Endure Until the End

Mat 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

Because of offenses, many will be afraid to love. Who can they trust? Love God, and those of your household of faith. Restore those who will be restored, withdraw from those who seek to divide or walk contrary to the doctrine we are taught.

Rom 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

Rom 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

If we come to Jesus of our own free will, we can also leave Jesus of our own free will. Jesus saves us, not ourselves, we are saved by our faith in him, and he does the work. IF, we were not sincere, and leave, apparently we were never saved. What then? Should we fear God? Yes, we fear God and reverence him and stay closely abiding in him. He keeps us in his hand; nothing can take you out of God's hand.

2 Cor 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Continue in the faith, continue to learn more and more of him, continue to praise him, continue to worship him. Do not allow your love for Christ Jesus to grow cold. For those who are His, are sealed by the Holy Spirit forever.

2 Cor 1:20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

2 Cor 1:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;

2 Cor 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Rom 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Phil 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

Phil 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

Phil 4:6 Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Phil 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Do not fear that you are not saved. The devil will accuse you, resist him and crawl into God the Father's lap, for through Jesus Christ you are kept by your Father, forever in his love. Encourage one another with this.

The Apple of His Eye

Num 24:8 God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows.
Num 24:9 He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.

Psa 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

Psa 68:34 Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds.
Psa 68:35 O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.

Psa 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
Psa 122:7 Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.

2Ch 7:12 And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice.
2Ch 7:13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;
2Ch 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Jer 17:7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
Jer 17:8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Jer 17:10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

Luk 13:34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!
Luk 13:35 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord

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Israel went through a great holocaust during world war two. This was as the travail of a nation being birthed again. In 1967 they defeated four Arab nations and expanded their territory. They were disciplined, watchful and prepared. One Commander in Israel called the miraculous defeat of the Arab armies a lot of luck. It wasnot luck, it was the hand of God protecting Israel. There will be other battles, tribulations, and Israel will turn to their Messiah and the people will be born again.

Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.

If our nation turns against Israel, we could be cursed. The people of God are not cursed,we are blessed. We with the Israel of God are the apple of his eye.

Zec 2:8 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.

Flawed Servants of God

Num 23:16 And the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus.
Num 23:17 And when he came to him, behold, he stood by his burnt offering, and the princes of Moab with him. And Balak said unto him, What hath the LORD spoken?
Num 23:18 And he took up his parable, and said, Rise up, Balak, and hear; hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor:
Num 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
Num 23:20 Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.
Num 23:21 He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.
Num 23:22 God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn.
Num 23:23 Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!
Num 23:24 Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain.
Num 23:25 And Balak said unto Balaam, Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all.
Num 23:26 But Balaam answered and said unto Balak, Told not I thee, saying, All that the LORD speaketh, that I must do?

A true prophet of God must speak what he hears from God. Baalam was a covetous prophet wanting the money and the fame offered by God's enemy. Balak the Moabite prince wanted Balaam to curse Israel, instead he spoke blessings from God. The LORD's servants are to speak his message, but they do not always act as men of God. A person of God must become like Jesus who had no sin or iniquity. Jesus warned the people around him of the scribes and the Pharisees actions.

Mat 23:1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
Mat 23:2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:
Mat 23:3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

Like Balaam the lust of money and the lust for position and power came with the preaching of God's word. We are imperfect people who are given a responsibility to share the good news of God with the world. The world needs Jesus, Lord help us to also be examples to the world as images of our Lord and not of the world's values. We are to make disciples like Jesus, not like impure people of the world.

2Co 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
2Co 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
2Co 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Father forgive us for our sin of greed, envy, power and self pity. We want to serve you as your holy vessels with the holy word of God. Help us to be like you, in Jesus name, amen.

Concerning the Resurrection

Mat 22:30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
Mat 22:31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,

Mat 22:32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

The Sadducees where trying to trick and to mock Jesus by asking him a question about a woman who was married seven times. Whose wife would she be in heaven? They did not believe in an after life and they did not believe in Jesus, so they were trying to make him look foolish. Why is it that the foolish ones try to make the things of God foolish? A proverb comes to mind.

Pro 26:4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
Pro 26:5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

Jesus answered him wisely, for he is all wise with all authority. First off apparently marriage is not to continue in heaven, for we will be as the angels which are spiritual creations.

Rom 7:2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.

We will continue to love one another as commanded by Jesus. We will become the bride of Christ and will have a marriage supper, but it is not like the marriage of flesh. We shall be one in spirit with God.

Joh 17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
Joh 17:23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

Jesus addresses the Sadducees concerning their unbelief in the resurrection, by telling him an important truth.

Mat 22:32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

Jehovah's Witnesses say that Jesus is not God. Jesus says that he is. I AM the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob: Have you not heard this? Jesus is Jehovah God, one with the Father and God is not the God of the dead, he has made us new spirit creations, he is God of the living. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are alive in the spirit and awaiting the resurrection.

Luk 20:36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.

Lifted Up for Healing

Num 21:5 And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. (manna) Num 21:6 And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. Num 21:7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. Num 21:8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. Num 21:9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived. A fiery serpent, a burning or poisonous serpent. This makes me think of the copperhead snake that my mother stepped on as a child in Arkansas that bit her leg; she greatly feared snakes. The snake or serpent is also the symbol of the devil, as he first came to tempt Adam and Eve in the garden. A spiritual serpent: lucifer. And the physical serpent was cursed by God to slither and eat dust. A brass serpent was made and lifted on a pole for all Israel to see. By looking upon it they were healed. This was symbolic of Jesus going to the cross.Num 21:5 And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. (manna)

Num 21:6 And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.
Num 21:7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.
Num 21:8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
Num 21:9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

A fiery serpent, a burning or poisonous serpent. This makes me think of the copperhead snake that my mother stepped on as a child in Arkansas that bit her leg; she greatly feared snakes. The snake or serpent is also the symbol of the devil, as he first came to tempt Adam and Eve in the garden. A spiritual serpent: lucifer. And the physical serpent was cursed by God to slither and eat dust.

A brass serpent was made and lifted on a pole for all Israel to see. By looking upon it they were healed. This was symbolic of Jesus going to the cross.

Joh 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
Joh 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Jesus was on the cross, the Son of God and he was no serpent. How then is this a replica of the brazen snake that Moses lifted up in the wilderness? We must realize that Jesus took upon himself all the sins that we have, past , present and future. He became sin for us. Satan dwells in sin and darkness so when Jesus removed our sins he was in affect removing the power and poison of satan over us. Jesus went to the cross for our sins. He was taking away the poison of the fiery serpent who would be delivered to a fiery pit, the lake of fire.

The serpent on a pole became the symbol of healing for physicians. It is Jesus on the cross that brings both physical and mental healing. He gave his life so that we may live.

Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

He is risen in glory to assure that he will return for all who trust in him. So let's put away murmuring and sin. Jesus has delivered us from the serpents power and given us power to be the children of God. May we not be complainers but instead let us magnify the name of Jesus. Let's lift him up before the people for the removal of their sins and for a new life in Christ.

Joh 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: Joh 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. Jesus was on the cross, the Son of God and he was no serpent. How then is this a replica of the brazen snake that Moses lifted up in the wilderness? We must realize that Jesus took upon himself all the sins that we have, past , present and future. He became sin for us. Satan dwells in sin and darkness so when Jesus removed our sins he was in affect removing the power and poison of satan over us. Jesus went to the cross for our sins. He was taking away the poison of the fiery serpent who would be delivered to a fiery pit, the lake of fire. The serpent on a pole became the symbol of healing for physicians. It is Jesus on the cross that brings both physical and mental healing. He gave his life so that we may live. Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. He is risen in glory to assure that he will return for all who trust in him. So let's put away murmuring and sin. Jesus has delivered us from the serpents power and given us power to be the children of God. May we not be complainers but instead let us magnify the name of Jesus. Let's lift him up before the people for the removal of their sins and for a new life in Christ.

Who is this man?

Mat 21:9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
Mat 21:10 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?
Mat 21:11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

Who is this that you shout to, Hosanna in the highest? Hosanna, translated: O save, Save I pray. They called unto their savior. They were looking for a kingdom apart from the Romans rule. They wanted to be saved from the taxes and reproach of roman rule. He truly was their savior, to all who would believe in him as the Lamb of God who takes away our sins. He is God the Son, the savior from sins punishment, the substitute sacrifice and our Lord.

Hosanna to the son of David, that was to come with an eternal kingdom. Jesus answered Pilate concerning the kingdom of God:

Joh 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

Now his kingdom is within the hearts of his disciples. He will return to set up his kingdom and that return is soon, because the world is lining up with the Bible prophecies.

The multiude saw him as a prophet. A prophet speaks the words of God.

And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

He was a prophet from Nazareth, born in Bethlehem, fulfilling the words from the prophet Micah.

Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Micah spoke the word of God: A ruler, the everlasting Holy Son of God, whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

The crowd knew in part, but we should know Jesus with more assurace. We have the authority of the Bible. We are not to guess who he is, or look in obscure cast out books or the opinions of others to see who this man was. He is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Who do men say that I am?

Mat 16:13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
Mat 16:14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
Mat 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Joh 6:64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.
Joh 6:65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
Joh 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
Joh 6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
Joh 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
Joh 6:69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

Mat 26:63 But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.
Mat 26:64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

Do you believe in Jesus, the Son of God? Will you continue to praise him? The Hosanna crowd soon were shouting:" Crucify Him, crucify him" .

Luk 23:21 But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.

Luk 23:22 And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.

Luk 23:23 And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.

They followed the crowd and were moved with every wind of popular opinion. We must withstand the winds of adversity and stand on the eternal word of God and the authority given to us who believe in Him. The Holy Spirit is greater than any storm or Tsunami of this life. Jesus speaks to the storms and there is peace.

Mar 4:37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
Mar 4:38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
Mar 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
Mar 4:40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
Mar 4:41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

He is the son of man, eternal king after David and the eternal Son of God, our savior and redeemer, our great high priest, the eternal I AM. Is he your Lord and Savior? Settle this now in your heart, ask him to be Lord of your life and to forgive you of your sins.

The Unheard Message

Mat 20:17 And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,
Mat 20:18 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,
Mat 20:19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.
Mat 20:20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.
Mat 20:21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.

Jesus took his twelve disciples apart to speak to them of an important matter. When God wants to speak to us, it is best to be away from the crowd and in a place where you can hear what he is saying. Even then our thoughts can be elsewhere. We must learn to be where we can hear the voice of Jesus. In a gathering all may be in the same place, but all may not be hearing what is said. This is especially true in an Internet chat room, so many disruptions. Some are talking on instant messages, others are searching the Internet for information. A most important message may not be heard, even when all are together in one place. Jesus was giving them the gospel of his atoning sacrifice and they missed it.

Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,
And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.

The message of redemption, the hope of our salvation and they did not hear. A distraction came right after. Zebedee's wife asking the Lord to make her son's, James and John to rule with him in his kingdom .The scripture said that they came worshipping him and asking for this favor. Something doesn't same right with that. It is like flattery in order to get something. Do we come "worshipping" only to get some favor? This sparked jealousy and strife among the disciples. They were competing for favor. Competition has no place in the kingdom of God, obedience is better. Competition leads to envy and strife. So much is said against this. We are to serve as we are able. It is enough to obey our callings. I see strife and pride in ministries where there is competition for the biggest crowd of people. Some are full of pride about being called an evangelist or prophet. Look to Jesus, not to pride or numbers. If a church is full, do they preach the atoning sacrifice? The shed blood? The resurrection and the baptism of Jesus in the Holy Spirit? Do you hear the word of God and obey or are you distracted? The thief comes to steal the word of God. In the parable of the sower Jesus spoke of the fowls coming to eat the seed that fell on the wayside.

Mat 13:4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:

Jesus had taken his disciples to the wayside, he gave them the seed of his word. Then came the disruption of who would be the greatest in the kingdom. The fowls removed the seed of God's word. This important message was missed because of their dull hearing. Lets stop looking for prominence and position in ministry and just do what we are called to do. Are we so full of self that we are missing the Lord's message?