 16:24-28

He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. John 12:25

For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. Hebrews 2:5

Hi Jim, since you are so good at defending our faith, I was wondering if you would read the following response a friend of mine from my high school days posted on FB. I have tried discussing these matters with her but she gets very defensive. I would be glad to know how you would respond to her comments point by point. “The bible is not the basis of our Constitution. I wholeheartedly disagree. And recorded history does too. I am currently reading the biography of Alexander Hamilton and I have read The Federalist Papers, biographies of most of the Founding Fathers, and a number of history books. The common denominator is their desire to avoid a national religion. The bible is not factual. There is too much hard scientific evidence to the contrary. While I believe that you have the freedom to believe what you want, I have the freedom from your beliefs too. The bible has 11 cases of incest, and has been used to justify slavery, child abuse, discrimination, and war. I do not want government based on that.” Thanks for your help with this

Michelle, one of the first things we must recognize is hard core evolutionist/ atheist most likely cannot be changed, 2 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12, Romans 1: 28. the 2nd point is argument is never the answer, they do get on the defensive. So, it really depends upon the person you’re speaking to when determining how to approach them, (1 Peter 3:15 tells us to defend the word…. meekly and humbly) we must lead them into a “conversation”.

It appears to me in your message that the following are the arguments she poses:

1. “The bible is not the basis of our Constitution.
2. The bible is not factual. There is too much hard-scientific evidence to the contrary.
3. While I believe that you have the freedom to believe what you want, I have the freedom from your beliefs too.
4. The bible has 11 cases of incest, and has been used to justify slavery, child abuse, discrimination, and war.

I will give you my answers at the end of this message.

One thing I find interesting about your statement is she doesn’t want government based upon the bible, (you and I know that is a scary thing, every other government has absolutely been as she described, when not based upon the Bible, consider Hitler’s Germany for instance)  and all the examples of abuse, and such that she quotes… she obviously has never read the bible, let alone understands it, nor does she understand much about our countries history, nor does she know much about science, all she knows in all these subjects is what another atheist has told her. The bible hasn’t changed, science has, it is always moving towards biblical statements concerning scientific facts. She apparently has her mind set on believing the lie, without evidence.

Normally the way I respond to atheist is to ask them if they are interested in truth…. Biblically or not… and all of them will say yes and state that as the reason for rejecting scripture (but you must remember Liberals are not really interested in the truth, even though they think they are).

Your response should be something like this: “if you are truly interest in learning the truth, if you are truly committed to knowing the truth then you must be willing to examine both sides of the issue, consider all the facts, with an open mind, and until you are ready to do that, you are rejecting the truth, and are only interested in a philosophy that supports your desired lifestyle. (Always, always remember the part about meekness and humility)

A person truly committed to truth, will seek truth diligently, and when they find it, will live by it.

A good question is simply to ask them is “What if I could prove to you God does exist, and He is the author of the bible, would that change your view”?

I tell the guys in the prison, that I can do exactly that, but so what? What difference does it make if they do not let this truth change their lives?

We can give scientific and mathematical proof of creation being the true reason for our existence (vs. evolution) all day long (literally, all day long), and the committed atheist/ evolutionist will reject it, and come up with some answer such as …. Well given enough time…

This is the reason I am developing the new class called the two witnesses. These are facts contained in scripture that cannot be argued by anyone. They are the scientific facts stated in the bible such as the jet stream circuit (verified by during world war II by airmen), that there are springs in the bottom of the ocean (verified by scientist in the 1970’s), and all the health facts long before mankind had any proof, or idea of the facts being presented.

2^nd are the prophesies in the bible, predictions of the future which are now history, of which there are some 2,500 of them and all except a few last day prophesies have been fulfilled exactly as predicted. For instance, Daniels 70 “7’s” (predictions of 70 – 7 year periods of time ending with the crucifixion of Christ) are so accurate that even bible scholars thought that it was history being passed off as prophecies, until they found the dead sea scrolls in 1948 that predated the prophesies, proving it was prophecy.

They cannot be argued, because they are in the bible and are proven scientific or now historical facts, and, it can be proven the bible has not changed (we have thousands of very early copies, even 4 -5 thousand of just the new testament)

One technique I like to use is to tell people in the theaters of their minds to picture a chalk board like they had in school, stretching from the beginning of time to today. Start by drawing line on your board at the very top, all the way across, in a straight line and label that line “The Bible” because it is the same all through time, it never changes and never will. Secondly start a line at the bottom left and title it “Science” and as we progress through the course they will move that line up every time science changes it position due to more evidence… the line will always head towards the Bible line, and eventually if we’re around long enough it will meet up with the bible line and join it, but will never go above it.

The point to the two witnesses is simply this; for early man to record all these facts of science and the future, they had to have a source of higher intelligence, a higher power, that higher power is what we refer to as “God” and to the logical mind it proves the bible had to be inspired by God.

Remember the apostles when they were evangelizing made the statement that the Jews found the gospel a stumbling block, and the Greeks considered it nonsense… the reason is the Jews had basic understanding, the Greeks didn’t. The Pew research institute tells us people born in 1996 and later only about 50% have any knowledge of scripture at all. Which means half of America today (Liberals) are merely modern day Greeks… it sounds like nonsense to them, and they consider it intellectual suicide to even consider the possibility of the Bible being the truth. So, anytime you are dealing with an atheist you need to determine that. However, you do have some inside knowledge about her… she and everyone else who claims to be an atheist are lying (Romans 1:18 – 19) The Brown trucking company in Georgia polygraphed everyone applying for a job with them until 1988. One of the questions they asked everyone is if they believed in God… when a confirmed atheist would answer no, in every case the machine indicated they were lying, and they tested over 15,000 people.

Now to answer her statements:

1. “The bible is not the basis of our Constitution.
   1. A simple study of American history proves that the Bible/ Christianity is absolutely the basis of our Constitution, and our very existence, in addition:
      1. In the beginning the education of children was the responsibility of the church
      2. All school children learned from the McGuffey reader which was based upon bible scriptures

• If you go to court, you swear to tell the truth by placing your hand on a bible (liberals may have had this changed…. Wouldn’t surprise me) indicating, truth, and the commitment to it was found in the Bible

1. Congress and the Senate began, and I think they still do, with prayer.
2. All courthouse, and federal buildings generally have the ten commandments posted or some other scripture.

2. The bible is not factual. There is too much hard-scientific evidence to the contrary.
   1. There are over a hundred examples of science now proving the truth and consistency of scripture, basically science is just catching up to biblical statements concerning our cosmos and our Earth.
3. While I believe that you have the freedom to believe what you want, I have the freedom from your beliefs too.
   1. This is a biblical principle, God only wants those to come to Him voluntarily.
4. The bible has 11 cases of incest, and has been used to justify slavery, child abuse, discrimination, and war.
   1. People over time have misused biblical scriptures to preform evil acts, there is no doubt about this, the crusades are a good example of this. However,
      1. Slavery is a fact of history, began in Africa (this is just a fact of life, and the bible does not hide from facts.)
      2. Child abuse has been prevalent throughout history. Various societies have used children in their temple worship (not Christian or Jews) for sexual purposes all through time (for instance, and for obvious reasons, I like to use Amy Carmichael as an example of this, who went to India to save the little girls from this abuse, and later the little boys as well. (Again, this is just a fact of life, and the bible does not hide from facts.)
         1. A simple reading of scripture tells us God is against this, and anyone commits this crime will suffer harsher judgment than anyone else.

• Incest is much more common than we like to admit, it’s like the old joke that some family trees do not have branches. Again, this is just a fact of life, and the bible does not hide from facts.
  1. In the beginning, everyone was a brother and sister, all born of Adam, so there was no option.
  2. In the ark, these eight people were all relatives, again no option.
  3. In early America, in the small villages across the land, very often the only mate available was a cousin.
  4. President Roosevelt was married to his 1^st

1. Discrimination:
   1. This is common among all people groups, and not just a white man’s invention. And there are many examples of this, not just skin color even though that is the common reason. The sad thing is evolutionist preach there are five races of mankind, but the bible teaches us there is only one race: the human race, and now DNA has proven the bible to be correct, again proving evolution to be wrong. And, there is only one skin color; brown with various shades depending on how much of what I call food coloring is present.
2. War: Again, this is just a fact of life, and the bible does not hide from facts.
   1. War has existed all through history.
      1. America has been involved in war many times, generally dragged into it by other countries, such as in world war II when we were attacked without provocation in Pearl Harbor by a country that did not believe in God, nor the bible.
         1. Also by Germany, and contrary to what many will tell you, Hitler was not a Christian.
         2. The American revolution… to gain freedom from England and establish our country as a Christian country, following the precepts of Christ, but giving religious freedom to all (the idea of course Christian religion, and even those who claimed this really meant their brand of Christian religion which for the most part was their own brand of Christian beliefs.

• The civil war, in which the conservative republicans recognized that slavery was an evil practice being defended by the liberal democrats of the day (in addition the KKK later was the strong arm of the democratic party… not the republicans) When John Kennedy supported the civil rights bill in the 1960’s he was considered a traitor to his party, and his reward was assignation.

1. God uses war in the scriptures for several reasons, including to punish the Jews who turned their backs of Him.
2. He used wars and battles to demonstrate His great power, that it was He who was in control, allowing just a handful of men defeat great armies, and at time sending angels to destroy evil empires and armies.

Let’s look at the other options. A godless society: Our government today has approved of homosexual activity as legal, even to the point of gay marriages in direct opposition to God’s word. It has opened girl’s restrooms in the schools, and public, as well as private buildings, subjecting our little girls to any perverts, to whatever abuse they choose to perpetrate on these children.

God says thou shall not murder, yet the godless society says that is Okay… genocide against the aged, with the idea that anyone over 80 should not receive medical care outside of pain killers to make them more comfortable (I guess that is their idea of compassion). We have murdered 60 million innocent babies, by tearing the them literally, limb from limb, knowing full well they feel that pain, and then crushing their skulls… great example of a compassionate yet godless society.

Even if the Bible wasn’t true (and it is proven to be true, by science) I would still prefer is precepts over the godless societies that have emerged from time to time, including the United States in the last 8 years.

I hope you will look around this website, you find overwhelming evidence that proves the bible to be the Inspired Word of God.

Prison Sermon on Pride for December 2016

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

There is a cosmic battle going on, a spiritual warfare between two factions, pride on one side, humility, and meekness on the other.

I decided to teach this lesson by comparing the two factions and giving examples, as well as definitions of each.

My favorite joke is to say my greatest source of pride comes from how humble I am…. But seriously I use this to remind myself that pride can sneak up on you, you have to be very careful around this deadly poison (pride)  that seems to have a mind and purpose of its own, and that is to destroy its victims, for ever and ever and ever…..

I have often wondered about pride, I have talked about it, preached about it, but really what is it? How can I recognize it, know it when I see it? How can taking pride in my work be a sin?

I used to think the old bumper sticker “God is my co-pilot” was a positive thing, a good statement of faith, but what it’s really saying God is taking second place in my affairs, and I am in control of my destiny, this is pride…. No God is the pilot, and I am the flight attendant and my job is serving the others on board while we make this journey….

C.S. Lewis writes, in Mere Christianity, that pride is the “anti-God” state, the position in which the ego and the self are directly opposed to God: “Un-chastity, anger, greed, drunkenness, and all that, are mere fleabites in comparison: it was through Pride that the devil became the devil: Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind.”

But again, that is confusing, because we have all been taught to be proud of our accomplishments, or take pride in ourselves, family pride, pride of our son’s football team, or our daughters musical talents, or whatever they may be involved in.

How about taking pride in our work, meaning to do a good job, create a good product, and etc.

What about humility or being meek? Are these just other words for weakness? This is what I discovered:

Hubris

This is the type of pride C.S. Lewis is speaking of:

Hubris was a character flaw often seen in the heroes of classical Greek tragedy and The familiar old saying “Pride goeth before a fall” is basically talking about hubris.

In ancient Greek, hubris referred to actions that shamed and humiliated the victim for the pleasure or gratification of the abuser. The term had a strong sexual connotation, and the shame reflected on the perpetrator as well.  Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Definition of Hubris by Aristotle

From his book “Rhetoric”

“Hubris consists in doing and saying things that cause shame to the victim…simply for the pleasure of it. Retaliation is not hubris, but revenge. … Young men and the rich are hubristic because they think they are better than other people.”

Aristotle thus believed that people indulge in crimes like sexual misconduct and maltreating others only to fulfill their basic desire to make themselves feel superior to others.

A couple of examples:

Paradise Lost

In his famous epic “Paradise Lost”, Milton portrays “Satan” as a character that suffers from Hubris. He loses his glorious position through giving in to his excessive pride. It was his Hubris that made him try to take control over Heaven. Although he failed miserably, his pride lasts:

“Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heav’n.”

The reason of his desire to rebel against his creator originates from his reluctance to accept the authority of God and His Son because he believed that angels are” self-begot, self-raised” and hence bringing his downfall in being thrown out of Paradise.

How often have we heard men boast “I am my own man” or how about that song by Frank Sinatra, and Elvis Presley…. I did it my way?

A good example of making God the co-pilot, second in command rather than first in their lives.

Doctor Faustus

An instance of Hubris can be spotted in Marlowe’s “Doctor Faustus”. Faustus’s arrogance and extreme pride in his scholarship and his irresistible desire to become superior to all other men of his age forces him to sell his soul to “Lucifer” by signing a contract with his blood. He learns the art of black magic and defies Christianity. Finally, he must pay for his arrogance and pride. The devils take away his soul to Hell and he suffers eternal damnation.

Let’s look at the other side of this cosmic battle….

What is the opposite of hubris?

Meekness and Humility

God’s Cure for Pride, Haughtiness, and Egotism

Two men came to lead their people; first Moses to lead the Jews out of Egypt, and then Christ to lead all men out of captivity.

Both men, came, gave up comfort, and lived by, and taught us God’s will.

Numbers 12:3 – Moses was very meek, above all men on face of the earth.

Matthew 11:29,30 – Jesus said, “I am meek and lowly in heart.”

These men were two of the greatest characters who ever lived. God chose both to be givers of His law. Jesus was the Divine Son of God. Surely, we should seek to be like these men.

Other verses emphasize the importance of these qualities

Matthew 5:5 – Blessed are the meek (gentle – NKJV), for they shall inherit the earth. Jesus declares a “blessing” (happiness) on those who are meek.

Galatians 5:22,23 – Meekness is one of the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit – qualities that we must possess if the Spirit leads us.

Definition: Meekness

This is a difficult word to understand, because we think “meek” implies weakness. Sometimes it is translated (NKJV) “gentleness,” but that also implies weakness.

The best way to know the meaning of a word is to study passages where it is used. As we do, we will see meekness is an attitude or quality of heart [1 Peter 3:4] whereby a person willingly accepts and submits without resistance to the will and desires of someone else.

The meek person is not self-willed – not continually concerned with self, his own ways, ideas, and wishes. He is willing to put himself in second place and submit himself to achieve what is good for others.

Meekness is the opposite of self-will, self-interest, and self-assertiveness.

This is a sign, not of weakness of character (as some think), but of strength. It requires great self-control to submit to others.

Think about it, we are born with only one thought, self, we know nothing of the outside world, the only thing we know is that if we are uncomfortable, or hungry we cry, because things are simply not going our way….

The job of the parent is to teach the child, to speak, walk, read, write, but more importantly to look to others, to put their needs and desires ahead of their own.

Jody’s focus when we teach a Sunday school class of little ones, is teaching them to share.

Our instinct is to gather for ourselves, work a job so we can have money to spend on ourselves. Not for others.  So, we must resist our natural instinct to be meek, and that takes great strength of character.

Meekness is what we must possess to fulfill the greatest commandant, to love God with all our hearts, minds, and souls, as well as the  2^nd greatest commandment to love each other, and by this men will know we are Christians…. Love is agape…. To put the others needs ahead of your own.   Fits perfectly doesn’t it?

Matthew 22:37-40  37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is  the  first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’  40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

“DYING TO SELF”

by Dr. D. W. Ekstrand

The world’s philosophy says LIVE FOR SELF… but God’s Word says DIE TO SELF!  Many people came to Jesus and asked to be His disciples, but most of them turned away because they were not willing to give themselves to Christ; i.e., make themselves a “slave of Christ” (Lk 14:26, 33; 16:13; Rom 12:1; 1 Cor 6:19-20; 1 Pet 1:18-19). Jesus said, “He who loves his father or mother or himself more than Me, he is not worthy of Me” (Mt 10:37-39). Thus Paul said, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal 2:20).

The essence of a being’s “existence” has to do with the fact that he is a “living reality” — if one no longer has or the functions of vitality, they are said to “no longer exist.” So, the essence of “death” is the absence of “life” – therefore when one dies “one ceases to exist.”

To carry the argument into the spiritual realm, when someone “spiritually dies    to self,” self ceases to exist – that is, SELF IS NO LONGER THE REASON FOR ONE’S EXISTENCE. 

As such, the individual is no longer concerned with “his own will or happiness,” because he is no longer in the picture… he is         no longer the center of his own little universe… he no longer continues to arrange the world around himself.

The individual who “dies to self” understands that God created him for a reason; that he is a part of God’s plan for the world. To be used of God one must understand the essence of who he now really is, and how it is that God can use him.

Every genuine child of God wants to be used by God to accomplish His purposes in the world

Jesus said, “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples” (Jn 15:8).

That is the essence of God’s plan – we are saved to bear fruit; created in Christ Jesus for good works (Eph 2:10).

We bear fruit when Christ lives His life in and through us (Jn 15:5; Gal 2:20). The apostle Paul said, “For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil 1:21). The Lord wants us to live a godly and spiritually productive happy life.

Definition: Humility

This is an attitude or quality of mind [Acts 20:19] whereby a person holds low esteem or opinion of his own goodness and importance. Spiritually, one abases himself because he realizes his sinfulness and therefore he is willing to depend on God to meet His needs. It is the opposite of pride, haughtiness, and self-exaltation.

The goal of death to self and daily cross-bearing is “fellowship with Christ.” The goal of life for the believer is to “seek God” and make Him their all in all, their last end.

Jeff Alexander suggests the following five ways that we embrace the cross (www.cause-of-god.com) —

Humiliation – This is the essence of the Christ-life. Here God uses reproaches, abuse, poverty, loneliness, persecution, distress, seeming failure, disappointments, and the like. These things succeed when they cause us to lose our own will and let God take charge.

Rejecting the praise of men – Self thrives on praise and adulation; self-esteem is the hotbed of the self-life.

Embracing simplicity and child-likeness – Self feeds on things grand and glorious; Christ-likeness is child-like and simple.

Living by pure faith – Self depends on outward assurances; living by pure faith trusts the Word of God even when there is no indication of God’s presence or blessing.

Seeking our nothingness and His all-ness – We must make a daily habit to distrust ourselves, our own wisdom, and our strength, and look to Christ alone for what we need.

Now, let me offer a few examples of those who have displayed amazing humility and meekness: This is a story given to us by our pulpit preacher Mitch Wilburn a couple of weeks ago…

Michael W Smith met with Billy Graham for the purpose of planning Rev. Graham’s funeral. The famous evangelist was, at the time, 94 years old. He was confined to a wheelchair, on oxygen. His mind was sharp and spirits were high. But his body was seeing its final days. So he called for Michael. And he called for his pastor. He wanted to discuss his funeral. He told them that he had a request.

“Of course,” they said. “Anything you want. What is it?”

“It has to do with the funeral…”

“You cannot mention my name.  Just mention the name of Jesus.”

Billy Graham has preached to over a billion people. He has filled stadiums on every continent. He has advised every president of the last half century. He has consistently been at the top of every most-admired list. Yet, he wants to be unmentioned at his own funeral.

Mother Teresa was a teacher in a school in India, and all her needs were met in the convent where she lived.

However, she chose to give up her life in that convent to live with the poorest of the poor on the streets of Calcutta, taking care of the very sick and dying. She took care of people with whom no one else wanted to bother.

The Missionaries of Charity is the name of the religious order Mother Teresa started. Women who join this order give up their possessions and live a life of great simplicity. When they find people dying in the streets and the slums, they take them into their hospitals, clean them up, give them medical care, and if they cannot recover, provide a clean and sanitary place to die with dignity.

I have often stated my real hero is not the mother Teresa’s of the world, who are fine examples of humility, but the humble little nurse/ nun who gives up all her life, her happiness in a worldly sense, live among the poorest of the poor by choice, and we never even know their name. They live and die for others, without recognition, without glory or honor, they just do the work.

That is above most of us, certainly for me.

We should start each day with a prayer, and self examination. Starting the day with the prayer, and then with the determination that we will die to self this day, we will put all others first. And then at night, praying for forgiveness of our failure, examine those failures, what could we have done differently this day?

That is a form of dying to self, just having the goal, and working on it daily, and each day we will move a little closer to accomplishing that goal.

Thank you for having me, I pray we all go in peace and as we start the New Year, that we all are determined to move closer to being meek and humble:

I think we can see the difference, the two sides of the story are glaringly obvious now. We can recognize the prosperity preaching is not real teaching, at least Christian teaching, we don’t need self-help guides, we only need Christ, to die to ourselves is Christ, the greatest gain, the greatest of all victories.

SOME THINGS WE HEAR

Why do you waste your time? – It’s just jail house religion – We will never see them in church – Sure, they will listen, a captive audience! – It’s casting pearls before pigs – Just lock them up and throw away the key.

A THOUGHT

I hope it never happens to you!! If and when a family has a loved one arrested, it is amazing how suddenly their attitude change. PRISON MINISTRY IS WELL WORTH THE TIME, ENERGY AND MONEY. I could put a list together of men and women whose lives were changed by the power of the Gospel. And later were released and have done very well. The list would include ministers, missionaries, elders, deacons, Bible School teachers, song leaders, prison ministers, just good hard working members of the Lords Church, etc.

One out of every 31 citizens in the US is part if the criminal justice system. Either locked up or on parole, or probation etc. If you add chemical addiction to the equation, one in every three is affected. On the average one out of every two families are affected. It costs between $25,000 – $40,000 per inmate per year. We don’t always succeed in turning a prisoner into a faithful and fervent church member. However, he or she may leave prison and stop drugging, drinking, stealing, and beating his wife and or kids. HOW MUCH IS THIS WORTH? We must remember the value of one soul yanked away from Satan.

The spiritual growth process is simple: we plant and water and God does the rest. A willing few go behind the bars while many others send by praying and sending financial support to them. Thank you for your prayers and support. We could not do what we do without your prayers and support. GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!!!! ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD!!!

6TH GRADUATION FROM FAITH AND CHARACTER BASED UNIT.

This unit is made up of believers in Christ. They spend there time in Bible and Life Skill classes for one and one half years. I have had the privilege to teach in this unit for several years. I have seen many men change there lives because of this teaching. Of the ones that graduate less than ten percent ever go back to prison as an inmate. The rate of all inmates is about 80 percent are back within 3 years. We graduated 25 men on Friday December 9, 2016. What a blessing to get to witness the change in these men because of the word of God.

Thank you from the bottom of our heart.

From all the jail and prison workers Jim Pinkston, Senior Prison Minister

Tulsa County Jail. Jim Pinkston, Francisco Davila and Zeth Parkhurst teach the men. Several ladies go to the women’s pods every Thursday and Friday for the last four years, to teach. Zeth is teaching with Jim each Wednesday and teaching the hearing impaired. We have baptized 398 of our students this year.

Back to the ladies: We have ladies teaching in all three ladies pods at Tulsa County Jail each week. They rotate lessons every thirteen weeks. Carol Siling, Elaine Russell, and Theresa Hawkins teach. Jody Gilkey was teaching but her job schedule is preventing her at this time but hopes to return soon. Elaine is the coordinator for the women. Many ladies are being changed by the Gospel because of these ladies.

Dick Connors Correctional Center. Jim Pinkston teaches NLB Lessons and CASA (Christians Against Substance Abuse). He also teaches in the faith based unit and preaches there four evenings each month. Jim Carmichael teaches every Monday morning and for the next three months also on Thursdays and preaches one night per month. Elaine Russell, Jim’s wife Jean, Jim & Jody Carmichael, Patrick Murphy, and Beverly Bennett help and Booker leads singing when he can. We go to the Minimum Security unit on the first and forth Sunday nights for services and to the Medium Security (behind the walls) on the first and third Tuesday nights for services.

Correspondence. 40 packages of 6 to 7 lessons mailed to many prisons in Oklahoma. Every two weeks = 260 lessons x 2 = 520 per month or 6,240 per year. Many of these are people we studied with at Tulsa and Creek County Jail and have gone on to prison or were transferred from one prison to another. This is one way we keep up with our students as they are moved from prison to prison. Elaine Russell & Carol Siling sends lessons to ladies who were former students at Tulsa County Jail who have gone to a prison or gone home. On the second and fourth Tuesdays evenings we have a group that meets to grade and get these lessons ready to mail.

John H. Lilly Correctional Center. Bryan Campbell is doing Celebrate Recovery every Saturday.

Creek Co. Jail . David Stikes is preparing to start teaching there again in January.

Re-entry program. (Hope City) It houses five men at this time. Randy Milam is the onsite manager. We have the space for five. Two units are being remodeled to where it can handle seven. We also have a RV that is being plumed at this time to where it can house one, making the total eight. One of these men (Bryan Campbell) has been trained to go into the prisons and be a full time teacher. He leads a C.R. group there each Saturday.

In the last three years over twenty men have been helped and are closer to Jesus because of the Hope City ministry. Two of these men have their own businesses today and employ several ex-offenders.

Advisory Board. The board is made up of eight men: James Ivy,(deacon over ministry) Ken Williams, Steve Stade, Scott Blackwell, Gary Medley, Mark Clayton, Randy Milam and Kevin Neiman. Jim is the recruiter for the applicants. The board decides who is approved to enter the reentry program. They go by a set of guidelines approved by the Elders. The board also oversees the operation of the program.

Rogers County Jail Mike Hawkins started a great jail ministry a few months ago and has been very successful teaching there. God just keeps growing this ministry along with the others.

Future Plans. To continue with the programs that are now successful and just see where God leads us in 2016.

This ministry was started by Terry Finch and James Ivy in 2009, Jim Pinkston came aboard in 2010 part time for 2 years then full time.

Baptisms from this work

2010 94

2011 109

2012 139

2013 259

2014 406

2015 382

2016 398

Total 1787 Since 2010 That we know of.

To put this in perspective, 1787 would more than fill first & second service at Park Central.

Impossible without your support.

“Jesus did it!!!”

“…chose you this day whom ye will serve…” – Joshua 24:15

The vision I have for the Faith and Character Program here at DCCC is that it continues to strike deep in the hearts of all those who are truly trying to change and better themselves, taking accountability for the choices they have made ad will make.

Since we are all in the business of making choices, my hope is that before these choices are made, some thought goes into them.

Many of us get caught in the moment and regret some of those choices.

Having a relationship with GOD will point us in the right direction “GOD is faithful b whom (we) were called into the fellowship of HIS SON JESUS CHRIST our LORD (1 Corinthians 1:9).

Since there are consequences to every action, and the choices you make today could be the situation you deal with in the future.

Spreading kindness and positive vibes can only benefit all those who are involved. The love you have for your fellow human beings is the love that you shall receive one way or another! 1 John 4:7 commands: “Beloved, let us love on another; for love is of GOD.” Pay it forward and you shall be blessed beyond anything you have ever known.

Change is not easy, but it is always necessary as the world turns; so we shall move with our best foot forward and our heads to the sky, leaving a positive print on this earth that never will be destroyed. Love yourselves and love each other. JESUS said; “This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you” – John 15:12.

Remember, it is never too late to change.

The FCCP is looking for individuals who have made up their minds that they want something different out of this life and realize they have something positive to contribute to humanity.

We are looking for those who truly want to change for the better.

“…be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.” – Romans 12:2

Jody doesn’t share her thoughts very often, but today she has something to say:

Our God is an awesome God! Our country is a Christian nation! Our election is celebrated!

America was founded on three documents: The Declaration of Independence; The Paris Peace Treaty of 1783, and the Constitution. These documents give conclusive proof that America is a Christian nation. One does not need a law degree or a degree in history to grasp this truth. It is obvious to anyone who does not have an agenda. Let us review the documents and show this proof.

Suggestions for President Trump:

Abolish the Supreme Court. We do not need them, we each have our own State Supreme Courts,  and the US Supreme Court has followed Obama’s lead in making laws, without authority to do so.

Why was the Supreme Court created?

Although the Constitution establishes the Supreme Court, it permits Congress to decide how to organize it. Congress first exercised this power in the Judiciary Act of 1789. This Act created a Supreme Court with six justices. It also established the lower federal court system.

The Supreme Court was constructed to adjudicate law for specific cases, mostly disputes among states or situations in which the United States is a party. The high court was assuredly never meant to override law or overturn state law, and even the proponents of judicial review in the ratification conventions never explained this power in relation to overturning state law. How can I assert this with certainty? Because the Constitution’s biggest proponents assured us of this. The proof lies in the states, where the Constitution was defended against some of the most compelling attacks by the Brutus Writings, Patrick Henry, and other powerful voices of opposition.

Abolish the IRS. They also have violated the Constitution in acting on behalf of the Liberals.

16th Amendment: The American people were told that the income tax provision would apply only to the top one percent of wage earners, and would sock them with a one percent tax on income. The rest of America – you know, the ones who had to vote for this thing – were told we would be left alone. None of this would apply to us.

Prior to the passage of the 16th Amendment, virtually the sole source of income to the federal government came from tariffs collected on imported goods. That itself was a profound limitation on the size and reach of the federal government. In 1910, for instance, the budget for the entire federal government was $1.042 billion. You read that right. The entire federal budget in 1910 was one billion dollars.

Withdraw from the United Nations, it is a joke, and it will fall when our funding is gone.

U.S. Funding of the U.N. System

The U.S. has been the largest financial supporter of the U.N. since the organization’s founding in 1945. The U.S. is currently assessed 22 percent of the U.N. regular budget and more than 27 percent of the U.N. peacekeeping budget. In dollar terms, the Administration’s budget for FY 2011 requested $516.3 million for the U.N. regular budget and more than $2.182 billion for the peacekeeping budget.

Assist California in seceding from our great Christian nation, but include sanctions of any trade with  them, which will bankrupt them. This will cleanse our country of the filth inflicted on our children from Hollywood.

The huge majority of professional pornography is generated in California – Los Angeles, to be exact. Some estimates say that 90% of all porn is shot in the San Fernando Valley.

All states will gladly accept any Christian refugees who choose to flee California.

Deport the protesters to California, where they can be taken under the wing of the Hollywood elite, at least, until their funds run out.

The ACLU should be exclusive to California, banned from all courts in our Christian Nation.

Maybe the professional politicians can relocate to California, and with their amazing acting skills,  they can compete with the most successful, famous Hollywood stars, until their funds run out…

Hillary can either be President of California, or further pursue her acting career.

It is amazing to me to see the great concern the radical liberals have for the environment and animals, yet eagerly promote homosexuality and abortion.

Romans 1:25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

Genesis 2:24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

Leviticus 20:13 If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.

They will soon find themselves on the extinct list without ability to reproduce, as God intended with us, His creation.