Serving the Lord produces life - Romans 6

Based on Romans 6 (New King James Version)

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In this passage, we are taught several fundamental truths regarding how to live so that one may enter the kingdom of God. Many might argue: Are we not saved solely by God’s grace, with nothing else required to gain access to His eternal kingdom? Are we not forgiven and redeemed through Christ, needing nothing else? We will attempt to answer these questions clearly and demonstrate how sound doctrine must be substantiated—not merely by isolated fragments of the Word, but by substantial passages. For a doctrine to be sound, it must align not just with select parts of the Word, but with its fullness. This leads us to the first fundamental problem with many popular doctrines taught as truth.

The first problem lies in constructing doctrines based on only a few select parts of the Word to establish a teaching, without considering how those specific passages compare to Scripture as a whole. It is like claiming, for instance, that one can know a person’s character simply by their eye color. It is impossible to truly know a person from such a minor detail, as a person is far more than the color of their eyes. Moreover, outward appearance is merely one facet of a being; a person’s true self lies deep within—known only to God and the individual (for neither the devil nor his hosts possess that ability). The same principle applies to sound doctrine: for a teaching to be considered sound, it must be supported by the entirety of the Word. We must remember that the devil also attempts to use fragments of God’s Word to lead people astray; and he persists in this tactic today.

Today’s passage explains that a person who follows the Lord “should” not persist in sin; otherwise, they are not living in accordance with the new life received through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. If a person returns to serving sin, they are going back to the path of death they walked before surrendering to the Lord. This brings up the concept of "should” because even after coming to Christ, a person retains the choice—or the freedom—to return to their past life; after all, a person “can” do anything in this life. This relates to the matter of free will. Even when we come to Christ, we do not lose the faculty of free will. If there were no longer any possibility of becoming lost, going off track, or practicing sin after receiving Christ, then all the counsel given in the Word would be a futile exercise. In other words, what is the point of so much counsel and doctrine in the Word if, once the Holy Spirit enters, it is impossible to get lost or make mistakes? The fact is that God, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, gave His complete counsel to mankind—from Genesis to Revelation—so that, through free will, we might choose whether or not to do what God commands. God did not create us as robots when He made man, nor does He turn us into spiritual puppets when we come to Christ. Everything was and remains subject to free will, ensuring there is always room for His judgment. Therefore, everything we read today serves as counsel for us—who remain free—to live for Christ and, in doing so, receive the reward associated with that way of life.

This is what the Word teaches: Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. Galatians 6:7-8. Even after coming to Christ, if we choose to sow to the flesh—that is, to obey our sinful desires—we will reap corruption, whether as a natural consequence in the present or, even worse, eternal condemnation if it becomes a way of life. But if we decide to dedicate our members to doing God’s will from the heart (not merely for the sake of appearances), then we will reap eternal life. It is written: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.” John 15:5-6. The person who bears much fruit is the one who truly treats the Lord as Lord—who no longer lives for self but lives to please the One to whom we owe everything. That is why the debate over whether salvation can be lost, or whether a person is saved or not, is no longer relevant. The only thing that will matter to God on the Day of Judgment is: To whom or to what did you dedicate your service? That is the most important question. So, do you live for yourself—to fulfill your own carnal desires—or do you live to serve the Lord genuinely, so that you may reap eternal life and reward? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!

Who Wins in the End - Daniel 7:1-14

Based on Daniel 7:1-14 (New King James Version)

“In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head while on his bed. Then he wrote down the dream, telling the main facts. Daniel spoke, saying, ‘I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea. And four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other. The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings. I watched till its wings were plucked off; and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and a man’s heart was given to it. ‘And suddenly another beast, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And they said thus to it: ‘Arise, devour much flesh!’ ‘After this I looked, and there was another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it. ‘After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words. ‘I watched till thrones were put in place, and the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire; a fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, and the books were opened. ‘I watched then because of the sound of the pompous words which the horn was speaking; I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame. As for the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. ‘I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed.”

This Bible passage is one of the most intense and revealing prophecies of all; within it, we see many things relevant to the present, the immediate future, and the eternal future. One of the primary reasons God has given prophecies is to warn us about the future, for He desires that we live in the present while always keeping our eyes fixed on the future. It is like the advice given to a marathon runner: the runner must keep their gaze directed forward—not only to see the path ahead but also because looking forward forces the chest to open and the spine to remain extended, preventing the lungs from being compressed and enabling deeper breaths. In other words, one should never run while looking down at one’s feet. And, of course, faith is to us what air is, and prophecy is what exercises faith the most. Faith is what makes life possible for the righteous, as it is written: “…The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17b.

We read that Daniel saw these various beasts, which symbolize different kingdoms across different eras—kingdoms that would arise after his time. We will not examine every kingdom symbolized here—except for that of the fourth beast, which we will look at later—but we will see the significance of this revelation regarding what has already been ordained. In other words, we understand from the Scriptures that there are certain major events—so to speak—that are indeed predetermined. There is such a thing as predestination, or predetermination, concerning momentous matters like world powers. It is possible, for instance, that the events of World War II and the kingdoms involved were predetermined by God—including the power of the Axis forces (comprised by the German Reich, along with Japan and Italy as the principal powers). It is possible that the rise of these kingdoms and the armed conflict were predetermined, and the only question was: Who would be in command? As the Lord said: “Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!” Matthew 18:7. So, what are we to understand? The very fact that He said “offenses must come” implies that there is neither accident nor coincidence, but rather intention and predetermination. One might argue: How do we know that we are free to choose our own path, even amidst these predetermined events? It is written: “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.” Deuteronomy 30:19. “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.” 1 Corinthians 10:23.

Now, it should come as no mystery to those of us familiar with the prophetic Scriptures that the fourth beast represents a singular kingdom, and the one who leads it is the Antichrist. The fourth beast symbolizes a power, dominion, structure, or vehicle—or is the very Beast itself—that will enable the Antichrist’s will to be carried out across the entire earth. This Beast could take many forms, and it is quite possible that it is taking shape at this very moment. And it will exercise the kind of dominion described in the Word: “He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has ]the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” Revelation 13:16-17. We might imagine that artificial intelligence will play a role in this, but that is still speculation. Let us focus on what we do know—and on what matters most.

The fourth beast—or the Beast and the Antichrist—will indisputably reign over the world. Their reign will be unlike any other, and nothing and no one will escape it, just as it is written: “…and trampling the residue with its feet.” Yet there is a great Ancient of Days, a Judge, and One like a Son of Man to whom was given an eternal dominion—one that will never pass away and never be destroyed. Therefore, despite all the beasts that may appear—even the worst among them—we know with absolute certainty, by faith, that the King of kings and Lord of lords will reign for all eternity; and to Him belong all dominion, glory, and the kingdom forever. Amen. Therefore, let us live in this way: “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28. For our own good, we must fear and love the One who ultimately triumphs, if we wish to reign with Him in eternity. For if we do not live out a genuine faith in Christ—seeking to do the Father's will—we shall receive the same reward as these beasts and their followers: eternal perdition. So, do you live in a way that pleases the One who lives and reigns forever, the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!

Being Controlled by Sinful Appetites - Mark 6:14-29

Based on Mark 6:14-29 (New King James Version)

“Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known. And he said, ‘John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.’ Others said, ‘It is Elijah.’ And others said, ‘It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets.’ But when Herod heard, he said, ‘This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!’ For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her. Because John had said to Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.’ Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. And when Herodias’ daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, ‘Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.’ He also swore to her, ‘Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom.’ So she went out and said to her mother, ‘What shall I ask?’ And she said, ‘The head of John the Baptist!’ Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, ‘I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.’ And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.”

One of the key lessons we can learn from this passage today is that we must not let ourselves be led by our sinful desires. It is necessary to say "we must not," because God’s Word makes it clear that we all possess free will. The Bible teaches this very plainly—showing that we retain this free will even after surrendering our lives to Christ. In other words, absolutely no one is bound to a predetermined course; rather, the fullness of God’s Word teaches us that everything comes down to a choice—especially the decision to follow Him. For instance, it says this: “All things are lawful for me…” 1 Corinthians 10:23a. What does this short phrase mean? It means that every person—even the Christian (since Paul is writing this letter to the church in Corinth)—is free to do whatever pleases them; they have the power to choose to do anything. Therefore, although there is no verse that explicitly uses the phrase "free will," this concept conveys the same meaning.

Now, if the Word tells us that Herod feared John—knowing he was a righteous and holy man—and listened to him gladly, why then did he order his beheading? What was the root of Herod's problem? Herod's serious problem was that he allowed himself to be dominated by his sinful nature. In other words, he made his decisions based on the dictates of his sinful appetites. While it is clear that Herodias was a wicked woman—as was her daughter—ultimately, Herod made all the decisions of his own free will. He was a man driven by the sin that beset him. But was this something that happened only to Herod? Here is the lesson we must learn.

We understand, then, that we have free will—or that "all things are lawful" for us—but we must also always understand that free will brings responsibility with it. Every action has a consequence. That is the order established throughout the universe. Through society, the devil wants us to believe that there is no such thing as sin, no such thing as consequences, no hell, and even that he himself does not exist. One might ask: what does the enemy gain from this? A great deal! If evil does not exist, then neither does good; instead—as many believe today—everything is relative, and there is neither right nor wrong. The enemy’s primary tactic is to get people to focus on doing their own will and to believe that nothing has consequences, because, as they say, "the only one who can make you happy is yourself." Yet no one—and certainly not the believer—should heed the enemy. Here is what the Word says: “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.” 1 Corinthians 10:23. And it also says: “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” 1 Corinthians 6:12. We are all sinners—even after surrendering our lives to the Lord—because sin still dwells within our members. As long as we are in this flesh, we will sin. However, the crucial difference is that we must not allow ourselves to be dominated by our sin. That was Herod’s great problem: he let himself be led by his flesh and made decisions based on it. But what does God command for our own good? “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:16-25. Therefore, although everything is permissible for us, we must learn to choose not to let ourselves be mastered by sin, but rather by God and His Spirit.

And finally, if we Christians have been redeemed, why worry? Because all of us, without exception, must give an account to God—especially if we know the Truth. This is what the Word says: “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:9-10. “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now ‘If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?’” 1 Peter 4:17-18. “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” Galatians 6:7-8. So, for your own good, do not listen when you are told, "You have nothing to worry about." That is the enemy casting doubt on what God teaches, because he desires your ruin. Therefore, do not let yourself be mastered by your sin; otherwise, you will make many poor choices, and the only thing you will reap is corruption—just as Herod did. So, are you walking in the Spirit toward eternal life? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!

Consequences of Disobedience - Jonah 1:17 – 3:5

Based on Jonah 1:17 – 3:5 (New King James Version)

“Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the fish’s belly. And he said: ‘I cried out to the Lord because of my affliction, and He answered me. ‘Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and You heard my voice. For You cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the floods surrounded me; all Your billows and Your waves passed over me. Then I said, ‘I have been cast out of Your sight; yet I will look again toward Your holy temple.’ The waters surrounded me, even to my soul; the deep closed around me; weeds were wrapped around my head. I went down to the moorings of the mountains; the earth with its bars closed behind me forever; yet You have brought up my life from the pit, o Lord, my God. ‘When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord; and my prayer went up to You, into Your holy temple. ‘Those who regard worthless idols forsake their own mercy. But I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.’ So the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land. Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, ‘Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you.’ So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three-day journey in extent. And Jonah began to enter the city on the first day’s walk. Then he cried out and said, ‘Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!’ So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them.”

The story of the prophet Jonah is one of the most instructive accounts in the Bible regarding the importance of obeying God and how disobedience can affect everything. To grasp this fully, one must understand reality and the schemes of the enemy. Here is the truth: our lives and everything we do impacts our present and future, affect those around us, and influence everything we do—or do not—get involved in (a point we will explore later). No one is insignificant; no one lives in a bubble; no one goes unnoticed. Consequently, we are not only important but also bear a great responsibility. The enemy’s scheme is to deny or downplay our impact and the consequences of our actions, to convince us that we lack importance, and thereby strip away any sense of responsibility. The enemy’s goal is to rob us of any sense of accountability and to make us believe that nothing we do carries consequences—in short, to make us think that consequences do not exist.

One of the greatest lies the devil has introduced among God’s people is precisely this: the removal of any sense of responsibility and the notion that consequences do not exist. Furthermore, many so-called doctrines circulating within the Church today harbor these very principles. And, of course, the perfect crime is the one that remains hidden and goes unnoticed. For instance, the enemy exploits the concept of predestination—specifically, the way many interpret this doctrine (for while the Bible does speak of predestination, it is not in the way it is often taught). Christ is the Predestined One, and it is possible that a very select group of people—though not everyone—has also been predestined. But in general, not all of us are predestined. The serious error lies in thinking that we all have a pre-mapped path and that we are merely carrying out something God ordained in ages past. That is the mistake. For if we are all predestined, then what responsibility remains? After all, we would merely be the product of a plan God laid out for everyone. This concept eliminates any sense of guilt or judgment; in short, it renders God’s role as Judge entirely meaningless. Worse still, it blames God for all human decisions, implying that He is the one who decided who is lost and who is saved. Therefore, this view is completely unbiblical. The truth is that it is man, not God, who ultimately decides where he will spend eternity.

Another issue within the people of God is the lack of personal responsibility—attributing everything to God’s grace and mercy while absolving the believer of any accountability. The idea is that God forgives everything, that there is no such thing as a bad decision, that God turns everything to good, and that ultimately, everything depends on God. While much of this is true, it is often taken to an extreme. People are responsible for their actions and decisions, especially once they have come to know the Truth. Yes, God can forgive our sins, but He does not condone rebellion. And even when He forgives sin, consequences often remain. God’s grace and forgiveness are always available, but not to be abused—and certainly not to justify a life of total irresponsibility and disobedience toward Him.

Another very serious problem is that the modern church focuses almost entirely on earthly matters—on the present world. The focus on eternity—on the hope of heaven and the Kingdom of God—has been completely lost. The emphasis is almost exclusively on receiving blessings here and now, resolving present-day problems, and acquiring material goods and tangible things. Furthermore, many measure God’s blessing solely by wealth, comfort, well-being, and the fulfillment of selfish desires. This is corrupting the church. Why? Because the world sees only more of itself in the church at large, rather than seeing Christ. Here is what the Word says: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:15-17. If people love the things of the world more—even if they seek to have God give them—those things will not last forever; instead, they will lose their souls forever. It is written: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21.

What can we learn from Jonah? Were it not for God's mercy, Jonah would have perished on the ship along with everyone else, and God would have destroyed Nineveh—not only because of its wickedness, but because Jonah would have robbed it of the opportunity for repentance. The storm was part of God's mercy. The great fish was part of God's mercy—all things God used to help (but not force) the prophet to reason and return to his task: obeying God. That is why we must think, meditate, and—if something is wrong—repent, hoping that there is still time; for there are times when God's mercy is present, and times when it runs out. Do not wait for it to run out—for your own sake and for the sake of others—because everything we do (or fail to do) affects not only us but others as well. It is written: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” Galatians 6:7-8. So, do you want eternal corruption or everlasting life for yourself? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!

You Shall Love Your Neighbor as Yourself - Jeremiah 34:8-22

Based on Jeremiah 34:8-22 (New King James Version)

“This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, after King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people who were at Jerusalem to proclaim liberty to them: that every man should set free his male and female slave—a Hebrew man or woman—that no one should keep a Jewish brother in bondage. Now when all the princes and all the people, who had entered into the covenant, heard that everyone should set free his male and female slaves, that no one should keep them in bondage anymore, they obeyed and let them go. But afterward they changed their minds and made the male and female slaves return, whom they had set free, and brought them into subjection as male and female slaves. Therefore the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: ‘I made a covenant with your fathers in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage, saying, ‘At the end of seven years let every man set free his Hebrew brother, who has been sold to him; and when he has served you six years, you shall let him go free from you.’ But your fathers did not obey Me nor incline their ear. Then you recently turned and did what was right in My sight—every man proclaiming liberty to his neighbor; and you made a covenant before Me in the house which is called by My name. Then you turned around and profaned My name, and every one of you brought back his male and female slaves, whom you had set at liberty, at their pleasure, and brought them back into subjection, to be your male and female slaves.’ ‘Therefore thus says the Lord: ‘You have not obeyed Me in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother and every one to his neighbor. Behold, I proclaim liberty to you,’ says the Lord—‘to the sword, to pestilence, and to famine! And I will deliver you to trouble among all the kingdoms of the earth. And I will give the men who have transgressed My covenant, who have not performed the words of the covenant which they made before Me, when they cut the calf in two and passed between the parts of it—the princes of Judah, the princes of Jerusalem, the eunuchs, the priests, and all the people of the land who passed between the parts of the calf—I will give them into the hand of their enemies and into the hand of those who seek their life. Their dead bodies shall be for meat for the birds of the heaven and the beasts of the earth. And I will give Zedekiah king of Judah and his princes into the hand of their enemies, into the hand of those who seek their life, and into the hand of the king of Babylon’s army which has gone back from you. Behold, I will command,’ says the Lord, ‘and cause them to return to this city. They will fight against it and take it and burn it with fire; and I will make the cities of Judah a desolation without inhabitant.’ ”

The first point to consider today is that God’s Word will always come to pass; however, we must clearly understand that its fulfillment is conditional. In other words, God’s Word is fulfilled in our lives based on how we respond to Him. We will receive the blessings prescribed in God’s Word if we obey and meet the requirements or conditions for receiving them. Conversely, if we do not obey God’s word, the opposite occurs. For instance, had Zedekiah and the people generally obeyed God and done what was promised, God would have shown mercy and spared them from punishment. But because of their foolishness and rebellion against God, this is what happened: “In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army came against Jerusalem, and besieged it. In the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, on the ninth day of the month, the city was penetrated. Then all the princes of the king of Babylon came in and sat in the Middle Gate: Nergal-Sharezer, Samgar-Nebo, Sarsechim, Rabsaris, Nergal-Sarezer, Rabmag, with the rest of the princes of the king of Babylon. So it was, when Zedekiah the king of Judah and all the men of war saw them, that they fled and went out of the city by night, by way of the king’s garden, by the gate between the two walls. And he went out by way of the plain. But the Chaldean army pursued them and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. And when they had captured him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, to Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he pronounced judgment on him. Then the king of Babylon killed the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes in Riblah; the king of Babylon also killed all the nobles of Judah. Moreover he put out Zedekiah’s eyes, and bound him with bronze fetters to carry him off to Babylon. And the Chaldeans burned the king’s house and the houses of the people with fire, and broke down the walls of Jerusalem. Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive to Babylon the remnant of the people who remained in the city and those who defected to him, with the rest of the people who remained. But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left in the land of Judah the poor people, who had nothing, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.” Jeremiah 39:1-10. And so, God brought judgment, and He also brought justice to the slaves and the poor among the people.

Let us look at other examples that the Word itself mentions as very clear conditions. In John 3:36, it says: “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." This is self-explanatory. Another is: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7. This can be explained as follows: if a person fears the Lord, they are fulfilling the condition for wisdom to begin developing in their life. However, the fool—by despising wisdom and instruction—demonstrates that he does not fear God and, consequently, reaps the results. A person who never learns to fear God will never be wise; instead, everything they do will lead to their own destruction, especially in eternity. Another example is: “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9. The conditions or requirements that must be met—what we ourselves must do to be saved—are twofold in this passage: accepting Jesus as Lord (and not as anything less), and possessing faith—a conviction of the heart, free from doubt—that God the Father raised Him from the dead. Yet, if both conditions are not met, there is no salvation. If you view Jesus merely as a Savior or as something of lesser status, not only do you fail to meet the requirement, but you also fail to make Him your Master and Lord—as is necessary for you to belong to Him and obey Him. And naturally, if you harbor doubts that God raised Him from the dead, how can you expect to be resurrected on the Last Day if you do not believe that God the Father did so for the Lord?

Now, what was the great failure of the king and the people as a whole? They never loved their neighbor. And who was their neighbor? By definition, a neighbor is the person next to you—those surrounding you, without exception—for even the stranger and your enemy are your neighbors. And who is our foremost neighbor? God. They never respected God, nor what He asked of them, and certainly not the people to whom they were supposed to grant freedom. This is what the Lord says: “And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.” Luke 6:31. Do you want to be loved? Love God and your neighbor. Do you want respect? Respect God and your neighbor. Do you want faithfulness from others? Be faithful to God and to your neighbor. So, do you truly love your neighbor as yourself? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!

Faith Through the Revelation of the Truth - John 4:39-54

Based on John 4:39-54 (New King James Version)

“And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, ‘He told me all that I ever did.’ So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. And many more believed because of His own word. Then they said to the woman, ‘Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.’ Now after the two days He departed from there and went to Galilee. For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country. So when He came to Galilee, the Galileans received Him, having seen all the things He did in Jerusalem at the feast; for they also had gone to the feast. So Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. Then Jesus said to him, ‘Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.’ The nobleman said to Him, ‘Sir, come down before my child dies!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go your way; your son lives. So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, ‘Your son lives!’ Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better. And they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” 53 So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, ‘Your son lives.’ And he himself believed, and his whole household. This again is the second sign Jesus did when He had come out of Judea into Galilee.”

The French mathematician and physicist Blaise Pascal said the following about faith: "There is enough light for those who only desire to see, and enough obscurity for those who have a contrary disposition." The rationale behind this can be interpreted in that God leaves just enough ambiguity to test human intent and yet, preserve free will. To further explain this point—and how it relates to the biblical quote—we should first look a bit at Blaise Pascal’s background. Blaise was born on June 19, 1623, in Clermont-Ferrand, France, the son of a tax collector. He was a prodigy in mathematics and science, credited with many achievements and insights that we still utilize in those fields today. For instance, at the age of sixteen, he wrote a significant treatise on projective geometry and conic sections. Later, he would significantly influence modern economics and social sciences through the development of the probability theory. In 1642, he began working on what were then called calculating machines, establishing himself as one of the inventors of the mechanical calculator. These are just a few of Pascal’s many achievements that have shaped human progress. Yet, alongside these accomplishments, he came to faith later in life.

What is the point of all this? The point is that many people attribute their lack of faith—or their struggles with faith—to intellectual factors, believing themselves too intelligent to accept the existence of God and Jesus Christ. They justify their unbelief by citing their supposed intellectual superiority. However, history has seen many intelligent and powerful individuals—even prodigies like Pascal—whose intellect did not hinder their faith. There were Gentile kings who professed faith in God—such as Nebuchadnezzar, Darius, and Cyrus—who ruled vast portions of the world; as they themselves acknowledged, they did so only because God permitted and granted them that authority. History also tells us of Charlemagne the Great, the first emperor to rule the Holy Roman Empire, who established the first Christian government over the world. So, as Pascal said, the whole matter of faith has nothing to do with the intellect, or power, or anything of the sort; rather, it is a simple question of whether or not a person desires to have faith. It is not a matter of aptitude or ability, but of free will—of whether a person chooses to believe or not. And this leads us to the following.

The Lord said: “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.” And this holds true for many people. Most people wait for some kind of physical proof of God before deciding to have faith in Him. Yet we know from the Word—as well as from the reality we see today—that no matter what God does or what happens, if there is no desire to believe, there is no faith. In the Word, we see all the deeds the Lord performed on earth. And we see that, despite all the signs He performed—even raising the dead—the people in general did not believe. They saw His works, they touched them; Lazarus even lived and walked among them after having been dead for four days, yet they did not come to such faith. Instead, what did they do to the Lord? They arrested Him, scourged Him, crowned Him with thorns, and finally, nailed Him to a cross, where He poured out all His blood and died. Some might foolishly say: "That was the fault of the religious Jews." Here is what the Word says: “Pilate said to them, ‘What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?’ They all said to him, ‘Let Him be crucified!’ Then the governor said, ‘Why, what evil has He done?’ But they cried out all the more, saying, ‘Let Him be crucified!’ When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, ‘I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.’ And all the people answered and said, ‘His blood be on us and on our children.’” Matthew 27:22-25. Therefore, signs and wonders are of little avail, because they produce something temporary or rootless. If faith is reached, it is not permanent.

Yet, we see the example of the Samaritan woman and the people who were with her. All the Lord did was reveal a hidden truth—He revealed the woman's sin. There were no great healings, no multiplication of food, no deliverance from demons, nor anything of the sort. There were no signs. The Samaritans believed He was the Christ simply because of what the woman told them and what He preached to them during His two-day stay.

So, to be able to believe, is not all His creation—the work of His Word—sufficient? Is it not enough to consider everything that happens and exists because He allows it—things entirely beyond our control, such as the air we breathe, the beating of our hearts, the rain, the sun, gravity, and so many other things that exist because He permits them? As it is written: “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” Romans 1:20. And most significant for our future: Is the sublime display of love—shown when He died on the cross for all humanity so that, by grace and faith in Him, we might have eternal life—not enough? Is His mercy not enough? It is written: “Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.” Hebrews 10:29-30a. We have far more than enough to come to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as such. The only thing required is the willingness to believe. So, have you decided to have faith in Christ through the revelation of His Truth? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!

Faith and Disbelief - John 9

Based on John 9 (New King James Version)

“Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’ When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. And He said to him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam’ (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing. Therefore the neighbors and those who previously had seen that he was blind said, ‘Is not this he who sat and begged?’ Some said, ‘This is he.’ Others said, ‘He is like him.’ He said, ‘I am he.’ Therefore they said to him, ‘How were your eyes opened?’ He answered and said, ‘A Man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed, and I received sight.’ Then they said to him, ‘Where is He?’ He said, ‘I do not know.’ They brought him who formerly was blind to the Pharisees. Now it was a Sabbath when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. Then the Pharisees also asked him again how he had received his sight. He said to them, ‘He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.’ Therefore some of the Pharisees said, ‘This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.’ Others said, ‘How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?’ And there was a division among them. They said to the blind man again, ‘What do you say about Him because He opened your eyes?’ He said, ‘He is a prophet.’ But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind and received his sight, until they called the parents of him who had received his sight. And they asked them, saying, ‘Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?’ His parents answered them and said, ‘We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but by what means he now sees we do not know, or who opened his eyes we do not know. He is of age; ask him. He will speak for himself.’ His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that He was Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said, ‘He is of age; ask him.’ So they again called the man who was blind, and said to him, ‘Give God the glory! We know that this Man is a sinner.’ He answered and said, ‘Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.’ Then they said to him again, ‘What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?’ He answered them, ‘I told you already, and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His disciples?’ Then they reviled him and said, ‘You are His disciple, but we are Moses’ disciples. We know that God spoke to Moses; as for this fellow, we do not know where He is from.’ The man answered and said to them, ‘Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes! Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing.’ They answered and said to him, ‘You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?” And they cast him out. Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, ‘Do you believe in the Son of God?’ He answered and said, ‘Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?’ And Jesus said to him, ‘You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you.’ Then he said, ‘Lord, I believe!’ And he worshiped Him. And Jesus said, ‘For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.’ Then some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said to Him, ‘Are we blind also?’ Jesus said to them, ‘If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.’”

We read that the Lord said He had come into the world for judgment. But elsewhere, the Word also says: “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:17. What, then, is the difference between judgment and condemnation? Viewed from the perspective of the Word—the only one that truly matters, for it is God’s—we can understand that it is man himself who judges himself (or brings judgment upon himself) and who condemns himself (or brings condemnation upon himself). Yet, what makes both possibilities a reality is the presence and the acts of God; these bring man to a crossroads, so to speak, compelling him to make a decision—and it is based on that decision that he brings such judgment and condemnation upon himself. Therefore, we must ask: Is it God’s will for such judgment and condemnation to come to pass? The answer is both yes and no.

We shall address why God desires neither the judgment nor the condemnation of man. The answer is: love. In His very essence, God is love. God does not desire harm for man; quite the opposite. He created man to serve Him out of love. That is why He gave man everything He did at the beginning. God gave man the earth and all that is in it, granting him dominion over it and the task of cultivating it. Out of love, God entrusted His creation to man. And the greatest proof of that love was His response to man’s sin and betrayal; for instead of reciprocating God’s love, man betrayed Him by listening to—and placing more trust in—a being that had given him nothing and was even inferior to him: a serpent. Yet, rather than completely wiping out mankind, God sent His only begotten Son—not to condemn the world, as we read earlier, but to offer man the opportunity for salvation, should he choose it. But this leads us to the next point.

Now, regarding the reason why God does desire to carry out both judgment and condemnation: it is because He is a just and holy God. Although God is love, He cannot ignore the fact that He is also Just and Holy. His very nature compels Him to act in accordance with these attributes. He must allow for judgment and condemnation in order to establish—or re-establish—what He ordained at the dawn of creation: that everything He had made was very good. Sooner or later, He must eradicate corruption to make eternity possible.

What, then, makes both justification and eternal life—as well as judgment and condemnation—possible? Faith and unbelief. Faith in the Lord enables a person to be justified before God, thereby granting access to eternal life. Conversely, a person judges and condemns themselves by refusing to believe as they ought; for in the coming judgment, God will simply carry out what the individual chose for themselves—of their own free will—by refusing to believe or accept the reality that the Lord Jesus Christ is God and Lord, and that He is the only way to the Father—and thus the only path to life and eternal reward. Ultimately, those who have faith will see God, whereas those who refuse to believe and accept Him will not see life; instead, they will experience only the wrath of God for all eternity—a consequence of their own choice. So, have you decided to live by true faith in the Lord, or do you continue to choose unbelief? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!

Our Enemy is Also Our Neighbor - Luke 6:27-37

Based on Luke 6:27-37 (New King James Version)

“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”

This is the hardest thing for many to accept—even for those of us who have walked with the Lord for a long time: loving our enemies. What makes it so difficult is our sinful nature, which remains powerfully active within us despite having surrendered our lives to the Lord. This sin, still exerting such strong influence within us, will always drive us to act against God’s will. Sin will always lead us to rebel against divine principles. To overcome this through the Lord, we must understand certain things.

To begin with, one of the primary weapons the devil uses—in league with the sin that still dwells in us—is self-pity. This is the main weakness exploited to prevent us from loving our enemies. Many people justify themselves by saying, "You don't know what they did to me!" or "There are many things one can forgive, but this is unforgivable!" We see this weapon of self-pity—even in its most subtle form—in the Word; it is something that would have destroyed God’s entire plan had the Lord, in His human nature, heeded the enemy speaking through Peter. Here is what we read: “From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, ‘Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!’ But He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.’” Matthew 16:21-23. Blessed be the Lord, who did not allow Himself to be swayed by self-pity and saw everything through to the end! Can you imagine if the Lord had given in? Many would likely argue: "He was the Lord, so it had to be that way." And yes, it is true—the Lord was and is God—but neither God the Father nor the Lord Jesus Christ were under any obligation to mankind to do such things. They are God, and as such, nothing binds the Creator to His creation other than His own will and desire. Ultimately, however, self-pity is one of the enemy's deadliest weapons because it is subtle, seemingly reasonable, and—of course—appeals to our fleshly nature.

The second tactic the devil uses to persuade us not to love our enemies is a sense of justice—the idea that it would not be right to forgive the wrongs done to us. Many today still cling to the mindset of "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." Yet, this is not what the Lord taught. Here is what He said and established: “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.” Matthew 5:38-42. There is one thing we must always bear in mind: we will never be more just than God, and no one can be better than God. And if He establishes this as a command, what then can we say?

A third thing the devil uses to persuade us not to love our enemies is pride. There is always the fear of looking foolish, or—if we forgive—of being walked all over at every opportunity. Pride is often what fuels hatred, anger, and resentment, because, quite simply, no one likes being pushed around, trampled upon, or made to feel stupid. This is a very natural reaction, as pride often functions as a form of self-defense—almost a survival tool. Yet, there is nothing in God’s Word that justifies pride, regardless of the good intentions or utility attributed to it. Here is what the Word says: “To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. A haughty look, a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked are sin.” Proverbs 21:3-4.

Finally, there are many other things the devil uses to prevent us from feeling or showing any kind of love toward our enemies. But if we desire to do God's will and even receive honor from the Lord—as it is written: “…for those who honor Me I will honor…”, then we should obey Him. The Lord said this so we can consider the practical side of loving our enemies: “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:44-45. The truth is that all of us, before accepting the Lord, were by nature enemies of God—lost in our sins and facing a single destiny: hell. But blessed be our God and Father—who, in His grace, did not focus on justice when He saw our condition; for instead of treating us as we deserved, He showed mercy and grace, and provided a way for us to receive unmerited forgiveness through the cross. As it is written: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. And if God did not treat us as the enemies of His that we truly were, shouldn't we consider the same kindness He showed us? Therefore, before you even think ill of your enemy, seek revenge, or let resentment take root within you, consider what God has done for you. It is very difficult to come to love our enemies, and it can only be done through a genuine conversion before God and by continuing to submit to His instruction. So, do you treat your enemy as the neighbor they also are in God's eyes? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!

Doing Our Part - Acts 14:1-7

Based on Acts 14:1-7 (New King James Version)

“Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren. Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. But the multitude of the city was divided: part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles. And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them, they became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region. And they were preaching the gospel there.”

There is much controversy surrounding the question of whether we are saved by works or by grace alone. Yet, when we look at the fullness of the Word, we can clearly understand that for a person to be saved, three things must take place: complete repentance and conversion from all their sins; accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and acting upon that faith; and doing the will of God the Father (performing good works). If these three things are not fulfilled in a person, salvation is not possible, and we will explain why this is the case.

Regarding repentance and conversion, John the Baptist’s entire ministry was dedicated to preparing the way for the Lord and centered on the baptism of repentance. It was instituted as a baptism—not because water itself is an essential requirement, but to clearly illustrate what must happen within a person's heart. Baptism was performed by immersion, meaning no part of the person remained dry; it was a total and complete act, and—importantly—a very public one, witnessed by all the people. Baptism symbolizes the burial of the old self and the rising of a new one. This prepared the way—and still prepares the way today—for the next step: faith in Christ.

When a person repents and undergoes conversion, they are prepared to accept a new Lord; for the truth is that, due to our sin, we are not born as children of God, because: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” John 1:12. So, the stark reality is that if we did not belong to the Lord, then we belonged to another kingdom—the kingdom of the enemy. But when we repent and turn to Him, we are effectively rebelling against that other kingdom, and we need to turn to the kingdom of the Most High God; this can only happen by accepting and literally making the Lord Jesus Christ our Lord, because: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” John 14:6. And, “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9. So, this is what must be done by faith—without doubt or reservation—and lived out accordingly; and this leads us to the third point: the requirement to do the Father's will.

Are we saved by works? In itself, we cannot be saved by our works alone. That is to say, a person cannot be saved simply because they are good or because they do good deeds—and nothing else. As we have seen, both repentance and conversion from all sins, along with faith in Jesus as Lord, are necessary to attain salvation. But here is the clarification, as we can read in the Scriptures: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10. The entire reason we are saved by faith through the Lord Jesus Christ is for good works. The whole reason we were rescued from our futile way of life is to return to the original purpose for which we were created: to serve God. We were not created—much less saved—to amuse ourselves, to live life however we please, or to do our own will; but rather, we were created—and are now saved through faith in Christ—to do the will of the Father. This is what the Word says: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Matthew 7:21. Therefore, the person who nullifies His lordship in their life by seeking only to do and fulfill their own will—no matter how much they say "Lord, Lord"—will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Salvation is granted only to the person who honors the commitment made upon accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord. And this leads us to the following point: the direct connection to today’s passage.

What we read today teaches us about people who were concerned with doing the Father's will, regardless of the circumstances. Doing God's will can involve helping our neighbor in a practical way, as it is written: “Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’” Matthew 25:34-36. But the greatest service we can offer our neighbor is to share the Gospel with them, to give them, at the very least, the opportunity to be saved. We are meant to be salt and light in the world, as the Lord commands. Because, “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!’” Romans 10:14-15. Our only opportunity to share the Gospel is now, during our temporary stay in this place, because in heaven, we will not need to evangelize anyone.

But ultimately, can a person share the Gospel if they have not yet grasped or understood the value of salvation? This is the issue when a professed believer feels no urge to share the Gospel; for if they do not feel that urge, it is because the reality of it has not yet taken hold in their life. And if they feel ashamed, it is even less likely. It is written: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” Romans 1:16. All who preached the Gospel did so because they understood it and saw its value; they did not care about suffering anything—neither persecution nor death—sustained by the faith that God saw what they were doing. They understood this: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. So, do you understand the part you need to play to honor the God who loved you enough to die for you? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!

Living a Lifestyle that Glorifies God - Acts 25:1-12

Based on Acts 25:1-12 (New King James Version)

“Now when Festus had come to the province, after three days he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem. Then the high priest and the chief men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they petitioned him, asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem—while they lay in ambush along the road to kill him. But Festus answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself was going there shortly. ‘Therefore,’ he said, ‘let those who have authority among you go down with me and accuse this man, to see if there is any fault in him.’ And when he had remained among them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day, sitting on the judgment seat, he commanded Paul to be brought. When he had come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood about and laid many serious complaints against Paul, which they could not prove, while he answered for himself, ‘Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I offended in anything at all.’ But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, ‘Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these things?’ So Paul said, ‘I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know. For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.’ Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, ‘You have appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go!’”

The Lord told us that in the world we would have tribulation, and indeed, there are many reasons why we might face problems—especially if we strive to do God's will. We might ask, "Why do we have problems in this world?" The primary reason is sin—whether it is sin we commit directly, the sin of those around us, or simply the sin present in the environment—because sin corrupts everything. Yet, it is usually a combination of all three: the environment, the sins of others, and our own sin. Whenever we speak of problems—or challenges, as some call them—we must remember that the underlying factor is always sin. Why? So that we may begin to loathe sin. If we fail to grasp that sin is the root of all our troubles, we will continue to tolerate it—which is the worst thing we could possibly do.

Now, when we come to Christ, are we made perfect immediately? In practical terms, of course not. While the Lord does forgive us and grant us a fresh start, sin remains within our members; therefore, it is impossible for us to be perfect right now. Nevertheless, when we come to Christ, the Lord begins a process of transformation within us—a result of our repentance and conversion (provided they were genuine, for many people never experience a life change simply because genuine repentance never took place). The Lord taught: “Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.’” John 3:5-6. What does the water signify? The Lord is speaking of the baptism of John the Baptist—that is, the baptism of repentance. If a person does not repent and turn away from all their sins, they cannot be born again. As it also says: “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before.” Acts 3:19-20. It is the Holy Spirit who produces conviction of sin—something that goes beyond mere conscience—so that there may be an opportunity for conversion. However, if a person does not repent and convert as required—which is a matter of choice—then there is no new birth. A serious doctrinal error held by many Christians today is the belief that one need only believe in Christ—and nothing else—to be born again or saved; yet this does not align with the Lord’s teaching. As we have just read, unless the conditions of repentance and conversion are met, sins are never blotted out. How, then, can there be salvation?

This leads us to the next point—which ought to be logical, especially for someone who understands the future that lies ahead: the matter of striving to live a lifestyle that glorifies God. In today’s passage, we saw a Paul who was fully confident—not only in the Lord but also in his own conduct—and who had nothing to fear because his conscience was clear. As he himself declared: “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I offended in anything at all.” And why could he say this? Because he strove to live in a way that glorified God, and this in itself made him free from any just judgment, for when we seek to do God’s will, we do no harm to anyone. This is the practical aspect we must apply to our Christian lives. And I say we “should” apply it because it is something we ought to strive to do. We must never forget free will. Even when we are in Christ, we always have the freedom to do whatever we choose. The Lord will always seek to guide, teach, speak to, correct, and even persuade us through circumstances, but ultimately, He will never force anyone to do something they do not want to do. Why? Because everything is rooted in love—especially faith in Christ. In love, there is no obligation, and certainly no manipulation. When we come to Christ, we do not become puppets or, so to speak, spiritual robots. That is why the Lord Himself established the first commandment just as He did: “And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment.” Mark 12:30. If everything were automatic upon conversion to the Lord, He would not waste time on extensive instruction in the Word, nor on the spiritual process that must take place within the believer, nor anything of the sort. That is why He commands us to love Him with all our soul and with all our mind; human beings must arrive at their own conviction regarding spiritual matters through the work of the Holy Spirit and biblical teaching. Everything we do should matter to us; we must be conscious of our actions. Furthermore, if we strive to live a life that glorifies God, a practical benefit is that we will often face fewer problems. At the very least, we will avoid those issues that are within our control. Ultimately, this is the counsel of the Word: “And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. ‘And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.’ But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” 1 Peter 3:13-17. The One we must please above all is God, because all of this will come to an end one day; the only One who remains for all eternity is the Lord, and He is the One who determines where we will spend eternity. So, are you living a lifestyle that glorifies God? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!

God’s Will - Luke 13:10-17

Based on Luke 13:10-17 (New King James Version)

“Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, ‘Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.’ And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, ‘There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.’ The Lord then answered him and said, ‘Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?’ And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him.”

There is much to see in this passage—and profound truths at that—so we will try to cover what we can. For instance, we see the Lord, the woman who had been ill for eighteen years, the religious leaders, and the people. We might first consider the case of this poor woman who had suffered from illness for eighteen years—an affliction caused by Satan having bound her for that entire time. One might ask: do all illnesses stem from a spiritual issue or some sin, or is there another cause? We must understand that all sickness is a consequence of human sin, dating back to Creation. When Adam and Eve sinned, that single act corrupted everything in this world. That is why the Lord Himself gave them a clear warning not to eat from the forbidden tree, lest they die. God was very explicit—which helps us understand that His entire counsel is for our own good, whereas any other line of thought is merely a deception from Satan. When Adam and Eve sinned, everything in this world was ruined, and that evil was somehow passed down to all their descendants. That is why they eventually died, and why we too will die—because we inherited sin. And sickness is part of the process of dying; we will all die of something one day.

Now, did this woman sin directly—that is, of her own free will—and fall ill because of it? Or did she somehow directly engage with the enemy, causing her illness? Was she possessed, and was that the reason for her sickness? The first thing to note here is that the Lord stated she was bound by the enemy; He did not speak of possession, which is a different matter. In other words, the enemy can exert significant influence over a person's body, even binding us with physical or mental afflictions. So, can the enemy do this to someone who has surrendered their life to the Lord? The answer is yes—unfortunately—but only if God permits it. When a person is empty—without God in their life—they are completely exposed to everything, lacking any form of protection. However, God may allow certain afflictions from the enemy when there is a purpose involved—whether for discipline, punishment, testing, or because there is a deeper lesson the person needs to learn. We see the example of Job: God gave the enemy permission to afflict his body. The reason was to test Job, to teach him, and to enable him to advance to a higher spiritual level. In Paul’s life, God allowed him to suffer a "thorn in the flesh"—understood to be a physical affliction—to keep him from becoming conceited due to the revelations he had received from God. Thus, this illness served as a check on his tendency toward pride. As he himself put it: “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.” 2 Corinthians 12:7. Remember that one of the main problems Paul faced was the pride he harbored as a religious man before he met the Lord. Thus, it is possible that God allowed this woman’s affliction because of a personal matter He was dealing with regarding her, or simply to demonstrate His miraculous power in her life—leaving no room for doubt about the miracle, given that the condition had persisted not merely for days or months, but for many years.

Another point worth considering is the cause of illnesses. As has been explained, all sickness stems from sin—whether it arises from environmental sin (so to speak), for which the individual is not directly to blame; or because the Lord grants permission to the enemy; or because of our own direct fault. It is most logical to examine instances where we bring problems upon ourselves—not through any spiritual intervention, but simply as a result of our own sin. Often, God need not actively permit an event or exert effort to punish or discipline (though the Lord does speak of both regarding His people), nor does the enemy necessarily intervene directly; rather, He simply allows us to suffer the natural consequences of our wrongdoing. A thief will, sooner or later, fall into the hands of human justice. A person who suffers from gluttony—consuming excessive amounts of things they should not—will likewise bring consequences upon themselves. Someone who falls prey to vices such as alcohol or drug abuse (whether legal or illegal substances) will also face the natural consequences that accompany such habits. Furthermore, there is something many do not consider harmful: anxiety, worry, or what is more commonly known today as stress. The Lord said this: “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” Matthew 7:31-32. And it is also written: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7. The problem is that anxiety, worry, or stress is often caused by fear, and fear is the product of a lack of faith, and the Word says: “But without faith it is impossible to please Him…” Hebrews 11:6a. Do what you have to do, because laziness and irresponsibility are also sins before God, but always trust in the Lord and never let yourself be mastered by anything, for it is also written: “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” 1 Corinthians 6:12. In short, when you allow yourself to be dominated by something—to the point where it begins to cause you physical or mental harm—you are letting yourself be ruled by something other than God, and that brings consequences. When we belong to Christ, we become a temple of the Lord; as such, He must rule our lives for our own good, and nothing else.

What, then, can we see here? It is written: “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31. Loving God and our neighbor surpasses all other commandments in God’s scale of values. This woman, who had suffered for eighteen years, was more important than refraining from activity for a few moments on the Sabbath. And if God weighs it this way, what can we say? So, do you seek to do the true will of God? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!

Living a Life that Glorifies God - 1 Thessalonians 1

Based on 1 Thessalonians 1 (New King James Version)

“Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”

Today we read about the Thessalonians—people who stood out in the way they lived for the glory of God. We see this very clearly in the introduction the Apostle Paul himself gives to his letter, where he places specific emphasis on their actions. He spoke of the works they performed in accordance with their true faith, the labor they undertook out of love, and their steadfastness—meaning they were not driven by emotion or how they felt in the moment, but rather demonstrated a consistent, faithful way of life. When we look at their testimony and compare it to the teachings of God’s Word, it is evident that they were truly genuine followers of Christ. This should prompt us to carefully examine all that this entails, so that we, too, may follow their example. Of course, the Lord Jesus Christ is our ultimate example; yet the Lord Himself teaches us that we should follow those whom God honors, just as He said: “Therefore the LORD God of Israel says: 'I said indeed that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever.' But now the LORD says: 'Far be it from Me; for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.” 1 Samuel 2:30. So, it is to our benefit to understand all of this even better so that we can apply it to our lives.

The first thing Paul mentions is their faith. We understand from the Scriptures that faith is not something merely felt or spoken, but something that goes beyond that. And he puts it this way: “…your work of faith…” implying that true faith is seen through works. And this aligns very well with many other passages of the Word, as James, for example, states: “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?” James 2:14. And he continues saying this a little further ahead: “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James 2:17-26. Therefore, it must be very clear to us that good works are essential in the Christian life; and if they are absent or not visible, then that life does not glorify God.

Some might argue: "Are you implying, then, that salvation is obtained through works? Are we not saved solely by grace, through faith, and nothing else?" The explanation lies in what we have just read: if faith lacks good works—if there is nothing tangible, both to God and to others, that legitimately demonstrates our faith in Christ (that is, doing what the Lord commanded and modeled)—then that faith is in vain. As James, inspired by the Holy Spirit, states, such faith is dead. And if such faith is dead—if there is no life in it—can there be eternal life? No. It is impossible for there to be life in something that is dead. Now, one might argue that good works are either the product of the Holy Spirit’s inspiration or the result of a person striving to obey God because they value their faith in Christ. Regardless of the motivation, the crucial point is that good works must be present, without exception; and this is because the fruit of the Spirit becomes visible precisely through those works—namely: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23.

And the other thing Paul mentions is their steadfastness. The true Christian—despite the imperfection that still remains in his life (because sin is still present in our members)—is steadfast; he continues following the path whatever comes their way, regardless of the circumstances. Patience is, in fact, part of the fruit of the Spirit, as we just read. Now, an argument might arise as to whether a true believer remains steadfast because the Spirit compels him to do so, or because he takes his faith in Christ seriously and therefore maintains that steadfastness. Yet, just as with works, it matters not which of the two reasons or viewpoints applies; the main point is that we must persevere—we must be steadfast—because if we are not, if we do not abide in Him, we will not reach the end. The Lord said: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.” John 15:5-6.

Thus, we can conclude that what glorifies God is good works and perseverance—both of which are made possible only when we have true faith—because: “…without faith it is impossible to please Him…” Therefore, we conclude as follows: “Then one said to Him, ‘Lord, are there few who are saved?’ And He said to them, ‘Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.’” Luke 13:23-24. So, will you use your free will and freedom in Christ to choose to live a life that glorifies God, to obtain eternal life through the Lord Jesus Christ? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!

Take Advantage of the Opportunities the Lord Gives You - 2 Kings 13:1-9

Based on 2 Kings 13:1-9 (New King James Version)

“In the twenty-third year of Joash the son of Ahaziah, king of Judah, Jehoahaz the son of Jehu became king over Israel in Samaria, and reigned seventeen years. And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who had made Israel sin. He did not depart from them. Then the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel, and He delivered them into the hand of Hazael king of Syria, and into the hand of Ben-Hadad the son of Hazael, all their days. So Jehoahaz pleaded with the Lord, and the Lord listened to him; for He saw the oppression of Israel, because the king of Syria oppressed them. Then the Lord gave Israel a deliverer, so that they escaped from under the hand of the Syrians; and the children of Israel dwelt in their tents as before. Nevertheless they did not depart from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, who had made Israel sin, but walked in them; and the wooden image also remained in Samaria. For He left of the army of Jehoahaz only fifty horsemen, ten chariots, and ten thousand foot soldiers; for the king of Syria had destroyed them and made them like the dust at threshing. Now the rest of the acts of Jehoahaz, all that he did, and his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? So Jehoahaz rested with his fathers, and they buried him in Samaria. Then Joash his son reigned in his place.”

Today we read about the wretched spiritual and physical state of the people of Israel during the reign of Jehoahaz. It was one of the lowest points for the Northern Kingdom of Israel—a time when both its leaders and the people practiced idolatry and all that such practices entailed, alongside other sins that were abominable to the Lord. It was a terrible time, and they were living out the consequences of their misdeeds—the fruit of their rebellion against God. Things reached such a point that God even allowed their enemies to seize much of their land, leaving them impoverished and weak.

One of the things God allows to happen as punishment is for His people to be tormented by their enemies. He withdraws His divine protection and permits a people's enemies—or the enemies of individuals (since God also allows evil to affect people personally)—to inflict harm in various ways. In this instance, God allowed the Syrians to take over much of their territory and cities, as well as their possessions; naturally, this resulted in great loss of life and economic ruin, leaving no peace—only anxiety, worry, pain, anguish, and sorrow. Ultimately, very little goes right when a person turns away from God. And if things that appear good happen apart from God, that is actually all the more reason for concern; because God is allowing the worst to happen—blindness to one reality—to spiritual destruction.

We might ask: If God is so good, why does He treat people this way? Why does He allow painful things to happen for the sake of correction? The fact is that God is love, and as such, He allows events to occur that will awaken a person from their foolishness. Unfortunately, the vast majority of people do not learn the easy way, so to speak. Because of sin, human beings often fail to respond to reason or kindness; instead, they become prideful in their own folly. When things are going well (so to speak), a person believes they deserve it, or that events unfold due to their own merits—or for a host of other reasons—yet very rarely do they perceive the call to repentance found in God’s love and in all He does for them. Israel was no exception back then, just as many are today. The vast majority of people do not see God in daily things; they simply take things for granted. But the Word says this: “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.’” James 4:13-14.

The point is that if something good happens—no matter how small it may seem—it comes only because God allowed it, for He is the One who gives all things, and He does so without any obligation whatsoever. This is what the Word says: “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23. Absolutely everything depends on Him, as we will continue reading: “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” Colossians 1:16-17. This is reality. If your heart beats, it is because He allows it. If your lungs are breathing right now, it is because God provides the air. If your blood flows through your body, it is because God Himself permits it. Consider how the Earth maintains its course—along with the entire Solar System and the galaxy we inhabit—and how we are not destroyed by cosmic elements, and that this is only because of His grace. Are you grasping the magnitude of our dependence on Him—believer and unbeliever alike?

But the Word says this: “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful…” Romans 1:20-21a. Everything that exists speaks of Him and teaches us of our dependence on Him; yet man—especially the one who knows about God—seeks to rely on himself or on other things, or fails to treat God as he ought. This was Israel’s problem back then, and it is the problem for the vast majority today. The Word warns us of this: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” Galatians 6:7-8. Ultimately, God is a God of love—of extreme love, and we would see that if we choose to believe and understand what He does—yet His love does not diminish His holiness or His worthiness. He is, after all, God, and His tolerance for sin is limited.

So, if you are going through difficult circumstances, the silver lining is that He allows them because He remains interested in you. Conversely, if a person never faces any kind of pressure or pain, it is a matter of grave concern; it implies that God is losing interest in that person and is allowing them to continue on their path toward perdition. Whatever the situation—the Word offers us this counsel: “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” Isaiah 55:6-7. But alongside this advice, do not seek God merely to resolve a specific issue; instead, seek Him continually, for the most important thing—where you will spend eternity. If you seek only to resolve the present situation, that is all you will gain. You might win a small battle, but you will lose the war for your soul. So, will you seize the opportunities God gives you to save your soul? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!

The Lord Deals with Many Things at Once - Zechariah 14:1-19

Based on Zechariah 14:1-19 (New King James Version)

“Behold, the day of the Lord is coming, and your spoil will be divided in your midst. For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; the city shall be taken, the houses rifled, and the women ravished. Half of the city shall go into captivity, but the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations, as He fights in the day of battle. And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, from east to west, making a very large valley; half of the mountain shall move toward the north and half of it toward the south. Then you shall flee through My mountain valley, for the mountain valley shall reach to Azal. Yes, you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Thus the Lord my God will come, and all the saints with You. It shall come to pass in that day that there will be no light; the lights will diminish. It shall be one day which is known to the Lord—neither day nor night. But at evening time it shall happen  that it will be light. And in that day it shall be that living waters shall flow from Jerusalem, half of them toward the eastern sea and half of them toward the western sea; in both summer and winter it shall occur. And the Lord shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be—“The Lord is one,” and His name one. All the land shall be turned into a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem. Jerusalem shall be raised up and inhabited in her place from Benjamin’s Gate to the place of the First Gate and the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the king’s winepresses. The people shall dwell in it; and no longer shall there be utter destruction, but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited. And this shall be the plague with which the Lord will strike all the people who fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh shall dissolve while they stand on their feet, their eyes shall dissolve in their sockets, and their tongues shall dissolve in their mouths. It shall come to pass in that day that a great panic from the Lord will be among them. Everyone will seize the hand of his neighbor, and raise his hand against his neighbor’s hand; Judah also will fight at Jerusalem. And the wealth of all the surrounding nations shall be gathered together: Gold, silver, and apparel in great abundance. Such also shall be the plague on the horse and the mule, on the camel and the donkey, and on all the cattle that will be in those camps. So shall this plague be. And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, on them there will be no rain. If the family of Egypt will not come up and enter in, they shall have no rain; they shall receive the plague with which the Lord strikes the nations who do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. This shall be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.”

Today, we read about a prophecy that has not yet been fulfilled—and one whose fulfillment may still be some time off. The most important aspect of the matter is not necessarily trying to understand “when” these things will occur—important though that may be—but rather “why” they will happen and how this applies to us today; for the Word is always for the present, even when it speaks of the future. God always speaks to us in the here and now, using both the written accounts of the past and the revelations of what is to come. That is why it is not merely important, but urgent, to study the Word in its fullness—to see how it applies to us and what we must do about it today.

The first concept we must grasp—and the most important one—is the matter of the fulfillment of His Word. It is written: “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaias 55:10-11. Many interpret this passage to mean that if a person is exposed to the Word of God, they will sooner or later be touched by the Lord. However, that is not necessarily the case, as we can see in the world today. One prophecy that has indeed been fulfilled is the one stating that the Gospel would be preached throughout the world. Thanks to the work of the Holy Spirit and the efforts of many faithful believers, the Gospel has reached the ends of the earth, and practically everyone knows about the Lord and His deeds. Even Islam—the religion with the second largest number of followers worldwide—teaches as part of its doctrine that Christ did exist and that He died for the sins of mankind. Their issue is that they do not believe the Lord Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God, regarding Him instead as merely a prophet; nevertheless, they are well aware of the Lord's deeds and, consequently, know of the Gospel. This proves the point: if it were true that everyone exposed to the Word of God would be saved, then the entire world would have converted by now. Sadly, that is not the case. We must never forget the existence of free will, as taught in His Word. Yet the Word is fulfilled in every detail depending on how it is received. And this leads us to the next point.

God will never force anyone to love Him. He will provide circumstances to persuade a person and expose them to His Word to offer them an opportunity; He will even allow the Holy Spirit to bring conviction of sin—something that goes beyond what a person's conscience alone might feel—but He will never force a human being to love Him. It is all a matter of free will. This is what the Word says, and it explains very clearly how this comes to pass: “But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it. ‘See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess. I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing...” Deuteronomy 30:14-19a. Quite simply, the entire Word is fulfilled, yet this hinges on the decision of an individual.

Thus, God permits everything that happens today—and all that will occur in the future—in order to deal with mankind; this applies both to the sin that still remains within His people (for the purpose of cleansing them) and to those who refuse to accept the Lord. We owe everything to the Lord—our existence and all that it entails, as well as our salvation—we who have chosen to follow Him as Lord. God deals with many matters simultaneously so that what has been ordained—His Word—may ultimately be fulfilled. So, will you follow the Lord unto eternal life, or will you fail to treat Him as He deserves, thereby incurring just and eternal punishment? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!

Being Judged for the Truth - John 8:48-59

Based on John 8:48-59 (New King James Version)

“Then the Jews answered and said to Him, ‘Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?’ Jesus answered, ‘I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. And I do not seek My own glory; there is One who seeks and judges. Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.’ Then the Jews said to Him, ‘Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death.’ Are You greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? And the prophets are dead. Who do You make Yourself out to be?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I honor Myself, My honor is nothing. It is My Father who honors Me, of whom you say that He is your God. Yet you have not known Him, but I know Him. And if I say, ‘I do not know Him,’ I shall be a liar like you; but I do know Him and keep His word. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.’ Then the Jews said to Him, ‘You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.’ Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.”

Some of the many things about the Lord that fill me with wonder are His extreme patience, His goodness, and His love. Yet, to understand these things more precisely and begin to grasp their worth (I say "begin" because, even with the revelation of the Holy Spirit, it is impossible to fully comprehend them from a human perspective), it is absolutely essential to look at who the person of the Lord Jesus Christ was, is, and always will be. God uses the Apostle John—the one who shared the greatest intimacy with the Lord while He was on earth—to provide us with the most precise insights into His person. John tells us this: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” John 1:1-3. And the Lord, through John, conclusively clarifies for us the composition of the Trinity—or the Elohim—as it is written: “For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.” 1 John 5:7. The Elohim, or the Trinity, is clearly seen in the beginning, when God created man, just as Moses himself wrote: “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’” Genesis 1:26. That is why, although in our language the word "God" is used in the singular, “God”—or “Elohim”, as written in Hebrew—signifies a plural God; that is, multiple persons who are God, yet possess a unique oneness: the Father, the Word (the Lord Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. Therefore, this Jesus who spoke with those religious men is God—the Eternal God, the I AM.

To clarify this matter further, the Apostle John—who, due to his physical closeness to the Lord, was a primary witness to His arrest—provides us with significant detail. Here is what the Word tells us: “Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, ‘Whom are you seeking?’ They answered Him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ Jesus said to them, ‘I am He.’ And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. Now when He said to them, ‘I am He,’ they drew back and fell to the ground.” John 18:3-6. In this moment, the Lord demonstrates—in a very restrained and understated manner—His nature as the "I AM." We must understand that this demonstration was severely limited; had He revealed even a fraction more, they all would have perished, for standing in the presence of God brings instant physical death. Yet, with the mere utterance "I AM," those who sought to arrest Him fell to the ground. He required neither the protection of angels nor, much less, that of His disciples. Had He revealed even a tiny bit more of His true identity, they all would have died instantly.

Now, viewing His actions with a clearer understanding of who He is, we can begin to better grasp His patience, His goodness, and His love. His patience is undoubtedly profound—vast enough, were it measurable, to span the universe itself. Imagine for a moment this Being—so powerful, so great, so limitless and eternal—tolerating these people, their extreme hardness of heart, and their blasphemies. They judged Him for speaking His Truth—a Truth that is neither subjective nor limited, but the single most important Truth in the entire universe—simply by speaking of His identity and His person. How would we react if faced with a group of people who denied our very existence and identity? People who, no matter how clearly, we demonstrated who we were, not only denied it but accused us of lying—claiming we were someone or something completely opposite to who we truly are? I strive to be a patient person, grounded in my faith in the Lord, but if I am honest, I believe I would—at the very least—lose all patience and perhaps even wish unpleasant things upon them. And now, consider that the One they were attacking, accusing of being the exact opposite of Himself, and whose very nature they denied, is the God of the universe. In other times, a person who merely disrespected a significant authority figure—simply by failing to observe the proper protocol, would have been immediately executed or imprisoned. In many cases, it meant certain and painful death. Yet the Lord—despite being Almighty God—did not react that way. Although He could have instantly consumed them completely and sent them to eternal hell with a mere thought, He did not do so. His patience is truly incredible.

We must also consider His goodness and love—qualities that can be discussed together because they work in tandem. The Lord displayed immense goodness; for despite their unbelief and hardness of heart—and indeed their foolishness—He was offering them an opportunity for repentance. Moreover, He continued to sustain their very lives through His own Person, just as it is written: “That you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:45. God gives to and sustains every human being through His own person—providing everything from the daily necessities for life to the opportunity to repent and turn to Him to avoid eternal punishment—yet only until their time is up (for there is indeed a limit). Ultimately, He has done, is doing, and continues to do all of this out of love, choosing to act this way despite rebellion and blasphemy (for God is under no obligation to us). Yet the greatest injustice is that the suffering He endured came upon Him simply for speaking the Truth. Even though we often dislike the Truth, it is absolutely necessary, because: “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32. No matter how much it hurts, confronts us, or even goes against what we like, the truth is the only thing that grants us eternal freedom. That is why the greatest injustice one can commit against the Lord is failing to accept His Truth and make it part of one’s life, for it is His greatest gift and what we need most. Therefore, we must accept His truth in time; while His love, goodness, and patience are immense, they do have limits. So, will you judge the Lord because of the Truth and thereby condemn yourself for all eternity? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!

Envy and Pride Will Only Destroy You - John 9

Based on John 9 (New King James Version)

“Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’ When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. And He said to him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam’ (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing. Therefore the neighbors and those who previously had seen that he was blind said, ‘Is not this he who sat and begged?’ Some said, ‘This is he.’ Others said, ‘He is like him.’ He said, ‘I am he.’ Therefore they said to him, ‘How were your eyes opened?’ He answered and said, ‘A Man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed, and I received sight.’ Then they said to him, ‘Where is He?’ He said, ‘I do not know.’ They brought him who formerly was blind to the Pharisees. Now it was a Sabbath when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. Then the Pharisees also asked him again how he had received his sight. He said to them, ‘He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.’ Therefore some of the Pharisees said, ‘This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.’ Others said, ‘How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?’ And there was a division among them. They said to the blind man again, ‘What do you say about Him because He opened your eyes?’ He said, ‘He is a prophet.’ But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind and received his sight, until they called the parents of him who had received his sight. And they asked them, saying, ‘Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?’ His parents answered them and said, ‘We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but by what means he now sees we do not know, or who opened his eyes we do not know. He is of age; ask him. He will speak for himself.’ His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that He was Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said, ‘He is of age; ask him.’ So they again called the man who was blind, and said to him, ‘Give God the glory! We know that this Man is a sinner.’ He answered and said, ‘Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.’ Then they said to him again, ‘What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?’ He answered them, ‘I told you already, and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His disciples?’ Then they reviled him and said, ‘You are His disciple, but we are Moses’ disciples. We know that God spoke to Moses; as for this fellow, we do not know where He is from.’ The man answered and said to them, ‘Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes! Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing.’ They answered and said to him, ‘You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?’ And they cast him out. Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, ‘Do you believe in the Son of God?’ He answered and said, ‘Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?’ And Jesus said to him, ‘You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you.’ Then he said, ‘Lord, I believe!’ And he worshiped Him. And Jesus said, ‘For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.’ Then some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said to Him, ‘Are we blind also?’ Jesus said to them, ‘If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.’

Not everyone views things or events in the same way, as one's perspective on life is shaped by emotions, temperament, personal reasoning, motivations, beliefs, and so on. One person might see something as simple as a flower as a miracle, while another might view that same flower differently—perhaps focusing on different details and seeing it merely as something pleasant. Others might dismiss it as insignificant because it lacks fragrance or has unappealing colors; some might be completely indifferent to its existence, while others might even flee from it due to allergies. Some might look upon the flower with fondness because it evokes happy memories, whereas another person might view it with repulsion because it brings back painful ones. Ultimately, every individual perceives and appreciates things—even the simplest ones—according to their own perspective and personal reasoning.

Today, we read about a very significant miracle performed by the Lord: restoring sight to a man born blind—an unprecedented event. He accomplished this in a unique manner, distinct from how He had healed other blind people. One might reason that He healed him differently because it was a unique case. That may be true but let us remember that we are speaking of God—the very God who brought all creation into existence simply by speaking things into existence. Did the Lord truly need to make mud, given that He Himself created and ordered all the galaxies, stars, and planets merely by the sound of His voice—commanding them to exist, and nothing more? This brings us to the heart of the matter.

Some might view this event as a magnificent feat; others, as an act of love and mercy; and others, as yet another conclusive proof that Christ was not merely a prophet, but the Messiah—God Himself. Some might regard it as a mere story, a figment of someone’s imagination. The religious leaders we read about saw it as something evil—proof that the Lord was someone utterly opposed to God—because He did not follow the rules as they interpreted them. Yet, if we look past the grandeur of God for a moment, what was the religious leaders' real problem? If the Lord had even raised the dead—feats Moses never accomplished—was there truly room for doubt? Or were there things within their hearts that prevented them from seeing reality? Quite simply, it was their pride and envy that kept them from seeing things as they truly were: the greatness of the Only Begotten Son of God, revealed in love, power, and glory. These religious leaders sought preeminence among the people, but how could they claim it when they were unable to perform any of the works the Lord did? And worse, they spoke of God and His law, yet nothing they said or did reflected Him. Ultimately, they wanted to be greater than the Lord and sought to be honored as such—a desire that defines their pride and envy. Anyone who fails to see the Lord for who He is and to follow Him accordingly has these same issues, regardless of what they say. Everything the Lord has done and continues to do provides more than enough reason to believe; therefore, those who do not believe do so not because they cannot, but because they will not—all driven by pride and envy. They refuse to admit their sin and desire to be their own god. So, have you decided to believe in the Lord for who He truly is, or do you continue to let your pride and envy lead you to eternal ruin? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!

The Difference Between Knowing and Acting - Revelation 5

Based on Revelation 5 (New King James Version)

“And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?’ And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. 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.’ 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. Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.’ Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!’ And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: ‘Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!’ Then the four living creatures said, ‘Amen!’ And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.”

The Spanish writer Pedro Valles first wrote this proverb in 1549; and it was later made world-famous by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra in his 1615 work Don Quixote de la Mancha: "There is a long way between saying and doing (translated)." The concept behind this proverb did not originate with them; rather, it reflects a fundamental universal truth. Understanding this is crucial, but—above all—so is following through one's words (for the good, of course). Words and promises hold value but carrying them out or fulfilling them is a different matter entirely, something far more difficult, and in certain situations even impossible. All relationships hinge on promises and actions—on someone saying or promising something and then actually doing it. This is how trust and faith are built. Indeed, this forms the basis of faith—both between people and, most importantly, from humanity to God. A person earns the trust of others—or proves themselves trustworthy—by doing what they promise. When someone is a person of their word, they are held in high esteem, even by their enemies. That is the value of fulfilling what one promises or says.

Now, applying this to the divine—to God, which is what should matter most to us—this is what makes faith in Almighty God possible: because what He has said or says always comes to pass, one way or another. The reality is that God’s Word is fulfilled across different realms—spanning both this material universe and the invisible universe. Everything that exists—whether temporal or eternal, physical or spiritual—exists because God spoke it into being, as it is written: “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” Colossians 1:16-17. This is the great power of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is impossible for us to comprehend—from a human perspective—that this humble Being who came to be the Lamb of God, who lived as a poor man, and who was crucified and died, could be the very One through whom all things exist, are, and shall be. Yet, the Apostle John said this: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” John 1:1-3. This is the serious problem facing most of our Jewish friends (at the moment): reconciling the fact that the very God who performed all those miracles through Moses—the "I AM" who made the mountain tremble, brought down fire from heaven, and parted the sea—could be this same Jesus of Nazareth. And let us not be too harsh with them, for even though many profess to believe in Christ, when faced with a test or a call to obedience, many question His deity. The difference is that, at the very least, they are more sincere. The Lord Himself would say this about many today who claim to believe in Him: “Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me…” Matthew 15:7-9a.

So, what does all this have to do with today’s passage? The Lord is worthy not only as part of the “Elohim” mentioned in the Old Testament—but also because of all He has done and fulfilled. He is not only the Word of God, but the “action” of God. In other words, when God speaks, it is through Christ, and it is Christ who brings God’s Word to reality. When: “…God (Elohim) said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light (Genesis 1:3),” The Lord was both the Word and the One who brought it to pass. When all the prophecies written about the Messiah were fulfilled in the Lord, it was He who spoke them through His Word and fulfilled them. It is written: “So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which is translated, ‘God with us.’” Matthew 1:22-23. And the greatest act the Lord accomplished was His sacrifice—surrendering Himself to death in obedience to God the Father. The Holy One took our place solely out of grace, mercy, and love. That is why the passage in Revelation 5 refers to Him primarily as "the Lamb." God knew from the beginning that everything had to be fulfilled; yet, knowing things is one thing, but seeing them fulfilled—witnessing the event unfold—is quite another. God the Father watched His only begotten Son allow Himself to be arrested, mocked, and scourged. And He finally allowed Himself to be nailed to the cross and die, out of love and obedience.

And this brings us to the matter that should concern us most: the great judgment that awaits us. God knows everything that will happen and everything each of us will do—whether right or wrong—but judgment is not based on knowledge alone; it is based on deeds. Everything hinges on our actions—and, above all, on whether we are Christians in word only or in heart. The Word says: “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.” Revelation 21:7. The Lord Jesus triumphed on the cross and is now seated at the right hand of God the Father—by virtue of both His title and His deeds. Now, the task falls to us. We can do all things in Christ—for we cannot succeed on our own—yet we must make ourselves ready and submit to carrying out His will, for the glory of God and as evidence of our faith. So, do you merely know about faith in Christ, or do you live it out daily? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!

The Mystery of the Ages Revealed - Colossians 1:24 – 2:10

“I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily. For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

Most people profess to have faith in God—which is good, but it is not the whole story. Faith in God is not what actually changes things, nor does it transform the human being, nor does it grant eternal life. For instance, almost all of the world's major religions profess faith in a generic god; consequently, many fall into the error of thinking that we all worship and follow the same God. But the truth is that we do not all follow the same God. If it were indeed all the same God, then we would truly be lost. The problem would be that we would be dealing with a god suffering from severe multiple-identity issues—one who tells one group of people one thing, and another group something else entirely. Therefore, if we believe in a perfect God, it is impossible to accept the notion that all religions lead to the same destination. That is why merely believing in God constitutes only part of the answer; the essential element is still missing—which brings us to the very heart of this message.

For man to be able to experience God the Father—precisely as He Himself desires—everything must center upon the Lord Jesus Christ. If we look at the Holy Scriptures, we find that the instances in which God the Father actually spoke are very few. It has always been the Lord Jesus Christ who has interacted with mankind. It was He who spoke with Abraham, His friend. It was He who spoke with Moses—the great "I AM"—and so on. The only instances recorded in the Bible where God the Father communicated something directly were those very moments in which He Himself declared that people should fix their attention upon the Lord Jesus. We read the following: “Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.‘ While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!’” Matthew 17:1-5. And at this very instant, God the Father Himself is the one who corrects man's vision. The Father did not say to listen to Him. The Father did not say to look at either Moses or Elijah. What was it that God the Father said? “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” Therefore, if one wishes to come to the Father—if a person desires to obtain eternal life, and if we seek to uncover all the secrets of the universe—it is necessary only to focus on the Lord Jesus Christ and to behold Him for who He truly is: God and Lord. Otherwise, there is neither forgiveness of sins, nor eternal life, nor answers to anything; and, obviously, there is no reward of any kind in eternity. The Lord Jesus Christ is the mystery of the ages—a mystery revealed to us in the most profound and significant manner. Had He remained in the heavens, we would have no hope whatsoever. Had He not died on the cross as the perfect sacrifice, there would be no forgiveness of sins. And had He not been raised from the dead, there would be no way for us to live eternally. Many are fascinated by the subject of destiny—and love to speak of it—but the truth is that, without Christ, our destiny would be hell because of our sins. Yet blessed be the Lord for what He has done, for He shattered that destiny of ours through the cross.

Therefore, the center of our faith—and the center of our preaching—must be the Lord Jesus Christ. This is what the Word declares: “Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His 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 age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” Ephesians 1:15-23. The Lord is the answer to absolutely everything that truly matters—without exception. That is why we cannot add anything to our faith in Christ. There may be things that help, but the center of our faith—the entirety of our lives—must be the Lord. It is written: “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11. Therefore, we must make the Lord our example, as the Apostle Paul said: “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1. When the Lord said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me,” it was not a delusion of grandeur, but a reality; and if we wish to be with God the Father in eternity—in His kingdom—we must treat the Lord Jesus Christ as what He truly is: the only answer to the entire universe. It is written: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” Colossians 1:15. So, if the mystery of all ages has been revealed to us, what other answer do we need? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!

The Lord will Judge His People - Hosea 8:8 – 9:17

Based on Hosea 8:8 – 9:17 (New King James Version)

“Israel is swallowed up; now they are among the Gentiles like a vessel in which is no pleasure. For they have gone up to Assyria, like a wild donkey alone by itself; Ephraim has hired lovers. Yes, though they have hired among the nations, now I will gather them; and they shall sorrow a little, because of the burden of the king of princes. ‘Because Ephraim has made many altars for sin, they have become for him altars for sinning. I have written for him the great things of My law, but they were considered a strange thing. For the sacrifices of My offerings they sacrifice flesh and eat it, but the Lord does not accept them. Now He will remember their iniquity and punish their sins. They shall return to Egypt. ‘For Israel has forgotten his Maker, and has built temples; Judah also has multiplied fortified cities; but I will send fire upon his cities, and it shall devour his palaces.’ Do not rejoice, O Israel, with joy like other peoples, for you have played the harlot against your God. You have made love for hire on every threshing floor. The threshing floor and the winepress shall not feed them, and the new wine shall fail in her. They shall not dwell in the Lord’s land, but Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and shall eat unclean things in Assyria. They shall not offer wine offerings to the Lord, nor shall their sacrifices be pleasing to Him. It shall be like bread of mourners to them; all who eat it shall be defiled. For their bread shall be for their own life; it shall not come into the house of the Lord. What will you do in the appointed day, and in the day of the feast of the Lord? For indeed they are gone because of destruction. Egypt shall gather them up; Memphis shall bury them. Nettles shall possess their valuables of silver; thorns shall be in their tents. The days of punishment have come; the days of recompense have come. Israel knows! The prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is insane, because of the greatness of your iniquity and great enmity. The watchman of Ephraim is with my God; but the prophet is a fowler’s snare in all his ways—enmity in the house of his God. They are deeply corrupted, as in the days of Gibeah. He will remember their iniquity; He will punish their sins. ‘I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstfruits on the fig tree in its first season. But they went to Baal Peor, and separated themselves to that shame; they became an abomination like the thing they loved. As for Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird—no birth, no pregnancy, and no conception! Though they bring up their children, yet I will bereave them to the last man. Yes, woe to them when I depart from them! Just as I saw Ephraim like Tyre, planted in a pleasant place, so Ephraim will bring out his children to the murderer.’ Give them, O Lord—what will You give? Give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts! ‘All their wickedness is in Gilgal, for there I hated them. Because of the evil of their deeds I will drive them from My house; I will love them no more. All their princes are rebellious. Ephraim is stricken, their root is dried up; they shall bear no fruit. Yes, were they to bear children, I would kill the darlings of their womb.’ My God will cast them away, because they did not obey Him; and they shall be wanderers among the nations.”

God’s judgment on His people has already been determined generally. Yet, at a personal level, I believe that things can be changed—particularly regarding matters of eternity. However, to be able to fix things, we must understand what is wrong. It is essential to identify what God desires us to change as His people. In this passage, we saw that God intended to punish His people; and tragically, the calamities of which the Lord spoke did happen, because there was no conversion among God’s people. Instead of taking Him seriously, they ignored Him, and they continued to sin.

What, then, were the sins being committed that provoked God’s wrath? There was much sin—of every conceivable variety, one might say. One could almost ask: what sin did they not commit? God’s people fell into idolatry, worshipping other gods—the very gods of the nations He Himself had defeated before their eyes. And alongside that idolatry, they committed every manner of sin associated with the worship of those false gods and idols. They engaged in fornication and adultery. They offered impure sacrifices. They harmed their neighbors. As if this were not enough, they committed the sacrilege of bringing those foreign gods and idols right into the Lord’s Temple. And in doing so, they were also worshipping themselves—seeking to fulfill their own will rather than obeying God’s commands. Such was their depravity that they even sacrificed their own children—their newborns—to these false gods, burning them alive upon stone altars. And for what purpose? Simply to obtain whatever they wanted.

And what do we see today among those who call themselves God’s people? Do we not see the very same things? At one moment, God is praised; yet at another, God’s people seek out other gods, offering them more than they offer to God—devoting their time, their possessions, and even their loved ones—all for the sake of obtaining what they desire. Many people today live in sin, engaging in practices that clearly run counter to the will of God. Furthermore, there are many churches that openly endorse what constitutes an abomination in the eyes of God. There are many preachers and teachers of the Word who, for their own personal gain, teach doctrines that stand in total opposition to God’s will, using a facade of piety as a means of profit. And while one might be horrified by the fact that God’s people in times past used to burn their own children, today this is done in different ways—and in even worse forms; instead of raising them in the fear of the Lord, they endanger their very souls by allowing corruption.

Will God overlook all these evils? No—especially considering everything He has done, and continues to do today, out of His good will and love. God’s patience does indeed have limits, and God’s people are reaching those limits—due to their vain way of living, their constant rebellion, in short, because He is neither loved nor feared as the God and Lord that He is. This is what the Word says: “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am the Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is My reverence?” Malachi 1:6a. This is what is wrong. It also says: “And you forget the Lord your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth…” Isaiah 51:13a. “For in Him we live and move and have our being…” Acts 17:28a. If you live, it is because He allows it. If you possess abilities, it is because He gave them to you. Everything you are and have, you owe to Him. And furthermore, the forgiveness and salvation to which you have access were made possible only through the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, you owe everything to the Lord. Therefore, live in that manner—wholeheartedly—if you wish to obtain His forgiveness and redemption. For it also says: Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. Galatians 6:7-8. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.” Jeremiah 17:9-10. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Matthew 7:21. “If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come!” 1 Corinthians 16:22. If you wish to find favor in the eyes of the Lord, learn to fear Him and love Him as He deserves. You may not escape physical judgment today, but you will indeed save your soul for all eternity if you learn to be righteous before God through the Lord Jesus Christ. So, will you change your ways before it is too late? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!

Avoid God’s Eternal Punishment - Jeremiah 16:1-15

Based on Jeremiah 16:1-15 (New King James Version)

“O you children of Benjamin, gather yourselves to flee from the midst of Jerusalem! Blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and set up a signal-fire in Beth Haccerem; for disaster appears out of the north, and great destruction. I have likened the daughter of Zion to a lovely and delicate woman. The shepherds with their flocks shall come to her. They shall pitch their tents against her all around. Each one shall pasture in his own place.’ ‘Prepare war against her; arise, and let us go up at noon. Woe to us, for the day goes away, for the shadows of the evening are lengthening. Arise, and let us go by night, and let us destroy her palaces.’ For thus has the Lord of hosts said: ‘Cut down trees, and build a mound against Jerusalem. This is the city to be punished. She is full of oppression in her midst. As a fountain wells up with water, so she wells up with her wickedness. Violence and plundering are heard in her. Before Me continually are grief and wounds. Be instructed, O Jerusalem, lest My soul depart from you; lest I make you desolate, a land not inhabited.’ Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘They shall thoroughly glean as a vine the remnant of Israel; as a grape-gatherer, put your hand back into the branches.’ To whom shall I speak and give warning, that they may hear? Indeed their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot give heed. Behold, the word of the Lord is a reproach to them; they have no delight in it. Therefore I am full of the fury of the Lord. I am weary of holding it in. ‘I will pour it out on the children outside, and on the assembly of young men together; for even the husband shall be taken with the wife, the aged with him who is full of days. And their houses shall be turned over to others, fields and wives together; for I will stretch out My hand against the inhabitants of the land,’ says the Lord. ‘Because from the least of them even to the greatest of them, everyone is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even to the priest, everyone deals falsely. They have also healed the hurt of My people slightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace!’ When there is no peace. Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed; nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time I punish them, they shall be cast down,’ says the Lord.’

The event of which the prophet Jeremiah spoke was, sadly, fulfilled in 586 BC, when the Babylonian army besieged and subsequently destroyed Jerusalem—demolishing all its defenses and the Temple of the Lord, and in doing so, killing thousands upon thousands of people. The Bible teaches us that King Nebuchadnezzar deported thousands of people to Babylon, leaving behind in the lands of Israel only the poor and the peasants to work the land for his kingdom. This was something utterly unthinkable. No one in Israel imagined that this would happen, for they had never taken seriously God's many warnings that national punishment would ensue if they did not repent of their wicked ways.

To understand what happened—and why the people never thought it possible—we must grasp the historical context. The Jewish people constituted a nation of immense power and wealth—a reality owed, of course, to the way God blessed them and continued to bestow His benevolence upon them. They were practically invincible, possessing a fully armed and organized army. During the era of Solomon, the Kingdom of Israel stood as the center of the world; great kingdoms would come to Israel seeking peace and desiring to learn from its greatness—much like the Queen of Sheba, who traveled to Israel solely to meet its king, having heard of his wisdom from lands far away. Thus, from a human perspective, it seemed impossible to conceive that they could be conquered, defeated, and even scattered as a people (as had been prophesied), given that they had so much in which to place their human trust. It defied all logic. They believed that Jerusalem—their capital—was invincible, protected by its massive walls and flawless structural defenses. Yet, it was God Himself who provided Nebuchadnezzar with the means to overcome such a fortress. It was God who brought Babylon to the very gates of Jerusalem, for He had grown weary of holding back—weary of witnessing the ceaseless sin and rebellion of His people. He could no longer bear to witness the wickedness of a people to whom he had given so much—and whose constant response was ingratitude.

We must ask ourselves: How does this relate to the present? We have passed the time where the Gospel had reached practically the entire world. There was a certain period of peace—marked by a wave of conversions several years ago—during which people in general, at the very least, held a certain measure of respect for God, and many of us turned to Him. In my own nation (the U.S.), for example, a great spiritual awakening swept through back then, with thousands upon thousands of people turning to the Lord almost daily. You may recall an evangelist named Billy Graham, whom God used to evangelize nearly the entire world—through massive stadium rallies as well as via radio and television—proclaiming the Gospel of Christ. Millions upon millions of people were exposed to sound doctrine: the teaching that a person must repent of and turn away from all their sins, receive the Lord Jesus Christ as both Lord and God, and follow Christ daily to be saved. And like him, there were many others who also carried this message of salvation to the world—missionaries who left their homes and traveled thousands of miles to offer an opportunity to those who did not yet know of the Lord's love. Yet today, we observe—both across the vast majority of the world and within the majority of our own churches—a great deal of rebellion and sin; people are engaging in the very same practices for which God punished His people, Israel, so many years ago. There are many pastors and preachers who speak of peace when there is no peace; they speak of prosperity and healing instead of repentance and conversion. They deceive the people with an "easy," permissive, and liberal gospel—one that preaches neither of change nor of transformation, nor even of doing good to one's neighbor—but rather promotes a self-indulgence that seeks to turn God into our servant, rather than us serving God. They have twisted the grace of God into licentiousness—a license to sin freely and to live selfishly. And naturally, a great many people are quite pleased with such doctrines, and they seek out even more of them.

And what does God say about this? Do we please God with such an abomination? Will God's grace tolerate such things—from people who mock the cross of Christ, and the entire purpose God had for it? It is written: For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. And again, ‘The Lord will judge His people.’ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:26-31. The wrath of God is coming, and it is already manifesting, for nothing that happens in this world is by accident. Therefore, my most excellent counsel is this: repent and turn to the Lord—not merely for a moment, or solely to appease an adverse circumstance, but from the heart—so that when His wrath descends upon the world, you may at least be found justified before His throne through the Lord Jesus Christ at the Great Judgment, where we shall all give an account of our deeds, whether good or evil. So, will you be prepared for that moment? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!