A LITTLE LEAVEN

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ByKenBlue

Eve took a little fruit from the forbidden tree.

Satan made a little change from what the Word should be.

Noah took a little wine, his nakedness all could see.

This should be a little warning to you and me.

 

Lot took a little look; Sodom became his home.

His wife took a little glance; became briny stone.

Samson was certain his little riddle would be unknown.

His little folly left him to die all alone.

 

For a little silver, Jesus was sold to die.

For fear, old Simon Peter told his little lie.

His denial was heard by a little maid standing nearby.

He took a little walk, so none could hear him cry.

 

Beware of the little foxes that spoil the vines.

Beware of little sins that bring forth death in time.

Your sins do not trouble me; it’s those little ones of mine.

Just like a little leaven, they spoil all in time.

FOOT IN MOUTH

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OPEN MOUTH.  INSERT FOOT.

FOOT

By Ken Blue

We are all guilty of saying things that are just plain stupid. It is not intended, but when revealed to us, we end up being embarrassed. Recently I heard a man preach who made this blunder. I am confident he was a sincere, and a good man. I am also sure he had no idea that he “put his foot in his mouth.”

In the early part of his message, he explained why he attended a Bible preaching church for the first time and heard the gospel. The church was having some type of outreach program where those who brought the most visitors  received points. He said he attended to accommodate the young girl and help her win. It was there he heard the gospel and was saved!

However, toward the end of the message, he spoke out against programs to reach the lost or get them to church. He had just put his foot in his mouth and didn’t know it. That was how he got to church and was saved.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Many are simply parroting their peers and have no idea what they are saying.[/perfectpullquote]

He continued by saying, “If you use programs to reach people, you will have to continue the program to keep them.” BINGO! There went his foot in his mouth again. I have been in the ministry for over 40 years, and can assure you that the motivation that brings a person to church does not have to continue to keep them coming. Those who use that argument simply have not thought through what they are saying.

Pastor, let me give you a little challenge. On some Sunday, ask the congregation how many of them were saved in church. Then ask “How many of you had decided prior to attending church you were going to get saved that day?” You will be amazed. Most lost people do not come to church to get saved or hear the Word of God. Like our pastor friend, most attend for some other reason.

I went to church because it was Easter Sunday, and my girlfriend had a pretty dress. That Sunday I was saved! Secondly, It is not Easter or the pretty dress that has keep me attending church for 50 years.

So, don’t let the anti-program crowd stop you from having as many outreach programs possible. Many dear pastors are simply parroting their peers and have no idea what they are saying. Try to keep your foot out of your mouth.

LET’S STUDY REVELATION # 3

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Revelation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Symbols and Types

Finally, there is the problem of symbols and types. Revelation is written in symbols and types more than any other book in Scripture. Ezekiel runs a close second. In some places, the Spirit gives a clear interpretation of what these symbols represent. However, in other cases, the reader is left without an interpreter. This will be discovered when we see the differences between the “scholars.” Revelation is a book of prophecy, and much of it will never be understood until the events take place. Hindsight is 20/20.

In this commentary, we attempt to follow the rules discussed in this introduction. We admit that there are times when our interpretation is, at best, a guess. We have also discovered that many of the so-called scholars have done the same thing. Their lack of agreement among themselves should convince us that there is only so much light given on the prophecies of this book, and that its full meaning will be known by those to whom it was written.

  • Revelation is the 66th Book in the Bible
  • Revelation is the 27th Book of the New Testament
  • Writer: TheApostleJohn
  • Date of the Book: Dates offered, A.D. 50-60, and A.D. 96
  • Number of Chapters: 22
  • Number of Verses: 404

 STUDY OF REVELATION

The Vision of The Seven Churches On Earth

Chapter 1

“1:1-6 “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.  Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.  John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;  And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,  And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”

The Gospels contain the prophecies of the Great Tribulation, and the Book of Revelation describes them. Between these two, come the Scriptures of the intermediate period: Acts and the Epistles. Chronologically, Revelation follows after the Epistles, though logically, in God’s purpose (Eph. 3:11), it follows the four Gospels. The scope of Revelation embraces the “wind-up” of the affairs of time. It records the end of prophecy, the end of “the mystery of God” (10:7), the end of all “enmity towards God,” and the dawn of the “ages of the ages.”

Dake lists for us the five ages in time, they are:

(1)  The antechaotic age-from the original creation (Genesis 1:1) to chaos (Genesis 1:2), during which time Lucifer ruled the earth in perfection, before he fell and caused the earth to be flooded (Genesis 1:1-2; Isaiah 14:12-14; Jeremiah 4:23-26; Ezekiel 28:11-17; Luke 10:18; 2 Peter 3:5-7). This age took in all the period of the dateless past, the original creations, Lucifer’s reign in perfection (Ezekiel 28:15), the period of rebellion by Lucifer and pre-Adamites, the war between heaven and earth which culminated in Lucifer’s defeat (Isaiah 14:12-14; Luke 10:18), and the chaotic period on earth after Lucifer’s defeat (Genesis 1:2; Jeremiah 4:23-26; 2 Peter 3:5-7). These periods were of unknown length, and could be called the Eternal Past.

(2)  The antediluvian age-from the beginning of the six days of restoration of the heavens and earth to a second habitable state (Genesis 1:3-2:25) to the flood ofNoah’s time; or, from the flood of Lucifer (Genesis 1:2) to the flood ofNoah(Genesis 6:8-8:14). This age included the dispensations of Innocence and Conscience-1,656 years (Genesis 5).

(3)  The present or postdiluvian age-from the flood ofNoah(Genesis 6:8-8:14) to the Millennium (Rev. 19:11-20:7). This age takes in four dispensations: Human Government, Promise, Law, and Grace-already over 4,545 years by A.D. 2000.

(4)  The age to come-from the second coming ofChrist(Rev. 19:11-21) to the New Heavens and New Earth (Rev.21-22). This age will last 1,000 years (Rev. 20:4-10).

(5)  The age of the ages-from the end of the Millennium (Rev. 20:4-10) into all eternity when God will move His capital city from the planet Heaven to the planet Earth to reign forever (Rev. 11:15; Rev. 21:1-22:5; Genesis 9:12,16; Genesis 17:1-8; 2 Samuel 7; Psalm 89; Isaiah 9:6-7; Ezekiel 43:7; Daniel 2:44-45; Daniel 7:13-14,18,27; Luke 1:32-33; 1 Cor. 15:24-28). This could be called the Eternal Future. —Dake’s Topics

 

THE ACHING HEART

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ByKenBlue

 

 

 

 

No one knows the pain of a broken heart,

Until they’ve felt the loss of a loved one who departs.

 

Words can’t explain the emptiness inside.

The best explanation is something inside has died.

 

Pain comes at the death of a loving spouse,

Or of a little child who brought laughter to our house.

 

Divorce shatters life’s dear relationships,

With its everlasting revenge, and sarcastic quips.

 

Some are laid aside by pain and disease,

We are left wondering what purpose remains for these?

 

There is One who said in anguish of breath,

“My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, unto death.”

 

We can from Him draw comfort and relief.

He was a man of sorrow, acquainted with our grief.

 

There’s a Balm in Gilead without price,

All was paid on the cross by the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Come, dear aching heart, you will live again.

There’s a Great Physician who helps, broken hearts to mend.

LET STUDY REVELATION # 2

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Revelation

LET STUDY REVELATION # 2
By Ken Blue

 

 

 

 

 

In our last study of Revelation, we mentioned the importance of understanding looping parallelism. In this study we will give a few examples of that principle. I believe most of them will be clear to the reader.
The Rule of Looping Parallelism: Looping parallelism is demonstrated where the first account of an event gives the quick “scope” or overview of the subject matter. The first account will be very general and broad. The second account loops back to a particular beginning point; will cover the same time period and give additional details or information of the same event.
Examples of looping parallelism:
1. Genesis chapters 1 & 2:
Genesis 1 begins in the dateless past and moves forward through the six days of creation. Genesis 2:4 corresponds to the original creation in Genesis 1:1. Genesis 2:4 gives a second account, which is complete in itself to a great extent. Thus, Genesis 1:3-2:4 summarizes the six days of creation. Genesis 2:5-25 gives a more detailed account of the work done on day two, day three, day five, and day six. The first account is a general statement of all things created. The second enlarges on the work done on the afore mentioned days.
2. Book of Daniel:
In Daniel 2 we are given the five steps in the course of prophecy for Daniel’s people and of Gentile dominion. Those steps are in the book of Daniel beginning with:
1. The head of gold: Babylon-Daniel 2:37.
2. The breast and arms: Medo-Persia-Daniel 2:32, 35, 39.
3. The belly and thighs of brass: Greece-Daniel 2:32, 35, 39.
4. The legs of Iron: Old Roman Empire- Daniel 32, 35, 40.
5. The feet and toes of iron and clay: The revised Roman Empire- Daniel 2:33, 35, 44.
In chapter 7 Daniel gives those five steps again, but in more detail. In chapter 8 he gives those five steps once again, but in greater detail. In chapter 9 he gives the five steps again, still in greater detail. Chapters 10-12 give even greater detail (especially in the fifth step).
Matthew’s Gospel:
In Matthew 24 the Lord Jesus outlines the Day of the Lord. The three important questions are
in verse three. “Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” Matthew 24:3.
Verses 4-14 give a sweeping account of the Day of the Lord. However, in verses 15-28 He loops back to the mid-point of the first account with additional information. Then, He loops back again at verses 29-31 for a more detailed account of the end portion of the Day of the Lord.
Now with that understanding, let us consider the six parallel accounts in Revelation chapters 6 through 22:5, which are the historical account of the Lord’s Day:
1. Chapter 6:1-17. The Holy Spirit gives a quick scope of the entire “Day of the Lord.” (This is seen in the seven seals). The writer then loops back in 7:1-17 to the beginning and goes through it another time with added details. These two chapters take you through the Day of the Lord from its beginning to its end! “For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” Revelation 6:17. “For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” Revelation 7:17.
2. Chapters 8:1-10:7. This section loops back to the middle of the “Day of the Lord” or the 3-1/2 year mid-point. This is where the “Great Tribulation” begins. The scope of the Great Tribulation is given here. The seven trumpets take you through the hour of judgment. Chapters 10:8-11:19 loop back to the same mid-point as above and go through it again, giving greater details of the tribulation concerning the city of Jerusalem. “But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.” Revelation 10:7. “And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.” Revelation 11:1.)
3. Chapters 12:1-14:5. This section loops back to the beginning of the satanic plan against Israel and her Seed. It takes you back to Genesis 3. After a quick overview, the writer brings you back to the mid-point of the tribulation and takes you through the Great Tribulation one more time with the satanic plan in view. This gives the Scope of the satanic plan and explains the mystery of iniquity and Israel’s continuous sufferings. Chapter 14:6-20 loops back and goes through it one more time with details of the satanic plan. This is the third looping parallelism. “And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.” Revelation 14:5. “And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.” Revelation 14:20.
4. Chapters 15:1-16:21. This section gives the fourth looping parallelism. Here, the writer returns to the beginning of the last quarter of the Great Tribulation. He gives an overview of the great and terrible “Day of the Lord.” There we see the seven vials judgments. Chapters 17:1-18:24 loop back, way beyond the Day of the Lord to the beginning of Babylon, in order to give the reader an understanding of what is about to happen. He resumes at the same quarter point mentioned above. He then gives the details of her destruction in chapters 17 and 18. “And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.” Revelation 16:21. “And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.” Revelation 18:24.
5. Chapter 19:1-21 loops back and gives the scope of the final and great day of God’s wrath. Chapter 20:1-3 loops back and go through it again, but with more details.
“And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.” Revelation 19:21. “And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.” Revelation 20:3.

6. Chapter 20:4-15 loops back and gives the scope of God’s purpose for Israel by giving them the kingdom. Chapters 21:1-22:5 loop back to the beginning of the kingdom. There is no end to it.
“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:15.
“And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 22:5.