Pieces of the puzzle

When I began serious Bible study with some gals in 1969, in the basement of a little country church, I began getting pieces of the puzzle of what GOD has shown us in HIS Word the Bible.  Day by day I go open the Word and GOD meets me there and teaches me precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little, there a little (Isaiah 28:10) so that I am able to see HIM more clearly and to know how to do what pleases HIM. Even after all these 54 years of diligent study there are volumes upon volumes left for me to learn. 

But when several pieces of a puzzle come together showing a clear small picture within the big picture and thus answer one of my questions, it is so exciting!  I also love it when I come across a verse that clearly states what I have seen that gives me the ability to share that truth with another person and maybe answer a question for them.

So, it was this morning as I was reading in John.

Knowing what was coming (HIS crucifixion and what followed), JESUS used HIS time with HIS disciples at the last supper to prepare HIS disciples for HIS death.  In John 16:5, 23-33 JESUS told the 11 that at that time (that HE left being with them) they would no longer ask anything from HIM personally but would speak directly to GOD the FATHER when needing something, for GOD loved them because they loved JESUS (vs 27).  We pray to GOD our FATHER in heaven.

At this time JESUS also asked them, Do you really believe? (vs 31) and then told them that they would all leave HIM alone and be scattered (vs 32).  This indicated that their belief was not complete, something was lacking.

On the day JESUS rose from the grave (John 20:19-20), HE appeared to HIS disciples in a locked room.  After seeing the holes in HIS hands and feet they believed that HE was truly LORD for by the resurrection they knew JESUS was the SON of GOD with power (Romans 1:4).

Then JESUS did something, HE breathed on them and said, “Receive the HOLY SPIRIT” (John 20:22).

Now the HOLY SPIRIT had been WITH them and JESUS said that the HOLY SPIRIT would be IN them (John 14:17).  Yes, the HOLY SPIRIT had been WITH them helping them understand what JESUS meant when HE spoke (1 Corinthians 2:10-12, Acts 1:2) and to convict them (John 16:8) but the HOLY SPIRIT could not be IN them until JESUS was glorified (John 7:38-39).

JESUS was glorified and shown to be the SON of GOD with power through the resurrection from the dead (Romans 1:4). That is why the emphasis of the resurrection is so strong in Romans 10:9-10 when it explains how to be saved.

“If you confess with your mouth the LORD JESUS and believe in your hearts that GOD raised HIM from the dead, you will be saved.  For with the heart one believes unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10).

Since the HOLY SPIRIT was with the disciples while JESUS was alive and with them, then after JESUS was glorified as the SON of GOD through the resurrection of the dead, the HOLY SPIRIT went inside them to stay to remain until the Rapture (day of redemption when they would get their new bodies- Ephesians 4:30), so WHAT is Pentecost in Acts 2 all about?

The HOLY SPIRIT was already in the disciples in Acts 2.  But at the appointed moment the HOLY SPIRIT came upon the disciples and filled them with power (Acts 2:4).  This happened in answer to prophesy but there is more to it.  It happened to enable them to do a specific job GOD had determined/ prepared for them to do (Ephesians 2:10). 

But the filling didn’t remain, it came on them and when the job was done, it left. We see just a couple chapters over in Acts 4:31 these same disciples were filled anew with the HOLY SPIRIT.  This time they spoke with boldness.

The thing is we are commanded to be filled with the SPIRIT (Ephesians 5:18), yet we cannot fill ourselves, the HOLY SPIRIT is the ONE who has to fill us, so what gives?  GOD does not command us to do something impossible so what are we to do? 

Actually it is quite simple and it is clearly stated and illustrated in HIS Word the Bible.  We are to ask GOD the FATHER for the HOLY SPIRIT.  Notice the disciples had been praying to GOD the FATHER when HE filled them initially (Acts 1:14, 2:1) and also when HE filled them anew with the HOLY SPIRIT in Acts 4:31.

“If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly FATHER give the HOLY SPIRIT to them that ask HIM? (Luke 11:13).

As we put together all these little puzzle pieces the picture gets clearer and clearer.

Be blessed as you go meet with our Heavenly FATHER.

Hugs

Sharon

GOD can be trusted

What do you call someone who says one thing and does another?

If a someone doesn’t follow through and do what he says he will do, can you trust anything he says?  Since GOD does what HE says HE will do we can trust GOD’s word-the Bible. 

“GOD is not a man, that HE should lie; neither the son of man, that HE should repent: has HE said, and shall HE not do it? or has HE spoken, and shall HE not make it good?” Numbers 23:19

Years and years before certain things occurred GOD said they would happen. Then at the appointed time they came to be.  Things like a virgin giving birth at Nazareth, and shepherds and wise men coming to see the little one. Prophesy, especially fulfilled prophesy, is what makes the Bible stand out above all other books and is something we can trust.  Nearly 1/3^rd of the Bible is prophesy.  Much has been fulfilled but there are still things exciting and even terrible yet to come that GOD has foretold would happen and they will!

“Remember the former things of old: for I am GOD, and there is none else; I am GOD, and there is none like me,Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, MY counsel shall stand, and I will do all MY pleasure… yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it” (Isaiah 46:9-11).

JESUS said, “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of GOD” Matthew 4:4.  One reason to daily be in GOD’s word is that by knowing the truth we can tell a lie when we hear it.

“YOUR (GOD’s) word is true from the beginning: and every one of YOUR righteous judgments endures forever” Psalm 119:160.

Just as GOD speaks to us through HIS HOLY SPIRIT and the Bible, so the enemy whispers lies into our ears, as he did to Eve in the garden.  The key to not being fooled is to check everything with the Bible to see if what is say is true.  (just a note: one of the devil’s names is ‘accuser of the Brethren’ so you can pretty well tell where those snide thoughts of what another is thinking or doing come from.

“Now the SPIRIT speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed (listening to those whispers) to seducing spirits, and doctrines (inspired by the whispers) of devils” 1 Timothy 4:1.

Several well known and applauded Bible teachers are promoting doctrine that GOD cast away HIS people the Jews and thereby is breaking HIS promises to them.

This current false doctrine of replacement theology stating that GOD is done with the Jews because of their sins and that GOD has canceled/ reneged on HIS promises to the nation of Israel is being presented as truth by big name Bible teachers. They say GOD is done with nation of Jews so the land HE gave to them now belongs to others.

 If we believe not, yet HE abides faithful: HE cannot deny HIMSELF (HIS divine NATURE)  2 Timothy 2:13.

For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith (faithfulness) of GOD without effect? Romans 3:3

…yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it Isaiah 46:11

The Jews right now, as a whole, are in unbelief.  But the Bible says that GOD has not and will not cast away HIS people (the Jews). “ For the Lord will not forsake HIS people for HIS great name’s sake: because it has pleased the Lord to make you HIS people.   1 Samuel 12:22 (see also Romans 11:1-5)

Are GOD’s promises to the Jews still in effect even though they are in unbelief?  Have they been completely cast aside? “…blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.  And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is MY covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins” Romans 11:25-27

What has GOD prophesied that HE will do to take away sin so that HE may be just and the justifier of the Jews? “ To declare, I say, at this time HIS righteousness: that HE might be just, and the justifier of HIM which believes in JESUS” Romans 3:26  ^“Much more then, being now justified by HIS blood, we shall be saved from wrath through HIM” Romans 5:9.

Daniel’s was a Jew and his people are the Jews. Daniel was told “Seventy weeks (of years) are determined upon your people and upon your holy city (Jerusalem), to (1) finish the transgression, and to (2) make an end of sins, and to (3) make reconciliation for iniquity, and to (4) bring in everlasting righteousness, and to (5) seal up the vision and prophecy, and to (6) anoint the most Holy”  Daniel 9:24.

The last week (7 years) is also called Jacob’s Trouble showing that time is, in part, a time of discipline for the Jews.  “Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it” Jeremiah 30:7.

Zechariah 13:8 says 2/3 of all Jews will die in unbelief during the Tribulation (the last 7). But 1/3 of the Jews surviving the Tribulation will be purified through what they suffer and come to faith. “And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, say the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein.  And I (the LORD) will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on MY name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is MY people: and they shall say, The Lord is my GOD” Zechariah 13:8-9.

During the 2^nd half of the Tribulation, the last 3 ½ years, GOD has prepared a place for the GOD-fearing Jews to flee to and will hide them there during that time. Revelation 12:6, 13-14

But when JESUS comes back the 2^nd time with HIS armies (us) to the battle of Armageddon the surviving Jews will see the LORD and recognize JESUS as the one they pierced.  At that time, they we weep with great sorrow and the Spirit of grace (conviction from the HOLY SPIRIT) is poured out on them and they will cry out to HIM.

“All who call  on the name of the LORD shall be saved” Acts 2:21, Romans 10:13

“And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the SPIRIT of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon ME whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for HIM, as one mourns for his only son…” Zechariah 12:10

Therefore, we see the 1/3 – all the surviving Jews are saved and get eternal life when they see JESUS and believe in HIM.

“And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:For this is MY covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins” Romans 11:26-27.

Regardless of who says what, don’t blindly accept things, even from great teachers.    Check them out by searching the Bible to see if such is true Acts 17:11.

This has been long for I felt compelled to expose the lie.  Thank you for sticking with me through it all. 

Hugs

Sharon