EXODUS – GOD’s MIRACULOUS DELIVERANCE of ISRAEL FROM EGYPT – Chapter THIRTEEN

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

Complete Study of Exodus by pastor Chuck Smith 

EXODUS 13: “GIVE GOD YOUR BEST” – by Sonny Islas, Facebook video.

INTRODUCTION: At this point in the Exodus storyline, just before Israel is powerfully escorted out of Egypt by The LORD, He gives them some instructions about – How they will begin to serve, worship, and obey Him – starting with: 

The Consecration of the Firstborn, The Feast of Unleavened Bread and The Law of the Firstborn. 

This was Israel’s "Discipleship 101 class".

It’s the same for new believers in Christ. 

They are rescued from the bondage of Satan and sin then they are to be baptized and instructed in the teaching of Jesus – to obey them (MATT 28:19-20). 

By the way, just as a new believer is to be baptized right after he’s rescued (ACTS 2:38), God baptized the entire nation of Israel as He took them through the Red Sea. The Red sea was actually a mass baptism (1 COR 10:2).

The MILLENNIUM: REIGN of the MESSIAH - Part Three: Continuing the New Testament Examination.

~ by James Fire

We began a re-visitation of the New Testament Scriptures in summary fashion so that it may be determined (not just on the basis of this study, but upon the personal study of disciples to either confirm or deny the findings of this author) if the Millennial Reign of Christ is (1) still the destiny of the Messiah as the up and coming Holy Ruler on planet Earth in a physical, actual ruling over the nations from the nation of Israel and (2) If Israel is in fact likewise destined to receive such blessings as a result of her coming Messiah-King.

Let’s get into more of this exciting subject!
From the website www.inspiration.org Don Perkins states the following, quoting from Bible expositors: 

“Dr. J. Dwight Pentecost, in his book Things to Come states: ‘The millennium will be the period of the full manifestation of the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. There will be the manifestation of glory associated with the humanity of Christ. There will be the glory of a glorious dominion, in which Christ, by virtue of his obedience unto death, is given universal dominion to replace that dominion which Adam lost. There will be the glory of a glorious government, in which Christ, as David’s son is given absolute power to govern. There will be the glory of a glorious inheritance, in which the land and the seed promised to Abraham are realized through Christ’…

John F. Walvoord, in his book The Revelation of Jesus Christ states: “Advocates of this view hold that the millennium is a period in which Christ will literally reign on earth as its supreme political leader and that the many promises of the Old Testament relating to a kingdom on earth in which Israel will be prominent and Gentiles will be blessed will have complete and literal fulfillment.”

To read Mr. Perkins’ entire article, check out The Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ 

EXODUS – GOD’s MIRACULOUS DELIVERANCE of ISRAEL FROM EGYPT – Chapter TWELVE

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

Complete Study of Exodus by pastor Chuck Smith 

EXODUS 12: “The Night The Destroyer Passed Over” – by Sonny Islas, Facebook video.

INTRODUCTION: The 10th Plague has clear implications for us due to the clear connection to Jesus’ death for our salvation: unlike the first 9 plagues, where GOD directed His judgment at specific Egyptian gods, the 10th plague was directed at the entire Egyptian Pantheon of the gods that these people worshiped (approximately 2,000 plus of those!). It reminds one of the Hindu religion, where they make a god out of everything! 

EPHESIANS: Form & Function in Christ Chapter 6:1-8,19-24

This particular study in Ephesians will be a somewhat short one, consisting of only fifteen verses. The reason for this is because I've completed vs. 10 through 18 in a different study on The TRUTH Under FIRE (www.thetruthunderfire.com) regarding the subject of spiritual warfare.
So this study will extend from vs. 1-9, and then pick up at vs. 19 to the end (vs.24).

NOTE: Be sure to watch the Frank Peretti video at the end of this article, entitled "Living in Ephesus" - a great blessing and much needed encouragement in these darkening days!

EPHESIANS: PARTAKERS of LIGHT in the DARK DAYS of EVIL - PT I & II - Chapter 5:1-33

Previously in chapter four of Ephesians we examined much of that which involves the body of Christ, and what's been known as 'body ministry' or that ministry that takes place within the church, among the saints themselves. Verse 16 is a key to the latter half of the chapter -

EPHESIANS 4:16
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

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

 

~ by James Fire

Introduction: We have done a very comprehensive (certainly not exhaustive) study on what’s been called the Millennium on TTUF. Check it out here!

In REVELATION 20 a 1,000 year period of time is mentioned six times, and it deals with specific people and details that necessarily dismisses this as a mere allegory. Two things happen immediately that commences this new era on the Earth;

The LORD Jesus Christ returns from heaven to Earth just as was promised in the Scriptures (MATT 24:30-31; ACTS 1:11; 2 THESS 1:7-10; TITUS 2:13; ISAIAH 34:6; 63:1; HOS 5:15; ZECH 14:5 to name but a few) and the binding of the dragon aka the Devil, or Satan.

I don’t think it’s a stretch to suggest that Satan is going to have a lot of company there in “the bottomless pit” – all the principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, the spiritual wickedness (EPH 6:12), all of these fallen angels (2 PET 2:4) and the demons as well (MATT 8:28-29).
Some have suggested that the rest of his kingdom will be immediately consigned to the flames of Gehenna prior to the Millennium, but that doesn’t seem likely because Paul the apostle said that we (the church) will one day judge angels (1 COR 6:3); so there would have to be some (fallen) angels to judge, and it doesn’t seem likely, not to mention that Scripture is silent about these spiritual beings of the dark kind are temporarily released from Gehenna only to be returned there after the Judgment!

This 1,000 year reign will be an era completely pure of any wicked and unclean spirits; thus mankind will not experience tempters who now seek to lure people into sin, trespasses, transgressions, wickedness, abominations, and blasphemies.

In contrast, the holiness, the righteousness, the justice as well as the grace, truth, peace, and joy of the LORD Jesus Christ will be realized among the nations, and preeminently, the nation of Israel and the church also, she who is the bride of Christ!

Yet this will not be an entirely sinless era because death is still present (just rare; ISAIAH 65:20), brief pockets of rebellion will be occurring, but instantly dealt with (See ZECH 14; esp. vs.16-19), by Christ’s “rod of iron” (REV 12:5; PSALM 2:9); we the church will bear this authority as well (REV 2:27).

Let’s explore then, this remarkable era that will bless us saints when we, after the rapture, and the blessed time in heaven with our LORD, shall return to Earth under His righteous and blessed management!

The TTUF STUDY on The REVELATION of JESUS CHRIST – Chapter NINETEEN - PARTS 1 & 2

~ by James Fire

Introduction: Christians are deeply devoted to and have a love for truth, godliness, justice, and integrity – what the Bible calls “uprightness”. It goes without saying that we love the love of GOD, the joy and peace of the LORD; that we love the LORD!

Because we have such a love for GOD and all of His attributes (as listed here), we have a deep-rooted hatred for all that He hates, namely sin, injustice, oppression, deception, and evil in all of its ugly, offensive forms. Yet we saints have lived in such a world that is inundated with these vile, baneful qualities of the kingdom of darkness all of our lives. We’ve never known a world without them.

In today’s world, and most recently, the kingdom of darkness has put their agenda into high gear, and it’s becoming more and more apparent that this anti-Christ system, euphemistically dubbed “the Great Reset” (like that’s such a good thing (??!)) is forming up and preparing the way for the one world leader’s soon arrival.

We as the saints of GOD are therefore longing with deepest (well nigh painful) yearning to depart from Planet Rebel and go Home to be with the LORD! While grieved at the increase of wickedness, not just in the public arena, but in our politics, our economics, in government as well as the world’s religions, we are also excited about the soon departure from this world!
Saints let me tell you, it’s no longer a daily prayer of mine that the LORD bring us Home, raptured in a “twinkling of an eye”, but now an hourly petition! 

We understand that once we’re gone, both the living and the dead in Christ, that this will spark off the final age of sinful man that will last a brief seven years until the events that transpire in this chapter occur: The removal of the anti-Christ, the false prophet and Satan himself from their place of power; the consignment of these two beasts to Gehenna (the second death, aka the lake of fire) and Satan into the abyss for 1,000 years are seen here.

AT THE CROSS ROADS - by Gregory Reid

FOREWORD by James Fire:

The issue of the rapture, especially of late, given the apocalyptic nature of our headline news, has become increasingly controversial (even more so than before, that is). While Greg Reid and I hold different views on the rapture in regard to eschatological prophecy, we are nonetheless united brothers and warriors in Christ. 

There have been many that share my view of what's commonly referred to as a 'pre-trib rapture' (I prefer the term 'pre-70th week rapture' myself) that seem to believe that we are going to get "caught up before anything bad happens" which I have always found troubling (as does brother Greg as you will soon read).

It's right about then that I reply to such a statement with, "Why should Christians in America be allowed to escape what the Christians have experienced throughout the world and history, namely, persecution for righteousness sake"?
The doctrine of imminence supports the idea that the rapture can happen at any moment, that nothing need to occur before, as there appears to be nothing in Scripture to suggest anything precedent -but by the same token, because we don't know the timing of the rapture, we could very well experience persecution before we are 'harpadzo'd' off Planet Rebel.

The LORD promised us "tribulation" (trial, hardships, turmoil, suffering, evil, etc.; JOHN 16:33), as did the apostle Paul (2 TIM 3:12). As anyone can attest to who's read my TTUF treatment regarding the rapture and the seven year period colloquially known as "the tribulation" I believe this seven year period is not about persecution of the church, but rather persecution of the tribulation saints, but above this, GOD's judgment upon the earth-dwellers who vow their allegiance to the Beast (REV 13) at the expense of rejecting salvation through Christ. Yet at this time, a final and merciful invitation is granted to believe "the everlasting Gospel" (REV 14:6) which reaps an innumerable number beyond count that will be washed in the blood of the Lamb" (REV 7:9-17).

Be that as it may - far more intelligent and well-versed men have debated this issue than I; and there is no debate between Greg and I, whatsoever - we respect one another and the personal views we hold.

This article is not so much about eschatology (though this is addressed) as it is about ecclesiology, that is the church - the body of Christ, that has slumbered (or slept) through the 20th century, either unaware or ambivalent to the creeping leaven that has now all but "leavened the lump" and has left the church ill-prepared for the coming storms, though the harbingers of these Extreme Times (the podcast of Greg Reid, worth listening to!) have been witnessed by such watchmen on the wall like Greg and many others and proclaimed with dire warning but largely ignored.

I pray that the time of such ignorance has come to an end; that the church is waking up to the times we are facing that are just ahead, and putting it into 'high gear' with spiritual preparedness. We neglect it to our utter peril! Please read the following article with a heart of prayerful, open willingness to do what must be done to weather these storms.

And if you think COVID-19 was such a storm, might I strongly suggest that this has been the calm before the storms!

MATTHEW 7:24-27

24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.