THE WEDDING BELLS ARE RINGING! Do you hear the wedding bells beloved of God? There are few things so beautiful as a bride who eagerly awaits, prepares for and revels in the joy of marrying her bridegroom. This is all by divine design and is a picture of the true body, the bride of Christ that joyfully, eagerly prepares for the return of our Bridegroom from Heaven (Matthew 25:1-13; Ephesians 5:25-27; Revelation 19:7-10).
ALL who’ve been born again and yet do not keep their oil lamp, their vessel, their temple of the Holy Ghost full of the Word and Holy Spirit of God by daily communion and obedience, WILL fall away. Read Matthew 25:1-13.
Do you seriously believe that the 5 wise virgins who made it into the eternal bridal chamber, who endured to the end of their espousal period, casually got around to keeping their vessels full? Or, did they fervently, worshipfully, daily, diligently, obediently, and vigilantly keep their lamps, their lives, under the spout where the glory comes out? Have you read that parable of the 10 virgins recently? (Matthew 25:1-13)
No one but YOU can choose to love God for you. Those not serving Him, literally, daily, do not love Him (John 14:15; 1 John 2:3-5, etc.). According to Jesus’ teaching, they are not allowed to borrow oil from the wise virgin saints who truly love and serve the Bridegroom, Jesus. These Christ-rejecting apostates will be shut out of the eternal kingdom, damned to hell irrevocably. Read Matthew 25:1-13.
What else matters an iota if we are not “READY” today to meet Jesus? See Luke 12:40.
“Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.” Luke 12:40
IF you are not willing and obedient to forsake all, to give up every single idol of your heart, you cannot and will not be saved but rather damned in the lake of fire irrevocably (Luke 14:33; 17:33; Revelation 21:8, etc.).
The difference between the 5 wise and the 5 foolish virgins in Jesus’ teaching, was that the 5 wise virgins stayed before the Bridegroom, and kept the affections of their hearts on Him and no other! Read Matthew 25:1-13.
The foolish virgins now and forever will wail and weep in the conscious torments of hell due to not continuing on with the Bridegroom, due to being unfaithful, adulterous in heart. They sulk and suffer this very moment and for all eternity, never ending shall they. They will never smile, laugh, be comforted, rest, nor have a drop of water touch their lips. Count the cost of your lukewarmness, of your lack of diligence, your laziness, your idolatry of self. The penalty for your excuses, your rebellion in this brief life is eternal incarceration in the prison of fire, the domain of the damned.
To the church at the town of Ephesus, Jesus said:
“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” Revelation 2:4-5 
If our relationship with Christ is not the exceedingly most important pursuance of our life, we are idolaters who have left out “first love” for the temporal trash and trinkets of this fleeting world.
TALK is cheap. Obey Him. Now (1 John 3:18; James 1:22).
HELL is full of people who claimed to be saved yet didn’t simply OBEY (Matthew 7:21).
PRAY yes, yet if you don’t OBEY it’s all futility! See John 14:15; 15:14.
Our actions with time, treasure, and talents clearly prove what we value most and what’s in our hearts.
As this fallen world system and its inhabitants spiral unalterably downward in darkness and disarray, it becomes even more essential for the wise virgin saint to be anchored in the LORD in private prayer, praise, thanksgiving, and Bible reading. No man shall stand the darkness of this late hour who is not seeking the LORD diligently, daily, relentlessly – demonstrating perpetually that they love the LORD supremely more than self or any other. Memorize 1 Chronicles 16:11; Psalms 57:7; 63:8.
How is God’s Word going to get into me, unless I get into it? See Job 23:12.
The Word of God and prayer are how the wise virgin saints are perpetually filled and replenished by our soon coming Heavenly Bridegroom!
Without a heart after God, all we have is a mere “form of godliness” (Acts 13:22; 2 Timothy 3:5).
WHEN Jesus saves you, that’s the beginning of your relationship with Him—all the way into eternity. Yet you must engage in that relationship by daily seeking His face. Bible reading, prayer life, and fellowship with other believers is essential. If not, you will “fall away” (Luke 8:13).
The one whom Christ saves can only run on empty for a limited time till he falls away.
3 Essential Basics for Every Believer Per Holy Scripture
1. Daily Bible study (Job 23:12; Jeremiah 15:16; 1 Peter 2:2)
2. Daily life of prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
3. Daily fellowship with other true believers (Acts 2:42-47; Hebrews 3:13; 10:25)
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” 1 Corinthians 13:5
“Reproofs of instruction are the way of life.” Proverbs 6:23b
Life in Christ involves continual learning, a never ending classroom of divine instruction and correction, of learning to lay down our lives, to abandon ourselves to Christ—crucified with Him, dead and buried, and raised up by Him! (2 Corinthians 4:10-12)
We know when our lives are not practically dead and buried with Christ when the works of the flesh are raising their ugly head (Galatians 5:16-24)! So, we know then to get back to the cross, right? | The Crucified Life
SO, the sinful seminarian wolf you call your “pastor” isn’t preaching the return of Christ, the cross, the necessity of personal holiness, hell, the essential of repentance, or Christ, the Messiah….. and you still sit under that darkness? Repent.
HOLY GHOST ANOINTED BIBLE PREACHING THROUGH CRUCIFIED VESSELS WILL ALWAYS LEAD YOU TO EXAMINE YOURSELF, SEEK GOD, AND RENDER FRESH REPENTANCE.
We must daily judge our own motives, words, and lives.
“For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.” 1 Corinthians 11:31-32
Truth preaching is divinely, mercifully designed to lead you back to Christ, to come before Him in repentance and confession of sin (Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 John 1:3-2:2; Revelation 22:17, etc.). Are you enduring sound doctrine? Are you living a life of repentance—returning and clinging to Christ?
IF you are going to be a wise virgin believer who endures to the end instead of being shut out of Christ’s eternal kingdom, you must force feed the Word into your heart and mind daily, if that’s what it takes! Read Matthew 25:1-13.
Lips service—words are cheap.
“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:16-18
Every single day that you are alive on this earth, you will choose to establish, to affirm your identity and oneness with Christ or this fleeting world. “No man can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24).
Have you read Jeremiah 5-7 lately? Wow! Get a dose of what most preachers intentionally hide from those who refuse to study God’s Word for themselves! Damnation is upon those who don’t seek and know God for themselves!
WHEN a person can watch a 3-4 hour sports event and can’t take a few minutes to seek Godas soon as he wakes every morning, what does that tell us is really important to that depraved idolater? Not Jesus! Now repent and return to your “first love” before He irrevocably casts your unrepentant evil soul into eternal damnation (Revelation 2:4-5; 3:15-16). Not one unrepentant idolater will be in Heaven (Ephesians 5:5-6; Revelation 21:8). Jesus told us that if we loved even our own wife/husband, children, parents, etc., more than Him, we are not worthy of Him and eternal life (Matthew 10:37-39).
“He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” Matthew 10:37-39
“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33
“Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.” Luke 17:33
Sports or games are not sin. Making an idol of them or anything is sin!
When a person spends more time, energy, and money on the things of this fleeting world, choosing to take little or no time to seek God, what does this reveal? A lost soul.
WHATEVER you do, get on fire for Jesus or you will remain lukewarm.
What is meant by the term “wise virgin” and “foolish virgin”? Let’s let Jesus define this, answer this question:
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”
Jeff Hike writes:Wise virgin believers began and now continue to “abide” with the Bridegroom (John 15:1-16). They choose to seek and place Christ first every day as they look for His soon return!
The heart of the wise virgin believer is flooded with the light of God through daily diligent study of His Word (Psalms 119:130). What most don’t realize is that darkness immediately descends upon the heart left unattended—the heart not daily receiving the light of divine truth through diligent study of the Holy Scriptures (2 Timothy 2:15). The heart left without the bright light of God’s Word shining into it daily WILL revert back to type—darkness, iniquity, “desperately wicked,” “only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9, etc.).
Keeping your vessel full of the oil of God means seeking His face relentlessly in His Word and in prayer and praise. As you do, you will be filled continually and yet, if you fail to do so, you will be emptied and as one of the five foolish virgins, in danger of being eternally shut out of Christ’s eternal kingdom.
The Return of Christ | Lukewarm is Hell Bound
Those not excited for Jesus to return simply love this fleeting world and are not ready to meet the KING! Jesus is coming
WAKE-UP CALL—Counting the cost of rebellion: Jesus told us that there are people alive today who claim to be blood-washed, Spirit-filled, prophesying Christians who are going to be irrevocably terminated into the bowels of eternal damnation (Matthew 7:21-23).
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21-23
Some among us are so enthralled in listening to modern end-times teachers as they seek to figure everything out, that they are not abiding in Christ. These are among the foolish virgins.
ARE YOU spending more time engrossed in some supposed end-times scenario than you are obeying God by doing the Great Commission mandate? If so, you are not ready to meet Jesus and in big trouble. Isn’t it time to let God be God and to get about the Father’s business?
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Bride of Heaven vs Harlot from Hell [podcast]
How Do We Know, Right Now, Who will be Seated at the at the Table, at the Great Supper of the Lamb? (Matthew 22; Revelation 19)
The remnant, those who will be present at the Great Supper of the Lamb in Heaven, are ALREADY feasting at the banqueting table of His Word. All others whom Jesus has saved in the past, are not fueled or flourishing but are rather famishing, fainting, and falling away.
The “little flock” of Christ desires to be with Him both now and forever, not just forever (Luke 12:32). They’ve been born again and present “abide” in/with the Savior (John 15:1-6).
No good man wants an arrangement but rather a marriage with a virtuous, faithful wife. He rightly desires a beloved wife in holy matrimony, not a whore to shack up with! Those who espouse OSAS are spiritual adulterers, whore mongers. They want a quick fix, an illicit affair that requires no commitment, carries no requirements.
The God fearing wife has set aside all else to serve her husband (1 Peter 3:1-7). She is not sidetracked nor does she waiver in her love and duty to her man. And this is what the true bride of Christ is doing today – setting aside the distractions and pursuits of this fleeting world and are seated at the feet of Jesus, waiting upon Him (1 John 2:14-17).
Her life is all about Him, not herself.
The heart of a true under shepherd is heard in these words from Christ’s apostle Paul: “I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”
“For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” 2 Corinthians 11:2-4
It’s the adulterous heart, the heart where Jesus is not truly the “first love,” the highest priority, that migrates to this sin-justifying system of theology called “eternal security” (Revelation 2:4-5). Jesus’ teaching concerning the five foolish virgins who were espoused to the Bridegroom (Jesus), and were later shut out of His bridal chamber, is clear proof that all who begin with Christ will not be with Him eternally (Matthew 25:1-13). Jesus invented the term “fall away” and told us that some who initially believe will later “fall away”—they will not “endure to the end” with Him (Luke 8:12-13; Matthew 10:22; 24:13). So, someone’s lying and it’s not the Son of God. Why would He use such words as “fall away” if these things weren’t possible, if it weren’t essential to “endure to the end” to be “saved”?
Paul says we, the saints of Christ on earth, are “espoused” to Christ the Bridegroom – engaged, not married (2 Corinthians 11:2-4).
With no exception, ALL wise virgin believers are in the Word daily. They commune with the Bridegroom and He fills them daily with His heavenly virtue, oil (Matthew 25:1-13).
Just because one is “espoused” to Jesus, that is, engaged to the Bridegroom of Heaven, doesn’t mean they will ultimately be married to Him as is proven in Christ’s parable of the 10 virgins where only 5 made it into the eternal bridal chamber with the bridegroom (Matthew 25:1-13). They other 5 were shut out for treating the engagement/espousal as a mere arrangement.
The most elaborate, the most grandiose dinner awaits the saints of Christ! Words cannot possibly express the grandeur of Christ’s welcoming dinner…. a celebration to end all others – the beginning, the inaugural celebration of eternity with Christ and His saints of all ages.
The foolish virgins are making excuse for sins (Proverbs 28:13a. The wise virgins are hastening to repentance (Matthew 25:1-13; Ephesians 5:25-27; 1 John 3:3; Revelation 19:7-10).
“Revelation 19:7-9: We are to ‘bear the image of the heavenly.’ (1 Cor 15:49).Our sinful nature crucified, sanctified, dead and buried, and then we take on the heavenly glorified nature of Christ! Our whole spirit, soul and body is being transformed more and more into the image of Jesus! (1 Thesolonians 5:23). We must be fully clothed in righteousness and holiness to enter the marriage supper of the Lamb! This is the only way to be accounted worthy! And not have our names blotted out of the book of life.” Karen Cochran
“Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.” Proverbs 14:9
Mocking at sin relates to any lax or crass attitude toward what He that is Holy declares to be sin – which separates men from God. There’s is divine grace and favor on all who are honest, repent, and forsake sin.
“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and HIS WIFE HATH MADE HERSELF READY. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” Revelation 19:7-9
WHAT’s the use of talking about end times and the events of these final days if we aren’t even going to be “READY” when Jesus does return?
“Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.” Luke 12:40
Read the passage below as to exactly, specifically what Bride Jesus will return for and please explain how a person who genuinely got saved and now is living in sin is going to be Christ’s Bride eternally:
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27
“Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” 2 Peter 3:12-13
As the husband and wife require their intimate personal time together for relations, so the bride of Christ must have her individual, set apart time of intimacy with the Bridegroom, Jesus. This is biblical imagery (Matthew 25:1-13; Ephesians 5:25-30; Revelation 19:7-9).
Christ’s bride that He will soon return for is holy and holy means set apart. Christ’s Heaven-bound disciples are known by their fervent loyalty to their Master, Jesus. Sweet fellowship with Christ is at the cornerstone of their schedule. The LORD is their undisputed priority. Having a daily, set apart time with Christ is essential of the infusion of Heaven’s nutrient-rich substance, to remaining in an abiding relationship with the Bridegroom (Psalms 27:4, 8; Matthew 5:6, etc.).
Drinking from the well of Heaven daily is the mainstay duty and practice of every true wise virgin believer (Matthew 25:1-13). Their relationship with their Bridegroom is their most important occupation. He’s absolutely first. Jesus is not a second class citizen in their life (Revelation 2:4-5).
Do we remember how Paul spoke of a man and wife coming together and how if they don’t, if they neglect intimacy, they will be tempted to migrate to someone else other than their mate? (1 Corinthians 7:1-5)
“Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. 3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. 4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. 5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.” 1 Corinthians 7:1-5
Are we, are you rendering “due benevolence” to your LORD and Savior, the Bridegroom of Heaven? If not, you are being drawn away to another lover, a false god, an altar of idol worship.
You are Cordially Invited to this Great Supper of and with the Lamb of God
“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17
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Worshipping the God of all Grace through the Fiery Trials [podcast]
“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” 1 Peter 1:7
“In the world ye shall have tribulation”
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
“There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.” Isaiah 57:21
WE the body of Christ, are a separate entity from the world (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). We are here on earth for but a short time more—saved and sent to do Christ’s Great Commission (Matthew 9:35-38; 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20; John 4:34-38). Jesus foretold that these final days before His return would be tumultuous (Matthew 24; Luke 21). And to “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me” (John 14:1).
“Let not your heart be troubled” … and when we begin to perceive the big picture of the LORD, it will be easier to not be “troubled” in “the sufferings of this present time” (Romans 8:18).
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27
Making biblical sense of the suffering.
Makes us want to go home and to live like it (Daniel 12:10).
“The sufferings of this present time” are a mere speed bump saints. We are going to eternal glory with our King Jesus!
“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18
Nothing can separate God and His true saints—those who are hearing His voice presently and following, walking with Him, abiding in vital union with Jesus (John 10:27-29; 15:1-6).
“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31-39
DO WE have the “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” spirit and disposition of the beloved Job?
“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” Job 13:15
Going though a season of testing and trials and yet not worshipping God through it all, is a waste. Personally I had to learn this the hard way.
God has been so wonderfully gracious to teach this disciple!
“I am understanding Job in a new way. Old Adam wants to see it as a punishment, or an injustice, and this belief is subtle and corrosive.” Justin Ballis
“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 5:10-11
Final Greetings
“By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.” 1 Peter 5:12
Knowing it’s God’s stated will for us to worship, love, and trust Him at all times—and in particular in the midst of that which He sees fit to allow us to go through….. is vital. Personally I chose initially to do laps in the desert and so such delayed getting to His promised land of peace. God is able beloved.
The LORD is “a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons” of His kingdom.
“And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.” Malachi 3:3
“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” Isaiah 43:2
“But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10
“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” 1 Peter 1:7
“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” Job 13:15
Are we worshiping our LORD in the midst of our seasons of suffering? Have we of late looked up and said, “Jesus, I love You“?
What’s God worth to me? How much does He matter? Is Jesus truly my very “first love”? See Revelation 2:4-5.
Worshiping God in this presently dark world will bring sufferings and ultimately eternal glory with Him and the true body of Christ.
What would we think of the man, the husband who didn’t defend his wife? He’s a self-serving coward, who loves himself more than his wife, right? What if we refuse to suffer for Heaven’s King that we claim to love? Wouldn’t this prove that we love self more than the Savior?
“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 5:10-11
It’s in our sufferings that we discover, we find out, we come to understand about God’s sufficiency. See James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 5:10.
“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3
Being “hid with Christ in God” is how the LORD powers us through, past the many afflictions to be suffered by Christ’s saints.
“There is a beauty in being rejected, misunderstood, unseen, and unsupported by people. It teaches you to rely on God for everything.” unknown
“the fiery trial which is to try you”
“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” 1 Peter 4:12-14
“Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:5-9
“Weeping (death and burial—suffering the death of self) may last through the night, but joy (resurrection) comes with the morning.” Psalm 30:5
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The Book of Titus Overview [podcast]
“Loved this podcast. Thank you. One word that stuck out to me was pattern! Titus 2:7. I missed that word in that verse. The Holy Spirit is aways teaching us. Since this word was new to me I went to King James Dictionary: ‘Anything cut of formed into shape of something to be made after it. Pattern to imitate or follow.’ I think I now understand. Let Him shape and mold you. Pattern your life after Christ. Jesus was our perfect pattern!” Karen Cochran
“Though the Old Testament never directly mentions Crete (shown in inset), this island had a significant impact on the history of Israel. Crete was home to the ancient city of Knossos and the great Minoan civilization, the first advanced society in Europe, which flourished from before the time of Abraham until around the time of Moses. As this civilization declined, many people from Crete and mainland Greece began to migrate in vast numbers to new lands further east, including Israel. This is likely how the Philistines came to inhabit the Mediterranean coast of southern Israel. In the centuries that followed, various world powers gained control over Crete until finally it came under the rule of Rome, which grouped it together with the area around Cyrene on the North African coast to form a single province. (Cyrene was the home of a man named Simon, who carried Jesus’ cross for him after Jesus was no longer able to carry it.) As Paul was on his way to stand trial in Rome (Acts 27), he sailed along the southern coast of Crete, and there the captain lost control of the ship in a storm while attempting to reach safe harbor at Phoenix. The sailors became terrified that they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, but instead they were driven by the storm to the island of Malta much further west, and the crew was saved.”
Abraham was born around 2166 BC
Moses – between 1391–1271 BCE.
Acts 27 and the Journey to Rome:
“The Apostle Paul was shipwrecked on Crete while on his way to Rome. His ship took shelter at a harbor on the southern coast called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea.”
Of the book of Titus, one source notes the following:
“The Book of Titus is a letter from Apostle Paul to his protégé Titus, who was tasked with establishing order and appointing leaders in the churches on the island of Crete. The letter contains guidance on selecting qualified elders, combating false teachings, and instructing believers to live godly, grace-empowered lives that demonstrate the gospel’s transforming power through good works and upright conduct.”
The Holy Ghost led Paul to set up God-fearing “elders in every city” to rebuke and to stop the deceivers and their lies and to establish the truth “sound doctrine.”
“For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: … 9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. 10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.” Titus 1:5,9-10
To the “young men” and every disciple of Jesus (Titus 2:6).
“In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.” Titus 2:7-8
“Good works” or “Good work” appear 6 times in Titus.
“They profess that they know God; but in WORKS they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every GOOD WORK reprobate.” Titus 1:16
“In all things shewing thyself a pattern of GOOD WORKS: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity.” Titus 2:7
“Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of GOOD WORKS.” Titus 2:14
“This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain GOOD WORKS. These things are good and profitable unto men.” Titus 3:8
“And let ours also learn to maintain GOOD WORKS for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.” Titus 3:14
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