Author name: godlybro

The Strong’s Concordance definition of “word” (Greek word G3056, logos) includes: intention, purpose, plan, something said (including the thought); communication (mouthpiece, special messenger); a topic; reasoning; a motive.” It also means “Divine expression.” The Greek word “logos” is used 331 times in the New Testament. So it is essential to consider the context. Hebrews 4:12 is referring to the actual word of God, the scriptures, which are a two-edged sword that can bless, teach, instruct, and discipline, and if taken into our hearts and lives, penetrates to our very “joints and marrow” and can help us change our thoughts and intentions of heart to a God-like character. In John 17:17, Jesus, when praying to his Heavenly Father, stated: “Sanctify them in Truth; Thy word (logos) is the Truth.” It is God’s word, His truth, as provided in scripture. Ephesians 6:17, states, “and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.” Jesus has a two-edged sword proceeding from his mouth in Revelation 1:16; 2:12,16; 19:15. When it states that God’s word is “living and active” it brings to mind Proverbs 4:20-22, stating that God’s words are “life to those that find them, and health to all their flesh.” Jesus states in John 6:63, “…the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life,” and the Apostle Paul states in 1 Timothy 4:5, 6, “…sanctified by the word of God and prayer. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine…” When this same Greek word is referring to Jesus, it demonstrates a being, as shown in John 1:14 (KJV), “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us,…” and in Revelation 19:13, “…His name is called the Word (Logos) of God.” We see that God’s word is truth, and that Jesus as the Word or Logos was the messenger of God’s truth, plans, and purposes. Jesus, both in his pre-human existence, (see Colossians 1:15-16; Proverbs 8:22-31) and as a perfect human being here on earth, (John 1:14) was constantly teaching God’s plans as revealed in the Old Testament. The words which Jesus spoke were not only words of grace, of eternal life, but also words of purification, likened to that sharp, two-edged sword. So also with the New Testament, Jesus and the Apostles are still teaching us God’s word, and it is life to us.

The holy spirit is God’s invisible power and influence. Over time, the role of the holy spirit changed. In Old Testament times and before Jesus’ baptism, the function of the holy spirit was primarily to guide and direct His prophets by inspiring them to write or speak words they generally did not understand. The meanings of these writings were often revealed in the New Testament, meant for us to study and understand now. After Jesus died, the apostles and others received miraculous “gifts of the holy spirit” (see 1 Corinthians 12:8-10) to help establish the early church and quickly spread the gospel message, such as being able to preach in different languages. (see Acts 2:1-4) These miraculous gifts ended once the apostles died. (see 1 Corinthians 13:8*, see also 2 Peter 1:19-21**) In our day, those who make a consecration to God, if accepted, receive the gift of the holy spirit. To “make a consecration” means transforming one’s life, trying to follow the way Jesus lived his life. A consecrated person turns away from their natural sinful tendencies and instead tries very hard to obey God’s will in every decision of life. The Bible calls those with the holy spirit, “spirit begotten.” (see 1 John 5:1, ASV) A spirit-begotten person sees, thinks, speaks, and acts differently than they did before. (see 2 Corinthians 5:17) Their loyalty and allegiance is to God first. They are committed to a higher purpose – doing things God’s way instead of their way. The holy spirit is like a tool to help a person do the work required to live a consecrated life. When a person is spirit begotten, they can: …be helped with their weaknesses. (see Romans 8:26-28, Rotherham) …be a good example to others. (see Galatians. 6:10, 1 Timothy 4:12) …develop the “fruit of the spirit” Paul describes in Galatians, in order to glorify God. (see Galatians 5:22,23, John 5:18) …be comforted through difficult experiences, knowing that the power of God is working in their lives for their best spiritual welfare. (see Romans 8:28, 2 Corinthians 1:4) …be inspired to share the word of God with others. (see Matt.5:16, Phil 2:15, 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Timothy 4:6,7) …help transform and renew their minds to set their focus on serving God. (see Romans 12:2) …have a greater understanding of the Bible – not through a miracle without any effort, but through the hard work of studying God ’s word. (see Matthew 6:15-17, 2 Tim 2:15) …have a sense of peace as they rejoice in the Lord and guard their hearts and minds against evil. (see Matthew 10:13, Phil 4:4-7) …be motivated to serve and build up other Christians. (see Galatians 6:10, Hebrews 6:10, Matthew 25:40) …be guided in the work of self-sacrifice, which is giving up one’s own desires in order to do the will of God. (see Romans 12:1,2, Philippians 2:14, 1 Corinthians 3:9) …increase their own hope and faith in God and His promises. Romans (5:5, NLT) says, “And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the holy spirit to fill our hearts with His love.” So, what does the holy spirit do? The function of the holy spirit changed over time. Today, it motivates, helps, comforts, and inspires dedicated Christians. A consecrated life is not easy – it is full of hardships, persecutions, and sacrifices. However, with the holy spirit, there is a quiet joy, peace, comfort and strength that God – through His invisible power and influence – is helping every step of the way.v

In Exodus 35:6-7, God instructs the Israelites in the wilderness to contribute materials for the construction of the Tabernacle. In addition to the precious metals of gold, silver and copper, they brought, “blue, purple and crimson yarns, fine linen, goats’ hair, tanned ram skins, tachash skins and acacia wood.” What are tachash skins? This word occurs in three different contexts in the Old Testament: a personal name – Genesis 22:24, son of Nahor. a cover for the Tabernacle and its objects: Exodus 25:5, 26:14, 35:7,23, 36:19, 39:34; Numbers 4:6,8,10,11,12,14,25, and a material for shoes (Ezekiel 16:10). Whatever tachash was, it must have be suitable for use in the Tabernacle and its objects and as a material for quality shoes. The word tachash is of uncertain origin and meaning. Bible translators have translated it as badger skins, goat skins, durable and fine leather, porpoise skins, seal skins, and sea cow (dugong) hides. However, there is no definite translation with which all language experts agree. The Israelites did have access to marine mammal skins including those of sea cows (dugongs). Aquatic mammals inhabit the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba to this day. These gentle creatures graze on seaweed. They are known by naturalists as Halicore tabernaculi, where tabernaculi is a reference to the belief by taxonomists that this indeed is the actual creature that was used in the Tabernacle. These sea mammals could have been caught by the Jewish people since Mount Sinai was only three days’ journey from the Red Sea. Or they may have purchased the hides from traders on their trade routes that crossed the wilderness. The Septuagint (a Greek translation of the Old Testament produced by 70 Jewish scholars in the mid-third to second centuries BCE) interprets the word tachach by derivatives of “hyacinth” – presumably, skins of goats or sheep, dyed the color of hyacinths. The Septuagint’s translators thought tachash was not an animal but a dye. Josephus, too, lists among the materials provided for the Tabernacle, “goats’ hair and sheepskins, some dyed blue.” A few archeologists suggest that tachash refers neither to a specific hide, nor a color, but to the profession of attaching faience (ceramic) beads to leather. Thus, the Anchor Bible Commentary on Exodus, translates tachash as “beaded leather.” Beaded hides are, from many points of view, the ideal material with which to cover a Tabernacle. They are aesthetically pleasing, fit for royalty, strong, and resistant to sun, rain, dust and probably arrows, too. Beading leather was an ancient skill already in use when Exodus was written. Such beads have been found in Mesopotamia dating back to the fourth millennium BCE. Today, we cannot be certain what the exact meaning of tachash is. But when the Israelites who constructed the Tabernacle are resurrected, they will joyfully explain it to all mankind!

Summary: No, this is not a reference to hell, it is referring to the period of intense anarchy during Armageddon that will cause great suffering and destroy all evilness on earth in preparation for Christ’s righteous reign on earth. Discussion: Matthew 13:40-44 (KJV), “As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Evilness vexes true Christians. Jesus said the gospel would cause fire symbolizing great suffering and even death. “I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! … 51 Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division.”- Luke 12:49, 51. History records that believers were tortured, starved, and whole cities massacred during the Dark Ages. Truly, “… men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. – John 3:19 KJV Believers must suffer to learn obedience, as did Jesus.  “…though he was a son, yet he learned obedience by the things which he suffered.” – Hebrews 5:8 (NKJV) Jesus said in Mark 9:49, “For every one shall be salted with fire…” This verse explains that all Christians need to be purified through fiery trials. Our consecration vows entail some serious sacrifices to show the depth of our consecration. (See also 1 Corinthians 3:13.) Lastly, Peter 1:7 NKJV, “…your faith, …though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ”. However, Matthew 13:42 is referring to the final suffering and destruction at the end of the present evil world (Galatians 1:4). Daniel prophesied, “And at that time shall Michael stand up, and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time…” – Daniel 12:1 KJV Jesus also said, “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be…”. – Matthew 24:21-22 NKJV Mankind longs for justice, righteousness, and peace. The purpose of the fiery suffering is to humble men’s hearts. Then Christ will step in and establish His righteous reign. “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD As the waters cover the sea”.  Isaiah 11:9 NKJV

No.  144,000 is the number of saints or the bride of Christ. Revelation 14:1, 4, (NKJV) “one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads. …not defiled with women, … are virgins…. the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes.” In this present life, only the saints have obediently followed Jesus. Are the rest of mankind redeemed? Yes! “Who (Jesus) gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” – 1 Timothy 2:6 (KJV) A ransom is a “corresponding price.” It is the price paid in place of the one to be released. Hence, it is of equal value to the prisoner. Recall 1 Corinthians 15:22, “As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” Jesus was the price of equal value corresponding to Adam. How was Jesus considered equal to Adam? Adam was a perfect man created in God’s image. (See Genesis 1:27 and Deuteronomy 32:4.) None of Adam’s offspring could redeem Adam because we are all imperfect – “… a sinner the moment my mother conceived me.” – Psalm 51:5 (NET) God’s justice, declared in the Law, requires a life for a life, an equal payment (Exodus 21:23). In the special case of Adam, a perfect human life was plunged into death and required a perfect human life to ransom him from death. Thus, as 1 Timothy 2:6 states, Jesus was that perfect human life. To further explain, Adam had a perfect human race within his loins. Jesus also had a perfect human race within himself. When Jesus redeemed Adam, the corresponding price for Adam’s unborn, sinful race was Jesus’s unborn, perfect human race. God’s Law of a life for a life was upheld. 1 Timothy 2:6 also states that this truth will be made known “in due time.” What is the due time? Today, the high calling to follow in Jesus’s sacrificial footsteps is open. The purpose is to call out the church class. These are the first fruits (Revelation 4:4). They receive the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4) with the heavenly reward of sitting with Jesus on thrones in heaven (Revelation 20:3, Luke 22:30). These are the 144,000 of Revelation 7 and 14. However, a great number of redeemed, spirit-begotten Christians are not willingly faithful to their covenant to sacrifice their wills and flesh (Romans 12:1) to do only God’s will. These need tribulation to wash their robes (Revelation 7:9). While they do receive a heavenly resurrection, they do not receive the divine nature. They stand before Christ’s throne to serve God. The due time for mankind to receive redemption will be during the general human resurrection when Christ reigns on Earth. Then, “…I (God) will put my law within them (starting with Israel and spreading to all), and I will write it upon their hearts; … I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” – Jeremiah 31:33-34 RSV Jesus redeemed ALL!  

Ephesians (6:1, NIV) says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” Obedience means following a rule, request, or law from a higher authority – like God, your parents or your teachers, for example. In the Bible, when God’s people followed His righteous commands, they were happy and received blessings. We trust and obey God because: 1) He loves us and has our best interests in mind, 2) His ways and thoughts are higher than ours, (see Isaiah 55:8,9) and 3) We can’t see the full picture of our lives like He can. For instance, imagine attending a parade. As you watch the decorated floats pass by, you can only see what is directly in front of you, and maybe a bit ahead or behind if you turn your head. Now imagine God in heaven, who can see the ENTIRE parade from above, from start to finish. (see Isaiah 46:10) When it comes to His plan for all of humanity, He knows the beginning, the end, and everything in between. He has all of the information but we do not. Jesus is an excellent example of perfect obedience. Throughout his life and ministry, as God’s representative on earth, Jesus always obeyed the will of his father. Hebrews (5:8, Berean Study Bible) says, “…he learned obedience from what he suffered.” This means that he learned to be obedient under pressure – the pressure of enduring many extremely difficult experiences. Despite everything he went through, he carried out his Father’s will perfectly, succeeding at every turn! Obedience goes along with humility, which is the quality of not thinking too highly of yourself, of being humble. Jesus was certainly humble. Speaking about him, Philippians (2:8, NASB) says, “…he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (2:9, NIV) “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,…” Jesus received this incredible reward because of his willing obedience, humility and faithfulness. Let’s try our best to copy these qualities that please God so much! So, what is obedience? It’s following rules, requests or laws, like the ones from God, our parents and our teachers. We choose to obey God’s righteous principles because His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. (see Isaiah 55:8,9) We put our faith and trust in Him because He can see the long-term, big picture of His plan, and we cannot. Just like a loving parent, He knows what is best for us, so it’s always wise to trust and obey Him!

Thank-you for asking a question that puzzles many. How indeed could Jesus be pleading to God for us if he is already God? Is this a great deception on his part? Or is this premise incorrect? There are some scriptures if taken out of context that can lead sincere students of the Bible to conclude that Jesus is God. For example, John 10:30 reads, “I and my Father are one.” Some inaccurately conclude that Jesus was saying he was the God of the Universe. However, in John 17:21, Jesus pleads with his Father on behalf of his apostles. “That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:” – John 17:21-22 NKJV Obviously, our Lord was not pleading that his apostles be literally one in the same person. Jesus was saying that he and God the father were one and in harmony respecting purpose and holy character. Another example is Jesus’ encounter with Mary outside of his tomb after his resurrection. “Jesus said to her, ‘Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, “I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.”’” – John 20:17 (NKJV)  The obvious question is if Jesus is God, how could he have a god? Lastly, the Apostle Paul wrote that when Jesus’ work is fully complete and his reign concludes, then he himself will still be under his Father’s authority. “Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.” – 1 Corinthians 15:28 NKJV Space prevents us from responding to all arguments on this subject. Plainly, Jesus is not God but just who he said he was – the Son of God. Jesus was created by God as seen in Revelation. “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:’” – Revelation 3:14 NKJV  Jesus and God are separate and distinct beings. Finally, “pleading” is Strong’s word G1793 and it is usually translated to “make intercession” or to “intercede” for us. Jesus purchased us with his blood and thereby paid for our sins. Justice has been satisfied. Jesus  pleading sounds like he is emotionally entreating, begging God to forgive us. But when we pray through Jesus, God forgives our sins because justice has been paid. (1 John 1:9)

Jesus shows us the way to God and how to live. He said, “…I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” – John 14:6 NKJV    “…He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5 NKJV   Finally, “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,” – 1 Timothy 2:5 NKJV Thus, we have our relationship with God through Jesus. Christians are to follow Jesus’s example. “Jesus answered,…”‘f anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.’” – John 14:23 NKJV Is Jesus healing believers and performing other miracles today? No.  Miracles in the early church were for the purpose of establishing that the Gospel was true. No man could do these things. The healing, speaking in tongues, and prophesying proved that the truths Jesus and the Apostles taught were from God. Once the church was established in God’s word, through the New Testament, these miracles ceased. When the Apostles and those upon whom the Apostles conferred these gifts died, the miraculous gifts ended. Today, we have the whole New Testament and the Bible. The truths in the Bible transform us into Christ’s image. Jesus taught His disciples when he prayed, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” – John 17:17 NKJV    “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,  that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV Were consecrated Christians ever healed in the early church? No. Healing and speaking in tongues were not for believers. They were a witness to unbelievers to believe the Gospel. The Apostle Paul healed unbelievers, but could not use his gift to heal his own eyesight. He also wrote to Timothy saying, “Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.” – 1 Timothy 5:23 NIV Consecrated believers are to accept their trials as permitted of the Lord. The trials teach us to trust God and to develop our characters.   “… ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV

We are living in the end times. This is the time when Satan’s old order will be torn down and when Christ will establish God’s kingdom on earth (Daniel 2:44). It is perilous to believers because there are so many lies, deceptions, and temptations that try to take us away from God. “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” (2 Timothy 3:1-5 NKJV) This peril specifically applies to believers because Christians can lose their faith. It is not written to the world. The world is promoting these deceptions through the help of the demons. The purpose of Armageddon and the time of trouble is to teach mankind that they cannot govern themselves. Jesus prophesied about this period, “For then there will be great suffering unlike anything that has happened from the beginning of the world until now, or ever will happen. And if those days had not been cut short, no one would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.” (Matthew 24:21-22 NET) The world will be humbled by troubles which they cannot solve. Then they will turn to Christ to learn righteousness. “With my soul have I desired thee in the night (the “nighttime” of trouble); yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.” (Isaiah 26:9 KJV) Christ’s kingdom on earth will bring peace, healing, righteousness, justice, and love to mankind. “For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: … As one whom his mother comforts, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem. And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb.” (Isaiah 66:12-14 KJV) The word “Armageddon” often strikes fear in the hearts of people, as they associate it with the end of the world. But this misunderstood time has a special purpose and will be followed by a great time of blessing for mankind.

“I will go in the strength of the Lord God: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.” (Psalm 71:16) THE tears and sorrows and battlings in strife against the world, the flesh, and the devil are all very necessary in the present time. We should neither hope nor expect to be crowned as victors without passing through such experiences. In the battle we learn not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think. We learn of our own weaknesses and imperfections. Walking closely with the Lord is the only way to keep our garments unspotted from the world. We learn also to trust his grace, and that “our sufficiency is of God.” We learn that “greater is he who is on our part than all they that be against us.” We learn that the victory that overcometh the world is neither the strength and perfection of our flesh, nor merely the strong resolution of our minds, but the latter helped and strengthened by Him who assures us that His strength can be perfected in our weakness. It is here that we learn that all things are working together for good to them that love God.