I WILL NOT…

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By Ken Blue

I’ll not boast of goodness, for I have none.

I’ll not speak of works, for they are but dung.

I’ll not vaunt tomorrow, how will it come?

I’ll boast of Jesus and what He has done.

 

I’ll not accept applause, for it is vain.

I’ll not excuse sin, there’s no one to blame.

I’ll not live for wealth, or for earthly gain.

I’ll live for Jesus and His holy name.

 

I’ll not kiss my hand, in its sinful state.

I’ll not stand up, but at His feet prostrate.

I’ll not admire self; what I do I hate.

I’ll trust Jesus and for His coming wait.

 

I’ll not feign perfection, for woe is me.

I’ll not rejoice, `till this body is free.

I’ll not be satisfied, `till Thy likeness I be.

I’ll confess this, my righteousness is Thee.

 

LET’S STUDY REVELATION # 30

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CHAPTER NINE

The Mutants from Hell

Revelation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.” (Revelation 9:1).

At this point a new sphere is introduced. The three spheres in Revelation are heaven, earth and the pit. From this point on, the bottomless pit holds much of our attention.

 

Under the trumpets the underworld begins its invasion. These events are at the mid-point of the Great Tribulation and parallel chapter 12, where the devil is cast out of heaven.

We are not given the identity of this “star.” Obviously he is a living creature. Many assume it is Satan or one of his servant angels. Some writers take the RSV interpretation suggesting that John is saying he saw a star, which had fallen from heaven. They then cross reference to Luke 10:18, which says, “And he (Jesus) said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.” Although Satan did fall prior to Genesis 1:2, and will also be cast out of heaven (Revelation 12:9), there is no proof that is what John is talking about.

This star could be any angel carrying out the bidding of God. Men and angles are often called stars. The twelve sons of Jacob were represented as stars (Genesis 37:9). Jude speaks of the ungodly as wandering stars (Jude 1:13). A star was seen in the east at the birth of Christ and was no doubt an angel (Matthew 2:2-10). Stars are often spoken of symbolically (Numbers 24:17; Revelation 1:16, 20; Revelation 12:1).

This angel has the key to the bottomless pit and loosens its demonic inhabitants upon the earth. The fact that he has the key indicates that he is not Satan or one of his evil agents. This angel is the Lord’s servant. When he opens the pit the emergents ascend, and are described as incomprehensible creatures. They come from the pit that is, no doubt, located in the heart of the earth. If so, this would explain why it is called the “bottomless pit,” since the earth is constantly in motion.

Pits are often spoken of in Scripture, and they served many purposes. They were used to capture wild animals or to hold captives secure for judgment. Jeremiah was confined in such a prison-pit in the courtyard. “Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire” (Jeremiah 38:6). See Jeremiah 38:13 which says, “So they drew up Jeremiah with cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.”

These abandoned pits were a danger to travelers, and many times the careless would fall into them and remain there until help came, or until they died. David compared certain events in his own life as one hopelessly trapped in such a pit. “I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.  And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.” (Psalms 40:1-3).

Demons acknowledged Christ’s power when He was on the earth and feared He would assign and confine them to the pit. “And, behold, they cried out, saying, what have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?” (Matthew 8:29)

Luke 8:28-31 describes our Lord’s power over these creatures from the underworld and their plea not to be sent to the “deep” or the prison house of the underworld. The inhabitants of the bottomless pit are held captive until the angel with the key comes to release them.

“And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.  And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.  And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.” (Revelation 9:2-6).

A LIVING DOG AND A DEAD LION

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By Ken Blue

“For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion. 5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. 6 Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun. 7 Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works. 8 Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment. 9 Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun. 10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” Ecclesiastes 9:4-10 .

All men die, whether they are kings or canines. If you really want to be depressed, read the book of Ecclesiastes without an understanding of its purpose. There is much wisdom found in the above verses, and we would do well to understand then, since we too will die.

The purpose of the book is to show what this life on earth consist of apart from knowledge of God. It never rises higher than the clouds. It’s about life, “Under the sun.”

Although a living dog is better than a dead lion, the dog too will die. Kings die also, and are soon forgotten. All possessions perish with them. The dog, on the other hand, still has some life ahead of him. How then should he live his remaining day under the sun? How is he better?

The writer is not advocating a reckless life. He is saying enjoy the life you have. Christians must remember that there are boundaries.

The reward for your work is the bread and drink you can purchase with the money earned. That is God’s plan. Also, one should not live as though every day is a journey to the graveyard. The idea of dressing in white and anointing one’s head, gives the idea of enjoyment contentment, and cheerfulness. Don’t spend your life moping about circumstances. Also, husbands and wives are to enjoy one another all their remaining days. If you will notice verse 9b, you discover that the things discussed are the portion of this life. This is your reward under the sun.

Many are despondent because they thought there was more to this life than what they have experienced. There is, if you can get your affections above the sun. Notice what the best Christian who ever lived said about this life. “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” 1 Corinthians 15:19.

You see, a living dog is better than a dead lion. You have a life before you. You can enjoy it and live for God. The dead, on the other hand, have no more opportunities. They no longer serve the Lord, nor can they be saved if they die without Christ. Indeed, the living dog is better than a dead lion.

STANDING AND STATE

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By Ken Blue

Few Christians understand the difference between their standing in Christ, and their present state. However, if the standing doesn’t make a difference in your state, either you do not have a standing in Christ, or you are blindly stumbling through life.

The standing of every true believer is as perfect as it can be. The following verses will shed light on this wonderful truth. Ephesians 2:1-22 “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; …4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: …8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Also, Colossians 2:11-23 “In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;”

Correctly understood, these two passages, and dozens like them, show how secure the true believer is. We call this the believers’ standing, or present position in Christ before God.

Just as all were in Adam when He disobeyed God, so, all were in the Last Adam as He obeyed God. This becomes efficacious for the believer when He accepts what He has done for us. We were crucified, buried, resurrected, ascended, and are now seated with Him in heaven. When we appropriate the above it is imputed to us. The text is clear. We are “quickened together with Him.” That means we are given a new resurrected life in Him. This is the perfect standing, and position of all believers!

However, there is also the matter of the believers’ state. This differs from person to another. It deals with the life we are now living. Most of Paul’s letters address this important subject. The obvious reason is, if we are raised with Christ, we must seek those things above in a practical way. The only thing this world sees of Christ is what the believer displays. 2 Corinthians 3:2 “Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men” The unsaved world does not read the Bible. They read you and me. The question is; do they see Christ in us? What do those you work and party with see? If they don’t see Christ, don’t tell them you are a Christian. Keep it a secret. Those who assume their standing in Christ and do not transform their state, are deceiving themselves.

If one questions this, he is blind and self-deceived. Galatians 5:13-25 “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. 16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Paul continues in Romans 6:1-6 “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.”

2 Peter 1:5-10 “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:”

 

WHAT’S A CHRISTIAN TO DO?

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By Ken Blue

“Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20 For our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” Philippians 3:17-21.

 

There is no shortage of Scripture on how Christians are to conduct themselves in any country. Israel was under the heel of Rome, yet Paul gave this instruction to them. “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;” 1 Timothy 2:1-3. These are the things we should do, and the following is something we should know, and not forget. “20 For our conversation (citisenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”

 

I am disappointed that the election did not go my way. However, I am not bitter, nor in despair. Neither will I count Believers on the other side my enemies. You cannot read the Bible without discovering that world leaders a pawn in the hand of God to accomplish His purpose, whether it be for chastisement or for blessing. “24 This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king: 25 That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.” Daniel 4:24-25. God may have a surprise for Obama. I suggest to every Christian that he follow the above commands, and understand that God is in complete control. The interesting thing to me is, what impact this administration will have on Israel and the Jews. Don’t be discouraged. Look up!

 

Do thy self no harm. If you live in fear, you are not trusting God’s wisdom and purpose. So, these are some of the things you should do now. “And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. 29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; Philippians 1:28-29