Saturday 5 October 2013

On the day of Pentecost (Act 2)

On the day of Pentecost (Act 2)
Rights (C) Raymond D Lombard


When I read Acts 2, I read about the 12 Apostles who were all with one accord in a place. Flames of fire rested on them which filled them with the Holy Spirit! Then the Apostles began to speak in tongues (verse 4). However, many other religious men from every nation under heaven (their origins are mentioned in verses 9-11 & were surely over 3000 i.e. verse 41), heard the Apostles speak in their native language (verse 6).

How is it that the Apostles, that were all Galileans, could speak other native languages?

People of other origen were amazed, surprised and marveled! (verses 6-8)

What does this mean, they wondered? (verse 12)

Others present, however, mocked and said the Apostles are filled with sweet wine! (verse 13)

OK, how is it possible that the languages spoken by the Apostles (verse 4) were audible intelligible languages, heard and understood by some present (verses 6-8)?

Is (verse 4) really a scriptural reference to the gift of speaking in tongues practiced by believers today?

Is it not true that speaking in tongues is a language incomprehensible to a man, but understood by God?

1Co 14:2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. For no one hears, but in spirit he speaks mysteries.

Well, the Bible does not contradict itself!

To understand what really happened, we need to first analyze the following;

Flames of fire that rested on the Apostles; What does this mean?
The Person of the Holy Spirit
Baptism by the Holy Spirit
Baptism with the Holy Spirit
Baptism with the Holy Spirit gifts
The Categories of Holy Spirit gifts
The Centurion Cornelius
Paul shares the gospel in Ephesus
On the day of Pentecost

Then only we will know what really happened!!!!

Flames of fire that rested on the Apostles;
What does this mean?

The Holy Spirit is revealed in scripture in particular ways through his ministry and His Person by way of examples and metaphors. These examples and mataphors is called "the typology of the Holy Spirit".

A Type is nothing other "than a Divinely-conscious illustration preceding a corresponding truth".

The scripture so uses Types for us to understand the Person and work of the Holy Spirit better.

Act 2:4 And they were all filled of the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Fire was the Type for the Spirit (as Person) whom His actions (the Holy Spirit power) cleanced and ratified.
  The Person of the Holy Spirit

Joh 14:15-17 If you love me, keep my commandments. (16) I will ask the Father to give you another Helper, to be with you always. (17) He is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor recognizes him. But you recognize him, because he lives with you and will be in you.

The Holy Spirit is a Divine Person and not a mere power. He is the Third Person in the Trinity of God. In other words, the Holy Spirit is God himself with all the attributes and activities of God.

Read more about the Person of the Holy Spirit;  HERE

Baptism by the Holy Spirit

Baptism by the Holy Spirit is dispensational i.e it started only after the day of Pentecost. The baptism into the body of Christ relates to the Church, and it relates to truly reborn believers after the death, resurrection and accension of Jesus Christ.

Baptism by the Holy Spirit places a believer into a new position, namely in Christ himself

The believer is in Christ and Christ is in the believer. As a result of this union with Christ, the Father sees the saved person in Christ, as a living part of his own Son, and He loves the believer as He loves His Son.

Eph 1:5-6 having predestined us to the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, (6) to the praise of the glory of His grace, in which He has made us accepted in the One having been loved.

Joh 17:10 And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine; and I am glorified in them.

Baptism by the Holy Spirit happens together with the rebirth of a believer. Salvation and baptism is therefore simultaneously and it is impossible to be saved without this aspect of the work of the Holy Spirit i.e. "Baptism by the Holy Spirit".

1Co 12:13 For also by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free, even all were made to drink into one Spirit.

Baptism with the Holy Spirit

The word "pneuma" translates in English as "spirit" and word 'hagion' as "holy"'.

The use of the word "pneuma" in combination with word "hagion" is translated in the scripture as a rule as "the Holy Spirit".

A careful review of the scriptures where the concept "pneuma hagion" occurs, shows that it refers to the Holy Spirit's gifts and operations.

In regard to the Holy Spirit's gifts and operations, when you read a reference to "'the Holy Spirit", you should rather read it as "Holy Spirit" and perhaps even more correctly, read it as; "the gift of the Holy Spirit".

Obtaining the correct meaning can be achieved in comparing Acts 1:4-5 and Luke 24:49.

In Luke Jesus calls the "promise" the "power from on high" and in Acts then Jesus calls the "promise" the Holy Spirit i.e "pnuema hagion".

Luk 24:49 And behold, I send the promise of My father on you. But you sit in the city of Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high.

Act 1: (4) And having met with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to await the promise of the Father which you heard from Me. (5) For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now.

Baptism with the Holy Spirit gifts

'Pnuema hagion' or 'holy spirit' means never the Person of the Holy Spirit, but always His power as it is manifested in different ways.

Act 2:4 And they were all filled of the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit ("phuema hagion" without the definite article; thus the gift of the Holy Spirit) and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit ("pneuma" with the definite article, the Person, the Giver, the Spirit of God) gave them to speak out.

The Categories of the Holy Spirit gifts

1Co 12: (8) For through the Spirit is given to one a word of wisdom; and to another a word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; (9) and to another faith by the same Spirit; and to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; (10) and to another workings of powers, to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; and to another kinds of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues.

The three categories are;
Revelation; wisdom, knowledge, at the discerning of spirits
Power; faith, healing, working of powers
Speach; speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, prophecy

Baptism with the Holy Spirit speach gifts is one of three ways;
speaking in tongues (to only speak in tongues)
speaking in tongues, and interpretation of tongues, (to speak and/or to interpret)
speaking in tongues, and interpretation of tongues, and prophesying ( to speak and/or interpret and/or prophecy)

Speaking in tongues

The following verses as reference; 1Co 14:1-5, 13-14

Speaking in tongues is not onderstood by humans

1Co 14:2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. For no one hears, but in spirit he speaks mysteries.

1Co 14:14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.

interpretaion of tongues and prohecying is in understandable / familiar words (languages)

1Co 14:13 So then he speaking in a language, let him pray that he may interpret.

1Co 14:3 But he who prophesies speaks to men for building up, and exhortation, and comfort.

The Centurion Cornelius (Act 10:1-48)
(The gifts of speaking in tongues and/or interpretaion of tongues was evident)

Cornelius prayed to GOD
Act 10:2 one devout and fearing God, with all his household, both doing many merciful deeds to the people, and praying continually to God.

Peter was called to start sharing the gospal with non Jews
Act 10: (9) On the next day, as these went on the road, and drawing near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. (10) And he became very hungry and desired to eat. But while they made ready, an ecstasy fell on him. (11) And he saw the heaven opened and a certain vessel like a sheet coming down to him, being bound at the four corners and let down to the earth; (12) in which were all the four-footed animals of the earth, and the wild beasts, and the reptiles, and the birds of the heaven. (13) And a voice came to him, saying, Rise, Peter! Kill and eat! (14) But Peter said, Not so, Lord, for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.

Act 10: (19) And while Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said to him, Behold, three men are looking for you. (20) Therefore arise and go down and go with them without doubting, for I have sent them.

Peter shared the Gospel
Act 10:28 And he said to them, You know that it is an unlawful thing for a man, a Jew to keep company with or to come near to one of another nation. But God has shown me not to call any man common or unclean.

Act 10: (34) Then Peter opened his mouth and said, Truly I see that God is no respecter of persons;
(35) but in every nation he who fears Him and works righteousness is accepted with Him.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit was poured out
Act 10: (44) While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those hearing the Word. (45) And those of the circumcision, who believed (as many as came with Peter), were astonished because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on the nations also. (46) For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. 

What happened?

All the Gentiles (non-Jews) who heard the word Peter spoke (Act 10:23-43); was baptised by the Holy Spirit with the gift of speaking in tongues. The faithful of the circumcision (the Jews) had the gift of interpretation of tongues because the Jews heard the Gentiles speaking in tongues and magnify God.

Baptism with the Holy Spirit speech gifts was thus; speaking in tongues and interpretation of tongues

Paul shares the gospel in Ephesus
(The gifts of speaking in tongues and/or interpretaion of tongues was evident)

deciples were baptized by Paul
Act 19: (5) And hearing, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (6) And as Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

Baptism with the Holy Spirit speech gifts was thus; Speaking in tongues and prophesying!

On the day of Pentecost
(The gifts of speaking in tongues and/or interpretaion of tongues and/or prophecying was evident)

Key verses (Act 2:1-18)

Act 2:4 And they were all filled of the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Act 2: (5) And dwelling at Jerusalem there were Jews, devout men out of every nation under heaven.
(6) But this sound occurring, the multitude came together and were confounded, because they each heard them speaking in his own dialect. (7) And they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, Behold, are not these who speak all Galileans? (8) And how do we each hear in our own dialect in which we were born? (9) Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, (10) Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya around Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, (11) Cretans and Arabians, we hear them speaking the great things of God in our own languages. (12) And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying to one another, What does this mean? (13) But others mocking said, These men are full of sweet wine.

Act 2: (14) But Peter, standing up with the Eleven, lifted up his voice and said to them, Men, Jews, and all who dwell at Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to my words. (15) For these are not drunk as you suppose, for it is the third hour of the day. (16) But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel: (17) "And it shall be in the last days, says God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh. And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. (18) And in those days I will pour out My Spirit upon My slaves and My slave women, and they shall prophesy.

The Bible does not contradict itself.

NO ONE can say that you are full of sweet wine, when you through the baptism of the Holy Spirit power; speak in tongues, interpret speaking in tongues and/or prophesize

Interpretation of tongues and prophesying is in fact in an understandable language in which you speak great things of GOD.

So what really happened!!!!

What one reads
On the day of Pentecost, the Apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit power and began speaking in tongues. (verse 4) Hearing these sounds, a great multitude gathered (verse 6) And they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, Behold, are not these who speak all Galileans? (verse 7) And how do we each hear in our own dialect in which we were born? (verse 8) ... we hear them speaking the great things of God in our own languages. (verse 11) And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying to one another, What does this mean? (verse 12) But others mocking said, These men are full of sweet wine. (verse 13)

And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying to one another, What does this mean? (verse 12)

What indeed does it mean (even today)?

Baptism with the Holy Spirit gifts of course!!!!

On the day of Pentecost, the Apostles were baptized with the Holy Spirit gift of speaking in tongues.

On the day of Pentecost, the multitude hearing in their own dialect those speaking in tongues the great things of GOD, were baptized with the Holy Spirit gift of interpretation of tongues.

Act 2: (14) But Peter, standing up with the Eleven, lifted up his voice and said to them, Men, Jews, and all who dwell at Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to my words. (15) For these are not drunk as you suppose, for it is the third hour of the day. (16) But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel: (17) "And it shall be in the last days, says God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh. And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. (18) And in those days I will pour out My Spirit upon My slaves and My slave women, and they shall prophesy.

On the day of Pentecost, those within the multitude speaking great things of GOD in understood dialect ( language ) were baptized with the Holy Spirit gift of prophecying.

Baptism with the Holy Spirit speech gifts was thus; Speaking in tongues, and/or interpretation of tongues and/or prophesying!

But others mocking said, These men are full of sweet wine. (verse 13)

Of course there were also those that were NOT baptized with the Holy Spirit gifts at all!!

The Holy Spirit as a Person



The Holy Spirit as a Person
Rights (C) Raymond D Lombard


The Holy Spirit as the seal on the believer, as the collateral or guarantee or insurance of his heritage that awaits the believer; the redemption and glorification of his body to be conformed to the image of Christ when He (Jesus Christ) (Rom 8:23.29, Php 3:20-21, Eph 4:30, 1Th 4:13-18, 1Cor 15:50-54).

The Holy Spirit as a person does not exits alone, and can only be appreciated by a study of the triunity of GOD.

The Greek word for spirit is pneuma and is a neuter gender word. A male pronoun is however given to the Holy Spirit (John 14, 17). Under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, John did it in order to recognize the Holy Spirit as a Person.

The Holy Spirit is a Person, not an 'it' or a "something".

The Holy Spirit has personal characteristics; Intelligence (1Cor 2:1o-11, Eph 1:17); Emotional sense (Eph 4:30, Rom 15:30) and a Self-will (1Cor 12:11).

The Holy Spirit does the work of God; He creates (Gen 1:2), causes rebirth (Joh 3:5-8), raises from the dead (Rom 8:11), Inspires (2Pet 1:21), gives life (Job 33:4), speaks (Act 1:16; 1Peter 1:11), testifies for and glorifies Christ (Joh 15:26; 16:14), convicts of sin (Joh 16:8), teaches (Joh 14:26), comforts and strengthens (Acts 9:31), helps us to pray (Rom 8:26), leads us (Joh 16:13), sanctifies (Rom 15:16; 1Cor 6:11), transforms a sinner into a child of God (Joh 3:5-8)

Jehovah (Yahweh, LORD) of the Old Testament is the Holy Spirit in the New Testament (compare Isa 6:1,5, 8-10 with Act 28:25-27, Jer 31:31-34 with Heb 10:15-17, Ex 17:2-7 Heb 3:7-11).

The Holy Spirit is God (2Sam 23:2-3 Act 5:3-4, 1Cor 3:16, 2Cor 3:17, Eph 2:22, Heb 1:1(a), 2Peter 1:21).

There is only Divine Spirit, the Holy Spirit. He is at the same time the Spirit of the Father and of the Son, as they are one. More ever, as the Father and the Son is God, the spirit of the one or the other is equal to God. For this reason, the Bible states that there is only one Spirit (1Cor 2:11, 13, Eph 2:18, 4-4)

The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ is one and the same Person.

God is Spirit (Joh 4:24) is reconciled with the doctrine of the Trinity as follows;

According to the Bible, God is alone 'LORD' (Deut 6 4). That is, God (Elohim, plural noun) is a unit (Echad) consisting of three Persons (Matt 28:19, 2Cor 13:14, Joh 14:16-17). If God the Father is Spirit, then the Son (1Cor 15:45) and the Holy Spirit is also Spirit. Spirituality is thus not an attribution of God, but rather a way of God's perfect and triunal existence.

Rebirth is a unique spiritual experience of a work of the Holy Spirit in the human spirit.

Rebirth is the fountain of Christian experience and walk. (2Cor 5:17). With his life now under guidance of the Spirit, he is able to bring forth the fruit of the Spirit; Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.

Rebirth is a work of God (Joh 1:13) but in particular the work of the Spirit (John 3:3-7, Tit 3:5). Faith enables the Spirit to bring about rebirth. The Word of God shows man what he must believe and when he responds, allows the Spirit to redeem the person.

Rebirth is an immediate act and not an experience and does not involve any sensation. All experiences will be as a result of the rebirth and new life.

Rebirth is a creation of a divine nature in the reborn person so that it can be said of every true believer, that he became partaker of the divine nature (2Peter 1:4).

Rebirth brings a new life; eternal life.

Eternal life can not be revoked i.e no one can be more than once reborn. Rebirth is the unchangeable purpose of God, by which He called, and justified those to be glorified. (Rom 8:29, 30, Fill 1 6, 2 Tim 1 12)

The indwelling of the Spirit in the hearts of believers is fundamental to the workings of the Spirit.

The Holy Spirit dwells only in truly reborn believers; Joh 14:17 He is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor recognizes him. But you recognize him, because he lives with you and will be in you.

1Co 6:19 You know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God, don't you? You do not belong to yourselves,

The Holy Spirit is a gift which a believer receives by grace alone (John 7:39(a), Rom 5:5, 2Cor 5:5).

The Holy Spirit is the One who reveals the indwelling of the Father in the believer; 1Jn 3:24 The person who keeps his commandments abides in God, and God abides in him. This is how we can be sure that he (God) remains in us: he (God) has given us his Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is also the One by whom the indwelling of Christ in the believer is made known (John 14:16,20) It is said of Christ that He definitely lives in the believer (Gal 2:20, Col 1:27, 3:11).

Although the indwelling of the Spirit is a gift, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit permanently.

2Co 5:5 God has prepared us for this and has given us his Spirit as a guarantee.

Eph 1:13-14 You, too, have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed in the Messiah, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, (14) who is the guarantee of our inheritance until God redeems his own possession for his praise and glory.

A Collateral, or otherwise called a warranty, something given as a token of good faith in advance. Its use is also a small portion of the purchase price paid in advance to honor a business make binding agreement.

The earnest of the Spirit inherited in the life of a true born again believer is permanently; "in which He has made us accepted "(Eph 1:6)..." "to the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory"(Eph 1:14 ).

What happens when a believer sins?

Sin grieve's the Spirit (Eph 4:30) and causes the power of His indwelling (the Holy Spirit power) to decrease. His indwelling in the life of a truly reborn believer never diminishes.... The Spirit remains permanently resident after rebirth!

The term" sealing by the Holy Spirit" refers to a definite and unique aspect of salvation.

The Holy Spirit is the seal (2Cor 1:22).

The only people who were sealed with the Holy Spirit and is still sealed today, is Jesus (Joh 6:27), and every true reborn believer (Eph 430).

God the Father, as Agent in accordance with the Father's sealing of the Son (Joh 6:27), is the One who seals the believer with the Holy Spirit; 2Co 1:22 And He has sealed us and having given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. Eph 1:13 in whom also you, hearing the Word of Truth, the gospel of our salvation, in whom also believing, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise

Truly reborn believers are sealed by the Spirit at the time of their salvation or regeneration. Sealing by the Spirit not an experience after rebirth. Sealing by the Spirit is universally meant for all believers.

2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal: "The Lord knew those who are His." And, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity!"

The Holy Spirit is the seal or sign of Christ's property rights and protection against sin and / or safekeeping in holiness. Rom 8:9 But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone has not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.

Baptism by the Holy Spirit

Baptism by the Holy Spirit places a believer into a new position, namely in Christ himself

Joh 14:9 ..He who has seen Me has seen the Father. And how do you say, Show us the Father?

The believer is in Christ and Christ is in the believer. As a result of this union with Christ, the Father sees the saved person in Christ, as a living part of his own Son, and He loves the believer as He loves His Son.

Eph 1:5-6 having predestined us to the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, (6) to the praise of the glory of His grace, in which He has made us accepted in the One having been loved.

Joh 17:10 And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine; and I am glorified in them.

Baptism by the Holy Spirit happens together with the rebirth of a believer. Salvation and baptism is therefore simultaneously and it is impossible to be saved without this aspect of the work of the Holy Spirit i.e. "Baptism by the Holy Spirit".

Baptism by the Holy Spirit is dispensational i.e it started only after the day of Pentacost. The baptasim into the body of Christ relates to the Church, and it relates to truly reborne believers after the death, resurrection and accention of Jesus Christ.

1Co 12:13 For also by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free, even all were made to drink into one Spirit.

Monday 2 September 2013

Remember!


God said in His word that every hair on your head is counted,  
So if your hair is a bit deurmekaar today...

 

Don't worry - it's just an angel doing stocktaking!
 
Have a blessed day !!!
 
 
 
 

Tuesday 2 July 2013

Halleluja - Loof die Here

Vandag HERE, seen asb ryklik die lesers hiervan, vermeeder hul grondgebied , geestelik, sowel as werelds.

Gee dat U hand met hul sal wees.

Sal U asseblief alle onheil afweer, sodat geen smart hul sal tref nie!

Dit Here is my gebed vir die leser, hul naastes, hul families, hul vriende en ja, selfs hul vyande.

In en deur die wonderbare naam Jesus Christus

Ons Saligmaker.

Amen.

Hallelujah - Praise the LORD

Today Lord God, please bless the reader, increase their borders, spiritually, as well as in this world.

Let Your hand be with them.

Keep then away from all evil, so that they may not grieved. 
 

Lord God, this is my prayer for the reader, their neighbors, their families, their friends and, yes, even their enemies.

In and by the wonderful name of Jesus Christ

Our Saviour.

Amen.



Friday 28 June 2013

In Jesus, you have the authority even over evil.!!

Joh 4:28-29 Then the woman left her water jar and went back into the city. She told the people, (29) "Come with me, and meet a man who told me everything I've ever done. Could he be the Messiah?"

Eph 6:13-15 For this reason, take up the whole armor of God... (14) Stand firm, therefore, ....(15) and being firm-footed in the gospel of peace.

Act 1:8 ... receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Luk 10:1 After this, the Lord appointed seventy other disciples and was about to send them ahead of him in pairs to every town and place that he intended to go.

Luk 10:17 The seventy disciples came back and joyously reported, "Lord, even the demons are submitting to us in your name!"

Luk 10:19 Look! I have given you the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to destroy all the enemy's power, and nothing will ever hurt you.

Luk 10:20 However, stop rejoicing because the spirits are submitting to you. Rather, rejoice because your names are written in heaven."

Know this;

In Jesus, you have the authority even over evil.!!

Do not ignore the Holy Spirit's call.......spread the Good News.

Do this, and

Know your names are written in heaven.


Peace to you and your family.

In Jesus Name

In Jesus precious name

In the Name above all names.

Our Jesus Christ

Our Messiah

Our High Priest

Our King


Rev 5:9 They sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and open its seals, because you were slaughtered. With your blood you purchased people for God from every tribe, language, people, and nation.



In Jesus het jy die mag oor die bose!!!

Joh 4:28-29 Die vrou het toe haar waterkan laat staan en na die stad gegaan en vir die mense gesê: (29) Kom kyk ‘n man wat my alles vertel het wat ek gedoen het. Is Hy nie miskien die Christus nie?


Eph 6:13-15 Daarom, neem die volle wapenrusting van God op...(14) Staan dan vas .......(15) en as skoene aan julle voete die bereidheid vir die evangelie van vrede.

Act 1:8 ....ontvang krag wanneer die Heilige Gees oor julle kom, en julle sal my getuies wees in Jerusalem sowel as in die hele Judéa en Samaría en tot aan die uiterste van die aarde.

Luk 10:1 En ná hierdie dinge het die Here weer sewentig ander aangestel, en hulle twee-twee voor Hom uit gestuur na elke stad en plek waar Hy sou kom.

Luk 10:17 En die sewentig het met blydskap teruggekom en gesê: Here, ook die duiwels onderwerp hulle aan ons in u Naam.

Luk 10:19 Kyk, Ek gee aan julle die mag om op slange en skerpioene te trap, en oor al die krag van die vyand; en niks sal julle ooit skade doen nie.

Luk 10:20 Maar julle moenie daaroor bly wees dat die geeste aan julle onderworpe is nie, maar wees liewer bly dat julle name in die hemele opgeskrywe is.


Weet dit!

In Jesus het jy die mag oor die bose!!!

Moenie die roepstem van die Heilige Gees ignoreer nie....verkondig die Evangelie!


Doen dit, en

Weet dat jul name in die hemel opgekrywe is.


Vrede vir jou, jou familie.

In Jesus Naam

In Jesus kosbare Naam

In die Naam bo alle name.

Jesus Christus

Ons Messias

Ons Hoe Priester

Ons Koning


Rev 5:9 Toe sing hulle ‘n nuwe lied en sê: U is waardig om die boek te neem en sy seëls oop te maak, want U is geslag en het ons vir God met u bloed gekoop uit elke stam en taal en volk en nasie,



Wednesday 26 June 2013

Die realiteit van die keuse wat ons almal moet maak, is wonderlik sowel as verskriklik.

Regte (C) Raymond D Lombard
Heb 9:27 En net soos die mense bestem is om een maal te sterwe en daarna die oordeel,


Mat 7:13-14 Gaan in deur die nou poort, want breed is die poort en wyd is die pad wat na die verderf lei, en daar is baie wat daardeur ingaan. (14) Want die poort is nou en die pad is smal wat na die lewe lei, en daar is min wat dit vind.

Ons reis (bestemming) in die lewe lei direk na die hemel, of direk na die hel.

Dit is dus korrek om te sê dat die naaste van die wat glo in Christus ooit sal kom na die hel, is die huidige lewe op aarde.

So ver as dit die sondaars betref wat nie glo nie in Christus, is die lewe op aarde die naaste wat hulle ooit sal kom aan die hemel.

Die realiteit van die keuse wat ons almal moet maak, is wonderlik sowel as verskriklik.


Ek vra julle om hierdie boodskap aan te stuur na enigiemand wat jul van weet wat nog die Here soek.

Vader, in Jesus naam, spreek ek U seen uit oor hierdie boodskap.

Amen

The reality of choice that all of us have to make is wonderful as well as terrible.

Rights (C) Raymond D Lombard

Heb 9:27 And as it is appointed ( journey is determined) to men once to die, but after this the judgment,

Mat 7:13-14 Go in through the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many there are who go in through it. (14) Because narrow is the gate and constricted is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Our Journey in life either leads directly to heaven , or directly to hell.

It therefore correct to say that the closest that those who believe in Christ will ever come to hell is the current life on earth.

As far as sinners who do not believe in Christ are concerned, life on earth is the closest that they will ever come to heaven.

The reality of choice that all of us have to make is wonderful as well as terrible.

I ask you to send this message to anyone you know that is still seeking the Lord.

Father, in Jesus name, bless this message.

Amen

Monday 24 June 2013

Bless You


Thank you Jesus.




Living He loved me

Dying He saved me

Burried He carried my sins far away

Rising He Justified, freely for ever

One day You’r coming



OH Glorius Day!!!





Friday 21 June 2013

Spieeltjie, spieeltjie aan die muur....

Het jy al die volgende gelees oor die inwoning van die Heilige Gees?


Die Heilige Gees woon alleen in ware wedergebore gelowiges;

Joh 14:17 die Gees van die waarheid wat die wêreld nie kan ontvang nie, omdat dit Hom nie sien en Hom nie ken nie; maar julle ken Hom, omdat Hy by julle bly en in julle sal wees.

1Co 6:19 Of weet julle nie dat julle liggaam ‘n tempel is van die Heilige Gees wat in julle is, wat julle van God het, en dat julle nie aan julself behoort nie?

Ja?
OK, maar wat van die volgende?

Die Heilige Gees is die Een wat die inwoning van die Vader in die gelowige openbaar; 1Jn 3:24 En hy wat sy gebooie bewaar, bly in Hom (GOD), en Hy (GOD) in hom. En hieraan weet ons dat Hy (GOD) in ons bly aan die Gees wat Hy (GOD) ons gegee het.

Die Heilige Gees is ook die Een wat die inwoning van Christus in die gelowige bekend maak (Joh 14:16,20) Dit word van Christus gese dat Hy beslis in die gelowige woon (Gal 2:20, Kol 1:27, 3:11).


WOW!!!

Jou liggaam is die tempel van die Heilige Gees ( Heilige Gees as persoon is inwonend in jou)

Vader GOD bly in jou!!!

Jesus Christus bly in jou!!

Want as iemand ‘n hoorder van die woord is en nie ‘n dader nie, dié is soos ‘n man wat sy natuurlike gesig in ‘n spieël sien; want hy sien homself en gaan weg en vergeet dadelik hoe hy gelyk het.(Jak 1:23-24)


Spieltjie spieltjie aan die muur....

Wys my Vader, Seun en Heilige Gees (elke dag, elke moment).

Besef jy werklikwaar wie jy is?

Blessings.

Mirror, mirror on the wall.....


Have you read the following about the indwelling of the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit only dwells in true re-borne believers;

Joh 14:17 the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive because it does not see Him nor know Him. But you know Him, for He dwells with you and shall be in you.

1Co 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit in you, whom you have of God? And you are not your own,

Yes?
OK, but what about the next?

The Holy Spirit is the One who reveals the indwelling of the Father in the believer; 1Jn 3:24 And he who keeps His (GOD) commandment dwells in Him (GOD), and He (GOD)in him. And by this we know that He (GOD) abides in us, by the Spirit which He (GOD)gave to us.

The Holy Spirit is also the One who makes known to us the indwelling of Christ in the believer (Joh 14:16,20). It is said of Christ that he definitely lives in the believer (Gal 2:20, Col 1:27, 3:11).

WOW!!!

Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (Holy Spirit as a person resides in you)

Father God lives in you!!!

Jesus Christ lives in you!!

Jas 1:23-24 For if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man studying his natural face in a mirror. (24) For he studied himself and went his way, and immediately he forgot what he was like.

Mirror mirror on the wall ....

Show me Father, Son and Holy Spirit (every day, every time).

Do you really realize who you are?

Blessings.

Thursday 20 June 2013

God Said NO!!




I asked God to take away my habit.


 
God said, No.




It is not for me to take away,

  



But for you to give it up..








I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.




God said, No..




His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.


I asked God to grant me patience.



God said, No.



Patience is a by-product of tribulations;

It isn't granted, it is learned.



I asked God to give me happiness.



God said, No.



I give you blessings;

Happiness is up to you.



I asked God to spare me pain.


God said, No.


Suffering draws you apart from
Worldly cares

And brings you closer to me.



I asked God to make my spirit grow.

God said, No.

You must grow on your own,



But I will prune you to make you fruitful.



I asked God for all things

That I might enjoy life.



God said, No.

I will give you life,

So that you may enjoy all things.



I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.

God said.... Ahhhh,

Finally you have the idea.







May God Bless You,

'To the world you might be one person, but to one person you just might be the world'


'May the Lord Bless you and keep you,

May the Lord Make his face shine upon you,

And give you Peace......Forever'


Wednesday 19 June 2013


Die aangehegde video is rerig 'n seen.
Mag die HERE vandag jou dade beloon.
Die vrede en voorsiening van Vader God, van Jesus Christus is my gebed vandag vir jou.
In Jesus en deur kosbare naam alleen.




Friday 24 May 2013

May you abound in hope through the power of the Holy Spirit!

At this moment, the coming weekend, next week, next month, next year, time thereafter....

may the God of hope fill you, (you the Reader, your family, your friends and your enemies) with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Rom 15:13


Wees oorvloedig in die hoop deur die krag van die Heilige Gees!


Op hierdie oomblik, hierdie komende naweek, volgende week, volgende maand, volgende jaar, tyd daarna....

mag die God van die hoop julle ( jou die leser, jou familie, jou vriende en jou vyande) vervul met alle blydskap en vrede deur die geloof, dat julle oorvloedig kan wees in die hoop deur die krag van die Heilige Gees! Rom 15:13

For by grace you are saved

Brothers and sisters, children of GOD; know this;

For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them (Eph 2:8-10)


THE BLEESINGS OF OUR LORD IS "TODAY"  MY PRAYER FOR YOU.

IN JESUS' PRECIOUS NAME.

AMEN

Want uit genade is julle gered

Broeders en susters, kinders van GOD; weet dit;

Want uit genade is julle gered, deur die geloof, en dit nie uit julleself nie: dit is die gawe van God; nie uit die werke nie, sodat niemand mag roem nie. Want ons is sy maaksel, geskape in Christus Jesus tot goeie werke wat God voorberei het, sodat ons daarin kan wandel. (Eph 2:8-10)


DIE HERE SE SEEN IS "VANDAG"  MY GEBED VIR JOU.

IN JESUS KOSBARE NAAM

AMEN

Thursday 23 May 2013

WHAT AMAZES FATHER GOD AND JESUS CHRIST OUR SAVIOUR


Faith like the Centurion (Luk 7:1-10)

Luk 7:7 .....but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.

AND

A determined , passionate, hart driven out cry to Jesus for mercy as shown by the Blind man Jericho (Luk 18:35-43)

Luk 18:38-39 And he cried, saying, Jesus, Son of David! Have mercy on me. And they who were in front rebuked him that he should be quiet. But he cried so much the more, Son of David! Have mercy on me.
THAT brings Jesus to a stand still, THAT amazes Him, THAT captures the heart of Jesus and GOD!!!

Luk 7:9 And hearing these things, Jesus marveled at him. And turning to the crowd following Him, He said, I say to you, I have not found such faith, no, not in Israel.

Luk 18:40 Then Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him,

WAT VERSTOM VADER GOD EN JESUS CHRISTUS ONS VERLOSSER



Geloof soos die Hoofman oor Honderd (Luk 7:1-10)

Luk 7:7 ....sê dit maar met ‘n woord, en my kneg sal gesond word.;

EN

Geditermineerde, passievolle, hartgedrewe uitroepe na Jesus vir hulp soos die en die Blinde man van Jerigo (Luk 18:35-43)

Luk 18:38-40...Toe roep hy uit en sê: Jesus, Seun van Dawid, wees my barmhartig! En die wat voor loop, bestraf hom dat hy moet stilbly. Maar hy het al harder uitgeroep: Seun van Dawid, wees my barmhartig!

DIT laat Jesus tot stilstand kom, DIT verstom Hom, DIT gryp die hart van Jesus en GOD aan!!!

Luk 7:9 Toe Jesus dit hoor, was Hy oor hom verwonderd, en Hy draai Hom om en sê vir die skare wat Hom volg: Ek sê vir julle, selfs in Israel het Ek so ‘n groot geloof nie gevind nie.

Luk 18:40 En Jesus het gaan staan en bevel gegee dat hy na Hom gebring moes word; en toe hy naby kom, vra Hy hom

Wednesday 22 May 2013

THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO GOD.

Mat 1:21 And she shall bear a son, and you shall call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins.

Joh 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Me.

1Ti 2:5-6 For God is one, and there is one Mediator of God and of men, the Man Christ Jesus, (6) who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

Act 4:12 And there is salvation in no other One; for there is no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

THEREFORE, IN LOOKING FOR SALVATION FROM SINS,

YOU MUST ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR ONLY SAVIOUR.

THERE IS NO OTHER MEANS OF SALVATION.

THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO GOD.

Friday 17 May 2013

Revelations 5 - Events in Heaven


After these things

Rev. 4:1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door was opened in Heaven. And the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me, saying, Come up here, and I will show you what must occur after these things.

After what things?

After the course of previous events! (Rev. 1 - 3)
i.e.
After what John had seen! (Rev. 1)
After the Church era! (Rev. 2-3)
After the Rapture of the Church! (Rev. 4:1)

Then???........

John's vision of what follows in heaven.... before the start of the Great Tribulation!

Rev 4 : The judgement throne of God;
Rev 5 : The Lamb and the book sealed with 7 seals

Rev 5 : The Lamb and the book sealed with 7 seals (Rev. 4:2-11)

All three the judgements of Revelation (the seals, the trumpets, and the bowls of wrath) are preceded with an introduction in heaven. The introduction relative to the judgments of the seven seals is recorded in Revelation 5.

Rev. 5:1 And I saw a book on the right of Him sitting on the throne, written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals.

The scroll is described and also the fact that it is sealed by 7 seals. It is written on both sides. Nothing can thus be added to the scroll. What is written in it is full and final. A document that was sealed with seven seals was known as a last will and testament. It was sealed in such a way that it could only be opened by one having testamentary authority.

The content of the scroll describe the destiny of mankind, it is God's determined judgments for mankind and incorporates all that God has in mind for mankind.

Rev. 5:2-3 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book and to loosen its seals? (3) And no one in Heaven, nor on the earth, nor under the earth, was able to open the book or to look at it.

The scroll is a depiction of the future and the call for someone that was worthy enough to step forward and open the scroll, was left unanswered. Nobody in creation was found worthy, nobody in heaven, or earth, or under the earth (realm of the dead), nobody in the realm of heavenly creatures, or angels or human beings was found to be worthy. (Rev 5:4)

Eventually. the worthy One, the only appointed heir is revealed to John by of the elders. It is the Lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David. It is Jesus Christ! Concerning His humanity, His roots could be traced back to David (Isa. 11:1,10) and as far as His Divinity is concerned, Christ is the Root of David. Both titles have strong Jewish characteristics. Both have as their origen a description of the coming Messiah, and also find their fulfillment in Him. (Rev. 5:5)

John saw in the middle of the throne the four living creatures and the elders with Lamb standing in the midst of them. Here we have a tremendous image of Jesus Christ as He appears as the Lamb and the Lion before the throne. (Rev. 5:6)

The lamb took the scroll from the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. Jesus Christ is the Conqueror, the only One who was found worthy of opening the scroll. Jesus Christ is the true witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth; the First and the Last and the Living one; the one who was dead and now is alive for for evermore. (Rev. 5:7)

A new song is sung for the Lamb. This song contains the sum total of the results of the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, the lamb. His death was no mere accident; it served a purpose. The purpose was to restore and bring about a relationship between God and man. The death of the Lamb had a universal effect. That was to purchase men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. The redeemed would become a kingdom of priests, and to them would be given power to rule. The redeemed will reign as kings; and as priest they will be a channel of blessing. (Rev. 5:8 - 10)

At the trone of God there is consensus of the opinion as well as confirmation that the lamb is indeed the One in creation who is worthy to open the scroll, and to break the seals, and to receive praise and worship. (Rev. 5:11 - 13)

Rev. 5:14 And the four living creatures said, Amen. And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the One living forever and ever.

Rights (C) 2011 Raymond D Lombard

Revelations 4 - Events in Heaven


After these things



Rev 4:1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door was opened in Heaven. And the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me, saying, Come up here, and I will show you what must occur after these things.

After what things?

After the course of previous events! (Rev 1 - 3)

After what John had seen! (Rev 1)

After the Church era! (Rev 2-3)

After the Rapture of the Church! (Rev 4:1)

Then???........

John's vision of what follows in heaven, before the start of the Great Tribulation!

Rev 4 : The judgement throne of GOD
Rev 5 : The Lamb and the book sealed with 7 seals


Rev 4 : The judgement throne of God (Rev 4:2-11)

GOD the Father sits on His throne of judgement (Rev 4:2) and He is totally in control. GOD is seen in His glory, appearing as a brilliant light (appearance of Jasper / sea green). GOD is prepared for judgement (appearence of Sardius / blood red), but GOD remembers His covenants and will remain faithful thereto even during His judgement (Rainbow of appearence of Emerald / deep green, Rev 4:3)

The Elders represent the raptured Church before the throne of GOD. Their white clothes speaks of righteousness and holiness and their crowns speaks of victory. Finding these Elders, as representative of the Church before the throne of GOD, speaks clearly of the Church no longer being on earth. (Rev 4:4)

The Elders sang a new song is sung for the Lamb. This song contains the sum total of the results of the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, the lamb. His death was no mere accident; it served a purpose. The purpose was to restore and bring about a relationship between GOD and man. The death of the Lamb had a universal effect. That was to purchase men for GOD from every tribe and language and people and nation. The redeemed would become a kingdom of priests, and to them would be given power to rule. The redeemed will reign as kings; and as priest they will be a channel of blessing. (Rev. 5:8 - 10)

Lightning, thunder and the 7 Spirits, the symbolic meaning of which is the summoning of the judgements of GOD. (Rev 4:5)

Die 4 created heavenly beings worship to the glory of GOD, worship Him, because He is worthy and holy, bringing Him praise and thanksgiving. The living creatures primary task is to worship Him who sits upon the throne, manifesting His glory and holiness. The Elders represent a special bond between GOD and His Church. They worship Him for His creative power. (Rev 4:6-10)

Rev 4:11 O Lord, You are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because You created all things, and for Your will they are and were created.

The living creatures draw the attention of the whole universe to the glory of GOD, thereby manifesting His glory and holiness. The Elders , representatives of the redeemed, worship Him for what he has done, in that He has saved them.

To the Creator GOD is sung the glory, honour and power, praise and thanksgiving!

Rights (C) 2011 Raymond D Lombard

Revelations 4 - The Rapture Part 3 - The timing of the Rapture

The person holding back the Antichrist

Matt. 24:15 Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place (whoever reads, let him understand).

2Thess. 2:3-8 Let not anyone deceive you by any means. For that Day shall not come unless there first comes a falling away, and the man of sin shall be revealed, the son of perdition, (4) who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, setting himself forth, that he is God. (5) Do you not remember that I told you these things when I was still with you? (6) And now you know what holds back, for him to be revealed in his own time. (7) For the mystery of lawlessness is already working, only he is now holding back until it comes out of the midst. (8) And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the breath of His mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming,

Abomination of Desolation = man of sin = son of perdition = man of lawlessness = the lawless one = the Antichrist.

The Church can be referred to as a "man" as the church is the body of Christ (Eph. 1:22-23, Col. 1:28)

The time when the person holding back the Antichrist will be removed

When will the Antichrist appear?

At the start of the week (7 year) of Great Tribulation?
In the middle of the week (7 year) of Great Tribulation?

Dan. 9:27 And he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week. And in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease, and on a corner of the altar desolating abomination, even until the end. And that which was decreed shall be poured on the desolator.

A covenant will be made by the Antichrist for one week (7 years) of the Great Tribulation.

The Antichrist must thus appear at the start of the week (7 years) of Great Tribulation.

The order of the book of Revelations

Introduction and greetings (Rev. 1:1 -8)
The things that John had seen (Rev. 1:9 -20)
The things what is (Rev. 2 - 3) The Church Era
The Rapture of the Church (Rev. 4:1 -4)
The things that is going to happen (Rev. 6:1 -18:24) , The Great Tribulation
The 2nd coming of Jesus Christ (Rev. 19:1 -20:3), and
The Messianic kingdom (Rev. 20:4: -20:15), and
The new and eternal order (Rev. 21:1 -22:9), then finally:
Promises and last warnings (Rev. 22:10 -22:21)

The only person , the only "man",  holding back the Antichrist; can only be the Church held in place by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Rev. 4:1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door was opened in Heaven. And the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me, saying, Come up here, and I will show you what must occur after these things.

After what things?

After the course of previous events! (Rev. 1 - 3)
After what John had seen! (Rev. 1)
After the Church era! (Rev. 2-3)
After the Rapture of the Church! (Rev. 4:1)

The Church ( "man" holding back the Antichrist ) will be raptured before the start of the week ( 7 years ) of the Great Tribulation.

Rights (C) 2011 Raymond D Lombard

Revelations 4 - The Rapture Part 2 - The Rapture vs the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ

The book Revelations gives us answers in regard to the hereafter, life and death, the end of all things, the climax of all ages being the second coming of Jesus Christ, the coming judgement and the great white throne judgement of all the unrighteous (the unsaved).

The 2nd coming of Jesus Christ.

Matt. 24:29-30 And 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 the heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. (30) And then the sign of the Son of Man shall appear in the heavens. And then all the tribes of the earth shall mourn, and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of the heaven with power and great glory.

Rev. 19:11-14 And I saw Heaven opened. And behold, a white horse! And He sitting on him was called Faithful and True. And in righteousness He judges and makes war. (12) And His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head many crowns. And He had a name written, one that no one knew except Himself. (13) And He had been clothed in a garment dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. (14) And the armies in Heaven followed Him on white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

The Rapture vs the 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ

The book Revelations gives us a chronological order of the end-time events in which we can determine the end of the Church Era (Rev. 2-3), then the Rapture (Rev. 4:1-4), thereafter the Great Tribulation (Rev. 6:1 - 18:24) and then at the end thereof, the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ. (Matt. 24:29-30, Rev. 19:11 - 14)

The Rapture & 2nd Coming is two separate events, separated by the Great Tribulation.

1) Rapture or Parousia (Jesus's physical appearence); Jesus will appear to all those who eagerly await Him for complete salvation (Heb. 9:28). Thereafter, they will remain with Him forever. (1 Thess. 4:17), and

2) 2nd coming or apokalips or faneros (Jesus's public appearence or his becoming visible); He will not come secretly, as He did for His Bride alone at the parousia , but with His public appearence or his becoming visible at the end of the Great Tribulation, Jesus as Judge and King, AND His saints will be revealed to the world in glory at the same time. (Zac. 4:4-5, Matt. 24:29-30, Rev. 19:11 - 15)

It is quite obvious that Christians could not accompany the Lord Jesus and be revealed in their glorified bodies unless they had already been united with Him at an earlier stage.

With the Rapture the Church meets Jesus in the air. (1 Thess. 4:17)
With the 2nd coming Christ will stand on the mount of Olives. (Zec. 14:4-5)

With the Rapture Christ, together with his Church goes to heaven. (Joh. 14:2-3)
With the 2nd coming Christ returns to earth to reign for a 1000 years. (Rev. 20: 4-6)

The Rapture will happen before the Great Tribulation. (2 Thess. 2:6-7, Rev. 4)
Jesus returns after after the Great Tribulation. (Matt. 24 21-22, 29-30)

The Rapture will be unexpectedly, in a glance of an eye. (1 Co. 15:52, 1Thess. 4:16-17, 1 Thess 5:1-5)
Jesus will return to earth publicly and visible for all to see. (2 Thess. 1:7-9, Matt. 24:30)

The Rapture is a New Testament doctrine. (1 Thess. 4:16-17)
The 2nd coming is an Old Testament as well as a New Testament doctrine. (Zec. 4:4-5, Rev. 19:11 - 15)

Therefore:

The Rapture (Rev. 4:1-4) and the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ (Rev. 19:11 - 14) are two separate events separated by the 7-year Great Tribulation. (Rev. 6:1 - 18:24).

The Rapture is the coming of Jesus FOR his Bride

Jesus, our heavenly Bridegroom will come unexpectedly, as a thief in the night (1Thess 5:2), to fetch his Church. He meets his Church in the air and takes her quickly to heaven to be with Him forever.(1Thess 4:16-17, Joh 14:2-3)

The 2nd Coming of Jesus is the becoming visible of Jesus WITH his Bride

Jesus return publicly so as every eye shall see Him (2 Thess. 1:7-9, Matt. 24:30). He is accompanied by His Bride and a heavenly army (Rev. 19:11 - 15) and he set foot on the Mount of Olives. (Zec. 14:4-5)

Rights (C) 2011 Raymond D Lombard



Revelations 4 - The Rapture Part 1 - Is the Rapture a biblical doctrine?


1Thess. 4:16-17 For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ shall rise first. (17) Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall ever be with the Lord.

Caught up; the different translations

Greek; harpazō; to seize (in various applications): - catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force).

Latin; rapimuir, from the verb rapio meaning "to catch up" or "take away".

English; Rapture is derived from Middle French rapture, via theMedieval Latin raptura ("seizure, rape, kidnapping"), which derives from the Latin raptus ("a carrying off").

Afrikaans; Weggevoer; is derived from the English Rapture, from which the Afrikaans Wegraping is derived.

Caught up is also translated similarly as:

Joh. 10:12 catcheth
Matt. 13:19 catcheth away
2Co. 12:2 caught up
2Co. 12:4 caught up
Act. 8:39 caught away
Matt. 11:12 take it by force
Joh. 6:15 take him by force

Was the Rapture a mystery?

For something to be a mystery, it must be revealed in the New Testament and never be referred to in the Old Testament.

1Co. 15:51-53 Behold, I speak a mystery to you; we shall not all fall asleep, but we shall all be changed; (52) in a moment, in a glance of an eye, at the last trumpet. For a trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall all be changed. (53) For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

The mystery of the Church was only revealed by Paul (Eph. 3:1-12)

Our heavenly Bridegroom will come unexpectedly (1 Th. 4: 16), as a thief in the night (1Th. 5:2), fetch his Church (Christ's coming FOR his bride i.e. parousia / physical presence). He meets his Church in the air (1 Th. 4: 17)and takes her quickly (1 Th. 4: 17) i.e. caught up) to heaven to be with Him forever (Joh. 14:3).

The content of the mystery of the Rapture indicate that there will be a whole generation of believers who will enter eternity without even ever going through the portals of death. They will never die, but they will be changed. This was NOT revealed in the Old Testament.

Will the Church pass through the Great Tribulation?

The Mystery revealed by Paul included NO mention and/or guidance from Paul to the Church as how to pass through the Great Tribulation. Paul in fact mentions that the Church will be delivered from the wrath by Jesus.

1Thess. 1:10 and to wait for His Son from Heaven (whom He raised from the dead), Jesus, who delivered us from the wrath to come.

1Thess. 5:9 For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

The wrath is none other that the Great Tribulation (Matt. 24, 25, Luk. 21, Rev. 6).

If the Church, the body of Christ, the individual believers from the ranks of all nations , are promised to be delivered from this wrath , then it is obvious that the Church will not pass through the Great Tribulation.

Reference to the Curch in the book Revelations

Reference to the Church only appears in Chapter 2 & 3 ( one further reference in Chapter 22:16)

There is no references to the Church in Chapters 6:1 - 18:24 i.e. the 7-year period of Great Tribulation. Instead the focus changes to Israel.

There is thus in the book Revelations a distinct separation in periods and dealings of the Church and Israel.

1) The Church (Rev. 2-3)
2) Israel (Rev. 6:1 - 18:24)

Rights (C) 2011 Raymond D Lombard



Revelations 2-3: The 7 Churches - You?


I know YOUR works:

Yes, that’s it!!!!!!

Our Lord Jesus knows every thought or deed that YOU do. He knows your heart, your faithfulness, or is it unfaithfulness towards Him!!


Rev 2:7 He (thats YOU) who has an ear, let him (You) hear what the Spirit says to the churches (YOU). To him (You) who overcomes I will give to eat of the Tree of Life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Refer also to those "that overcomes" in; Rev 2:11 (Smirna), Rev 2:17 (Pergamos), Rev 2:26 (Thyatira), Rev 3:5 (Sardis), Rev 3:12 (Philadelphia), Rev 3:21 (Laodicea)

For all that thus overcomes there IS HOPE!!

Rev 12:10-11  And I heard a great voice saying in Heaven, Now has come the salvation and power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ. For the accuser of our brothers is cast down, who accused them before our God day and night. (11) And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony. And they did not love their soul until death.

Because of the blood of the Lamb?

To overcome by the blood of the Lamb is to; BELIEVE you are saved, once and for everlasting!!!!

How, you wonder?

By the "Word preached as gospel" (1Pe 1:25 & 1Co 15:1-4)

By the "Word that will endure forever" (1Pe 1:25).

BELIEVE "that you have been born again, of incorruptible seed, through the living Word that will endure forever" (1Pe 1:23 & 25).

BELIEVE in the SON OF GOD! (1Jn 3:8)

BELIEVE "that you then have become partakers of the divine nature of God" (1Jn 3:9)

BELIEVE "that you are born of GOD because His incorruptible seed remains in you" (1Jn 3:9)

BELIEVE YOUR DEVINE NATURE (SEED OF GOD) CANNOT SIN! (1Jn 3:9)

BELIEVE YOU HAVE RECIEVED THE HOLY SPIRIT (1Co 6:19)

BELIEVE YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD (Gal 4:6)


Because of the word of your testimony?

Always; declare the gospel; (1) that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures; and (2) Christ was buried, and (3) Christ raised again on the third day according to the Scriptures (1Co 15:1-4)

A personnel view?

Ephesus - Have you lost your spiritual character and dedication to Jesus? (Rev 2:4)
Do have spiritual discernment and knowledge to identify false teachings? (Rev 2:6)

Smyrna - Are you set apart from this world? (Rev 2:9)

Pergamos - Are you teaching unfaithfulness to God, to Jesus? (Rev 2:14)
Do have spiritual discernment and knowledge to identify false teachings?(Rev 2:15)

Thiatire - Are you promoting, taking part in idol worship? (Rev 2:20)

Sardis - Are you internally spiritually dead? (Rev 3:1)

Philadelphia - Are you filled by the Holy Spirit? (Rev 3:8)

Laodicea - Are you truly reborn? (Rev 3:8)

What is the common message?

2Pe 3:17-18 And so, dear friends, since you already know these things, continually be on your guard not to be carried away by the deception of lawless people. Otherwise, you may fall from your secure position.
(18) Instead, continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus, the Messiah. Glory belongs to him both now and on that eternal day! Amen.

Rights (C) 2011 Raymond D Lombard

Revelations 2-3: The 7 Churches – Summarised.


I know your works:

Rev 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand and the seven golden lampstands. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.

The 7 churches, or lampstands, give light, truth, and insight into the world (are the testimony of Jesus). Jesus is in the midst of the churches and as High Priest, trims or cares for the lampstands. Jesus is thus alive in the church even today, in order to fulfill His will and His way. Jesus points out each particular problem and teaches each and every other church how to solve those problems.

Ephesus (Rev 2: 1 -7) - Rev 2:4 But I have against you that you left your first love....

Ephesians, you do not have that fire, that passion for Me that once burned within you. That which you once cherished, you do not consider to be of importance anymore. Your passion for Me, your spiritual character and dedication to Me, has slipped away. Remember thus your first works (passion for Me), repent (change your mind and ways) and do your first works ( dedicate yourselves to Me again). Do this or have your lampstand removed (stop being the light, truth and insight to the world).

Smyrna (Rev 2: 8-11) - Rev 2:10 Do not at all fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the Devil will cast some of you into prison, so that you may be tried. And you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Smyrna, I know your works, your tribulations and your poverty. Do not fear any of those things you are about to suffer. Be faithful unto death, and I promise you, My martyrs, that you will never be separated from God. You will receive the crown of life; the martyrs crown for those that have died for their faith in Jesus Christ.

Pergamos (Rev 2:12 -17) Rev 2:14-15 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the teachings of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling-block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit fornication. (15) So you also have those who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

Pergamos, You are teaching unfaithfulness to God (the doctrine of Balaam) and I hate any false teaching (doctrine of the NicoLaitans). Repent or My judgment will follow you for your disobedience.

Thyatira (Rev 2:18-29) Rev 2:20 But I have a few things against you because you allow that woman Jezebel to teach, she saying herself to be a prophetess, and to cause My servants to go astray, and to commit fornication, and to eat idol-sacrifices.

Thyatira, I know everything, I am the one that searches the mind and the hearts. Some of You have from within My Church, allowed and accepted false teaching even to the point of approving sin. (Teachings of Jezebel). You believe you are worshipping God, but you are indeed busy with idol worship. If you do not repent from worshipping idolatry, you will be punished. However, those that have not accepted this doctrine, hold fast to My truth and you will receive no other burden.

Sardis (Rev 3:1 - 6) Rev 3:2 Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die. For I have not found your works being fulfilled before God.

Sardis, you are sold out to rituals and formalism, wearing a cloak of godliness, but you are spiritually dead. I am calling on you to awake out of your spiritual sleep. Remember what you have received and have heard and repent. I do not want to come when you do not expect Me. Revive, cleanse and sanctify yourselves in order to be ready.

Philadelphia (Rev 3:7 - 13) Rev 3:8 I know your works. Behold, I have given before you an open door, and no one can shut it. For you have a little strength and have kept My Word and have not denied My name.

Philadelphia, you are spiritually vibrant and I give you an open door to proclaim salvation. I will protect and deliver you from all future tribulations.

Laodiceans (Rev 3:14- 22) Rev 3:16 So because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

Laodiceans you are complacent and proud (spiritually lukewarm) and unaware of your true state. You have become worldly and materialistic believers in which the authority of man is placed above that of God. You are identified by the expression and will of people and not by which God desires from you. I long for you to heed My invitation so that I may fellowship with you again. I stand outside the door knocking, seeking an opportunity to enter. Repent, and if anyone opens the door, I will dine with him.

Rev 3:22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Rights (C) 2011 Raymond D Lombard