The Parable of Jesus (part 11)

 Our last two parables are about sheep and a shepherd.

Luke 15:3-7- And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Leaving the ninety and nine seems a little silly unless that one lost sheep is you! Jesus is saying that He seeks out single sheep because each soul is precious to Him.

II Peter 3:9- The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Luke 15:8-10- Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

Notice the joy is not from the angels, but in their presence. It's is God rejoicing over that sinner getting right! He thought so much of humanity that He was willing to be the sacrifice for the sin of the entire world.

Why is Christ telling this parable? Look at the first two verses.

Luke 15:1-2- Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

Again, it's our favorite religious leaders complaining about Jesus interacting with those they felt were unworthy. Yes, they were sinners! That's why Jesus came!

Mark 2:17- When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

People are like sheep in the Lord's eyes. They need a shepherd.

John 10:1-6- Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. 

A good shepherd is always around the sheep. He goes out with them, leads them to good pasture, and protects them. He calls them and knows each one in His flock. He understands their needs. He sees their misdirection. He is there for them!

A stranger may sneak in, but it's not to care for the sheep. If there's a stranger in the flock, the sheep would do well for run!

Zechariah 11:15-17- And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd. For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces. Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.

This evil shepherd preys upon the flock. He's only there to make merchandise of the sheep.

Notice that it isn't idle (like lazy) but idol (like a false god). These verses are a warning about the AntiChrist. That strange counterfeit shepherd that claims to be the messiah will bring destruction.

Jesus warned them back when He was on earth that there's a big difference between the Good Shepherd and the fake shepherd.

John 10:7-16- Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Jesus is telling the Jews that there is one Shepherd. One way to heaven. And that way is Him.

John 14:6- Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

The other sheep which are not of this fold is us Gentile Christians. Even back then we were on His mind. 

John 10:27-29- My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

No matter how much He tried to tell them about what was to come, they just didn't understand.

Mark 14:27- And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.

And the same thing is true today. It's not enough that we know about Him. We need a relationship with Him, not just a religion about Him. We need to know Him and He needs to know us!

Matthew 7:22-23- Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Galatians 4:3-7- Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. 

Revelation 20:15- And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Does He know you? Have you been adopted into His family? Is your name written in the book of  Life?

The Parables of Jesus (part 10)

 In the Old Testament, there were promises to those who kept the law. If they tried their hardest to do right and good, they were rewarded with health and wealth. This is why Job's friends thought that surely he had done something wrong; God didn't punish people who were living the way He told them to live.

This thinking was so prevalent that when Jesus spoke parables about the rich being evil, it blew their minds!

Luke 12:16-21- And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Jesus kept trying to tell them that the rules were fixing to change. God was moving from works to faith. And He tried to lay this out in the next few verses.

Luke 12:22-31- And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Even Christians today who don't study their Bibles get this wrong. God never promised you that you would live a life of ease. If you are living as a true Christian, you will be hated by the world.

John 16:33- These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

We are to lay up treasure in heaven! Our lives are to be lived spreading the gospel, walking by faith, and growing in grace by studying the Scriptures. But that doesn't make a nice sermon that brings in tithing people!

I John 2:15- Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

The story of Lazarus was one that really messes up people's idea of living right. It even disturbed people in Christ's time. The rich guy went to hell! He had all the tell-tale signs of God's blessings in their eyes, and yet he wasn't right with God. Lazarus went to paradise (Abraham's Bosom) and yet he was sick and poor. It didn't make sense to them. It doesn't make sense to modern Christianity.

We are to cry out to God in faith, and wait on Him to answer. This waiting is not passing time twiddling our thumbs. This waiting is like a server at a restaurant- busy doing what  we know the Lord wants us to do. Jesus wants us to be consistent as well as faithful. He wants us to be determined in every area of our christian life.

Luke 18:1-8-And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Don't give up. Don't faint. Why? Because God doesn't always answer in the time and manner that we think He should. But don't worry, because He is listening and working. You just have to have faith that when the time is right, He will come through.

We don't see the hearts of others. We can't look through the veil of time and see when each little thing will click into place in just the right way to answer multiple prayers. But God can. We just have to persevere with a good attitude. After all, that's what faith is- believing God will do what He said He would do when He knows it's the right time to do it!

The Parables of Jesus (part 9)

When the Jews went into captivity they learned a lot of worldly things, and they began to incorporate those things into their worship services. No longer did they just read and obey Moses, but they incorporated traditions and commentaries from past Rabbis. Christ was always asking them "Have ye never read?" because they were putting more emphasis on the traditions and commentaries than the Scriptures.

These parables were something that were meant to edify and warn, but the Pharisees, and Sadducees, and Scribes were too proud to ever humble themselves. And this is why Jesus was always calling them out.

If they had only submitted themselves to the baptism of John, they would have had no problem acknowledging Jesus as their Messiah. And it was this very thing to which Christ kept bringing them back.

Luke 7:29-30- And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.

Matthew 21:24-24- And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet. And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

Jesus goes on to say how you should think of those who cannot pay you back for what you do for them.

Luke 14:12-14- Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

 This was big, because the religious leaders were always mad at Jesus for healing those in need just because they didn't think it was the appropriate day. What better day to get a blessing from God than a day you set aside just for Him? But they didn't see it that way. They saw it as a violation of one of God's rules.

Matthew 5:17-Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

These parables just went over their heads, and not because they were too ignorant, but because they were too proud!

That's the point Jesus made in our next parable.

Luke 18:9-14- And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Jesus said the Pharisee prayed with himself. He was so full of self-righteous boasting that the Lord wasn't even listening!

The "dirty" publican who the Jews hated because they collected taxes for the Romans had enough sense to know that he was a sinner. He had nothing to offer God. And so, humbling himself, he simply admitted this and begged for mercy.

Jesus said that while God ignored the Pharisee, He listened to the publican and extended mercy.

James 4:6-10- But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

James tells us that if we submit to God and cry out for mercy, that God will grant us mercy. But he warns that God isn't going to do that for the proud.

Pride is one of those sneaky sins. You can't look at someone and see the sin of pride. Sometimes we don't even realize when we are full of pride. But God's promise remains true- humble yourself and He will give you mercy.

The Parables of Jesus (part 8)

Our next parable really has us searching the Scriptures! Reading this parable in the other two gospels that it is mentioned doesn't really shed light on the meaning. Only by comparing the words in different Scriptures will we find out the meaning behind it.

Luke 5:36-39- And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old. And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved. No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.

This parable seems odd. But it is in response to something the religious leaders asked Him.

Luke 5:33-35- And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink? And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

The scribes and pharisees wanted to know why Jesus' disciples didn't fast. Jesus told them that He was the bridegroom, and they couldn't fast in His presence. He was implying that He was here for a Bride! Isn't it lovely how many hints Jesus dropped during His ministry that people just couldn't understand until later?

Jesus told them that once the Bridegroom was taken from them (killed and resurrected) that they would then start to fast. And then He follows it with our parable about a garment and wine bottles.

He says that an old garment doesn't get a new piece put into it, because the new could make the old worse. You have to change the whole thing.

Psalm 102:25-27- Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.

Paul repeats these verses in Hebrews 1:10-12- And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

Jesus is telling them when the disciples start fasting that something has changed, and they can't go back to the old because the two don't agree.

Grape juice changes as it ages. If you put grape juice into an old bottle, as it ferments and gets bubbly it could will cause pressure to build up inside and any weakness in an old bottle will give way and the bottle will burst. 

Again, Jesus is pointing to the need for change, but He knows how hard it is for people to accept change. That's why He says they would desire the old.

The old way of being able to take care of my sins through my works of keeping the law and bringing sacrifices was comfortable for the Jews. But Christ was going to pay the wages of sin. And this was going to change everything!

The Jews wouldn't need a temple anymore because our body would be the temple and we would carry the Holy Ghost with us where ever we went. 
I Corinthians 6:19- What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

The Jews wouldn't need a priest anymore because each Christian is a priest able to come before the throne of God and obtain mercy.
Revelation1:5-6- 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.
Hebrews 4:16- Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

The Jews wouldn't need a sacrifice anymore because Christ paid the eternal price when He died on the cross! From now on the Christian is to offer their lives as living sacrifices in the service of the Lord.
Hebrews 10:12- But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
Romans 12:1- I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

No longer would they be responsible for keeping the letter of the law to obtain freedom from hell!
Romans 10:4- For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

But the religious leaders liked the old ways. It gave them a position, and leverage, and respect, and power. They were able to brag about how righteous they were in the flesh. They didn't want things to change!

But God had promised Adam and Eve long ago that He would take care of the curse of sin, and God doesn't break His promises, even if it seems like a long time has passed before He fulfills them.

The Parables of Jesus (part 7)

 Our next parable is found in three of the four gospels.

Matthew 24:32-35- Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

This parable is using something they understand, a fig tree in the spring time, to show them prophecy. He says that the people who were alive at that time would see this prophecy fulfilled.

But what prophecy was Jesus referencing? If we look farther up in the chapter, we get a little clue.

Matthew 24:1-2- And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

Jesus was talking about the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.

Matthew 24:3- And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

The disciples asked Jesus to explain what He meant, but they threw in a few more questions that He also answered. And this is what throws people off.

They asked him when shall these things be- the destruction of the Temple- and He answers them in the parable.

However, they also asked Him about the sign of His coming AND the end of the world. These are separate events. The temple was destroyed in 70 AD. But His Second Coming hasn't happened yet, and the end of the world won't be for at least a thousand years after that!

Matthew 24:4-8 tells us the beginning of sorrows, that means that all this is going to happen before the Tribulation. In fact, this has been going on for the last two thousand years!

When Christ answers them in the gospel of Luke, he proves that this is all future for them, but it comes before the Tribulation and the Second Advent. 

Luke 21:9- But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.

Matthew 24:9-10 tells the disciples what their future would be. They would be hated and persecuted and martyred.

In the gospel of Mark, Jesus gives them more.

Mark 13:9-11 - But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. And the gospel must first be published among all nations. But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

This is telling them that it's going to be some time before Christ's Second Coming. Notice that He said "the gospel". This is what the apostles and Christians during the time of this writing are preaching.

I Corinthians 15:1-4- Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Luke 21:14-19- Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your souls.

Luke's telling has something very peculiar in it. He says that "not an hair of your head will perish". But almost all of the apostles were martyred for their faith. So, why does He say this? Because this prophecy is two-fold. The disciples will preach and die for Jesus testimony during their lifetimes. But they will also come back and preach during the Great Tribulation, and at that time they will not be harmed.

Revelation 10:11- And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.

Matthew 24:11-12 gives us the state of humanity during this time.

Matthew 24:11-12- And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

Matthew 24:15-22 is Christ going back and answering what will happen during the Great Tribulation, which is before His Second Coming. We understand this now because of the book of Revelation, but the disciples were just as confused as most people who read these passages!

Mark gives a warning to those during this time. He tells them what to watch for and when it happens, to flee! This is the beginning of the Great Tribulation.

Mark 13:14-20- But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains: And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house: And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment. But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter. For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.

Matthew 24:21- For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

When the AntiChrist goes into the rebuilt temple and sits down on the ark of the covenant proclaiming himself to be god, the people are to flee. And they're still suppose to follow the commandments- pray that your flight be not on the Sabbath. Why? Because they have to keep the Sabbath day!

 Luke gives a general overview of the land of Israel from the destruction of the temple through to the Tribulation.

Luke 21:20-24- And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

The time of the Gentiles, I believe, is over when the rapture happens and the Church is called out. That's when God turns His attention back to the Jewish people.

Mark 13:21-23- And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

Matthew 24:13 shows that it's going to be rough to endure through the end. Why? Because the Jews are always looking for a sign, and the AntiChrist is going to be full of them!

2 Thessalonians 2:8-12- And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Those who have pleasure in unrighteousness will gladly accept this fake messiah because he fits in with them and their wickedness. Those who get into the Scriptures and learn to believe the Bible instead of the "signs" will be persecuted and killed if they are caught!

The reason people get so messed up is that they expect God to be linear, and He's outside of time. He doesn't put everything on a timeline for us to connect the dots in a row. He wants us to study, and sadly many people don't want to put in the effort.

Matthew 24:14 says that the end of the world would be after the gospel of the kingdom has been preached to every nation. This is not the same gospel that was preached by the disciples and Paul! Paul said our gospel which saves us is to believe on the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. The gospel of the kingdom is something preached during the Millennium.

This is after the Second Advent has happened, when Christ has already wiped out the AntiChrist and His armies and is ruling the world from Jerusalem.

He warns them in Matthew 24:23-28 not to be deceived by people claiming to know when He is coming.

Matthew 24:23-28- Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

When Christ is ready to come again, it's going to be quick. He's not going to come do surveillance for a while and then show Himself. It's going to be like lightening striking- loud, bright, powerful, and fast!

Then He tells them exactly what to observe just before His Second Coming in Matthew 24:29-31.

Luke 21:25-28- And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

When all the crazy stuff in Revelation has come to pass, then start looking up, because He is about to make His entrance!

Mark 13:24-27- But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

And after all these things, He goes back and answers their original query about the destruction of the temple with the parable of the fig tree.

I'm certain the disciples had some pretty interesting looks on their faces. So, Christ continues with a notice and a warning. There are different warnings to different people in the gospels.

Matthew 24:36-41- But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

The world is going to get very wicked, just like in the days of Noah when God destroyed the entire world with a flood. (There's a lesson here!) And, like Enoch, some people are going to be taken out before that wrath falls.

Matthew 24:42-44- Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Luke is warning them to watch their actions and warns that this is something that will effect the entire world!

Luke 21:34-36- And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Mark warns people to watch and not get lazy, because they won't know when Christ will come.

Mark 13:32-37- But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Matthew finishes with what will happen to those who aren't ready.

Matthew 24:45-51- Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Those who watch their actions toward others, are waiting and watching for the Lord's return, and are being faithful to obey the commandments that He has given will be rewarded. But those who follow the world and betray the ones around them will end up with the same punishment as all the others- outer darkness!

The Parables of Jesus (part 6)

 That brings us to our next parable found in Matthew 25.

Matthew 25:14-30- For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

This parable ends much like the wedding guests parable. Someone ends up getting cast into outer darkness.

In this parable, a man delivered talents to his servants and expected them to use them wisely. Those who did received a reward. But that servant that hid his talent and told the man that it was because he was a hard man was answered with the same tone which he accused the man. 

This parable is told a different way in Luke 19: 11-27, but there are some key differences. In Luke, they refer to the kingdom of God, that spiritual kingdom. The man is a nobleman. The servants are ten in number and aren't given talents, but rather a Gentile money called pounds with which they were told to "occupy". Plus, the ending is quite different.

Luke 19:11-27- And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

In this parable, the nobleman expects his servants to gain by trading. The one who hid his pound in a napkin wasn't thrown into outer darkness, but rather lost his reward. The only ones in this parable to face any recompense were the citizens who didn't want the nobleman reigning over them.

Why such a difference? Because one is speaking about Christians who are suppose to be serving Christ during their lifetimes, and the other is speaking about people in the Tribulation who are required to have faith in Jesus and keep the commandments of God. Two different sets of people during different time periods with different requirements.

The Christian has his sins judged at Calvary. When he stands before Jesus at the judgment he will be judged according his works. His salvation and eternal destination is never in question. His reward in the millennial kingdom for his earthly service during his lifetime is what's at stake.

The hard man who is judging the people for their talents is something quite different.

Matthew 25:31-40 - When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Those who show mercy to others during the Tribulation will be granted mercy in the Millenium.

Matthew 15:41-46-Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Those who harden their hearts to the plight of others will be condemned for their actions and will lose their life. Even though they made it through to the end of the Tribulation, they won't get to enjoy the Millenium. They will reap the consequences of their selfish actions.

The Parables of Jesus (Part 5)

 Our next parable is about the kingdom of heaven. Remember, this is referencing the literal, physical kingdoms of the earth.

Matthew 22:1-14 - And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.

There is another story (note that the Bible doesn't say this one is a parable) that appears coincides with this one in Matthew 25.

Matther 25:1-13 - Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

In this one, the virgins are waiting for the bridegroom. These women are allowed to attend the wedding because they were watching for his coming. This has been explained to me as a mid-tribulation rapture. These virgins are actively watching for the Lord to come so they can attend the wedding of Jesus Christ to His bride, the Church. They are guests at the wedding.

Luke 14:7-14- And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Let's look at where this verse is quoted from in the Old Testament.

Proverbs 25:6-7- Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men: For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.

"Come up hither" is what is said to John in Revelation when he is raptured to heaven. This phrase is only used three times in the Bible, and two are specifically referencing someone getting called up to heaven.

This one is saying it's better to be called before the king than to be put lower in the presence off the prince. Almost like it's saying it's better to be called to heaven before God than to be left humbled by the reign of the AntiChrist.

The parable in Matthew 22 talks about a wedding, but this one is different. Those who are originally bidden are not worthy, and they even kill some of the servants that are sent to call them. Sound familiar? One would think these original guests were the nation of Israel. They that slew the prophets because they didn't want to repent of their backslidings.

However, God found the original guests unworthy, and so He destroys them and calls others. You have to notice that these guests are all given wedding garments. These guests have to attend in the proper apparel. That gives us a small clue as to who these guests are.

Zephaniah 1:7-8- Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests. And it shall come to pass in the day of the LORD'S sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, and the king's children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel.

The day of the Lord's Sacrifice is the Second Advent. When Christ comes back with the armies of heaven to destroy the AntiChrist and set up His millennial kingdom. 

These guests are the humans who have endured to the end of the Tribulation and survived without taking the Mark of the Beast. The Bible says there will be very few humans left alive in that condition.

During the Tribulation, God will send His servants to witness to the people living in the world. And the AntiChrist will have them killed. So, Jesus will come back and wipe those wicked people out and invite all those who refused to submit to the devil's demands to enter into His kingdom.

But there's a catch. They have to accept Him as their King. There was a guest who didn't put on the proper apparel, and He was cast into outer darkness for this.

That sounds pretty harsh, doesn't it? We don't see what the Lord sees. There was rebellion in that person's heart. And during the Millennium, God won't tolerate rebellion.

The Parables of Jesus (part 4)

 The next parable we find in Matthew 21. And Jesus does give us some interpretation of this one.

Matthew 21:33-41 - Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.

Christ is giving this parable about a landowner who has built a wonderful vineyard for himself and has left charge for some men to care for it as he goes into a far country. 

Luke 20:9- Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.

He must have been gone so long that the workers forgot who He was. These men beat and kill all of the servants who come from the landowner because they don't want to give up control of something they have come to view as "theirs".

Mark tells us this heir is well beloved by his father. Mark 12:6- Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son.

Matthew 17:5- While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

The last person to come is the landowner's son, the one who would eventually inherit the vineyard. Knowing that this heir is well beloved should have made them question the consequences of their actions. But, these wicked people think if they destroy the heir that they could lay claim to the vineyard.

This is very similar to a story told by Isaiah.

Isaiah 5:1-7- Now will I sing to my well beloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My well beloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard. What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down: And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.

In this, the vineyard itself wasn't doing well. And because of that the entire thing was torn down! This tells us in the last verse that the vineyard represents the nation of Israel.

Jesus tells us that in his parable He is speaking about the religious leaders of His day. They were the ones who wanted to own the vineyard. They are also the reason the vineyard wasn't bringing forth the kind of fruit the landowner was looking to reap.

Matthew 23:13- But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

These religious leaders were the reason the nation of Israel was so bad! They were more concerned with their traditions than the Law, in fact, they rated their traditions of more importance than the Law of Moses! And because of this, they were making it almost impossible for anyone to be able to properly keep the commandments of God because they didn't know what was a commandment and what was a forced custom.

John 11:47-48- Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.

As heads of the people, it was their job to make certain that the Jews were ready to accept the Messiah when He came. However, they didn't want to accept Jesus, even though He proved He was their Messiah through miracles. They were worried about their position as leaders in the nation. And Jesus called them out on this and told them exactly what would happen to them because of it.

Matthew 21:42-44- Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

The Pharisees were very angry at Jesus for this parable. Jesus knew they already planned on killing Him, it was the reason why He came. However, we get a glimpse of why they got so angry from Paul. Jesus is telling the Pharisees that they would be set aside as God's chosen people and the Gentiles would be accepted.

Romans 11:11-12,15,19,25- I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

The Jews were very self-righteous in their estimation of their nation. They viewed themselves as being the best because their forefathers were chosen by God. Yet, they have a history of beating and killing the prophets that were sent to them. And, they did the same to Jesus.

Matthew 23:37- O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

Peter really drove this point home to them in Acts 4:10-12- Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Because the religious leaders rejected Christ, the door to salvation was opened to the Gentiles. And, God is using this blessing to provoke the Jewish nation to repent. Paul tells us that one day the "time of the Gentiles" will end and that God will again deal primarily with the nation of Israel.

Right now they are the blind leading the blind.

Luke 6:39-45- And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye. For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

The Pharisees were so busy thinking themselves righteous because they strictly followed tradition that they missed the Scriptures that foretold what the Messiah would actually be like. He would fulfill the Scriptures, not tradition. But they couldn't perceive anything, because even though they were "righteous" on the outside, they were corrupt inside.

Matthew 15:12-14- Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

This parable shows what happens when you aren't willing to accept what Jesus says because you can't swallow your pride. You can lose your way. You can lose your life. The Jews lost their nation for over 1,800 years!

But, like Paul said earlier, the time of the Gentiles will come to an end, and when it does the whole world is going to be turned upside down!

The Parables of Jesus (part 3)

 The rest of the parables weren't given an explanation in the Scriptures, and so we must search the Word of God to find out what they mean.

Matthew 13:31-32- Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

The first thing to notice is that this is referencing the kingdom of heaven. That's the literal, physical kingdoms of this world. And, Christ already told us that the field that gets seed sown in it is the world.

What is the mustard seed? It's faith.

Luke 17:6- And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

This faith, however, is sown in the world. So that mustard seed that becomes a tree with the fowls of the air living in it is not a good thing! It has devils residing in it!

A mustard seed isn't suppose to become a tree. Mark tells it like this:

Mark 4:30-32- And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.

Notice this one speaks of the kingdom of God. The same parable, but with a spiritual twist. This shows you that it is a spiritual religious system that is spreading out and infection all areas of religion on the earth and corrupting them with evil.

The next parable is also pretty bad.

Matthew 13:33-35- Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

Those that don't study Scripture want to say that this is the church spreading the gospel through the entire world. But this is not a positive parable.

What saith the Scriptures? Leaven is never a good thing in the Bible.

Matthew 16:6- Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

Jesus warned the disciples to beware of leaven. He explains what this leaven is just a few verses later.

Matthew 16:12- Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

Luke 12:1- In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

He defines leaven as hypocritical false doctrine.

Then He goes one step further.

Mark 8:15- And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.

The disciples argued among themselves as to what this could mean, and I believe Paul tells us.

I Corinthians 5:6-8- Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Leaven is false doctrine, hypocrisy, malice, and wickedness. These things have no place in the body of Christ! They aren't good things that should define Christianity. That's why Jesus said "Beware"! Because a little leaven will eventually corrupt the entire thing.

The Parables of Jesus (part 2)

We have established that the parables were spoken by Jesus because the religious leaders had rejected the plain teaching of Christ. The first two we will look at are given an explanation by Jesus Himself. The others will require us to do some digging!

Matthew 13:3-9- And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Notice the last sentence- Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. Jesus says this a lot because He wants someone to take heed. This phrase is used in Revelation with just a little variation- He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. 

This parable of the sower is explained by Jesus just a few verses down.

Matthew 13:18-23 - Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

The sower is giving the gospel out everywhere heedless of the condition of the ground. Why? Because we are called to give the gospel to every creature! The word of God is sown out among the hearts of men, but it doesn't always take root or bear fruit. It depends on the condition of the heart of the man hearing it.

This parable is also in Mark 4, but there are some differences that need to be noticed.

Mark 4:3-9- Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Instead of saying "the wicked one" it says the "fowls of the air" which shows us that in the Bible devils, or evil spirits, are referred to as the fowls of the air.

In this version, the sun scorched the seed on the stony ground. Matthew translates this as tribulation or persecution that comes because of the Word of God. Luke 8:13 says They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. These people received the Scriptures with joy, they have even gotten saved, but they don't walk the Christian walk because it costs them too much.

The devil will do anything to snatch away the Scripture. But if the Word of God takes root, his tactics change to making sure that the seed doesn't bear any fruit. If he can't keep you from getting saved, he will try to keep you from growing as a Christian so no one else will hear the gospel from you!

The thorns are explained in Mark 4:18-19, And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. Thorns are a result of the curse of sin. This Christian is saved, but doesn't live it. The world is too distracting and alluring to them.

Matthew 13:23 says that the person who hears the word and understands it is the one who will bring forth fruit. But there's a little more we will see if we look at the parable in the other gospels. Mark 4:20 says that the person who hears the word and receives it, while Luke 8:15 says that they having heard the word, keep it. So for a Christian to bear fruit they must understand the Word, receive the Word, and keep the Word!

God wants Christians to bear fruit. He could send angels to tell others about the gospel of Jesus, but He chose to use Christians! We have a chance to witness to the lost around us and get a reward for that service!

The next explained parable is in the same chapter of Matthew 13. This is the only mention of this parable in the Bible.

Matthew 13:24-30 - Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Again, Jesus gives us the explanation in the same chapter.

Matthew 13:36-43 -Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 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.

In this parable, the sower wasn't the one who was sleeping; He sowed good seed. It was the men who should have been keeping the fields that were sleeping. The enemy was able to slip some counterfeits in because the watchers weren't doing their job! And yet, those same people responsible tried to blame the Lord- Didn't you sow good seed? Like perhaps He was the one at fault.

These counterfeits are really good at looking like the real thing until there's a judgment. When the fruit makes the heads of wheat to bow their heads in humility, the counterfeit tares are standing straight with pride. God allows these imposters to do their thing, possibly because it's the best way to see who is going to search the Scriptures and who is going to just warm a pew.

There's a division made between the two, and one doesn't fair well in the judgment! Those imposters don't get to live happily ever after; they suffer for an eternity for their deception!

The Parables of Jesus (Part 1)

 In Matthew 13, Jesus started to speak to the Jewish people in parables. When the disciples ask him about this, Jesus responded in verses 11-15 , "He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them."

Basically, they rejected the plain truth, and so Jesus started to speak with them in story form. These parables are not just fables or myths. Jesus, being God, could look throughout all the years of history and find a scenario in someone's life that would work for the teaching that He was trying to convey.

Mark 3:22-27 And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils. And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end. No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.

Not only did they ignore His plain teachings, but they accused Him of being the AntiChrist! Isn't that interesting? When the Messiah came, they didn't accept Him and accused Him of being sent by Satan, but when the AntiChrist comes, they will accept him as their Messiah. Christ knew this; He called them out on this!

John 5:43- I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

So, Jesus spoke things in a way that those who wouldn't believe couldn't understand, but those who would believe would be able to grasp!

Matthew 13:34-35- All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

The first thing to remember is that not every analogy that Jesus gave was a parable. Peter got confused with this in Matthew 15.

Matthew 15:15-20- Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable. And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

Jesus never said that He was giving a parable, yet Peter assumed that He was because He didn't understand the meaning of what Jesus said. So, all the parables that we will go through are going to be stated as being a parable.

Another thing to bear in mind is that there are two different kingdoms- the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven. The kingdom of God is Spiritual, and the kingdom of heaven is physical. How do we know this? Because Scripture tells us.

John 3:5- Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Your first birth into this world is a physical birth. The woman's water breaks and then you are born. The second birth is into a spiritual world where you are adopted by God. This kingdom of God will only be a literal, physical kingdom when Christ is reigning on the throne in Jerusalem during the Millenium.

Romans 14:17- For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

I Corinthians 15:50- Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

The only way to gain entrance to the Kingdom of God is by accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior.

The kingdom of heaven is the physical kingdoms of this world.

Matthew 11:12- And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

When Christ is reigning in Jerusalem, then both kingdoms will be present on earth at the same time. If the Jews had accepted Christ as their Messiah, they could have already had both kingdoms, but since they rejected Him, they lost the opportunity to gain entrance to that Millenial kingdom during their lifetimes.

Another thing to note is that the parables are not sweet stories. They have a negative connotation to them. They are a warning to be heeded. The religious leaders of Jesus days knew this.

Matthew 21:45-46- And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.

Those who take the parables as something positive aren't studying the Scriptures like Jesus commanded them! The only way to know what exactly Jesus means is to compare Scripture with Scripture and get an understanding of what each word means. Only then will you know the true message that Jesus wants you to understand.

Who Did Hinder You? (video sermon)

Preach on (poem)

 If you're preaching from the Bible, well, preach on;
If you're longing for revival, just preach on.
     Preach on sin and condemnation,
     Preach for sinners, His salvation,
     Preach to Christians, consecration-
     But preach on.

If you're sermon's from the Lord, then preach on.

Never mind if some look bored, just preach on.

    If the Devil looks down on it,

    If the critics frown upon it,

    Many souls depend upon it-

    So preach on.

If you step on someone's corns, well, preach on.

"Take the bull right by the horns," and preach on.

    Even though we may not like it,

    Even though some try to fight it,

    Where there's wrong the Lord can right it-

    So preach on.

Let not time be a restriction, just preach on.

If a sinner's got conviction, then preach on.

    Christ can save his soul from hell,

    Cleanse his heart and make him well,

    (Even if it's after twelve)-

    Just preach on!

From the Law to Revelation, yes, preach on.

Christ for every situation, oh, preach on!

    Even if your members doubt it,

    And say they can do without it,

    If you've talked with God about it-

    Then preach on!

Think of Christ's own message clear, and preach on.

There for all who wish to hear, oh, preach on.

    All are sinners - they must know

    That His blood did freely flow-

    He can wash them white as snow-

    Oh, preach on.

In the Holy Spirit's power, oh, preach on!

He'll reward you in His hour, just preach on.

    Broken hearts and sins forgiven,

    Blessings here so freely given,

    And a crown up there in heaven-

    Oh, preach on!

-Susan Soria

Healthy Minute - The Hormone System and the Female Cycle

This is the most simplistic and yet in depth explanation I've ever heard regarding the female cycle and hormones.

Wounded Soldier (song)

I Find No Fault In Him

We live in days of such hypocrisy. We see examples of “selective moral outrage” everyday. The news
media and its mass of brainwashed disciples cry foul whenever scripture is quoted or righteous judgment made or even common sense is used.
Every time a police officer unfortunately shoots a black criminal they immediately jump to a conclusion
and are ready to eat the police alive and accuse them of everything under the Sun, or else claim that it is
a widespread common occurrence instead of an isolated rare event. These same cruds will not make a
peep about black on black crime in any city.
They have a narrative that fits their agenda, and the truth be damned.
Like a communicable disease this foul spirit is spread throughout social media creating legions of social justice warriors who take it as their personal responsibility to right all wrongs.
Right away some of you are starting to grow pale. If you're upset this soon, you've been spending too
much time with Internet, TV programming, radio broadcasting, newspaper, and Magazine articles!
Buckle your seatbelts, its about to get much worse.
If you're somebody who is trying to make the world a better place, you have your work cut out for you.
Me, I'm a Bible believing Christian. God hasn't called me to get involved in that mess but to preach the
gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to the lost!
Pilate said he found no fault in the Lord Jesus Christ at all. That's quite remarkable. I agree with him on
that point. But this world is filled with people who would readily find fault in their minds with Christ
today.
How about the animal right's activists?
You mess with an eagles egg and you're looking at a $10,000 fine and 2 years in prison.
I'm all for taking care of the animals but I'm also for taking care of human life!
Matthew 6:26- Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

The animal rights folks would find fault with Christ. And let's not forget about John the Baptist with his camel hair coat and leather girdle and diet of locusts and honey.
Matthew 10:31- Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
The horror!
How about the tree hugging environmentalists?
Matthew 21:19- And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
Luke 13:6-7- He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
The Lord Jesus Christ of the scriptures would put a great deal of this generation into apoplectic fits!
How about these?
Mark 14:7- For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.
Matthew 19:4- And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
Matthew 5:28- But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
Even two thousand years ago they couldn't handle His words!
John 8:51-59- Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself? Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou
seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

Today's religious systems try to ignore His words!
Matthew 23:9- And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
Matthew 12:47-50- Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Luke 11:27-28- And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
You know what the problem is with these fault finding hypocrites?  They don't read His words, they follow traditions. They like how their rules and regulations make them look righteous on the outside.
Luke 16:15- And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
The case of the Bible believing Christian is not so. We find no fault in him at all. And we've had more
time to put Him to the test than Pontius Pilate.
Our verdict is this:
Song of Solomon 5:16- His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.

His words are lovely. They are life and health and peace and joy!
Mark 7:36-37- And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it; And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.
1 Peter 2:6-7- Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
1 Peter 1:18-19- Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
1 Peter 2:21-23 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
Notice I said Bible believing Christian. Because evidentally, there are some modern professing
Christians who have a real problem with the Lord Jesus Christ of scripture. These professing Christian scholars find supposed error and faults with His word everyday!
Even though His words are pure and righteous!
Psalm 19:7-10- The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Psalm 119:160- Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.
But those who have lived through enough to see His hand in their circumstances all agree- there is no fault with His promises.
1 Kings 8:56- Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.
These self-righteous professing Christian scholars find fault with His dealings.
Mark 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?

Just because He doesn't answer things in your time and your way doesn't mean that He is at fault! He sees more than anyone knows!
1 Thessalonians 5:24- Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
1 Peter 5:7- Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1 Peter 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
These hypocritical judgey religious persons find fault with His people.
However, if you love the Lord Jesus Christ, you don't magnify the faults of His disciples,
Mark 7:2- And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.
True Christians understand that we are all still sinners living in a sinful world, saved by grace and still in need of mercy and grace!
Galatians 6:1- Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
James 5:16- Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
You wouldn't find fault in Him if you knew where to place the blame. You're just too self-righteous to see past your own conceits.
Luke 23:39-43- And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
The only sinless man was willing to not only forgive sins, but take the eternal punishment to pay for them! We, as the psalmist, should cry out for His guidance and help!
Psalm 19:12-14- Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from thegreat transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
We are saved, so that gives us a reason to be faithful like Him. Faithful in our dealings, attitude, and interactions. Faithful in honoring and obeying His word. Faithful in fighting the good fight of faith!
Daniel 6:4- Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.
1 Corinthians 4:2- Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
1 Peter 2:20- For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
He has already forgiven us of our sin when we asked Him to save our soul and apply His payment to our sin debt. And daily, as we strive to live in His will, confessing our sins to Him and maintaining our relationship with Him, He is conforming us to His faultless image.

And, one glorious day He will deliver us from this world and present us as faultless before His heavenly court!!!
1 Corinthians 1:8- Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jude 24- Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

Until then, we will strive to be what He wants us to be.

- Adam Trosclair