Ezekiel's prophetic vision of a city centered on the rebuilt Holy Temple
POPULARITY
Categories
The mind of God is very specific on how he builds his city, & who get's in.
In this sermon, the Reverend Jacob Smith talks about the New Jerusalem and your name being written in the Lamb's Book of Life and why that is of such great comfort.
Order a hymnal for your home Upcoming Events Sunday: 10:00 am: Divine Service with Holy Communion Sunday, June 8: Noisy offering for the Miriam Children's Home in Brazil June 11-14: AFLC Annual Conference @ Association Retreat Center, Osceola, WI. Register here. Thursday, June 12, 2:00 pm: WMF Bible study & meeting June 29-July 2, 6:00-8:00 pm: Vacation Bible School Monday, July 7: Missions presentation by Zachariah and Carey Ritland, new missionaries to Paraguay July 15-20: Family Bible Camp @ Wilderness Bible Camp, Lake Park, MN July 20-25: Men's Boundary Waters canoe trip July 27-August 1: AFLC Teen Bible Camp @ FaHoCha. 2025 Teen Camp Brochure August 3-7: AFLC Preteen Bible Camp @ FaHoCha. 2025 Preteen Camp Brochure
Revelation Preaching Series on Revelation (text commentaries found on Working Preacher at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/narrative-lectionary/preaching-series-on-revelation-2025/commentary-on-revelation-14-8-7. • Week 1 - 7/27/2025: Revelation 1:4-8 (Greetings and 1st Vision) • Week 2 - 8/03/2025: Revelation 4:1-11 (The Elders and the Four Living Creatures) • Week 3 - 8/10/2025: Revelation 5:1-13 (The Seven Seals) • Week 4 - 8/17/2025: Revelation 7:9-17 (The Multitude from Every Nation) • Week 5 - 8/24/2025: Revelation 13:1-18 (The Beast and the Dragon) • Week 6 - 8/31/2025: Revelation 21:1-6; 22:1-5 (The New Heaven and the New Jerusalem) ⏰Timecodes⏰ 00:00 Introduction to Narrative Lectionary Summer Preaching Series on Revelation 02:54 Overview: Exploring the Book of Revelation 03:35 Week 1: Revelation 1, Greetings and First Vision 05:51 Trinitarian Theology in Revelation 08:41 Week 2: Revelation 4, The Elders and the Four Living Creatures 08:59 Imagery and Symbolism in Revelation 12:04 The Role of Worship in Revelation 15:08 Diversity and Inclusion in Revelation 17:56 Week 3: Revelation 5, The Seven Seals 20:53 The Nature of Salvation in Revelation 24:06 Understanding Numbers and Symbolism 25:37 Week 4: Revelation 7, The Multitude from Every Nation 27:12 Deception and Violence in Revelation 29:57 Week 5: Revelation 13, The Beast and the Dragon 31:30 Worship as a detergent for deception and violence 37:00 Week 6: Revelation 21-22, The New Heaven and the New Jerusalem 38:02 The Final Vision: New Creation and Hope on earth 41:25 Outro
Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley wrap up their conversation on the book of Revelation by looking at Chapters 21-22.Questions Covered in This Episode:What have we learned? Why should someone spend the time to study Revelation?What are the seven sevens?How does this connect to Genesis 1-2?What's the importance of the presence of God?Why does the sea disappear in Revelation 21?How do we see the blend of restoration and judgment?What is this city, the New Jerusalem? Why the attention to its details and design?How does Revelation 22 put us back into the imagery of Eden?How does the book end?Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Revelation 21-22, Habakkuk 2:14, Psalm 1, Exodus 3, John 8:12, Matthew 6:10In the Word with Jen WilkinStarting Place with Elizabeth WoodsonDeep Discipleship Program Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteOur Sister Podcasts:The Family Discipleship Podcast | Tiny TheologiansSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway's Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.
Unveiling the Divine: Exploring Biblical Revelations in God's Hidden Messages In a captivating segment, Jeff presents a series of thought-provoking videos. The first video reveals remarkable insights from a channel named 'Saved Skeptic,' explaining the veiled references to the rapture within the book of Genesis. This is further complemented by another film from 'Kingdom Story Films,' illustrating how the seven biblical feasts potentially map the timeline of Jesus' return, and how the New Jerusalem's magnificent gemstones substantiate God's authorship of the Bible. Amidst these enlightening discussions, Jeff also prompts listeners to reflect on the modern world's portrayal of value, as exhibited in the diamond industry – cleverly juxtaposed with the divine worth of the anisotropic gemstones prophesied to adorn the new holy kingdom. Tune in to this enlightening episode to enrich your understanding of how ancient scriptures align with modern-day revelations, affirming your faith and understanding of biblical prophecies. Join us on this spiritual journey as we await the ultimate divine encounter. Thank you for Listening to Right on Radio. https://linktr.ee/RightonRadio Prayerfully consider supporting Right on Radio. Click Here for all links, Right on Community ROC, Podcast web links, Freebies, Products (healing mushrooms, EMP Protection) Social media, courses and more... https://linktr.ee/RightonRadio Live Right in the Real World! We talk God and Politics, Faith Based Broadcast News, views, Opinions and Attitudes We are Your News Now. Keep the Faith
→ Watch on YouTube → Detailed Show Notes → Timestamps: (00:00) The building of Zion, the New Jerusalem.(26:45) The parable of the nobleman and the olive trees.(30:00) The Lord calls the Saints to reclaim the land in Missouri in “Zions Camp.”(38:52) Edward Partridge's duties as Bishop pertaining to consecration.(44:41) The The post Ep 322 | D&C 51-57, Come Follow Me 2025 (May 26-June 1) appeared first on LDS Scripture Teachings.
Send us a textJoin Fr. Aaron & Marissa Burt for this week's episode, in which they consider the readings for the sixth Sunday of Easter: Acts 14:8-18 or Joel 2:21-27; Psalm 67; Revelation 21:1-4, 22-22:5; John 14:21-29.They discuss Paul and Barnabas' time in Lystra, the prophetic imagery of the New Jerusalem in Revelation, and Jesus's promise of the Holy Spirit.Notes:--Dwell App--Prayers of the People for Easter--2019 Book of Common PrayerEaster: The Season of the Resurrection of Jesus, by: Wesley Hill--Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World, by: Tom Holland--Book recommendation re: substitution—Lamb of the Free: Recovering the Varied Sacrifical Understandings of Jesus's DeathThe Bible ProjectBible Project summary of Revelation: Part 1 and Part 21:09 Collect1:51 Acts 14:8-1817:59Psalm 6726:05 Revelation 21:1-4, 22-22:536:22 John 14:21-29 251:05 Joel 2:21-27 Our outro music is an original song by our friend Dcn. Jeremiah Webster, a poet and professor whose giftedness is rivaled by his humbleness. You can find his published works, including After So Many Fires, with a quick Google.
Friends of the Rosary,Today, Fifth Sunday of Easter, at Mass' Second Reading, at the end of the Book of Revelation (21:1-5a), John describes the Heavenly Jerusalem, where we will joyfully dwell with Christ Jesus forever, once the old order - “the former heaven and earth” - has passed away.As John saw, the New Jerusalem, the new holy city, will be “a new heaven and a new earth.”In the main reading of today's Mass (John 13:31-33a, 34-35), Jesus gives us a new commandment: “love one another.”“As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.This is how all will know that you are my disciples,if you have love for one another.”At the Last Supper, Jesus told the Eleven: “As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. All will know you are my disciples if you love one another.”Christ Jesus loved us first, and his love makes it possible for us to love like him in turn.Ave Maria!Jesus, I Trust In You!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will. Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New York• May 18, 2025, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET
The distance between an immortal God and mortal humanity ought to be insurmountable. But our God longs to dwell with us forever. He shows us that first in the Garden of Eden, he makes it possible through his incarnation, and at the end of everything, he promises to give us a new Jerusalem for eternity.
https://pluto.sitetackle.com/16538/subpages/homilies/Homily-20250518-PamD.mp3
"Zion" refers to something that has multiple meanings: Zion can be a place, a people, and a state of heart. It signifies a perfect society, where God dwells with his people, they are united in love and righteousness, and share all things equally. A Place: Zion can be understood as a physical location, like the ancient city of Jerusalem or the New Jerusalem, which will be built in Jackson County, Missouri. A People: Zion also refers to the Lord's people who are of one heart and mind, dwelling in righteousness and sharing all things in common. A State of Heart: Zion is a spiritual quality, a unified society of Latter-day Saints, metaphorically gathered as members of the Church of Christ. A Divine Ideal: Zion represents an ideal society, a "city of holiness" where the Lord's people live in harmony, love, and righteousness. A Call to Action: Latter- day Saints are encouraged to "bring forth and establish the cause of Zion" by building unity, spiritual strength, and righteousness in their homes, communities, and the church. The concept of Zion emphasizes the importance of unity, love, and righteous living as the path to establishing a Zion-like society, both physically and spiritually. Join Lynne Hilton Wilson and special guest Professor Alex Baugh for this episode of Come, Follow Church History. Professor Baugh is an expert on the time period in Church History covering sections 58-59 of the Doctrine and Covenants. Thank you for joining us at Scripture Central! We hope that you have enjoyed this content.
And He who was seated on the throne said, “Behold I am making all things new.” You know, when we go to be with Jesus, everything will be new. Not just where we live, but who we are. We will have new, glorified bodies, a new awareness and understanding, new and greater intellectual capacity. And the best part is, we'll enjoy all of this without pain, without regret, and without the possibility of sin. Today, Ron offers us a beautiful glimpse of our future home in Heaven, as he moves ahead in his teaching series, “Heaven: The Father's House and My Eternal Home.”
Have you ever wondered what heaven will be like? What it will look like, where it will be located? Today, Ron takes you to the largest description of heaven found anywhere in your Bible. It came to the Apostle John in a vision from Jesus Himself, and he wrote down what he saw in Revelation chapter twenty-one, verses one through five. Prepare yourself to get homesick for heaven, as Ron continues his teaching series, “Heaven: The Father's House and My Eternal Home.”
Can you imagine a life without pain and sorrow? If you find yourself in a city and stop to listen, you'll hear the buzzing of activity and the persistent wailing of sirens. There'll be car alarms, fire alarms, ambulance sirens, fire sirens, or police sirens. At times, all those sounds will be combined into a dissonant declaration of brokenness. As Pastor Ken will encourage us in today's message, God is preparing a perfect city for us in the New Jerusalem, where all that pain and suffering will be gone.
In this episode of the Sermon Brainwave podcast, Profs. Karoline Lewis, Matt Skinner, and Rolf Jacobson discuss the readings for the sixth Sunday of Easter, focusing on the Farewell Discourse in John, the role of the Holy Spirit, the call to Macedonia in Acts, and the significance of Lydia as a key figure in the early church. They also explore the imagery in Revelation 21, emphasizing the communal aspect of eschatological existence and the promise of God's presence. Commentaries for the Sixth Sunday of Easter can be found on the Working Preacher website at https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/sixth-sunday-of-easter-3/commentary-on-john-1423-29-6. ⏰Timecodes⏰ 00:00 Introduction to the Sixth Sunday of Easter 01:58 Exploring the Farewell Discourse 05:54 The Role of the Holy Spirit 10:10 Acts 16: The Call to Macedonia 13:58 Lydia: A Key Figure in the Early Church 19:55 Revelation 21: The New Jerusalem 25:59 End * * * Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share to stay connected with more insightful lectionary discussions! Reminder: We have commentaries for the Revised Common Lectionary, the Narrative Lectionary, and Evangelio (Spanish-language Gospel). We're here for you, working preachers! Learn more by visiting https://www.workingpreacher.org/. Watch this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/7jCeGf9WB_s.
In Proverbs 31, we see the lengthy mention of a 'virtuous woman', and it talks about the many wonderous things she does for her husband, her children and in the administration of her household. A quick reading of the chapter leads you to see the quality of the 'godly woman', but a closer examination shows you something quite different. It shows you Jesus Christ as the 'mother hen', opening His wings (see Psalm 91) to gather together his children for comfort. “But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.” Galatians 4:26 (KJB)Just as Eve gave birth to her earthly children, so are we the children of God begotten through the gospel of Jesus Christ. On this Mother's Day Sunday Service, I would like to show you Jesus Christ and New Jerusalem, which the apostle Paul tells us, is the mother of all of us who believe.
Series: The Revelation of Jesus Christ Scripture: Revelation 21:22-22:5 Focus: The New Jerusalem will be God's life-giving, eternal paradise that bustles with spiritual commerce. Speaker: Matt Thornton, Pastor. Date: May 11, 2025
Description: An exposition of the Tree of Life with its associated parts and the application throughout Scripture. The importance of type and analogy is demonstrated, pointing forward to the future joy of the saints being Trees of Righteousness in the Kingdom of God - many trees partaking of the One Tree which is Christ; and the responsibility of instructing the mortal population in the Millennium.A @Christadelphians Video: # SummaryThis PRESENTATION explores the profound visions found in Revelation 21 and 22, particularly focusing on the significance of the leaves of the tree of life, which are described as being for the healing of the nations. The speaker draws connections between the visions of Ezekiel and John, elucidating the spiritual implications of the Water of Life and the New Jerusalem. The presentation highlights the transformative power of the leaves and their role in the Millennial Kingdom, where the Saints will act as instruments of healing for the nations.# Highlights-
Victory Within: The Pathway to an Overcoming Life Victorious Christian Living is meant to be the norm for every true believer in Christ. Revelation 2:7 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." Revelation 2:11 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death." Revelation 2:17 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it." Revelation 2:26 "And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—" Revelation 3:5 "He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels." Revelation 3:12 "He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name." Revelation 3:21 "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne." God actually expects us to overcome. To live victoriously. #1 It starts with Intimacy. THIS is eternal life that they might KNOWHim! (John 17:3) Philippians 3:10 “that I may know Him and the power of His resur- rection, & the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,” John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” If you will get this part of the Christian life right. if you will prioritize this above all, then will be well on your way to victorious Christian living! Christians who prioritize their relationship w/ Christ through a consistent devotional life tend to live victoriously. 2 Peter 1:2-4 says “Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of Godand of Jesus our Lord. 3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. 4 Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” As you spend time with Him you will become like Him. The law, legalism, is contrary to faith. The Righteous live by faith I Jn 5:4 - “for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” And without faith it is impossible to please God! This is the victory that overcomes the world even our faith. 3 Simple Steps to the Victorious Christian Life - #1 Intimacy with Christ. #2 Christlike character #3 Faith in the Word
Principle 46, The New Jerusalem Psalm 48: 1-14 We are consistently to rejoice and praise God that we have an everlasting inheritance in God's eternal city. NEW! - Let us know what you think of the program! Support the show
Series: Jesus is Coming! - A Study In Revelation - Pastor Mark SmithMay 4, 2025
John moves from pulling back the curtain on the “Eternal City” of Rome and gives us an image of what could be with the “Holy City” of the New Jerusalem. This week we look at the images and words John uses to describe what could be.
Series: The Revelation of Jesus Christ. Scripture: Revelation 21:9-23 Focus: The New Jerusalem will be a beautiful city filled with God's presence as well as reminders of His redemptive plan. Speaker: Matt Thornton, Pastor. Date: May 4, 2025
The book of Revelation unveils the full deity and sovereignty of our Lord God almighty in vivid detail. A right understanding of this apocalypse, prophecy and pastoral letter had the power in the first century to encourage and undergird the young church to persevere through intense persecution while simultaneously enlivening complacent and apathetic believers to join in the mission. Revelation still possesses the same authority and strength today. The Lord is on the throne and in full control even when it seems evil is winning. The book of Revelation emphatically reassures us believers that things are not as they appear. Please join us and be encourage through this study of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. ———————— This week, Pastor Jeff continues a series in the book of Revelation. The next message in the series comes from Revelation 22:1-5 and is entitled "Eternal Life." The main idea of the sermon is: New Jerusalem will be an eternal place of restorative life and illuminate worship. ———————— Connect with Us: Website: parkwoodonline.org Facebook: facebook.com/parkwoodonline Instagram: instagram.com/parkwoodonline.org Check out more resources and sermons online at: parkwoodresources.org
Law and the Real Sabbath (1) (audio) David Eells – 5/4/25 First, let me say that we do have a Sabbath to keep in the New Covenant. If you, who have eyes to see, will be patient and hear me out, I will show you that it is the best news you have ever heard. The Sunday Sabbath folks want to bring us under the law of man, and the Saturday Sabbath folks want to bring us under the Law of the Old Covenant, which God refused to make with the Gentiles (Psa.147:19,20; Deu.7:6,11). If you hold either one of these positions, do not be afraid to examine this subject for the truth will hold up to scriptural scrutiny. The early church kept neither Sunday nor Saturday as the New Testament Sabbath until a great falling away in the third century. The Old Covenant Saturday Sabbath was a type and shadow of what is promised in the New Covenant, but as we will see, Sunday is not the fulfillment of it. (Col.2:16) Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath day: (17) which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ's. As anyone knows, a shadow is not real; it is only darkness. It is created because what is real is in the light. When Christians try to keep the Old Covenant Sabbath, they are in darkness and have not yet come into the light of the real Sabbath. The Jews never knew what the real Sabbath was, only the shadow or type of the New Testament Sabbath. God never made the Law covenant with the Gentiles. For a Christian to come under part of the Law, like the old Sabbath, is to come under a curse for not keeping the whole Law. (Gal.3:10) For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one who continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them. Christ delivered us from the curse of failing to keep any part of God's Law. (13) Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (14) that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. We are now justified by faith, not by keeping any part of the Law. Paul then warned the Christians not to go back under the Law in observing feast days and Sabbath days. (Gal.4:9) but now that ye have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how turn ye back again to the weak and beggarly rudiments, whereunto ye desire to be in bondage over again? (10) Ye observe days, and months, and seasons, and years. (11) I am afraid of you, lest by any means I have bestowed labor upon you in vain. Paul warned by the Spirit that these believers could not be Christ-like under the Law. (19) My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you. Paul then warned that the Christians who go back under the Law are sons of the bondwoman Hagar and not the freewoman Sarah. (21) Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? (22) For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the handmaid, and one by the freewoman. (23) Howbeit the [son] by the handmaid is born after the flesh; but the [son] by the freewoman [is born] through promise. Here we come to a stern warning for those seeking to be justified by keeping the Old Covenant Sabbath or any other part of the shadow of the Law. (30) Howbeit what saith the scripture? Cast out the handmaid and her son: for the son of the handmaid shall not inherit with the son of the freewoman. For a Christian to go under any part of the Law is for him to go into bondage and be cut off from the benefits of Christ. (5:1) For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage. (2) Behold, I Paul say unto you, that, if ye receive circumcision (Or any other part of the Law), Christ will profit you nothing. (3) Yea, I testify again to every man that receiveth circumcision (Or any other part of the Law), that he is a debtor to do the whole law. (4) Ye are severed from Christ, ye would be justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace. We are “severed from Christ” when we do not follow or abide in Him, but the Law. Only under grace through faith are we united with Christ through justification and delivered from the curse. Neither Jesus nor the Apostles told us to keep the Old Covenant Sabbath. Jesus always appeared to the disciples and taught on the Lord's day after His resurrection because it was His resurrection day, the first day of the week (Luk.24:1,13; Luk.27-32; Joh.20:1,17,19, 26; Rev.1:10-13). The disciples gathered on the first day of the week (Act.20:7; 1Co.16:1,2). However, they did not make the Lord's Day into a command or law, but a custom; and they never claimed it was the Sabbath. Apostate men did that. Jesus and the disciples went to the Jews on their Sabbath to evangelize them and bring them into the New Covenant Sabbath rest through the promises. Jesus was constantly accused of breaking their shadow Sabbath (Mat.12:2; Joh.5:16-19; 9:16) because He was not under the Law. We will also be accused of this if we follow in His steps instead of being “severed from Christ” by keeping a Law that was never given to us. The Apostles and elders in Acts 15 were gathered together to see whether to bring the Gentiles under the Law. They came to a conclusion that those under the Sabbath Law need to understand. (Act.15:19) Wherefore my judgment is, that we trouble not them that from among the Gentiles turn to God; (20) but that we write unto them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood. These few things he commanded so that the Jews would not consider them anathema. This was important for the Jews' sake so that they could be evangelized. (21) For Moses from generations of old hath in every city them that preach him (Law), being read in the synagogues every Sabbath. (28) For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things.... Notice that the Sabbath was not commanded of the Gentiles. Neither were a lot of other things that the legalists bring the ignorant Christians under. The Law passed away and was fulfilled in Christ, except for those whose hearts are blinded by the veil. (2Co.3:12) Having therefore such a hope, we use great boldness of speech, (13) and [are] not as Moses, [who] put a veil upon his face, that the children of Israel should not look steadfastly on the end of that which was passing away: (14) but their minds were hardened: for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remaineth, it not being revealed [to them] that it is done away in Christ. (15) But unto this day, whensoever Moses is read, a veil lieth upon their heart. (16) But whensoever it shall turn to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Don't go into bondage with the veil of Old Covenant Laws, which are just shadows or parables of what was to come. Now we, with an unveiled face see the New Covenant in Christ. (17) Now the Lord is the Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, [there] is liberty. (18) But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit. The Law was cancelled because it could not complete or make perfect, because it was only a shadow of the good things to come in the New Covenant. (Heb.7:18) For there is a disannulling (Greek: Annulled or cancelled) of a foregoing commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness (19) (for the law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in thereupon of a better hope (The New covenant through grace), through which we draw nigh unto God. The purpose of those under the Law was to give us a shadow or parable of the great things to come. (Heb.8:5) who serve [that which is] a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, even as Moses is warned [of God] when he is about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern that was showed thee in the mount. (6) But now hath he obtained a ministry the more excellent, by so much as he is also the mediator of a better covenant, which hath been enacted upon better promises. (7) For if that first [covenant] had been faultless, then would no place have been sought for a second. (8) For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, That I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah; (9) Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers ... (13) In that he saith, A new [covenant] he hath made the first old. But that which is becoming old and waxeth aged is nigh unto vanishing away. (10:1) For the law having a shadow of the good [things] to come, not the very image of the things, can never with the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect them that draw nigh. The Law was always planned to be a temporary shadow. (Gal.3:19) What then is the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise hath been made... So there was an end of the Olde Covenant law. The Sabbath was eternal as the legalists will tell you (Exo.31:16). So how could it be eternal and still pass away? What they do not understand is that it changed from letter to spirit in the New Covenant (2Co.3:2-11). The letter of the type, shadow, or parable as taught in the Old Covenant is now fulfilled in the spirit of the New Covenant. Jesus said in (Mat.5:17) Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfill. (18) For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass away from the law, till all things be accomplished. So now we must fulfill the parable. Fulfilling or accomplishing the Law is not the same as being under the Old Covenant Law as Jesus went on to demonstrate. (21) Ye have heard that it was said to them of old time (Notice that the Law was spoken unto them, not us.), Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: (22) but I say unto you, that every one who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment. Notice that Jesus changed the Law from regulations of our actions to regulations of our heart, as the prophets said would come (Jer.31:33) But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith Jehovah: I will put my law in their inward parts, and in their heart will I write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Those who do not permit anger in their heart will fulfill the Law and not kill. (27) Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt not commit adultery: (28) but I say unto you, that every one that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Jesus interpreted the Law again. If we do what He says and avoid lust, we will fulfill the Law by not committing adultery. Jesus continued to demonstrate how changing the Law from outer actions to inner nature will fulfill it (Mat.5:33, 43). If God changed all these Laws in order to fulfill them, then He did the same with the Sabbath. The Sabbath was meant to be a change in our nature rather than a regulation of our actions, one day a week. If a person rests from his own works every day by believing in Christ's finished work, he will certainly fulfill the Law of resting for one day. The Law will be fulfilled in us, but not by keeping the letter, “For the letter kills but the spirit gives life”. It will be fulfilled through us as we walk in and by the Spirit. (Gal.5:16) But I say, walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. (18) But if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law. When you see what's written in the shadow of the Law, you must look in the New Covenant to find out what the fulfillment is. Circumcision was necessary under penalty of death, but Paul, by the Spirit, changed it from a carnal shadow to the spiritual fulfillment of baptism. (Col.2:11) ... in the circumcision of Christ; (12) having been buried with him in baptism. Under the Old Covenant, we were 90% owners and 10% stewards but according to Jesus, we are now 100% stewards, or we are not really disciples. (Luk.14:33) So therefore whosoever he be of you that renounceth not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. To Peter, it was revealed that the Old Covenant carnal restriction on eating unclean beasts was spiritually a restriction of partaking of unclean people, which Solomon called beasts (Ecc.3:18), and the gospel solves that problem. (Act.10:11) and he beholdeth the heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet, let down by four corners upon the earth: 12 wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts and creeping things of the earth and birds of the heaven. 13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill and eat. 14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common and unclean. 15 And a voice [came] unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, make not thou common. Then Peter was sent with the gospel to the Gentiles and got the revelation that they were the unclean beasts that God had cleansed. (28) and he said unto them, Ye yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to join himself or come unto one of another nation; and [yet] unto me hath God showed that I should not call any man common or unclean. As you can see, it was the habit of Jesus and the disciples to translate the shadow to the spiritual reality. It is a violation of the Spirit to bring old Covenant ceremonial laws into the New Covenant without translating them. Since this is so, we must find out what the Sabbath translates to. Let me explain the New Testament Sabbath rest. The Sabbath shadow was to cease from man's works one day a week. But we are commanded to do this every day. We can cease from works of religious self-justification, works of the flesh, and various forms of salvation by man's works, through faith in the work that Christ has already accomplished. Jesus said, “All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye receive (Greek: received) them, and ye shall have them (Mar.11:24). Why believe that we have received everything? Notice in the following verses that all things have been received by us and that the only thing left is for us to believe it. Also note the past-tense of our sacrificial provision in the following verses: (Eph.2:8) For by grace have ye been saved through faith; (1Pe.2:24) Who his own self bare our sins in his body ...by whose stripes ye were healed; (Col.1:13) Who delivered us out of the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love; (2Co.5:18) ...who reconciled us to himself; (Gal.2:20) I have been crucified with Christ, and its no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me; (Gal.3:13) Christ redeemed us from the curse; (1Pe.1:3) ...the Father ...begat us again ...by the resurrection of Jesus Christ; (Heb.10:10) We ...have been sanctified ...; (14) He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified; (Eph.1:3) ...who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing, and God (2Pe.1:3) hath granted unto us all things .... Jesus told us in His day which, of course, is also in the past that “Now shall the prince of this world be cast out” (Joh.12:31); “But be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (Joh.16:33); “It is finished” (Joh.19:30). This is why we are to believe we have received. The devil and the curse were conquered. We were saved, healed, delivered, and provided for. We can rest from our own works to accomplish this when we truly believe. Let me give you an example. (1Pe.2:24) who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed. The one who believes that Jesus already “bare our sins” considers himself delivered and can rest. He no longer has to worry about how to be delivered because he reckons himself to be “dead unto sin but alive unto God” (Rom.6:11). He reckons within himself, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me” (Gal.2:20). He can rest. Notice that the one who believes that “by whose stripes ye were healed” never has to resort to his own works to get healed. All he has to do is rest and receive it by faith. If a man continues to try to get healed when the Word says he was healed, he shows he does not believe the Word. He has not ceased from his own works to enter the rest by believing 1 Peter 2:24. All the sacrificial promises are past-tense to cause us to rest from our works every day. Redemption from the curse is truly finished! In fact, God's “works were finished from the foundation of the world” (Heb.4:3) when He spoke the plan into existence. The only thing left is for the true sons of God to enter into those works by faith, believing they have received. Since the works are finished, we should believe and rest from our own works to save, heal, and deliver ourselves. (3) For we who have believed do enter into that rest. Notice it is not the one who ceases from works on Saturday or Sunday but the one who believes who enters the New Covenant Sabbath rest every day. (9) There remaineth therefore a Sabbath rest (Greek: sabbatismos, “keeping of rest”) for the people of God. This constant “keeping of rest” every day, not one day a week, through the past-tense promises, is our spiritual Sabbath. (10) For he that is entered into his rest hath himself also rested from his works, as God did from his. This rest is to believe these past-tense promises and rest from our own works or man's works to save ourselves. Our faith in each of these promises brings us into more of the rest. We should be diligent not to leave out even one of these promises for our own good. (Heb.4:1) Let us fear therefore, lest haply, a promise being left of entering into his rest, any one of you should seem to have come short of it. (2) For indeed we have had good tidings preached unto us, even as also they: but the word of hearing did not profit them, because it was not united by faith with them that heard. This is true faith and always brings the answer. Through believing the promises, we enter into rest from our own works. For a child of God to say that they believe they have received and yet continue seeking to receive, usually through worldly methods, is to be double-minded. (Jas.1:6) But let him ask in faith, nothing doubting: for he that doubteth is like the surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed. (7) For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord; (8) a doubleminded man, unstable in all his ways. Those who continue to work for what God has freely given believe in salvation by works. (Heb.4:10) For he that is entered into his rest, hath himself also rested from his works. (Jas.3:19) And we see that they were not able to enter in because of unbelief. Since the promises of deliverance from the curse are past-tense, when we believe them, we must stop working. It is an evil heart of unbelief to not rest. God was angry with Israel because they would not believe His Word in their trial in the wilderness (Heb.3:8-10). (Heb.3:11) As I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest (the Sabbath!). (12) Take heed, brethren, lest haply there shall be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God .... (14) We are become partakers of Christ (His health, holiness, and blessing) if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm unto the end. When we believe we have received, we are put in a position of weakness because we cannot do anything to bring the desired result to pass. This weakness is rest in our wilderness experiences because there is no help from Egypt or the world there. Only God's power saves in the wilderness. God says, “My power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor.12:9). If we refuse to be weak, God refuses to be strong on our behalf. Our weapon against our enemies who try to talk us out of our covenant rights is the two-edged sword of these past-tense promises (Heb.4:11,12). Let me share with you a good example of the power of the true gospel through faith in our past provision. Several years ago, I ran across a lady who had two large, inoperable tumors. She listed for me several famous preachers she had been to, who had prayed for her to be healed. She said to me, “David, I just don't understand why I have not been healed”. I said, “You just told me why you have not been healed. You are looking in the wrong direction. Turn around and look behind you for 'by whose stripes ye were healed' (1Pe.2:24). You are looking forward to a healing that happened behind you. You have a little hope, but no faith. Faith 'calls the things that be not (in this case, healing) as though they were' (Rom.4:17). Faith looks back at what was accomplished at the cross, but hope looks forward to what will be accomplished. Jesus said, 'All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for believe that ye receive (Greek: “received”) them, and ye shall have them' (Mar.11:24). That is the gospel, sister, that you must believe”. With these few words, I saw the light come on in her eyes; and her face brighten up. I said, “Now we are going to pray one more time; but this time believe the Scriptures, and believe you have received whether you see an instant manifestation, or not”. She agreed, so I rebuked the infirmity and commanded her to be healed in Jesus' name. She instantly felt the tumors leave. We rejoiced and thanked God together. I said, “Sister, that is the first time you believed the true gospel concerning your healing. If you had done that when those other preachers prayed, you would have been healed.” Because she, through faith, entered into rest from her own works to save herself, she saw the works of Jesus. Many do not receive from God because they do not keep our Sabbath through faith. Many years ago, I had a dream about resting from my works in order to be caught up by the power of God to do His works. In scene one, my wife and I were resting in lawn chairs in front of our house. Our gaze was riveted on the power line that crossed our property because it was sagging between the power poles so much that it almost touched the ground. As we watched and rested, a tornado came over that power line and picked us up out of our chairs and carried us away. Interpretation: God helped me to understand this prophetic dream. As we cease from our works and enter into the rest (the lawn chairs), the power of man (power line) comes to an end, and the power of God (tornado or whirlwind) takes over. God only gives this power to those who cease from their own works, even religious works, to follow His Spirit because they believe the promises. In scene two, I found myself in front of a large church. I walked through the front door and standing in the foyer was an “old man” in a suit. I avoided this old man as if he were a rattlesnake and went into the sanctuary, so-called. I saw there a large double sink, full of water. In the water were babies; they were faced down and most were dead. I quickly went to the sink, picked up a baby, and held him in the air. He spoke to me saying, “Thank God, I knew he was going to send someone”. Interpretation: I was made to know that there are many carnal ministers (old man - Eph.4:22; Col.3:9,10) who are trying to wash up the people of God (babies in the sink) by using the word as the letter of the Law (which is the water in Eph.5:26) and they're killing them instead. (2Co.3:6) who also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. The letter of the Law that is taught by the Pharisees of today only gets our eyes on our own earthly ability or inability, like being face down in the water, which kills. Many are they that sit under the condemnation of the Law, which is a powerless false gospel, only to give up in their failure to please God and go back into the world or die on a church pew. We cannot pick ourselves up by our bootstraps or be saved by our own self-will. This is an understanding that is from the earth, and is face down. Seeking this is to be “ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2Ti.3:7) that sets free. Jesus purposely spoke in parables so that only those who have eyes and ears for heavenly things would understand (Mat.13:10-14). These seek a knowledge that is born from above, I.e., face up. (Mat.16:17) And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jonah: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father who is in heaven. As always, those whose understanding is “face up” will be fought by those whose understanding is “face down”. The good news of the promises is the power of God given freely to save the one who believes (Rom.1:16). These promises get our eyes on God's ability and provision or face up. These promises give faith (Rom.10:17) to get grace (Eph.2:8) in order to have the power to live the Christian life and cease from our works. The Jews complained that Jesus' disciples were breaking the Sabbath by harvesting grain to eat (Mat.12:1,2), which was true according to the Law (Exo.31:14-17). Jesus replied to them; (Mat.12:5) Or have ye not read in the law, that on the Sabbath day the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are guiltless? Notice that He was proclaiming that His disciples were guiltless for profaning the old Sabbath. The priests, in order to fulfill the Sabbath, had to work in the temple. They did the work of God as we should also. Jesus was rebuked for healing on the Sabbath. Those outside the temple had to cease from their own works. (6) But I say unto you, that one greater than the temple is here. Jesus is our New Testament temple. We who abide in Him must work His works in order to fulfill the Sabbath. We must work the works of our Father, for we are the priests of God. (Rev.1:6) and he made us [to be] a kingdom, [to be] priests unto his God and Father .... Those who do not abide in Him have not ceased from their own works and are breaking the real Sabbath. Those who follow Christ as Lord are keeping the Sabbath, for He is Lord of the Sabbath. (Mat.12:8) For the Son of man is Lord of the sabbath. If we follow the Lord, then we have rested from our works to do His works. (Joh.14:12) ... he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father. If we follow the Law, we are cut off from Christ and grace and cannot be keeping the real Sabbath (Gal.5:4). Those seeking to keep the Law of the Sabbath are instead breaking it because they are not resting from the works of the Law. Those under the Law, who condemn us for following Christ on Saturday or Sunday, condemn the guiltless. (Mat.12:7) But if ye had known what this meaneth, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice; ye would not have condemned the guiltless. We are to work and do good on our Sabbath. All good is legal on our Sabbath, every day, but our old works are not. (12) ...Wherefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day. Good, of course, is God's works. (Joh.5:16) And for this cause the Jews persecuted Jesus, because he did these things on the sabbath. (17) But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh even until now, and I work. Notice that Jesus worked His Father's works even on their shadow Sabbath. Then Jesus specified what works are legal on our Sabbath. (19) ...The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father doing: for what things soever he doeth, these the Son also doeth in like manner. We see here that works that come from self are illegal on our Sabbath, but works that our Father does through us are not. (30) I can of myself do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is righteous; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. As sons seeking the will of God, we also may work the works of God on our spiritual Sabbath but not the works of self. Even the Old Covenant gives us clues to this principle. (Isa.58:13) If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, [and] the holy of Jehovah honorable; and shalt honor it, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking [thine own] words: (14) then shalt thou delight thyself in Jehovah; and I will make thee to ride upon the high places of the earth; and I will feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of Jehovah hath spoken it. Jesus said that He always did the will of His Father. Therefore He always rested from His own works, and those who follow Him do also. God gives the same Spirit that Jesus had to those who wish to be empowered to follow Him and so keep the real Sabbath. (Isa.28:11) Nay, but by [men of] strange lips and with another tongue will he speak to this people; (12) to whom he said, This is the rest, give ye rest to him that is weary; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. Paul declared this verse to be a promise to those who are filled with the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues in the New Covenant (1 Cor.14:21). Jews and Christians who refuse this Spirit to rest from the works of the Law, including the old Sabbath, are said to be those who “would not hear”. If we receive and follow the Spirit, we are not under the Sabbath or any of the Law. (Gal.5:18) But if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Those who receive the Spirit are empowered to live in Christ, which is the rest from the works and curse of the old Law. (Rom.8:2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death. We are under the Law of the Spirit. Except for prophets and kings, Israel did not have this Spirit to guide and empower them, and therefore needed rules and regulations on their external conduct. Those who live by the Spirit of life in Christ naturally fulfill the Law, which has been written in their hearts. Those who live in Christ by the Spirit cease from their own works every day. (Gal.5:16) But I say, walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Jesus said that those who received the Spirit would be witnesses of Him to the world (Acts 1:8). Jesus and His apostles never commanded to cease from work on a day. (Mat.11:28) Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden (with the Law [Mat.23:4]), and I will give you rest. The problem is that we are in and out of the rest like we are in and out of Christ. Abiding in Christ is resting in our promised benefits. Some say God gave us the gift of eternal life so he can't take it back. In Gal.3:16 we are told “to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many, but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ”. You see, the promises were given to Christ, not to you. The only way the promises are yours is if you abide in Christ. Abiding in Christ is: bearing His fruit (Joh.15:1-6), walking as he walked (1Jn.2:3-6), believing the same teachings given by Jesus and the apostles without adding or subtracting (1Jn.2:24 / Jude 3 / Mat.28:20 / Rev.22,18,19), not walking in willful sin (1Jn.3:5,6), keeping his commandments (1Jn.3:24). 1Jn.5:11 says that “God gave unto us eternal life, and this life is in his Son” and that is the only place we can claim this gift. God doesn't have to take it back, his people walk out of it. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body (1Co.6:18). If we walk in willful sin, we are not abiding in his body, for there is “no sin in him” (1Jn.3:5,6). Sins of ignorance or failure are covered by the blood (Rom.7:15-8:2) but willful sin is always judged. (Heb.10:26) For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins, (27) but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries. The Spirit of life in Christ empowers us to walk in Him by faith in His promises. (Heb.4:9) There remaineth therefore a Sabbath rest (Greek: sabbatismos, “keeping of rest”) for the people of God. This constant “keeping of rest” is every day, not one day a week. Paul, comparing the weak in faith with those who are mature, said, (Rom.14:5) One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day [alike]. In our Covenant, every day is the Sabbath rest. As he said in Gal.4:9,10, “how turn ye back again to the weak and beggarly rudiments, whereunto ye desire to be in bondage over again? Ye observe days”. Our Sabbath is freedom from bondage to the works of the Law. Since Jesus took away our sins, it is freedom from fleshly works too. (Psa.118:24) This is the day which Jehovah hath made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. Old Jerusalem ruled over God's physical Old Testament people just as New Jerusalem rules over God's spiritual New Testament people. Paul declared that we have come to this spiritual city. He showed us that it is not a physical city that can be touched. (Heb.12:18) For ye are not come unto [a mount] that might be touched ... (22) but ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem ... (23) to the general assembly and church of the firstborn.... Jesus' called-out ones come to this mountain. This is the place of God's continual rest. (Psa.132:13) For Jehovah hath chosen Zion... (14) This is my resting-place for ever: Here will I dwell; for I have desired it. Unlike those under the Law, we are not to dwell outside the temple and go there occasionally, nor are we to dwell outside the rest six days and only dwell in it one. Those who dwell in this spiritual Jerusalem remain in God's resting place. There is only one day in the New Testament Jerusalem, the spiritual city of God. That day is the real Sabbath. (Rev.21:25) And the gates thereof shall in no wise be shut by day (for there shall be no night there). Notice that there is one day and no night in the city of God where the Lamb is the light (23). There is no darkness to break up the one day of God's work for those who abide in Christ. (1Jn.1:5) And this is the message which we have heard from him and announce unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. Those who abide in God continue in the light of day doing His works. (6) If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: (7) but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin. Those who walk in the light of our day are always in the presence of the sun (Son). Night is to have the earth between you and the sun (Son). Our flesh came from the earth (Gen.2:7) and symbolizes the earth. When the works of our flesh come between us and the Son, we are living in the darkness of night. If we are in this idolatry with the world, whether this means our flesh or the things of the world (1Jn.2:15,16), we live in the night. Walking in the light of our one Sabbath day, the works of man are destroyed. I want to remind you that the Law is a shadow, and if you are under a shadow you are not in the light. The saints live in the lighted day of ceasing from their own works, especially the works of the Law, while the wicked live in the dark night of their own works. (1Th.5:5) For ye are all sons of light, and sons of the day (the Sabbath): we are not of the night, nor of darkness; (6) so then let us not sleep (Having their eyes closed to the light of the Son), as do the rest, but let us watch and be sober. (7) For they that sleep sleep in the night: and they that are drunken are drunken in the night. (8) But let us, since we are of the day (the Sabbath), be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. As long as Jesus has been in this world, either in His first body or His second corporate body, it has been day. (Joh.9:5) When I am in the world, I am the light of the world. (Mat.5:14) Ye are the light of the world. That only makes one day as long as the saints are here. (Joh.9:4) We must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day (When we are ceasing from our works to do His, it is the Sabbath day.): the night cometh, when no man can work. Our works in Christ for this world are over when the Lord comes for us and then night comes for the judgment of the world. (1Th.5:2) For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (3) When they are saying, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them... After the tribulation, the light of the world will be gone! (Mat.24:29) But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven (This is the falling away and reprobation of 1/3 of the stars, representing the spiritual seed of Abraham [Rev.6:12-14; Gen.22:17]). The darkening of the light of this world here is physical as well as spiritual. Joseph shared a dream that clearly showed that the people of God spiritually are the sun, moon, and stars, “the light of this world”. (Gen.37:9) ...behold, the sun and the moon and eleven stars made obeisance to me. (10) And he told it to his father, and to his brethren; and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth? Starting as a star glory, Joseph went to his cross in Egypt and was promoted in glory above his brethren, the children of Israel. We grow from star glory to moon glory and then to sun glory as we continue to walk in the light that God gives us (2Co.3:18). Paul agreed that the saints manifest these three glories in 1Co.15:41,42. Now we can see that when the Lord comes and takes His sun, moon, and star glory saints, the world will be left in the darkness of night. (Mat.24:29) But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven. (30) ...and they shall see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (31) And he shall send forth his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect...Glory to God! Jesus taught that the whole Christian New Covenant era on earth is only one day. (Joh.11:9) Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If a man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. (10) But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because the light is not in him. Those who walk in this continual Sabbath day walk in the light. This spiritual day lasts until the judgment. (Mat.20:1) For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that was a householder, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard. Jesus started hiring laborers for His vineyard first thing in the morning, which was almost 2000 years ago. Then He gives examples of going out to hire all during the day, the third hour (verse 6), the sixth and ninth hour (verse 5), and the eleventh hour (verses 6-9). Of the eleventh hour people it was said, “These last have spent [but] one hour” (12). Then at the twelfth hour He called in all of His servants to give them their reward. (8) And when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the laborers, and pay them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. Jesus calls in all of His servants to face Him and receive their reward at His coming. (Rev.22:12) Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to render to each man according as his work is. Midnight is the twelfth hour when the Lord comes for the virgins (Mat.25:6) and also the time when the saints leave the Egypt of this world (Exo.29:12-31). At this time, even though it is midnight for the world, the saints are walking with lamps full of Holy Spirit light (Mat.25:4). From Jesus' first coming to His second coming is one day. This one day incorporates the whole Christian New Covenant era on earth. It should not surprise us that God could change something as important as the Sabbath from many carnal days to one spiritual day. He changed something much more important, our sacrifice, from many carnal sacrifices to one spiritual sacrifice, our Lord Jesus. The Lord again defines our rest as a corporate day that covers every day. (Heb.4:6) Seeing therefore it remaineth that some should enter thereinto, and they to whom the good tidings (the promises) were before preached failed to enter in (Even though they kept the Saturday Sabbath) because of disobedience (Greek: “apeitheia” also means unbelief), (7) he again defineth a certain day, To-day, saying in David so long a time afterward (even as hath been said before), To-day if ye shall hear his voice (the promises), Harden not your hearts. (Today is any day that you are presently in. Since this verse was written to all saints throughout the New Covenant, then “today” is every day that they live in. God was telling us that when you hear His promises, do not harden your heart as Israel did, but believe to enter the rest in the day that you live in.) (8) For if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have spoken afterward of another day. Today is that day saints, not Saturday or Sunday. Five times in this text, God uses the term “To-day” to define the rest. (3:13) but exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called To-day; lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. “Day by day” it has been “called To-day” for almost 2000 years. (4:9) There remaineth therefore a Sabbath rest (Greek: sabbatismos, “keeping of rest”) for the people of God. God has been merciful to our ignorance of this true Sabbath, but judgment will now be seen the world over because we have come to a second spiritual type of the Sabbath. (2Pe.3:8) But forget not this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. Having read the writings of the early church fathers, I can tell you that they commonly believed in the one thousand-year prophetic day and that after six of these days from the beginning, the end time judgment would come. The Hindus, Muslims, and the Jews also believed this. Gibbon in The Rise And Fall of The Roman Empire said that the early Christians believed this. The Bible is laid out in seven prophetic one-thousand-year days. These days are numbered from the creation of Adam. There were four thousand years or four days between Adam and Jesus. Since the days of Jesus, the calendar has been tampered with extensively, but most researchers believe we are close to traversing two more days and coming to the beginning of the seventh, thousand-year period from Adam. Besides the regular spiritual Sabbath that we have already spoken of, this seventh, thousand-year day is a second spiritual Sabbath. When the body of Christ was crucified, it was a high Sabbath (Joh.19:31). That means it was a regular Sabbath and a second Passover Sabbath. This second spiritual Sabbath will also be a Passover Sabbath for those who have eaten the Lamb and are about to leave the Egypt of this world. This will also be a crucifixion to the fleshly works of the body of Christ. According to the shadow, when this end-time second spiritual Sabbath begins, God will judge those who go on in their own works. (Exo.31:12) And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying, 13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily ye shall keep my sabbaths: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am Jehovah who sanctifieth you. Christians who try to keep the Sabbath in the “letter” don't understand this because they don't see that this is a “sign”. (15) Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a sabbath of solemn rest, holy to Jehovah: whosoever doeth any work on the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. This is also the time when He finishes His creative work. (Gen.2:2) And on the seventh day God finished his work, which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work, which he had made. According to this type, God is about to finish His new creation work during this morning of the seventh day and rest. Every man's work will be proven by the fiery trial on the one day Sabbath. (1Co.3:12) But if any man buildeth on the foundation (of Christ) gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, stubble; (13) each man's work shall be made manifest: for the day (one Sabbath) shall declare it, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire itself shall prove each man's work of what sort it is. The wood, hay, and stubble of man's works will burn up on God's Sabbath day because, according to the shadow, there is judgment against man's work on the Sabbath. (Exo.31:14) Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that profaneth it shall surely be put to death; for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Since there is only one Sabbath day, we have to rest every day from our own works, as the rest of the New Testament also teaches. (Rev.2:23) ... I am he that searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto each one of you according to your works. (25) And he that overcometh, and he that keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give authority over the nations. (Exo.31:15) Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a sabbath of solemn rest, holy to Jehovah: whosoever doeth any work on the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. 16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days Jehovah made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed. Let's look again at this verse about the refreshing in Isa 28:11 Nay, but by men of strange lips and with another tongue will he speak to this people; 12 to whom he said, This is the rest, give ye rest to him that is weary; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. This refreshing is coming again on the morning of the 3rd day (which is the Sabbath). There's going to be a change in the way God will deal with man when this millennium begins. There must be a ceasing from a Christian's own works and enter into the rest. Man's works have been going on in the church for six days (six thousand years). The church has been falling away from keeping the true Sabbath and we're coming to a time where if you don't cease from your own works, you will be cut off from the Body of Christ. There are many Sabbaths. There's the 7th day Sabbath, the 49th year Sabbath, there's the 50th year Sabbath, and there's the 7th millennium Sabbath. There's a Sabbath called the Jubilee. A Jubilee is a year. There are 120 Jubilees every 50 years. 120 Jubilees till Noah and another 120 till the next Noah. Noah means rest. So, 120 Jubilee years until the beginning of the Sabbath. 120 Jubilee Sabbaths bring us to the actual year 6000. We are entering into the prophetic Sabbath or the millennial Sabbath. Reconciled to God Php 4:19 And my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (“Every need”, not greed. “Every” would include Spiritual, physical, emotional needs.) What is faith? Heb 11:1 Now faith is assurance [substance?] of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen. When you believe for something that is not yet seen, that is faith. How do we have God's faith to receive every need? Mar 11:22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have God's faith. (This is according to the numeric pattern proof.) 23 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that what he saith cometh to pass; he shall have it. 24 Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye received (Numeric) them, and ye shall have them. (This is exactly what Quantum Physics, or Quantum Mechanics has proven, Jesus said it first. And here is an important condition to receiving. 25 And whensoever ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any one; that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. Col 1:19 For it was the good pleasure of the Father that in him should all the fulness dwell; 20 and through him to reconcile (The Greek: kattallasso means “exchange” of Jesus' life for ours) all things(not Numeric) unto himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross; through him, I say, whether things upon the earth, or things those (Numeric) in the heavens. (Notice: He is not speaking of things but His people) 21 And you, being in time past alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil works, 22 yet now hath he reconciled (exchanged) in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and unreproveable before him: 23 if so be that ye continue in the faith, grounded and stedfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye heard, which was preached in all creation under heaven; whereof I Paul was made a minister. First the sons and daughters of God are exchanged and then Christ in them can deliver the creation. Rom 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. The Lord told me that he bore the symbol of the cursed creation upon the cross. It was the crown of thorns. As we manifest our sonship we have authority over the cursed creation. We can pray for our grass, dogs, cows, bugs, trees, neighbors, etc. Gal 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:.. 2Co 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and he died for all, that they that live should no longer live unto themselves, but unto him who for their sakes died and rose again. 16 Wherefore we henceforth know no man after the flesh: even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know him so no more. 17 Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things (not Numeric) are passed away; behold, they are become new. 18 But all things (not Numeric) are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not reckoning unto them their trespasses, and having committed unto us the word of reconciliation. (We reconcile others by showing them the exchange.) 20 We are ambassadors therefore on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beseech you on behalf of Christ, be ye reconciled to God. 21 Him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in him. Believe You Received and Rest Suani Guzman - 01/09/2010 I want to share a quick dream that helped me a lot. We all know that we must abide in the Sabbath Rest and boldly speak the good confession, but we don't always do it. So the Lord has to remind us sometimes. I have been going through some hard trials with caring for my elderly parents. I don't want to impose my faith on them but at the same time I'm trying to stand for their spiritual and physical salvation. The Lord impressed upon me that I must abide in the rest or the enormity of the problem will overwhelm me. In the dream, my husband and I had a truck in which we went sightseeing. We parked it and left for a walk. When we came back, the truck was a wreck -- another car had hit it really badly, and it was ruined. My husband, Raul, and another man tried to fix it. I went to help. I stood there and said something like, “Jesus had fixed it”. When those words left my mouth, the truck was immediately transformed into being whole again. I was so on fire and praised God and started to witness boldly to everyone about what Jesus had just done. We then left and, as we went, the truck started to stall and I said, “Oh no, it's healed”, and immediately it got power again. That happened twice. Then we got on a freeway full of cars. We were on the outer lane and struggling up a very, very steep hill. We were driving with two tires on the road and two in a ditch. The car couldn't go up like that, so it flipped over about two times and landed away from the road. So we stopped to consider the hill. By sight, it looked almost impossible to climb. We tried to figure out another way, but could see no other way. I thought that it was going to take all my strength to do it, and still it would not be enough. End of dream. (What is impossible with men is possible with God. We must trust His promises not our works.) Mar.11:24 Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye received (Greek) them, and ye shall have them. Heb.4:2 For indeed we have had good tidings preached unto us, even as also they: but the word of hearing did not profit them, because it was not united by faith with them that heard. (3) For we who have believed do enter into that rest; even as he hath said, As I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. (9) There remaineth therefore a sabbath (Greek: Sabatismos -- a continual rest) rest for the people of God. (10) For he that is entered into his rest hath himself also rested from his works, as God did from his. (11) Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, that no man fall after the same example of disobedience. Building the “Resting” Church Eve Brast - 08/11/2012 (David's notes in red) | (Deb Horton's notes in green) I dreamed I was driving east (faceing toward the coming of the Son) toward Dallas on a large highway with very sparse traffic on it. (The highway of holiness going to Dallas, which means “meadow dwelling”.) (A place of feeding with the flock.) It was dark but I could see a little light on the horizon in the east. (Near to the coming of the Lord in the Man-child on the morning of the seventh thousand year-day.) I was going to an eight-story hospital building that was under construction (the true Church of the called-out ones is being built), where my husband (representing Jesus) had instructed me to meet him. The building was oval-shaped and not square. (The building was eternal without beginning or end because of its shape and eight floors. (An “8” lying down is the sign for infinity or eternity and “8” is the number of Jesus. Since it's lying down, it could mean resting in Jesus. A hospital is a place for healing the sick, spiritually and physically, which the Church is supposed to be.) I pulled into the parking garage and parked my old, gray (indicating mixture of good and evil, white and black), five-speed (grace received to get to this point) manual (not automatic, works by self), 1980 Toyota Corolla that had been my first car when I learned to drive. (Our first car represents our first ways of rest in the Lord. To park is a sign of coming into maturity through rest.) I went inside the building with my son's blue backpack containing surgical instruments and food my husband had asked me to bring to him. (Man's burdens and works we bear until we reach the seventh floor of rest and give them over to Jesus. Mat.11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.) I went into the ground floor lobby with a recently laid, highly polished wood floor (the human nature is under our feet to serve the spiritual man). I waited at the only elevator (there's only one Way to God) to go up to the seventh floor (entering into the rest) (The first six floors represent the first six days of the different levels of man's works we do until we rest on the seventh spiritual day). I had to wait a bit because it was the only elevator. I was the only one waiting to go up. (The Bride will be the first to fully enter into the seventh-day rest.) When the door opened, A black sister from UBM was the elevator attendant, but she was white and looked like me. (The white represents holiness.) She greeted me and began telling me how old the elevator was. (2000 years) She was an expert on this elevator. It was her assigned job in the building, and she knew everything about it. She told me that currently, the elevator only reaches the seventh floor, but when the construction is complete, it will go all the way up to the top, which is the eighth floor. (The eighth floor is Jesus and Heaven and new beginnings. When the building representing the Church is finished, we will go to the top, the eighth, heavenly floor.) When I got off the elevator on the seventh floor, my husband passed by me wearing metal leg braces supported by a blue, padded waistband that girded his waist and metal crutches that braced around his forearms. (Our husband Jesus was strengthened by the Father to finish His pilgrimage as a type of the body.) (This reminds me of the command in Deuteronomy to bind the phylacteries, which are Scripture verses, on the forehead and hand, because the phylacteries are bound on the hand and are laced on from the forearm.) (David had a similar revelation where he was wearing leg braces. They strengthened his walk and helped him to stand.) (God's power is made perfect in our weakness.) He looked at me as he passed by with a knowing look (seeing eye to eye) and a smile, as if we shared a common understanding of something. (A common understanding of faith in the same promises brings people to the seventh floor of rest.) (Amo.3:3) Shall two walk together, except they have agreed? Suddenly, I realized that I left my backpack on the elevator, or I thought I had, but it wasn't over my shoulder anymore. (We can't take our own provision or burdens to the seventh floor of the rest but we can give it all to Jesus there.) I became concerned (we will lose the rest if we think on our burdens) and turned around to push the button to go back down (A warning not to fall away from the rest). While waiting for the elevator doors to open, I overheard an accountant from the hospital discussing a debt of $20 that they said I owed with another employee. (A warning that If we leave the rest of faith, we begin to bear the debt of sin again. The first mention of 20 in the Bible is Gen.6:3 And Jehovah said, My spirit shall not strive with man for ever, for that he also is flesh: yet shall his days be a hundred and twenty years.) They said they had tried to call my cell phone to give me this report, but I wouldn't answer because I knew it was not really my debt and that I wasn't required to pay it. (The accuser will always try to convince you that you still owe the debt that Christ already paid for you.) (If one leaves the rest, they will be tempted even more so.) When the elevator doors finally opened, a horde of people out of nowhere rushed into the elevator, as if desperate to get out of the building. (They were in their flesh and leaving the rest.) I calmly walked in but there was barely enough room. When the doors shut, we were warned that the ride down was much scarier than the ride up because the elevator went down really fast, and it did (Because this represents the falling away. We have seen people lose all the gain of years in moments.). But it slowed down midway for safety precautions (this could represent those who are neither hot nor cold -- the fence-sitters in the middle) (also, God makes a way for His people to change their mind and Return unto thy rest, O my soul Psa.116:7) and then it sped back up until it reached the ground floor. As I got off the elevator, the morning sunshine streamed through the lobby windows (Jesus in the Man-child is manifesting). A surgeon from the hospital who was going up said, “Isn't it exciting that the building construction will be completed in a week?!” (After the seven years of the 70th week of the tribulation, the Church will be complete, and I believe this week will start very soon.) I turned around and said, “Yeah”. But the importance of what he had just announced didn't register with me. I was concerned about finding the backpack because my husband needed me to bring it to the hospital (to give that burden to him). I hoped I would find the backpack in my car in the parking garage, since it had not been left in the elevator. I ran out to the car and found it (the burden was in the car, representing immaturity) and brought it back into the lobby and pushed the elevator button again. When the doors opened, my sons Noah and Elijah came out of the elevator and passed me as I went in. They were eight-foot-tall, grown men! (Their “8” size indicates they have grown up in Jesus.) They gave me the same knowing look of common understanding and smile that my husband had given me. (The faith that brings relief from our burdens and works.) They said, “Don't worry, Mom. We have everything under control”. (Jesus in the Man-child ministry beginning to reign [having given their burdens to God].) Then I woke up. Why would we bear the burdens of the curse if we believe what Jesus said? Mar.11:23 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that what he saith cometh to pass; he shall have it. 24 Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. Mat.18:18 Verily I say unto you, what things soever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and what things soever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father who is in heaven. When we pray and believe, we rest from all the curse. Gal.3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Abraham was blessed in all things. Not entering the rest or keeping the spiritual Sabbath is because of unbelief. Heb.3:11 As I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest. 12 Take heed, brethren, lest haply there shall be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God: 13 but exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called To-day; lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin: 14 for we are become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm unto the end:... 18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that were disobedient? 19 And we see that they were not able to enter in because of unbelief.
Clip of the Week-"The New Jerusalem" Brother Harry Collins, Jr. Please take a moment to stop and listen to this fiery sermon from Brother Harry in 1982. He brings a message about how Christ took away the physical semblance of the Holy City, and instead brought it down to us: “The sanctified people have come to the new Jerusalem.” Brother Andrew Norman
Pastor Mike Rose Revelation 21:9-27
In the famous chapter on faith, we find a succinct definition, an honor roll of faithful men and women in the old testament, and are told just how important faith is to God. But there is a deeper theme here of finding our way home that echoes one of the central stories of both Old and New Testaments. From the Garden of Eden, to the New Jerusalem, the journey to a home where we can be with God is our journey. And it means we are both pilgrims and exiles, and that means something for how we should live.在眾人皆知的信心章節中,我們看到了簡明的定義,在舊約中忠心的角色,並了解信心對神有多重要。但這裡還有一個更深層的主題,那就是尋找回家的路,這與舊約和新約的核心故事之一相呼應。從伊甸園到新耶路撒冷,通往與神同在的家園的這段路就是我們的旅程。這意味著我們既是朝聖者,也是寄居者,這對我們應該如何生活有著深遠的意義。
Paul talks about a mystery between Christ and the Church. A theme that, when understood, unravels exactly how Christ fulfilled God's promise to Abraham, how He redeems us and brings us into that promised land, what New Jerusalem really is, and why the New Covenant is a marriage covenant. It also explains why the devil hate God ordained marriage so much. An important lesson for all believers to get into their Spirit.
In Revelation 21–22, we glimpse the breathtaking finale of God's story—a world made new. The brokenness of Eden is reversed as heaven descends to earth, and the dwelling place of God is once again with humanity. No more death, mourning, or pain—only everlasting joy. The holy city, the New Jerusalem, shines with the brilliance of God's glory, and the river of life flows freely from His throne. The tree of life, once barred, now stands open for all who belong to the Lamb. The curse is broken. The King is here. And the Bride is ready. This is not just a future hope—it redefines how we live now. The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come."Key Themes:· The City of God: A massive, radiant New Jerusalem, crafted by God Himself, the forever home for His people. (Revelation 21:9–21)· God's Presence Fully Restored: There is no temple, for God and the Lamb are the city's temple. The city is illuminated by His glory alone. (Revelation 21:22–27)· The Tree and River of Life: Flowing from God's throne, the river waters the city, and the tree of life bears fruit for the healing of the nations. (Revelation 22:1–5)· A Final Call to Faithfulness: Jesus promises His return and calls His people to keep trusting, worshiping, and longing for Him. (Revelation 22:6–21)· The Reversal of the Curse: Sin, death, and darkness are banished. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life will enter. (Revelation 22:3, 14)Reflection:As Revelation closes, the story comes full circle—from a garden lost to a garden restored. Eden returns, but it is even greater than before. It's a magnificent city. In this final vision, we are confronted with a choice: Will we live now for the city that is coming? Will we worship God alone, trust His promises, and endure in hope? The Spirit and the Bride call us to Come. The King is coming soon. May we be ready to welcome Him.Key Texts:· Revelation 21–22· Genesis 2–3· John 7:37–39· Ezekiel 47:1–12· Psalm 23· Matthew 5:8· Romans 8:18–25Support Our Mission:Your generosity helps us proclaim Christ as King and equip disciples to make disciples.https://alloflife.churchcenter.com/givingVisit Our Website:www.alloflife.church
From Documents concerning the life and character of Emanuel Swedenborg by Tafel, J. F. I. (Johann Friedrich Immanuel), 1796-1863; Smithson, J. H. (John Henry), 1803-1877, ed. and tr; Bush, George, 1796-1859, ed, Vol 1. HIS LETTERS TO DR. OETINGER. Pg 153 Document 25 Concerning the Natural and Spiritual Sense of the Word. That there is an internal or spiritual sense in the Word, in its external or natural sense, as a diamond in its matrix, or as a beautiful infant in its swaddling clothes, is a truth which has heretofore been altogether unknown in the Christian world, and hence also it is altogether unknown what is meant by the Consummation of the Age, the Coming of the Lord, the Last Judgment, and by the New Jerusalem, on which subjects many things are spoken and predicted in the Word of each Testament, both Old and New. Without the unfolding and unswathing of the literal sense of the Word by its spiritual sense, who can know intellectually what is signified by the things which the Lord predicted in Matt, xxiv., and also in the Revelations, and in like manner in Daniel, and in the Prophets, in many passages. Make the experiment yourself, if you are so disposed, by reading those passages of the prophetical Word, which treat sometimes of wild beasts and cattle, sometimes of forests and brakes, sometimes of valleys and mountains, sometimes of bats, of ochim, tziim, satyrs ; try whether you can perceive anything Divine therein, unless you believe it to lie concealed inwardly, inasmuch as it was inspired of God, just as a diamond lies concealed in its matrix, as was said above. That the diamonds, or treasures, which lie concealed within, are those things which the internal sense contains, is fully demonstrated in the doctrine of the New Jerusalem, concerning the Sacred Scripture, 5-26 : and in the same doctrine it is further proved, that the literal sense is the basis, continent, and firmament of its spiritual sense, 27-36 ; also, that the Divine truth in the literal sense of the Word is in its fulness, in" its sanctity, and in its power, 37-49 ; and, likewise, that the doctrine of the church is to be drawn from the literal sense of the Word, and to be confirmed thereby, 50-61 ; and, moreover, that by the literal sense of the Word, through the medium of its spiritual sense, there is effected conjunction with the Lord, and consociation with the angels, 62-69. Exodus 8. 1. And Jehovah said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch forth thy hand with thy rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the pools, and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt. 2. And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt. 3. And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments, and caused frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt. 4. And Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron, and said, Supplicate ye unto Jehovah that He remove the frogs from me and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may sacrifice to Jehovah. 5. And Moses said unto Pharaoh, Have thou honor over me, till when shall I supplicate for thee, and for thy servants, and for thy people, to cut off the frogs from thee, and from thy houses? Only in the river shall they be left. 6. And he said, Unto the morrow. And he said, Be it according to thy word; that thou mayest know that there is none like Jehovah our God. 7. And the frogs shall be removed from thee, and from thy houses, and from thy servants, and from thy people; only in the river shall they be left. 8. And Moses and Aaron went out from before Pharaoh; and Moses cried unto Jehovah upon the word of the frogs which He had laid on Pharaoh. 9. And Jehovah did according to the word of Moses; and the frogs died out of the houses, out of the courts, and out of the fields. 10. And they gathered them together in heaps and heaps; and the land stank. 11. And Pharaoh saw that there was breathing, and he made heavy his heart, and heard them not,
The letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2-3 are possibly some of the best known parts of the apocalypic book, mainly due to their accessibility compared to the rest of it. But how should we read these seven letters? Are they examples of the history or eras of the church? Are they addressed to different types of church today? Are they symbolic? And why all the Old Testament references?Join Alex, Chris & Jo as they discuss these significant chapters, give some good background information that help make sense of what John is writing, and then talk aboput how we might be able to bring some meaning to us today. For the one who has ears to hear...Resources"Revelation (NIV Application Commentary)" by Dr Craig Keener– A detailed analysis that bridges the historical-cultural context and application for today."The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament" by Dr Craig Keener – Offers essential historical and cultural insights on the New Testament, including Revelation."Discipleship on the Edge" by Darrell W. Johnson – A study on Revelation that considers its relevance for Christian discipleship."Reading Revelation Responsibly" by Michael J. Gorman – A user-friendly guide to understanding the apocalyptic message of Revelation without fear or misinterpretation.Big thanks to Tim Whittle for editing and extra production on this podcast. Get more info at Riverlife Church, and find us on Facebook and Instagram.Subscribe to Bible Streams on Apple, Spotify, Google, and Amazon.
The book of Revelation unveils the full deity and sovereignty of our Lord God almighty in vivid detail. A right understanding of this apocalypse, prophecy and pastoral letter had the power in the first century to encourage and undergird the young church to persevere through intense persecution while simultaneously enlivening complacent and apathetic believers to join in the mission. Revelation still possesses the same authority and strength today. The Lord is on the throne and in full control even when it seems evil is winning. The book of Revelation emphatically reassures us believers that things are not as they appear. Please join us and be encourage through this study of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. ———————— This week, Pastor Jeff continues a series in the book of Revelation. The next message in the series comes from Revelation 21:9-27 and is entitled "New Jerusalem." The main idea of the sermon is: Only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life will enter the glorious New Jerusalem. ———————— Connect with Us: Website: parkwoodonline.org Facebook: facebook.com/parkwoodonline Instagram: instagram.com/parkwoodonline.org Check out more resources and sermons online at: parkwoodresources.org
There was the old paradise, Edenand one day there will be a new paradise, the New Jerusalem. But must we wait for that utopia? We find ourselves caught between the two. Join Dr. James Boice on The Bible Study Hour as he answers the question, What's a believer to do while he waits for Christ's return and the restoration of paradise lost? To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/581/29
At the consummation of history, God promises to make all things new. In Rev 21 we are given a picture of the beauty of the New Jerusalem, a place where God dwells with His people.
What will eternity with God look like? In this episode of Rooted Together, we explore Revelation 21, where God makes all things new—creating a new heaven, a new earth, and the glorious New Jerusalem. This chapter is a breathtaking vision of God dwelling with His people, wiping away every tear, and the end of pain, death, and sorrow.
There was the old paradise, Edenand one day there will be a new paradise, the New Jerusalem. But must we wait for that utopia? We find ourselves caught between the two. Join Dr. James Boice next time on The Bible Study Hour as he answers the question, What's a believer to do while he waits for Christ's return and the restoration of paradise lost? To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/81/29
Revelation 21:3-4 There was the old paradise, Eden…and one day there will be a new paradise, the New Jerusalem. But must we wait for that utopia? We find ourselves caught between the two. Join Dr. James Boice on The Bible Study Hour as he answers the question, “What's a believer to do while he waits for Christ's return and the restoration of paradise lost?”
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man (Revelation 21:3). Thank you, Jesus!
On today's Bible Answer Man broadcast (04/14/25), Hank focuses on Holy Week, with Christians in the Eastern and Western Churches celebrating Palm Sunday yesterday. Holy Week for Christians in the East begins on Lazarus Saturday. On that day, that we remember afresh that our Lord Jesus Christ raised Lazarus, a historical reality that points forward to the universal resurrection of all humanity. The next day, Palm Sunday, marks the commemoration of Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Christ's entrance into Jerusalem announced the establishment of the Kingdom of God and a foretaste of the time that He will gather His perfected bride and carry her over the threshold of Jordan into the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. On Holy Monday, the fig tree is set before us as a reminder of the danger inherent in having an appearance of godliness but being devoid of its reality; a reminder to be vigilant and bear fruits of righteousness and repentance.Hank also answers the following questions:If you believe that salvation is “once saved, always saved,” would this mean your free will no longer exists? Tim - Keller, TX (15:51)To me, the term replacement theology seems to be an accurate term as opposed to a misnomer, would you not say? Mark - Vancouver, BC (21:11)
Friends of the Rosary,This Holy Week, we must admit our sins and reconcile with God. Sin blinds the soul and impedes love and generosity.We must die in our sinfulness to rise with Him, the sinless one, our light and our way.Our salvation depends on following Him and His forgiving love.Yesterday's liturgy, with the procession of the Palms, was beyond symbolism, beyond a mere memory; for we were accompanying Christ here and now.We are the community gathered together in His name, and Christ, according to His promise, is in the midst of us. Our Church stands for the earthly Jerusalem and Christ Our King stands for the New Jerusalem of heaven.Ave Maria!Jesus, I Trust In You!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will. Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York Enhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• April 14, 2025, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET
My special guests are Paul Begely and Troy Anderson here to discuss their new book Revelation 911. Get it now on Amazon. About the book: riveting account of current events as foretold in the mysterious Book of Revelation. Are we teetering on the edge of the end of time? Look at the daily news and you'll see stories about plague, famine, unexplained deaths, artificial intelligence, looming nuclear war, inflation, transhumanism, wokeness, cancel culture, gender identity crises, and mass shootings. Is this the end of the world? Or are these just precursors to the end of the world? To answer that question, biblical prophecy expert Paul Begley and former investigative journalist Troy Anderson team up to compare today's headlines with the events foretold in the book of Revelation. Their findings? Not only are signs of the end times accelerating dramatically, but a catastrophic economic collapse and global conflagration could be the next major events on the prophetic timeline before the rise of the Antichrist, the emergence of the False Prophet, and the installation of the “mark of the beast” economic system. They also explore evidence linking the popular transhumanist movement, artificial intelligence, and top-secret government and military programs with prophecies of the last days. Revelation 911 offers hope and comfort through the power, protection, and provision of the Holy Spirit. Many believe these cataclysmic shakings will be accompanied by the greatest awakening in history as the world races toward the return of Jesus Christ, who will defeat the powers of darkness at the Battle of Armageddon and usher believers into an eternity of unimaginable wonders in the New Heaven, New Earth, and New Jerusalem. Mysterious Radio is transitioning to a show fully supported by my dedicated fans. If you genuinely love the show and the content I've created for nearly a decade, now is the time to help me continue this journey we started together. I have millions of listeners, and each of you will bring me closer to my goal of having the largest Patreon community ever. Soon, you'll only be able to access full episodes by becoming one of my devoted members. Joining the community unlocks over 1000 ad-free episodes, bonus segments, and much more that will blow your mind! While the price is set to rise to $9.99, you can jump on board right now for just $5, and that's forever! Join The Brain Trust Now. Follow Our Other Shows Follow UFO Witnesses Follow Crime Watch Weekly Follow Paranormal Fears Follow Seven: Disturbing Chronicle Stories Join our Patreon for ad-free listening and more bonus content. Follow us on Instagram @mysteriousradio Follow us on TikTok mysteriousradioTikTok Follow us on Twitter @mysteriousradio Follow us on Pinterest pinterest.com/mysteriousradio Like us on Facebook Facebook.com/mysteriousradio]
In the book of Revelation, we're presented with two paths: • The glorious New Jerusalem or the ruins of Babylon • Our name in the Book of Life or judged by our deeds • Following Christ or following the world There is no middle ground. No sitting on the fence. Which city will you choose for eternity?
This is the ninth lesson in Dr. Daniel Ragusa's Reformed Academy course, Fullness of Joy: A Biblical Theology of God with Us. This lesson covers the following topics: 0:00 An Eternal Happily Ever After 2:49 New Jerusalem 9:42 Living in Light of Eternity Register for this free on-demand course on our website to track your progress, download supplemental materials, and assess your understanding through quizzes for each lesson. You will also receive free access to twenty-five additional five-hour video courses in covenant theology, apologetics, biblical studies, church history, and more: https://reformedforum.org/courses/ful... Your donations enable us to provide free Reformed resources for students like you all across the world: https://reformedforum.org/donate/ #biblicaltheology #Immanuel #reformedtheology
Show Notes:: Heaven is a place of bliss, where we will be reunited with our loved ones and worship the King forever. But has our vision of heaven been tainted by the thoughts of man? In this week's episode of Real Talk Christian Podcast, Marc Hyde and Chris Fuller discuss some of these misconceptions about heaven and what the Bible gives us a some truth into what eternal life will look like. //Resources Used In This Episode// 1. "Heaven is a Boring, Eternal Church Service” Many imagine heaven as an unending church service where people sing hymns forever. a) Heaven is a place of eternal worship (Revelation 7:9-10). b) Heaven is also described as a place of joy, fulfillment, and purpose. In Revelation, John speaks of the nations bringing their glory into the New Jerusalem, suggesting vibrant activity (Revelation 21:24-26). c) Isaiah speaks of people building and enjoying their work in the new creation (Isaiah 65:21-22). 2. “Heaven is Just a Spiritual State” Some believe heaven is purely a non-physical, spiritual existence. Scripture speaks of a "new heaven and new earth" (Revelation 21:1) where God's people will dwell in resurrected, physical bodies (1 Corinthians 15:42-44). This indicates a tangible, physical reality. 3. “We Become Angels in Heaven” The idea that humans transform into angels after death is popular in media and culture. Yet, we see in scripture that angels are distinct beings created by God (Psalm 8:5; Hebrews 1:14). Humans retain their identity but are glorified and perfected in heaven (Philippians 3:21). 4. “Heaven is for Everyone, Regardless of Belief” A common misconception is that everyone automatically goes to heaven. While God desires all to be saved (2 Peter 3:9), entrance into heaven requires faith in Jesus Christ. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6). 5. “Heaven Will Be an Escape from Responsibility” Some view heaven as a place of eternal leisure, with no responsibilities or meaningful work. The Bible states that, in the new creation, believers will serve God (Revelation 22:3). This service will be fulfilling and joyful, without the toil and frustration of earthly labor (Genesis 3:17-19 vs. Isaiah 65:21-23). 6. “Heaven is Our Final Destination” It's often assumed that heaven is where Christians spend eternity after death. Heaven is an intermediate state where believers are with Christ after death (Philippians 1:23). However, the ultimate destination is the new heaven and new earth, where heaven and earth are united and God dwells with His people (Revelation 21:3). 7. “We'll All Look the Same” The idea that we'll lose our individuality in heaven is a common fear. Revelation 7:9 describes a great multitude from every nation, tribe, and language worshiping God together. This implies that diversity and individuality are preserved in heaven. 8. “Heaven is a Second Chance After Death” Some believe that people will get a second chance to choose Christ after they die. The Bible teaches that judgment comes after death (Hebrews 9:27). Decisions about faith in Jesus must be made in this life. 9. "Our Loved Ones Become Guardians Watching Over Us” Many believe deceased loved ones watch over us from heaven. While believers in heaven are aware of God's plan unfolding (according to Hebrews 12:1), there's no evidence they actively intervene in earthly affairs. Only God has omniscience and control over our lives. 10. "We'll Forget Everything About Earth” Some think that all memories of earthly life will be erased in heaven. Scripture suggests continuity between this life and the next. For example, Jesus retained His scars after His resurrection (John 20:27), and believers will likely remember God's faithfulness in their earthly lives. However, we can speculate that painful memories will no longer bring sorrow (Revelation 21:4). //Other Episode You Might Enjoy// https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/episodes/183-what-will-the-new-heaven-and-earth-look-like/ https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/episodes/049-new-heaven-new-earth-new-jerusalem-and-why-it-even-matters/ https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/episodes/181-where-did-jesus-go-when-he-died/ https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/episodes/168-am-i-spiritually-ready-a-look-at-matthew-251-13/ https://realtalkchristianpodcast.com/episodes/131-what-happens-to-those-who-dont-hear-the-gospel/ // Helpful Links // https://www.youtube.com/@realtalkchristianpodcast The Christian Standard Bible: https://bit.ly/3rulKqi Lifeway Christian Resources: https://bit.ly/3qka4Wv Got Questions?: https://bit.ly/3vSMJfq Dwell Bible App: https://bit.ly/3zUYq8E Cross Formed Kids from Ryan Coatney: https://bit.ly/3h19isZ RTC Quick Links: https://linktr.ee/realtalkchristianpodcast RTC Online: www.realtalkchristianpodcast.com Twin Valley Coffee: https://www.coffeehelpingmissions.com Revive festival : Music Festival | En Gedi Music Fest | Leonidas, MI (myrevivefest.com) Toccoa Coffee:https://toccoacoffee.com RTC Merch-https://rtcpodcast.redbubble.com Let Them Live: https://letthemlive.org