Bible Questions & Discussion PAGE 298

Hello little pebbles,

In Number chapter 1 the Levites were not counted when the men of Israel was numbered as God had instructed as they were set apart for service to God for the care of the tabernacle and all the services they were to perform as priests. They were set apart for this work, and so they did not have to tithe as the other tribes were expected to do. Numbers chapter 3 and 4 tell us about the responsibilities of each group of Levites.

This was also spoken of in Exodus chapter 13, I believe, when speaking of the consecration of the firstborn of every family. The Levites were set aside to fulfill this command of the consecration of every firstborn. Instead of having every first born be given unto the Lord, the Levites took the place of the first born. The parents of the firstborn would then give to the Levites what the Lord commanded as compensation for the Levites ALL being consecrated to God for life in lieu of every firstborn.

In this way, the Levites belonged to God in a special way because they were to perform all of the priestly duties before God.

Does this help you?

Yes, Duncan,

Jesus calls everyone to repent and believe the Gospel concerning Him so they can trust in Him for salvation. Most on this site have done that and live in Christ now. My prayer is that each of us will be given boldness to encourage those who are not in Christ to repent and believe as well. This is more difficult for some of us to do as those we witness to may receive this salvation in Christ but many will refuse and even break the relationship we have been able to nurture over time. Jesus told us we may need to lose friends and family for His sake. And that we may be mistreated or even given up to government officials for persecution or death.

So, as believers, we should do God's work "while it is still day", for the day is coming when time will be up for those who do not know Him. I know that I need more boldness to share the commands of Christ with others to repent and believe. So, prayer is definitely needed.

The comfort in this is that God know exactly how many and who will complete the elect to be saved. So, when people we know die without Him, we can know that He calls all who are elect without fail. And also that when He returns, ALL who God chose to save will have been saved. The bride of Christ will be complete and after that, no more chances for anyone as judgement will follow His return. We who are elected to salvation will rejoice that God has brought all things to completion when He brings the culmination of history and the consummation of His will on the earth and mortal men.

Then we enter the eternal state and will be with God in Christ forevermore without an cursed thing to bring us sorrow or any rebellion to concern us nor any sin to corrupt us. How wonderful that will be!

Hello Ronald,

To add to your response I would agree that Jesus will return coming on the clouds, but also, and most importantly, He will return bodily, not as a spirit, but with flesh and bones as He showed to Thomas. There will be a difference in that His human body will be glorified, as Paul discovered on the road to Damascus, shining blindingly. But we will welcome His return and glorification as we, too, will be changed, our bodies, whether resurrected or alive at the time, will be glorified.

Jesus not only received a glorified human body upon His resurrection, but when He ascended to heaven He received back from the Father His eternal glory as the only begotten Son of God, in whom the fullness of deity dwells eternally. ( John 14:7, 10;

John 17:5) So, when He returns He will be most glorious. We will be glorified as humans, but He will be glorified as being both human and divine. How amazing it will be to behold Him in all of His glory and see Him face to face!

Stu, it's looking like your original question was not genuine. After it was broken down and explained with scripture it seems you are still repeating the same falsehood. People have collectively spent much time sharing scriptures to help you and it seems you may have a motive other than your original question. Some may not look favorably on this.

Brother Chris,

That makes perfect sense. Thank you for catching that. The text does say HUPOMEINAS, not HUPOMENO. That was my mistake. And yes, I agree that we have salvation now, not something we hope to have later.

God bless!!!

Hey Jema,

It is pretty much straightforward; He will come in like manner as He left. I think the like manner will be the cloud. Just me, but I think this cloud that took Jesus up and will bring Him back is the cloud we see in Matt. 17:5 and Rev. 11:12 and other places in scripture.

With Michael's shout and the sound of the trumpet of God, I don't think anyone will miss His coming. His landing from where He left will be a little firm and I am sure it will get attention.

Zechariah 14:4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

God bless,

RLW

Ronald thank you for your reply. Yes I feel we do have a respect Ronald, we should always be respectful to others in this group, I know you would also agree with that, and I do Thank you for that Ronald. But on this topic I think you are kinda getting away from the main point here Ronald. ( Jn. 14:1-3) v3 Tells us "I will come again, and (receive) you unto myself; that where I am there ye may be also". How can we as Believers in the Word of God being the truth, completely ignore all the verses that clearly tell us that Jesus will return (in the clouds)? ( Jn. 14:3) The words of Jesus "I will come again, and (receive) you unto myself" Now in ( Mt. 24:40-42) Jesus clearly tells us "the one shall be (taken), and the other left" The word (taken) is #3880; it means to receive near, i.e. associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or relation) to assume an office, receive, take (unto, with) (Those who are taken are (received unto Himself) and will assume an office?) What is that office? It could be the bride of Christ, the church, the elect who will be taken to the marriage supper of the Lamb ((as the bride of Christ)) We meet Him in the air, in the clouds ( 1 Thess. 4:15-17) v17 is clear "We which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them ((in the clouds)) to ((meet the Lord in the air)) He does not come to the earth in this return Ronald, He comes in the clouds. Yes Jesus was on the earth when He said He will come again, but the Word of God will be fulfilled as it is written. He did not say that return would be to the earth, He did say "I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also" That would be (in the clouds) Also as Jema commented ( Acts. 1:9-11) v11 Tells us He will return in like manner as they saw Him go up into heaven. How did they see Him go? ((A cloud received Him out of their sight)) Thanks again Ronald. Many Blessings.

Part B

-So john did not test death until he saw the Lord Coming back for the second time, its important to not this Event is yet to come so i encourage all of your brethren

Please repent of your sins AND FORSAKE THEM The king is coming the Judge of the whole world is coming repent of your sins in Jesus' name amen.

And yes, John also died.

First i pray that God will give us the strength to understand of His words.

Remember wisdom is the principal thing therefore in all your getting get understanding amen. ( Proverbs 4:7)

To better understand this verse please recount the event of Stephen who was martyred and before he died, He saw Jesus Christ the son of God standing on the right hand of power.

So Stephen Saw Jesus before he died.

But to answer your Question The book of Revelation is written by John one of the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ, John received the Revelation of Jesus all the word of Living God all the things he saw.

( Revelation 1:1-2)

1,The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: 2who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

So here John is an old man and receives the vision of God and to be more exact he sees the vision of Jesus Christ the son of the living God appearing in Glory with his angles and this event to came and it is written in the book of revelation.

( Revelation 19:11-16)

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND Lord OF LORDS.

-So john did not test death

Jema You are not wrong in your comment. We should also keep in mind the many verses of deception the Bible warns of in the Lastdays. The many verses about false doctrine that the Bible warns us of in the Lastdays. Where is that false doctrine today? Where is that deception today? (Modern version supporters should think on these things) The Devil has the power to deceive many especially in the time period we live in now. How easy would it be for Satan and his demonic followers to be in charge of changing Gods Word in all the modern version bibles in this time period to deceive people without them even knowing it? Many verses in the Bible warn of the deception and false doctrine but many just seem to ignore those warnings. There's one verse that I have posted many times that is ((proof)) that modern versions are words of men, (perverted) words not Inspired by God. ( Jer. 23:36) The word (perverted) is #2015; it means ((to change)). ( Jer. 23) was a warning of false prophets and pastors, and v23 tells us they (changed) the words of the living God. Thank you for your comment Jema. Blessings.

Jema,

Yes, some societies have educated their children to be literate over the course of history. But by and large, the Europeans did not do so. It was the churches, including the Catholic church that established schools to educate and being adherents to literacy.

The public school system came after the private school movement in America.

Hello, Jemma,

There are concordances for other translations. I have one for the NIV.

Mishael

So glad to hear from you once again. What has been going of with you? You have been missed.

Thank you Richard...and...LOL, I don't mind the caps...LOL I agree with what you wrote, very true. If we're not standing on the rock, our foundation of Jesus Christ, we're like those that built their house upon the sand, Matthew 7

27 "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it."

Amen Brother, thank you for your response. God Bless

I disagree that we will meet him in the air ..Its the H.G. that is spirit the gift of God where we will meet him...As the H.G. is the very Kingdom of God... Romans 14:17....The Kingdom of God is not in meat or drink but in joy and peace in the H.G.

.....Air is just symbolic language for the spirit the H.G. THE KINGDOM...Clouds are just symbolic language for folks that have the living water the gift of God the H.G....That latter rain doctrine

We will meet him in his kingdom the new birth of Christ in us....Thats y he is saying unless you receive the Kingdom of God as a lil Child you will in no wise enter there in...The woman that birth the manchild was caught up to God and to his throne but she was still on the earth....As Rev 12:10 tells now is come salvation and the power of his christ and the Kingdom of our God ....But plz note the Kingdom does not come till the woman births the manchild that is gonna rule all nations.

The kingdom comes to us via his good seed right here on this earth....As Rev.11:15 says the Kingdoms of this WORLD have become the Kingdoms of OUR LORD and his CHRIST And he shall reign for ever and ever...This 1 lil scripture makes void any any kind of a physical literal rapture....The kingdoms of THIS WORLD have become the Kingdoms of our lord and his Christ and he shall reign for ever and ever...ty Jesus....THIS WORLD....Not in literal clouds which is just symbolic language....Not here nor there but with in you...Abide in me and i in you....If any man hears my words and keep them my Father and I will COME and take our abode with him...Holy Holy Holy the whole earth is full of his GLory Isaiah 6:3....Thus there is no physical or literal rapture its just symbolic language...As God is spirit and them that worship him must worship him in spirit and truth for the father seeketh such to worship him...Thy Kingdom come thy will be done is right here on this earth...As Jesus said the field is the world where that good seed will be sown..n our hearts

My Comments...Alex....If there were eternal life in the written word, The Old Covenant the law then Jesus died in vain... Gal 2:21 kjv...The O.C. cd not address or arrest mans evil adamic nature...David comes to mind....Thats y God wanted a new covenant one that wd address and arrest mans adamic nature....This N.C.gives us a new heart and a new spirit...The N.C. will multiply Christ in humanity via his seed....the living word....Thats y he always refered to himself as the son of man...mankind is gona birth a baby Christ in the spirit which is that Child of Promise the H.G....A living being has to be born n us...We need a new inner man...a new heart and new spirit...Thats y he has to know us...That he might regenerate/multiply himself in humanity via his precious seed the words of that book in the fathers right hand....Thats y he was saying whosoever receiveth one such child in my name receiveth me...But this good seed is spirit and life the Living word...His voice...Not paper and ink...The kingdom does not come till the woman births the manchild which is the H.G. that Child of Promise.... Rev 12 :10 kjv...And its his precious seed that impregnates the woman ( the world )....When he had taken the cup he says this is the new covenant in my blood drink ye all of it...But he said search the scriptures ( the written words ) in them you think you have eternal life but is them that testifies of me....Its only the living word that testifies of Christ which is the H.G....That N.C. in his blood....When he the spirit of truth is come he will testify of me which is the H.G. the living word he shall not speak of himself ( simply b/c he is that NEW Born babe an infant spirit ) That has to be born in us via his good seed....Thats y he has to know us...That the manchild the H.G. might be born in us sinners...Whosoever receiveth one such Child in my name receiveth me....That new born babe Paul was refering to desiring the sincere milk of the world is the H.G. that Child of Promise...k

Why did god say that the leivits was his people in deuteronomy

@Mishael

Advocate 1 John 2:1

Shephard & Bishop of souls I Peter 2:25

Man of sorrows Isa 53.3

Judge Acts 10:42

Faithful and True Witness Rev 3:14

Head of the Church Eph 5:23

Rock 1 Corth 10:4

High Priest Heb 6:20

Master Matt 8:19

Living Water John 4:10

Rose of Sharon Song of Solomon 2:1

Alpha and Omega Rev 22:13

Lamb of God John 1:29 Messiah Daniel 9:25

Mediator I Tim 2:5

Teacher John 3:2

Author and Finisher of our Faith Heb 12:2

Image of the invisible God Col 1:15

Everlasting Father Isa 9:6

The Word John 1:1

Holy One Mark 1:24

Light of the world John 8:12

Lion of the tribe of Judah Rev 5: 5

LORD OF LORDS I Tim 6:15

The Beloved Eph 1:6

Carpenter Mark 6:3 The Almighty Rev 21:

Shiloh Gen 49:10

The Way, the Truth and The Life John 14:16

Bright and Morning Star Rev 22:16

Good Shepherd John 10:11

Son of Man Matt 20:28

Only Begotten Son John 3:16

King Of Kings 1 Tim 6:15

Prince of Peace Isa 9:6

Bridegroom Matt 9:15

Dayspring Luke 1:78

Saviour of the world Eph 5:23

Immanuel Luke 1:78 & Matt 1:23

Wonderful Counselor Isa 9:6

I AM John 8:58

The Door John 10:9

The True Vine John 15:1

King of the Jews Mark 15:26

Prophet Matt 21:11

Redeemer Job 19:25

Saviour Isa 45:15 , John 42:2, 1 Tim 4:10

The Amen Rev 3:14

The Living God

Anchor Heb 6:19

The BRANCH Zech 6:12

Bread of Life John 6:15

The Resurrection & Life John 11.25

The Living God, who is the Saviour of all men,

If I am wrong about this you can correct me , for me one of the many reasons why the KJV is superior to all other translations is because , as far as I'm aware it is the only one that actually has a concordance that can be used to look up the meaning of the words in their

original language . This is a massive benefit to it as I'm sure you can recognise . If you are reading any other version you will not have that tool to help you understand why the translators ( I use that word loosely , as many versions don't translate , they just substitute more modern words that they think are more accessable to modern readers ) used the words that they did . KJV all the way for me , I've tried others and when you compare ,the differences are terrifying .

Amen to that !

There aren't too many ways in which Acts Ch 1 verse 11 can be interpreted are there :) .

Jewish people from ancient times have always taught their children to read , especially the boys but girls also . There are many Torah scrolls that are hundreds of years old . Throughout history there have been thousands and thousands of Greek people who could read Greek , their civilisation also placed a high regard for education . There have also been many thousands of Hebrews who could read Hebrew . Throughout history , the catholic church and many other authorities have discouraged education for the masses , the last thing people in power want is educated masses . Even now , the powers that be like us to be distracted by foolishness and vanity in order to discourage us from thinking for ourselves about what is really going on in this world . Keeping people uneducated has long been a tool of oppression and still is in many parts of the world , sadly . The catholic church did not want anyone to read the Bible for themselves because so many of it's doctrines directly contradict what God says in the Bible . Half my family are catholics and even when I have pointed out these contradictions to them , showed them the actual Word of God , they just shrug and say that they believe the church is always right . Blind leading the blind , though in these days of printing press etc , there really isn't any excuse anymore other than mental disability or living in a country that doesn't permit the Bible .

Jesus was the Word made flesh , John ch 12 verses 23+24 . Jesus was buried in the earth for three days . He is the tree of life . We are partakers of that tree when we eat his flesh , he is the living water that waters us and helps us to grow as Christians . Isaiah Ch 58 verses 6-11 .

That theme on praising the Messiah then one week later crucifying Him certainly cannot be ignored or understated. I find it interesting the parallel between seven days for that to come to fruition and the seven years in the Tribulation. In particular; there is a similar pattern with everyone on earth under the earth etc to praise God apparently after the Rapture when we stand at the throne and the subsequent attempt once more to kill Christ at Armageddon. In the interim, the world turns to running away from God and fearing Him in the 6th Seal. Antichrist of course is the man with the power to deceive; as God Himself will cause their delusions (I'm sure you know the verses).

This seems to clarify in my mind how there will be no "secret" rapture; the Resurrection will open many graves worldwide so the simultaneous event cannot be explained away. To believe "THE LIE"; of course aliens or some other invention will be used to justify the erroneous conclusion as to why many confessors of Christ remain afterward; and everyone else as well. We also have parallels with the 3 1/2 years of ministry of the 2 Prophets followed by Martyrdom and Resurrection 3 days later; as well as the False Prophet imitating things much as the Egyptian magicians did with Pharoah.

Many no doubt will think Antichrist is Christ; in whatever imaginations religion has given to those of all persuasions sans the true Gospel. I tend to think that Psalm 40 and later sections of Romans indicate the Rapture will help promote jealousy; and/or be the trigger mechanism for Israel to go through the process of purging and the 1/3 of the Nation to go through the fire and come out finally believing in the true Messiah as later chapters of Zechariah indicate.

I appreciate your continued faithfulness with your detailed analyses. The Lord has blessed me with a nursing home ministry; I started Genesis 1 Sunday; and will see how far i progross.

Agape; Rich P

I would have to disagree with you Richard, that the post trib camp might believe the anti christ is Jesus, can't happen. Because, the post trib camp knows that the anti christ will be revealed before the Lord Jesus returns. We know he'll be claiming to be God. And, the anti christ cannot return as Jesus does, in the sky, where the world will see him (from east to west). When the anti christ is revealed, you'll have to be told about it.

Love your comments, thank you again for responding. God Bless

Thank you for the question Chris, I should have been more clear, yes, the Great Tribulation, not a general Tribulation that all go through. I believe the seals spoken of in Rev 6 are during the Great Tribulation. I hope that answered your question? God Bless

Concluding thoughts:

As to the aforementioned concepts; there is certainly a benefit to heartfelt prayer and being a "Berean" as to reading scripture.

We may not escape all things to come (at least for the present age) but if we are NOT wise things certainly can sneak up on us. Most are not (let's face it) concerned about a worldwide false peace being such a great deception FIRST; but clearly that will be the effect mesmerizing the earth after the 1st Seal. It is important to keep in mind that EVERYONE (sorry about shouting but seems important) whose name is NOT written in the Book of Life will worship the Beast. This is why we need to be cautious if we claim to be a Christian and are not testing ourselves to see if we are in the faith; fearing God; and obeying His commandments (according to their full interpretation under grace in the N.T.) Love and obedience go hand in hand; and anyone who doesn't get past the thorns and such of this world system and doesn't take their own helplessness seriously WILL fall away (sorry did it again). Right now it is heresy that is twisting the minds of many so called believers and mark my words these individuals will by far be our greatest cross to bear as the false worldwide religion comes to fruition (again I believe not until the church is removed in its entirety as the gates of Hell will not ultimately squelch out the light of the few individuals who remain in those sad congregations).

I am sure you are aware of the imperative of working until He comes. Seeing how the predictions tht 1948 was the last generation has caused so much error in calculating what year He must return by (my concept is that the last generation may be about to begin when Isreal overcomes it's immediate neighbors such as seen in Psalm 83) we see how many have fallen away.

I would also say that the Philadelphia church has "little strength"; the remnant is small and appears insignificant. I expect the real revival in the Tribulation.

I won't belabor the point; but those who believe in a Post Trib viewpoint may think that Antichrist is indeed Christ riding on the white horse in the first seal. Also; if we look at the Rapture as a reward issue; with later resurrections we see there is a sort of phased or multiprong approach; i.e. both a "Pre-Trib" rapture and subsequent events occur.

Seeing white garments on the great multitude makes me think that it is certainly a strong possiblility that those who are not praying (agonia or agonize) to be worthy to escape all things to come to pass and escape (Luke; see also Rev. 3:10) will be left behind to render works of good fruit; which they have not attained post salvation now. That would be characteristic of the Laodician crowd who literally would be poor; blind; naked etc after the present delusion of the "prosperity gospel".

Basically; what I am saying is that BOTH realities could be the case. There isn't a later "rapture" so to speak; unless we refer to those who survive until the end of the Tribulation. The fate of the 144,000 could be a rapture; they are preserved from God's judgments and martyrdom it seems although it isn't certain; we know that those who are faithful help sustain them; nonetheless there is great suffering with the scorching sun; and general hatred no doubt. It likely speaks of the parable of those who visit the prisoners and show compassion; that isn't a work based Gospel but would speak of conditions during the Tribulation. The firstfruits began with Christ and many who came out of their graves and appeared post-Resurrection; then those who are there at His coming (which also is multifaceted as we see differences between the Rapture event and His 2nd Coming). There are; of course many parallels to the Jewish Wedding feast of 7 days and a 7 year Trib; as well as other patterns in scripture.

There has always been both those that escape judgment and those who go through it and are purged such as Lot.

Hi Tammy. If I might ask a couple of questions: you wrote, "If a person takes the time to read the opening of the seals....(this is during the tribulation)...", are you referring to the Great Tribulation? Or, is the "opening of the seals" a part of the tribulations & trials we might all face each day ( John 16:33)? It's important to clarify the difference, as it can get confusing as to what someone is understanding when the word 'tribulation' is mentioned. Thank you.

Jimbob:

The written word; through BELIEF of those written words, BECOMES the LIVING WORD:

The WORD of God is the SEED

Luke 8:11 Now the parable is this: the SEED is the WORD of GOD.

John 1:1 In the beginning was THE WORD (the seed), and THE WORD (the seed) was with God, and THE WORD (the seed) was God.

The WRITTEN words are just a WITNESS, of the LIVING WORD.

John 1:14 And THE WORD was made flesh .....

Romans 8:3 God (the Word, the SEED) sending his own son (the WORD, the SEED) as SINFUL FLESH ....

ALL FLESH (the WORD, THE SEED became flesh) died on the Cross with CHRIST: ALL FLESH arose a NEW CREATION (the WORD, the SEED)

Psalms 12:6 The WORDS (YOU, all men; the new creation, by the WORKS of the resurrection) are pure (living) WORDS: as silver TRIED in the furnace of earth (you were first made of dust), purified seven times (this is speaking of the living WORD (YOU) not the written WORD (the letters of the law).

The WRITTEN WORD has to become the LIVING WORD.

1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible SEED (sinful flesh), but incorruptible, by the (living WORD, made known by the written) WORD OF GOD, with liveth and abideth forever.

Isaiah 59:21 As for me (God the WORD, the SEED), this is my covenant with them (the new creation in Christ, by his resurrection), My spirit that I have put upon THEE (CHRIST), and my (living) WORDS that I have put in thy (Christ's) mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed (the WORD), nor out of the mouth of thy SEED'S SEED (the WORD) forever.

God bless you.