Jerry

Yes, totally. The people freaking out about God's wrath are the unbelievers - specifically those that are already damned to Hell because they received the mark of the beast. Which doesn't disagree with anything I've said here. The true believers of the church age will already be gone before the Lord God pours out His wrath on the earth. Many people will get saved during this time, though those verses are not referring to them.

Sure, just as easily as taking your opinion could persuade me to accept wrong beliefs. In the case of the timing of the rapture - I believed in a different position, until I read Isaiah 13 and compared it to Luke 21 - they are talking about the same time period, yet Isaiah clearly says (as I quoted above) that ALL of that time was the wrath of God. The NT in various places says the Lord saves His children from His wrath because of the penalty He bore for their sins.

Truth is still truth. I am not sure what you mean by "no spirit." If it is truth received without the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit or truth received with the wrong spirit (ie. without love for it and love for others, without a desire to glorify and obey the Lord, etc.), then it won't be as effective - but it is still truth. Ah, that explains YOUR superior attitude and ungodly approach. Steven Anderson is a heretic, pure and simple, with a severe (maybe even worse than) Ruckmanite approach to the Scriptures and to those who disagree with him. Instead of obeying the Scriptures as to how we are to preach and teach truth, he just condemns everyone to Hell that he is against, regardless of where they stand, what they believe, whether they are repentant and receptive to the truth, etc.

Yes, I truly believe that the Lord gives us individual soul liberty (if that is the right term) - gives me His wisdom and His Holy Spirit to understand His Word, and the knowledge and understanding to put it all together as I read and study it. I had a nominal religious background which I have rejected (at first because of the hypocrisy of it all, but then later seeing what is wrong with those beliefs and practices according to the Bible). ALL of my beliefs come from first hand studying of the Bible on my own. Yes, I do read books and commentaries, listen to sermons, watch videos, etc. - but I diligently compare all that is said and reject what does not line up with God's Word. If too much is disagreeable or too many doctrines )or fundamental ones) are off kilter, I reject that writer or preacher. I don't accept something because this person or that person, or even my pastor or preacher says something. In fact, my preacher appreciates that I critique what he says and brings it to his attention if I believe he is missing something or something he said seems to contradict the Word of God (see Acts 17:11). For both of us, the Word of God takes top priority, even if it means I need to adjust or correct my beliefs, which I have even done on these boards recently in a certain thread.

Funny, my link was to some videos (yes, there is a book on that page as well, but why not address what is actually posted?). You want us to accept YOUR WRITINGS, but then you rebuke us because we refer to someone else's writings. Isn't that a little hypocritical on your part? A book (writings, teachings) by man is not wrong in itself. What matters is if it lines up with God's Word or not. David Cloud's book and videos referred to above do, but yours do not.

Well, Rich, enjoy your very brief time here. With that haughty spirit, you will not fit in very well. It is obvious you are not here to fellowship with us but to show the world how you are right and everyone else is wrong. 1 Corinthians 8:1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. As far as only part of the tribulation being a time of God's wrath, you are dead wrong. God says all of it is. There is more to this passage, but this is the part that is applicable. Compare this with Luke 21 - it is speaking of the same time period, yet over and over Isaiah says it is the day of the Lord and the time of God's wrath - all seven years: Isaiah 13:6-13 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty. Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt: And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames. Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine. And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible. I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir. Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.

Yes, even if this show never directly presents false teachings about Jesus, there is still the possibility that people will presume that what is presented is Biblical fact/truth. I wondered if he was related. It seems like he is following in the ecumenical footsteps of his father (who portrayed the Pope as saved in that series), AND taking it further by yoking up with Mormons and other groups.

That's a good one. Truly, I always focus on Jeremiah's situation, but never on the person who helped him (except in a general sense). Here is a neat study of a type found in that passage: https://ewministries.earnestlycontending.com/sinking-in-the-mire/

How can Jesus rule and reign from Jerusalem for those 1000 years (which many passages teach) without coming to earth? Sorry, you missed the boat. It is one thing to reject traditions that contradict the Bible, it is another thing to reject clear Bible teaching for your own opinions. Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. That's the millennium. Quite clearly states Jesus is on the earth reigning for those 1000 years. That means His second coming comes BEFORE the millennium (otherwise referred to as Pre-millennium), and based on the book of Revelation itself all seven years of the Tribulation (found in chapters 6-19) comes before that point.

For those who want a Biblical look at some things about the rapture, and how the Bible teaches it as Pre-Trib (showing the distinction between the rapture and the second coming), there are two videos in this series that cover it somewhat: Bible Prophecy as Light on the 21st Centurey (wayoflife.org)

Sureword, why are you bringing in an argument from another thread that was locked (P.S. you never answered my questions in that thread either, just stated I am wrong)? That is not the purpose of this thread - and it truly was created to clarify KJV Biblical usage of that word today (ie. in our speaking about Bible passages today - Is it unbiblical to speak of Jesus and the apostles casting out demons, or should we be saying casting out devils). I am learning Koine Greek - mostly vocabulary at this point - though I do want to learn all about the verb tenses, etc. Therefore it is not an impossibly language for people to learn today. I have never corrected the King James Bible, never intend to (and those who have known me on these boards for approximately 22 years or so - cannot remember exactly when the first Online Baptist site started with Matt and Ben - can certainly testify to that), and I have never gone to the underlying Hebrew or Greek (or any tools based on them) to correct the English of my King James Bible. It is one thing to differ with another person on these boards over a word definition and that word's usage throughout the Bible (which is your issue here - though you have not shown me where I was wrong and how your definition/usage of that word fits that passage and answers my questions**), and quite another thing to correct the English of my Bible - which I have never done. **And no, do not debate that here (that is not the purpose of this thread). I am just stating the issue is not resolved - you just disagree with my understanding of that verse, and you have not convinced me otherwise.

Maybe I shouldn't start a thread until I do more research as I often seem to find answers I am searching and typing things out (though sometimes at first I can't seem to find the right words or terms for a search, hence the start of a thread). There are five passages that use the underlying Greek word daimon (g1142): Matthew 8:31; Mark 5:12l Luke 8:29; Revelation 16:14 and 18:2 - all translated as "devils" and once as "the devil." Another related word is g1139 (daimonizomai), translated 13 times as "possessed with devils" (or the devil), "vexed with a devil", or some form of these, and John 10:21 has "hath a devil." It is interesting to note that even though the underlying word in 18 cases is a form of the word daimon/daimonizomai), nowhere in the King James Bible is it translated as demon or demon possessed, implying perhaps 400 years ago these words had a different meaning in English than the NT Greek uses.

Not trying to rehash another debate here, but in another thread we were discussing devils - and I know in light of modern versions, many call fallen angels demons. The KJV uses devils, evil spirits, and possibly other terms (it has been soooo long since I studied this out). Is the Greek word for demon used anywhere in the Textus Receptus? The underlying word for Devil/Devil is diabolos (slanderer, accuser - which is what the fallen angels are to us, especially their leader, the Devil - Satan means adversary). I want to be Biblical in my language and I have found that here and there I also refer to demons in regards to Bible passages - but I want to clarify if that is unbliblical (in light of the KJV and the Textus Receptus - I do not care how other manuscripts or Bible versions use this term). As I type this, I remember years ago reading some critiques of modern versions that their use of the term demons is bad because a demon is basically a demi-God (half man, half demon or god). Webster's 1828 Dictionary has this definition: DEMON, n. A spirit, or immaterial being, holding a middle place between men and the celestial deities of the Pagans. The ancients believed that there were good and evil demons, which had influence over the minds of men, and that these beings carried on an intercourse between men and gods, conveying the addresses of men to the gods, and divine benefits to men. Hence demons became the objects of worship. It was supposed also that human spirits, after their departure from the body, became demons, and that the souls of virtuous men, if highly purified, were exalted from demons into gods. The demons of the New Testament were supposed to be spiritual beings which vexed and tormented men. And in general , the word, in modern use, signifies an evil spirit or genius, which influences the conduct or directs the fortunes of mankind. Based on this and his definition for devils, it is obvious he believes the word demons should be used in the NT and not devils (but that is his opinion, and not relevant here).

Those are all good examples. Recently I was speaking with a friend about Mary of Bethany (Martha and Lazarus' sister) who broke the alabaster box of spikenard ointment over Christ's head and feet and anointed Him with her hair six days before the Passover. Three of the Gospels contain the story of this account (Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:1-9; John 12:1-8). Charles Spurgeon brings out seven interesting things about what Mary did, and contrasted what she did with what the sinner/woman in Luke 7:36-50 did. This sermon is worth reading and blessed me. It is #1834, To Lovers of Jesus - An Example. Most Bible programs would probably have it, especially Swordsearcher. This link will also take you to a pdf of the sermon online (so you can read it online or add it to your ebook reader if you find that easier than reading in a Bible program). chs1834.pdf (spurgeongems.org)

This is just meant for a little bit of fellowship. What are a couple of Bible characters you can think of that were not “main Bible characters” (and by that I mean ones that you only come across once or only a few times in the Bible) that did something - usually as a result of their faith - but now it is recorded forever in God's Word as a testimony to them? A friend and I were talking recently about Mary of Bethany who broke the alabaster box and anointed Jesus' head and feet with the precious ointment. She is only mentioned on three separate occasions (not counting parallel passages). I don't want to take all the easy ones, but here are three that came to my mind a few minutes ago: Simon of Cyrene who carried Jesus' cross. Later some of his children get saved. The woman with the issue of blood for 12 years who pressed through the crowd to touch Jesus, and was healed. The Roman Centurion who believed Jesus could heal his servant from a distance. Matthew 8:8-10 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

Jacob had 12 sons. They are listed in the order of their birth, from Genesis 29 on. The first was Reuben - whose name means "Behold, a son." The fourth was Judah, which means "Praise, or Praise of Jehovah (the LORD)." We know this was the line the Messiah came through - the kingly line. The last (12th) son was named Ben-oni ("Son of my sorrow"), but was changed to Benjamin ("Son of my right hand"). All the others are listed in Genesis as well, and it is easy to determine their meanings from Strong's. But that is not essential to where I am going with this. Next, let's go to Exodus 28. Here we have the High Priest and his garments. The Breastplate, which was worn over the chest, had 12 stones over his heart - one for each tribe of Israel - according to the order of their birth. See verses 15-21 and 29. So look up the first, fourth, and twelfth ones. Got that? Now, let's go to Revelation 4 and see a type which I have only ever seen explained in one particular commentary. Remember chapters 4 and 5 are what is seen in Heaven in between the Rapture of the church (4:1 - after these things, the church period - chapters 1-3. see also Revelation 1:19) and before the Tribulation period where the judgements of God are poured out upon the earth (chapter 6-19). Revelations 4:2-3 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And He that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. Who sat upon the throne? Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords. Notice the rainbow (signifying mercy in judgement) completely circling the throne. Even in this end-time period of worldwide judgement, the Lord God will have mercy on those who repent and turn to Him during those seven years. Habakkuk 3:2 O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy. Now look at the stones mentioned. Which sons do they represent? Which one is mentioned first? The Sardius stone, which Benjamin is represented by - The Son of my sorrow. This was what Jesus was known by when He was on earth (a Man of Sorrows). Though now He is exalted and is at the right hand of the Father - The Son of My Right Hand. The Jasper stone is mentioned next. This represents Reuben and refers to Christ's second coming - "Behold, a Son." For unto us a child is born (Christ's first coming), Unto us a Son is given (His second coming). What color is the rainbow around the throne - around the King? Emerald, the fourth stone - representing Judah, "the praise of the Lord." Just a neat little known type - that reinforces what is taught in other passages, and shows that everything in the Bible is in there for a purpose, even if we don't always know why ourselves. January 20th/05 Jerry Bouey

I just learned today that the word Shekinah (that supposedly means glory - though often they say it like Shekinah glory) that I have heard tons of writers and preachers used throughout the years is not from the Bible at all, but from the Jewish Talmud, the unbelieving Rabbinical commentary on the OT Scriptures (and commentary on their commentary - not joking). The two main words in the Bible for glory are: for the OT is kabowd, and for the NT is doxa. There are a couple of other words, but shekinah is NOT in the Bible at all It is not like using a non-Biblical word to describe an actual Biblical doctrine, like Trinity, rapture, incarnation - but actually is using a word that means different (ie. pagan) things, when there are perfectly good Bible words that do mean glory. Strange that people adopt something like this and then pass it on as truth. Funny, when I posted this on Messenger to some Christians from my old church, one of the old preacher boys said he knew that, but defended it. Why use a word with pagan and kabbalistic meanings when we can use the words God gave (either the English word, or the Greek and Hebrew words actually from the Bible)? Sad.

This was written for/about a friend I sometimes think about at this time of year. The Hope Of Christmas In the midst of my sorrows, troubles and tears, I sought the Lord and He saved me from my fears. In this time when you are overwhelmed by loss, Remember the Saviour who died on the cross – That’s my hope this Christmas. Struggling to overcome my dark addictions, And learning to make some braver decisions; You broke through all those chains that held me so tight, You scattered my darkness because You’re my Light – That’s my hope this Christmas. This Christmas, I know you’re not celebrating, But our reunion’s worth anticipating. My struggling heart’s not the end of the story; Eternity awaits in realms of glory – That’s my hope this Christmas. Jesus came to this earth to show us the way; He paid for sin’s debt – one we could never pay. Salvation’s His gift offered to us by grace, Receiving eternal life with Him by faith – That’s the hope of Christmas. December 3rd, 2010 Jerry Bouey Psalm 34:4-6 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. (Dedicated to Lindsay Guenther) Lindsay was a friend to many at the Gospel Mission where I work. She trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation about two years ago (ie. two years before the date of this poem), and was making many wise choices to separate from harmful influences in her life and from friends that would only drag her down spiritually and by tempting her back into her addictions. Unfortunately, her house became an unsafe place for her, and Lindsay was truly seeking to find new housing where she would not be exposed to those addictions. She cleaned up, she spent many hours volunteering at the mission, and was such a help and a blessing. She met regularly with the chaplain at the Mission to work on overcoming those addictions and learn more from God’s Word. We only know part of what happened on November 28th, 2010. Tragically, she overdosed through the influence of one of those bad “friends.” Even though we are saddened by her sudden loss – her story ends in glory. Her hope this Christmas was the Saviour that came to give her life – that same Saviour that took her home, away from all her struggles and fears – to be with Him. This poem is an attempt to see things from Lindsay’s perspective. The title of the poem is a line that I had going through my mind all afternoon before writing this poem.

BrotherTony asked me to show where some modern versions remove or change passages about the deity of Christ, hence this thread. Robert Bratcher who "translated" the Good News Bible did not believe Jesus was good, so his translation was done in such a way as to present his doctrinal stance. Here are some examples: Acts 20:28 So keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock which the Holy Spirit has placed in your care. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he made his own through the blood of his Son. Does not declare God shed His own blood - therefore ruining a verse teaching Christ is both God and man, and that it was His blood that purchased our salvation. 1 Timothy 3:16 No one can deny how great is the secret of our religion: He appeared in human form, was shown to be right by the Spirit, and was seen by angels. He was preached among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, and was taken up to heaven. HE appeared in human form - so did all of us! That doesn't mean it was God that was being referred to here. 1 John 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Christ gave his life for us. We too, then, ought to give our lives for others! The KJV says, Hereby we perceive the love of God, because HE laid down His life. Our Saviour is God. Rev 1:8 “I am the first and the last,” says the Lord God Almighty, who is, who was, and who is to come. Completely removes the reference to all three members of the Trinity, therefore showing Jesus' deity and equality with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Romans 9:5 they are descended from the famous Hebrew ancestors; and Christ, as a human being, belongs to their race. May God, who rules over all, be praised forever! Amen. The KJV says "...Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever." Isaiah 7:14 Well then, the Lord himself will give you a sign: a young woman who is pregnant will have a son and will name him ‘Immanuel.’ Messing with the virgin birth in a passage that states He is Immanuel, God With Us. Micah 5:2 The Lord says, “Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are one of the smallest towns in Judah, but out of you I will bring a ruler for Israel, whose family line goes back to ancient times.” Removes the reference to the eternality of the Messiah (and isn't actually talking about Him going back to ancient times, but His family line) - and only God is eternal. This is a good place to start. I do not have all my modern versions at hand that I marked all the changes in so am using an online Bible site. I cannot remember all the major (ie. obvious, glaring) changes offhand. The site I used for the GNT (or TEV) is: https://www.biblegateway.com/ Feel free to suggest other passages.

I was curious if any on these boards thought lying to save someone was justified, was merely overlooked by the Lord, was still wrong but allowed by the Lord anyway. Please give Biblical reasons for your conclusions on this subject. Two main passages come to mind, and I want to look at a third type of related incidence. Yes, I believe lying is wrong in all cases, especially for the New Testament believer today - however, I am wondering why God allowed or possibly overlooked these two cases in the Bible and how that applies to people hiding Jews and others whose lives were at peril during the Second World War. And no, don't get the idea that I am condemning or judging someone because they did so to save others and to protect themselves. Was it the best way to go about it? What would I do if I was faced with the same situation today? 1) The midwives in Egypt: Exodus 1:15-21 And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah: And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live. But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive. And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive? And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them. Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty. And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses. It is very possible that the midwives did not lie at all. They could have taught the Israelites what to do when a mother is about to give birth and delayed their arrival until just after each child was born. And we know from the NT, Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. We can obey the Lord and reject the commandments of men when they contradict God without necessarily doing wrong ourselves. We can choose silence when asked to speak, we can take the consequences of our rebellion after we protected those we chose to protect, we can hide from the authorities as well and perhaps not be forced to give them an account of what we did. Just some possibilities. Not saying these are the only options or that I would look down on someone else for their different choices when put in those difficult situations - but what would I do if I believed (which I do) that lying and deception is unjustified in any situation? For example, I would not dress men as women or women as men to disguise them as God says it is an abomination to Him when men and women wear clothing that is particularly specified for the opposite gender. 2) Rahab hiding the Israelite spies: Joshua 2:1-7 And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there. And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to night of the children of Israel to search out the country. And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country. And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were: And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them. But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof. And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate. As the historical events go on to show, the Lord rescued her and her family for risking her life to protect the spies. And we get this wonderful passage and type in the same chapter: Joshua 2:21 And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window. Bible believers often talk about the scarlet thread of redemption that runs all throughout Scripture. This passage about Rahab is where it comes from. And to me, one of the neatest things I have thought about in the last few years is the story of Ruth and her marriage to the godly man, Boaz. Boaz is Rahab's son - which means Rahab 100% turned her life around and raised her son in the knowledge of the Lord. Rahab, Boaz and Ruth are all in the line of Christ in Matthew 1. Back to Rahab. It is possible that God overlooked her sin of lying because she was literally a brand new believer who did not know the Law of Moses or the nation's history, but chose to place her faith in the true God and risk her life to save His people. The Bible does say there are things that God overlooked until Christ went to the cross, and things that will be judged when He returns: Acts 17:30-31 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. Just some food for thought. What are your Bible-based convictions and ideas on this?

An excoworker of mine (from the Gospel Mission, he worked there in 2006) is now believing some pretty wacky stuff about salvation. I conversed with him over a couple of emails yesterday, then he sent me a name of some teacher on youtube: Bruce Wauchope. Based on what my colleague said, I knew the teaching was wacko - but after my friend broke off contact (when I stuck with the Bible and how to be saved in Christ), I decided to check out the videos. He is definitely part of a cult - it may even be his own cult, but he is seriously lost. Uses enough of the Bible to get people to listen to his ideas, but then deliberately actively throws out the Bible (and emphasizes that it is not Scripture people need, but love, yada, yada). I am not interested in what this man believes - just if anyone has heard of him and if he is part of a specific cult? It's sad that my coworker wants to willingly be part of a lie - that we are already all born again and in Christ (and accepted in Him already) - we just don't know it yet!!

Numbers In The Bible Series 45 - Laodicea, The Lukewarm Church Day 45 - Laodicea, The Lukewarm Church Sis Kate has already tackled several aspects of the seven letters to the churches in this series - I believe this study would fit there as well. It is interesting to note that there are three things Christ says about Himself in the opening part of the letter, and three things He counsels them to buy from Him through faith. The five things they were lacking in are all met by grace in salvation (grace is often pictured by the number five). Laodicea, The Lukewarm Church There is much we can glean from the seven letters to the churches in Revelation chapters two and three. They not only cover the broad spectrum of professing Christendom at any given moment (from Christ's perspective), they also show the progression of the church age: starting with Ephesus (the churches in the time of the Apostles, the first century churches), to Laodicea (the end-time lukewarm churches). Revelation 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; It is interesting to note that Laodicea means "the righteousness of the people." No longer are these professing believers trusting in the righteousness of Christ to cover their sins, but in their own self-righteousness! Here Jesus Christ (who is speaking) identifies Himself in three ways: 1) The Amen – the Messiah and Saviour in whom all the promises of God are fulfilled. Just as we seal our Amen to our prayers (to indicate our agreement and desire for fulfillment), so Christ sets His seal on all the promises and prophecies in Scripture. 2 Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. 2) The faithful and true witness - In an age where many are denying that there is a source of ultimate truth, here Jesus declares Himself the source; when many believe all truth is relative and subjective, here Jesus proclaims Himself as the witness of the truth. What He says in His Word is faithful and true and can be relied on. John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto Him, Art Thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth My voice. 3) The beginning of the creation of God - the word beginning here means "first in time, place, order, or rank." Jesus is stating that He is to have first place in our all lives, first place in all of creation. Colossians 1:15-18 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence. Revelation 3:15-16 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth. The true danger in professing Christendom is not the atheist or agnostic who doesn't "believe in God", nor the Satanist or New Ager who is fully against God, nor the true fundamental, Bible-believing Christian (as the media would like to portray), but the lukewarm believer. It is easy to determine where all of the above stand in relation to Jesus Christ and the things of God, but the lukewarm believer is half-in half-out of the world; professing to be saved, but living like the Devil; proclaiming to believe the Bible, but picking and choosing what parts they will accept from it and explaining away the rest; claiming to believe in Christianity, yet denying the fundamentals; claiming to believe that Jesus Christ is the only Saviour, but yoking up with unbelievers of all stripes. That is the danger in Christendom! The true believer won't be sidetracked by what is obviously openly against Christ, will embrace what is faithful to the things of God, but will sometimes be deceived by the counterfeit that is out there. And there are many in the lost world who will detest the lukewarm "Christianity" that they are familiar with, and will perhaps never get saved. Just like we want to spit a lukewarm drink out of our mouths, even so the Lord Himself will spit out these lukewarm professors unless they get right with the Lord. Revelation 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: In Matthew 24:12 we read, And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many will wax cold. Sin will cause our love for the Lord and others to grow cold. In Revelation we find that being satisfied with material goods will cause us to be lukewarm. Mark 4:19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. There is the danger of looking to our possessions and prosperity to meet all our needs, yet there is more at stake than just the physical. Jesus addresses this fallen spiritual state. While I believe the primary picture painted here is that of an unsaved person, I still believe that the true believer can judge their heart and see if they fit in any of these areas. Have we grown lukewarm in our love for the Lord and the things of God? Wretched - Romans 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? In this chapter of Romans we see the battle that the true believer faces between the sinful nature and the new spiritual nature. Paul states that when he was not able to overcome sin, he was a wretched man. Likewise all the lost are in this state, wretched in God's eyes, unable to overcome the sins they are in bondage to – they do not have the power, nor the spiritual resources to overcome sin. The only solution is to come to Jesus Christ for salvation and walk according to the leading of the Holy Spirit (see Romans 8). Apart from Christ, mankind is wretched indeed! Miserable - 1 Corinthians 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. Apart from the hope of eternal life in Christ, there is no hope beyond this life. Believers have the assurance of Heaven and rewards for faithful service, but the lost do not have this hope. Truly they are miserable in the Lord's eyes. Poor - Luke 12:20-21 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. Here is the case of someone that is poor in God's eyes, spiritually bankrupt. The only solution is to turn in faith to Christ and have His perfect righteousness credited to their account. Sin on their account makes them poor indeed! Blind - John 9:41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth. The lost are blind, unable to see their lost condition and their need of a Saviour. (See 2 Corinthians 4:3-4) When we heed the conviction of the Holy Spirit regarding our lost estate, our eyes are opened to understand what the Saviour has done for us and we see our need for Him. Without Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives, the unsaved are truly blind! Naked - Revelation 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. Sin makes us ashamed before God. Like Adam and Eve fleeing from the presence of God in the Garden of Eden after they sinned (Genesis 3:6-10), even so sin today will cause us to be ashamed in His presence. (See Proverbs 30:12) We need the blood of Christ and the robe of His righteousness to cover our sins. Without it, we would be naked indeed! Revelation 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. Gold tried in the fire - faith. This is what will make us rich in the eyes of the Lord. The gold is our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, our reliance upon Him for salvation, and our trust in Him during the trials we will face in this life. The fire is what tries that gold to make it pure, to make it precious in the eyes of God. 1 Peter 1:7-8 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: 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: Job 23:10 But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. White raiment - This is the righteousness of Christ that is credited (imputed) to our account when we turn from our own self-righteousness, and receive His righteousness, believing that He paid the full penalty that our sin deserved when He died upon the cross for us. His resurrection three days later was proof that the payment was satisfactory to God the Father. It is only when we are clothed with this white raiment that the nakedness of our sin is removed completely. Romans 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: Romans 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Romans 4:23-25 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. Eyes anointed with eyesalve - Receive spiritual sight. Turn to the Lord in faith and He will open your eyes. His Holy Spirit will indwell you and will enable you to understand the Word of God, which He inspired. 1 Corinthians 2:13-14 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (See also 1 John 2:20, 27) Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. He rebukes us and disciplines us because of His great love for us. If He did not care, He would let us go on our own way to destruction without warning us and pleading with us. Be zealous and repent - here is the heat! Zealous means “to be hot, have warmth of feeling for.” We are to repent of our sins (turn from them in our heart, which will result in an outward turning) and to be zealous for the Lord. While sin will cool our love for the Lord, meditating and musing on the Word of God will make it burn hotter. Psalm 39:3 My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue. (See also Jeremiah 20:9) Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me. "He uses all proper means to awaken sinners, and to cause them to open to him: he calls by his word, he knocks by the impulses of his Spirit upon their conscience." - Matthew Henry. Behold, Jesus is standing at the door of your heart and He wants to come in. If you are lost and do not know Him as your Saviour, He wants to come and dwell in your heart through faith. He wants to come into your life and save you. (See Ephesians 3:17) If you are saved, He wants to fellowship with you. Are you maintaining that fellowship, that daily walk and communion with the Lord, or have you grown lukewarm? Why not heed His knock, hear His voice, and open the door today? Revelation 3:21-22 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. A promise to the true believer. It is our faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation, our faith in His shed blood and finished work on Calvary that gives us the victory in this life. (See 1 John 5:4-5) Do you have that victory? Heed what the Holy Spirit is saying to the churches - and to you! Written August 28th, 2004 Jerry Bouey

I know I am not where I once was in regards to writing devotionals and studies - but I am still studying, and sharing different word studies to encourage and exhort the believers around me. Tonight, the Lord impressed upon me to turn that into a ministry and use what He is teaching me now, even if it is somewhat different than what I used to write. Proverbs 25:11 says, A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. I can go through my emails and texts to my friends sent out in the last few months and see what apples of gold I can share with my brothers and sisters here on these boards. If I post a date with a word study, it is mostly a gauge for me to know when I originally sent it out - then I am reminded of when in my life the Lord emphasized those devotional thoughts on my heart and mind. Please feel free to interact with the word studies posted, give me your feedback, and I trust the Lord Jesus Christ will bless you and He has blessed me in studying His Word and digging a little deeper as I walk with Him. Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. The Greek word for uttermost is panteles. The root word pan means “all, every.” Teles and the word Jesus used in John 19:30 for “It is finished” come from the same root word meaning “(to set out for a definite point or goal); properly, the point aimed at as a limit, i.e. (by implication) the conclusion of an act or state).” Just as everything needed to save us was done at Calvary (ie. by our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, shedding His blood, bearing our sins and suffering God’s wrath in our place) - It is finished! - even so, will all be done in and through us (the process of calling us, justifying us, sanctifying us, glorifying us - in fact, every single thing that our Lord promises to do for us in regards to our salvation) will be done by Jesus. Just as He finished the work of dying for our sins on Calvary, even so will He do all things needed to make us fit to dwell eternally with Him - from the guttermost to the uttermost, as they say. Jerry Bouey July 31/2021.

Mother's Day In Heaven (Dedicated to my Mom - I miss you, and look forward to seeing you again!) It’s your first Mother’s Day in Heaven – I'm so thankful that you're not alone; As you behold the face of our Saviour, And are blessed to worship at His throne. Mom, I would love to send you flowers, Though their fading glory could not compare To the beautiful sights and sounds of Heaven, And your very own mansion over there. I never thought so much about Heaven, As I have since you’ve gone home to that place – Oh Mom, I miss you so very much, And I long to see your precious face. You see, this earthly home now seems more empty – Its glitter and glamour can no more impress; For Heaven is the place of God’s truest riches – Where our Father only keeps the best! Since you turned and trusted in the Saviour, An amazing change has taken place; Dwelling in the presence of Jesus now, In Heaven - only because of His grace. It’s your first Mother’s Day in Heaven – With everlasting joy and peace up there. Oh Mom, I miss you so much now, But I know our reunion will be beyond compare. May 8th/06 Jerry Bouey http://www.earnestlycontending.com/realmccoy/K_O/mothersday.html

The Furnace Of Affliction - Part One As Silver Is Tried