The TTUF STUDY on The REVELATION of JESUS CHRIST – Chapter FOURTEEN

~ by James Fire

Introduction: Before we get into this chapter, let’s take a closer look at what we saw previously in Chapter Thirteen, using the book of DANIEL as our lens:

DANIEL 9:25-27 states the following:
25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. 26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. 27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

What we learn here is that the Beast is the one who “confirms the covenant” – and since this deals with the temple, sacrifices and oblations, this can be none other than the Mosaic covenant. This is for “one week (shavuim)” or seven years. It’s three and a half years in, that he stops the whole thing and commits “the abomination of desolation” (MATT 24:15; DAN 12:11).
So, what does “confirm” mean here? The Hebrew word used is gabar and it’s defined as follows: “to prevail, have strength, be strong, be powerful, be mighty, be great; to confirm, give strength to confirm (a covenant); to show oneself mighty; to act proudly (toward God)”

Read more!

SHOW CASE SALVATION – Examination of JAMES 2 and 1 JOHN 2

~ By James Fire

PART One: James Chapter 2

It’s the desire of everyone that’s received salvation through Christ to express their gratitude and worship of the LORD for what He has done, for what He is doing, and for what He has promised to do for us, in us, and through us.

In dying on the cross for our sins, in His burial in the tomb, in resurrecting to new life, the LORD provides forgiveness for us by His sacrificial death, the ability for us to die to self as He also died and was buried in the tomb (a spiritual dynamic that is exemplified in baptism) and gives to us His Spirit by resurrection, as the Spirit of the LORD no longer dwells in temples made of stone (HEB 9:11-15), but in the hearts of His saints, the children of GOD.
The truth that GOD Himself dwells in us with the life that is Christ means that we’re able to produce fruit for His glory, the fruit of the Holy Spirit (GAL 5:22) and as His children, we begin to grow in our spirituality and become more and more like the LORD Jesus.

Both James, the elder of Jerusalem as well as John the apostle elaborate on what this means in their epistles, in their two respective chapters (Chapter 2 for them both), and what they have to say is rather hard-hitting, challenging, and direct. 

Everyone who expresses genuine faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross for our salvation is justified – the penalty of sin is eviscerated from our very being. We will not suffer the condemnation and judgment for our sin, because Christ was condemned in the flesh (ROM 8:3) on our behalf, and the judgment for our sin fell upon Him (ISAIAH 53:4-6)*. We are considered just in the eyes of GOD Almighty, because of Christ's atonement for sin and granting the Spirit of GOD to us!

* Look for an upcoming TTUF article entitled, ALTAR of the ALMIGHTY, that will plunge the depths of ISAIAH 53 and PSALM 22!

Nothing we do can be added to this work of justification; this is wholly the ministry of Christ Jesus, our Blessed Redeemer. To even attempt to do so is blasphemy because it would attempt to equate our “filthy rags” (ISAIAH 64:6) to the holy character of Christ (1 PET 1:19; HEB 4:15).

Just as justification takes away the penalty of sin from us, sanctification takes away the power of sin over us, not immediately, but over the course of time as we mature spiritually, until we are completely sanctified (and glorified) at the appearance of Christ Jesus our LORD, when we see Him face to Face (1 JOHN 3:2). Just as justification happens in the lives of the saints, by the grace of GOD, so too does sanctification, which leads to the production of good fruit and, or good works:

JOHN 15:5
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

EPHESIANS 2:10
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Such sanctification is the birthright and the (super)natural outflow of every saint of GOD; all believers are considered saints, and the word for ‘saint’ comes from the same Greek word used for ‘sanctify’ (hagios). Just as we are counted holy in our position in Christ, holiness is something that's created in us as we yield to Christ and practice holiness (HEB 12:14; 1 TIM 4:8; 2 COR 7:1).

Read more!

Beware: The Enemies of the Cross!

by A.M. Kisly

What incredible times we live in! We are surrounded by a world who calls evil good, and good evil. Humanity has always been dexterous at confusing evil with good. If evil were not made to appear good, there would be no such thing as temptation.

Modern social righteousness often differs from the righteousness of the Bible. Many of you have probably had someone say to you that a wrong deed is right if the majority of people declare it not to be wrong. By this principle, we are seeing our standards shifting away from God's standards to Satan's standards according to popular vote.

Yet the Bible clearly says: "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil." God has not changed. His standards have not been lowered. He still calls immorality a sin, and the Bible says that God is going to judge it.

Many are experiencing division in their own families over these diabolical changes. We are even seeing division within the Church. Fellow believers are compromising the biblical message of the Bible, with the world's standards as a so-called means of sharing God's love with the lost. These standards have taken precedence over sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. It has indeed become man's ways over God's only way, and true means of salvation.

Rather than standing firm in the Biblical counsel of God, brothers and sisters in Christ are bowing the knee to organizations whose goal is to tear down God's institutions in society and replace them with chaos.

Many are questioning why so many Christians are falling prey to the unbiblical call to liberal social justice, and supporting organizations whose goal is to tear down God's institutions in society.

This morning I happened upon a blog written by a lady who lives in Zagreb, Croatia. Her name is Rosalind Jukic, and I think you will be blessed by what she has to say.
Read more!

EXODUS – GOD’s MIRACULOUS DELIVERANCE of ISRAEL FROM EGYPT – INTRO and Chapter TWO

Exodus #01 Ch. 2 Typology In Exodus-Chuck Missler, Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire

EXODUS 2– by Albert Lopez, for the Facebook video, go here.

INTRODUCTION: A story of a nameless baby for 10 verses, before he is revealed. This baby is protected in dangerous, uncertain times; we read about how important this child would be in the future. And we know that he would eventually flee from Egypt.
Jesus would also be protected and would flee to Egypt as a baby. Yet when Jesus was older, he became exposed and not protected, but vulnerable – to the point of being crucified!

God exposed Jesus to such a degree, that on the cross He cried out:

Matthew 27:47
About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?” that is, “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?”

Moses, which would be the name of this child, would be born of slave parents and the adopted child of Princes. (Royal lineage). This points to how we before Christ are sons and daughters born into slavery (of the world and of sin) but when we come to Christ we are brought out of slavery and into our King Jesus’s Holy and Royal lineage!

We read in 1 Peter.2:9-10.
“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.”

So, with all that said, let’s get into Chapter Two of Exodus!
Read more!

The NAME That Is ABOVE ALL Names!

by A.M. Kisly
Long before the Conservative Resurgence, Dr. R.G. Lee was the Southern Baptist champion of biblical infallibility and inerrancy. In his sermon, “The Word of God – Not Broken and Not Bound,” first published in 1930, Dr. Lee proclaimed, “All who wrote [the Bible] are immortalized by their writing of this great Book, supernatural in origin, divine in authorship, human in penmanship, infallible in authority, infinite in scope, universal in interest, personal in application, regenerative in power, [and] inspired in totality.”

I ran across a sermon by R. G. Lee entitled “The Name Above Every Name”, and I feel that it is definitely worth posting here. 

Jesus has the name above all names because Jesus Christ is Lord of all! This name, given to Him by the Father, affirms His divinity and supreme authority. It is to Him that we surrender, and it is Him that we must come to know.
“Wherefore God hath also highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.” Phil. 2:9-10

“Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.” Eph. 1:20-21

Read more!

LORDSHIP Salvation: What Is True Faith?

 By A.M. Kisly

The reality of the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Jesus is Lord!  This statement is the truth of WHO JESUS IS.  He is Lord!  And that means that Jesus is God. He has “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18). He is Lord of the Sabbath (Luke 6:5). He is “our only Sovereign and Lord” (Jude 1:4). He is, in fact, the Lord of lords (Revelation 17:14).

It is my prayer that this article will provoke serious soul searching in all matters concerning salvation and right living in Him.

Who do you say that I am?

In Matthew 16:15-16, Jesus asked His disciples a very important question, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter responded, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God."

Clearly, Jesus thought it fundamentally important what others believed about Him. He wasn’t interested in neutrality, for instance; He teaches us that we must be all in, or all out.  No one can sit on the fence when it comes to God (Luke 11:23).  There is no such thing as faith that sort of believes. When Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” (John 14:6) He wasn’t making meaningless, abstract statements. His divinity was central to His messages; Jesus regarded the two as inseparable.

Why is this important? It is important because what we believe about God will in fact determine our eternal destination.  

Read more!

EXODUS – GOD’s MIRACULOUS DELIVERANCE of ISRAEL FROM EGYPT – INTRO and Chapter ONE

Exodus #01 Ch. 1-2 Typology In Exodus-Chuck Missler, part 1 

Exodus #01 Ch. 1-2 Typology In Exodus-Chuck Missler, part 2

These with Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire
EXODUS 1 – by James Fire, for the Facebook video, go here.

INTRODUCTION: This book covers the time period between the death of Joseph, through the time of deliverance of Israel from Egypt to the establishment of the Tabernacle and the worship of YHWH. The primary focus of this book is redemption by deliverance from bondage as well as righteousness by GOD-ordained redemption.
The book of GENESIS is about a family: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph – the patriarchs of Israel. 

Here the book EXODUS is about the nation of Israel, and a singular man of GOD, Moses, the Deliverer, the Law Giver, the one who spoke with GOD face to Face, the meekest man in all the earth (though Jesus Christ is the meekest in all heaven and earth!).

Read more!

“SYSTEMIC RACISM” THE BIG LIE - By Dr. David R. Reagan

The following is republished from LAMB & LION ministries, unedited and unabridged:

~ By Dr. David Reagan

(to read this article in full, go here)

I was watching a local Dallas, Texas, television station interviewing protesters in a crowd that had descended on Dallas City Hall after the killing of George Floyd. Individuals in the crowd were asked, "Why are you protesting?" Some said, "I'm protesting against police violence." But most gave an answer that really surprised me. Over and over I heard these words: "I'm protesting against systemic racism." Young protesters in the streets using an academic phrase?

Providing a Definition

Now, that is not a phrase that would naturally roll off the tongues of street protesters, nearly all of whom were in their teens and twenties. It had to be supplied by the protest organizers. I kept hoping that the TV interviewer would ask one of the people what they meant by the phrase because I was certain none of them had the slightest idea what it meant — either because of naivete or a lack of historical knowledge and perspective.

The word, systemic, is defined as something that is ingrained throughout a whole system — something that is intentional, methodical or implemented according to a plan. Thus, "systemic racism" in reference to a nation would mean that everything in the society is designed to discriminate against one or more races. The former policy of Apartheid in South Africa would be a classic example.

Now, with that definition in mind, just try to wrap your brain around the insanity of someone in Dallas, Texas, protesting against "systemic racism." The top governmental official in Dallas is the City Manager, who is a black man. Additionally, the Mayor is a black man, the Police Chief is a black woman, the District Attorney is a "progressive" black man, and the Sheriff is a black woman. The previous Sheriff, who resigned to run for Governor, was an Hispanic lesbian. I ask you, where is the "systemic racism"?

Read more!

GENESIS – An Expositional Overview of the Beginning of God’s Revelation: Chapter FIFTY

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire
Chuck Missler Bible Commentary – GENESIS Chapters 46-50 

GENESIS 50 – by Sonny Islas; for the Facebook video of this teaching, go here.

Introduction: At this point, Israel has passed away and will be taken to Canaan (aka the land of Israel) in a very impressive and kingly possession. The chapter also ends with the death of Joseph. In this chapter we find that Joseph learned all the lessons he was to learn from all his trials.
It’s important for us too, to learn from the trials that God allows us to go through and at times even send our way. Trials are for us to be built up. Trials reveal what we’re made of and they cause us to look to God which then makes us all the better for it.

Read more!

ACTS 7: STEPHEN’s DEFENSE and HIS MESSIANIC MESSAGE

ACTS 7: STEPHEN’s DEFENSE and HIS MESSIANIC MESSAGE
ACTS 7:1-60
 
Introduction: Summary of Chapter 6: Stephen is one of seven men chosen by the church who will minister to the needs of the body of Christ, some of which feel that they were neglected – these being the Hellenized Jews. And who were they? From GOTQUESTIONS.com we have the following explanation:

“The believing Jews are here divided into two groups. There were those who had remained in Judea, near Jerusalem, who used the Hebrew language, and who were appropriately called “Hebrews.” The other group consisted of those who were scattered among the Gentiles, who spoke the Greek language, and who used the Greek translation of the Old Testament, called the Septuagint. These were called “Hellenists,” from a word meaning “Greek” or “Greek-speaking.” To “Hellenize” is to adopt Greek culture and ideas.
“Dissensions arose between the Hellenistic Jews and the Hebraic Jews. The Hebraic Jews prided themselves on the fact that they had always lived in the land of the patriarchs, used the language that their fathers spoke, and were near the temple, regularly worshiping there. The Hellenistic Jews from other parts of the world were jealous of the first group and made to feel like outsiders. Sadly, the strife between the two groups was not automatically eliminated by their conversion to Christianity, as the complaints concerning food distribution to widows of the two groups show. However, in a wonderful example of godly wisdom and Christian unity, the early church worked through the dispute, and the office of deacon was formed (Acts 6:2–6).”

Read more!

The Christian Pilgrim Or The True Christian's Life a Journey Toward Heaven - Part II of II ~ By Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)

The Christian Pilgrim Or The True Christian's Life a Journey Toward Heaven
~ By Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)
Dated September, 1733
"And confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things, declare plainly that they seek a country." -- Hebrews 11:13, 14

A Forward: TTUF Note: So that the reader is aware of the fact that Jonathan Edwards was a Calvinist after the Puritan sort, I point that out here; further, that TTUF does not agree with much of the Calvinist theology (and we have ample articles that treat this doctrine on our site under the Apologetics tab). Where there are false statements, false doctrines, false practices employed in the church, either present or past, we will point them out on Scriptural grounds.

That being said, we are all about the truth (AND grace! JOHN 1:17) in this ministry, and what I’ve read in this sermon by Jonathan Edwards has so moved me, that I’ve felt compelled to publish this work in two parts (Part I will include Sections One and Two; Part II will include Sections Three and Four).

In this current age of the church, particularly in America and generally in the West, I find this fixation on material prosperity and blessings abhorrent – not in and of themselves, but with the church’s fixation upon them, the preoccupation with them and the seeming covetous attitude with which the church desires to procure them as an ends in themselves, while leaving in the dust the true riches that come from Christ Himself, and the highest and greatest of all riches, Christ Himself!

Our aim is not to be the ‘here and now’ as our objective, but to employ all powers, materials, motivations, knowledge and time as the means of aiming to our objective – eternity; and receiving from Christ those rewards for faithful service in this life, our pilgrimage that we may then glorify GOD the Son with as the author and finisher of our faith. Without further ado then, here is the second half of the sermon by Jonathan Edwards:

Read more!

GENESIS – An Expositional Overview of the Beginning of God’s Revelation: Chapter FORTYNINE

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire
Chuck Missler Bible Commentary – GENESIS Chapters 46-50 

GENESIS 49 – by James Fire; for the Facebook video of this teaching, go here.
Introduction: PSALM 127:3-4 says,
3 Lo, children are a heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. 4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

In this chapter Jacob prophesies over his sons, revealing both character and, or destiny. Parents desire that their children will accept all the lessons, counsel, wisdom and biblical understanding (PROV 1:8-9), and get a better head start in the Kingdom than their parents did. In that sense, our children are arrows that we fire from the bows of our parental care and launch them out to go further and farther than their parents ever could.

We have the twelve patriarchs of Israel, from Reuben, Jacob’s first born, to Benjamin, the youngest: these become the tribes of Israel that are in bondage in Egypt, in the next book, Exodus. The destiny of these twelve tribes that become the nation of Israel when they are delivered from bondage by the LORD GOD of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, is to eventually become the nation of prominence over all the world, and Jerusalem, the global capital, from which the Messiah of Israel shall reign as King of kings and LORD of Lords! 

We’ll examine these pronouncements made by Jacob over his sons throughout this chapter: 

GENESIS 49:1-2
And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days. 2 Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father.

This man had believed he lost a son in Joseph and feared that he might lose Benjamin his other son from his beloved wife Rachel; in fact, because of the drought, he was uncertain of the future of all of his sons.
Now he is preparing to depart this world; he’s ended his pilgrimage and preparing to go to his eternal home. He has the comfort of all of his sons with him. It’s been a life lasting one hundred and forty six years, by today’s standards an incredibly long life. But what’s more important than how long you live is how you live. My mother is almost ninety-three years old, and I’m soon going to be 58: if we both passed away today, we would be equally blessed in knowing that we’ve bowed before the LORD and surrendered to Him as our Savior.

Read more!

The Christian Pilgrim Or The True Christian's Life a Journey Toward Heaven - Part I of II ~ By Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)

~ By Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)

Dated September, 1733
"And confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things, declare plainly that they seek a country." -- Hebrews 11:13, 14

A Forward: TTUF Note: So that the reader is aware of the fact that Jonathan Edwards was a Calvinist after the Puritan sort, I point that out here; further, that TTUF does not agree with much of the Calvinist theology (and we have ample articles that treat this doctrine on our site under the Apologetics tab). Where there are false statements, false doctrines, false practices employed in the church, either present or past, we will point them out on Scriptural grounds.

That being said, we are all about the truth (AND grace! JOHN 1:17) in this ministry, and what I’ve read in this sermon by Jonathan Edwards has so moved me, that I’ve felt compelled to publish this work in two parts (Part I will include Sections One and Two; Part II will include Sections Three and Four).
In this current age of the church, particularly in America and generally in the West, I find this fixation on material prosperity and blessings abhorrent – not in and of themselves, but with the church’s fixation upon them, the preoccupation with them and the seeming covetous attitude with which the church desires to procure them as an ends in themselves, while leaving in the dust the true riches that come from Christ Himself, and the highest and greatest of all riches, Christ Himself!

Our aim is not to be the ‘here and now’ as our objective, but to employ all powers, materials, motivations, knowledge and time as the means of aiming at our objective – eternity; and receiving from Christ those rewards for faithful service in this life, our pilgrimage that we may then glorify GOD the Son with as the author and finisher of our faith (HEB 4:12). Without further ado then, here is the sermon by Jonathan Edwards:
________________________________________

Read more!

GENESIS – An Expositional Overview of the Beginning of God’s Revelation: Chapter FORTYEIGHT

GENESIS 48 – JACOB’S JOURNEY CLOSE TO ENDING

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire

Chuck Missler Bible Commentary – GENESIS Chapters 46-50

GENESIS 48 – by Albert Lopez; 

Introduction: We are almost at the end of Joseph’s story and the conclusion of Genesis. Two more chapters and we come to the end of the first book of the bible; and one thing that you will notice that never changes: there is always a constant whether we read about Man’s fall in Genesis 3 or God destroying Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19, there is no lack of God’s faithfulness and Sovereignty! 

While Joseph sat in prison, unfairly, for honoring God it is possible, he might have at one point, in a moment of despair or lack of trust said, "Where are you God?"

Or as the disciples told Jesus, "This boat is going to sink and you're sleeping?? Don’t you care if we perish?" 

He shows throughout Genesis that He is the God who cares and lights the path before His people. Even if His people need to go through a famine and imprisonment, we can see the hand of God working on behalf of those who love Him (2 Chronicles 16:9; Romans 8:28). 

Read more!

BACK TO BASICS – CHRISTIANITY 101 BTB

~ by James Fire

Introduction: Because of the fact that churches for the most part have wandered from discipleship and a firm foundation in the Word of GOD, and because the church here in America is thus ill-equipped to endure the times of persecution and hardship that are now at the door, such a ‘crash-course’ of the basics of Christianity is needful and provided here.
These will be concise, but complete treatments of the fundamentals that will aid those of the Christian faith in enduring such hardships and persecution that the LORD promised to all who will “live godly in Christ Jesus” (2 TIMOTHY 3:12).
There are seven sections (as seen in the picture above) for this course. Readers are encouraged to print these sections out as they are made available, along with information provided at Internet links in the event that the Web goes down, or even Christian sites are banned.

Read more!

DAYS OF ELIJAH – An Exposition

DAYS OF ELIJAH – An Exposition

~ by James Fire

When we bring “a sacrifice of praise to the LORD” as it says in JEREMIAH 17:26 and JER 33:11, we worship the LORD with our hearts as we love on Him, our voices as we sing to Him, our bodies as we raise our hands to Him, (maybe even dance!) and with our minds as we meditate on Him.

That’s why there are certain worship songs that really move my heart, because they so glorify GOD and magnify His majestic magnificence and exalt His excellency and draw me into His presence and I am eagerly offering Him the praise and worship for all He has done for us, all that He is doing for us and all that He has promised to do for us, and beyond that, to praise and worship Him for Who He is! He is worthy of all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength. And songs with a lot of biblical meaning to them are the best!

I especially love worship songs that address GOD in the first person, so that as we sing, we are not saying “He” and “the LORD” but rather “You” and You, LORD” because when we worship it is a kind of prayer that we address to GOD directly.

Read more!

Rebellion Against God - A Lesson For Rebels

by A.M. Kisly

I can’t tell you how many times I have seen the anguish of godly parents over the state of their rebellious children. The depth of the love of parents for their children cannot be measured, and the grief of a parent over a rebellious child is almost inconsolable. Is it possible for a child to be raised in a godly home only to turn to wickedness, opposing God in every aspect of life?

Yes, it is absolutely possible….

In 2 Chronicles chapter 33, we read of one of the kings of Judah. King Manasseh was king of the southern kingdom of Judah and the details of his life are recorded in 2 Kings 21:1–18 and 2 Chronicles 33:1–20, and also mentioned in Jeremiah 15:4.

Manasseh was the longest reigning king of Judah. Scripture tells us that he began his reign at the age of twelve; and reigned for a total of fifty-five years. He stands out among all the other kings of Judah as the most wicked of them all. Manasseh "did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to the despicable practices of the nations whom the LORD drove out before the people of Israel" (2 Kings 21:2).

His record of wickedness was a staggering one.
Read more!

GENESIS – An Expositional Overview of the Beginning of God’s Revelation: Chapter FORTYSEVEN

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire

Chuck Missler Bible Commentary – GENESIS Chapters 46-50

GENESIS 47 – by James Fire; for the Facebook video of this teaching, go here.

Introduction: Jacob has known a lot of struggles and hardships; all sorts of uncertainties, impulsive decisions that went bad; and trials, anxieties and stresses. He had a brother that wanted to kill him and an Uncle that would’ve been happy to help. All kinds of family strife from wrong choices in the mix, and the grief of burying his wife – only then to lose his most precious son Joseph.

Then to top it all off, a severe famine that covered the continent, and the potential loss of – who knows how many of his sons who could be lost because of this crises, and Benjamin no less!

Now in old age, the LORD in His mercies, looks with kindness on his circumstances; he discovers not only that Joseph is alive, but that he also has two more grandsons. He is removed from a dry, weary land of desperate famine and brought to Egypt where he is given Pharaoh’s assurance that he and all his kin will have “the fat of the land” to dwell in.

Though his life at times weighed heavily, to the point where he didn’t live as long as his father Isaac (180 years) or his grandfather Abraham (175 years), he is still a man of faith and the LORD always honors those who will place their faith in Him.

Read more!

Our Christian Witness - Keeping Our Attitudes Right

posted by A.M. Kisly

We advance the cause of the gospel in the world when we keep an attitude of thankful submission to God in the midst hard times.

In the second chapter of Paul’s letter to the Philippians. In the middle of this chapter, in verses 14-16, we read this word of instruction to Paul’s brothers and sisters in Philppi;

"Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain ."  Philippians 2:14-16

Over the past years, I have developed an interesting ‘morning’ routine. The first thing I do when I get up, of course, is to make coffee. (No surprise there.) While that coffee is brewing, I make my husband’s lunch to take to work, make him breakfast to go, and then take care of our barn animals. All of this takes place before 7:30 in the morning and by this time I can’t wait to sit down with a cup of coffee. I usually turn on the television to watch the news, and to see what the big news of the day might be when the feeling of Deja vu comes over me, for months and months the news cycle has not change much. After about ten minutes of listening to the news anchors tell me how unprecedentedly ‘horrible’ everything is right now, I hang in there for the weather report, then shut off the television, open my Bible, and gain a higher perspective from God’s unchanging word.

If the only view of things we had today were the things told to us by the news shows, we’d have to conclude that these are the most dire days in human history. And of course, there’s no question that ‘hard times’ have arrived and perhaps worse times seem to be just around the corner. But how truly hopeless we’d be if we didn’t have God’s sure word on the times in which we’re living!

And here’s what I’ve been concluding lately. The more I have compared the current threat of ‘hard times’ with the unchanging promises of God’s word, the more I realize that we’re living in a time of great opportunity for the gospel. Many of the things that people have been trusting in, and many of the comforts that they have been building their lives upon, will very likely be shaken from them soon. And perhaps, in the months to come, many people in our culture will become more receptive to the message of the gospel than they’ve ever been in their entire lives. Perhaps this will be the final call of salvation to our nation.

We have a great opportunity, as God’s people, to stand out in these ‘hard times’; and to bear a message of bright hope in an increasingly darkening and fear-filled world. And it’s the thought of this ‘opportunity’ that has drawn me to a passage from Paul’s letter to the Philippians.

Read more!

GENESIS – An Expositional Overview of the Beginning of God’s Revelation: Chapter FORTYSIX

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire

Chuck Missler Bible Commentary – GENESIS Chapters 46-50

GENESIS 46 – LOOKING TO GOD DURING TRANSITIONAL PERIODS IN LIFE by Sonny Islas; for the Facebook video of this teaching, go here.

Introduction: Jacob is now going to transition from living in Canaan aka Israel (the promise land) to living in Egypt. You and I would say (what’s the big deal?) this move is a no brainer – Jacob should up and go (pronto!) without a second thought because after all - Joseph is alive and because there is a great famine in all the land!

But what we must understand is that Jacob (which means trickster) made quick self-centered moves in the past that brought about lots of pain, regret and trouble (i.e. when he listened to mom (Rebecca) to trick his dad (Isaac) which then angered his brother Esau who then became his worst enemy which then forced Jacob to run away from home etc.) He was quick to make bad decisions.

Jacob is very old now and he’s learned a lot from his mistakes; mainly the mistake of jumping the gun instead of looking to God first. One indication that you’re maturing spiritually is that you’ve become less impulsive and take things a bit slower - all while waiting on God in prayer.

Read more!

WHAT IS YOUR ROLE (In The Final Acts on the Global Stage Being Set)?

~ By James Fire

(This is a republication of a Two-Part Article from The RED PILL Consortium. It’s been abridged, updated, and revised from the original which you can read at the links provided at the end of this article)

For the FB video teaching recorded at ETERNAL LIVING WORD Church, go here.

Anyone involved with stage theater knows that when props and background scenery are being built, costumes being designed, actors standing with scripts in hand, reciting their lines one to another, that a play is in production.
It's all preparation for opening night; the curtain goes up before a full auditorium, watching as the story unfolds. Shakespeare said it once, "All the world’s a stage, and its people, merely players."

Just as each member of a play has a role that comprises of a character, costume, and script lines, so do we all in real life, but we’re not acting (right??)! Our character reveals who we really are, and it’s really known in times of crisis! We’re either on the side of good, or the side of evil; either children of GOD or children of the devil – there are no orphans.

Read more!

SOME NOTES ABOUT HEAVEN - by Lambert Dolphin

~ By Lambert Dolphin

Heavenly Daze!

My sister Susanne, in response to my question (back in the year 2000), suggested I write an article on heaven. I knew vaguely what sorts of things to talk about. But first I decided to see what was on the Internet, so I searched the first 500 web sites I found where heaven was mentioned in some form or fashion. Yes, two or three of these 500 web sites were about the heaven that is in the Bible, though none of these Biblical web sites had much to say that interested me.

I did make a list of some of these "heavenly" web sites one can visit in Cyberspace. I think not many people give a hoot about what happens to them after they die? Here are some of my "favorite" Internet web sites about "heaven."
Read more!

THE MARXIST AGENDA: Introduction - "Our Nation Is Divided"

posted by A.M. Kisly

Our nation is divided. 

This past week, we celebrated our nation's birth and independence. We truly have so  much to be grateful for. 

So why then is there so much division, hatred?  Why do so many desire to destroy our Constitution and dismantle our government, and every aspect of civil society?

What is going on?

This can only be answered from a biblical view.

Our nation was founded upon Christian principles. Americans shouldn't simply forget about their country’s Christian roots. Anyone interested in an accurate account of the nation’s past cannot afford to ignore the important influence of faith on many Americans, from the Puritans to the present day.

Christian ideas underlie some key tenets of America’s constitutional order. For instance, the Founders believed that humans are created in the image of God, which led them to design institutions and laws meant to protect and promote human dignity. Because they were convinced that humans are sinful, they attempted to avoid the concentration of power by framing a national government with carefully enumerated powers. As well, the Founders were committed to liberty, but they never imagined that provisions of the Bill of Rights would be used to protect licentiousness. And they clearly thought moral considerations should inform legislation.

America has drifted from these first principles, yet we would do well to reconsider the wisdom of them.

We ignore at our peril the Founders’ insight that the democratic process requires a moral people and that faith is an important, if not indispensable, support for morality. Such faith may well flourish best without government support, but it should not have to flourish in the face of government hostility.

Today these principles are rejected by a godless society that refuses the revealed moral will of God's law and His commandments.  As a result, we are seeing the death of morality, biblical standards, and the displacement of Christianity. They simply want to do away with God and Christianity!  As these begin to fade, so does every semblance of sanity and decency in society. 

These moral issues are the dividing factor.  The words of Jesus have never had more meaning. “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand” (Matt. 12:25). Those who fully understand the impact of the Lord’s words can see that the clouds which are all around us, are just a foretaste of the coming storm.

We are divided ideologically, politically, morally and spiritually. We understand that the worldview of a people will determine its private morals, and its form of society.
The evidence of our decaying society clearly tells the path we are on.

As our Christian foundation crumbles, so does the restraints of wickedness, freedom will continue to disintegrate.

In looking to our past, there is another interesting point to be made regarding the Pilgrim's and their failed Commonwealth system, a form of Communism.   Their ability to conquer hunger and poverty was not in relying upon the charitable hand outs of the Indians, nor in continuing on in the failed system of communal living, but in the decision to embrace private property ownership. 

Plymouth property was communally owned and cultivated, a breeding ground for poverty, and despondency.  The injustice felt by those who were paid the same wage as those who could not work created discontentment.  Women felt that their communal chores were on a par with slavery.  The few carrying the load for the many became burdensome and not profitable. Not able to produce enough to sustain themselves and on the brink of starvation and extermination, the Colony's leaders changed course allotting a parcel of land to each settler. As a result, private ownership of farmland provided self-sufficiency and success.

"The famine that nearly wiped out the Pilgrims in 1623 gave way to a period of agricultural abundance that enabled the Massachusetts settlers to set down permanent roots in the New World, prosper, and play an indispensable role in the ultimate success of the American experiment."  - Michael Franc, The Heritage Foundation.

This article is an introduction to a new series called, "The Marxist Agenda."  In this series we will take a look at the history, the ideology, and the spirituality of godless men who have so significantly influenced the world with a GREAT BIG LIE!

The war rages, and the stakes are high.  Every Christian must prepare, and understand the nature of the battle.  It is a spiritual battle,  and it is coming with great intensity!  

None of us could have ever imagined that we would see our great nation fall into such chaos, that anti-Americans would be elected to government offices. That they would be calling for the destruction of our Constitution, the overthrow of our government, and the values we hold dear.  The indoctrination of Marxist ideology has so permeated society through State education and universities, that I am convinced this road leads to the  destruction of America and our freedoms.

To men and women of faith, scripture tells us in Ephesians 6:12, that "we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."  While we are in a battle, we are encouraged that God uses all things for our good.  He is building His Church, and  He has assured us that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it!  Matthew 16:18. 

Regardless of the horrendous changes taking place in our nation and around the globe, we have a future and a hope, the hope of heaven.  Our lives here are but a vapor, and eternity awaits.  Let's keep that in perspective.

In this series, we will uncover the who, what, when, why and how of the Marxist Revolution and where it is leading us - a global new world.  It is a world long in the making, with a false one world system of government, religion, and economy, and a false sense of hope and peace. 

It is what the bible has so clearly warned us about, the things that will happen before Jesus returns as Righteous Judge and King!

Let's begin:


Read more!

The TTUF STUDY on The REVELATION of JESUS CHRIST – Chapter THIRTEEN: Part TWO of TWO

 ~ by James Fire

Introduction: It’s been said that “It’s all about grace” and while I understand the sentiment behind that statement, it is somewhat myopic, it doesn’t express the entirety of GOD’s revelation to mankind; and then again, there are those who are focused on the truth of GOD, sometimes even at the expense of the grace of GOD, but both grace and truth come by Jesus Christ (JOHN 1:17). Still, the Person of Christ is more than even these: His justice, His mercies, His role as Creator, LORD, Judge, Messiah King, and Kinsman Goel; His Righteousness, the imputation of that righteousness  and so much more.

Essentially, “It’s all about Jesus Christ!”

Hence, the special blessing that’s promised to those who read this book in particular: The REVELATION of JESUS CHRIST! There are those that dismiss the book of Revelation because it speaks so much about the devil; while it does document the events and acts of the devil in his last days before his judgment and final consignment to the eternal lake of fire, the central focus of this book is in fact the events and acts of the LORD of Glory in the last days of final judgment of mankind. He shall certainly judge those who challenge is rightful reign as KING of Kings, LORD of Lords as well as Creator and Judge, those who pledge allegiance to the dragon, and the anti-Christ.

Read more!

GENESIS – An Expositional Overview of the Beginning of God’s Revelation: Chapter FORTYFIVE

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire

Chuck Missler Bible Commentary - Genesis 40-45

GENESIS 45 – by James Fire; for the Facebook video of this teaching, go here.

 

Introduction: Joseph was betrayed not by enemies, or strangers, or distant relations, but by his own brothers – step-brothers but brothers, nonetheless. They sold him into slavery. Not only did they betray him, but in doing this, and lying to their father about the entire matter, they betrayed him as well! 

Read more!

GENESIS – An Expositional Overview of the Beginning of God’s Revelation: Chapter FORTYFOUR

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire

Chuck Missler Bible Commentary - Genesis 40-45
GENESIS 44 – by Sonny Islas; for the Facebook video teaching go here.

WHAT IT TAKES TO RESTORE RELATIONSHIPS                                                         

Introduction: Joseph tested his brothers over and over again: Before we read Genesis 44, as we know, Joseph tested his brothers over and over again. The reason being was that Joseph really wanted to know if his heartless brothers had changed at all since, they sold him into slavery over a decade ago resulting in the unbearable pain of their father. Joseph strongly desired for their broken relationships to be restored – this is what he has been aiming for.

Read more!

UNMASKING BLACK LIVES MATTER

By pastor Sonny Islas of SHINE BRIGHT Church (check out our Facebook page here). 

Today we are going to take a biblical look at a trending group known as Black Lives Matter. I assume that no one here is unaware of this growing movement. If you are, you need to get your head out of the sand. Some may see this as a social issue only, but as we will soon see this is very much a God issue – an anti-God issue. We will hold the Black Lives Matter movement to the light of God’s Word to discover its true intentions.
Read more!

GENESIS – An Expositional Overview of the Beginning of God’s Revelation: Chapter FORTY THREE

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire

Chuck Missler Bible Commentary - Genesis 40-45

GENESIS 43 – by James Fire; for the Facebook video teaching, go here.

Introduction: When GOD prunes our lives, when He starts taking things away from us, sometimes our most precious things, it’s a deeply hurtful experience. But these are necessary hurts and GOD doesn’t allow any such pain to run its course any more deeply or longer than is absolutely necessary.
We may not understand why pain and suffering is necessary, or for what reason they come into our lives, but GOD understands all the necessary reasons.  

And He prunes with the objective in mind of bringing about an abundance of fruitfulness in our lives. Anyone who is a gardener understands that pruning brings about plenty, even if the pruning seems to take everything away until all appears to be barren and fruitless.

Jacob has suffered the loss of his dearest son, Joseph; the only other son that he had left from his beloved wife Rachael is Benjamin and here in this chapter he is faced with the decision of letting him go as well in order to secure the necessary food for the survival of his entire family.

Read more!

IT IS TIME TO SEEK THE LORD – A CALL TO THE CHURCH IN THIS LATE HOUR

 

~ By James Fire

At the end of this article I’m inviting all the church across America to join with our tiny fellowship in Tucson, AZ – SHINE BRIGHT Church, for a special event that will continue from now on, on a monthly basis, the last weekend of every month!

We’ve seen some tumultuous days in recent times; time almost seemed to stay still, streets the world over were empty; there was a strong sense of uncertainty and unease – all because of a virus that was barely more potent than the common flu.

Yet even churches closed down at the request of governments. Many saw these things as harbingers of ‘the shape of things to come’ – but it seemed that we the church, rather than search our soul, and confess our ineptitude, sin and rebellion, to say nothing of our decided lack in fulfilling the great commission – rather than that, we muddled our way through with live video and social distancing, masked.

But what was all that COVID19 about and what is about to be unmasked? What’s about to be seen is going to make the rioting and looting by BLM and Antifa look like a Sunday picnic.

Read more!

GENESIS – An Expositional Overview of the Beginning of God’s Revelation: Chapter FORTY TWO

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire

Chuck Missler Bible Commentary - Genesis 40-45

GENESIS 42 – by Sonny Islas; for the FB video of this teaching, go here.

FAMINE FORCES A FAMILY REUNION 

The great famine that Pharaoh dreamed about is now here and it was going to force a long-desired family reunion – but Joseph won’t reveal his identity to his brothers until chapter 45. Joseph is now the 2nd most powerful and richest man in the world – 2nd to the King of Egypt – The Pharaoh. Joseph became so powerful that Genesis 45:8 say that “God made Joseph father of Pharaoh lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.”
Read more!

RACISM, RIOTS, THE VIRUS AND THE CURE

 

~ By Sonny Islas; for the Facebook video, go here.

America is crumbling right before our very eyes.

Without trying to sound sensational or overly alarming, what I think we see happening in America is bigger than racism, bigger than riots, bigger than the Corona virus, bigger than police brutality, and bigger than Republicans vs. Democrats - from a political and biblical standpoint, I’m convinced that this is a real make or break war between Nationalist and Globalist. 

Read more!

GENESIS – An Expositional Overview of the Beginning of God’s Revelation: Chapter FORTY ONE

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire

Chuck Missler Bible Commentary - Genesis 40-45
GENESIS 41 – by James Fire – To watch the Facebook video, go here.

Introduction: It’s estimated that Americans spend about $1 billion annually on astrological materials and practices (like books on prognostication and those 1-800 fortune teller phone numbers) as well as other New Age books in an attempt to discover their future. People are either curious or cautious or even care-worn about their future which they can even dread at times.

The LORD doesn’t forbid knowledge of the future – He simply forbids the practices of divination (forecasting the future) because this involves demonic spirits. This is why Christians should have nothing to do with tarot card readings, fortune tellers, ghost hunting, horoscopes, and the like, because anyone getting into these things are involving themselves with Satanic devices meant to lure and deceive and for these and other reasons, GOD has forbidden these practices in His Word (DEUT 18: LEV 17).

When GOD reveals the future, it’s always to bring people to the knowledge of the truth, and when He does reveal the truth, it revolves around the person of Jesus Christ with the objective of saving lives.

Anytime we read in Scripture where GOD declares what’s to come to pass, He desires deliverance for people, not damnation.

The one future event that we all face is what Shakespeare called “the undiscovered country” or in other words, death. That is a mysterious, forbidding, dreadful unknown – but neither future nor death holds any terror for the Christian who trusts the LORD, because He is LORD of all. We know nothing will happen to us apart from His Holy will and His Holy heart towards us, His children. We are witnesses to GOD’s faithful sovereignty over all of our lives!

Read more!