Just 15

In this chapter we see God's children identified and numbered. The 144.000 are the Messianic Jews who have been saved after the Rapture.They will be responsible for conversion of the great multitude during the Tribulation.12 x 12 x1000.  Completed IsraelThere are three scenes shown here. 1. Sealing of the saints. 7:1-8;   2. Sealing of the saints at that time. 6:9-11And victorious believers in heaven after the Tribulation after the battle has been won … triumphant in heaven."After these things I looked"   4:1 7:1-9  15:1.  18:1.  19:1.  The beginning of a vision of which John describes."After these things I heard".  A conclusion of a vision that John changes to address a new vision.Chapter 8 will open the 7th seal and will begin the blowing of the trumpets.Principle: God restrains all things to begin and/or complete His purposes. Everything stops when God has a different focus.

This chapter picks up the pace.It also relates to other Scriptures. Be prepared to cross reference these verse with Matthew 24-25 and Daniel 9.The four horsemen of the apocalypse are introduced with the impact described for each.You will notice that many in heaven will participate: the four living creatures, the elders, the angels, the lamb.Draw out a time line as you see it staying strictly in an outline form so you can fill in the details later.Notice how the chapter ends.

Revelation Chapter 5The Scroll, its 7 seals and the LambThis is the depiction of the title deed to the earth being claimed again by the Lamb who is worthy to own it.In but a few verses we are exposed to what now is to come . . . the beginning of the End.Let's look at a Biblical explanation of what happens and what this means by referring to Jeremiah.

We continue with the walk through Revelation.  We pick up in Rev. Chapter 4:From this chapter forward in the Book of Revelation heavenly realities are in constant focus. John begins with a vision of God himself.“After this I looked” is the way John opens a description of a new vision throughout the remainder of the book.

Philadelphia is a small church.But one that gets no condemnation. None.They were doing things right even though they may not have considered themselves as grandiose servants.Vineyards. Agriculture. People pop the soil. Albeit earthquakes were prominent and repeated.What shall we learn here?How about how and why doors are open and closed.

Letter to church in Sardis, the crossroad city of Asia Minor (royal road).Rich, affluent, upper aristocratic. Their attitude was one of selectivity and exclusivity.Arrogance prevailed, self satisfaction was prominent. The leer has particular meaning to those who obtained wealth from the gold and silver in the river adjacent.Security was thought to be theirs because of the impregnable Citadel.What kind of church would prevail that was in that environment?The forthcoming lesson examines just that question.

Thyatira was similar to Raleigh N.C. a textile town. Dyes, wools, cloth.But it also was. Manufacturing city with guilds and associations uniting blue collar workers and artisans,Prophecy is something that burdened them instead of uplifting them because they followed flesh prophets.Jesus saw into their hearts and saw the real heartbeat of the people.He looks into yours as  well. How do you feel about that?

Pergamum the city who was married to the world.Being in the seat of Satan caused a great deal of  difficulty for this church.A Las Vegas of its time.

Smyrna, second city to Ephesus, is sent a letter about their condition.This is the persecuted church.The members of this church were betrayed by “those who say that they are Jews, but are not.”Caesar is lord or Jesus is Lord."Choose today who you will serve. As for me and my house we will serve the Lord."

Letter to Ephesus. Rev 2:1-7The New York City of Asia Minor in the first century.How does a church FAIL when they have worked hard, endured problems and rejected evil?Why does a church FAIL who has worked hard, endured problems and rejected evil?It happened to this church. It has happened to churches in America. You have seen it happen.View the videos, discuss it at the zoom meeting, research it for yourself.Questions deserving an answer need attention..

The introduction to the book of Revelation.Our purpose is to hear what Jesus wants me to know.In order to know it I must See it (Readings and Videos)), Hear it (Podcast), Discuss it (Zoom Meetings),Ponder it (Prayer).Let's lay a foundation for what is to come.

Acts 15 is about the conflict from within and from without the church.From without is a controversy about salvation: need they be Jews? If so need they be circumcised?That was resolved.Than came a conflict between Barnabas and Paul.Resolved, yes.Read about it.

Peter's rescue from prison.A lot  is happening in this passage.Peter is released by an angel, he goes to a house where the disciples are having an all night vigil for him.They are surprised at his release.Herod leaves town only to find God's wrath awaits him.Plenty of takeaways here.

Acts 9 the Conversion of Paul on the road to Damascus.What a turnaround in attitude and purpose.Why was Paul so adamant about persecuting the Jewish Christians?Just as adamantly Saul would serve the Lord rather than persecute him.God's plan prevails always, nothing can prevent it nor deter it.

Spiritual WarfareThis is the end of Season One. We will start back again with Season Two beginning with Revelation Pn or about September 15.Go check out the website at www.just15.net in the meanwhile.Thanks for listening.There you go … and now you know!!!!!!

More personal relationships are commanded by Paul in a fashion consistent with our responsibility as believers according to God's plan.Husband and wife, children and parents, employee and employer relationships are the ones to wit that everyone can identify.Intimate relationships first: marriage.Responsbile relationships, authoritative relationships; stewardship: children.Provisional relationships: how we provide for ourselves, family.We are to be witnesses. We are to mature because of these. We are to submit to his plan.Wow! A lot to do. Here is the standard, the perspective, the guidelines for relationships that really work.A command? Yes. But also very good counsel.

Light and Dark contrasts … fruit of light, unfruitfulness of the darkWalk in the Spirit (Walk Wisely) … Fruit of the Spirit … Filled by the SpiritCaution, beware, look carefully in how we walk (how we represent ourselves as believers).Stop being foolish and use what time we have wisely for the Lord's purposes by the Power of His Spirit.Have joy in what you do with Him and for Him and because of Him. Sing to your fellow believers, be in harmony with Christ.

Paul now begins to talk about what is expected of us as Newbies. WE now have a standard to live by … a consistent standard … a standard based on truth.Old things are to be left behind, new clothes are to be put on.A new language, a different viewpoint, a fresh approach are before us.These things are what we need to live like Jesus.How are we doing? Are we succeeding in moving forward, bearing fruit, ripening and maturing?Match it with the new standard … how does your life match up.Start anew tomorrow. Begin again. Keep going until you get it right. You are able, because he is able.

ONENESS the theme of this section is about a vertical relationship.WE looked at a horizontal relationship in he last section. That was the breaking down of hostility between the gentiles and the jews in the body of Christ.Here Paul addresses looking upward to he who ascended after previously descending.We are to mature with each other, hold each other accountable, support and love each other.When we do that we look upward to his command to love each other and we do it out of obedience. We do it for Him. We are able to do these things because the Holy Spirit is our generator of great power.We are encouraged to do that by receiving his blessings for obedience as we unite with each other.We are ONE with Him because we are ONE with each other in allegiance, in work, in support … we want all to get to the same place (Heaven).WE all walk together to get where we are going.Walking together (Unity), walking together shedding ourselves fo our sin baggage (purity), walking together in fulfilling our purposes as spouses, parents, employees, friends, associates )harmony),Walking together to overcome a common enemy (victory). 

A continuation of the study of Ephesians.  We pick up in chapter 2 verse 11 through Chapter 3 verse 11. Two men come one. A New Society … a special new configuration. Joining the Jews with the Gentiles.This will form the solution to the mystery not revealed in the Old Testament.The solution? The CHURCH … the body of Christ who is the head.

Because of God's Grace we now have power to overcome the darkness.God's plan of salvation works to satisfy the justice requirement associated with our being guilty of our crimes (sin) … Rebellion … disobedience … turning our back on God. We are guilty. BUT GOD shows us mercy (undeserved as it is) in the form of grace.We are resurrected by grace, we are brought to life (born again) because of his love for us even when we were in darkness.He raised us from the depths of guilt to a place of honor, a place of grace, a place held for us by Jesus, a place for the repentant.We are spiritually seated with Him in the heavenlies now. We have power to overcome sin. On one day when our soul/spirit catches up with our reserved seat in heaven, we will be in position to be beyond the reach of sin.We have escaped the penalty of sin … we have the power to overcome the lure of sin … and we will be one day without the presence of sin.That glorious day is the day you can take your deepest breath and finally unclinch your hand. Satan has been vanquished. He has been defeated.

A walk through the Book of Ephesians.  This episode pickups up in Chapter 1 verses 15-23.   

A walk through Ephesians.  

An early beginning to our upcoming study through the Book of Ephesians.This podcast gives us some background that leads up to His writing of the Book.Remember this: What Paul had in him was used by God. That is to say Paul was greatly determined to stop the spread of the gospel among Jews at all cost and by any means.Determined ! That is the key word about Paul's character and personality.God uses the to the advantage of the gospel because Paul is equally determined to spread the gospel after his conversion.Keep that thought in the back of your mind as you listen to subsequent podcasts and zoom meetings.

An extension of the previous podcast about Grace.Genesis 6 and 7 are discussed.Key verse is 1 Corinthians 15:10Look it up

God's merited favor.We love to have it even though we cannot earn it.We all needed it even when we cannot accumulate it like manna.In searching to explain it, feel it, explain it is a hard things to do. So let's talk about it … examine it … and be grateful for it.This is Grace 1.1 , another episode on this topic to follow.  

The subject is the Unseen World of Heaven, Hell, Satan, Angels, Demons, God, Holy SpiritThe conversation is focused on the unseen places created for punishment or for reward.Do we use these words indiscriminately? Yes. Perhaps we should use them correctly according to the Scripture.What is in store for the future? God has a plan, God is Just. There will be a day of reckoning and there will be a place to accommodate that judgment.

Noun- a fence or boundary formed by closely growing bushes Verb- Surround or bound with a hedge or limit or qualify something by conditions or exceptions.  Join in to discuss the idea of Hedge.   

Sometimes we have a great vision of the future.  Sometimes we have a picture of the past.  Do you have vision or flash backs? 

Sometimes we have a full field of view.  However, sometimes we have something blocking us from seeing clarity.   Blind spots are in our way.   

What am I supposed to do . . .  when I don't know what to do?That's the question we will have in conversation with you today.What do I know?What am I called to do?How committed am I in doing it?Think about those questions and then answer the big question.Listen to the possibilities in this episode.

God Bless America! We sing this, we say this, we have it on our walls and courtrooms.  How are we blessed?    This episode discusses the Blessing of God.       

Paul's wisdom can sometimes be difficult to fully comprehend for anyone.  But when his letters are laid side by side, meaning begins to take shape and focus can be found.  A pattern found in Paul is a progression with the center being Jesus as the "hub".  Starting "with", coming "in", and ending "of" are the means.  The way is the vine and the branches.  Listen up and see the weaving of words.  

Snow melts downhill into ditches that collect into streams that build to creeks.  These connect into rivers that flow into great rivers that reach for the sea. No matter where we are in this accumulation chain we contribute to the overall scheme of things.  We flow in surrender to the course of our purpose. 

We shouldn't miss out on the opportunities that God brings to us disguised as people, events or circumstances.  Obstacles are on the field of play not in the stands.  We should expect them to be in our lane.  They don't stop us from opportunities, they merely slow us down a bit if we keep our eyes on the finish line of spiritual maturity. 

What's in your wallet? There are things for us to do. There are things we have been given to do. There are people who need what we have. I have skills and I have gifts.   I have experience and I have discernment. I know stuff. I can do stuff. We know, Let's go and do it! 

Changing the past means aligning the present to alter the future.   Redeeming the time means understanding the past as it appears in the present and aligning your goals for the future.  There is always a problem in a fallen world.  This episode explores these topics.  But God has an answer to these problems.    

Everyone has been wronged, offended and sinned against at some time in their lives. How are Christians to respond? " Be Kind and compassionate to one another, Forgiving Each Other...... " Ephesians 4:32  It is difficult to do when the violation of someone is traumatic.  We will discuss The Secret to Forgiveness in this episode.  

Have you ever put together a jigsaw puzzle?   Pastor Dan explores the topic of Problem solving in our lives.   

Why did God give man the ability to choose?   Lets discuss this topic and the implications it has for our lives on a daily basis.