Hello my friends, this page presents a summary outline of the teachings in the Gospels and Book of Acts. The goal is to help the reader understand God’s revelation given under the New Covenant and what it means for our lives from a layman’s perspective. This question and answer format is striving to stimulate the reader to go deeper into the Scriptures and wrestle with their relationship to the Creator. My paraphrases are based on the New Kings James Version. Of utmost importance is this link where I provide my understanding of how a soul is born again because Jesus said, unless this happens you cannot enter the Kingdom of God: The 3Rs

The Gospels: 4 BC to 33 A.D.

The seed of the woman, birth of Jesus Christ

The lineage of our Lord is given from Abraham to Jesus by Matthew and from Adam to Jesus by Luke.  The Bible indicates there were 14 generations from Abraham to David, 14 generations from David until the captivity in Babylon and 14 generations from the captivity until the Christ.  There maybe some fathers skipped in the passage but as a whole I believe the number of generations is accurate. Some people may have their lives cut shorter and some are extended.

If we follow the prophecy in Daniel 9 regarding the announcement to return from captivity until the Messiah is cut off, we get 483 years.  Doing some simple math (483/14), we get a generation around 34.5 years.  In the gospels, I believe the Olivet discourse indicates that once certain signs begin to happen, that generation would see the return of the Lord.  This is consistent with the prophecy given to me regarding our Lord’s return in my sister Deborah’s lifetime. 

Regarding our Lord’s birth, the angel said you shall have a son and call his name Jesus. Mary said how shall this be because I am a virgin. Remember the prophecy back in Genesis, the Seed of the Woman. This prophecy makes sense now because no man has provided the seed, thus it is truly the Seed of the Woman, so now we have the miraculous virgin birth. This was a beautiful gift to Mary and Joseph but it was also their cross to bear because most people, including the Pharisees, assumed Mary was unfaithful and Joseph was being played. We see how they bore their cross so let’s bear ours the same.

Zacharias, Simeon and Anna Prophecies

The priest Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, prophesied after he received his voice again saying that our Lord would save them from their enemies. He prophesied that Israel might serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness and you child, speaking of John, will be called the prophet of the Highest. Our Lord would give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death and to guide our feet in the way of peace. This means our Lord will bring and understanding of how a person is saved or the light of salvation to those who are lost in the darkness of sin. At this point, Zacharias did not have a complete understanding that the Lord came to save them from their sins rather than Roman rule. My friends, do you understand why the Lord has come?

The gospel of Luke says Simeon was a just and devout man waiting for the consolation of Israel and the Holy Spirt was upon him. The Spirt had revealed to him that he would not see death until he had seen the Messiah. This man saw the Lord and said, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation. My friends, I am telling you that the physical presence of the Holy Spirit is on me continuously and confirming the Lord is coming in my sister Deborah’s lifetime. Unlike Simeon’s promise, the Lord has not confirmed to me that I will be alive.

Also, Anna a prophetess, a widow of 84 years, came into the temple and spoke regarding the Lord’s plan of redemption in Jerusalem. There were people prophesying around the Lord’s first coming and there are many people, in addition to me, prophesying that the Lord’s second coming will be in this generation. Now some are giving dates of his return so Satan is deceiving as well.

The Word made flesh

John’s gospel says in the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God. This word was manifested or made into flesh and dwelt among us. Now, the New World translation says the word was “a God”. The insertions of the alphabet “A” is saying that Jesus is a God, rather than the all powerful Father God. This interpretation of the nature of Jesus as a smaller God is contradictory to the Old Testament revelation of God. The 10 commandments says you shall have no other Gods before me and throughout the Old Testament, the Israelites quote the phrase that “Hear old Israel, the Lord your God, the Lord is one”. Also, Jesus received worship as a child, all during his recorded life and upon his resurrection. Never once did the Lord tell anyone not to worship him. Yet, he told Satan you should only worship God. Obviously, if Jesus were not God, him and Father God would have a problem.

The revelation of Jesus as God is consistent with God referring to himself with a plural nature in Genesis. Let us make man in our image. We now understand the Us refers to God the Father, God the Son and the soon to be revealed, God the Holy Spirit.

Emmanuel is here to save us from what?

What is the ultimate reason Jesus came into the world?  To save us from our sin? The Bible indicates that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  What is sin?  Sin is the transgression or breaking of God’s law or rules.  Were we born sinners and therefore sinners because we are human?  No, we are not born sinners or sinners just because we are human because Jesus was human and he never sinned.  Hebrews tells us that Jesus was tempted just like we were but without sin.  We sin when we disobey God’s rules.  Now, little children are not held responsible for the consequences of their sins until they have the knowledge that what they are doing is disobeying God or “The knowledge of good and evil”. A young child cannot comprehend his actions have offended a Holy God and thus he must repent. 

Remember, Jesus said you must repent and become like a little child or you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  In other words, little children are innocent of the consequences of their actions until a certain age.  For instance, if a little two year old uses foul language because he heard his parents say this, he is not held responsible for this because he is just repeating what his parents have said.  However, when the parent uses it, they are sinning because the Bible says let not corrupt communication come out of your mouth but only what is proper for edification.  Therefore, if you are comprehending what I am saying, then you have sinned at some point in your life. 

Now, those who live in a continuous state of unrepentant sin will end up in hell.  However, those who put to death the sinful desires will end up in heaven.  Make no mistake my friends, we must allow the Holy Spirit to transform us continuously, thus perfecting holiness in the fear of God. As Paul says in Romans, we must present our bodies a living sacrifice and take dominion over every thought. We take dominion by comparing our thoughts with the teaching of the Bible and asking the Holy Spirit to help us reject all evil thoughts as well as actions.

The wise men and massacre of the innocents

Matthew 2 indicates that around the birth of the Lord, wise men came from the East being led by a star.  This star was no doubt an angel who was announcing the Lord’s birth.  Remember our Lord is referred to as the Bright and Morning Star in the Revelation. We also have the star, who I believe is Satan, that fell from heaven and was given the key of the bottomless pit at the fifth trumpet in the Revelation. I believe the wise men understood the prophecies in Daniel regarding the birth and crucifixion of the Lord and the star confirmed the time of fulfillment.  The star was a sign in the heavens of our Lord’s first birth and we will have signs and wonders in the heavens as we get closer to his second return.   

Remember the prophecy given by God back in Genesis.  There is coming one who is going to bruise your head and you will bruise his heel.  I will put enmity between your seed and the woman’s seed.  Satan influenced Herod to kill all the new born male children from two years under after speaking with the wise men. Can you remember another place in the Bible where all the male children were killed?

Joseph was warned in a dream to take the young child and flee to Egypt and wait for word.  My friends, considering what is about to come upon the world, we are receiving dreams letting us know how to proceed.  Now Herod tried to deceive the wise men by telling them he wanted to worship the young child and there will be great deception from the False Prophet just before the Lord’s second coming. 

After Herod killed the young children there was weeping and mourning as prophesied by Jeremiah.  This prophecy was first fulfilled during the time when the Babylonians invaded, was fulfilled during the birth of our Lord, fulfilled in AD 70 when Rome destroyed the temple, Hitler fulfilled some of it and no doubt the Antichrist will have his fulfillment as well. 

John the Baptist prepares the way

In Matthew 3, John’s birth was miraculous because his mother Elizabeth was barren and his parents were well advanced in years.  Can you think of another couple in the Bible who received a child after they were well advanced in years?  The angel told Elizabeth what to name her son, that he could not drink strong drink and that he would be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb.  Now does that mean John did not need a savor?  The answer is that he had sin because he said to the Lord, I have need to be baptized by you. 

In the gospel of Luke, the Bible says that the priest Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth were both righteous before the Lord, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless, which means they were obeying all the rules God had given them. However, they were well advanced in years and had no children. God heard their prayers for a child and gave them John the Baptist in their later years. My friends, if you desire something from the Lord, please continue to ask because God’s timing is not always ours. Now, Zacharias did not believe the Angel so as a sign, he was not able to speak until John’s birth.

John’s ministry was to prepare the people to meet the Lord.  This is what I am doing through this ministry, preparing the people for the return of the Lord.  The specific prophecies given regarding the Lord’s return were meant to be given out.  The specific anointing I am receiving must be used to keep the sin out of my life as well as help others prepare to meet the Lord.

John the Baptist knew the Lord’s mission because he said, “behold, the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.”  However, many people did not understand and were not prepared for the Lord’s first coming.  They believed the Messiah’s first coming was to conquer Israel’s enemies and set up a physical kingdom.  They did not understand that their greatest enemy was their sin and the wrath of God. Do you understand your greatest enemy and the purpose for the Lord’s first and second coming?

The final instructions on how to approach God

John was the first one to preach that water baptism and baptism by the one coming after me, the Messiah, as the new way to have our sins forgiven. This was revolutionary because all the people knew was they had to follow the rules of the Old Covenant, which included animal sacrifices and circumcision, to have their sins forgiven. Why did the Holy Spirit lead John into the wilderness rather than have him minister in the Jewish temple system? They had many pools and bodies of water around Jerusalem. The reason is God wanted to totally shift people minds from the Old Covenant as he was implementing the new way for us to have our sins forgiven.

What does a baptism unto repentance mean?  When the Pharisees came to his baptism John said you brood of vipers who warned you to flee from the wrath to come.  Bring forth fruits worthy of repentance and do not think to say to yourself we have Abraham as our fathers.  What John was saying was that God will look at the fruit of our confession and determine whether he will honor our mouth confession and give us his Holy Spirit.  My friends, any form of mouth confession, sprinkling or emersion into water, which does not cause us to change the way we live, means nothing to the Lord.  Remember the Lord said these people honor me with their lips or words but their heart is far from me.

Jonah went to Nineveh and preached 40 days, then the City would be destroyed.  The people of Nineveh from the King down to the servants put on sackcloth and ashes and stopped sinning! The Lord saw this change in their lives and spared the City.  Our life is the same way, when we repent from unbelief or a specific sin, the Lord is looking to see if a change in actions or what the Bible calls our fruit, will follow.

In the case of the thief on the cross, he could not come down from the cross and live a holy life but he demonstrated his repentance by saying we deserve what we are getting but this man, speaking of Jesus, has done nothing wrong.  However, my friends we do not want a death bed conversion when we can live for the Lord today.  As we deny ourself pleasures that we know are sinful, are we not bearing our cross?

The Holy Spirit’s baptism with fire

John mentioned the one coming after me, Jesus will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.  His winnowing fan is in His hand.  This was an instrument used to separate the wheat from the chaff.  After harvest, farmers would toss the wheat and chaff in the air over the threshing floor and wave the winnowing fan over it.  The wheat had more weigh so it would not blow away when the fan was used.  The chaff had no substance so it would blow away.  My friends, in this illustration, at any given time we are either the wheat or the chaff and the Lord is the one waving the fan across our lives.  As we live, we can be tossed back and forth by every wind or doctrine.  Also, our mind is like shifting sand if it is not being anchored to the Word of God. 

Remember, when God sent the hand writing on the wall for King Belshazzar and the words, “MENE, MENE” were given.  Daniel interpreted these words by saying God has weighed you in the balance and you have been found wanting.  In the Revelation, the Lord tells us that He sees us in a state of nakedness or clothed in righteousness.  As the Lord examines our lives, He provides us garments of fine linen based upon whether we are living holy. Alternatively, the Lord will remove our lampstands if we begin to live in sin.

Our Lord tells us to store up treasures in heaven because where our treasure is there will our heart be.  Now we cannot earn salvation because we cannot live a perfect, sinless life like Jesus.  However, faith without works is dead.  In order words, our lifestyle will demonstrate whether we have the Holy Spirit.   As we continue to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling and present our body a living sacrifice, the Holy Spirit is continually baptizing us with fire and changing us into the image of God.  Remember, he said let us make man in our image. All of us, excluding Jesus, have born the image of Satan, which is why we must be born again.

John Baptizes Jesus

Why was Jesus baptized by John?  Was John baptizing Jesus unto repentance?  No, because the Bible says Jesus had no sin and the Lord said to the Pharisees which of you convicts me of sin. In fact, John did not want to baptize the Lord but was obedient to the Lord’s command.

The Bible says the purpose of Jesus baptism was to fulfill all righteousness.  Now, to fulfill all righteousness is a broad, general statement.  Remember when the Lord said I did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. 

My understanding for the purpose of Jesus’s baptism was to begin His public ministry and demonstrate his authority came from God.  Remember, the Pharisees on numerous occasions asked the Lord, who gave you this authority? At the Lord baptism, the Father spoke this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, the Son came out of the water and the Holy Spirit descended on the Lord in the form of a dove.  The Lord was also demonstrating that we die to our will and are raised to do the Father’s. The Triune God was present and no doubt Satan and the demonic kingdom were looking on. 

Satan tempts Jesus

Our Lord fasted for 40 days and 40 nights before the recorded temptations in Matthew 4.  The number 40 is very significant in the Bible.  Remember, it rained 40 days and 40 nights during Noah’s flood.  Moses was on the mountain fasting for 40 days and nights while receiving the 10 commandments.  Moses sent the spies into the promise land for 40 days. The children of Israel were made to wander 40 years in the wilderness because of disobedience.  Ezekiel had to fast for 40 days because of the transgressions of Judah. Jonah preached judgment for 40 days to Nineveh. After the resurrection, the Lord presented himself for 40 days demonstrating that he was alive. 

The first temptation, the lust of the flesh

We have the first temptation where Satan said, if you are the Son of God, command these stones be made bread.  This was an appeal to the flesh because our Lord was extremely hungry after fasting for 40 days.  The longest fast without food I have gone on was 8 days.  I can say that after that long, I was dreaming about food and extremely week.  My fast was for a physical healing for my first wife who died of cancer.  My bargain with the Lord was, I am your favorite Lord so I know you are going to do this thing I am asking.  Therefore, I am going to fast until you heal my wife or I die.  Thankfully, the Lord did not allow me to die because I had three children under 10 years of age to raise. 

The Lord’s response to Satan was man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.  Written Scripture and direct words from God.  Now I would advise you to compare direct words against the written word.  If your direct revelation conflicts with the written word, you discard your revelation and go with the written word.  In these end times, many spirits are speaking. 

Now, I am receiving the physical presence of the Holy Spirit continuously as well as powerful dreams. As I receive this, I run directly to Scripture to see if what I am receiving is in conflict with the Bible. On one of my dreams, a spirit spoke to me and said the Lord told me to tell you to stop going out to the colleges and speaking to them. I conclude this was a demonic being because the Scripture says to go out into all the world and witness.

The second temptation, the lust of the eyes

The second temptation, Satan took the Lord up to the pinnacle of the temple and said throw yourself off because it is written that the angels will rescue you.  You notice how Satan applied this statement in Psalms to Jesus.  When David wrote this psalm it was just a general saying of how the Lord will protect the righteous.  The Devil took it out of context and then used it to put God to the test.  Our Lord tells Satan and us, not to tempt God by putting Him into a situation where He has to rescue us. If we happen to get into a though situation by following the Lord, then pray for deliverance. Also, many people would have seen this public miracle and no doubt lusted for this type of power.

There is a verse in the gospel of Mark that says you will handle serpents and if you drink anything poison it will not harm you.  I have heard of people doing this and dying as a result of it.  Now, when I received a COVID vaccine, I said Lord if the government is purposely trying to infect me, then please do not allow anything to harm me.  This same approach will not work when it comes to the mark of the beast in Revelation 13, which you will need to take on your body to buy or sell, because the Lord has specifically told us not to receive it. 

Some people believe the mark of the beast is symbolic and has nothing to do with literal financial transactions.  My suggestion to you is if it turns out you need some physical device on you to buy or sell, do not do it. Of course, refusing the mark does not ensure you are saved, because you must still live a holy life.

The third temptation, the pride of life

The third temptation and Satan’s ultimate goal, which is to be worshipped, was presented to the Lord.  The first two temptations are subtle but now comes the direct approach.  Satan is offering the Lord all the kingdoms of the earth, which is a position of ultimate power on earth.  Jesus, I will allow you to control all the political, financial, military, entertainment, communication, etc. systems of the world.  Is this a legitimate offer?  Yes, because Satan said this has been delivered to me and I give it to whom I will.

Remember when the Lord spoke with Pilate and said my kingdom is not of this world, if it were so, then my subjects would fight so that I would not be taken.  We are in this world but not of this world.  Never forget my friends that Satan is ultimately behind the control of the world.  Am I saying that God cannot accomplish good in the world through His servants?  Of course not, because I am speaking to you now. Remember, our Lord said I will build my church and the gates of hell will not stop me.

Satan was also saying Jesus, you do not have to do it the Father’s way, a brutal cross, just worship me and you can have all of this.  Satan did not comprehend the true value of a soul because Jesus said one soul is more valuable than the whole world, when He said what would it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?  Now at this point, I do not believe Satan understood that the Lord was going to die on the cross.  Even in our lives my friends, Satan does not know all the plans the Lord has for us.  However, he knows that if he can get us to disobey the Lord, then he will rule us by default. Furthermore, if he can get us to disobey the Lord, we will not accomplish all the good work the Lord has for us.

Jesus used the written Word to overcome Satan’s temptations.  My friends, we need to know our Bible so that when the fiery darts come, we can say the Word of God says this. For instance, the world is telling us that homosexuality or just living together in a sexual union before marriage is acceptable, but the Bible is telling us this is sin.  Now the power to overcome sin is not just that we know the Bible, but we must obey the Bible.  Revelation 12 tells us that we overcome by the blood of the lamb, the word of our testimony and we do not love our lives until the death.  Now if we believe these facts but still continue to live in sin, what will be our outcome?

The Sermon on the Mountain

The Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5-7 is the most comprehensive passage on how we should live our lives, the problem of sin and insight on how we will be judged after death.  It has been said that Moses went up the mountain to receive the law of the 10 commandments and the Lord went up the mountain to interpret them. 

Notice how the Lord did not provide this extensive level of teaching on the ceremonial, dietary, social governance and other laws contained in the Torah.  Why do you think he did not?  The reason is Jesus came to bring in the New Covenant.  For he says that after this, I will write my laws on their hearts and in their minds and I will be their God and they shall be my people.  The “after this” refers to after the Lord’s death because Hebrews says a person’s testament is in effect after their death.

The beatitudes and greatest commandments

The Lord said the greatest commandments are to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves.  What does these commands look like when put into practice?  The teachings given during the Sermon on the Mount explains what this looks like.  Blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are those who mourn, blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, blessed are the merciful, blessed are the pure in heart, blessed are the peacemakers, blessed are you when you are persecuted for righteousness. 

The poor in spirit are those who see their need for God.  Jesus says that without God no one is going to make it into the kingdom of heaven.  Can you see that we need His power to stop sinning and forgiveness if we sin in the future?  Notice the Scripture says if we sin, not when we sin.  If your mind says Lord forgive me when I sin, then you are setting yourself up for failure.  Jesus wants us to mourn over our sin and hunger and thirst to live a holy life.  As we cultivate a gentle spirit that understands how much God has forgiven us then we will be quick to forgive others and speak the truth in love.  This means even if we wound others with our words by telling them the truth, our heart’s desire is to see people repent and come to the Lord.

Believers are salt and light 

Salt can be used as a purifying, healing and preserving agent as well as giving flavor to our food.  Likewise, light can illuminate a dark path, extend our activities, or signal important news.  Peter says for us to always be ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within us with meekness and gentleness.  As a believer, we are called to join the Lord on this rescue mission to reach the lost.  However, as we do, Paul says be careful how we build because everyone’s work will be examined in the day and depending on our motivation, it might be burned up and we will suffer loss.  Jesus calls us to be the salt of the earth and to let our light shine before men so they can see them and glorify our Father in heaven.  However, our interactions must be humble and not like the hypocrites who pray, fast and serve to be seen my men. We want people to see our work on the streets and search out the Lord but we are not doing them to bring glory to ourselves. 

Christ fulfills the law

Prior to the Lord’s death, mankind was instructed to reach God through the instructions he gave before the Law, then the instructions within the Law.  The Book of Hebrews is an excellent source to help us understand the various priesthoods.  Because God is eternally righteous and holy, after the first sin there needed to be an intercessor or priesthood placed into operation.  In some way, Melchizedek began to intercede for sin up in heaven after the first sin.  We know a priesthood was established because Abraham met him after the battle with the kings to rescue Lot and gave him a tithe.  Hebrews tells us that this man was without mother or father, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days or end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.

So there has always been, and will always be, an intercessor for our sins throughout eternity.  Hebrews tells us that all the sacrifices and burnt offering could never take away sin and were pointing to the Lord’s death on the cross.  For he says burnt offerings and sacrifices your soul had no pleasure in.  Paul also says in Galatians that the Law was our schoolmaster to lead us to Christ.  The Father declared in Psalms that you, speaking of the Son, are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.  This means that in some way the Lord’s blood will always be interceding for our sins before God. 

God gave the Law for various reasons but I believe the primary reasons was to show us his holiness and our sinfulness.  Now, the wages of sin are death and death means separation from God.  You have heard the phrase, you are dead in your trespasses and sins.  You might say, “what do you mean I am dead?”. I am breathing so I am alive.  That’s true, but the death the Bible is speaking of is your current separation from God, if you have not been saved. Now, if we physically die this way, it results in eternal separation in the lake of fire. 

My friends, on one occasion, the Lord gave me a powerful dream.  The dream was in three scenes. In the first scene, I am in a book convention and the author wanted someone to write the chapter on hell.  Then I heard people talking and they said, let’s get Marvin to write that chapter.  The dream shifted to the second scene where I was in a room and heard a phone ringing and people on the line were discussing whether or not hell was real.  I heard them say let’s call Marvin for he will know.  The dream shifted to the final scene and I was in a room with the Lord sitting across from me in a chair.  I was looking directly in the Lord’s face and I cannot remember what His face looked like.  I asked, “Lord is the lake of fire ready?”  The Lord said, “Marvin, whoever gets in the lake of fire, they cannot get out”, and I woke up. 

Ultimately, the Law could only point out the problem of mankind and could not provide a solution.  Until a person comes to Christ for payment of sin and power over sin, he is still under the condemnation of the wages of sin.  My friends, our entire existence on this side of heaven boils down to whether we are loving God and this love is demonstrated by us not sinning and living a holy life.  We live a holy life by asking the Holy Spirit to help us abide in Jesus, read our Bible, pray, fast and stay involved with God’s program. 

Murder and adultery or all sin begin in the heart

Our Lord tells us that it is not what goes into a man but what comes out of a man that defiles him.  For out of the heart flows all types of evil desires. Our mind, heart or will is enticed or allured to do something against God’s rules, our flesh likes this enticement and we act on this thought by enjoying it further in the mind and often in the physical realm.  During this process my friends, we are making many choices in our mind.  Therefore, we are choosing to sin or not to sin. Now are we heavily influenced by the world, Satan and others? Of course. 

Think about it my friends, is God going to send us to hell for someone else’s actions or our own? Is God going to send us to heaven for someone else’s actions or our own? Now sin entered the world through one man’s disobedience and grace entered the world through one man’s obedience.  We have the opportunity to sin or live holy.  We sin with the help of Satan and sometimes on our own and we live holy with the help of the Holy Spirit and sometimes on our own.

That is why the Bible says that we must take every thought and action captive and compare it to what the Bible says.  If the Bible says that’s a sin, then we say Holy Spirit give me the power to reject this thought or action and submit my body a living sacrifice to you.  As often as we do this, we are dying to ourself, crucifying our flesh and bearing our cross. 

Now sometimes the temptation to hate or lust is very strong so this is why the Bible says, if we sin, we confess our sins and turn from them and He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  Therefore, we must battle using the full armor of God to keep sin out of our life.  That is why Jesus said we must strive to enter the narrow gate because many will try and not be able.

Marriage is sacred

Jesus says he made them male and female in the beginning and joined them together and these two shall be one flesh.  Obviously, the Lord is defining marriage between one man and one woman and they become one flesh in a spiritual and physical sense.  Since our bodies are the temple of God and He dwells in us, we cannot take our bodies and join them sexually outside of God’s design.  The birth of a child is evidence of, but not a requirement of, that holy union of man and woman.

My friends, I believe the divorce rate among so called Christians is just as high as it is among non believers.  This is because our society has forgotten how to honor marriage as the second most sacred covenant or commitment.  The most important covenant or commitment is us pledging our heart and life to the Lord.  Now the Lord hates divorce but He does allow it in cases of sexual immorality, which definitely includes someone watching porn and bringing that filth into their marriage. 

If you are divorced and it was a result of you being unfaithful then you need to repent of this sin and vow not to do it again, especially if you remarry.  Remember, if we humbly confess and forsake our sin, the Lord will forgive us.  However, unconfessed sin is not forgiven. If you are unsure whether a particular action is sin, read your Bible, pray and fast to hear from the Holy Spirit. 

Actions toward enemies and people we do not like

All of us have people we do not like to be around. Even if they call us on the phone or try to text us, we just do not want to interact with them.  Now do we consider those people enemies or just someone we are choosing not to spend time with?  My friends, a person we do not want to spend time with can quickly become our enemy depending on our thoughts toward that person.  Also, a strong indication of where that person resides in our mind is what emotions are engendered when we hear their name?  An indication of whether we are walking in love toward that person is can we pray for them?  If not, then we need the power of the Holy Spirit to help us overcome this attitude because the Lord has told us to pray for our enemies. 

Remember, our Lord says we must be like our Father in heaven who makes the rain fall on the just and unjust.  This is an example of the Father’s love for all, including those who do not love him. Remember, there was one point when we did not love and obey the Lord. Although both the just and unjust benefit from a universal blessings like rain and sun, an unjust person who did not repent and obey Christ will not receive the special blessings by God. God gives the gift of the Holy Spirit to his children which enables them to live a holy life. In fact, the unjust will receive the ultimate punishment meted out by God, that is eternal separation. No need for us to weigh in, because the Lord says vengeance is mine, I will repay, so we do not need to repay and are free to extend compassion to our enemies.

The Lord’s Prayer 

Our Father, These are the first two words in the Lords’ prayer.  So if God is not our Father, then this prayer is not going to be heard by him.  We are all Gods’ creation but only some of us have become children of God through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  Once we have a relationship with God, then we acknowledge that he is holy and so is his name.  Now if we pray this and are living an unholy life, how should this make us feel? 

Your will be done is a prayer that we want Gods’ will to be done in our life and ultimately on earth.  Did God want mankind or Satan to rebel against him?  I once heard a teacher of the Bible who held a Ph.D. in religious studies and knew the ancient languages of the Bible say that God wanted mankind to disobey him in the garden. I thought about this for a second and came to the conclusion that the man was deceived. My friends, God never wanted his angels or mankind to rebel against him. However Gods’ will is that angels and humans have freedom to accept or reject him.  However, we generally do not have freedom to choose our consequences. I recall in a passage where God gave David the option to choose three consequences for his sin.

Forgive us our sins or debts as we forgive others is a prayer to God to keep our heart free of bitterness and revenge as others do us wrong.  Remember the Scripture that says vengeance is mine says the Lord, I will repay.  Therefore, we are free to forgive and not seek revenge.  The Godhead has made a covenant that Jesus will always be available to intercede for our sins because the Father swore in the Psalms that Jesus is a priest forever. Remember my friends, even though we might be living a holy life now, our past sins are still ours. However, like the rich man in Luke 16, who wanted forgiveness or a drink of cold water while in torment, our opportunity to receive the mercy of God ends after physical death.

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.  How should we think of this portion of the Lord’s prayer? Think of it as the difference between the motives of God and Satan. God’s desire when testing our faith is never for us to fail the test and disobey him. Satan’s desire is for us to fail God’s test, give into temptation, which means submit to our will rather than God’s will, thereby sinning. The Scripture says that after Jesus’ baptism, he was led into the wildness to be tempted by the Devil.  The Holy Spirit led the Lord into the wilderness to test his obedience to the Father and Satan brought the temptations to sin.  Likewise, God placed the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the garden to test their obedience and Satan deceived them and they fell into sin. 

God might provide a computer or phone for us to communicate and find a job, Satan, through our lust, will tempt us to look at images on the devices or listen to music, which causes us to sin.  Then, if we happen to sin, he will condemn us by saying we are not a Christian.  We must then repent through the power of the Holy Spirit and begin to walk in victory again. Remember, unconfessed sin is not going to be covered by the blood.

For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  When Jesus resurrected, he said all power has been given to me in heaven and earth.  Never forget that through Jesus permission, Satan is currently controlling the world kingdoms.  Revelation 11 says the time will come when the kingdoms of this earth have become the kingdoms of our Lord.  However, evil continuous to run its’ course and will culminate in the final rebellious kingdom under the Antichrist.  

Priorities in life

Our Lord’s teachings on treasures in heaven, the eye being the lamp of the body, our relationship to money and material things are intended for us to consider the priorities of our life.  The very essence of what we are is spirit and therefore we must order our time around this.  Now, I am not saying we can ignore our physical needs and then beg others to provide for our needs.  However, the Lord makes it clear that we must seek him first and everything else we need in life will be given to those who love him and live in accordance with his purpose.  We must remember that God is eternal and not on our time table, so when we ask for specific things be patience and continue to ask unless the Lord tells us to stop or I am not going to answer. 

Remember, Job who knew he was living righteous yet many bad things came upon him and he continued to ask God why. God never told him why but God did provide some answers.  Jesus said that if we, being evil, know how to give good gifts to our children then surely God knows how to give good things to those who seek Him.  In the context of this statement, Jesus is speaking of the past and present actions of a person and comparing us to our eternally holy God, this definitely means we are evil. However, our Lord definitely desires and commands us to live a holy life, which means we must not continue to practice sin. Remember, the Bible tells us that when we ask, we must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who diligently seeks him.  Let me challenge you to develop a one-year or five-year plan and see if your priorities align with the way Jesus told us to live.     

The narrow way or cost of discipleship

The Lord tells us that there are two ways to go through life, the narrow way or the broad way.  The narrow way is the way of the cross, which means live this life for the next one.  The broad way is every way that is not focused on Christ. Remember, it cost John the Baptist his head because he rebuked Herod. As a Christian, we will have to obey the teaching of the Lord and abstain from sin.  The Bible says that in the end deception will be so great that, if possible, the very elect will be deceived.  My friends, we are at that point because a large part of society does not know what holy living is. In fact, they are saying that holy living is self righteous works and you are not saved by any works but by grace. Jesus says for us to beware of false prophets. The Lord says that we will know them by their fruits and you must know what fruit is holy and what fruit is unholy based upon the Bible. 

Remember our Lord said that many will say to me Lord, Lord in that day and I will say depart from me you who practice lawlessness or sin.  In other passages the Lord tells us that there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  Are you on the narrow path or the broad path?  If you are on the broad way, reach out to me and I can help you get on the narrow way.  My friends, as the rains and storms or circumstances of our life occur, if our life is not in Jesus then we will not stand.  The Bible says that when the evil day comes, we must have the full armor of God on to stand.   Even if you do not believe the prophecy regarding our Lord’s return in my sister’s lifetime, do you think that we are living in an extremely evil day? 

Power over illness, spirits, nature and death

In Matthew 8 and 9, our Lord demonstrates power over every realm. That evening, the Scripture says that many where brought to him with demons and various forms of sicknesses and he healed them. A Leper came and worshipped the Lord, begging him for a healing. Notice, that the Lord does not say do not worship me. After this healing the Lord instructed the Leper to go and show himself to the priest or continue to follow the Old Covenant. Why did he tell the Leper to go and show himself to the priest or continue to follow the Old Covenant? The reason is the Old Covenant was still in full effect at this time. As the Lord got closer and closer to his death, he begin to usher in the new Covenant.

Our Lord had compassion on the centurion, a gentile in Capernaum and marveled at this man’s faith because he understood the Lord’s authority. In this instance, the Lord warned the Jews or sons of the kingdom that many will come from the east and west, this includes the gentiles, but they could end up in outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Do you understand my friends, that the Lord alone has the authority to sentence us to eternal hell or let us into heaven?

Matthew records an incident where the Lord rebuked the waves and there was a great calm. At this point, the disciples did not know who the Lord was because they said, who can this be that even the winds and sea obey him? Also, after crossing over into Nazareth, our Lord healed a paralytic but first said, my son your sins are forgiven you. The scribes claimed the Lord was blaspheming but he assured them with this miracle that he had the authority to say this. Now, notice after this miracle he did not tell the paralytic to go and offer the gift Moses commanded but rather to just go home. The reason is the Lord was beginning to usher in the new way to have your sins forgiven. The new way is by my word rather than the words given by Moses. My friends, do you understand how to have your sins forgiven?

The work of the kingdom

The Bible says the Lord went about all the cities and villages, teaching in synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing diseases. However, when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were scattered like sheep having no shepherd. Then our Lord said, the harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few, therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.

My friends, God is calling us to go out into the world to reach the lost. In what ways can we labor for the lost? First, we must develop a deep desire to see people rescued from a worthless life and ultimately, worthless eternity. Next, we order our lives, this means our time and resources, around the agenda of the kingdom. Remember, the Bible says for the joy set before him, he stepped down from glory, scoffed at the cross, and now is interceding as our High Priest. Just how the Lord said at 12 years old, we must be about our Father’s business. Let me encourage you my friend to get involved with this great work because time is short and there is no greater calling!

Sending of the 12 apostles: The cost of discipleship

Why did Jesus send the 12 apostles out in Matthew 10?  At this point, the command was to go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel but not to the Gentiles nations. After the resurrection, the command was to go into all the world. They were instructed to preach saying the kingdom of heaven is at hand, heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons, freely you have received, freely give.  Before the Lord sent them, he taught things they would encounter and ultimately told them not to fear those who could kill the body but rather fear God who could destroy both body and soul in hell.  The Lord reminded them that they would be hated by all for his name’s sake but he who endures to the end will be saved. 

Eventually most of the disciples died a horrible death.  We must be ready to endure anything for this gospel because it is the power of God to save a person.  Our Lord says that he who does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.  He who finds his life will lose it and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. My friends, are you paying the cost of discipleship?

Do not fear persecutions or death, only God

Fear is a strange experience. Fear of falling when standing on top of a building is a good thing because the feeling makes us more cautious. However, the fear of not getting hired can stop us from going to the interview. The fear of withdrawal symptoms can stop us from going into a recovery program. Also, the fear of embarrassment, rejection or physical harm might stop us from evangelizing. Regardless of who you are, our greatest fear is death and what lies beyond.

Our Lord instructed the disciples to preach loud, run from city to city as persecutions come, but continue to labor for the kingdom. Our Lord tells them that persecutions and even death can occur, but do not fear physical death but rather fear the one who can send us to hell. In order words, only fear God at the ultimate level.

Our Lord reminds us that we must decide to acknowledge or live for him before men or he will deny us before the only judge that really matters, his Father. Jesus reminds us that everyone, including our own families might be against us, but our greatest love or devotion must be for his kingdom. In other words, the cost of the cross or discipleship involves us leaving our goals and life to follow his agenda. My friends, are you paying the cost of eternal life? Rest assured, he who gives anyone a cup of cold water in our Lord’s name will by no means lose his reward.

Woe to people who have received much light

In Matthew 11, the Lord said that the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum would receive a greater judgment than the land of Sodom.  The reason is these cities had seen his mighty works and still did not repent.  Likewise, the generation that saw God’s miracles in Egypt and returned to sin were not allowed to enter his rest.  God has given America so much light of the gospel and yet it has made unholy laws and is walking in filth.  Do you think America will receive a greater judgment than say a nation in the Middle East or China?

Now think of your life, how much light or chances has the Lord given you to repent and begin to live a holy life?  Jesus said that the servant who did not know his master’s will can be beaten with few stripes but the servant who knew his master’s will and did not do it, will be beaten with many stripes.  Given the anointing and dreams I am receiving if I do not do his will, it would be the lowest part of hell for me!  Yes, my friends, woe is to me if I do not proclaim the prophecies and gospel!  How about you my friends, given the amount of light you have received and your understanding of the word, how are you living?

The unpardonable sin

What is the unpardonable sin spoken of in Matthew 12?  Are you concerned whether you have crossed this line and cannot be forgiven or saved?  My friends, is there any hope for you? Our Lord gave this teaching when the Pharisees said this fellow is casting out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.  The Lord said if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself.  How then will his kingdom stand?  In addition to cautioning the Pharisees there is a point of no return for the soul, the Lord was confirming another name for Satan was Beelzebub. 

The Lord mentioned you cannot take a strong man’s goods before you bind him then you can spoil his goods. In other words, I am demonstrating to you I am more powerful than Satan. Obviously, the Lord has not bound the strong man fully because Satan continues to walk around as a roaring lion seeking people to destroy. Also, The Lord said either make the tree good or bad, which is another way of saying you cannot be in the Kingdom of God and Kingdom of Satan at the same time. Now the Lord also cautioned them that man will give account for every idle word spoken in the Day of Judgment. 

In this instance, blasphemy of the Holy Spirit was attributing God’s miracles to the power of Satan.  If you saw someone make a blind person see, heal a cripple, or lay hands on someone and they feel the presence of God and you start saying this person is doing this from the power of Satan.  Also, another way to cross the point of no return is to continue to grieve the Holy Spirit after receiving the knowledge of salvation. My friends, do not continue to live in sin and rebellion which ultimately results in hell.  My understanding is if we are concerned whether we can still be forgiven then we can.  A person who has reached the point of no return is no longer sensitive or concerned with God. In fact, they do not hate, love or even think about God very much, they are indifferent to him. Now I do not believe this is a fair assessment of our friends who are atheist or agnostic because many genuinely believe God does not exist.

The Parables

Matthew 13 contains many parables of how the Word of God interacts with us and contrast the kingdom of heaven against the kingdom of darkness.  The Lord spoke in parables to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah.  A parable is meant to induce us to think about the symbolism and seek out the deeper meaning of what is being said.  As the Lord interacts with us, he wants us to think beyond this physical existence and understand what is happening in the spiritual realm.  Do you have any understanding of the spiritual realm or is everything just physical to you? 

Jesus said man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.  The Bible says Lord teach me to number my days and our life is only a vapor.  I believe it is a good idea to think of our death often and what will happen to us after death.  My brother wrote a powerful book called “Gambling with Your Soul”, which is an extremely candid way to ponder this question. You can find a little more about this book on the Street Ministries page.

The parable of the Sower

When anyone teaches or preaches the gospel, they are sending seed out into the world.  The Bible says some of the seed will fall by the wayside and immediately the birds will come snatch it, some will fall on stony places and have no root so the sun will scorch it and it will wither, some will fall among thorns and be choked and some will fall on good ground and produce fruit. 

Our Lord said when anyone hears the Word and does not understand it, the Devil comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart, this is the seed by the wayside.  He who receives it on stony places is the person who hears the Word and immediately receives it with joy.  However, because he has no root within himself, he only endures for a while and when tribulation or persecution arise because of the word, he stumbles. 

He who receives seed among the thorns allow the cares of this world and deceitfulness of riches to choke the Word and he becomes unfruitful.  My friends, what are some of the cares of this world?  Let me ask the question this way?  Is there anything you should be concerned about more than your eternal soul?  Please understand that the things which occupy our thought life the most are the things we are more concerned with. Now he who receives seed on good ground hears the word and understands it, endures and bears fruit, some 100, 60 and 30 fold. 

So, I ask you my friends, where are you in this parable?  How can we become a heart that produces good fruit for the master?  Jesus said that unless you abide in me, you can do nothing.  I like to add a phrase to this statement.  Unless we abide in the Lord, we can do nothing, “but sin”.

The parable of the mustard seed and leaven

The parable of the mustard seed indicates the Word of God appears to be small or insignificant but will eventually prove to be the most significant.  The parable of leaven is similar to the mustard seed parable, meaning that the Kingdom of God will start small but will eventually span all eternity. Remember in the book of Daniel, the rock that struck the image on the foot grew to fill the entire earth.

The parables of hidden treasure, pearl of great price, the dragnet

These parables of the kingdom use symbols of treasures, pearls and a dragnet.  As Jesus said, no one can come after me unless he forsakes all and follows me.  Remember the rich young ruler was told to give all his money away, pick up his cross and follow Jesus. The prize of eternal life is worth it for the Lord said what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?  What the Lord is saying is that we must go all in for the prize of eternal life. My brother has written another powerful resource called “Going All In” which is an excellent way of ordering our life.

As we spend our time down here, God will evaluate us based upon where we invested it.  Do not be deceived my friends, whatever dominates our thought life will dominate our actions for the Bible says as a man thinks so he is.  What is dominating our thought life and time?

The parable of the wheat and tares at the end

This parable of the kingdom explains the interaction between the Kingdom of God and Kingdom of Satan and how everything ends up at the end of this age. Gods word is going forth as grain, thus bearing wheat useful to feed us. While this is occurring, Satan’s word as useless grain is going forth, thus producing tares that are not sufficient for eating. The servants in the parable are instructed not to try and separate the wheat from the tares because doing so would uproot the wheat. Therefore, both will grow together until harvest, then the reapers will do the separating. The tares will be burnt and the wheat will be stored in the owner’s barn. Our Lord explains the parable.

Jesus is sowing the good seed, the field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom of God and the tares are the sons of the wicked one, sown by the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age and the reapers are the angels. At the end of the age, the Lord will send out his angels and gather out everything that offends and those who practice lawlessness or sin and cast them into the 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 an ears to hear, let him hear. My friends, will we be the wheat or tares?

The feeding of the multitudes

What can we learn from the feeding of the five and four thousand in Matthew 14 and 15?  With the five thousand, the multitude had been with him all day and with the four thousand they had been with him for three days and had nothing to eat.  This tells us that the people were willing to sacrifice physical food to hear the words of Jesus.  Have you ever had a time when you just got caught up with spending time with the Lord and forgot to eat? Also, remember when Satan tempted the Lord to turn the stone into bread at his request, but now it is time for the Lord to produce this miracle in accordance with the Father’s timing.

Under both of these miracles, the people only had a few fish and pieces of bread.  This tells us that whatever resources we have, the Lord can make sure we have enough and plenty left over when we submit them to him.  I remember a time in my life when I lost my job and had a wife with leukemia and three small children.  I asked the Lord for a job on a specific day and guess what, I got it on the specific day and earned more money than the one from which I had just been laid off!  Now my friends, I had to go and fill out the applications and test for the positions. Likewise my friends, God has placed eternal life within our reach, we must strive to enter in.

The signs of the times

In Matthew 16, the Pharisees ask Jesus to show them a sign to believe.  Jesus said you hypocrites how is it that you can discern the face of the sky and not the signs of the times? Now later they acknowledged the Lord had given them many signs, including the resurrection of Lazarus, who they wanted to kill again. My friends, when Jesus came the first time, many did not understand what he was coming for and rejected the Lord as the Messiah. 

Now our Lord has promised to return a second time and is giving us signs that it will be soon.  His return in my sister Deborah’s lifetime is a prophecy to me and the physical presence of the Holy Spirit is a strong sign to me. Also, in Matthew 24 and other parts of the Bible, the Scripture indicates, now when you see all these things begin to happen, know that his coming is at the door. My friends, are we watching and understanding the signs of the times?  

Who is Jesus Christ?

The apostle Peter made a declaration after being asked by the Lord, “Who do men say that I am?”. Peter responded, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”.  Then a few minutes later Peter said, “No Lord you are not going to the cross” and received a strong rebuke from the Lord.  My friends, whatever we may think about Jesus Christ will impact every part of our life now and into eternity.  What year is it and why is it that year?  Who is the most famous human being that ever lived?  Who is the most controversial human that ever lived? Now, Peter was not saved after making this declaration and neither are we. Our lifestyle must back up our mouth confession. Remember, Peter subsequently denied the Lord, but thankfully was restored after repentance.

Understand this my friends, there are a lot of Jesus’s in the religions of the world.  There is a Jesus in the Islamic faith, a Jesus in the Jewish faith, a Jesus in the Mormon faith, a Jesus in the Jehovah witness faith, a Jesus in the oneness faith, a Jesus in the prosperity gospel, a Jesus in the Catholic faith, a Jesus in the new age, etc. It is incumbent upon us to ensure we know and follow the correct Jesus. 

• The correct Jesus will tell us to deny ourself, that is our sin as well as any ambitions in life which do not line up with his program.

• The correct Jesus will tell us to pick up our cross, that is we must understand our life is to do God’s will even when painful and ultimately to the point of death.

• The correct Jesus will tell us to follow him, remember what our Lord said when he was about twelve years old, “I must be about my Father’s business”.

• The correct Jesus will tell us to pluck out our eye and cut off body parts to get the sin out of our life.

• The correct Jesus will tell us to worship him because he received worship all through the gospels.

• The correct Jesus will tell us to order our financial resources toward his agenda.

  Then our Lord said the Son of Man will come in the glory of the Father with his angels and then he will reward each according to his works. 

The Transfiguration

In Matthew 17, we get the miracle of the transfiguration of our Lord.  Matthew says after six days Jesus took them up into the mountain and he was transfigured or changed before their eyes.  Now, Luke’s gospel says this miracle happened after about eight days so the word “about” prevents a contradiction in the Scripture.  I can see a pattern in the Scripture saying that after 6 days or roughly 6,000 years the Lord will be transfigured or changed before our eyes in his second coming. 

It is also interesting that we are approaching the end of 6 days or roughly 6,000 years of recorded human history.  In Psalms and Peter, we get the statements one day is like 1,000 years to the Lord and 1,000 years like one day.  This is consistent with my dreams and anointing, which tells me the Lord is returning in my sister Deborah’s lifetime. Now I do not believe we can hold God to a formula, but I definitely believe we are at the end of Satan’s rule.

During the experience, Moses and Elijah came and talked about the Lord’s death and things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. Within my dream in July 2023, I read the pastor’s mind and heard the word, Moses.  I believe the plagues and miracles performed during the time of Moses are almost upon us.  My friends, has the Lord been transfigured in your life?  God wants to show us His glory and power, which will be used to transform us from darkness into his marvelous light.

Humility and children

In Matthew 18, the Bible says that we must humble ourself and become as a little child to be converted, before we can enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  The world teaches us to believe in ourselves and we can accomplish anything?  Now a certain level of believing in oneself is good because if you believe you will never be blessed and cannot overcome poverty, lust, drunkenness, depression, etc., you will never overcome these things. 

The humility the Scripture is referring to is our understanding that we cannot make it in this world and certainly not the next without help from the Lord.  In this passage, the Lord also warns us of leading little children into sin.  Our society and educational system are corrupting the minds of young children, so they will endure the greater condemnation. I beg you my friends, not to agree with the perverted doctrines being given to little children. Jesus says woe to the world because of sin, but woe to that person who sins. 

The Lord instructs us to cut off body parts rather than have our whole body cast into the everlasting fire.  Now the Lord does not want us to mutilate ourself. What this means is we must take drastic steps to get sin out of our life.  This is because sin separates us from God and if we die in unrepentant sin, we will go to hell.  If we know we have a problem with lust, then we must be careful what we see on the internet.  If we have a problem with alcohol, we dare not join a wine club or frequent drinking establishments. If we have a problem with gossip, then we must keep a distance from people who are doing this.  Remember, we are in the world but not of the world.

How we must forgive

Our Lord gives us a story where a servant owed his master a large amount of money and he begged his master to forgive him and his master did.  Then that same servant went and found a person who owed him a small amount of money and would not forgive him but threw him into prison.  So, when the master found out he called in the servant and said you wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt and should not you have forgiven your fellow servant?  Then the master threw him in prison until he had paid all he owed. 

My friends, we have been forgiven an eternal debt that we could not pay.  Therefore, we must forgive others who have wronged us in this life, which is temporary.  Hebrews says do not let a root of bitterness in your heart, which will defile you.  Also, Paul told the Corinthian church in the second letter to forgive the person who had slept with his fathers’ wife and receive him back into the church because he had repented.  Then he reminded them that we are not ignorant of Satan’s devices. 

The Bible says immediately before God was going to destroy the earth in Genesis, he said it pained him to his heart that he made us.  Also, do you think it was easy for God to send our Lord to be beaten and crucified?  Do you think it was easy for the Lord to endure the cross, as it said he sweat as it were great drops of blood?  I have heard this is a condition that can happen if a person is under intense pressure, which results in blood and sweat mingled together.  

The Lord gave me the secret of how to forgive anyone, it is to see them from eternity and desire, just as he does, that everyone would make it.  When we understand that we are eternal, hurt souls just trying to find meaning in our existence, it will drastically change our compassion toward each other.

Difficulty for the rich to enter heaven

In Matthew 19, a rich young ruler came to Jesus and said good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?  My friends, what can we learn from this encounter between the Lord and the rich young ruler?  The rich young ruler believed Jesus was a good teacher and he also believed Jesus knew how someone could obtain eternal life.  The first thing our Lord did was to have him think about the word “good” he used to describe the Lord.  Now, the Lord said why do you call me good, there is no one good but one that is God?  Was the Lord saying he was not God?  No my friends, the Lord was saying that he was God because in John 10, the Lord says that I am the good shepherd.  The Lord told the young ruler that if you want to enter life then keep the commandments and he asked the rich young ruler to sell all that he had, pick up his cross and follow me. 

Did the Lord ask the rich young ruler to do something he is not asking us?  When we examine all the teachings of the Lord is he not saying we cannot love anything more than him?  Yes my friends, the Lord is saying the same thing to us that he said to the rich young ruler.  In this encounter, money was the thing being loved more than the Lord. Now, the Lord told his disciples that we cannot obtain eternal life by ourselves because he says with man this is impossible but with God all things are possible. 

The reason is God’s standard of good is a person who has never sinned.  When the Lord says to us be perfect like your heavenly father is perfect, he is not saying you can reverse the past but rather live holy and sin no more at this point in time.  Otherwise, the statement is setting us up for something we cannot do.  Remember, the Lord said to the woman caught in adultery, I forgive you so go and sin no more. 

The parable of the workers

Matthew 20 gives us the parable of the worker in the vineyard.  The landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers is God and the Lord Jesus, believers or Christians are the laborers and the vineyard is humanity.  The believer’s goal is to collaborate with the Holy Spirit for its’ soul as well as others to come into the Kingdom of God.  The landowner went into the marketplace about the third, six, ninth and finally eleventh hour to hire workers to work in his vineyard.  My friends, this parable confirms that the Lord is long suffering when attempting to save our souls. 

So my friends, as we live our lives we earn wages.  If we have lived an unrighteous life we will receive or earn eternal death and for those of us who continuously hunger and thirst for righteousness we will receive or earn eternal life.  Now, we cannot earn eternal life based solely on our efforts because someone has to pay for our past sins.  My friends, if we believe our salvation is based 100% on the Lord and our faith does not have to be backed up by works, then we are mistaken. 

For Revelation 12 tells us that we overcome by the blood of the lamb (the Lord covers our past sins), the word of our testimony (you are living a holy life through the power of the Holy Spirit) and we do not love our lives until death (you continue in Christ until your end). You notice how all three parts must be working for us to receive eternal life. Our Lord says my sheep hear my voice, they follow me and I give them enteral life. 

Remember, we must strive or work hard to enter the narrow gate because many will try and not be able.  If it cost God his Son to give us eternal life, is it going to cost us anything?  Let me put it another way, if we say we love Jesus and believe in him but do not depart from sin, can we say we have obeyed him?  Let’s say it this way, if we say we are living for the kingdom and do not order our time and materials around his program, can we say that he is first in our heart?

Guard against seeking authority

As the Lord was heading to Jerusalem for the final time before the crucifixion, the brothers, James and John and their mother, asked him if they could sit on his right and left hand in glory.  Now, Jesus had just told the twelve that they would sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel but apparently the brothers and mother wanted more power. 

Are we satisfied with the authority we have on our job, within our social gathering, within our family or church?  Does the thought of power and authority excite us?  As the nations of the world have come and gone, what was it the kings and powerful men seeking?  If we are a believer, are we satisfied with the gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit?  If we are a pastor, are we satisfied with the size of our congregation? 

The Lord corrects the brothers by telling them that our greatness is displayed when we serve others rather than when we dictate orders.  My friends, we should never ask someone to do something that we are not willing to jump in and do ourselves.  I will let you in on a secret.  Once we have overcome our sin, we have all the authority a human being can possess.  Jesus said I will give you authority to trample on serpents and snakes and faith to move mountains.  This means we have authority to overcome depression, sadness, anger, bitterness, hatred, lust, thoughts of suicide, satanic powers, etc. Are we walking in this level of authority?

The Triumphal Entry

Matthew 21 records our Lord’s trip to Jerusalem that revealed him as the Passover Lamb or Messiah.  Our Lord had been up to Jerusalem many times because the Passover required this every year.  Why was this time special?  Why did the Lord come into Jerusalem riding on a colt this time?  Why was the crowd in such an uproar as they cut down leaves and palm branches and screamed out hosanna to the Son of David?  Did the crowds want the Lord to save them from their sins or save them from Roman oppression?  Do we want the Lord to save us from the present consequences of our sins or do we want to continue to sin and just have the Lord save us from hell?  Now during this incident, the Pharisees said Rabbi, rebuke the crowd for saying this.  Jesus said I tell you the truth if the crowds remain silent the very stones would cry out.  My friends, this scene was a direct fulfillment of Bible prophecy.

The crowd wanted a savior to rescue them from their Roman oppressors. They did not want a savior who was going to die on a cross. In other words, they wanted to receive their best life now. Jesus said he who loves this life will lose it and he who hates this life in this world will keep it for eternal life. My friends, we must like Jesus did, pick up our cross and die to ourself, which means it is no longer our will but God’s will. Now, after we have born our cross, we will reign when our Lord returns. We must accept that our best life is the next one.

Why did the Lord go into the temple and overturn the tables and drive out the money changers?  Now my friends, this was occurring in the physical temple.  Since our bodies have become the temple of the living God, if we have wicked money changing or greed going on inside our temple, what is the Lord going to do to us? 

The Parable of the wedding feast

In Matthew 22, we get the parable of the wedding feast.  The Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for is son and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding, yet they were not willing to come.  Then he sent out more and said tell those who are invited, see my dinner is prepared, my oxen and fatted cattle are killed and all things are ready.  My friends, I am inviting you to join me at the wedding and I am telling you it will occur in my sister Deborah’s lifetime.  The Holy Spirit is assuring my prophecy is correct through his continuous presence. 

Now, in the parable they made light of it and went their way, one to his farm and another to his business.  Now the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully and killed them.  But when the king heard about it, he was furious and he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers and burned up their city.  I believe one fulfillment of this parable was in A.D. 70. The ultimate fulfillment will be at the Lord’s second coming. 

Then the king said to his servants, the wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.  Therefore, go into the highways and as many as you find invite to the wedding.  But when the king came into the wedding, he found him who did not have a wedding garment.  He said friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?  Now he was speechless, so the king said bind him hand and foot, take him away and cast him into outer darkness, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 

My friends, heaven his going to be a wedding feast which last throughout eternity.  Everyone is invited but we must have the proper attire.  Anyone trying to make it to heaven without following the Lord will be cast out.  If casted out, the experience we will have is like weeping and gnashing our teeth. 

The promise of the resurrection

There was a group of religious leaders known as the Sadducees who did not believe in the resurrection.  They believed that we die and there is no afterlife or essentially no eternal state. This group had influenced the church in Corinth prompting Paul to ask, “Why are some of you saying there is no resurrection”?  They gave the Lord a scenario where one man died and had no children.  This man had seven brothers and under the Jewish laws a brother was required to marry his brother’s widow and raise up a child, so his brother’s lineage would not end.  The scenario presented says each of the seven brothers married the woman, yet produced no offspring before she died.  Then the group asked that in the resurrection whose wife shall she be? 

The Lord corrected them by saying you are mistaken not knowing the Scripture nor the power of God.  When we are raised, we will not be given in marriage but will be like the angels.  However, the Lord reminded them that when God spoke to Moses from the burning bush, he said I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.  Now, the patriarchs had been physically dead for over 500 years, but God was referring to them as alive, establishing there is life after death.

My friends, the resurrection proves that Jesus was who he said he was and without a belief in the resurrection you cannot be saved because you have the wrong Jesus.  Now before our Lord raised Lazarus from the grave, he said I am the resurrection and the life and he who believes in me, even though he might die, that is physically, he will never really die.  Do you have hope beyond the grave or is your mind still in fear of death and what lies beyond the grave?  Come to the Lord and he will help you overcome this problem.

Woe to the religious leaders

Matthew 23 records some of the most damaging words the Lord had for the religious leaders.  No doubt, this exchange helped to seal the Lord’s death. Modern day scribes and Pharisees are anyone in a religion that puts themselves out as a teacher.  My friends, it is not wrong to put yourself out as a teacher but we must make sure we are practicing what we preach. The Lord hates hypocrites, which mean we are saying one thing and actually not living consistent with that.  I would be a hypocrite if I were trying to call you out of a sinful lifestyle and I were actually living a sinful lifestyle. 

Similarly, we are also a hypocrite if we are telling a person to stop a certain sin and secretly doing that sin.  In fact, if we have unrepentant sin in our life, we must repent of it before trying to help others overcome sin. Obviously, if we are sinning continuously then none of us should be trying to teach or correct anyone. Make no mistake my friends, bad theology and a poor understanding of sin and temptation will leave us in a state of total confusion.

Our Lord said the scribes were doing religious things in public to be seen of men.  However, did not the Lord say to let our light shine before men so they may see our good works and glorify our father in heaven?  The Lord is not telling us to stop doing religious things like preaching, praying and helping people in public.  What he is saying is if we are doing this to demonstrate how holy we are, then this is wrong.  Our actions in public or private must have the same goal of glorifying God, building up the church and reaching the loss.

Our Lord weeps over Jerusalem because they did not know the time of their visitation.  My friends, have you missed the time of your visitation?  Hebrews says that if we will hear his voice today do not harden our hearts.  How do we know the Lord will not call our number today or tonight?  Remember, our lives are but a vapor, which appears for a little while and then we must stand before God and give an account.

The end of the age or eschatology

The teaching in Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 17 and 21, the book of Daniel, the letters to the Thessalonians, other passages and ultimately the Revelation are primarily dealing with the second coming of the Lord and the end of this present age.  This subject is referred to as eschatology. There is prophecy in Luke regarding the destruction of the temple in A.D. 70 but that passage tells you that then the nation will be dispersed until the time of the Gentiles are fulfilled. 

Prophecy in the Bible and the gift of prophecy demonstrates that the Bible is unlike any other book, which declares what will happen before it does.  God is outside of time and therefore knows what will happen within time.  Also, the Bible declares that Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever.  The Lord also declared that He was the “I AM” who spoke to Moses from the burning bush.  The Bible declares the gift of prophecy is a gift similar to the gift of teaching, evangelism, healing, tongues, etc.  The type of prophecy referred to in these passages is the foretelling of the future.  Prophecy also means to proclaim something in the present. 

Once an individual declares or prophesies something in the future and it does not happen then that person becomes a false prophet and does not have this gift.  I am not saying that person did not hear a voice, interact with a spirit or receive a strong impression but the information did not come from the Lord.  That individual should repent and not declare anything in the future because he does not have this gift. 

Remember when Harold Camping declared that the Lord would return in May 2012 and then again in October 2012.  Remember when the Mayan’s calendar prophesied that December 2012 would bring about worldwide cataclysmic events. Remember when the prophets were saying that Donald Trump was going to win the 2020 election and he did not.  Trust me, God is strong enough not to allow someone to steal an election through illegal votes. Remember when the individuals were saying the Lord will rapture the church in September 23, 24 or October 6, 7 of 2025. There is now an individuals saying the Lord told him when he was 6 or 7 years old that he would return when he was 66. The man is now 66.

Now, I am proclaiming a prophecy regarding the second coming of the Lord. I consider the physical presence of the Holy Spirit confirmation that my prophecy is true. If I were not receiving His physical presence, I would not be declaring this to the world.  Even though I am receiving this physical anointing from the Lord, I must still check my experience with the Word of God.  Since I am extremely close to the spirit world, I receive visits and words from the demonic realm on a regular basis. 

The question asked

The disciples were pointing to the temple and its’ beauty when the Lord said it will be destroyed and no stone will be left standing.  The disciples asked him when will these things be and what will be the sign of your coming and the end of the age?  The first thing I notice is the disciples believed all these things would happen together and shortly after the Lord’s resurrection. This is true because after the Lord’s resurrection, in the book of Acts, they said Lord are you at this time going to restore the kingdom.  They believed the restoration of David’s throne and destruction of the Roman empire would occur in their lifetime. At this point, they did not understand that Jesus’s primary goal was to rescue people from their sin and God’s wrath. 

They did not foresee the 2,000 years after the resurrection also known as the church age.  Using the three gospel accounts, we see where the Lord speaks about the destruction of the temple in Luke, which includes the dispersion of the Jews until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled, signs of his second coming and the end of the age. The Lord answered the disciples question correctly, even though they thought all the events would happen immediately after his resurrection.

Great deception

When we examine this teaching, the Lord mentioned beware of false prophets and deception three times.  In fact, He says that false prophets would arise and show great signs and wonders that, if possible, the very elect would be deceived.  In Revelation 13, it speaks about a second beast coming out of the earth, which is also spoken of as the False Prophet.  The Bible says this individual will have the ability to call down fire from heaven in the sight of people. 

There is a passage in the book of Kings where Elijah the prophet challenged the false prophets of Baal to a showdown to determine who the true God was.  The God that answered by fire from heaven was the true God.  It appears at that time, God is going to allow this false prophet to perform a sign that was reserved for true prophets. 

In the letter to the Thessalonians, Paul says the coming of the lawless one will be accompanied with great signs and wonders.  Paul also says during that time, God will send the world a strong delusion that they will believe the lie.  I believe the strong lie at that time will be that the Antichrist is the true Christ.  This is why it is critical for us not to have pleasure or agree with sinful lifestyles.  Never before in the history of the church have we married same sexes, accepted transgender practices and agreed with these lifestyles. Now, we love and try to help all people but this is obviously evidence of the falling away. 

Many Christs

The Lord said that in the end many would come in my name saying I am the Christ.  Paul, John, James and all the New Testament writers said that the end of the ages have come upon us or this is the last time or something similar to this.  So, we know that the last time or end of time began after the Lord was resurrected.  These are the worldwide religious movements I can think of that sprang up within the last 200 years:

• Mormonism – Joseph Smith in 1830, reported over 17 million members.
• Jehovah Witnesses – Charles Tazz Russell in 1870, reported over 8.7 million members.
• 7 Day Adventist – Ellen G Whit in 1863, reported over 22 million members
• Scientology – L. Ron Hubbard in 1950, reported over 10 million members
• Christian Science – Mary Baker Eddy in 1870s, reported around 400,000 members
• Unity Church – Charles and Mrytle Fillmore in 1889, reported over 1 million members
• Modern New Age Movement – David Spanger in 1970s, unknown membership
• Hare Krishna – A.C. Bhaktivedanta in 1966, around a few million members
• Rastafari – Haile Selassie in 1930s, around a million members
• Black Hebrew Israelites – Frank Cherry and William Crowdy in 1890s, unknown
• Christian Nationalist – unknown founders, group appearing within 10 – 15 years

 All these movements claim to be following the teaching of Jesus Christ or some form of Jesus and believe they are correct.  Most, if not all, of the founders believe they have experienced or experiencing supernatural guidance.  Now I am saying the same thing, that I am experiencing supernatural sensations and they are from the Lord.  Who among us are right?  Are we all deceived? Furthermore, Daniel says in the end knowledge will be increased while the Lord says around this time the greatest deception will occur. My friends, the only way we can even hope not to be deceived is to live a holy life according to the Bible and pray that the Holy Spirit gives us discernment.

Wars and end of all flesh

The Bible says there will be wars and rumors of wars and great tribulation such as has not been since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will be again and unless those days were shortened no flesh would be saved.  Now let us consider this statement.  There have been wars since the beginning of time until now.  In fact, Jesus says that in this life you will have tribulation but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world.  So, our Lord’s statement does not make sense until we arrive at a time that humanity is at risk of becoming extinct.  I believe when we invented the atomic bomb, which now has evolved into nuclear weapons, this statement became a reality.  How long do you think it will be before North Korea, India, Iran, Russia, China, America or some other nuclear power starts a conflict that escalates into a nuclear war?

The days of Noah and days of Lot

The Lord said that His coming would be similar to the days of Noah and the days of Lot.  In one respect civilization was moving normal because people were marrying and being given in marriage.  However, in another respect the civilization during Noah’s time was so wicked that God said it pained Him to His heart that He created man.  The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were so wicked that the men wanted to have sex with two male strangers. 

When God judged during the time of Noah and Lot, he gave warning through Noah and warning through the angels.  The Bible says no one knows the day or hour and I still believe this.  Our Lord is confirming to me that it will be in my sister Deborah’s lifetime but has not revealed a particular year, month or day.  However, the Lord says to us that when we see all these signs look up for your redemption draws near. My friends, are you looking for the return of the Lord? 

The faithful and evil servant

This parable is given to us to understand that our Lord expects us to be faithful to His commands and understand what will happen if we are not.  The Lord says that the faithful servant will be rewarded when He returns.  The Lord says that the person who says that He is delaying His coming and begins to eat and drink with the drunkards will be in big trouble. The Lord says he will come upon them when they are not ready and appoint them their portion with the hypocrites where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  My friends, will you be the faithful or unfaithful servant?

The coming of the Lord

The Bible says that the Lord’s second coming will be like lighting flashing from the east until the west.  Therefore, the Lord says that if anyone has told you the Lord has returned do not believe them.  I do not believe in a pre-tribulation rapture because this speaks of a secret return of the Lord for his church and few people, comparatively, will see it. However, I sincerely hope they are correct. 

Also, when we read Revelation 20, the Lord has returned in Revelation 19 to destroy the Antichrist and False Prophet and then the dead in Christ participate in the first resurrection.  If there was a first resurrection during the time of the pre-tribulation rapture then this would be the second resurrection, which would make this verse inaccurate.  Some believe our born again experience is the same thing as our first resurrection.  Our born again experience is not complete because you can fall back into sin and be cutoff without subsequent repentance. Remember our Lord says that anyone in me who does not bear fruit is cast out. The message to five of the seven churches in the Revelation is to repent and do the first works or else you will be cut off.

My understanding is that the Lord will descend from heaven with a shout and the trumpet of God and the dead in Christ will rise first and those of us who will be alive will be caught up with the Lord in the clouds. The prophecy the Lord has given me is that this event will happen in my sister Deborah’s lifetime and he is backing it up with the physical presence of the Holy Spirit. My friends, as believers we can still fellowship together even if we have differences surrounding end times interpretation.  However, if someone believes the mark of the beast is symbolic and it turns out to be physical, then they might be in trouble.

The parables of virgins, talents and judgment

In Matthew 25, our Lord gives us parables of two ways to live and the ultimate judgment.  Our Lord says that there were 10 virgins, five were wise and five were foolish.  The virgins are a picture of the church and the Lord views humanity as His potential church, whether you are saved or unsaved. Because the Bible says the Holy Spirit is convicting the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. The Scripture says that when the bridegroom delayed his coming, they all fell asleep .  The thing to understand is that we are all resting while waiting for what happens to us after this life.  The question is are you resting in Jesus or something else?  Let me put it this way, what are you believing will happen to you after you die?  Please get a copy of my brother’s book, “Gambling with Your Soul”.  I believe it is an objective way to consider what happens after death. 

Now Jesus said the wise virgins took oil and the unwise virgins did not.  So, when the call was given to go out and meet the bridegroom, the virgins arose quickly and ran out to meet him.  I view this as the Lord saying, do not think that we can get right with him tomorrow, because tomorrow may not come, or we may not be prepared if it does. We should be living right at all times.  The parable tells us that the wise had oil and the unwise did not.  So those who were ready went in and the unwise were trying to buy oil but the time had run out.  My friends, I am pleading with you that the time will run out in my sister’s lifetime according to the prophecy and anointing I am receiving.  Please get right with the Lord.

We must work for the Kingdom

The parable of the talents given teaches us to work for the Kingdom of God and not be afraid to live for Him.  The person who received five talents worked and received five more.  The person who received two talents worked and received two more.  However, the person who received one talent hid the talent and did not live for the Lord.  My friends, we all have been given life and abilities so use your life to build the Kingdom of God.  Are you using your resources and time to build the Kingdom of God?

Our Lord pulled back the curtain and gave me insight into a person being judged.  Around March 2020, I had a dream where suddenly I was outside and the Lord’s face appeared in the clouds and I was standing in a line in heaven, the Lord was judging everyone. The person before me was judged and it appeared that person did not make it in.  I remember thinking this man has made an excellent case as to why he can enter but as he walked by me his face was full of tears and I knew he did not make it.  I was next, I walked up to the podium and before I could say a word, the Lord stepped down from the throne and placed a gold ring on my finger.

The reason for hell and how to avoid it

Our Lord gives us insight into who he created hell or the everlasting fire for. In this picture of the judgment the Lord tells us that it matters if we help others with physical things and not be selfish with our time.  However, remember in Matthew 7 that the Lord lets us know that even if we do good things and still live in lawlessness or sin, we will hear depart from me.  The letter from James says that true religion is to help the widows in their distress and keep oneself from sin.  My friends, this comes back to the fact that we must have the Spirit of God living in us to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and love our neighbors as ourselves.  A love of our neighbor will cause us to be concerned over their temporary, physical needs but more concerned over their eternal, spiritual needs.

There is a time to help others with material things but we must be living a holy life at all times.  Now the Lord says that at the end of the judgment, some will go into everlasting punishment but the righteous into eternal life.  This is the same message given in Daniel 12 that some will rise to everlasting life and some to everlasting shame and contempt.  My friends, what will your destiny be?

Behind the Veil of Death

In Luke 16, our Lord pulls back the veil and gives us a look into the spirit world after death. Some believe this story was a parable or symbolic of another meaning. I do not believe this because if that were the case, our Lord would have given us the parable’s meaning or the symbolism used would have been obvious. Also, our Lord used the name of the patriarch Abraham. So if we believe this story is not a parable, what can we learn from the text.

Our works and actions follow us

First, your actions will follow you because the rich man lived a materialistic life and Lazarus was a poor beggar. Now I am not saying all the rich will go to hell and all the poor will be saved. Because even if you are poor financially, you must still be rich toward Christ to enter in. The story gives us the relationship between the two men because the beggar laid at the rich man’s gate asking for alms. I assume over the course of the rich man going in and out of his gate, he saw Lazarus. The part which said Lazarus desired to be feed from the rich man’s table just means the rich man’s wealth. I assume Lazarus knew the rich man would not allow him inside his physical home.

Next, the rich man died and was in torment and Lazarus died and was in Abraham’s bosom, which is a place of paradise. In other words, neither man’s conscience went out of existence, so we see there is existence after physical death. The rich man and Abraham were able to see, hear and understand each other. Also, the rich man had a sense of feeling because he wanted water to cool his tongue. Therefore, we conclude that the rich man and I assume Lazarus, had all their senses. In fact, I believe we will be more aware once we get fully into the spirit realm. You see my friends, once we die, everybody is a believer.

No repentance after death

Next, we see the rich man was repentant and no longer thinking selfishly because he did not want either of his five brother to end up in this place of torment. Abraham indicated there was a great gulf fixed between the dead and living which cannot be crossed. In other words, once you die, you cannot come back. Now, I am not saying a little demon will not try and deceive us into thinking our love ones are still among us or we have lived a thousand past lives. Also, if the Lord so choses, he could allow someone who has passed on to contact us. However, the truth of this passage is dead people do not come back to this life, apart from the resurrection. Therefore, the rich man’s, as well as our, opportunity for repentance and a life of obedience to Christ ends when we die. In other words, right now we are being tested and after we die, the Lord gives us our grade, which is pass or fail.

Finally, Abraham tells us that God has made a way for man to escape torment after death, through Moses and the prophets. He went on to say if they will not believe them then neither will they believe if one rises from the dead. The prophet John the Baptist told us that there is one coming who will baptize us with the Holy Spirt and fire. The one baptizing us with the Holy Spirit and rising from the dead, is none other than our Lord Jesus. Our Lord has demonstrated he is the only way for our sins to be forgiven and receive eternal life. My friends, let us not miss our ticket and live like the rich man who ended up in torment.

Jesus final Passover, Communion and the Garden

In Matthew 26, our Lord celebrates his last Passover before suffering and institutes communion.  The Lord told them where to go to find the man who had the upper room already prepared for his final Passover.  Again, our Lord is demonstrating that he can foretell the future and he knew his time was at hand.  Also, our Lord knew exactly which one of the disciples would betray him.  Our Lord said woe to the man who betrays him, it would be better for that man if he was not born. 

My friends, unless you are thinking that Judas received the harish words, anyone who does not make it to heaven is in the same boat.  If we do not make it to heaven, it would have been better if we were never born.  This statement tells us that for lost people, there is a condition worse in the afterlife than if they had ever existed.  This is a clear statement against the doctrine of annihilation and supports some type of eternal conscience torment of the soul.  The reason is if we are annihilated and cease to exist then ultimately, it is the same as we having never been born in terms of our pain or pleasure experiences. 

The establishment of Communion

Our Lord took bread and said this is my body.  Then our Lord took the cup and said drink from it for this is my blood of the new covenant which is shed for many for the remission of sins.  The Bible says that without the shedding of blood there is no remission or forgiveness of sins.  During several occasions, the Lord would say your sins are forgiven you.  The Lord was saying that with me, you no longer have to follow the Levitical priesthood where the high priest would offer the blood of animals once per year in the holy of holies for his as well as the people sins. 

Our Lord’s death on the cross brought in the New Covenant of forgiveness as the angel told Mary he will save his people from their sins.  Now my friends, being and remaining born again is a work of the Holy Spirit through your repentance and living a holy life.  This is still a mystery and covenant among the Godhead that we will understand more fully on the other side.  We take it by faith that the Godhead will forgive us if we repent after sinning and continuously ask the Holy Spirit to live in us.   

Spiritual warfare before your greatest test

Just how our Lord experienced his greatest test and spiritual warfare before his greatest challenge, we to will experience this. The prayer in the garden of Gethsemane reflects that our Lord was experiencing great sorrow and his soul was close to the point of death.  Now, the Bible does not record any temptations directly from Satan but a statement such as my soul is extremely sorrowful even unto death probably means He was experiencing tremendous attacks.  I am attacked strong when I pray by chest pressure and dizziness throughout the prayer but obviously nothing compared to our Lord’s level. 

I believe the devil was confused at the interaction between the Lord and the Father because he ultimately wanted to destroy or kill the Lord.  Also, when the Lord said Father let this cup pass from me if possible and did not hear a word from the Father, the devil figured his plan was working.   However, God’s ultimate plan given back in Genesis was about to be fulfilled for He said there is one coming who will bruise your head and you will bruise his heel.  What appeared to be the greatest defeat for the kingdom of God was actually the greatest victory for mankind.

My friends, prophecy will be fulfilled because when they came to arrest the Lord, he could have called down twelve legions of angels to stop them but our Lord did not.  When the time comes for the return of the Lord, which He is assuring me will be in my sister’s lifetime, nothing can stop it. 

Peter, Judas, Chief Priest and Pilate’s role

Matthew 26 and 27 record the role Peter and Judas played during the time surrounding the cross.  Both of these men denied the Lord.  Peter denied the Lord in word and Judas denied the Lord in deed.  Why did Peter seek forgiveness and Judas decide to hang himself?  My friends, only God knows why one heart seeks forgiveness and why one decides to reject God’s mercy.  Even if you have denied God for all your life, the Holy Spirit is reaching out his forgiving hands to you through this preacher. Now the Chief Priest delivered the Lord up because he threatened their way of life. Essentially, they resisted God’s will and wanted their own will.

The existential question

As Jesus stood before the Governor, Pilate asked the existential question, what is truth?  Let’s ask this question another way, what is the meaning of life or why are we here?  My friends, is there a reason for your existence?  Let’s ask this question another way, what is your purpose in life?  If you are trying to define your reason for existence without God you will come up empty.  Jesus said to the woman at the well, if you drink of this water, you will thirst again but if you drink of the water that I give you, you will never thirst again but it will become a well in you springing up into eternal life.  My friends, do you want this water? Our Lord said, what will a man give in exchange for his life?

The words from the cross

The Bible tells us there was darkness over all the land from the sixth hour until the ninth hour Since I understand that the Jewish day starts at 6:00am in the morning that would mean it was dark from noon until 3:00pm.  No doubt this was one of the most difficult times within the Godhead.  Our Lord spoke these words from the cross. 

• Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do.  My friends, if someone was beating us to death could we say father forgive them, for they know not what they do?  Remember, the words of Stephen when he was stoned.  He said my Lord, do not lay this to their account.

• Woman, behold your son and to John he said, behold your mother.  Our Lord cared for the physical needs of His mother when he was leaving. Therefore, we must care for the physical needs of others. However, our Lord cautions us not to labor for the food which perishes but the food which leads to eternal life.

• Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.  Now, this was a promise to the thief on the cross.  Heaven and paradise are where ever the Lord is.

• My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?  In what way did the Father forsake the Lord?  The Lord is saying you are allowing me to die this death.  Remember, the Jews tried to take the Lord’s life on many occasions and the Lord said no one takes my life, I have power to lay it down and power to take it up again. Remember, the Lord predicted his time of death as well as manner when he said, if I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto myself. I do not believe the Lord was separated from the Father in some spiritual sense.

• I thirst.  The Lord was literally thirsty due to enormous blood lost and severe dehydration. Also, this statement was a fulfillment of prophecy as the one who created water said I am thirsty.

• It is finished.  This was an odd statement to make so what did the Lord mean?  I have heard that some translations say, paid in full.  This means that the Lord had finished the work given to him by the Father.  The work was the Lord needed to be the lamb slain or propitiation for our sin debt. In other words, someone had to pay the Godhead for our sin. Also, the Lord’s death clears the way for the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts. Have the Lord finished his work in your life?

• Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.  I interpret this statement that the Lord did not need to go down and suffer in hell for your sins because as soon as His spirit left his body, it went into the Father’s hands.

Jesus’s dead body and the resurrection

Matthew 27 and 28 indicates that Joseph of Arimathea, a rich Councilman, had become a follower of Christ and asked Pilate if he could have the body. Other gospels tell us that Nicodemus, a Pharisee, joined him in taking the body. No doubt, this will now cost them wealth and their positions of authority because anyone opposing the religious leaders were put out of those circles. My friends, what are we willing to give up to follow the Lord? Our Lord says no one who puts his hands to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom.

The Bible indicates an angel of the Lord descended from heaven causing a great earthquake and rolled back the stone. No doubt this caused the guards to shake with fear and become like dead men. This is true because on all my interactions with the angelic realm, there is a sense of fear when in their presence.

The Bible says the chief priests bribed the soldiers to say that while we slept, his followers came and stole the body. The soldiers knew if this information reached the ears of the Governor, it was a death sentence for them. Therefore, when the Bible says they gave them a large sum of money to say this, think in terms of enough to retire on. As a final safety net, the religious leaders said, we will appease Pilate if this information reaches his ears. No doubt, they were ready to pay Pilate enough money to leave this alone.

The Bible tells us the veil of the temple was torn, the earth quaked, the graves were opened and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. The Bible indicates that these bodies came out of the grave after the Lord’s resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many. Now, Paul says that the dead in Christ will rise first and then the rapture will occur. I believe this resurrection was for the Old Testament saints residing in the bosom of Abraham described in Luke 16. Paul says in Ephesians that when he ascended he lead captivity captive and gave gifts. My position is captivity captive refers to those Old Testament saints and the gifts are described in Corinthians.

Jesus final words in the gospels

Matthew 28 records all authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you. The Lord then indicates he will be with us always, even to the end of the age. This is a mandate to every disciple of the Lord. However, our obedience to this command is implemented through our gifts.

Mark 16 records go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.  He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned.  And these signs will follow those who believe, In my name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues, they will take up serpents, if they drink anything deadly it will by no means hurt them and they will lay hands on the sick who will recover. I do not believe that every believer will perform every sign here because Paul tells us that we all have different gifts. 

Luke 24 records it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem and you are witnesses of these things.  Behold, I send the promise of my father upon you, but tarry in the City of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high. This tells us that our primary task is to preach repentance and remission of sins. Just as the power of the Holy Spirit was given to the first church, he is given to every believer. However, the Holy Spirit gives us wisdom and how to accomplish this task according to the gifts given to each of us.

John 21 records some last instructions where the Lord told Peter to feed my sheep and follow him.  Peter was concerned over what would happen with John but the Lord reminded him to be more concerned with himself obeying the Lord. Likewise my friends, we are definitely concerned with savings the lost but more concerned with our personal relationship with the Lord.

My friends, all these final statements are commanding us to do God’s work. Let me encourage you to first become reconciled to God, then access the Holy Spirit for strength to overcome sin, so you can advance the Kingdom of God.

The Acts: 33 – 62 AD

The promised Holy Spirit

When God said in the Old Testament, after these days I I will put my laws in their mind and write them on their hearts and I will be their God and they shall be my people, do you know what he was referring to? When God said none of them shall teach his neighbor or brother but all shall know me from the least of them to the greatest, do you know what he was referring to? My friends, God was referring to the indwelling work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer.

Remember the Lord said that it is to your advantage that I return because I will send the Comforter to you. He will lead you into all truth. Now, I am not saying that you can just check your brain and think you will understand the Bible through some weird osmosis. However, what I am saying is the natural man cannot discern the things of the spirit. If your mind is continually focused on this world, you will not be able to understand the Bible. The reason is your mind and pursuits will be in conflict with what the Holy Spirit is trying to accomplish in you and ultimately the world.

Has God changed the function of the Holy Spirit between the Old and New Testament? Was the Holy Spirit working in us the same way he worked in the Old Testament saints? I believe the Holy Spirit is working differently in the New Testament saints. In the Old Testament, the physical temple was standing and God’s presence was primarily active through the prophets, priests and kings. Remember, Old Testament saints had to become circumcised and obey the laws of Moses to have their sins forgiven. Now, an Old Testament prophet of God had the presence of the Holy Spirit and when the priest went into the temple for daily and annual duties, the Holy Spirit was present. However, under the New Covenant, the believer’s body is the temple or dwelling place of the Holy Spirit.

After the resurrection and prior to the coming of the Holy Spirit, our Lord confirmed to the disciples he was alive over a period of 40 days before being taken back into heaven. Now the disciples believed the Lord would restore the kingdom to Israel at that time, but the Lord reminded them that first they must become a witness of him in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth. Recall when he told them to only go to the lost tribes of Israel, but now it’s time to go to the Gentiles as well. However, implementation of this command takes power so he told his followers to wait in Jerusalem until they receive power from on high. My friends, are you trying to live this Christian life and carry out the Lord’s command without the power of the Holy Spirit?

The coming of the Holy Spirit

Is our world spiraling out of control? Are there great wars and rumors of wars occurring? Are large asteroids and meteors coming closer to hitting our planet? Are the earthquakes, tornadoes and climate becoming more intense? Are the mental health crisis facing a person becoming more challenging? Are we having more and more demonic attacks on our bodies? His confusion surrounding our sexuality increasing? My friends, it should be obvious to you that the answer to all these questions is a resounding yes! Based on all these challenges, God has given us his Holy Spirit to overcome.

Our Lord told his followers to wait until they receive power from on high. I believe this command was given around the end of our Lord’s 40 day stay after his resurrection. Since Pentecost is celebrated 50 days after Passover, the coming of the Holy Spirit was around 10 days after he commanded them to wait. The Holy Spirit showed up with the sound of a mighty rushing wind, bringing tongues of fire on their heads and the gift of tongues, which were a recognizable language, in this instance. The crowds were confused with the sound as well as those in Jerusalem speaking in their languages, the wonderful works of God. However, some were mocking saying they were filled with new wine or drunk.

After this event, Peter stood up and boldly proclaimed this was the fulfillment of what was spoken of by the prophet Joel. Now, this was not the complete fulfillment because the sun was not turned to darkness and the moon into blood because this was not the great and terrible day of the Lord. In fact, this was the wonderful giving of the Holy Spirit to help us escape the great and terrible day of the Lord, which refers to the second coming of the Lord in judgment. We are living in the age of grace but fast approaching the day of judgment. My friends, are you operating in God’s grace or continuing to resist the power of the Holy Sprit in your life?

Now all the apostles, including Paul, were doing miracles so God was confirming their message and authority. Also, the Holy Spirit was leading them into the true interpretation of Scripture. At this point, many of the apostles did not yet understand the Lord’s command to make disciples of the Gentiles as well as Jews. Also, some were confused about whether new believers had to be circumcised and keep the laws of Moses as well as believe in the Lord’s death. If you are struggling to understand the Bible as well as God’s call on your life, let me encourage you to continue to obey him, study the Bible and be patient.

The message preached

What was the message that Peter preached in Acts 2 after the Holy Spirit fell? What was the message Peter preached to the household of Cornelius in Acts 10? What was the message that Stephen preached in Acts 7 that got him stoned? What was the message that Philip preached in Samaria to Simon the Sorcerer as well as to the Eunuch under Candace the queen? What was the message that Saul, the apostle Paul preached in Jerusalem, before Felix and King Agrippa? What was the message the Jerusalem Council sent in Acts 15 to the gentiles after the dispute arose over the way to salvation?

My friends, their message is the same message we preach, repent and turn from your sins, believe that Jesus is your only sacrifice for your sins and cry out to God for his Holy Spirit. When we present the gospel the right way, it will cause us to be slandered, accused of being a heretic, accused of preaching a works based salvation, accused of being a false teacher, physically attacked by the demonic realm and eventually might cause us to be martyred. The disciples never watered down the gospel message because a soft message will never cause anyone to repent and run from their sin. Remember, our Lord said go and teach all things I have commanded you. My friends, are you willing to preach the full council of God? Your message must include the beautiful option of paradise and dark reality of eternal hell.

You will have tribulation

In Acts 4 and 6 we see the persecutions begin for the apostles, including imprisonments and beatings. However, the Holy Sprit determines when its’ time for us to die so they are supernaturally released and commanded by the angel to go and preach all the words of salvation. Also, Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit as he spoke but it was time for his departure so they stoned him to death. King Herod’s violence escalates and he killed the apostle John’s brother James.

Paul gives us a summary of what it cost him to deliver the message in 2 Corinthians. He was beaten 5 times, which consisted of 40 stripes less one. No doubt, this was the type of beating the Lord received before Pilate. Three times he was beaten with rods, once stoned, which happened at Lystra where they dragged him out of the city assuming he was dead. He was ship wrecked three times and was lost at sea. He was often in perils of robbers as well as his own countrymen, in the wilderness, and among false brethren. He was often in weariness and toil, sleeplessness, hunger, thirst, fasting, cold and naked. In addition, he mentioned the daily pressure associated with his deep concern for the churches. Now, on top of all this, the Lord allowed a messenger of Satan to inflict his body with, what I believe based on Paul’s comment in Galatians 4, was some type of eye illness.

My friends, let me encourage you to get a reputable book on the history of the Christian church. You will see that throughout time, true believers have always been persecuted. Remember in Genesis, God said I will but enmity between the woman’s seed and the serpent’s seed and in the Revelation, we read Satan went off to make war against the woman’s children. In other words, the Children/Spirit/Kingdom of God will always be at war with the Children/Flesh/Kingdom of Satan. My friends, our faith must stand up in the midst of persecutions, whether in the physical or spiritual realm.

Go and make disciples

The question we must ask ourself is are we being obedient to this command? Let’s consider our main objectives in life? If our time and talents are not being used to build God’s church, what are they being used for? Remember the parable of the talents, where the Lord gave some 5, some 2 and others just one. Each of us have something to offer to building the Lord’s kingdom and reaching the lost. My friends, if you consider yourself a follower of the Lord but are not using your life in his service, then ask the Lord to provide a ministry where you can get involved. If you feel this is the sort of ministry you would like to get into, please use this link. DeborahsLifetime

My friends, at the end of the day, the Lord is not going to beat us up over the type of ministry but that we are doing some ministry. Remember, the Lord said well done to the guys with the 5 and 2 talents but what did he say to the guy who hid his one talent?