By Jaumon Okyere Sr.

Are all humans’ children of God?

To answer that question, we need to go back to the beginning, Gen 2:7 says “Jehovah God proceeded to form the man out of dust from the ground and blow into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living soul”.

Have you ever had a new car? I bet you called it your “baby”, you probably even named it. How about a new idea? Most people, when they have a new idea or creation refer to it as their brain child. And, they patent it to say, “this is my creation; I own the rights to it”.

In most civilizations and societies, it’s common to say that when you are the first to create something or have an idea you are named as the father, mother, brain, or creator, and the patent belongs to you. Since Jehovah “was and is” the first to create “everything” we’ve known and will know, makes him the father to “all things”, we are his patent, made in his own image, his brain child, his children.

However, Jehovah does not consider us all to be his children. Being children of God is not something we imperfect humans are entitled to by birth, like most children in our society. But, we are all offspring of Adam, who when created in perfection was a “son of God”. Because of Adam and Eve’s sin in the Garden of Eden we’ve all been cursed from birth, born of sin, made imperfect, and fallen short of the glory of the Almighty God. However, Jehovah, through his undeserved love and kindness, has given us all a chance to be “Born Again” and made perfect in his eyes through the ransom sacrifice of his only begotten son Jesus Christ, (John 3:16) giving us all a chance to once again share in His divine love and presence.

Wouldn’t we all love to enjoy our father’s love and presence? The problem is not everyone accepts Jehovah God as his father because they choose to do unrighteous things and since they choose to do those things they are loving evil. If they love evil they cannot love Jesus Christ or His father Jehovah God because they condemn evil (John 8:42-44[NKJV] 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. 43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.)

Now what does that tell you? Just as I said before, if you are the firs to create something (you are) the father of it, and since Satan was the first to sin against Jehovah he is the Father of sin, and owns the patent on I, making “All” those who sin against God the devil’s children, his creation, his brain child.

So, no, all humans are not children of God but we all have the chance to be.

Do you have children? Have they ever done anything to upset you? Now, how many of you are still upset with that child today? I’m sure that you properly punished that chid for those transgressions, but you also gave them an opportunity to gain back your trust, whether through extra chores, early curfews, or maybe just admitting their faults; apologizing and showing effort to do better in time warranted your forgiving them and giving them a chance because you love and wanted to forgive them.

Understand, that’s exactly how Jehovah feels about u, because we’re his children; He wants to forgive us because He loves us. But, first we have to gain back His trust, by proving ourselves. We can do that through His son Jesus Christ.

This fact is made evident, to us, from the following scriptures in our bibles. (John 1:12-13 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.) however, as many as did receive Jesus, to them He gave authority to become God’s children, because they were exercising faith in Him. (Romans 8:16-17 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.) (1 Peter 1: 3 – 4 …3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,) (John 3: 3-7 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”4 Nicodemus *said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ )

Only persons whom have been “Born Again? Thus, becoming God’s sons can share in the heavenly Kingdom, by receiving Jesus Christ.

Although we are all not children of God, by showing love to one another, obeying Jehovah’s laws, sharing the Gospel with others, believing in Jesus Christ, and most importantly, unselfishly loving the Almighty Jehovah God, our father and creator, with all of our heart and soul; Jehovah will draw closer to us and indeed be proud to announce us all as “His children” once again. Because that’s what He very well intended for us to be from the moment He molded Adam’s clay and blew breath into his nostrils. He intended for us to be His “beautiful, obedient, and loving children.”

May Jehovah Bless You.

by Jim Carmichael

A few months back God put it on my heart to study, and teach about How to Get to Heaven from Here. So, I have been working on a series of lessons and this is the forth in that series.

I started with a lesson on how to develop greater faith, the kind of faith James says we need for God to hear us. In the following lesson, I talked about the principle of becoming what we think, by totally believing we are what we are, not someday, but now.

In the last lesson, I used quite a bit of John Bunyan’s book “The Pilgrims Progress” to illustrate how fierce the battle is, and especially how fierce it is in the village called “Vanity Fair” where the bodies of many former Pilgrims could be found.

Many people who become Christians, fall away. In fact, as much as 90% of all new Christians fall away within the first year.

I believe there are two reasons for this, one is failing to teach Christian apologetics along with the bible instruction for the new convert.

The second reason is commitment. And that is the focus of tonight’s lesson.

Luke 19: 1 Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” 6 So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. 7 But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.”

You see, Zacchaeus was a rich man, and when the bible says he was rich, he means rich, Donald Trump kind of rich… he had everything that the world could offer him, so he could easily see what he lacked… a relationship, a true relationship with God, and having experienced all the worldly wealth, he could see that clearly.

But that should also give insight to the falling away of Christians, Most of us do not have all this world can offer, and often lack much, sometimes even necessities, so that need for a relationship with God is blurred by our worldly needs, and often our worldly desires.

We are bombarded with all that glitters as we pass through this place called Vanity Fair, and we are told, and often convinced, how much better life would be if we owned this or that, or looked this way or that.

Can we see our real need? Are we “short” as Zacchaeus and need to climb to a high place and look over the crowd of physical needs and worldly desires that cloud our sight?

If we are to complete our journey, arrive at the gates of glory, it will require total commitment from us for there is no middle ground with scripture, and there can be no middle ground with us either if we are to expect eternal life in Heaven, if we are His disciples, He demands our all and has a right to do so, He created us, and everything around us, and committed His all to us.

I am standing before you here today declaring if your intention is eternal life in Heaven it requires a full and complete commitment to Christ, to the word, to seek God with all your heart, mind, body, and soul.

To do that we must know and understand the truth, and not just the truth of the bible, the entire truth of life. We must know the scripture, we must know how to defend it, we must know the truth of our own short sightedness, we must realize we are every bit as short as Zacchaeus in our spiritual stature.

I would like to share a few bible “stories” with you

Mark 8: 22 -25

Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. 23 So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything.24 And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.”25 Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly.

Let’s continue to:

Mark 9: 21 – 24 So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him? “And he said, “From childhood. 22 And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

Luke 18:35- 43 Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging. 36 And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant. 37 So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. 38 And he cried out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”39 Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”40 So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him. And when he had come near, He asked him, 41 saying,

“What do you want Me to do for you?”

He said, “Lord, that I may receive my sight.”

42 Then Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” 43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

Those three bible stores have confused me over the years, first Jesus had to heal a man twice, how is that possible? Why would the Son of God, God Himself in the flesh need to make two attempts at healing a man? He’s God, right? He created all the universes with just a word, yet now He had to heal a man twice? He couldn’t get the job done the first time? Really?

He first healed his blindness, and then healed his brain so it could understand. Maybe we are also in need of “two healings”

In the 2^nd verse Jesus asked the man if he believes and he responds yes, I do believe, but please help my unbelief… now in one breath he says he believes and he doesn’t believe. Excuse me? So which is it, do you believe or not?

Does this man also need two healings? One for the Healing, and one for his belief?

In the last verse Christ asks an obvious blind man what he wants, and we answer, well that’s obvious, he wants his sight restored.

C.S. Lewis once told a story about a young man who asked to be made pure, to be delivered from his desires, just not today.  That story comes from a confession of Augustine.

Do we really know what we want; do we see the real need? Do we really need two healings, first being healed of our lack of true desire to be healed, and the second to be healed for the physical or spiritual need?

Luke 5:12 -13 And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, you can make me clean.”13 Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately the leprosy left him

Leprosy affects the body’s nervous system, concentrating on the cooler parts of the body. Affected areas are skin, eyes, and muscles in the hands and feet. In more extreme cases as the disease progresses, the symptoms only get worse: numbness in hands and feet make the patient vulnerable to cuts and infections that can’t be felt, stiffened muscles cause clawed hands, loss of the “blinking reflex” leads to total blindness, and in some cases amputation of fingers, an arm or leg is necessary.

We have a form of leprosy among us today, it’s called sin, and it destroys both body and soul, and causes spiritual blindness.

We are always willing to have our bodies healed, but are we willing to have our soul, our hearts, our spirits healed? Are we completely willing? Or are we like Augustine who prayed for Sexual purity… just not yet?

This means changing our thinking, our lives, our very being. But, we can’t do it on our own, we must have Christ, He must first heal the desire to be healed. In other words, our first prayer should be lord I desire to be spiritually healed, heal my unwillingness to that healing, place in my heart a true, overwhelming desire to be spiritually healed. Just as the father in the story asked for help with his unbelief. Lord, I pray that you will give me an overwhelming desire to be healed, so I will honestly seek Your healing with complete iron-clad conviction, and commitment to the healing.

We can easily say, yes, I desire to be healed of this leprosy of my soul, please help my desire. Christ will heal us of our sin, and must heal our desire to be healed before a true spiritual healing can take place.

Why would God have to ask the man what he wanted? He was obviously blind. The answer I came up with is simply this, God didn’t have to ask what he wanted for His own information, He already knew, it had to be because He wanted to make sure the blind man really knew what he was asking for, as a lesson for us…

This also explains to us why we must confess sins that God is already aware of, so we will know. It helps us to study ourselves, to look into the true mirror of life, to recognize our true shortcomings.

We are taught to confess our sins to one another, and that doesn’t mean we have to give details, but confess we are sinners, and desire to be healed of that sin… now… not later.

And, Do we pray “lord heal me of my sins, and make me better at making money while you’re at it.”

Now let me clarify this, yes, we absolutely need our desire to be healed first, then we must pray for the desire for the spirt to be healed of this spiritual leprosy, that we may have a full, complete healing so we will, like the blind man in the first story, have our sight fully restored which will lead to a full commitment to our discipleship of Christ.

But we must walk in the world, not be a part of it, but we must still walk in it, and we do have other commitments, obligations and we must be fully committed to them as well. And, as in all earthly things, they are used or should be used as an example of our spiritual life. As a witness to others.

So, here’s a Question: “What does the Bible say about commitment?”

Answer: There are many commitments for the believer: to our families, neighbors, employers, the church, our health, and in all things, we do and say

Ephesians 6:5 Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ;

Be committed to your job, to your employer as you are to Christ

Hebrews 10:25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Be committed to each other and the assembly, again as you are committed to Christ, for this is the body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?

But the Bible also teaches that the chief commitment of our lives is to God Himself. Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment” (Matthew 22:37-38).

This says to me, with everything we have, all our hearts, all our souls, all our minds are committing our lives to God, Job, family, and each other.

Jesus is telling us that every fiber of our being, every aspect of our lives must be committed to loving and serving God. This means that we must hold nothing back from Him because God holds nothing back from us (John 3:16).

Furthermore, Jesus tells us that our commitment to Him must supersede our commitment to even our families: “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after Me cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26-27). Such commitment means our family relationships may be severed. It means our commitment to Christ demands, if given an “either/or” situation, we turn away from them and continue with Jesus (Luke 12:51-53). The bottom line is that those who cannot make that kind of commitment cannot be His disciple.

In other words, the love you have for your family must look like hate when compared to your love for God

Allow me to repeat Luke 18: 39 Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

This blind man was not going to be stopped, and I believe if we knew the whole story, or the rest of the story we would find that blind man had been questioning people about this Man who was healing people and manipulated his situation so that he would be where Christ was going to be, positioning himself for this confrontation.

We must be like this blind man…. No one will stop us from seeking the Lord, no one, no matter what weapons they use to do so, intimidation, ridicule, or whatever source Satan provides them, no one will stop us.

Luke 12:51-53 Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. 52 For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. 53 Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

Jesus is warning us in advance. The reason for such commitment and loyalty is that the trials we may have to endure will be quite demanding; our allegiance to Him at times may be difficult (John 15:18).

Last month I spoke of the battlefield, we will be bloodied and bruised. The narrow path is difficult, dangerous, and few find it and even fewer remain upon it.

Jesus alerted His disciples: “Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20). The apostle Paul echoed His warning: “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12).

Jesus has made it plain the cost of discipleship: “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it” (Luke 9:23-24). In essence, the true cost of commitment to Christ is one’s total self-denial, cross-bearing, and the continual following of Him. These imperatives picture for us sacrifice, selflessness, and service. A cross epitomized ultimate punishment and humiliation (Galatians 3:13). More than that, it fully demonstrated the love of God (Romans 5:8)—selfless and sacrificial in the giving of His life for the world (Matthew 20:28).

Paul followed the Lord’s example of commitment in sacrifice and service. Paul said, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

Total commitment to God means that Jesus is our sole authority, our guiding light, and our unerring compass. Being committed to Christ means being fruitful; it means being a servant. Our truism is simple and concise: “For me to live is Christ” (Philippians 1:21).

We have come to the end of the message, yet I still need to tie this lesson together, and tie it with the previous lessons in the series.

Let’s list the commitments we must make:

First Commitment: To recognize our sins, our weakness, our unhealthy desires. To truly see who we are, to look into the mirror and see the true reflection of who we are.

Second Commitment: To be truly healed, First our Desire, Secondly the healing of our physical or spiritual need.

Third Commitment: To be totally committed to families, jobs, each other, and the church

Fourth Commitment: To study the scripture daily.

Fifth Commitment: To learn and share Christians defenses, and learn how to share this information properly for the greatest success in converting others

Ok, I am going to conclude the lesson by summarizing it. We must know the scripture inside and out, we must know how to completely defend our faith with facts and figures, we must already see ourselves as committed disciples of Christ, we must get on the path, expect to bloodied and bruised, we must see our own sin for what it is, pray to have the desire to be healed, pray to be healed of the sin, and be fully committed to Christ and demonstrate that in all aspects of our lives, our work, our play, our families, and our brothers and sisters in Christ, yet all those commitments must pale in the presence of our commitment to Christ.

The way to heaven is not easy, we must pick up our cross and carry it to our Golgotha,

by Michael (Miguel) Caballero
Many people have a great desire to worship GOD in a way that is pleasing in HIS sight. Well, the Scriptures clearly tell us that GOD is a Spirit and those who worship HIM must worship HIM Spirit and in truth. So, In order for us to worship HIM in a way that is acceptable and pleasing in HIS sight, we need to be in the Spirit also, because the carnal man cannot please GOD.
But how can I be in the Spirit, you might ask? I’m glad you asked that question. To be in the Spirit, you need to be born again. But how can do that? Well, you can’t, but GOD can do it for you if you just let HIM. In John I : 12-13, it says, “As many as received Him (JESUS), to them gave THE power to become the sons of GOD even to them which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of GOD.
First, you need to receive JESUS. HE is the One who has the power to make you born again by the Spirit of GOD. In Acts 2:38, the WORD of GOD reads; “Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of JESUS CHRIST for the remission of sins, and ye Shall receive the gift-of the HOLY GHOST. ‘
So, we need to repent, which means to change our minds, change our ways of living, tum from sin, and completely turn our lives toward GOD.
Believe in JESUS, receive HIM as your LORD and SAVIOR. get baptized, and HE promises in HIS WORD that HE will give you the HOLY SPIRIT. Then, and only then, will you be able to worship HIM in the Spirit.
What about the Truth, you may be thinking? I thought that Scripture says we must worship in Spirit and in Truth (John 4:24). Well, that’s a good question.
The truth is the WORD of God.
In Psalm 119: 160, it says “Thy WORD is true from the beginning. ” In John 17:17, JESUS prayed for HIS Apostles and the believers after them in the Garden of Gethsemane: “Sanctify them through THY Truth: THY WORD is Truth.”
Other Scripture says, “when HE, the Spirit of Truth is come, HE will guide you into all Truth. For HE shall not speak of HIMSELF, but whatsoever HE shall hear, that shall HE speak; and HE will show you things TO come” (John 16:13).
So, when you are a new creation (creature), born again believer, a child of the living GOD, the SPIRIT of GOD, the HOLY SPIRIT, will teach you how to live your new life through the living, written WORD of GOD, and HE will also teach you and guide you in how to worship GOD in Spirit and in truth through the same WORD.

Tulsa County Jail. Jim Pinkston, Francisco Davila and Zeth Parkhurst teach the men. Several ladies go to the women’s pods every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for the last five years, to teach. Zeth is teaching with Jim each Wednesday and teaching the hearing impaired. We have baptized 173 of our students this year.
Back to the ladies: We have ladies teaching in all four ladies pods at Tulsa County Jail each week. They rotate lessons every thirteen weeks. Jan Upton, Carol Siling, Elaine Russell, and Theresa Hawkins teach. Elaine is the coordinator for the women. They just opened the fourth ladies pod Elaine is teaching there every Wednesday. Many ladies are being changed by the Gospel because of these ladies.
Dick Connors Correctional Center. Jim Pinkston teaches NLB (New Life Behavior) Lessons and CASA (Christians Against Substance Abuse). He also teaches in the faith based unit and preaches there four evenings each month. He has taught there since 1990. Jim Carmichael teaches every Monday morning and preaches when Pinkston cannot.
Elaine Russell, Jim’s wife Jean, Jim & Jody Carmichael, and Patrick Murphy 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 send 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. This is one place we can use some help. We meet at 6 PM in the Ministry Center.
John H. Lilly Correctional Center. Bryan Campbell is doing Celebrate Recovery every Saturday.
Creek Co. Jail . David Stikes, Jim Carmichael and Phil Smith are preparing to start teaching there again in January.
Re-entry program. (Hope City) houses up to eight men right now. Randy Milam is the onsite manager. 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 and one woman: James Ivy,(deacon over ministry), Ken Williams, Steve Stade, Scott Blackwell, Gary Medley, Mark Clayton, Randy Milam, Kevin Neiman and Elaine Russell. 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 2017.
This ministry originated with Marvin Phillips at Garnett Church of Christ in 1989. Elaine Russell brought it to Park Plaza in 2007 where Mitch Wilburn, Terry Finch and James Ivy began working with the ministry in 2007-2008, then Jim Pinkston came on board in 2010 part time for 2 years then full time after that.
Baptisms from this work
2010 94
2011 109
2012 139
2013 259
2014 406
2015 382
2016 398
2017 173 so far this year
Total 2057 Since 2010 That we know of.
To put this in perspective, 2057 would more than fill first & second service at Park Central.
The main help we need is your prayers and support and we could use some help on second and fourth Tuesday evenings grading. We start at 6 PM at the Ministry Center. We furnish everything you need to do in this work.
Impossible without your support.
“Jesus did it!!!”

By Michael Harley

Matthew 21:33-43New King James Version (NKJV)

The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers

33 “Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. 34 Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit. 35 And the vinedressers took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another. 36 Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did likewise to them. 37 Then last of all he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38 But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’ 39 So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him.

40 “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?”

41 They said to Him, “He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons.”

42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes’? [a] 43 “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.

The nation of Israel was brought into existence by God to be a special treasure to Him above all people – above all the nations of the earth – to be to God a Kingdom of Priests and a holy nation, to rule over all the nations of the earth so that God could bless all the nations through Israel. The governmental structure in which rule is accomplished has two realms over the earth: heavenly and earthly. Israel was called into existence to rule from both realms.

Though Israel never reached the heights to which they were called they had ruled the earthly sphere in the land of Israel. When their Messiah Jesus Christ came to them, He came and presented the heavenly realm to them. Had the nation of Israel repented and turned back to God by receiving their Messiah and His message, He would have then set up the Kingdom and they would have begun to rule over the nations and fulfilled their calling. But they rejected the Christ and His message and Killed Him.

And this is where this Scripture in Matthew chapter 21 brings us. Christians, as a nation, have been brought into existence to receive that which the nation of Israel rejected: the Kingdom of heaven.

The certain landowner is God. The vineyard, the hedge, the winepress, and tower is the land of Israel, the Ten Commandments, the laws concerning the nation of Israel conduct as priests of God, the tabernacle, and various other things that pertain to Israel. The vinedressers are the Jews – the people of Israel. The far country is God’s dwelling place in the farthest places in the north- past all the heavens – the northernmost part of the universe. His servants are the old Testament prophets. The fruits other prophets came to receive is obedience to God’s word so that God to bless all the nations of the world through Israel. And the son is Jesus Christ Himself.

God had been patient with Israel’s disobedience over the centuries since Moses brought them out of Egypt, but God’s patience had run out by the time they were in the process of rejecting and Killing His Son.

When Jesus put this parable forth to the chief priests and the elders of the people of Israel and ended with the question: “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?” The leaders of Israel said with their own mouths: “He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons.

And this is exactly what you find taking place at the end of Paul’s ministry in Acts Chapter 28 ‘God taking the Kingdom of heaven from the nation of Israel and giving it to Christians: “Therefore let it be known to you (Jews) that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!”

There are a few other things that should be noted: thought the nation of Israel as a whole has lost the heavenly portion of their inheritance, they have not and never will lose the earthly portion – the land of Israel. In the near future, after the Great Tribulation, the Jews that are alive and those resurrected from the dead will rule the nations from the land of Israel. And though the nation as a whole has lost the heavenly portion of their inheritance, there has always been individual Jews throughout time who have been obedient to God and will inherit the Kingdom of heaven. And the most important thing that all Christians should be aware of is: That Christians can lose their inheritance through disobedience. “Now all these things happened to them (to the Jews – the nation of Israel) as examples (Greek, tupos, exact types) and they were written for our (Christians) admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore, let him (the Christian) who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:11,12)

Torah Lesson 041417, תלרה  Lesson by RABBI MOSHE BEN AVAHAM

One of the goals of these lessons is to teach how to apply the laws of the Torah to today’s times. A second goal is to teach theology and to those goals this is offered. Mathew 5:47[i] talks of greeting and this greeting then and today is to wish a person peace. The Hebrew word for Peace is Shalom! Example is shown at Luke 24:36[ii] and John 20:21[iii]. In Judaism the Aramaic word “Aleychem” is used that means “unto you”. So Shalom Aleychem[iv] means “Peace unto you”.  The proper reply is Aleychem shalom and that means “unto you Peace”

Now it’s equally important to know this includes when entering someone’s home. Matthew 10:12[v], says when you go into a household, greet it. It’s explained at Luke 10:5[vi]. But when coming to the home of one you do not know a more perfect greeting is the one king David told his men to say to Na’bal@  1 Samuel 25:6 (NKJV) 6 And thus you shall say to him who lives in prosperity: ‘Peace be to you, peace to your house, and peace to all that you have! The cite Matthew 5:47 (see ref “I”) opens the greeting to everyone you may meet. This of course not followed by most xten’s (John 8:31[vii])

Equally it’s important to understand Matthew 15: 11 & 18[viii] Paul a/k/a Saul comments @ Ephesians 4:29[ix] and warns at 1 Thessalonians 5:22[x] in his first letter to the church at Thessalonica. It was gven the title “Pro Thessalonikeis A”[xi].

But ungodly people allowed themselves to use profanity and allow themselves to make no attempt at stoping the filthy language. See Colossians 3:8[xii] and do not try to follow Ephesians 4:29 (see footnote #ix) But you should (Matthew 12:36[xiii])

Samuel in Hebrew is   שְׁמוּאֵל reading from right to left.

“Amen” means “it is true” before you say something is true you should be sure it is that you be not guilty of bearing false witness.  Exodus 20:16[xiv] Magilla of Yitro 20:13” You shall not bear false witness…”

It is man’s duty to Tikkun Olam[xv] (Repair the World) Sometimes you must start by repairing yourself!

When Hebrew people sit down to a meal there is always salt on the table because at Leviticus 2:13 it’s commanded[xvi] Romans 2:13[xvii] Romans 3:29[xviii]

What Megilla is    ויקרא states[xix]: “You shall salt your every meal-offering with sault; you may not discontinue the salt of your G-d’s covenant from upon your meal-offering on your every offering shall you offer salt.

The Word “Ester[xx]” means “hidden”. The word “Tanakh[xxi]” is an Acronym for Torah, but what does the word Torah, mean[xxii]?

As an aid to keeping an open mind the following story is told:

EXPECTATIONS

A man whispered, “God, speak to me” A meadowlark Sang, but the man did not hear So the man yelled “God, speak to me” Thunder rolled in the sky, but the man didn’t listen. He looked around and said “God, let me see you” A star was shining brightly, but the man didn’t notice. The man shouted, “God show me a miracle. “And a life was born, but the man did not know. So, the man cried out in despair, “Touch me God and let me know you are here.” Whereupon God reached down and touched the man, But the man brushed the butterfly away and walked on alone.

Don’t miss out on a blessing

Because it is not packaged the

Way that you expected.

The point of the story told at Mark 12:42-44[xxiii] is missed about charity. It’s not about the amount given, it’s about the intent of the heart in giving it! (Luke 21: 1-4[xxiv]) In latin “ex animo[xxv]”, means from the heart – Sincerely…

Read the story of Jephthah @ Judges 11:30 – 40[xxvi] what did Jephthah do wrong? Judges 12: 1-7[xxvii] He had too much pride and it kept him from seeking advise of the sages who would have told him how he could have lawfully not killed his daughter yet kept his vow (Numbers 30:2[xxviii]; Leviticus 22:25[xxix]; Leviticus 23: 2 – 7[xxx]) But his pride kept him from seeking advice.

It is important you do not commit error by following Jephthah and you remember Proverbs 11:14[xxxi]; 15:22[xxxii]; 24:6[xxxiii]. The Hebrew title of Provers is “Mishle Shelomoh” the Greek Title is “Paroimiai Salomontos”. The Latin title is: liber Proverbiorum. [Book of Proverbs] The rabbinical writings called Proverbs “Sepher Hokhmah” (book of wisdom). “Mishel Shelomah” (proverbs of Solomon) is to be read daily.

Mark Twain once said: “Always do right. This will gratify some people, and astonish the rest.[xxxiv]”

There is a Russian Proverb that says: “There is no shame in not knowing, the shame lies in not finding out.[xxxv]” A Japanesse Proverb that says: “fall down seven times, get up eight[xxxvi].”

END

[i] Matthew 5:47 And if you greet your brethren[a] only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?

[ii] Luke 24:36 Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.”

[iii] John 20:21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

[iv] Shalom aleychem malachey hasharet malachey elyon mimeleh malehey hamelahim hakadosh baruh hu

Bo’achen leshalom malachot hashalom malachot elyon mimalkat malechot hamelachot hakedoshah beruchah hi

Barechuni leshalom malachey hashalom malachey elyon mimelech malechey hamelachim hakadosh baruh hu Tzetchen leshalom malachot hashalom malachot elyon mimalkat malechot hamelachot hakedoshah beruchah hi

One of the best-known examples of angelology in the Jewish tradition, Shalom Aleychem remains a popular Shabbat evening table song. According to legend, an angel accompanies each Jew to and from the synagogue on Shabbat evening, for protection and companionship. These English words can be sung to the traditional melody. Welcome among us, messengers of shalom, angels of the Highest One, from deep within us, Majesty of Majesties, the blessed Holy One. Come, then, in shalom, blessing us with shalom, leaving us with holy shalom, from deep within us, Majesty of Majesties, the blessed Holy One. (Translated by Burt Jacobson)

[v] Matthew 10:12 And when you go into a household, greet it.

[vi] Luke 10:5 But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’

[vii] John 8:31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.

[viii] Matthew 15:11 Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.”18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.

[ix] Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

[x] 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from every form of evil.

[xi] Could not find reference to this; please help if you can

[xii] Colossians 3:8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.

[xiii] Matthew 12:36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.

[xiv] Exodus 20:16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

[xv] https://jewsforjesus.org/publications/issues/issues-v20-n03/tikkun-olam-repairing-the-world/

[xvi] Leviticus 2:13 And every offering of your grain offering you shall season with salt; you shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your grain offering. With all your offerings you shall offer salt.

[xvii] Romans 2:13 (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified;

[xviii] Romans 3:29 Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also,

[xix] http://torah.org/torah-portion/ravfrand-5761-vayikra/

[xx] http://www.aish.com/h/pur/t/dt/48953946.html

[xxi] Tanakh is an acronym of the first Hebrew letter of each of the Masoretic Text’s three traditional subdivisions: Torah (“Teaching”, also known as the Five Books of Moses), Nevi’im (“Prophets”) and Ketuvim (“Writings”)—hence TaNaKh.

Tanakh – Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanakh

[xxii] The word “Torah” in Hebrew is derived from the root ירה, which in the hif’il conjugation means “to guide/teach” (cf. Lev 10:11). The meaning of the word is therefore “teaching”, “doctrine”, or “instruction”; the commonly accepted “law” gives a wrong impression.

Torah – Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torah

[xxiii] Mark 12:42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. 43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”

[xxiv] Luke 21:1-4 And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2 and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. 3 So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; 4 for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God,[a] but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”

[xxv] Definition of ex animo:  from the heart :  sincerely https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ex%20animo

[xxvi] Judges 11:30-40New King James Version (NKJV)

30 And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord, and said, “If You will indeed deliver the people of Ammon into my hands, 31 then it will be that whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the people of Ammon, shall surely be the Lord’s, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.”

32 So Jephthah advanced toward the people of Ammon to fight against them, and the Lord delivered them into his hands. 33 And he defeated them from Aroer as far as Minnith—twenty cities—and to Abel Keramim,[a] with a very great slaughter. Thus the people of Ammon were subdued before the children of Israel.

Jephthah’s Daughter

34 When Jephthah came to his house at Mizpah, there was his daughter, coming out to meet him with timbrels and dancing; and she was his only child. Besides her he had neither son nor daughter. 35 And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he tore his clothes, and said, “Alas, my daughter! You have brought me very low! You are among those who trouble me! For I have given my word to the Lord, and I cannot go back on it.”

36 So she said to him, “My father, if you have given your word to the Lord, do to me according to what has gone out of your mouth, because the Lord has avenged you of your enemies, the people of Ammon.” 37 Then she said to her father, “Let this thing be done for me: let me alone for two months, that I may go and wander on the mountains and bewail my virginity, my friends and I.”

38 So he said, “Go.” And he sent her away for two months; and she went with her friends, and bewailed her virginity on the mountains. 39 And it was so at the end of two months that she returned to her father, and he carried out his vow with her which he had vowed. She knew no man.

And it became a custom in Israel 40 that the daughters of Israel went four days each year to lament the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite.

[xxvii] Judges 12:1-7New King James Version (NKJV)

Jephthah’s Conflict with Ephraim

12 Then the men of Ephraim gathered together, crossed over toward Zaphon, and said to Jephthah, “Why did you cross over to fight against the people of Ammon, and did not call us to go with you? We will burn your house down on you with fire!”

2 And Jephthah said to them, “My people and I were in a great struggle with the people of Ammon; and when I called you, you did not deliver me out of their hands. 3 So when I saw that you would not deliver me, I took my life in my hands and crossed over against the people of Ammon; and the Lord delivered them into my hand. Why then have you come up to me this day to fight against me?” 4 Now Jephthah gathered together all the men of Gilead and fought against Ephraim. And the men of Gilead defeated Ephraim, because they said, “You Gileadites are fugitives of Ephraim among the Ephraimites and among the Manassites.” 5 The Gileadites seized the fords of the Jordan before the Ephraimites arrived. And when any Ephraimite who escaped said, “Let me cross over,” the men of Gilead would say to him, “Are you an Ephraimite?” If he said, “No,” 6 then they would say to him, “Then say, ‘Shibboleth’!” And he would say, “Sibboleth,” for he could not pronounce it right. Then they would take him and kill him at the fords of the Jordan. There fell at that time forty-two thousand Ephraimites.

7 And Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then Jephthah the Gileadite died and was buried in among the cities of Gilead.

[xxviii] Numbers 30:2 If a man makes a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by some agreement, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.

[xxix] Leviticus 22:25 Nor from a foreigner’s hand shall you offer any of these as the bread of your God, because their corruption is in them, and defects are in them. They shall not be accepted on your behalf.’”

[xxx] Leviticus 23:2-7      2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘The feasts of the Lord, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts.

The Sabbath

3 ‘Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work on it; it is the Sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings.

The Passover and Unleavened Bread

4 ‘These are the feasts of the Lord, holy convocations which you shall proclaim at their appointed times. 5 On the fourteenth day of the first month at twilight is the Lord’s Passover. 6 And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the Lord; seven days you must eat unleavened bread. 7 On the first day you shall have a holy convocation; you shall do no customary work on it.

[xxxi] Proverbs 11:14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall;

But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

[xxxii] Proverbs 15:22 Without counsel, plans go awry,

But in the multitude of counselors they are established.

[xxxiii] Proverbs 24:6 For by wise counsel you will wage your own war,

And in a multitude of counselors there is safety.

[xxxiv] http://lifehacker.com/always-do-right-this-will-gratify-some-people-and-ast-1300779343

[xxxv] http://thinkexist.com/quotation/there_is_no_shame_in_not_knowing-the_shame_lies/11940.html

[xxxvi] http://www.presentationzen.com/presentationzen/2011/03/fall-down-seven-times-get-up-eight-the-power-of-japanese-resilience.html

By Michael Harley

There are three realms in which power and authority over the earth emanate: God’s throne in the “uttermost parts of the north,” The heavens, and the earth itself. In the near future, two of these realms, the heavens above the earth and the earth itself, will have a change of government.

God rules in an overall Kingdom over the universe. God delegates power over parts of His Overall Kingdom to angels.

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come” So Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.” (Job1: 6,7[i])

God in time past delegated power and authority over the earth to Satan and his angels. Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the Kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. (Luke 4:5,6)[ii]

In time past Satan became disqualified to rule the earth, by seeking to exalt his throne above God’s throne.

How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! 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 congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High: yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit (Isa 14:12-15[iii]).

The earth is the only place in God’s universal Kingdom which Scripture states that disobedience has entered. God then set about to replace Satan and his angels by creating a new creature: Man. Man made in God’s own image and likeness, was created to have dominion over the earth. Stan knowing the reason man was created set about to disqualify man from having dominion over the earth, and succeeded, causing man to fall. But man’s fall has not caused God to change His mind aoubt the reaon He called man into existence.

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. (Romans 11:29[iv])

Man made in the image and likeness of God, called into existence to replace Satan and his angels, though in a fallen condition, will be brought back into a condition in which he will replace Satan and his angels. In the age to come, man will rule over the earth, instead of angels.

For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. (Hebrew 2:5[v])

The Bible is a book of redemption. It’s about bringing man back into a condition in which he will be able to rule the earth. It begins with God creating man to rule over the earth, then ALL Scripture moves toward the time when man realizes the reason he was created in the beginning: “let them have dominion.”

There are two realms in which governmental control over the earth will change from angels to men, and the Gentile nations to the nation of Israel: the heavenly places over the earth and the earth itself. This change will take place a the end of this age.

“Therefore, as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His Kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Matthew 13: 40-43[vi])

Then in the Book of Revelation, among others, we see the heavenly realm’s governmental powers changing.

And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. (Rev 12: 7-10[vii])

“Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.” (Rev 12:12[viii])

During the coming Great Tribulation war will break out in heaven. Angels will fight angels over the heavenly realm above the earth. The current rulers, Satan and his angels will be over powered and cast down to the earth. The heavenly realm will have been taken. Then Satan among other things will gather the whole world together to Armageddon and this is where the earthly realm will be taken.

And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the Kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. (Rev 16: 13 -14[ix])

And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon. (Rev 16:16[x])

Jesus Christ Himself will come forth, the beast and the false prophet will be captured and cast alive into the lake of fire, the armies of mankind will be killed with the sword which proceeds from Christ’s mouth, the Devil will be bound and shut in the bottom less pit during the 1,000 year reign of Jesus Christ, and Christ and His co-heirs will rule with a rod of Iron over the earth and bring all disobedience to an end.

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that on one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in Heaven clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on White horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: K ING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, that you may eat the flesh of Kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great. “And I saw the beast, the Kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh. Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 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. 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 ot 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 thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 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. (Revelation 19:11-20:6 [xi])

First, the heavenly realm will be taken, then the earthly realm. Christ will then set up His Kingdom and rule the earth from a heavenly realm along with His co-heirs who overcame and sat down with Him on His throne, Israel will be the head of all the Gentile nations and rule from an earthly realm. This rule will last 1,000 years and will deal with one place in God’s overall universal Kingdom. Satan will be bound in the bottomless pit during this time. At the end of the 1,000-year reign of Jesus Christ, Satan will be released and gather those of mankind who are tired of being ruled by Christ together once more, God will rain down fire on them and devour them. The devil will then be cast into the lake of fire and all disobedience will be a thing of the past. Jesus Christ will then deliver the kingdom up to God. God will move His throne from “the farthest sides of the north” to the new earth, and the throne of Christ’s glory will change to a universal throne: “the throne of God and of the Lamb.” (Rev. 22:3-6[xii])

[i] Job 1:6-7New King James Version (NKJV)

Satan Attacks Job’s Character

6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan[a] also came among them. 7 And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”

[ii] Luke 4:5 – 6 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him[a] all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.

[iii] Isaiah 14:12-15New King James Version (NKJV)

The Fall of Lucifer

12 “How you are fallen from heaven,

O Lucifer,[a] son of the morning!

How you are cut down to the ground,

You who weakened the nations!

13 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;

14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,

I will be like the Most High.’

15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol,

To the lowest depths of the Pit.

[iv] Romans 11:29 New King James Version (NKJV) For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

[v] Hebrews 2:5New King James Version (NKJV)

The Son Made Lower than Angels

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

[vi] Matthew 13:40-43New King James Version (NKJV)

40 Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. 41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, 42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

[vii] Revelation 12:7-10New King James Version (NKJV)

Satan Thrown Out of Heaven

7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them[a] in heaven any longer. 9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.

[viii] Revelation 12:12New King James Version (NKJV)

12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”

[ix] Revelation 16:13-14New King James Version (NKJV)

13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and[a] of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

[x] Revelation 16:16New King James Version (NKJV)

16 And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.

[xi] Revelation 19:11-20:6 New King James Version (NKJV)

Christ on a White Horse

11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had[a] a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean,[b] followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp[c] sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

KING OF KINGS AND

LORD OF LORDS.

The Beast and His Armies Defeated

17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the supper of the great God,[d] 18 that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free[e] and slave, both small and great.”

19 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. 20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh. 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.

[xii] Revelation 22:3-6New King James Version (NKJV)

3 And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. 4 They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. 5 There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.

The Time Is Near

6 Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.” And the Lord God of the holy[a] prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place.
Word count: 3197
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Governmental Change In Two Realms Over The Earth | Prison Apologetics

http://prisonapologetics.org/michael-harley-sermons/governmental-change-in-two-realms-over-the-earth/
Governmental Change In Two Realms Over The Earth By Michael Harley There are three realms in which power and authority over the earth emanate: God’s
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By Michael Harley

When Jesus was in the world, 2,000 years ago, He spoke, taught, and preached one thing – the gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven, or the gospel of the Kingdom of God. Two phrases with the same meaning. He spoke over and over about the coming Kingdom, when the Son of Man would sit on His own throne and reign over the world. [i]

From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” (Matt. 4:17)

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, (Matthew 4:23)

Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the Kingdom. (Matthew 9:35a)

Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:14)

And He was preaching in their Synagogues throughout all Galilee (Mark 1:39a)

Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And, He preached the word to them. (Mark 2:2)

Then He went out again by the sea; and all the multitude came to Him, and He taught them. (Mark 2:13)

And, again He began to teach by the sea (Mark 4:1)

And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. (Mark 6:2a)

And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things. (Mark 6:34)

And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by al. (Luke 4:15)

Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching. (Luke 5:17a)

Now it happened on another Sabbath, also, that He entered the synagogue and taught. (Luke 6:6a)

Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the Kingdom of God. (Luke 8:1a)

But when the multitude knew it, they followed Him, and He received them and spoke to them about the Kingdom of God. (Luke 9:11a)

Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. Luke 13:10)

And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. (Luke 13:22)

According to two verses, Jesus states that the very purpose He had come forth from heaven was to preach the gospel of the Kingdom of heaven/ the gospel of the Kingdom of God.

When they found Him, they said to Him, “
Everyone is looking for you.
But He said to them,
let us go into the next towns, that I may preach three also, because for this purpose I have come forth.” And He was preaching in their Synagogues throughout all Galilee. (Mark 1:37 – 39a)

Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowd sought Him and came to Him and tried to Keep Him from leaving them; but He said to them,
I must preach the Kingdom of God to the other cities also because for this purpose I have been sent.” (Luke 4:42, 43)

Luke in his second book to Theophilus, The Acts of the Apostles, states that Jesus was speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God and that this was “all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up.”

The former account I made, o Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given Commandment s to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. (Acts 1:1-3)

Then referring back to the Gospel According to Luke, Zacchaeus and others thought the Kingdom of God would appear immediately, but Jesus taught them that this was not the case. Jesus would have to return to heaven and receive the Kingdom and then return.

Now as they heard these things He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the Kingdom of God would appear immediately. Therefore He said, “ a certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a Kingdom and to return. (Luke 19:11,12)

Then in Acts, Jesus after speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God ascended into heaven to receive the Kingdom.

Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And, while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven?  This same Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven. (Acts 1: 9-11)

Then in the book of Daniel, Daniel sees the same event in the verse above, but from a heavenly perspective, from the dwelling place of God.

“I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. 14 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed (Daniel 7:13-14)

When Jesus disciples looked steadfastly toward heaven as Jesus went up, two men suddenly appeared in white apparel, and stated: Jesus will return just as He went up. And this is what will occur when the Son of Man comes in His glory, He went up into a cloud,  He will return with the clouds of heaven; two men in white apparel were present when He went up, two men in white apparel will be present when He returns. In both accounts of Luke and Matthew, when Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother and led them up on a high mountain they actually witnessed something that has not occurred to this day, the Son of Man coming in His glory. God transcends time and is able to take man and move him forward and back in time and this is what occurred in these verses. This explains Christ’s statement, “there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Kingdom of God. And when they went up on a high mountain, who was there? Two men in white apparel, Moses and Elijah!

“When He comes in His own glory, and in His Fathers, and of the holy angels, but I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Kingdom of God”…But Peter and those with Him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him (Luke 9:26b,27,32)

Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; 2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. (Matthew 17: 1 – 3)

Then Peter years later when writing his second epistle still had this event foremost in his mind and among other things stated, “For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were EYEWITNESSES OF HIS MAJESTY”. Peter and the others were moved forward in time and were eyewitnesses of Jesus’ return.

Jesus Christ spoke of one thing during His earthly ministry, from the time He began until the day in which He was taken up – The Kingdom of God. The whole of the New Testament is about the Kingdom of God. The whole of the Bible is about the Kingdom of God, If one is instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven, he will have the key to understanding ALL Scripture. The one not instructed concerning the Kingdom of Heaven will not understand Scripture.

And He said, “To you it has been given to Know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that ‘Seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’ … Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.” (Luke 8:10,18)

Christian’s are to have their complete focus on the Kingdom of God. They are to have their minds set on Christ returning, teaching other Christians these things, and positioning themselves and others in positions of power and authority in the coming Kingdom. They are to have their complete focus on the same thing, the word of God has it’s complete focus, on the Kingdom of God. Christians are to take their focus off the present Kingdom, under Satan, and to focus on the coming Kingdom when the Son of Man Comes in His glory, with His Holy Angels, and sits on the throne of His glory.

[i] Verses used in this lesson are as follows:

Matthew 4: 17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.;9: ³⁵ Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people

Mark 1: ⁴ John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins., ³⁹ And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons.

Mark 2: 2 Immediately[a] many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them.’ 13 Then He went out again by the sea; and all the multitude came to Him, and He taught them.; 4:1  And again He began to teach by the sea. And a great multitude was gathered to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat in it on the sea; and the whole multitude was on the land facing the sea.,; 6:2 2 And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!, 34  And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.

Luke 4:15 And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all; Luke 5: 17 Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them.; 8:1 Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him,; 9: 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. 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels. 27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.”

Jesus Transfigured on the Mount

28 Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening. 30 And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him.

submitted by Rebecca Stowers

When you get what you want in your struggle for self and the world makes you king for a day,

Just go to a mirror and look at yourself and see what that man has to say.

For it isn’t your father or mother or wife whose judgment upon you must pass,

The fellow Whose verdict counts most in’ your life is the one staring back from.the glass.

Some    People   might thing you’re a straight-shorting chum and call your a wonderful  guy,

But the man in the glass says you,’re  Only a bum  if you can’t look him straight in the eye:

He’s the fellow to please never mind all the rest for he’s with you clear to the end,

And you’ve passed your most dangerous test if the guy in the glass is’ your friend.

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years and get pats on the back as you pass,

But your final reward will be heartache and tears if you’ve cheated the man ih the glass.—unknown