River & Tree of Life 

Revelation chapter 22

     Finally, the angel showed John "the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb, down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing 12 crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month.

     Even in eternal bodies, people will depend on God for life.

     "The angel said to me, 'These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.'" 

     Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book. 

     My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. 

     I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star. 

     "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus." 

Jesus / Yeshua / Joshua

Anointed One / Messiah / Christ

Redeemer                                                 Holy God

Lamb of God                                        Immanuel

Lord Almighty                                  Counselor

King of kings                              Mighty God

Lion of Judah                      Root of David

Lord of lords                 Prince of Peace

I Am

The New Jerusalem

Revelation chapter 21

     Then, John saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. 

     "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people and God himself will be with them and be their God. 

     "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

     He said to me, "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give drink without cost. He who overcomes will inherit all this and I will be his God and he will be my son.

     "But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars - their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur."

     The Holy City "shone with the glory of God and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel... It had a high wall and 12 gates. On the gates were written the names of the 12 tribes of Israel. The wall of the city had 12 foundations, and on them were the names of the 12 apostles of the Lamb." 

     "The Lord Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. the glory of God gives it light. There will be no night there. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful."

New Jerusalem will be square. The dimension of 12,000 stadia

would make it about two-thirds the size of the USA.

  Conclusion: The River & Tree of Life 

     

Millennium Life  

     What could have been if not for sin.

     The thousand-year reign of Christ was foretold in Isaiah chapters 9 and 65, Daniel 7, Micah 4, Zechariah 14 and Revelation 2. 

     This period will be shared by the faithful, and possibly Old Testament saints - Ezekiel 37, Ephesians 2 and 3, Hebrews 11 - and martyred tribulation saints. They will minister to and rule Israel and other nations: Zephaniah 3 and Matthew 19.

     We believe, when Jesus taught that resurrected people will help rule in proportion to how "rich toward God" they were while humans, the millennium is the time. 

     There will be peace, safety, prosperity and righteousness: Isaiah chapter 2, Micah 4 and Zechariah 9. Nature will be restored to its original order: Psalm chapters 96 and 98, Isaiah 14, 35, 51, 55 and 65, Ezekiel 36 and Romans 8. 

     This is the era Jews have expected all these centuries. They will be honored by Gentiles. 

     Nations will be obliged to continue in faith in Christ and obedience to his rule. However, as it is today, he will not save a person of age who does not follow his Way. 

    That explains how Satan can return after a thousand years and deceive many, one last time. 

     The judgment described here is called the "Great White Throne Judgment" and includes the lost of all ages. 

     The disappearance of earth and sky may refer to the destruction of the universe and creation of a new heaven and earth: Isaiah chapter 51, 2 Peter 3. 

     Jesus will hand the kingdom to the Father - 1 Corinthians 15:24. 

     Then begins the final and everlasting kingdom of God and the Lamb, in the new heaven and new earth. No humanity as we know it.   

Tomorrow: The New Jerusalem

     

Seizing the Dragon 

     John saw an angel, "having the key to the Abyss and holding a great chain. He seized the dragon, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years." 

     John also saw, "those who had been given authority to judge. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them."

     "When the (millennium) is over, Satan will be released and will go out to deceive the nations - to gather them for battle. They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves."

     "But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever." 

The dead are judged 

     Then John saw, "a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence... And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books."

     "The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire ... the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." 

Revelation chapter 20

Tomorrow: More about the millennium

Don't miss this

   

Believe the Miracles

We're almost to the end of this series, June 30,

and we just thought of a name for it. 

😃

Who will live and who will die?

Jesus said to the Pharisees, 

"If you don't believe in me, believe the miracles."

 We do believe the miracles the Lord performed

in Bible times, and today. But! 

There are counterfeit miracles Satan uses to deceive,

some of them mentioned in the Bible.

Many will occur in the time of the antichrist.

We don't assume any and every supernatural act is from God. 

This coming week, we bring you the thousand years, the

judgment of the dead, the New Jerusalem and finally, the river of life.

 

Great Supper of God

     John saw heaven standing open, "...and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God." 

     "The armies (saints) of heaven were following him, riding on white horses... Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron scepter. - Psalm 2:9

     "On his robe he has this name: 

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS

     "And I saw an angel who cried in a loud voice to all the birds, 'Come, gather together for the great supper of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals and mighty men ... and the flesh of all people, free and slave, small and great.' 

The battle of Armageddon

Jeremiah 51;  Ezekiel 39;  Joel 3;  Zephaniah 3;  Zechariah 14

     "Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet, who had performed miraculous signs. 

     "With those signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. 

     "The two of them were thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh."

2 Thessalonians chapter 2

Monday: Life in the millennium

Fall of Commercial Babylon   

     Revelation chapter 18 deserves a look as we follow the miracles. 

     In his vision John saw another angel coming down from heaven. "With a mighty voice he shouted:

     'Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great. She has become a home for demons and a haunt for every evil spirit... For the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth commit adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.'"

     "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues, for her sins are piled up to heaven... When the kings of the earth who ... shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her." 

     "Terrified by her torment, they will stand far off and cry: 'Woe! Woe, O great city. In one hour your doom has come.'" 

     "The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes any more. Every sea captain and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off."

     "Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said: 'With such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again. Your merchants were the world's great men.'"

     "By your magic spell all the nations were led astray. In her was found the blood of prophets and of the saints, and of all who have been killed on the earth." 

Tomorrow: Fall of political Babylon

Final Years of This Age 

     In Revelation chapters 13-17, John writes of "beasts," "angels" and "God's wrath." These represent conflict during history's final world government. The "beast coming out of the sea" is the antichrist. He will make a covenant with the nation of Israel (Daniel 9:27), launching the final seven years. 

     There will be those who worship the beast, and those who refuse at great risk of life. 

     In one last appeal, an angel will pass over, proclaiming the eternal gospel to every nation, tribe, language and people. "Fear God," the angel warns, "and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come." 

     A second angel will announce, "Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great (political, religious and commercial systems of the world), which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries." 

     A third angel will warn, "If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he too will drink of the wine of God's fury." 

     There will be seven plagues and seven bowls of God's wrath. "Kings from the east" - nations from the Orient - will participate in a great conflict - driven by satanic power - the war of Armageddon.

     A "great prostitute" represents religious Babylon. She is all false religions, including apostate Christianity. 

     A "scarlet beast" is world government, or political Babylon, which props up evil spiritual power. "Babylon the Great" symbolizes false religion, sorcery, astrology and rebellion against God. 

Tomorrow: Fall of commercial Babylon

Woman and a Dragon  

     John writes, "A great and wondrous sign appeared in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was about to give birth."

     "Then another sign appeared: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads. The dragon stood in front of the woman so that he might devour her child the moment it was born."

     "She gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter. And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne. The woman fled into the desert, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days."

     "And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The great dragon was hurled down - that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray."

     John hears a voice saying, "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers...has been hurled down. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death." 

     After a failed attempt to destroy the woman, "the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring - those who obey God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus." 

Tomorrow: Final seven years

They Call it Tribulation   

     John was told the outer court of the temple of God, "has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months. And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days." 

     The witnesses will have great power over men who wish them harm, and over nature. Our commentary likens their power to that of Moses and Elijah. (Malachi 4:5) 

     When they finish their testimony, "the beast from the Abyss will kill them. For 3-1/2 days people will look and gloat over them. Then a breath of God will restore their life, and terror will strike those who saw them."

     At that hour an earthquake will collapse a tenth of the city. Seven thousand die, and terrified survivors give glory to God. 

Third woe is coming  

     "The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven. 'The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.'" 

     The 24 elders have their say.

     "Then God's temple in heaven was opened and within his temple was the ark of his covenant. And there came flashing of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a great hailstorm." 

Tomorrow: A woman and a dragon

This coming week:

The final seven years, 

The fall of Babylon

 

Two Miraculous Woes

     You thought the first four angels announced horrible events?

     "The fifth angel sounded his trumpet and the shaft of the Abyss opened. Smoke arose as if from a gigantic furnace. Out came locusts with power to torture for five months, but only those who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads."

     "The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle, with faces like humans and teeth like lions' teeth. Their king was the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek, Apollyon."

     "The sixth angel sounded his trumpet and I heard a voice coming from the golden altar. It said, 'Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.' And the four angels ... were released to kill a third of mankind. The number of the mounted troops was two hundred million."

     John describes a vision of "horses resembling the heads of lions, breathing out fire, smoke and sulfur. Their tails were like snakes, having heads with which they inflict injury. A third of mankind was killed."

     "The rest of mankind still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts."

     John saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. "And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it." 

     "There will be no more delay! But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished." 

 Monday: Two witnesses are slain

     

A Great Multitude    

     John saw "a great multitude...from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were holding palm branches. And they cried out in a loud voice:

     "Salvation belongs to our God on the throne, and to the Lamb." 

     Angels fell down before the throne and worshipped God, saying, "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever." 

     One of the elders tells John, these in white robes "...are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."  

     "Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night, and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst." 

     "For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

The first four trumpets

     "The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled upon the earth." 

     "The second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a huge mountain all ablaze was thrown into the sea."

     "The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and the springs of water."

     "The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon and a third of the stars."

     A flying eagle calls out: "Woe! Woe! Woe!" 

Tomorrow: It gets worse

Devastating Judgments   

     No other human in history has seen and heard what God has revealed to the elderly disciple John ... all to be shared with mankind until the end of the age. 

     The Lamb opens the seals in Revelation chapter 6. There will be unprecedented suffering and judgment. Four horses represent God's judgment on the corrupt world system. "Peace is taken from the earth." 

     This tribulation will be a time of violence, murder and war. 

     A black horse symbolizes famine, scarce necessities, high prices and hunger. A pale horse symbolizes death by war, plagues, disease and evil beasts.

     John sees those in heaven who have been "martyred for their faith in Christ and the truth of his Word." They are told "to have patience, for many more will die for their faith."  

     Those on earth who never heard the gospel will be given opportunity to be saved. Those who heard the gospel before the rapture and continue to live in sin will receive a powerful delusion. 

     John sees a great earthquake. "The sun turns black and the moon blood red. Stars fall from the sky, which rolls up, and every mountain and island is removed."

     "The kings of the earth, princes, generals, the rich and mighty, and every slave and free man will hide in caves and among the rocks. They will plead for death, fearing the wrath of the Lamb." 

     We get it. God warns us not to love the world. 

Tomorrow: Contrast. Those in white robes

 

  

 Every Tribe, Language, People and Nation

     Next, John sees a door open in heaven. He hears the same voice: Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this. 

     "At once I was in the Spirit," John wrote, "and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it, with the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow encircled the throne, and there were other thrones, flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder." 

     He saw, "...what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. Four living creatures never stopped saying:

     'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is and is to come.'" 

     "Twenty four elders lay their crowns before the throne and say: 

     'You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.'" 

     John: "A scroll in the right hand of him on the throne was sealed with seven seals. No one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll." John wept. 

     Then an elder said to him, "Do not weep. See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals." 

     John saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain. The Lamb took the scroll. "The 24 elders fell down before the Lamb, holding golden bowls of incense, which are the prayers of the saints." They sang a new song:

     "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth." 

Tomorrow: Devastating judgments

 Supernatural Future  

The Voice  

     It was almost 60 years since the risen Christ had departed. One of the original disciples remained, John, probably about age 90, exiled on an island. 

     He hears a loud voice like a trumpet, saying, Write on a scroll what you see...

     "I turned around to see the voice. I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone like a 'son of man,' dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest."

     "His head and hair were as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance." 

     "I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said:" Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. 

      His compliments and warnings were to seven churches in Asia (modern Turkey). They may represent seven characteristics of churches around the world. In each letter he concluded with a potential benefit.

To him who overcomes: 

* The right to eat from the tree of life 

* Not be hurt by the second death

* Hidden manna, and a stone with a new name  

* Authority over the nations

* A name never blotted from the book of life

* A pillar in the temple, with the name of new Jerusalem

* The right to sit with him on his throne  

     Is this enough incentive to overcome the world? No matter what?

Tomorrow: A peak at heaven

The Supernatural Finish 

     We hope you have been blessed so far by our series, "knowing the Bible through its miracles." 

     Originally thought to last a couple weeks, starting April 12, our Friday edition was day number 44. Beginning Monday, we provide 14 additional chapters to finish this story of stories. 

     Get ready. The book of Revelation is out-of-this-world. There is judgment, and there is everlasting life. The future is coming. When you hear a trumpet call, run for cover.  😇

     Decide for yourself what John's visions may teach us. 

     These 14 "chapters" will be taken directly out of Scripture. Even the words without quotes - " - will be based on words in the Word. 

     There are Christian pastors who won't go near the book of Revelation, for whatever reason. 

     We have the impression after again reading chapter 22, Revelation is mandatory study for the churches, and anyone else who is curious about God and their place in eternity.  

 

          Jimmy

 Confidence! In What?  

     We turn again to Saul, called Paul, the Pharisee determined to arrest followers of the Way, himself apprehended by the Lord above. 

     He visited early believers and wrote to churches - sometimes from prison - to strengthen them.

     To those in Philippi, "We ... put no confidence in the flesh, though I myself have reasons for such confidence: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless." 

     "I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord ... not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ..." 

     To the Ephesians, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil (events, sorcery, witchcraft, etc. not explainable by natural or scientific laws) in the heavenly realms." 

     To the Hebrews, "The Son is superior to angels. Jesus (was) made like his brothers, greater than Moses, great high priest, our intercessor. High priest of a new covenant - the blood of Christ. His sacrifice once for all."

     To those in Galatia, "Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." 

     "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female. You are all one in Christ Jesus." 

     To the Colossians, "There is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is in all." 

Note: The Lord chose an intelligent, type-A personality, the most passionate Jew on earth to preach reconciliation for all. Paul was a bridge connecting Judaism with the world, all under a new covenant.   

Next week: Incredible miracles over the horizon

Does God Have Favorites? 

     Cornelius, a Gentile centurion over some 80 Roman legionaires, was devout and God-fearing. He prayed regularly and gave to the poor.

     About three in the afternoon he had a vision. An angel told him God is aware of his prayers and generous giving. Cornelius was to send men to find a man named Simon, also called Peter, in another city. 

     The next day, while the men were approaching, Peter - unaware - went up on his roof to pray. He fell into a trance, seeing heaven opened and a sheet descending with all kinds of animals, birds and reptiles. "Get up Peter. Kill and eat." 

     Jewish Peter replied, "Surely not, Lord. I have never eaten anything impure or unclean." The voice answered, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." 

     Long-held beliefs and habits are resolute. The vision repeated two more times. 

     While he wondered about this, the visitors knocked on his door. We skip ahead: Peter entered the house of Cornelius, finding a large gathering of Gentiles inside.  

     Peter spoke: "You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile, or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. May I ask why you sent for me?"

     Cornelius explained: "We are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us." 

     Peter: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism, but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. This is the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace (with God) through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all."

     (See Acts chapter 10 for Peter's complete talk.)

     While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard.

Tomorrow: Confidence in what? 

     

Getting His Attention

     Paul the Israelite wrote to Roman believers that while Israel would again fall on hard times, there will be "a remnant chosen by grace." 

     Not only Jews, but those of other "faiths" and atheists have opportunity - not to become Christians, per se. Someone in Antioch - not God - began calling believers "Christians," and it stuck.  

     The Lord calls people to the "Way." It is the Way of the cross. The narrow way to forgiveness is the Son of God's sacrifice on our behalf. We follow him rather than worldly ways. He gave us knowledge in print, and he lives within us by his Spirit.  

     We don't choose Christ. He chooses those who come to him in repentance. Unlike Muslims, Jews may keep their traditions. There was no law when God approved Abraham's faith.   

     If suffering follows, well, Jesus suffered and died first. 

     So, how did elite, Pharisee Saul find the "Way?" In his special case, Jesus spoke to him from heaven with a blinding light, asking, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? 

     "Who are you sir?" Saul asked. 

     I am Jesus. Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do. 

     More miracles followed. In a vision the Lord told a man where to find Saul and what Saul was chosen to accomplish. And Saul himself had a vision of the man who would come and restore his sight. 

     The Lord told wary follower, Ananias, This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles ... and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.

     Saul thereafter was called Paul. He received the Holy Spirit, left Damascus at night, over the wall to elude would-be killers, and began to preach in the synagogues. 

     Opposition forced him to relocate to Tarsus, but that region of the world had not seen the last of apostle Paul. 

Tomorrow: Peter's vision 

The Call to All  

     God had spent some 15 centuries of human time - maybe 15 days as he might count it - to this point.

     It will be difficult for Jews, especially the rulers, to accept change. They are loved, but many cannot accept the turning point of history ... the holy of holies opened to Gentiles. B.C. to A.D. 

God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that

whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

     Arguments ensue. Stephen is stoned to death. Believers must flee - bad - and begin to take the news to the world - good! There are Jewish converts. They insist Gentiles follow Jewish customs. 

     God calls his narrow road the "Way." Jesus had said, I am the way, the truth and the life. 

     The temple curtain miraculously ripped from top to bottom, opening the inner sanctuary - God's presence - to all who repent and humbly seek the Savior. Come...for I will give you rest. 

     God still loves the children of Abraham. Amos, chapter 9: 

     "Surely the eyes of the Sovereign Lord are on the sinful kingdom ... yet I will not totally destroy the house of Jacob," declares the Lord.    "In that day, I will restore David's fallen tent..." 

     Romans, chapter 11:

     Did God reject his people? By no means! I (Paul) am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. ...there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it is no longer by works. What Israel sought so earnestly it did not obtain...

     Again I ask, Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgressions, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater will their fullness bring? 

Tomorrow: Unlikely servant

       

The Alternate Road  

     Ten days after Jesus ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives - many witnesses saw this - the disciples were assembled on the day of Pentecost (The 50th day, seventh Sunday, from Easter). 

     Attendees included Jews from at least 12 other nations. Three decades later, Dr. Luke, a Gentile, educated historian, who investigated all that had happened during those times, wrote:

     "Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them (the disciples)." 

     "All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues (languages) as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. ...each one heard them speaking in his own language."

     Luke wrote that the foreigners were "amazed and perplexed. Some made fun of them and said, 'They have had too much wine.'" 

     Peter, led by the Spirit, pointed out that it was only 9 in the morning. He went on to tell everyone what they needed to know. Read it in Acts 2. 

     This was not the exhuberant fisherman we once knew. The frightened man who lied to save himself was now ready to die for his faith in Jesus, if necessary. Nor were the other disciples ever the same. 

     Luke wrote Acts for Gentile converts who had no background in Jewish history. In the gospel of Luke he wrote of the births of John and Jesus, the genealogy of Jesus from Adam, and about demons, and the Lord's many teachings.

Tomorrow: Call to All

 

  

 

Monday: Enter Dr. Luke

Is it Time, Lord?   

     Jesus was with his disciples for the last time before he returned to the Father, 40 days after his resurrection. All his followers are descendants of Abraham. 

     He commanded them: Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised... For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. 

     As if that shockwave blew right over their heads, what they really wanted to know: "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" - Acts 1:6

     He answered, It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria 

...so far so good...

and to the ends of the earth.  

     "Whoa!" they might have howled. We agreed to follow him...here in Judea. We didn't sign up for this! Where is the end, anyway? Rome?  Egypt? Babylon? Are there Jews we didn't know about at the ends of the earth? And what is "baptized by the Holy Spirit?"  

     Jesus was miraculously taken up before their eyes. Maybe he will return soon and explain everything.

     Two angels miraculously appeared with them, saying, "This same Jesus ... will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."

     Oh, good. That's a relief. He'll be back!  

     Meanwhile, all they can do is trust and obey.

Monday: The Gentile investigator

A Moment in God's Time

     The miracles of resurrection and ascension are complete. 

     God's grand purpose unfolds in Jerusalem, the "beautiful city." 

     In this moment of God's time, Adam's fallen descendants now have opportunity for forgiveness. And God himself is available, to live within them. With God nothing is impossible. 

     Satan will continue to deceive, for centuries to come. But Satan's days are numbered.

     The Lord turns his full attention to the entire world. It is his creation. He wants it back. That is, he wants the souls of those made in his image to spend eternity with him, eventually in a new heaven and earth. 

     The deal? Angels saw him, and disobeyed. Humans don't see him, yet some will believe, shaming the fallen angels.

     People will cancel other people, but God welcomes souls who believe in the Son, people who trust and obey. Those who die once, but not twice. 

     On the outside, there are differences, but every soul is loved and has a narrow road, a narrow gate through which to escape the coming wrath.

     Salvation through Christ is offered, first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

     Miracles help. Old Testament Scriptures help. New Testament Scriptures provide additional details. 

     The Lord captured Saul, the Pharisee of Pharisees and directed him to an alternate road, under the name Paul. He suffered much to carry the good news to Gentiles, while intensely concerned about fellow Jews who refused to believe. 

     Abraham's son was spared when God provided a lamb to die in his place. We who believe - daily - are spared by the grace and mercy of the Lamb of God who died in our place. And rose to life. 

     We welcome the presence of the Holy Spirit to help and to guide. 

Tomorrow: Good news underway

     

     

     

The Objective   

     U.S. 19 is a broad road through the county. Most anything a person needs can be bought on this busy road.  

     However, to reach a world-famous beach, one must turn off 19 and follow an alternative to the beautiful coast. Alt 19 doesn't offer the opportunities available on U.S. 19.  

     However, Alt 19 leads to blue skies, ocean sparkling in the sun, sand, sea shells, beach chairs and more. 

     The disciples brought their 153 miracle fish to the shore, fried some over the fire Jesus prepared, and ate heartily. 

     Peter and the others had spent their lives traveling the broad road. They expect their Messiah will join them there, in the Promised Land. No more Roman overlords.  

     They still don't understand their teacher suffered the penalty all deserve. Or that he will offer salvation to all who believe, becoming the true children of Abraham, genetic or not.  

     The broad road remains their identity, which God indeed will reward ... someday. Future blessings are in store. But, for each individual to be part of that blessed number, he or she must first walk the narrow way, the alternative. And they must share the road with believers of different identities. 

     Breakfast over, Jesus asks Peter, who had lied three times about being a disciple, Simon, son of John, do you love me? Yes Lord, you know that I love you. Again, Simon, son of John, do you truly love me? Yes Lord, you know that I love you. Once more, Simon, do you love me? 

     Peter was hurt. "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."

     Jesus had used a word for unconditional love. Peter answered with a word for personal friendship. 

     Jesus: Follow me. You must follow me. 

Tomorrow: Two imperatives for salvation