GOD draws pictures and gives details of HIS ways, eternal principles in the Old Testament stories, just as JESUS spoke in parables that illustrated truth.
“Now the SPIRIT speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to (teachers influenced by) seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (1 Timothy 4:1).
“that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive” (Ephesians 4:14).
The best way to avoid being deceived is to know the truth. The best way to do that is to check what is said with the Bible (Isaiah 8:20). For the Bible is true and teaches us about GOD. As we see GOD the FATHER and JESUS interact with people we learn things concerning HIS nature and HIS ways.
GOD knows all things. “Now are we sure that YOU (JESUS) know all things…” (John 16:30). I love the way Psalm 139 states that before we were formed in our mother’s womb, GOD saw everything we would ever do, knew every word we would ever speal, yes, even each day of our life HE has seen as if on a schedule. Crazy thing is HE knew all this and yet HE loves us. AMAZING! Acts 15:18 KJ “ Known unto GOD are all HIS works from the beginning of the world.” There is not one thing GOD will ever learn for HE knows everything that has, is or will happen.
That does not mean that HE forces it to be, but rather that GOD has seen what we will do before we do it, just as GOD enabled Elisha to see the horrors Hazael would do when he became king over Syria (see 2 Kings 8:7-14) when Hazael had no clue that he would even become a king.
Now there is an underlying truth about GOD, each of HIS virtues compliment all of HIS other virtues.
One thing seen throughout Scripture is that GOD is faithful to keep HIS word/ HIS promises. What HE says, HE will do (Numbers 23:19). GOD has foreknowledge (GOD knows things before they happen). GOD’s foreknowledge preceded HIS decrees (1 Peter 1:2). Being the LORD knows all things, the LORD is able to make promises for HE has already seen what will occur and so HE never has to redo or recalculate anything. There is no plan 2. Yet, through it all our Sovereign LORD does not override the abilities to choose and reason that the LORD gave man when HE created man in HIS very own image (Genesis 1:27).
GOD is eternal. “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, says the LORD, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the ALMIGHTY” (Revelation 1:8). Therefore, GOD’s faithfulness is eternal as HIS promises are eternal.
GOD cannot lie. “in hope of eternal life, which GOD, that cannot lie, promised before the world began” Titus 1:2. Therefore, HE must be able to do whatever HE says HE will do or HE will not say it.
GOD cannot change. “For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore, you sons of Jacob are not consumed” Malachi 3:6.
Now that brings us to a horrendous lie that has risen up within Christendom. The lie says that because Israel was so evil that GOD has changed HIS mind and has taken all the promises that HE gave to Israel away from them and transferred them to the church. That lie is called “Replacement theology.”
If GOD did that, HE cannot be trusted to keep HIS word. HE would not be the GOD of the Bible. Therefore, we know replacement theology is a lie, a doctrine of devils.
Just one example: The very fact that in May of 1948 the unbelieving Jews were drawn back to the Promise land and then Israel became a nation for the 2nd time, in one day just as GOD it would happen (Isaiah 66:7-8) shows GOD knows what HE is talking about and that HE keeps HIS word.
Why would a holy GOD keep a promise to unbelievers? #1 because what HE says HE will do besides when GOD made that promise to Israel HE already knew what they would do. #2 HE knows that the 1/3 Jews that will survive the 7 years of Jacob’s trouble (spoken of as the 7-year tribulation) will come to believe in JESUS when they see HIM (see Zechariah 13:9).
Will the Jews always be a nation? No.
But they will remain a nation as long as THIS earth exists.
“Thus says the Lord, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divides the sea when the waves thereof roar; The Lord of hosts is HIS name: If those ordinances (sun, moon, stars, seas and waves) depart from before ME, says the Lord, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before ME forever. Thus, says the Lord; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, says the LORD” (Jeremiah 31:35-37).
So, you see as long as THIS earth remains with the sun and the moon and the stars and the sea Israel will be a nation.
But after the 1,000-year reign of CHRIST (that follows the battle of Armageddon- Revelation 19:11-20:2), GOD will rain down fire from heaven against all those gathered by Satan who are attacking Jerusalem. At that time the earth explodes, the heavens flee and nothing is visible but a great white throne for all the elements have melted (Revelation 20:7-11, 2 Peter 3:10-13).
After the judgment of unbelievers and their being thrown into the eternal lake of fire, there is a new heaven and a new earth but we are told there will not be a sun, moon or sea. On the new earth JESUS and GOD the FATHER will live with all believers. No longer will there be an Israel or any other nation. There will be neither Jew nor Gentile. We do not know all that awaits us there. But clues in Scripture tell us what is coming will be beyond awesome, beyond amazing!
“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which GOD has prepared for them that love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).
Will you be part of it? Do you know JESUS?
Hugs
Sharon
wakemyear 