General questions
- There are in the Bible 551 references to the word: "heaven", and there are 127 references in the Bible to the word "heavens". There are three "heavens" found in the BOOK.
- The first heaven is the firmament. This heaven is the closest to the Earth. [Genesis 1:8] “And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.”
- The Bible also, refers this heaven as the sky. [Matthew 16:2] “He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.”
- The second heaven is the space is where the sun, moon and stars are located. [Deuteronomy 4:19] “And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the Lord thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven."
- The plural form of “heavens” quite often is in reference to the stars beyond this solar system: the myriad of galaxies in the universe.
- [Job 26:13] "By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent."
- The third heaven is the location of God's throne: situate to the utter most north from the earth. According to the Apostle Paul he was caught up to the third heaven. [2 Corinthians 12:2] “I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.”
- The location of this heaven “in the
sides of the north” is shown in Scripture in Isaiah 14:13 in the
rebellion of Satan . "For thou hast said in thine heart, I
will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars
of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in
the sides of the north:”
Richard St.James ©2005
- Southern Baptists differ from Lutherans
(among other things):
1. In Church Liturgy (the form of worship)
2. In Church Polity (the form of government)
3. In Church Doctrine … especially in Eschatology (this simply means … the study of last things)
Let’s first start by finding the commonality between Lutherans and Southern Baptists. This will be concerning the “so great salvation” in Jesus Christ. “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;” [Hebrews 2:3] - Martin Luther struggled for years with the things he saw in the Bible that seemed to him to be at odds with his Catholicism. Where the Holy Spirit got him pinned down was with Romans 5:1. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Over and over it came down on Martin: that the only way a sinner could be justified was by FAITH ALONE (and not by works). “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” [Ephesians 2:8-9]
- By the way, this is where all men stumble. This is where we all break our necks. The religions of this world all come back to some form of a WORKS SALVATION. Man is always trying to justify himself before God by his own WORKS, but God has commanded that man is to be justified by faith in the WORK of another … Jesus Christ who is the Son of God, and in his finished WORK at the Cross of Calvary. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” [Acts 4:12] Martin Luther was saved by grace through faith, I believe. Yet when Martin Luther came out of the Roman Catholic Church; he came only part of the way out with respect to most of the other doctrines in the Bible. The denominations that came part of the way out of the Roman Catholic Church are known as Protestants.
- The Southern Baptists have a mix of Protestant and Baptist doctrine. They adopted the New Hampshire Baptist Confession (1833), which was in doctrine ... (including Eschatology or the study of last things) POST MILLENNIAL. This is another commonality where Southern Baptists with the Lutherans have historically have been in agreement. Both Baptists and Lutherans are AMILLENIAL or POST MILLENIAL in their “end times” view points. This next statement will sound harsh but it is true. The Post Millennial viewpoint (including the Amillenial viewpoint) erroneously spiritualizes and steals the promises for the Church that God has clearly has given to Israel.
- Here follows… is the Bible-believing view. This third view of end time events is the Pre-millennial view point. The Pre-millennial view point sees the promises in the Bible of a one thousand year millennium or Kingdom of Heaven to be established by the second coming of Jesus Christ. The Bible always shows the Kingdom of Heaven as being primarily for Israel, and always a visible, physical (or natural), Davidic, one thousand year kingdom on this earth. The Bible-believing view also sees the promises in the Bible of a Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is a kingdom, which is first inward, or moral (in the heart) and invisible (or supernatural), and is currently present in the age we live in, which is the Church age. It behooves us then, as believers of God’s word, to see that two things different are not the same.
- Now I need to add here in all honesty
that I have found that some Southern Baptists that are indeed
Pre-millennial, but they are a minority! In the main the
Southern Baptists tend to be more allegorical than literal in
their eschatology.
To it sum up. The Southern Baptist Convention as a movement has been drifting for years from its old foundation. They are today much closer to the Lutheran Church in doctrine and practice than one hundred years ago.
I hope this answers your question.
Richard St.James ©2005
- When a man or woman comes to Jesus Christ and RECEIVES his so great salvation he becomes a NEW creature. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” [2 Corinthians 5:17]
- At that instant, that man or woman’s
heart becomes a temple to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of
GOD. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of
God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” [1
Corinthians 3:16] At that same instant, that person has two
natures: the OLD man and the NEW man.
We LEARN from the Bible that:
1. We need to STARVE the OLD MAN. “If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;” [Ephesians 4:21-22]
2. We need to FEED the NEW MAN. “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” [Ephesians 4:23-24]
3. We need to GROW spiritually because when you trusted Jesus Christ you were sealed by the Holy Ghost as a purchased possession. “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” [1 Peter 2:2]
4. We need, as a purchased possession, to bring to him, who purchased us by his blood, BE (every day … in the present tense) unto the PRAISE of his glory. “That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” [Ephesians 1:12-14]
5. We need to think on the things that are TRUE, HONEST, JUST, PURE, LOVELY, OF GOOD REPORT, AND THINGS OF VIRTUE AND PRAISE. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” [Phil 4:8-9]
Remember the ways of our past life before we came to Jesus Christ can only corrupt us (the Christian). “Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” [Ephesians 2:3] We need to HEED the warning of GOD’s word: “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” [1 Corinthians 15:33]
We need to be especially careful what we put before our eyes!!! [Psalm 101:3] "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me."
I hope this answers your question about the EYE GATE and EAR GATE to your mind and heart. Please read these following verses: “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Psalm 119:9-11
Richard St.James ©2005
- Six is the number of MAN. Adam was created on the sixth day of creation nearly six thousand years ago. To determine the significance and meaning of the number 666, turn to Revelation chapter thirteen. “And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.” [Revelation 13:1]
- "Six hundred threescore and six” (666) is the number of this BEAST. This is the Antichrist. This BEAST is the Devil incarnate, a FALSE CHRIST! “And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.” [Revelation 13:2]
- This FALSE Christ receives his power and authority from the DRAGON. The dragon is SATAN himself. “And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast." [Revelation 13:3]
- The dragon (Satan) performs a miraculous healing on the Beast which causes the entire world to admire, revere and to WORSHIP the BEAST. “And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?” [Revelation 13:4]
- This is nothing but the DEVIL trying to get worship for himself! Look at what the Number 13, the DEVIL is doing. Satan is mimicking the TRINITY (of GOD The Father, GOD The Son, and GOD The Holy Spirit) with his version of the trinity … an ANTI-TRINITY consisting of the DEVIL, the first BEAST who is the ANTICHRIST, and with “another BEAST” that is shown in verse eleven).
- “And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.”
- The time is LIMITED! He has three-and-half-years to operate or to have POWER in order to work devilish destruction on this EARTH against GOD and the SAINTS of GOD. “And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.” [Revelation 13:5-6]
- The scene unfolding here is the soon upcoming seven year period of time known as THE TRIBILATION. Read the verses that follow here in Revelation 13:7-17. “And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If any man have an ear, let him hear. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.”
- This “beast”, already identified as the third person of the diabolical trinity does everything possible to bring WORSHIP to the first beast, including performing MIRACLES.
- Let’s read on. “And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.”
- In this reign of the BEAST, those who refuse to take a MARK signifying their obeisance to the FIRST BEAST will not be allowed to LIVE. These SAINTS will be put to death. Remember the saints here are not the saints of this age … the CHURCH AGE. The translation or rapture of the Church has already occurred BEFORE this Great Tribulation starts. These are Jews or Gentiles SAVED in the Tribulation.
- Bottom line friend, if you are not saved now then get saved by the Lamb of GOD. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) [2 Corinthians 6:2] You do not want to go through this time on earth where the Number 666 is the required MARK in order to BUY or SELL. “And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”
- To sum up, this BEAST
is the Devil incarnate, a FALSE CHRIST, whose
number is Six hundred threescore and six.
Richard St.James ©2005
- Answer.
- Whom you marry as a believer in Jesus Christ is the NEXT most important decision you will make in life. (The first was trusting Jesus Christ for your salvation.)
- This SPECIAL person should be someone to whom you give a special invitation for a very special purpose.
- The invitation and purpose is this: "O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together," [Psalm 34:3]. The invitation conveys to her (or him) that your commitment is more than just a commitment to each other but is to be a commitment to magnify and exalt the LORD Jesus Christ’s name TOGETHER.
- It is, therefore, imperative for you to seek before the LORD the mate HE has for you in this all important matter. To disregard this will only plant the seeds for a broken marriage and home.
- A believer ought not yoke up with an unbeliever!!! This is a biblical command. “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” [2 Corinthians 6:14-16]
- Here is the principle in God’s word that is all important. "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" [Amos 3:3]
- This becomes the central pillar to support the walk of two together -----AGREEMENT! Is there, then, agreement on the issues of life? ARE YOU AGREED ON JESUS CHRIST? It is imperative to search each other out concerning beliefs and practices. Be honest! This searching will "clear the air" and give "no uncertain sound” so that both persons may recognize whether to marry this person or not.
- Observe and hear the words of the LORD for the PROMISE! Be patient! Wait on the LORD! He will provide!
- “Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee for ever, when thou doest that which is good and right in the sight of the Lord thy God.” [Deuteronomy 12:28]
- Answer.
- The Bible has the answer. We need to know “the
scriptures” and “the power of God”.
1. In “the resurrection” the believer in Jesus Christ will be “as the angels”.
2. The angels “neither marry, nor are given in marriage”.
- Where do we find this? Let’s go! In the book of Matthew chapter twenty-two, verse twenty-three, we find this:
- “The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. And last of all the woman died also. Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.” [Matthew 22:23-33]
- And again, in Mark chapter twelve, verse eighteen, we find: “Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed.
- And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise. And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all, the woman died also. In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife. And Jesus answering said unto them,
- Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God? For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.
- And as touching the dead, that
they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the
bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham,
and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the
God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do
greatly err.” [Mark 12:18-27]
3. In every appearance of an angel, or angels, in the Bible they appear as a man, or as men. (No female angels.)
a) In the first appearance of an angel in the Bible, in Genesis chapter sixteen, verse eight the angel is referred to as “he”. “And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.”
b) In the second appearance of angels in the Bible, in Genesis chapter eighteen, verse two, we see “three men”.“And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground”. - If you follow through the text till Genesis nineteen, verse one, you will find: that two of the three men were angels. [Genesis 19:1] "And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground.”
- You will find that angels appear as
men every time. Check it out for yourself!!!
4. Since Genesis, men and women “marry” and are “given in marriage”.
God created Man IN HIS OWN IMAGE as “male” and “female”. [Genesis 1:27] “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." - God created MAN to multiply and replenish the earth. [Genesis 1:28] “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”
- It follows therefore, that mankind was to have relationships that follow this Genesis established PATTERN: of husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, and sons and daughters.
- It follows therefore, that the angels were uniquely created by GOD as beings having no command to multiply and nor to replenish, anything! Unless they disobey by usurping the PATTERN established by GOD by leaving their first estate, they can not have husbands and nor wives, nor sons or daughters, sisters or brothers.
- The answer is: angels have no
literal brothers. “And the angels, which kept not their
first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath
reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the
judgment of the great day.” [Jude 1:6] They crossed THE LINE
of no return.
To sum up:
1. In “the resurrection” the believer in Jesus Christ will be “as the angels”.
2. The angels “neither marry, nor are given in marriage”.
3. In every appearance of an angel, or angels, in the Bible they appear as a man, or as men. (No female angels.)
4. Since Genesis, men and women “marry” and are “given in marriage”.
5. Angels have no literal brothers.
Richard St.James ©2005
