FIVE GREAT LIGHTS: PART THREE

by pastor Sonny Islas of SHINE BRIGHT Church

FIVE GREAT LIGHTS: PART THREE

So far, we’ve covered lights 1 and 2.

The 1st light was - The Light of Creation. Where God has made Himself known through creation.

The 2nd light was – The light of Conscience. Where God has made Himself known through our conscience. God created us with an internal knowledge of right and wrong.
The five great lights are as follows (for each one of these LIGHTS, we will include a hyperlink to the corresponding teaching that pastor Sonny gave at SHINE BRIGHT Church):

1. THE LIGHT OF CREATION.
2. THE LIGHT OF CONSCIENCE.
3. THE LIGHT OF CONDEMNATION.
4. THE LIGHT OF COMMANDMENTS.
5. THE LIGHT OF CHRIST.

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TRIUMPHANT TRILOGIES – JOHN 12,13 & 14: Examining JOHN 13 – Part 1 of 2

Examining JOHN 13 – Part ONE

From chapter 11 on, we are witnessing the Passion Week of the Christ. From Chapter 13 here, it starts going into “high gear” because it’s only hours away until the LAMB of GOD is slain for the sins of the world from the foundation of the world.

1 PETER 1:19-21
19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 20 He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you 21 who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

HEBREWS 9:25-26
25 not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another-- 26 He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.

REVELATION 5:5-6
5 But one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals." 6 And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

Being omniscient and possessing foreknowledge, long before Adam and Eve were ever created, before the Almighty ever said, “Let there be light…” He saw the predicament and peril of humanity because of the fateful choice our First Parents made and decided from the halls of eternity to offer Himself up as a sacrifice for the sins of the world.

As one Bible expositor put it, “GOD allowed Man to enter a situation from which he couldn’t rescue himself, but what would require the death of GOD in order to redeem him!”

This was quite literally the sublime, supreme passion of GOD to bring His creation back to Himself at His cost, and none at all for the redeemed.

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The RIGHTEOUS and the REBELLIOUS: PROVERBS 24:15-16

Humanity can be divided into two camps; everyone on this planet belongs to one or the other – there is no third category. They’re either a member of the Righteous or the Rebellious.

The Rebellious are the wicked, the haughty, the destructive regarding life; they are the Truth rejectors, they are the Light haters, they are the Bible despisers, devoted to darkness, they reject Christ and His Word maliciously. The rebellious are destined to destruction. And we saints were once members of this camp, to one degree or another!

The Righteous are the wise, the humble, the devoted to life; they are the Truth receivers, they are the Light lovers, they are the Bible disciples, dispellers of darkness, they receive Christ and His Word joyfully. The righteous are destined to glory.

The wonderful thing is that the rebellious can change camps at any time in their lifetime. All they need to do is repent of their sin, turn to Christ and by faith believe the Gospel, surrendering themselves to Jesus by making Him their LORD and Savior.

In the two verses we’ll be looking into tonight, we’ll learn quite a few things about both camps.

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The G.E.P.C Study – GALATIANS 6: Part 1 of 2

Going Through Paul’s epistles to Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, and Colossi

INTRODUCTION: The nature of our awesome GOD favors restoration over retribution. He would much rather render righteousness to a person than render ruin upon a person. We know this to be true because mankind was not slain in the Garden of Eden for their sin; rather, it was the Son of man who was slain after the Garden of Gethsemane, and afterwards raised in resurrection righteousness from the Garden Tomb (PS 85:11).

Isn’t it interesting how our need and provision of salvation revolves around these gardens? Remember what our LORD told us?

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FIVE GREAT LIGHTS: PART TWO

As a way of reminder, these Five Great Lights are ways in which God has so graciously revealed Himself. And these five ways in which God makes Himself knowable is what leaves everyone without an excuse (ROM 1:20b) on Judgment day (HEB 9:27).

The five great lights are as follows (for each one of these LIGHTS, we will include a hyperlink to the corresponding teaching that pastor Sonny gave at SHINE BRIGHT Church):

1.THE LIGHT OF CREATION.

2. THE LIGHT OF CONSCIENCE.

3. THE LIGHT OF CONDEMNATION.

4. THE LIGHT OF COMMANDMENTS.

5. THE LIGHT OF CHRIST.

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ONE NATION UNDER GOD

French writer Alexis de Tocqueville [Tok-uh-veal], after visiting America in 1831, said,

“I sought for the greatness of the United States in her commodious harbors, her ample rivers, her fertile fields, and boundless forests—and it was not there. I sought for [this greatness] in her rich mines, her vast world commerce, her public school system, and in her institutions of higher learning— and it was not there. I looked for it in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution—and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great!”

LISTEN to the audio teaching at the SHINE BRIGHT Church YouTube Channel here!

Our President Elect has had the motto ever since his first term back in 2016, MAGA – Make America Great Again. And certainly, by his policies he may do a lot to restore to us our economy, our political process, our social structure, the cleansing of corruption found in our government, academic halls of learning, our mainstream media and national identity.

But can any of these things restore goodness to America?

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PROVERBS 24:11 – DELIVERANCE From The DRAGNET Of DEATH

PROVERBS 24:11
Deliver those who are drawn toward death and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.

The World English Bible puts it this way:

PROVERBS 24:11
Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter!

To Listen to this message from the SHINE BRIGHT Church YouTube Channel, click this link.

Here are some quotes on death:

“The only differences between death and taxes is that (1) death doesn’t get worse every time Congress meets and (2) you can cheat at taxes!” Will Rogers.

“I’m not afraid of dying. I just don’t wanna be there when it happens!” – Woody Allen.

“Life is hard. Then you die. Then they throw dirt in your face. Then the worms eat you. Just be grateful that it happens in that order!” David Gerrold.

Here’s a quote by the character of Dr. Soran from the film Star Trek 7: Generations. “They say that time is the fire in which we burn. If there is one constant in the universe, it’s death… We’re all going to die some time. It’s just a question of how and when. Aren’t you beginning to feel time gaining on you? Oh, you can try and outrun it with doctors, medicines, new technologies, but time is a predator: it’s stalking you! And in the end time is going to hunt you down and make the kill.”

JAMES 4:14b
For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.

The fact of the matter is that we are all drawn unavoidably towards death, that is physical death and a departure from this world. From here all souls are either ushered into the fullness of eternal life that we saints enjoy in Christ here and now, or ushered into damnation, that is, the second death.

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A PLOT OF THE NEFARIOUS KIND – Examining Satan’s Strategic Psychological Warfare Program – Part 3 of 3

In this film we see a dialogue between a psychiatrist and a demonized man, Edward Wayne Brady. They have a back-and-forth conversation that many who have a macabre sensibility find fascinating (to speak with a non-corporeal intelligence that has existed for millennia, with ruthless cunning and astounding intelligence).

Yet if one were to perform an exorcism (or as they are sometimes called, a demon extraction, or better yet, a freedom encounter), this is exactly what one should NOT do! A demonic spirit will do anything to prevent being ejected from its host (the body of the victim), and will entertain, enthrall and enchant, charm, threaten and confuse humans with all kinds of conversation and conjurations.

We cannot afford to become distracted. We must keep focus on priority #1: the deliverance of the victim! Greg Reid addresses the issue of DEALING With The DEMONIC: RULES Of ENGAGEMENT. For a full treatment of this subject, and the broader subject of spiritual warfare, I highly recommend getting Greg’s book WAR Of The AGES.

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BUILDING UP THE CHURCH – THROUGH PRAYER

MATTHEW 16:18
And I also say to you that you are Peter [petros], and on this rock [petra] I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

Christ spoke of building His church even before it was realized. He made the statement while He was still dealing with Israel – though the nation was rejecting His claim to be the Messiah.

For the last two thousand years He had been adding “daily such as should be saved” (ACTS 2:47). In these last days, He is looking to complete His bride, bringing in those last few souls that in His Omniscience knows who will receive Him as LORD and Savior.

May we labor with our LORD, His yokefellow, in the fields which are white already for harvest, praying that He will send even more laborers to rescue precious souls that He died for (JOHN 4:35-39).

One of the ways that we encourage spiritual growth is through prayer, an underestimated heavenly power that too many Christians neglect – either not appreciating its value, or not knowing exactly how to pray…

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FIVE GREAT LIGHTS PART ONE - H u m a n i t y I s W i t h o u t E x c u s e by Sonny Islas

These five great lights refer to five undeniable ways in which God has clearly revealed Himself to humanity leaving everyone without a valid excuse at the Great WhiteThrone Judgment of God (found in REV 20:11-15).

HEBREWS 9:27 warns all by saying
“…its appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,”

No one who stands before God at the final judgment will be able to honestly say “I could not know that You existed.” Or “It was impossible for me to know for sure that You existed and that I was supposed to humble myself in Your presence.” Those lame words will carry no weight on judgment day. And these five great lights will prove that to be true. Again, no excuses on judgment day.

The five great lights are as follows (for each one of these LIGHTS, we will include a hyperlink to the corresponding teaching that pastor Sonny gave at SHINE BRIGHT Church):

1. THE LIGHT OF CREATION.

2. THE LIGHT OF CONSCIENCE.

3. THE LIGHT OF CONDEMNATION.

4. THE LIGHT OF COMMANDMENTS.

5. THE LIGHT OF CHRIST.

Read more!

The HEART Of PRAYER – PRAYER of the HEART

THE COMPLETE WORKS OF E.M. BOUNDS ON PRAYER -568 pgs. Buy it used on THRIFT Books under $10. New on AMAZON for $17.00, or all eight books in one volume which amounts to just over $2 per book!!

The Necessity of Prayer, The Essentials of Prayer, The Possibilities of Prayer, The Reality of Prayer, Purpose in Prayer, The Weapon of Prayer, Power Through Prayer and Prayer and Praying Men

21 DAYS OF TRANSFORMING PRAYER – Daniel Henderson; 102 pgs. For $6.00. Doing FB videos each week for all 21 installments.

Listen to this teaching online from the SHINE BRIGHT Church YouTube Channel here!

Jesus went to the Cross to die – why? For our sins only? Not only for our sins, but upon His giving up of His Spirit, the veil in the temple was torn, top to bottom, signifying that by His resurrection He imparts to us new life and the Spirit dwells no longer in stone buildings, but in hearts of Christ’s disciples!
Thus by faith in Christ and His Gospel we become born again; we receive the new nature – the holiness of Jesus begins to grow in us “Little by Little”.

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TRIUMPHANT TRILOGIES – Examining JOHN 12,13 & 14 – PARTS 2 & 3

Continuing in JOHN 12, but first a bit of recap from PART 1:

Our understanding of the Word of the LORD is always dependent on the Holy Spirit, and where the disciples were confused at first about the death of their Messiah, once Christ was glorified – and the Holy Spirit was sent forth to indwell all those of faith (JOHN 14:26; 20:22), that’s when they remembered all that was written about Him.

The raising of Lazarus from the dead was just another proof that Jesus was and is exactly what He claimed to be! Out of frustration the Pharisees complained among themselves that “the world has gone after Him!” I love it! GO GOD!! Any who attempt to fight GOD will only succeed in hurting themselves!

PROVERBS 8:35-36
35 For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD; 36 But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; all those who hate me love death.

My heart is torn in two when I think about all that our precious, dear, tender-hearted Savior went through in redeeming us to GOD. The thought that the pure, sinless, innocent Savior Who is the embodiment of love and truth should suffer the utter humiliation and shame in bearing all of our sins – ugly, wretched, putrid, gross, vile sins upon His righteous soul…

It brings me to tears of sorrow – and also tears of humble gratitude, because if not for this Holy Mission to save us all, we would be with no hope whatsoever! I’d be rightly damned for my sins.

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"The Evangelist Poem" by Clinton Hester - Commentary by James Fire

It is my greatest pleasure and joy to present to our readers a remarkable young man, a saint of GOD, a child of the Father, a disciple of Christ who also happens to be a spiritual son in the faith to me; something akin to apostle Paul with his beloved son Timothy.

This is Clinton Hester, a man of many GOD given talents and abilities. What I admire and respect about him most is what I observed about him upon our first meeting:

He takes his faith quite seriously! He loves the LORD intensely and for good reason: the LORD has forgiven him of much!

This hip-hop tune is something he wrote a while back and while I'm not particularly fond of hip-hop or rap music in general, I can't help but love this, because of the truth that overflows from these lyrics, so artfully expressed!

The lyrics to The Evangelist Poem will be in larger font, my commentary is smaller font and indented.

Included at the end is the video where you can listen to his song for yourself. So, without further delay, here it is!

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A TTUF EXAMINATION OF HEAVEN – PART FOUR & Conclusion: The Third Heaven

Having completed the Introduction and Part One of this series, along with Part Two and Part Three, we have examined some preliminary points of GOD’s creation, then looked at the First Heaven – our atmospheric domain, and the Second Heaven – the celestial realm. We know a great deal about the First and some things about the Second.

However, we have no way of examining the Third Heaven – the dwelling place of the Most High GOD – apart from divine revelation such as the apostles Paul and John were given (as well as Isaiah in the Old Testament) or by studying what Scripture says about it (the latter being far more likely in this day and age).

In looking at some websites, and some of what Scripture has to say, it seems that in one perspective the Third Heaven is an extension of the celestial realm, one step removed to a higher plane where GOD sometimes manifests. Others see the Third Heaven as completely non-physical in the sense that its independent of the creation of our physical universe and where GOD in all of His glory dwells perpetually.

I subscribe to the latter perspective.

So, we will look at what Scripture has to say about the Third Heaven according to Paul, John, Isaiah, and elsewhere in Scripture where this dwelling place of the Almighty is mentioned.

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SAFETY and STRENGTH AMONG the WISE – PROVERBS 24:5-6

INTRODUCTION: Look at what you see on the monitors here: the title for these Wednesday Night Teachings from the book of PROVERBS that we refer to as “WISDOM WEDNESDAYS”. Take that word WISDOM and chop it in half and add an ‘E’ to the ‘WIS’. Now take what’s left – the ‘DOM’ and add an ‘AIN’ and you get DOMAIN.

You can listen to this teaching presented at SHINE BRIGHT Church here!

WISDOM: The DOMAIN, or the KINGDOM, or the NATION of the WISE.

And any nation or kingdom (the king’s domain) has a culture to it – but what exactly is a culture? And I’m not talking yogurt here!

“Culture is a concept that encompasses the social behavior, institutions and norms found in human societies, as well as the knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, customs, capabilities and habits of the individuals that live in these domains.”

Our (social) behavior is to conform to the truth of Scripture; our institutions – such as marriage, family, church are all to follow the instruction we find in the holy revelation of GOD’s Word. The norm for the Christian’s culture is holiness and truth, grace and peace. Our beliefs, our knowledge, our laws are founded on the bedrock of the Bible. Our customs are inspired by the very heart of GOD as our own souls are conformed to His will and represent the artwork of GOD’s redemptive creativity.

Our habits and capabilities are empowered by the very Spirit of GOD.
So, in fact, this DOMAIN that we live in is a culture of WISDOM, and if we are indeed wise, we will conform to this CULTURE of JESUS and His Kingdom!

So let us turn in the holy revelation of GOD to:

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YHWH - THE GOD WHO HEALS

"Let them praise the name of the LORD: for His Name alone is excellent; his glory [is] above the earth and heaven." PSALM 148:13

In the Old Testament a name would describe a person’s character, their nature) as much to identify them.

Nabal name means "fool," and his wife Abigail's explained to David: "…as his name is, so is he… folly is with him:" (1 SAM 25:25).

Isaac means “laughter” for when the LORD announced that Abram and Sarai would have a child when Abram was 100 years of age, Sarai laughed. I’m sure once the boy was born, they did a lot of laughing out of joy!

Jesus is from YHWH’shua – “Our GOD is salvation”

To hear this message, delivered at SHINE BRIGHT Church in Tucson, AZ check it out here!

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The G.E.P.C Study – GALATIANS 5 – PT. 3 of 3

Going Through Paul’s epistles to Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, and Colossi

Introduction: We are all gardens of human souls, planting in the soils of our life different seeds, cultivating different kinds of crop. Some are sowing to their flesh and reaping corruption. Others are sowing to the Spirit and reaping everlasting life.

We ought always to take care of what sort of seed we are allowing into our lives. Every spoken word heard, every paragraph read – even song lyrics and film quotes will plant words into our minds, words that lead to ideas, ideas that lead to beliefs, beliefs that lead to action, action that leads to consequences.

We now complete the fifth chapter of GALATIANS and examine the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit:

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A PLOT OF THE NEFARIOUS KIND – Examining Satan’s Strategic Psychological Warfare Program – Part Two

INTRODUCTION: Satan as the master deceiver will play the part of any role, parading around on the stage of the mind of the one he intends to deceive.

So if one believes in ghosts and spiritual planes of higher existence, Satan will accommodate this and appear as their dearly departed at the foot of their bed, or at the table of a séance and speak comforting lies of a world without judgment and hell; only blissful planes of higher, heavenly realities.

If one holds the belief of aliens from another world, he will certainly appear as an otherworldly, hi-tech saucer type of craft, complete with aliens in order to draw a person into deeper deceptions and New Age dogmas. He will convey the appearance of benevolent alien races so advanced that they appear as gods, who will (and have, supposedly) guide our own human evolution into godhood.

If one has the conviction that the human spirit is powerful with all sorts of psychic abilities, then Satan will furnish such things through demonic agencies. The victim will believe that they possess these powers but will eventually find out that it’s the powers (and “spiritual wickedness in high places”; see EPH 6:12) that possesses them!

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CONTINUED ADMONITIONS From APOSTLE To PASTOR – 2 TIMOTHY 2:11-18

(Excepted and modified from the TTUF study in 2 TIMOTHY)

INTRODUCTION: In this second chapter of Apostle Paul’s epistle to his protégé and son in the faith, Timothy, pastor of the church at Ephesus.
In this portion of this chapter we’ll venture into Paul’s admonition to Timothy regarding the elders and church leadership, that he will “…remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers.”

He encourages Timothy to be diligent in the study of the Word, to shun babblings that are born of and encourages strife and contention among the church. The apostle addresses how the LORD will operate through those of His that are sanctified and usable and will refrain from using those not sanctified, that is those who don’t belong to GOD and further, pursue holiness.

He ends this section of his epistle with the manner and conduct of the servant of the LORD (vs. 24-25). So without any further delay, let’s get into these instructions and admonitions found in verses 11-18.

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HOW TO “BIBLE STUDY” - T. A. McMahon - The BEREAN CALL

November 1, 2022

Watch the video here.

We are clearly in a day that majors in fulfilling the prophecy of 2 Timothy:4:3-4 
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 

Examples abound. Many churches that profess to be Bible-believing fellowships do not live up to their claims. They say they believe in the inerrancy, the authority, and the sufficiency of the Word of God. However, in practice they have mixed what God has said with the so-called wisdom of mankind. Here’s how that plays out, starting with the sufficiency of the Scriptures.

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PROVERBS 23:27-32: D.U.I. DECEIVED and UNDER the INFLUENCE

PROVERBS 23:27-32: D.U.I. DECEIVED and UNDER the INFLUENCE

INTRODUCTION: The enemies of our souls that includes Satan and his kingdom of darkness, the world and its vain philosophies and enticements along with our own sin nature will do all they can to draw us away from the LORD. These enemies of ours hate the LORD and want nothing to do with Him! They draw us away primarily by seduction, temptation, leading to sin.

1 JOHN 2:26
These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive [seduce] you.

The Greek word for deceive or seduce is planao, and it means “to roam from safety, truth or virtue, to be seduced with the effect of wandering out of the way”.

REVELATION 2:20 the LORD Jesus Christ says to the church in Thyatira:
"Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach [false doctrine] and seduce [leading to sin] My servants to commit sexual immorality [adultery] and eat things sacrificed to idols [idolatry].

The word “seduce” here is the same Greek word planao.

An adulteress seduces someone and INFLUENCES them to wander from virtue; a false teacher seduces and INFLUENCES a person to wander from truth; Satan as a roaring lion seduces and INFLUENCES the undiscerning to wander from safety.
Wine, or alcohol or any mind altering drug will seduce and INFLUENCE one to wander from good judgment.

Another thing about a false teacher is that they not only cause people to wander from the truth, but they replace truth with their own false doctrine, and this in a very real sense is a form of idolatry. Rather than worship JESUS Who is the Truth, and esteem the Word of GOD highly (Remember, GOD esteems His Word higher than His Most Holy Name!) they will essentially worship “give themselves over to, submit to, venerate”) their own teachings and exalt them above the holy revelation of GOD!

This is why leaven (yeast) in the Scripture is symbolic not only of false teaching that would exalt such lies over GOD’s truth but also of pride (and sin). At the heart of every sin is pride.

We’ll see some correlations between adultery and idolatry; between wine, and the world in these verses examined!

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STUDY In The Book of NEHEMIAH TRIUMPH by TRANSFORMATION – Chapter ELEVEN

INTRODUCTION: The LORD told us to be as “wise as serpents and gentle as doves” – I take that to mean that we as heralders of the Gospel and Christ’s ambassadorial representatives should avoid trouble where we can, but when cornered and escape is apparently impossible, that our conduct should be inoffensive, and non-hostile.

Jerusalem lay in waste for several decades at this point, and the enemies of Israel were delighted to have it so. When Nehemiah was ordained of GOD to go and restore the city of Jerusalem, according to the prophecy given to Daniel (DAN 9:25) the opposers of GOD were outraged.

So was Satan their master and for two reasons: he realizes that as long as Jerusalem exists the prophecies concerning Messiah stand ready to be fulfilled – so the reality of Jerusalem is an open threat to him and his kingdom which will come to an abrupt end once the Messiah returns and sets up His government over the world from its Messianic capital (ISA 9:6-7; PSA 110:1-2).

The second reason is that GOD has placed the highest degree of importance in the city of Jerusalem aka Zion and the land of Israel as distinctly His own (MATT 5:35; JOEL 3:2; PSA 78:67-68). As we are well aware, Satan hates and despises everything – and everyone – that GOD loves:

PSALM 87:2-3
2 The LORD loves the gates of Zion More than all the dwellings of Jacob. 3 Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God! Selah.

It’s both tragic and fascinating to watch the unbridled hostility of the world that’s determined to wrest Jerusalem from the Jewish people (for the reasons stated above, though the nations are likely unaware of who’s inspiring them with such hatred. Can someone say “Hamas”?).

The desire to destroy Jerusalem was no less vehement in the days of Nehemiah. So by certain of the Jewish people electing to live within the walls of the City of Peace, they were essentially painting a target on their backs… and on their fronts… and on their heads.

Yet they dwelled there and in doing so, they were declaring that they were there to stay! And so they did: at least for nearly 530 years – in 70 AD, when the nation was dispersed, Jerusalem and the Temple destroyed, one million Jews crucified by the Roman armies about 40 years because of Israel’s wholesale rejection of their Messiah (33 AD; LUKE 21:12,20-22).

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DEMISE OF A CIVILIZATION: The Death of Truth and Justice

Revised and Updated from The RED PILL Consortium article.

You can listen to the teaching of this article from the SHINE BRIGHT Church YouTube Channel here.

PROVERBS 23:23
Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding.

When you buy something, you’re investing with your dollars the item you want or need. If someone tells you a story and you say, “I don’t buy it” –you’re not investing any credibility to that story.
To “buy truth” in this verse is to invest in the truth – to learn of it, esteem it as precious, depend on it, obey it, make it a part of our lives and not “sell[ing] it” that is, not abandoning it.

Every human being is a steward: a keeper and user of those things GOD has given to us all: a life, a mind, a conscience, time on this Earth, a certain degree of responsibility and power, our relationships. Truth is also among these gifts; so is freedom. GOD is watching to see if we’re taking our stewardship seriously. We’ll be called into account for our stewardship by GOD.


We Christians on top of what was already mentioned have been given His Holy Revelation, His Holy Spirit, New Life in Christ, His Great Commission of the Gospel, we’ve received ambassadorship: we’re His representatives! We also will be called into account at the Bema Seat for rewards.

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A TTUF EXAMINATION OF HEAVEN – PART THREE: The Second Heaven

“Space: the Final Frontier…” were the epic words that started a legacy known as Star Trek and has had as much impact on the cultures of the world as that other famous line, “In a hole in the ground there lived a Hobbit” that brought us to the world of Middle Earth.

And as vast as our galaxy is, to say nothing of the universe itself, we must ponder the question, “Is it really the final frontier?” Once this entire creation and known reality is swept away, GOD is going to create a new heavens and a new earth (REV 21; ISA 66:22)! Think of the excitement we will have in exploring these heretofore unknown frontiers!

But even if one discounts all of that - there is the limitless exploration and discoveries of the mysteries of GOD! You see, what we know of GOD is limited to the inspired canon. That’s not to say that the Holy Scriptures in conjunction with the Holy Spirit doesn’t provide us an astounding amount of revelation about our Creator and Redeemer, it’s simply as the acronym suggests: B.I.B.L.E. – Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.

We have all the basics that we need to live godly in Christ Jesus (2 PET 1:3-4); we’re blessed with plenty of knowledge to enjoy a full and rich relationship with the LORD. But once we enter into eternity with glorified bodies and minds, the LORD will be able for the first time, to reveal His nature and all of the Truth that’s personified in His Person with no limitations on our part to grasp it all.

That being said, since He is eternal in His nature, the wealth of knowledge available to us One Day as glorified saints will also be eternal. In other words, we won’t ever stop learning of our glorious GOD. We will be continuously afforded more and more Truth that will in no way contradict the canon of Scripture we have now but will expand upon and exemplify the Holy Scripture with deeper, more profound Truth.

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The G.E.P.C Study – GALATIANS 5 – PT. 2 of 3

Going Through Paul’s epistles to Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, and Colossi

INTRODUCTION: Just as we saw a contention between Law and Grace and the dilemma that many Jews faced between the Old Covenant which they grew up with and the New Covenant which they had yet to become accustomed to, here in this portion of GALATIANS 5 we see another contention between the flesh and the Spirit.

Walking in the liberty afforded to us by Christ and His indwelling Spirit means that for the first time in our lives from the moment we were born again, we can choose to be holy! Think on that for a moment! With the indwelling Spirit we have a new nature as opposed to the old nature.

The new is created after Christ – “the last Adam” and the old which we inherited from “the first Adam” when he fell into sin. We are no longer abject, helpless slaves to sin. Christ has set us free (ISA 61:1; GAL 5:1) and we can live (“walk”) now a life of holiness.

As when any child begins to transfer their mode of transportation from crawling to walking, they aren’t proficient at all to begin with. But they make the effort. They stumble, fumble and fall, but they get back up again. With the able assistance of Daddy and Mommy, they begin to know what it’s like to use their feet (rather than hands and knees). The world looks different from this perspective. They have access to more this way than when they were just adorable ‘rug rats’.

Likewise when we were babes in Christ, we began to walk, and somewhere along the way, we became proficient enough that we weren’t stumbling every hour of the day.

Then we discovered that we could walk between worlds as it were: the kingdom of GOD and a life of holiness or the kingdom from which we came: that domain of darkness where our sin nature (“flesh”) feels at home.

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TRIUMPHANT TRILOGIES – Examining JOHN 12,13 & 14

As we have seen already in ROMANS and in PSALMS, there exists trilogies of sorts in Scripture, three different parts that deals with specific themes of the Scripture.

For example, in ROMANS 6,7 & 8 we see the life of the disciple of Christ in three different aspects: justification and dying to self in Ch. 6, sanctification apart from the Law in Ch. 7 and glorification and our heirship in Ch. 8. Of course there is some overlap between them (Chapter breaks weren’t in the original, nor were verses).

And in PSALMS 22, 23 & 24 we see a trilogy focused on the Messiah: His sacrificial atonement in 22 accomplished in the past, His role as Shepherd over Israel and the church in 23, an ongoing role, and the future Messianic reign expressed in 24.

Now we have before us two sets of trilogies: JOHN 12,13 and 14 along with 15,16 and 17 – all centered around the Passion Week, the last days of Christ on Earth prior to His resurrection.

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PROVERBS 23:9-12: FOOLS, THIEVES and WISE GUYS

Previously on Wisdom Wednesday I taught on PROVERBS 22:28-29. You can hear it (again) at the SBC YT Channel, entitled: Prosperity: Profitable or Perilous? (posted May 16th).

I dealt with the whole thing regarding “removing the ancient landmarks” – those divided personal properties among the tribes of Israel. Dishonest, greedy folk would move those landmarks to increase the size of their own property, infringing on and diminishing the property of others – thus land theft. I’ll go in a little different direction tonight in vs. 10-11 of PROV 23, focusing instead on the prince of thieves, and no – I’m not talking about Sir Robin of Locksley aka Robin Hood. First, vs. 9:

PROVERBS 23:9
Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words.

PROVERBS 9:8-10 

8 Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. 9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. 10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

MATTHEW 7:6
Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.

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A PLOT OF THE NEFARIOUS KIND – Examining Satan’s Strategic Psychological Warfare Program – Part One

There is a video series on YouTube at The Fuel Project Channel called KNOW YOUR ENEMY. An excellent series of short videos (over 70) that examines two kingdoms through the course of human history: GOD’s own and also Satan’s.

As Christians our primary objective is to know, love and serve GOD. Only on a secondary basis are we to “know our enemy”; in the sense that we are not to be “ignorant of his devices” (2 COR 2:11) and his "wiles (methodologies; EPH 6:11). We are to be sober (of a serious mind) and vigilant (ever watchful, on guard, wary) of this one who goes about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 PET 5:8). He is the most subtle, most cunning creature GOD ever created (GEN 3:1).

It's absolutely true that Satan was defeated at the Cross:

COLOSSIANS 2:14-15
14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it [the Cross].

This does NOT mean however that he is no longer dangerous, not a threat, someone we can afford to ignore or dismiss. Were that the case, we would have no need of the Armor of GOD (EPH 6:10-18) that the LORD in His wisdom has provided for us!

This article examines the film NEFARIOUS, based on Steve Deace’s book, A Nefarious Plot. If you haven’t seen this film yet, be advised there are numbers of spoilers in this piece.

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FROM TIME IMMEMORIAL by Joan Peters – A TTUF Book Report

As many of you know that have read articles from the web site I contribute to, The TRUTH Under FIRE (www.thetruthunderfire.com), our endeavor is to:

"herald without compromise the Truth as delivered to the church of the LORD Jesus Christ by way of the Holy Bible. . . and also to dispel deception as found everywhere else, by careful, verified research."

This article is a republishing of a two part article written on The RED PILL Consortium blog condensed into one here with updated links.

This deception is propagated by the 'Matrix-like" machine whose cogs and parts consist of our so-called educational system, various political, governmental and religious organizations and corporations, and our public media, as well as other sources.

One such deception is in regards to the nation of Israel. Most of us believe the situation in the Middle East is as it is, based on what we see, hear and read in the 'news'. What I like to call “the lame stream media”.

This 'information' is utilized to further the goals of those who run 'the Matrix' in order to conform our views and beliefs in accord with the deception and illusion that is perceived as factual, when - in fact - it is a fiction, or as Joan Peters has called it, "a flight from fact" in her book FROM TIME IMMEMORIAL.

There are few credible sources that dispel the darkness of this deception that runs amok throughout the world, but her book is certainly one of them!

Here are some reviews of this tremendous work:

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STUDY In The Book of NEHEMIAH TRIUMPH by TRANSFORMATION – Ch. 10

INTRODUCTION: Throughout the Scriptures there are lists upon lists of genealogies and names, and we can wonder – what’s the purpose of these? Aside from reading like an ancient phone book, something to gloss over, many people don’t understand the purpose for these listings, but there most certainly is!

In the case of the numerous Old Testament Scriptures, the listing of the names of tribes in Israel denote which people group will inherit which territory in Canaan land. These inheritances were non-transferrable: they stayed with the families.

Another can lease the land from the inheritors of said property, but they can’t buy them. That was why Naboth said to Ahab (who offered to trade a property of his own for Naboth’s vineyard), “GOD forbid that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you!” (1 KINGS 21:3). Jezebel through bribery and slander stole the land from Naboth and gave it to Ahab, making the crime all the more heinous.

The land could also be lost due to a debt owed, but that was where a kinsman goel came in, a relative of the debtor who could redeem the land for their kin.

These lists of names also have archeological value. When such names as listed in Scripture are found in artifacts, this is one of many proofs that prove the Bible’s accuracy.

What I find particularly fascinating is when the various listings of the twelve tribes (actually, there are fourteen tribes from which to choose from in any list, because Jacob adopted Manasseh and Ephraim (Joseph’s sons) as his own See GEN 48)), if one knows the meaning of those names, and observes the order in which any given list appears in the Bible, they make a declaration!
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TTUF/SBC PROPHECY UPDATE MAY 26th 2024

TTUF/SBC PROPHECY UPDATE MAY 26th 2024

Listen to the audio message on the SHINE BRIGHT Church YouTube Channel here!

15 SUBJECTS of Last Days Prophecy (Eschatology):

1) Israel, Jerusalem, Temple
2) Gog, Magog, Invasion into the Middle East (Russia, Iran & Allies)
3) ‘Revived’ Roman Empire – European Union, Mediterranean Union
4) One World Govt – Mark of the Beast
5) One World Religion – “”
6) One World Economy – ““
7) One World Leader – the Beast of Revelation
8) The Kings of the East
9) Signs of the Times: “Birth Pangs” MATT 24:8 – the sign to indicate the LORD’s coming are all of these events happening with increasing greater intensity and frequency – like a woman going into labor, giving birth to a baby:
    a) Wars and Rumors of wars: nation against nation, kingdom against kingdom
    b) Pestilences (diseases, infestations)
    c) Earthquakes [seismos – earthquakes, or tempests (storms)] in various places and
        other forms of nature’s violence
    d) Famines
    e) Worldwide persecution ofthe saints.
10) false Christs, false prophets, false teachers (New Age, New Apostolic Reformation, Charismatic Movement)
11) False church – Mystery Babylon, apostasy: falling away from the faith (1 TIM 4:1)
12) Increasing knowledge: science, technology as well as mysticism and the occult
13) Spirit of deception – both in the world, and the church.
14) The Rapture of the Church - Bema Seat Judgment, Lamb’s Wedding Feast
15) The Day of the LORD: Great Tribulation, The Second Coming/Return of the King, and the Millennial Kingdom and Judgment Day.

Read more!

PROSPERITY: Profitable or Perilous? PROVERBS 22:28-29

PROVERBS 22:28-29
28 Do not remove the ancient landmark Which your fathers have set. 29 Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men.

Listen to the audio message on SHINE BRIGHT Church YouTube Channel!

Let’s open the Holy Revelation of GOD’s Word!

INTRODUCTION: “All men are created equal that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” is something we know from the Declaration of Independence.

What many don’t know is that there was a hot debate among the architects of this document about what three things should be mentioned. Life and Liberty were agreed upon, because you can’t have one without the other. And while its true that you can have neither of those as intended by our Creator without happiness, there is another crucial element that must be included.

So many of the signers of the Declaration of Independence strongly believed that this line should read, “…among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of land”!

In an agricultural world such as it was in those days, life was inextricably linked to land; people lived off of the land. But more than this:

Private ownership of land is essential to our liberties. Why?

Because as owner of your own land, you were sovereign over that domain. As an American citizen people were autonomous under the Republic and in control of their own destinies without any interference from government or the wealthy who could oppress free-loving people.

If someone came onto your property and did something you didn’t like, you would and could exercise your right and tell them, “Get off my land!”

LEVITICUS 19:11
'You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another.
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A TTUF EXAMINATION OF HEAVEN – PART TWO: The First Heaven

Now that we have looked over some preliminary observations regarding “the heavens” and the fact that Scripture speaks of “the third heaven” but not a fourth or a fifth, we can reasonably assume that there must be a first heaven and a second.

We believe that the third heaven is that eternal domain of the LORD GOD that existed prior to the commencement of creation. That place is eternal and will never change; such is not the case with the first and the second however!

PSALM 102:25-27

25 Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. 26 They will perish, but You will endure; Yes, they will all grow old like a garment; Like a cloak You will change them, And they will be changed. 27 But You are the same, And Your years will have no end.

Some contend that the Earth will remain forever as is, but when verses that suggest this is taken in context with the whole, we understand what’s being said much better.

PSALM 119:90-91
90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides. 91 They continue this day according to Your ordinances, For all are Your servants.

ECCL 1:4
One generation passes away, and another generation comes; But the earth abides forever.

In the sense of GOD’s created order in the present universe, in this context, yes: the Earth abides forever. There will be no time in human history in this present reality where the unthinkable happens, WW III is unleashed and every H-Bomb that exists will explode and leave this planet as a smoldering cinder in the black vacuum of space! Nor will a mega-meteor or a colossal comet strike the Earth, devastating the surface and extinguish human life forever!

No, despite any dystopian forecast, planet Earth will survive… until…

2 PETER 3:10-13
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

REVELATION 20:11
Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.

But until that happens, we can count on this planet spinning in orbit, faithfully abiding until GOD decides to make for His children the upgraded, new and improved version!

But now, concerning “the second heavens” what is its distinctions and functions?

Just as the human body as many layers of defense (body hair, skin, capillaries, deep tissue, antibodies, etc.) our planet has many layers as well that protect us from all kinds of solar radiation including such things as gamma rays. Some parts of the second heavens actually collect certain thermal radiation in order to maintain an equilibrium in our atmosphere!

So let’s briefly go over these various meteorological layers and see what they do as GOD designed them! You can also check out the following website Center For Science Education and the article Layers of the Earth’s Atmosphere that describes all of these aspects and links at the bottom of the page for more detailed information!

1. Atmosphere

Atmosphere Layers That Surround Planet Earth

The atmosphere is the envelope of gases that surround Earth. If you look at the atmosphere’s chemical composition, it’s mostly nitrogen and oxygen. Air is denser closer to Earth because of Earth’s gravitational pull. As you move outwards, the air becomes less dense.

You can divide the atmosphere into layers. From bottom to top, it consists of the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere. Then, the thermosphere has two parts: the ionosphere and the exosphere.

These all work together like a gigantic engine, whose parts all serve a specific purpose to ensure life is sustained on our planet.

2. Troposphere

The innermost layer of the atmosphere is the troposphere. Like all layers of the atmosphere, the height of the thermosphere depends on where you are located. On average, it extends about 13 km (28,000 to 70,000 feet) from ground level.

The troposphere contains 75-80% of the atmospheric mass and 99% of the total mass of water vapor and aerosols. Most importantly, it’s the air we breathe, it contains most of our daily weather, and most air traffic flies in it (as well as birds, bats and beneficial and baneful spirits [those being holy and unholy angels… and demons]). It’s here that the water cycle for our world operates (the science of this is hydrology).

The turbulence of air in this sphere and its rotational friction against the planetary surface affects the flow of air and forms the planetary boundary layers (which can vary in height (from thousands of feet to over a mile). Think of the planetary surface is the engine GOD uses to help ‘stir the pot’ as it were, of our atmosphere. The other thing that creates turbulence is the temperature gradient that occurs where sunlight and therefore heat, is most intense on the planet and its atmosphere and where its least intense.

Theory suggests that without the “ice shield” (discussed briefly in Part One), weather is far more violent and in some respects has an instability which is not what GOD originally intended.

Between this sphere and the Stratosphere is a thin transitional layer called the Tropopause. It’s this boundary that separates the Troposphere and the Stratosphere which has the highest concentration of nitrogen, and it’s also where atmospheric temperatures increase dramatically.

Because of the amount of water vapor stored here (and nitrates and sulphites) our air is cleansed of various pollutants caused by industry and natural gases sourced from decomposed biomatter. Our oceans, oceanic and terrestrial plant life are major contributors to cleansing our atmosphere as well as providing oxygen and humidity.

Thanks to gravity, the density of our atmosphere is higher at our surface (hydrostatic equilibrium) and decreases as altitude increases. This allows water to remain in liquid state. If our finely-tuned gravity was anything less, water would not remain in a liquid state.

Due to higher pressure at lowest altitude (and the nearer to the equator one is), retention of heat is effectively maintained, allowing life to flourish. Essentially the troposphere is thickest at higher temperatures, and thinnest at cooler temperatures. This is where high pressure and low pressure systems are born, typically with low pressure weather systems containing higher degrees of water vapor, humidity, clouds, higher winds and precipitation.

3. Stratosphere

If you move 12 to 50 kilometers upward into the atmosphere, you’d hit the stratosphere. The stratosphere is known for its large concentration of ozone (O3).

The ozone layer raises the temperature in the stratosphere because ozone absorbs radiation from the sun. Lucky for us, it also protects our skin like a shield from harmful solar rays. This sphere has its own set of layers. There are no storms or turbulence found here so cold, heavier air stays at the bottom and warm, lighter air remains at the top. There is little water vapor found here, but surprisingly, you might find some bird species flying in the lower levels as well as commercial airlines, reason being there is very little resistance here, so planes can maximize their fuel efficiency at these altitudes. Two such aircraft are the SR-71 and the Concorde.

4. Mesosphere

There are 2 different mesospheres that make up Earth’s spheres. This mesosphere is not to be confused with the mesosphere deep inside the Earth. This mesosphere is part of the atmosphere and spans a vertical distance from ~50 to 90 km.

Air is very thin in the mesosphere. It’s almost like a vacuum. But it’s thick enough to cause meteors to burn up and disintegrate. The mesosphere reaches temperatures around -100° to -130°C. It has very little impact on weather, air pollution, and water storage capacity. So where the ozone layer in the Stratosphere protects us from solar radiation and directs warmth collected there towards the surface of the planet, the Mesosphere is responsible for protecting our world from meteoroids and other kinds of space rocks like bolides (explosive meteorites).

5. Thermosphere

The thermosphere is the uppermost part of the atmosphere. There are two parts to the thermosphere. It consists of the ionosphere and exosphere.

Although the thermosphere extends up to about 550 km altitude, its mass is only 0.002% of the total atmosphere. The thermosphere is home to the International Space Station (ISS). It orbits in the middle of the thermosphere between 330 and 435 km (average of 237 miles). Within this layer of the atmosphere, ultraviolet radiation causes photoionization / photodissociation of molecules, creating ions. Thus within this region the greater percentage of the ionosphere is found. Depending on the intensity and frequency of solar radiation, this sphere can range in temperature up to about 2,000°C (3,630° F) or more. Radiation here causes particles to become electrically charged, enabling radio waves to be refracted and received beyond the horizon. A portion of the thermosphere is considered outer space with the greater part of the exosphere classified as such.

6. Ionosphere

Magnetic Fields are generated in this sphere of Earth the name of which is derived from the word “ion” meaning electrically charged. So, it should be no surprise that this is the sphere of Earth that becomes ionized from cosmic radiation.

The interaction between charged particles from the sun and Earth’s magnetic field in the ionosphere creates beautiful natural light displays in the polar regions known as the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) and Aurora Australis (Southern Lights).

7. Exosphere

The outermost part of the atmosphere is the exosphere. It’s so far away and has such thin air that some scientists don’t even recognize it as a layer of the atmosphere.

Its thin air is why the thermosphere has a whole fleet of satellites (and space junk) that freely orbits it. The exosphere extends to about halfway to the distance of the moon. There’s no outer edge because it gradually fades in density to the vacuum of outer space.

8. Magnetosphere

There is a significant overlap between the magnetosphere and the ionosphere. In fact, the ionosphere is just the inner edge of the magnetosphere. The magnetosphere varies in extent and is bound by the extent of Earth’s magnetic field.

It’s not only Earth that has a magnetosphere. Other planets have them and it’s key for habitable life. Like a bubble that surrounds Earth, the magnetosphere protects us from the fury of the sun.

9. Plasmasphere

If you take the inner section of the magnetosphere and track where it consists of low energy electrically charged gas (plasma), this is the plasmasphere. At all times, the sun ejects vast amounts of plasma into the solar system.

When plasma enters Earth’s magnetosphere, Earth’s magnetic field is relatively unaffected. But during large solar storms, plasma can enter into rifts at the poles. It has the potential to disrupt satellites and network communications around the world.

Before we proceed to the next topic in regards to “the first heavens”, I’d like to include a video about a favorite subject of mine, meteorology – weather! It’s something we all experience, and when we don’t know what to talk about, we fall back on this phenomenon!

The following video is 53 mins and 26 secs from Meteorologist Dan Treiber and includes very detailed (and fun, fascinating!) scientific information.

BASIC UNDERSTANDING Of The WEATHER

Now we leave the more mundane aspects of the “first heaven’ and consider the other aspects that involve the spiritual domain.

The PRINCE of the POWER of the AIR

Adam and wife Eve were created to care for this world and to rule over it (GEN 1:28), but when the Head of the Human race fell into sin, essentially he was ‘dethroned’ by Satan, who then became “the god [ruler] of this world” (1 COR 4:4). In the wilderness where the LORD Jesus fasted for 40 days, He never disputed Satan’s claim:

LUKE 4:5-7
5 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, "All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 "Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.

We don’t really know where Satan’s throne is on the Earth today; but once it was in Pergamos (REV 2:13). Today, perhaps it’s in Rome, or Washington D.C. or London?

In any event, we understand that this world system is governed by Satan, and anywhere it isn’t ruling, it’s because there is a holy stronghold in place in select locations because of the saints of GOD who yet have some salt and light to sanctify with! I suspect however that these places are few and far between these days!

Not only is Satan “going to and fro in the Earth and up and down in it” (JOB 1:7; 2:2) but because he is in fact a spirit (a fallen angel) he can be anywhere, at any location he chooses throughout the Earth and into the first (and second, and [for now] even the third) heaven.

He is, after all the “prince of the power of the air” (EPH 2:2) and like Satan, his entire hierarchy of various rank and file (EPH 6:12) can travel – perhaps faster than light (how fast can a spirit travel anyway?)?, the kingdom of darkness can appear to be omnipresent, and Satan would like nothing better than to have us believe that!

But these fallen angels – and demons (I believe these are not synonyms but are distinct classes of evil spirits) form a sort of “Wicked Web of the World”. Just like how the Internet is connecting people world wide and can share information at the speed of light, I think the Kingdom of Darkness can do very much the same at the “speed of spirit”.

I recall a time in Upstate NY when I was on my way to a Prayer Meeting and as I was nearing the end of my street, my attention was drawn upward. I saw nothing up there but clouds and blue sky, but I could sense tumultuous activity, somewhat similar to what you might expect on intersecting highways with cars dashing about in this direction and that.

I don’t typically put a lot of stock in “spiritual experiences” but the valid ones will always bear out in the counsels of Scripture. One of the names for Satan is Beelzebub or “Lord of the Flies”. Just as flies are restlessly flitting about, never idle for very long, and attracted to death, so too is Satan ceaselessly working in orchestrating his “wiles” in order to achieve his goals – ultimately, the restoration of his One World Order that he attempted back at the Tower of Babel.

This frenzied beehive-like activity I sensed was a temporary unveiling of the spiritual domain where the holy and evil angels are contesting, each for the sake of their respective kingdoms (DAN 10:13-20).

We are likewise called upon to contest the agendas and aims of Satan – obviously not in our own power, but in the Name and authority of Jesus Christ (LUKE 10:19) – which by the way is not a blank check! We don’t go ordering the subjects of the Kingdom of Darkness around to suit our fancy, no!

We use the authority of Christ according to the will of GOD; anytime we pray or perform in the Name of Jesus Christ, we should be doing so according to His will, His nature, His heart, in accordance with His character which in biblical type is synonymous with His Name!

Can Satan orchestrate an army by his inspiration to attack another nation? Was he the prime motivator behind Rome? Nazi Germany? What about the Bolshevik Revolution? What about the deeds of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un, or the actions between Russia and Ukraine? Or even more so, the Hamas and their assaults against Israel?

I think so! And he is quite active here in America, stripping our nation of its Judeo-Christian ethic, of our biblical roots, of our freedoms as outlined in the Constitution of the United States!

On his nefarious agenda is the utter destruction of the nation of Israel. Why? Because prophecy intertwines the Second Coming with the nation of Israel. Scripture indicates that the Messiah will return to rule over Israel from the reestablished throne of David (LUKE 1:31-33). If Israel is destroyed, prophecy can’t come true, and Satan would therefore (in his own eyes) feel justified in calling GOD a liar.

Plus he just hates Israel because GOD loves Israel: so, there is that also!

Can Satan whip up storms and manipulate the weather? Can he perform miracles?

We see that he did that very thing with Job; a storm leveled the house of one of his ten children while all of them were there and were killed (JOB 1:18-19). I strongly suspect he was responsible for the storm on the Sea of Galilee when the LORD and His twelve were on their way across – and on the other side was a man (or two) who were possessed of “many” demons and identified itself as “Legion”. Obviously Satan didn’t want to lose one of his slaves (but he did anyway, because the LORD Jesus rules over the storm!

Only GOD can truly work miracles in the sense that they are supernatural. While Satan in his being is a supernatural creature (that is, not a natural being of flesh and blood as are humans and animals) but he can’t operate outside of the natural law; only the Creator of the natural law can do so.

A bit of conjecture here:

However, in between the supernatural power of GOD and the natural abilities of humanity, there is a middle ground where angels (holy and evil) operate, and that would be the preternatural realm. I believe that they can manipulate the various laws of nature in very intricate, very profound ways so as to appear miraculous.

Scripture testifies that angels witnessed the creation of GOD (JOB 38:7). To what degree angels can perceive reality we are not told; but I think that they are able to analyze and process information far more efficiently than we can with all of our technology. Perhaps they’re quite familiar with reality on a quantum level and comprehend the laws of physics and nature to a far higher degree than we can. Having preternatural abilities therefore, and with such knowledge, I think Satan and his followers are quite capable of fabricating convincing pseudo-miracles.

We know false prophets will perform ‘miracles’ – “signs and wonders” to greater degrees of deception as we approach the end of days, and we know who inspires them (MATT 24:24)!

Can Satan contend with the saints to such a degree that he can thwart the saints of GOD? He managed to harass apostle Paul sufficiently to hinder him and his entourage (1 THESS 2:18).

As saints, we appreciate that Satan has considerable power, but he is not even close to being GOD’s equal. He stands about as much chance going toe to Toe with GOD as I do going against Satan (by my own power)! GOD is infinite by every measure of authority and power, Satan – while far more powerful than us humans, is still quite finite by every measure!

And if we learn anything from the book of JOB it’s that Satan can’t mess with any of GOD’s children without His say so! However, if one of His saints is walking in the flesh – well, that’s Satan’s domain. While GOD won’t let Satan destroy any of His children (again, not without His express permission!) He will let him tangle with us and sting us if we are walking in disobedience – for the intent of getting us back in line, walking with Him rather than in the ways of this fallen world!

We will continue this four part series with an examination of the second heaven – the cosmos of celestial wonder – in the next article, and then conclude this series by looking at the third heaven – the domain of GOD where His throne abides!

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