I agree with you. Those who claim to have deliverance ministries are often so flamboyant in their ministry which brings attention to themselves. Why would they need to resort to such dramatic demonstrations if their work is truly from God?
And as far as how they often speak to demons, they ignore what is said in Jude 1:8 says of the archangels who tells Satan "the Lord rebuke you". When they tell demons where to go and speak ill of them, they are not following Scripture and show that they really do not understand how much power and authority these truly possess. Only Jesus is more powerful and possesses more authority than evil entities. We should beseech the Lord to help us, to come and deliver a person from demonic influence and be on guard against falling into evil traps set by them who take advantage of some minister's excessive, boastful address to demons themselves. Perhaps more prayer and fasting would actually be what God wants them to do before they try to bring release from evil for others.
Additionally, what you speak about concerning what some people label as demons such as lust, lying, etc. are more likely not actual demons specific to such problematic behavior. These behaviors are the result of our sinful corrupted nature that only wants to sin and to invent knew ways to sin. We must fight against our own nature by the Spirit of the Lord and take responsibility to the rise of besetting behaviors that we tend to feed and allow to grow because we , for one , love them, and secondly, we pass them off as demons when in reality it is just our own self that is bringing these behaviors out in our lives.
It seems that some sections of the charismatic/pentecostal community have driven down deep into this type of thinking to the point where every problem, appetite, character flaw are shouted out as demonic, but they are often not so. We have the Spirit of God living within us and we should walk as if we believe that He is God over demons.
Hi again June 316. As much as your question can generate various opinions, my belief is that if a Christian has truly been born again, having received the Holy Spirit to indwell, sustain & secure him/her, then it is impossible for that person to have God's Spirit abandon him/her for any reason.
It is however true, that if a believer should succumb to the enemy's temptations and does not take remedial action as the Holy Spirit directs, then there will be loss. Not a loss of the Holy Spirit or salvation, but the loss of sweet communion, maybe of some degree of estrangement if sin is allowed to persist, and of the Spirit's intervention by way of warning or discipline. Or the Spirit might even allow that erring soul to taste the depravity of his/her sin, so that they may come to their senses, repent, and be restored; the story of the prodigal son is a good example of a poor choice made and yet, of a waiting loving father who is ready to forgive, receive, and restore ( Luke 15:11-32).
Just a few verses to consider (and there are many more): John 10:26-29; Romans 8:33-39; Ephesians 1:13,14; Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 1:6; 1 Peter 1:3-5; Jude 1:24,25.
This is why we often read of the apostles encouraging believers to be on guard against the enemy of our souls, of sin creeping into the life, and not being involved in anything that even smells of sin; Why? Not for salvation's loss, but for suffering under God's Hand of discipline and the pain of estrangement from God.
Why should we entertain anything that breaks our special love relationship with our God & Savior & bring on ourselves sorrow upon sorrow? The Holy Spirit will always alert us when we err and will always bring us back, so salvation cannot be lost. But for those who feel no sorrow or estrangement when they stray, they do not have the Holy Spirit within them and are not saved. But while they have breath, there remains hope if they draw near to God, He will draw near to them. GBU.
As you should expect, I say yes. They were the ones who were indwelt by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost with power to spread the gospel of Jesus' life, death, resurrection by which we receive salvation. But more so because of what Rev. 21:14 says about the New Jerusalem where the twelve apostles are said to be the twelve foundations of this Lamb for this city, which I take to be the church.
In this vision, the apostles are indicted as pillars of faith, the ones who delivered the faith once and for all delivered for the saints (church) ( Jude 1:3). The apostles were the foundation of the church ( Eph. 2:20) with Jesus being the chief cornerstone building the church up as a holy dwelling for God with His people forever. These twelve pillars (the apostles) represent the spiritual, doctrinal and historical base of the church that Jesus built upon after He ascended to heaven, as Jesus prophesied in Matt. 16:18. The names of the apostles as the foundation indicate apostolic authority over the church and its doctrines and
profession.
Oops, have to head out with hubby. This is all for now. Be blessed.
2 Corinthians 1:21,22: God has established us in Christ, anointed us, as sealed us with the guarantee of the Spirit, and is certainly not going to let us go. Also Ephesians 1:3-14.
Ephesians 2:8,9: it is only by God's Grace, as His Gift, that we are saved. If we are saved any other way, it is according to our way of salvation - not God's, which is endures & secures.
Philippians 1:6: If God has begun His Work in us, we can be confident He will always continue to work in us by His Spirit till the day we see Jesus in His Glory.
Jude 1:24: God alone can keep us from falling & present us faultless when we see Him.
A few verses that should teach us & assure us that the one who is truly is in Christ is truly secure forever. He will neither want to leave this most valuable Holy Faith, nor even be persuaded to do so even under the threat of death - for our lives are new, seated in the heavenly places, no longer of the Earth, hidden with Christ in God.
Thinking it was Peter's angel as his spirit to me would be a stretch; it would be like seeing a ghost, our souls or spirits don't move around after we die. Angels are messengers; to me, they may have thought it was someone delivering a message. They knew he was in prison.
If we look at Matthew 24:29-31 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, the Earth is round. When Jesus returns, there will be saints all over it. The angels Jesus sent to gather us, the air where we meet Jesus, is the Greek word 'aer,' meaning the air we breathe.
The angels will gather all the saints from across the earth to meet and escort Jesus as He descends to earth as King. This aligns with 1 Thessalonians 3:13 and Jude 1:14-15.
When Satan was cast out of heaven down to earth, his angels were cast down with him. We see many verses portraying angels as an army, like in 2 Kings 3:17 and Isaiah 37:36.
The Bible doesn't say this explicitly, but with all the fallen angels cast down here, I believe it will take an army of angels, along with the resurrected saints, to cleanse this world of evil. After the angels go back to heaven.
Jude 1:14-15, And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his SAINTS,
To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
1 Thessalonians 3:13To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his SAINTS. .
Where do they fit?
Here's another argument I've heard but I'm not sure it's correct but on the surface it's interesting.
The word Angel is used in diverse ways in scripture.
Example.
And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.
And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. Acts 12:14-15.
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: (Colossian 1:16).
I'm not sure which makes me sadder; considering those spiritual entities that left their first estate ( Jude 1:6); or the fact that most men are following the god of this world who is blinding them ( 2 Cor. 4:4).
I am saddened by artists and musicians of great talent (although progressive rock seems to have died off) who use all their giftings for themselves; rather than Christ who Colossian 1:1 makes clear actually was doing the act of creating in the beginning.
We see this in Psalm 92:7
That when the wicked sprouted up like grass
And all who did iniquity flourished,
It was only that they might be destroyed forevermore.
I'm not sure which translation this is but you get the point. This reminds me of my post this AM; as there are great abilities God Himself placed in His created beings; even Lucifer that no doubt affect the music industry today along with his lesser demonic horde of minions on patrol to infect the minds of men. Man is similar; we are as Psalm 139 states "fearfully and wonderfully made" (v. 14) but end up as the result of sin and our sin nature physically dead after sin takes its course and the decay of nature takes us all in this life until He comes in the Rapture or Resurrection. This is difficult sometimes as we have the Spirit of God sustaining us and how far we should take His promises of healing; I suppose we can be as healthy as possible and as Moses did have full strength and vigor ( Deut. 34:7) and die at 120 if He wills. Psalm 103:13-14: Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. 14For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. ( 2 Cor. 5:8). We have a cloud of witnesses ( Heb. 12:1).
"Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:"
Revelation 14:11
"And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name."
Revelation 20:10
"And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever."
Jude 1:7
"Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire."
I concur with Brother Chris and what you were taught.
Once a person is born again ( Born of God's Spirit) he can never be unborn!
We're in the Father and the Son's hand!
Our salvation is in their hands!!
Jude 1:24 reads "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
If salvation depends on you and I to present our righteousness we would lose our salvation every minute.
As for the verse you mentioned Matthew 10:22 I'm not sure the quote in question "but he that endureth to the end shall be saved" is talking about just salvation.
So saved from what?
Look at the previous verses.
5-7, "These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
10:17-18, "But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
Look at verse 23 "But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the "CITIES OF ISRAEL", TILL THE SON OF MAN BE COME.
I believe this deals with their local present mission and on into the far future where it may have salvation implications.
It started out with the twelve apostles on their present commission and on into the future after the Rapture of the Church!
The Apostles made it alive through their mission as will those ministering post Church will make it in the tribulation.
Either way it's stating that they WILL ENDURE to the end!
We see two places where angels are chained in darkness: 2 Peter 2:4-5 and Jude 1:6. To me, this is a prison, a confinement area, as we see in Revelation 9, 11, 17, and 20. These angels did not keep their original estate or position and left their own dwelling place. These angels were disobedient to God, as seen in Genesis 6:1-2. There are fallen angels, demons, and devils on this earth, but what these angels did was so terrible that God locked them in the bottomless pit until the great day of judgment.
In Ephesians 4:8-10, there is another reference; verses 9-10 are debated depending on the manuscript. They say that before Jesus ascended to heaven, He first descended to the lower parts of the earth. Paul quotes Psalm 68:18, which describes the ark ascending to Mount Zion, leading captivity captive, symbolizing deliverance. Also, in Judges 5:12, part of Deborah's song, it states, "led thy captivity captive," meaning victory over oppression.
The same theme appears in Ephesians 4:8, victory over sin, death, and the grave through the life, sacrifice, death, and resurrection of Jesus, as referenced in Galatians 1:4 and 1 Corinthians 15:52-55. We also see the gifts given in Ephesians 4:11, Romans 12:4-8, and 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.
When Jesus was resurrected, God placed Him above all, as shown in Philippians 2:9-11, Ephesians 1:19-21, and 1 Peter 3:22. Satan, just like the leaders of Jerusalem, thought that when the Messiah came, He would immediately deliver them and establish His kingdom at that time, the expectation not yet fulfilled. When Satan influenced Judas to betray Jesus to death, he thought he had won.
Wouldn't it be great if all the leaders would get together and share the word together just to make sure they're all on the same page? It says that in the last days, there will be division, not unity. There will be apostasy, people who would depart from the faith. We see that more and more in our day.
This is all I have to share from Jude. And not to make these one-chapter books seem less important, but much of what 1st, 2nd, 3rd John, and Jude was teaching about and warning about, we face today. Especially since the body of Christ holds open public church, people come and go. You think they're Christians, but you find out later that they're not.
Next, I will begin with the book of Revelation, Lord willing. It will prove to be a fascinating book to study. I'll mention up front just in case anyone gets all excited to get started, it has nothing to do with space aliens or flying saucers. I'm sure you already know this but there are some who come away with some pretty strange ideas from reading this book. Perhaps you may have heard a few good ones yourselves!
Jude 1:25 - To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
To the only wise God our Savior. What a phrase! Our Savior is God, and God is our Savior, the deity of Christ! Notice in our English bible that the word "be" is in italics, which means it's not in the original text. It's not be glory. It is a statement of fact. To the only wise God our savior, is glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.
We understand the terms glory and majesty. But dominion means grip. It means the Lord is controlling everything. He controls. And the word power is the word authority. And he's ascribing everything to God that is of Christ, and to Christ everything that is of God, because He is the only wise God our Savior.
Other people are just planted. They are false prophets. They are false teachers. And we must be careful in the body of Christ. The gospel message is being watered down and changed more in our generation than any other time in history. If you have 200 churches in town, you have 200 versions of the truth! Nobody can agree. What is the truth?
Jude 1:24 - Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
This benediction says, now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling. The Lord keeps His people. He keeps us from falling from our position of grace, and from our relationship with Christ. Now unto Him who is able to keep you from falling, and who is able to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.
One day I'm going to stand before God. And I will be presented by my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But He's going to present me as faultless because He died for my sins. He paid the penalty for my sins. He is the one who keeps me. He is the one who's going to present me as faultless before His glory.
Jude 1:19 - These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
These be they who separate themselves. That's very interesting. False teachers will separate themselves. They'll be in fellowship groups, they'll be rejected, and eventually they will go off on their own and give themselves a name.
False prophets will do that. They will separate themselves. They are sensual. The Greek word is PSUCHIKOS. They go by the natural functions of man, and there's nothing spiritual about them at all. In fact, the next phrase says having not the Spirit. They're not saved. They don't have the Spirit of God.
Jude 1:20 - But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
But you, beloved, while building up yourselves on your most holy faith, and the word holy (HAGIOS) is the word sanctified. And while praying in the Holy Ghost. I like that phrase. This is something I may have mentioned before. We saw it in James Chapter 5 where it talks about the prayer of a righteous man avails much.
But in that verse in James Chapter 5, it shows that the person's prayer is not their own, but that it has come from God. God energized them to pray. Here, it says praying in the Holy Spirit. If the Holy Spirit isn't producing the prayer, it is not a spiritual prayer.
But he says while you're building up yourselves on your most holy faith, and while you're praying in the Holy Spirit. And then we see the command in Verse 21.
Jude 1:21 - Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Keep yourselves in the love of God, and again, keep (TEREO) is the word for guard that I shared earlier. Guard, be sensitive to the things coming into your life that are challenging you to leave the Lord, or to leave His love. Stay in His love. Continue to be developed and grow stronger. And continue to pray, while looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Jude 1:7 - Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities around them in like manner, giving themselves over to sexual immorality, and going after strange flesh. Interesting! Going after strange flesh is a Hebrew term for homosexuality. It's going after different flesh than what God intended it for. They are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. So, he presents three instances from the Old Testament of God's judgment that came.
Jude 1:8 - Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
Likewise also these filthy dreamers, they defile the flesh, they despise dominion, that is, they reject authority, and they speak evil, or blaspheme dignities, or glories. It's from a Hebrew term denoting angels. They blaspheme angels.
Jude 1:13 - Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
They are raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; they are wandering stars, which is a Hebraism for false prophets. They are wanderers. They have no stability.
Jude 1:2 - Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.
He says mercy to you, and in the Greek text, this is in the Optative Mood, which means this is a wish. The last phrase "be multiplied" is literally, may it be multiplied. He's asking for a wish. May mercy be unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied, or increased. And that is Jude's desire for them, especially after he ministers to them about the problems in the church.
Jude 1:3 - Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
It was needful for me, literally, a necessity was placed upon me to write unto you, and to encourage you that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. We're talking about the faith that was once and for all given to the saints, nothing new. But he says that you should earnestly contend for the faith.
Earnestly contend is one word. It's a compound word in the Greek text. And it is the word over, and the word AGONIDZO, where we get our word agonize from. It's from the coliseum games, the training of the athletes. They went through agony.
He's calling upon all believers, the faith that was founded through Jesus Christ and established for us by the apostles and prophets that Christ chose to represent Him after He left, that's the same faith that we have today. It's not new.
But to earnestly contend for the faith means you have to take a stand, and you have to go through the agony of the suffering for it, just like an athlete going through the pains for the athletic contest. So, to earnestly contend, it means to stick up for the truth, and whatever you have to go through to do that, he's encouraging us to do that.
Here it says that Christ is keeping us. And it is a Perfect Tense. It is a permanent condition that He is keeping us. We see in John Chapter 17, which is a great chapter. This is the Lord's Prayer to the Father before He is crucified. And the prayer gives us so much more information about His ministry to us.
But He says "Father, I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom you gave me, that they may be one, as we are. In the verse prior to this, Jesus talked about how He kept them while He was with them in the world. And now he is going to be crucified. He's going to die, be buried, and rise from the dead.
And now He's asking the Holy Father to keep through your own name those whom you have given to me. So, we are kept by Christ. We are kept by the heavenly Father. There's another text in 1 Peter Chapter 1 where he says we are those who are being kept by the power of God until our salvation is realized when He comes for us.
We saw in 1 John Chapter 5 that God keeps His own people, and that the evil one cannot touch them, literally cannot grasp (HAPTO) them. So, it's all through the scriptures that God is keeping and guarding us for Himself. And that's what Jude brings out here, to those who have been sanctified by God the Father, and who have been preserved in Jesus Christ.
And the third thing he says, and who are called. All genuine believers are those who have responded to the call. You can study John Chapter 10 for the call if you'd like. Jesus said His sheep hear His voice and they follow after Him. All of His sheep respond to the voice of Christ.
Then who he's writing to, and this is interesting. He says to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and the called ones.
Three things:
First, they're sanctified. That is in the Perfect Tense in the Greek text, which means they stand in a permanent condition of being set apart. That's what sanctified means, set apart by God the Father. Of course, you probably already know that a believer is sanctified. It can be found many times throughout the NT. Sanctified is the verb form of the word for saint, HAGIOS, the set apart one.
HAGIOS is also the word for holy. So, when the Holy Spirit comes into a believer's life, they are set apart by God. And by His Spirit coming in, they experience sanctification. So, to those who have been sanctified by God the Father, and then another Perfect Tense, and who have been preserved in Jesus Christ.
It's a fascinating statement that many people don't even know is in the bible as we debate and share with one another about our permanent condition and if we can lose our salvation? A believer has been preserved, kept by, and in Jesus Christ. The word preserved is the word TEREO. There are actually two words that have to do with guarding someone.
TEREO is the word used for a guard who would be in charge for making sure people from the outside would not come in to get the prisoner. There's another word, PHULASSO, which means you would be the guard that would guard the prisoner to make sure he doesn't get out.
So, you're guarding in two different directions for two different things. The one that's used for the believer, as it is used here, is the word TEREO, which means that I am on guard. For me to keep the commandments of God, it means that I am to keep on guard for things coming in and interrupting my obedience to Christ. It doesn't mean I keep it perfectly. It means I'm on guard against the things that are interfering with the commandments of Christ.
The author of this letter is Judas, the brother of James, and half-brother to the Lord Jesus. In Greek, the name is literally "Judas." He wrote the book of Jude. Judas is mentioned 44 times in the New Testament, representing the name of a person, as well as the name of the territory of Judah in Israel. Both are the same words. There are eight people named Judas in the New Testament.
Jude's letter is specifically written to believing Jews as it refers to the Old Testament scriptures and the Jewish historical books. Jude was written around 70 A.D. from Jerusalem. Jude wrote his letter in the Present Tense indicating that the false teachers that Peter warned about were now present in the Church which seemed to be the purpose of his letter.
The theme of Jude's letter can be found in Verse 3, where Jude calls on believers to contend for the faith which was once delivered to the Saints. Jude's letter contains many allusions and illustrations from the Old Testament, indicating that his primary audience was the believing Jews.
Jude 1:1 - Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:
There is a whole lot packed into this one verse, so please bear with me as I try and keep this as short as I can. He starts out by saying Jude, which in Greek is IOUDAS, Judas, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James. It's interesting that both Judas and James did not push their position as being the Lord's half-brothers to fit into some kind of a privileged position.
They both presented themselves as slaves of Jesus Christ. They are servants, literally slaves (DULOS) of Jesus Christ. And Jude includes that he is a brother of James. And everybody knows who James is. He's the head of the church of Jerusalem.
I am going to investigate an article my friend wrote on this subject for further insight after discussing it today. I am not privy to recommending anyone I know here but will glean some of the concepts we both discussed.
First of all; as with any other spiritual matters we need to search the Scriptures first. You would think that would be the case for those who claim such ministry expertise but sadly there are basic concepts and declarations as it were that are not supported by the Word. The first claim where professed deliverance ministers and their followers often have is that they are going to cast a demon back to hell. I covered this before; and will let the reader find the verse where Christ was asked by the demons not to send them before the time to the Abyss. We also have warnings about the outside of the house so to speak being cleaned (i.e. not replacing the evil heart with the Holy Spirit controlling things) and the resulting vacuum allowing 7 more demons to come in making the state of the individual worse than at first ( Matt. 12:45). With this mentality; we often see a proud sort of attitude that shows an incorrect glib mindset in regard to having "spiritual authority" over evil spirits and ignoring the warnings in Jude for instance in regard to "railing accusations" against Satan ( Jude 1:9). Those who are wise know that we have delegated authority and also that sins need to be addressed and confessed to eliminate strongholds and the entity to do a "bait and switch" approach seeming to leave when a person hasn't fully repented.
As with any other spurious doctrines and practices truth is often mixed with error. We can; for instance observe a true deliverance minister and attempt to mimic their actions and of course risk what happened in Acts 19:15 with the sons of Sceva.
Not a smart move. Truly the physical and spiritual intersect but we need to understand not all illness is sin; using DISCERNMENT
With so many things happening around, I find myself asking: How is my soul doing?
As it says in (see Psalm 25) "Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all day." This reminds me of (see Ephesians 2), "For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility."And also of verse 13 (see Romans 2),my faith human renounce,"(For not the hearers of the Law are iust before God, but the doers of the Law shalbe iustified;" Even though my faith is still growing and my human understanding feels limited, I rest in these truths.
Even though my faith is still growing and my human understanding feels limited, I rest in these truths.
I also cannot forget one of the most well-known verses, which I've heard many times: 28"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."( romans 8). My hope is in Him, just as it's written in Luke 12:28-34 and in Jude 1:3, where I'm reminded to remain fully committed and present. This is a wake-up call for me - not to be negligent, even if my English vocabulary is still limited. Obedience depend on a willing heart.
In today's world, rushing has become so normal. That's why I often reflect on a chapter that helps me deal with anxiety: Philippians 4:6-9.
He has so many attributes, and one of the first I found in the Bible was lthe manifold wisedome of God. The verses in Luke 14:7-11 summarize my entire text
What is the second coming of Jesus Christ ? ? The only way to answer this question is to read the scriptures. Jesus Christ was on earth for 33 years and He died on the cross for all our sins. Now Jesus Christ will come again to land on earth, but before He lands, He will call us up, all the grace age church, dead or alive to meet him in the Clouds , it's called the Rapture.
This is the second coming of events of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 13:38-40
38The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
39The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
40As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
Revelation 1:7
Behold,hecomethwithclouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
Jude 1:14
And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
The wicked will be taken out first . That is the the Rapture event.
Matthew 13:41-42
41The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
42And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Peter never speaks of the Rapture, only the second coming of Jesus Christ inwhich is the Tribulation.
2 Peter 3:10
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
Apostle Peter explained how the prophets searched for the grace of God but couldn't find it and here God gave it to Apostle Paul to write.
1 Peter 1:10
Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of thegracethat should come unto you:
Jude warns the believing Jews to be careful with false brethren with fake grace.
Jude 1:4
For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning thegraceof our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Philippines are partakers of Apostle Paul's grace. That means we are to take notice of Paul's grace given to him.
Philippians 1:7
Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
Apostle Paul only wanted to spread the Gospel of Grace to the Jews first and then the Gentiles.
Acts 20:24
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of thegraceof God.
Apostle Paul's epistle is where we find grace for today.
Romans 3:24
Being justified freely by hisgracethrough the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
May we enjoy our free grace from the ascended Lord Jesus Christ in the third Heaven.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Grace is free by just believing the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ only .
The Scriptures clearly say that God will not share His glory with another (Is. 42:8) but in John 17:5 the Father did and does share His divine glory with Jesus, who is also God.
Many places in Scripture state that God created all that there is, AND that Jesus created all that there is ( John 1:1-3; John 1:10; Col. 1:16; 1 Cor. 8:6) Only a Being can create, not an idea or a plan.
And lastly, Jesus is worshipped as God in Rev. along with the Father. ( Rev. 5:1-14; 19:1-8).
Jesus is our Maker, Creator, Lord, and God. He always has been God, not an idea or plan in the mind of God. He is forever the Son of God because John 1:18 in the Greek call Him the only begotten God who has seen God (the Father) and whom declares who God is as the eternal Word.
What one believes about the eternal existence and deity of Jesus will frame how one views the gospel, His sacrifice, our atonement, and that salvation truly comes only from God in Christ alone. Not from one who is only human who lived a sinless life, as Unitarians profess. Jesus, from everlasting to everlasting is God with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
God is the only Savior (Is. 43:11; Hos. 13:4; Jude 1:25).
Fuji,
May God bless you with true understanding of how Scriptures answer your two questions.
Heb. 1:6 God instructed the angels to worship the Son.
The apostles worshipped Jesus ( Mt. 28:9; Mt. 14:33;. Jn. 20:28)
And the man born blind worshipped Jesus ( Jn. 9:38
This is speaking about the 7 years of tribulation after the Rapture is already passed. The wicked one will be taken and thrown in fire by angels . This is different from the Rapture. Only Apostle Paul speaks of the Rapture or Gathering.
Matthew 13:38-40
38The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
39The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
40As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
Revelation 1:7
Behold,hecomethwithclouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
Jude 1:14
And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
Matthew 13:41-42
41The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
42And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
2 Peter 3:10
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
Daniel 9:27
27And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
j'ust receive the strength from that grip. Be at peace!
Great statement!
As Brother Chris mentioned It reminds me of Romans 8:31-32, and also Jude 1:24-25.and Ephesians 3:12-17. "In whom we have boldness and access with confidence BY THE FAITH OF HIM. Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, TO BE STRENGTHENED WITH MIGHT BY HIS SPIRIT in the inner man;
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
I like the way you explain it. In the Greek text it has the definite article. It is "the sin."
This reminds me of " John 1:29" The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
The book of Romans has a lot to present!
Paul gives us a clear picture of the battle within ourself in chapter 7!
This is not persecution from the world. It's a battle with the flesh. Our flesh!
When Paul says verse 23 there's sin in his members, he speaks for us all!
Paul said For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
Similar to Jude 1:23... "hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Praise the Lord for Jude 1:24, "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy!
You asked that I read the whole sentence. I posted the whole sentence.
However you added to the sentence when you stated;
(The sheep has to abide in the hand of Christ.)
Bennymkje the sheep is not holding on to Christ.
Christ is holding on to them. That's what a shepherd does!
If a sheep gets lost he go get them! Christ sheep never get lost!
If they get out of line he has a staff!
I suppose you put the same conditions on Jude 1:24, "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
Bennymkje sorry but we will have to agree to disagree.
I agree with you. Those who claim to have deliverance ministries are often so flamboyant in their ministry which brings attention to themselves. Why would they need to resort to such dramatic demonstrations if their work is truly from God?
And as far as how they often speak to demons, they ignore what is said in Jude 1:8 says of the archangels who tells Satan "the Lord rebuke you". When they tell demons where to go and speak ill of them, they are not following Scripture and show that they really do not understand how much power and authority these truly possess. Only Jesus is more powerful and possesses more authority than evil entities. We should beseech the Lord to help us, to come and deliver a person from demonic influence and be on guard against falling into evil traps set by them who take advantage of some minister's excessive, boastful address to demons themselves. Perhaps more prayer and fasting would actually be what God wants them to do before they try to bring release from evil for others.
Additionally, what you speak about concerning what some people label as demons such as lust, lying, etc. are more likely not actual demons specific to such problematic behavior. These behaviors are the result of our sinful corrupted nature that only wants to sin and to invent knew ways to sin. We must fight against our own nature by the Spirit of the Lord and take responsibility to the rise of besetting behaviors that we tend to feed and allow to grow because we , for one , love them, and secondly, we pass them off as demons when in reality it is just our own self that is bringing these behaviors out in our lives.
It seems that some sections of the charismatic/pentecostal community have driven down deep into this type of thinking to the point where every problem, appetite, character flaw are shouted out as demonic, but they are often not so. We have the Spirit of God living within us and we should walk as if we believe that He is God over demons.
It is however true, that if a believer should succumb to the enemy's temptations and does not take remedial action as the Holy Spirit directs, then there will be loss. Not a loss of the Holy Spirit or salvation, but the loss of sweet communion, maybe of some degree of estrangement if sin is allowed to persist, and of the Spirit's intervention by way of warning or discipline. Or the Spirit might even allow that erring soul to taste the depravity of his/her sin, so that they may come to their senses, repent, and be restored; the story of the prodigal son is a good example of a poor choice made and yet, of a waiting loving father who is ready to forgive, receive, and restore ( Luke 15:11-32).
Just a few verses to consider (and there are many more): John 10:26-29; Romans 8:33-39; Ephesians 1:13,14; Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 1:6; 1 Peter 1:3-5; Jude 1:24,25.
This is why we often read of the apostles encouraging believers to be on guard against the enemy of our souls, of sin creeping into the life, and not being involved in anything that even smells of sin; Why? Not for salvation's loss, but for suffering under God's Hand of discipline and the pain of estrangement from God.
Why should we entertain anything that breaks our special love relationship with our God & Savior & bring on ourselves sorrow upon sorrow? The Holy Spirit will always alert us when we err and will always bring us back, so salvation cannot be lost. But for those who feel no sorrow or estrangement when they stray, they do not have the Holy Spirit within them and are not saved. But while they have breath, there remains hope if they draw near to God, He will draw near to them. GBU.
As you should expect, I say yes. They were the ones who were indwelt by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost with power to spread the gospel of Jesus' life, death, resurrection by which we receive salvation. But more so because of what Rev. 21:14 says about the New Jerusalem where the twelve apostles are said to be the twelve foundations of this Lamb for this city, which I take to be the church.
In this vision, the apostles are indicted as pillars of faith, the ones who delivered the faith once and for all delivered for the saints (church) ( Jude 1:3). The apostles were the foundation of the church ( Eph. 2:20) with Jesus being the chief cornerstone building the church up as a holy dwelling for God with His people forever. These twelve pillars (the apostles) represent the spiritual, doctrinal and historical base of the church that Jesus built upon after He ascended to heaven, as Jesus prophesied in Matt. 16:18. The names of the apostles as the foundation indicate apostolic authority over the church and its doctrines and
profession.
Oops, have to head out with hubby. This is all for now. Be blessed.
2 Corinthians 1:21,22: God has established us in Christ, anointed us, as sealed us with the guarantee of the Spirit, and is certainly not going to let us go. Also Ephesians 1:3-14.
Ephesians 2:8,9: it is only by God's Grace, as His Gift, that we are saved. If we are saved any other way, it is according to our way of salvation - not God's, which is endures & secures.
Philippians 1:6: If God has begun His Work in us, we can be confident He will always continue to work in us by His Spirit till the day we see Jesus in His Glory.
Jude 1:24: God alone can keep us from falling & present us faultless when we see Him.
A few verses that should teach us & assure us that the one who is truly is in Christ is truly secure forever. He will neither want to leave this most valuable Holy Faith, nor even be persuaded to do so even under the threat of death - for our lives are new, seated in the heavenly places, no longer of the Earth, hidden with Christ in God.
Thinking it was Peter's angel as his spirit to me would be a stretch; it would be like seeing a ghost, our souls or spirits don't move around after we die. Angels are messengers; to me, they may have thought it was someone delivering a message. They knew he was in prison.
If we look at Matthew 24:29-31 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, the Earth is round. When Jesus returns, there will be saints all over it. The angels Jesus sent to gather us, the air where we meet Jesus, is the Greek word 'aer,' meaning the air we breathe.
The angels will gather all the saints from across the earth to meet and escort Jesus as He descends to earth as King. This aligns with 1 Thessalonians 3:13 and Jude 1:14-15.
When Satan was cast out of heaven down to earth, his angels were cast down with him. We see many verses portraying angels as an army, like in 2 Kings 3:17 and Isaiah 37:36.
The Bible doesn't say this explicitly, but with all the fallen angels cast down here, I believe it will take an army of angels, along with the resurrected saints, to cleanse this world of evil. After the angels go back to heaven.
Thanks, brother,
God bless,
RLW
Revised.
Maybe Jesus is coming back with both.
We can't ignore these scriptures.
Jude 1:14-15, And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his SAINTS,
To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
1 Thessalonians 3:13To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his SAINTS. .
Where do they fit?
Here's another argument I've heard but I'm not sure it's correct but on the surface it's interesting.
The word Angel is used in diverse ways in scripture.
Example.
And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.
And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. Acts 12:14-15.
Blessings
I'm not sure which makes me sadder; considering those spiritual entities that left their first estate ( Jude 1:6); or the fact that most men are following the god of this world who is blinding them ( 2 Cor. 4:4).
I am saddened by artists and musicians of great talent (although progressive rock seems to have died off) who use all their giftings for themselves; rather than Christ who Colossian 1:1 makes clear actually was doing the act of creating in the beginning.
We see this in Psalm 92:7
That when the wicked sprouted up like grass
And all who did iniquity flourished,
It was only that they might be destroyed forevermore.
I'm not sure which translation this is but you get the point. This reminds me of my post this AM; as there are great abilities God Himself placed in His created beings; even Lucifer that no doubt affect the music industry today along with his lesser demonic horde of minions on patrol to infect the minds of men. Man is similar; we are as Psalm 139 states "fearfully and wonderfully made" (v. 14) but end up as the result of sin and our sin nature physically dead after sin takes its course and the decay of nature takes us all in this life until He comes in the Rapture or Resurrection. This is difficult sometimes as we have the Spirit of God sustaining us and how far we should take His promises of healing; I suppose we can be as healthy as possible and as Moses did have full strength and vigor ( Deut. 34:7) and die at 120 if He wills. Psalm 103:13-14: Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. 14For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. ( 2 Cor. 5:8). We have a cloud of witnesses ( Heb. 12:1).
"Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:"
Revelation 14:11
"And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name."
Revelation 20:10
"And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever."
Jude 1:7
"Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire."
Blessings
Welcome to the site!
I concur with Brother Chris and what you were taught.
Once a person is born again ( Born of God's Spirit) he can never be unborn!
We're in the Father and the Son's hand!
Our salvation is in their hands!!
Jude 1:24 reads "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
If salvation depends on you and I to present our righteousness we would lose our salvation every minute.
As for the verse you mentioned Matthew 10:22 I'm not sure the quote in question "but he that endureth to the end shall be saved" is talking about just salvation.
So saved from what?
Look at the previous verses.
5-7, "These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
10:17-18, "But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
Look at verse 23 "But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the "CITIES OF ISRAEL", TILL THE SON OF MAN BE COME.
I believe this deals with their local present mission and on into the far future where it may have salvation implications.
It started out with the twelve apostles on their present commission and on into the future after the Rapture of the Church!
The Apostles made it alive through their mission as will those ministering post Church will make it in the tribulation.
Either way it's stating that they WILL ENDURE to the end!
God bless.
We see two places where angels are chained in darkness: 2 Peter 2:4-5 and Jude 1:6. To me, this is a prison, a confinement area, as we see in Revelation 9, 11, 17, and 20. These angels did not keep their original estate or position and left their own dwelling place. These angels were disobedient to God, as seen in Genesis 6:1-2. There are fallen angels, demons, and devils on this earth, but what these angels did was so terrible that God locked them in the bottomless pit until the great day of judgment.
In Ephesians 4:8-10, there is another reference; verses 9-10 are debated depending on the manuscript. They say that before Jesus ascended to heaven, He first descended to the lower parts of the earth. Paul quotes Psalm 68:18, which describes the ark ascending to Mount Zion, leading captivity captive, symbolizing deliverance. Also, in Judges 5:12, part of Deborah's song, it states, "led thy captivity captive," meaning victory over oppression.
The same theme appears in Ephesians 4:8, victory over sin, death, and the grave through the life, sacrifice, death, and resurrection of Jesus, as referenced in Galatians 1:4 and 1 Corinthians 15:52-55. We also see the gifts given in Ephesians 4:11, Romans 12:4-8, and 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.
When Jesus was resurrected, God placed Him above all, as shown in Philippians 2:9-11, Ephesians 1:19-21, and 1 Peter 3:22. Satan, just like the leaders of Jerusalem, thought that when the Messiah came, He would immediately deliver them and establish His kingdom at that time, the expectation not yet fulfilled. When Satan influenced Judas to betray Jesus to death, he thought he had won.
See part 3
Jude 1:25 Continued
Wouldn't it be great if all the leaders would get together and share the word together just to make sure they're all on the same page? It says that in the last days, there will be division, not unity. There will be apostasy, people who would depart from the faith. We see that more and more in our day.
This is all I have to share from Jude. And not to make these one-chapter books seem less important, but much of what 1st, 2nd, 3rd John, and Jude was teaching about and warning about, we face today. Especially since the body of Christ holds open public church, people come and go. You think they're Christians, but you find out later that they're not.
Next, I will begin with the book of Revelation, Lord willing. It will prove to be a fascinating book to study. I'll mention up front just in case anyone gets all excited to get started, it has nothing to do with space aliens or flying saucers. I'm sure you already know this but there are some who come away with some pretty strange ideas from reading this book. Perhaps you may have heard a few good ones yourselves!
Blessings to you all in Christ Jesus!
Jude 1:25 - To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
To the only wise God our Savior. What a phrase! Our Savior is God, and God is our Savior, the deity of Christ! Notice in our English bible that the word "be" is in italics, which means it's not in the original text. It's not be glory. It is a statement of fact. To the only wise God our savior, is glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.
We understand the terms glory and majesty. But dominion means grip. It means the Lord is controlling everything. He controls. And the word power is the word authority. And he's ascribing everything to God that is of Christ, and to Christ everything that is of God, because He is the only wise God our Savior.
Other people are just planted. They are false prophets. They are false teachers. And we must be careful in the body of Christ. The gospel message is being watered down and changed more in our generation than any other time in history. If you have 200 churches in town, you have 200 versions of the truth! Nobody can agree. What is the truth?
Jude 1:24 - Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
This benediction says, now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling. The Lord keeps His people. He keeps us from falling from our position of grace, and from our relationship with Christ. Now unto Him who is able to keep you from falling, and who is able to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.
One day I'm going to stand before God. And I will be presented by my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But He's going to present me as faultless because He died for my sins. He paid the penalty for my sins. He is the one who keeps me. He is the one who's going to present me as faultless before His glory.
Jude 1:19 - These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
These be they who separate themselves. That's very interesting. False teachers will separate themselves. They'll be in fellowship groups, they'll be rejected, and eventually they will go off on their own and give themselves a name.
False prophets will do that. They will separate themselves. They are sensual. The Greek word is PSUCHIKOS. They go by the natural functions of man, and there's nothing spiritual about them at all. In fact, the next phrase says having not the Spirit. They're not saved. They don't have the Spirit of God.
Jude 1:20 - But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
But you, beloved, while building up yourselves on your most holy faith, and the word holy (HAGIOS) is the word sanctified. And while praying in the Holy Ghost. I like that phrase. This is something I may have mentioned before. We saw it in James Chapter 5 where it talks about the prayer of a righteous man avails much.
But in that verse in James Chapter 5, it shows that the person's prayer is not their own, but that it has come from God. God energized them to pray. Here, it says praying in the Holy Spirit. If the Holy Spirit isn't producing the prayer, it is not a spiritual prayer.
But he says while you're building up yourselves on your most holy faith, and while you're praying in the Holy Spirit. And then we see the command in Verse 21.
Jude 1:21 - Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Keep yourselves in the love of God, and again, keep (TEREO) is the word for guard that I shared earlier. Guard, be sensitive to the things coming into your life that are challenging you to leave the Lord, or to leave His love. Stay in His love. Continue to be developed and grow stronger. And continue to pray, while looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Jude 1:7 - Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities around them in like manner, giving themselves over to sexual immorality, and going after strange flesh. Interesting! Going after strange flesh is a Hebrew term for homosexuality. It's going after different flesh than what God intended it for. They are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. So, he presents three instances from the Old Testament of God's judgment that came.
Jude 1:8 - Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
Likewise also these filthy dreamers, they defile the flesh, they despise dominion, that is, they reject authority, and they speak evil, or blaspheme dignities, or glories. It's from a Hebrew term denoting angels. They blaspheme angels.
Jude 1:13 - Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
They are raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; they are wandering stars, which is a Hebraism for false prophets. They are wanderers. They have no stability.
Jude 1:2 - Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.
He says mercy to you, and in the Greek text, this is in the Optative Mood, which means this is a wish. The last phrase "be multiplied" is literally, may it be multiplied. He's asking for a wish. May mercy be unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied, or increased. And that is Jude's desire for them, especially after he ministers to them about the problems in the church.
Jude 1:3 - Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
It was needful for me, literally, a necessity was placed upon me to write unto you, and to encourage you that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. We're talking about the faith that was once and for all given to the saints, nothing new. But he says that you should earnestly contend for the faith.
Earnestly contend is one word. It's a compound word in the Greek text. And it is the word over, and the word AGONIDZO, where we get our word agonize from. It's from the coliseum games, the training of the athletes. They went through agony.
He's calling upon all believers, the faith that was founded through Jesus Christ and established for us by the apostles and prophets that Christ chose to represent Him after He left, that's the same faith that we have today. It's not new.
But to earnestly contend for the faith means you have to take a stand, and you have to go through the agony of the suffering for it, just like an athlete going through the pains for the athletic contest. So, to earnestly contend, it means to stick up for the truth, and whatever you have to go through to do that, he's encouraging us to do that.
Jude 1:1 continued
Here it says that Christ is keeping us. And it is a Perfect Tense. It is a permanent condition that He is keeping us. We see in John Chapter 17, which is a great chapter. This is the Lord's Prayer to the Father before He is crucified. And the prayer gives us so much more information about His ministry to us.
But He says "Father, I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom you gave me, that they may be one, as we are. In the verse prior to this, Jesus talked about how He kept them while He was with them in the world. And now he is going to be crucified. He's going to die, be buried, and rise from the dead.
And now He's asking the Holy Father to keep through your own name those whom you have given to me. So, we are kept by Christ. We are kept by the heavenly Father. There's another text in 1 Peter Chapter 1 where he says we are those who are being kept by the power of God until our salvation is realized when He comes for us.
We saw in 1 John Chapter 5 that God keeps His own people, and that the evil one cannot touch them, literally cannot grasp (HAPTO) them. So, it's all through the scriptures that God is keeping and guarding us for Himself. And that's what Jude brings out here, to those who have been sanctified by God the Father, and who have been preserved in Jesus Christ.
And the third thing he says, and who are called. All genuine believers are those who have responded to the call. You can study John Chapter 10 for the call if you'd like. Jesus said His sheep hear His voice and they follow after Him. All of His sheep respond to the voice of Christ.
Jude 1:1 continued
Then who he's writing to, and this is interesting. He says to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and the called ones.
Three things:
First, they're sanctified. That is in the Perfect Tense in the Greek text, which means they stand in a permanent condition of being set apart. That's what sanctified means, set apart by God the Father. Of course, you probably already know that a believer is sanctified. It can be found many times throughout the NT. Sanctified is the verb form of the word for saint, HAGIOS, the set apart one.
HAGIOS is also the word for holy. So, when the Holy Spirit comes into a believer's life, they are set apart by God. And by His Spirit coming in, they experience sanctification. So, to those who have been sanctified by God the Father, and then another Perfect Tense, and who have been preserved in Jesus Christ.
It's a fascinating statement that many people don't even know is in the bible as we debate and share with one another about our permanent condition and if we can lose our salvation? A believer has been preserved, kept by, and in Jesus Christ. The word preserved is the word TEREO. There are actually two words that have to do with guarding someone.
TEREO is the word used for a guard who would be in charge for making sure people from the outside would not come in to get the prisoner. There's another word, PHULASSO, which means you would be the guard that would guard the prisoner to make sure he doesn't get out.
So, you're guarding in two different directions for two different things. The one that's used for the believer, as it is used here, is the word TEREO, which means that I am on guard. For me to keep the commandments of God, it means that I am to keep on guard for things coming in and interrupting my obedience to Christ. It doesn't mean I keep it perfectly. It means I'm on guard against the things that are interfering with the commandments of Christ.
(Jude Part 1a):
The author of this letter is Judas, the brother of James, and half-brother to the Lord Jesus. In Greek, the name is literally "Judas." He wrote the book of Jude. Judas is mentioned 44 times in the New Testament, representing the name of a person, as well as the name of the territory of Judah in Israel. Both are the same words. There are eight people named Judas in the New Testament.
Jude's letter is specifically written to believing Jews as it refers to the Old Testament scriptures and the Jewish historical books. Jude was written around 70 A.D. from Jerusalem. Jude wrote his letter in the Present Tense indicating that the false teachers that Peter warned about were now present in the Church which seemed to be the purpose of his letter.
The theme of Jude's letter can be found in Verse 3, where Jude calls on believers to contend for the faith which was once delivered to the Saints. Jude's letter contains many allusions and illustrations from the Old Testament, indicating that his primary audience was the believing Jews.
Jude 1:1 - Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:
There is a whole lot packed into this one verse, so please bear with me as I try and keep this as short as I can. He starts out by saying Jude, which in Greek is IOUDAS, Judas, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James. It's interesting that both Judas and James did not push their position as being the Lord's half-brothers to fit into some kind of a privileged position.
They both presented themselves as slaves of Jesus Christ. They are servants, literally slaves (DULOS) of Jesus Christ. And Jude includes that he is a brother of James. And everybody knows who James is. He's the head of the church of Jerusalem.
I am going to investigate an article my friend wrote on this subject for further insight after discussing it today. I am not privy to recommending anyone I know here but will glean some of the concepts we both discussed.
First of all; as with any other spiritual matters we need to search the Scriptures first. You would think that would be the case for those who claim such ministry expertise but sadly there are basic concepts and declarations as it were that are not supported by the Word. The first claim where professed deliverance ministers and their followers often have is that they are going to cast a demon back to hell. I covered this before; and will let the reader find the verse where Christ was asked by the demons not to send them before the time to the Abyss. We also have warnings about the outside of the house so to speak being cleaned (i.e. not replacing the evil heart with the Holy Spirit controlling things) and the resulting vacuum allowing 7 more demons to come in making the state of the individual worse than at first ( Matt. 12:45). With this mentality; we often see a proud sort of attitude that shows an incorrect glib mindset in regard to having "spiritual authority" over evil spirits and ignoring the warnings in Jude for instance in regard to "railing accusations" against Satan ( Jude 1:9). Those who are wise know that we have delegated authority and also that sins need to be addressed and confessed to eliminate strongholds and the entity to do a "bait and switch" approach seeming to leave when a person hasn't fully repented.
As with any other spurious doctrines and practices truth is often mixed with error. We can; for instance observe a true deliverance minister and attempt to mimic their actions and of course risk what happened in Acts 19:15 with the sons of Sceva.
Not a smart move. Truly the physical and spiritual intersect but we need to understand not all illness is sin; using DISCERNMENT
As it says in (see Psalm 25) "Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all day." This reminds me of (see Ephesians 2), "For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility."And also of verse 13 (see Romans 2),my faith human renounce,"(For not the hearers of the Law are iust before God, but the doers of the Law shalbe iustified;" Even though my faith is still growing and my human understanding feels limited, I rest in these truths.
Even though my faith is still growing and my human understanding feels limited, I rest in these truths.
I also cannot forget one of the most well-known verses, which I've heard many times: 28"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."( romans 8). My hope is in Him, just as it's written in Luke 12:28-34 and in Jude 1:3, where I'm reminded to remain fully committed and present. This is a wake-up call for me - not to be negligent, even if my English vocabulary is still limited. Obedience depend on a willing heart.
In today's world, rushing has become so normal. That's why I often reflect on a chapter that helps me deal with anxiety: Philippians 4:6-9.
He has so many attributes, and one of the first I found in the Bible was lthe manifold wisedome of God. The verses in Luke 14:7-11 summarize my entire text
This is the second coming of events of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 13:38-40
38The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
39The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
40As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
Revelation 1:7
Behold,hecomethwithclouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
Jude 1:14
And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
The wicked will be taken out first . That is the the Rapture event.
Matthew 13:41-42
41The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
42And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Peter never speaks of the Rapture, only the second coming of Jesus Christ inwhich is the Tribulation.
2 Peter 3:10
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Apostle Peter explained how the prophets searched for the grace of God but couldn't find it and here God gave it to Apostle Paul to write.
1 Peter 1:10
Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of thegracethat should come unto you:
Jude warns the believing Jews to be careful with false brethren with fake grace.
Jude 1:4
For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning thegraceof our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Philippines are partakers of Apostle Paul's grace. That means we are to take notice of Paul's grace given to him.
Philippians 1:7
Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
Apostle Paul only wanted to spread the Gospel of Grace to the Jews first and then the Gentiles.
Acts 20:24
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of thegraceof God.
Apostle Paul's epistle is where we find grace for today.
Romans 3:24
Being justified freely by hisgracethrough the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
May we enjoy our free grace from the ascended Lord Jesus Christ in the third Heaven.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Grace is free by just believing the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ only .
Pt. 3
The Scriptures clearly say that God will not share His glory with another (Is. 42:8) but in John 17:5 the Father did and does share His divine glory with Jesus, who is also God.
Many places in Scripture state that God created all that there is, AND that Jesus created all that there is ( John 1:1-3; John 1:10; Col. 1:16; 1 Cor. 8:6) Only a Being can create, not an idea or a plan.
And lastly, Jesus is worshipped as God in Rev. along with the Father. ( Rev. 5:1-14; 19:1-8).
Jesus is our Maker, Creator, Lord, and God. He always has been God, not an idea or plan in the mind of God. He is forever the Son of God because John 1:18 in the Greek call Him the only begotten God who has seen God (the Father) and whom declares who God is as the eternal Word.
What one believes about the eternal existence and deity of Jesus will frame how one views the gospel, His sacrifice, our atonement, and that salvation truly comes only from God in Christ alone. Not from one who is only human who lived a sinless life, as Unitarians profess. Jesus, from everlasting to everlasting is God with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
God is the only Savior (Is. 43:11; Hos. 13:4; Jude 1:25).
Fuji,
May God bless you with true understanding of how Scriptures answer your two questions.
Heb. 1:6 God instructed the angels to worship the Son.
The apostles worshipped Jesus ( Mt. 28:9; Mt. 14:33;. Jn. 20:28)
And the man born blind worshipped Jesus ( Jn. 9:38
This is speaking about the 7 years of tribulation after the Rapture is already passed. The wicked one will be taken and thrown in fire by angels . This is different from the Rapture. Only Apostle Paul speaks of the Rapture or Gathering.
Matthew 13:38-40
38The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
39The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
40As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
Revelation 1:7
Behold,hecomethwithclouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
Jude 1:14
And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
Matthew 13:41-42
41The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
42And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
2 Peter 3:10
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
Daniel 9:27
27And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
j'ust receive the strength from that grip. Be at peace!
Great statement!
As Brother Chris mentioned It reminds me of Romans 8:31-32, and also Jude 1:24-25.and Ephesians 3:12-17. "In whom we have boldness and access with confidence BY THE FAITH OF HIM. Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, TO BE STRENGTHENED WITH MIGHT BY HIS SPIRIT in the inner man;
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
Looking forward to 2 Corinthians.
Blessings
I would like to elaborate a little further on this important topic.
When a person receives Christ he is given a new heart.
That's where and how change begins!!
The desire to do what's right, and there is a conviction when we don't.
This is Christ spirit working in you.
It is a sanctifying process.
We continue in the word of God for spiritual growth and trust in Christ who will never leave us.
Jude 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
God bless.
Sin. "The sin"
I like the way you explain it. In the Greek text it has the definite article. It is "the sin."
This reminds me of " John 1:29" The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
The book of Romans has a lot to present!
Paul gives us a clear picture of the battle within ourself in chapter 7!
This is not persecution from the world. It's a battle with the flesh. Our flesh!
When Paul says verse 23 there's sin in his members, he speaks for us all!
Paul said For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
Similar to Jude 1:23... "hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Praise the Lord for Jude 1:24, "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy!
Thanks and God bless.
I disagree with everything you said.
You asked that I read the whole sentence. I posted the whole sentence.
However you added to the sentence when you stated;
(The sheep has to abide in the hand of Christ.)
Bennymkje the sheep is not holding on to Christ.
Christ is holding on to them. That's what a shepherd does!
If a sheep gets lost he go get them! Christ sheep never get lost!
If they get out of line he has a staff!
I suppose you put the same conditions on Jude 1:24, "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
Bennymkje sorry but we will have to agree to disagree.
God bless.