Discuss Matthew 10 Page 10

I believe you're correct in saying, "it (falling away) seems to be accelerating". As we move closer to the end of days & of the revelation of the Anti-Christ, what always inflicted the Church in its beginnings will continue & become more evident & rampant towards the end. There is much syncretism going on at present, with religions trying their utmost to find common ground & common faith, even to the disregarding of vital & precious doctrines, & diluting the power of the Cross.

So I believe that 'falling away' is not just an individual matter about a person turning aside from Christ, that it is, rather that the Church (if indeed they ever held onto the Truth), has wilfully lost its focus & beliefs for the cause of being accepted by all & to have peace & unity with all religions & peoples. Jesus said, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword." ( Matthew 10:34). If that were to happen within one's household as Jesus said, how much more shall the sword of Truth be wielded upon those who despise the Truth & make the Cross of no effect & a lie. The Gospel will always cut to the heart & expose wickedness. If it were ever to be used to join all men together in harmony, then it would have been given out in error & in the end, both the 'preacher of this nonsense' & the hearer of those 'gracious words', will both be damned.

In Revelation chapter 21 we see the new Jerusalem, "coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband", and "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God." So in the end, heaven and earth will be together. The meek, in and by Jesus Christ, inherit it all.

The Old Testament was given to Israel and they were supposed to be a witness to the world:

Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations. ( 1 Chronicles 16:24)

It was also given for us to learn the ways of the LORD by it:

Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. ( 1 Corinthians 10:11)

The New Testament is for the world to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ whereby whosoever will come unto him shall be saved.

The soul that sinneth, it shall die:

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.( Romans 6:23)

There is a second death:

And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. ( Revelation 21:6-8)

Trish: Pray when you study God's word. The Bible is the living Word of God. The Bible cannot be summarized, because the more you read it, the more depth and understanding you will have. God created man to worship Him. We were created for his glory. Therefore, he set rules in order for man to follow. These are the 10 commandments, as well as the doctrine taught by Jesus. Repent and sin not. Read the New Testament first from Matthew to Revelation. Read Psalms to understand who God is, what he does and what he has done. The Jews were his chosen people because God wanted them to be an example for the Gentiles (everyone who is not a Jew). The commandments are for both. God requires us to live holy in this present world and live without sinning. When God sends Jesus to gather the saints to be with them, He will separate the saints from the wicked. Fire and brimstone will fall from the heavens and earth will destroyed and recreated. The saints, who are meek will return to a new heaven and a new earth, literally. The wicked shall be cast into the lake of fire with the devil known as Satan and all the demons. It will be a place burning eternally with fire and smoke. The wicked will not die. The righteous will have spiritual bodies. Heaven will be the headquarters of God, Jesus and their angels. We shall be caught up to meet him in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord. The soul that sins shall die. This death is an eternal separation from God. Saints will be in the first resurrection. The righteous shall live forever with the Lord. (To be continued.) We are to believe who God is, that Jesus is His Son and our Saviour. Jesus came to save us from sin. Many people will be alive when Jesus comes in the air. We will all be judged by God when resurrected. Then we will be separated, the good from the evil people. Some will be with Jesus, others to everlasting punishment. Fear God and keep his commandments. This is the whole duty of man.

Sister Western; maybe I could share a thought or two on the here after with you, Paul tells us that according to our faithfulness we may RECIVE a reward much like the GLORY of the sun, he went on to say some will RECIVE a glory no brighter than the moon, but Many because of their like off faithfulness will only have as much glory in as the many differences in brightness as the stars. And of course JESUS referred to those that came to HIS LIGHT and took no Root in the barren ground, and fell away, (Backslide)However some fell into good soil and bore much fruit, and when we stand before the the SAVIOR at the Final Judgement to be divided left with the goats or right hand with SAVIOR'S sheep who responded in this life to HIS voice. (Outer Darkness) awaits those who fell with the third of the angels and Satan from heaven?!?!?!

Hello, My question is: In Psalms 37:11; 29 it speaks of the righteous and the meek will inherit the earth.

Also Mathew 5:5 Jesus said "Happy are the meek for they will inherit the earth."

If Christian's are to go to heaven when they die, how is it they will inherit the earth?

Also is the Old Testament primarily for the Jews?

Is the NT for the Jews and Gentiles?

What does it mean in Ezekiel 18:20 "The soul that sinneth it shall die? Does this mean there's no life after we die? Same with Ecclesiastes 9:5,6 "The living at least know they will die, but the dead know nothing. They have no further reward, nor are they remembered.

6 Whatever they did in their lifetime-loving, hating, envying-is all long gone. They no longer play a part in anything here on earth. NLT

I was once a Jehovah Witness and I've come to realise they don't practise the Truth. So please help me try to understand what the true message if the gospel is.

I have many more questions, but it will take time to understand it all

Thanks Trish Western

When writing about the soul, the Bible writers used the Hebrew word nephesh or the Greek word psykhe. These two words occur well over 800 times in the Scriptures, and the New World Translation renders them "soul," either in the main text or in footnotes. When you examine the way "soul" or "souls" is used in the Bible, it becomes evident that this word basically refers to people and the life that a person has.

"In Noah's day . . . a few people, that is, eight souls, were carried safely through the water." ( 1 Peter 3:20) Here the word "souls" clearly stands for people-Noah, his wife, his three sons, and their wives.

You will find another examples of this sense of "soul" in the text found at Matthew 10:39'

Some people think that "spirit" is just another word for "soul." However, that is not the case. The Bible makes clear that "spirit" and "soul" refer to two different things.

Bible writers used the Hebrew word ruach or the Greek word pneuma when writing about the "spirit." The Scriptures themselves indicate the meaning of those words.

For instance, Psalm 104:29 states: "If you [God] take away their spirit [ruach], they die and return to the dust."

Speaking about man's death, Ecclesiastes 12:7 states: "The dust [of his body] returns to the earth, just as it was, and the spirit returns to the true God who gave it." When the spirit, or life-force, leaves the body, the body dies and returns to where it came from-the earth. Comparably, the life-force returns to where it came from-God. ( Job 34:14, 15; Psalm 36:9)

This does not mean that the life-force actually travels to heaven. Rather, it means that for someone who dies, the time of future life rests with God. The time frame is in God's hands, so to speak. Only by God's power can the spirit, or life-force, be given back so that a person may live again.

Praise God. Thank You Jesus.

Because Gentiles is a person (Or persons), place or thing. A noun. You learn that in the 3rd grade.

Some of us do read the whole thing :)

Read the Commentary

Read all the cross reference notes in the center columns on each page: that match with the abc notes inside of the scripture; that reference to other books or prophesies.

Check the genealogies

Personal note: our Bible comment room isn't a good place to either act foolish or angry. Some do. Forgive them and give the rest of us a chance to study with you.

There's a ton of links in the "Red Link Area" where you first came in. The Search Box leads to the Commentaries.

There are people in Prayer Requests that could use a special prayer from those who take Matthew 26, joyfully.

Hope we see you again. Mishael

Concerning Matthew 10:22 -

How sad it is that all those who chose to post under this daily verse, have totally ignored the complete verse. Why would it be that we only pick and chose from the Word of God, dismissing what we will.

The verse of the day - "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved."

Matthew 10:22

I pray that we all will accept Exodus 31:3 - "And I filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship". The Holy Spirit is "the beginning of understanding"; therefore if one ever hears the phrase "we will understand it by and by", let us turn quickly and run the other way. How sad to hear.

Praise God, Thank You Jesus.

I'm unsure which event you are referring to. John 15:19 and John 17:14 shows Jesus saying, that people would hate us (followers of Christ) because we're not like them (of the world) - we don't behave or follow their ways.

But if you're writing about some worldly affairs that we should not be a part of, then you are correct to a point. God has given us the privilege of living in a World prepared for our habitation & enjoyment. There will be many things happening within 'our world' & 'outside our world' of significance. And we will have to deal with all those things, not just with our minds, but also our decisions on how to act. I'm unsure if you are thinking of any specific aspect of worldly affairs but I believe we can be involved in some way with the actions of local/federal government, or against the evils going on around us, or just being salt & light in those dark areas bringing out the light & beauty of Kingdom life. There will be things that the world does that will hold no interest to us or will add nothing to our faith & walk with the Lord (such as their worldly pleasures & pursuits); we can overlook & avoid such things & not clutter our minds & lives with them.

However, you may be thinking of something else or some Scripture that brings out your thoughts.

Why is this person speaking on what's going on in this world when we are not apart of this world

God is the author and finisher of own faith. He knows all about us, he knew me before I was in my mother womb. The number of hairs on your head no one can probably know except God. He made us not we ourselves. Because of his mercy and Grace, we are still here. If God would deal with any of us because of our sins, we would all perish. Learn of his goodness, and how much he love us. Be kind to one another, show your family and friend and strangers how much you love god. Comments from Matthew 10.

Page 1.

Thank you Al for your comments. I do understand what you're saying here & there are subjects in the Bible that are not given full treatment as we would like - maybe for a reason. In 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Paul prayed for the believers, "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ". For some reason, Paul thought to include their complete being in his prayer ("spirit, soul & body") & clearly of the three, the body is what is apparent to us & others, & Jesus also expressed in Matthew 10:28, "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell". Now these Scriptures don't show the passage of the spirit after death, but to show that man does have a soul & spirit & the body is the visible vessel in which these abide.

1 Cor 15:50 speaks of the impossibility of man in his mortal body to enter Heaven. But when that body is changed from being in a corrupt state to an incorrupt state, then it will be outfitted for Heaven. Verses 52, 53 show that that which is corruptible will be raised incorruptible, for corruption must put on incorruption & mortal put on immortality. If the word "sleep", a euphemism for 'death', is applied to a body devoid of soul & spirit (i.e. the soul disappears altogether & the spirit (breath) returns to God) then what is the purpose for the resurrection of a body from the grave that is devoid of further life? But if God gives it life, where does it come from? Is this life from the grave of a different personality to the former?

The simple explanation of it: there are 3 groups of people on earth:

Unbelieving Gentiles, Pagans

Gentiles (all born again people, no matter their nationality or church affiliation.). Grafted into the Vine (Christ) by faith.

The Jewish People. In covenant with God ( Genesis 15). In Genesis 32:28, 30

Jacobs NAME was changed to ISRAEL.

Much of what scholars know about Israel's ancient history comes from the Hebrew Bible. According to the text, Israel's origins can be traced back to Abraham, who is considered the father of both Judaism (through his son Isaac) and Islam (through his son Ishmael).

Abraham's descendants were thought to be enslaved by the Egyptians for 400 years before settling in Canaan, which is approximately the region of modern-day Israel.

When World War I ended in 1918 with an Allied victory, the 400-year Ottoman Empire rule ended, and Great Britain took control over what became known as Palestine (modern-day Israel, Palestine and Jordan).

The British controlled Palestine until Israel, in the years following the end of World War II, became an independent state in 1947.

God set His love on Israel. The unsaved world Hates Israel for that one Reason. Armageddon will be fought for that same reason. Then this world will end. Don't be left behind.

John 15:18-19. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

Mishael

Why is the word Gentiles capitolized?

As Jesus chose twelve men to be His disciples, later apostles, the remaining eleven after Judas committed suicide, felt the need to restore their number to the original design. I don't think there was any compulsion for them to do this - it was just something they believed was necessary. Also, they may have remembered the Lord's Plan of sending them out "two by two" ( Mark 6:7), which would have made it awkward if they, after Jesus' ascension, would try & follow that rule. And the two nominations, Barsabas & Matthias had to be witnesses to Jesus' resurrection, & no doubt they were also among those that closely followed the Lord in His ministry & learned of what the Kingdom of Heaven required.

As well, the twelve were appointed by the Lord to minister to the Jews only ( Matthew 10:5,6), & we know that they did not leave aside an opportunity to minister to others (e.g. Acts chapter 10: Cornelius) as the Lord directed them. Whereas, the apostle Paul was specially called & commissioned to be a minister to the Gentiles primarily, but also to many others ( Acts 9:15,16) who would cross his path & before those he would one day have to stand.

The first verse that comes to mind in light of interpreting Scripture with Scripture is Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

To me taken in context this verse was, is, and will be highly condemnatory on the day of Judgement; the Great White Throne Judgement that is.

It speaks to the fickle nature of man an God's willingness to go to every length possible both imaginable and unfathomable to offer His great mercy and forgiveness, all without violating His Holiness and character.

just my 2 cents =)

A great question by the way!

The important point of this lesson is the division that will come, not necessarily the count. Jesus Christ is the great dividing line in humanity, whether we are his or not. We are shown here that even our families and households, where unity is presumed, will not be exempt.

The list of relationships would be typical of a household in Israel. Father/son, mother/daughter, mother in law/daughter in law. If married, a daughter would then be joined to her husband's household.

Matthew 10:34-38 is a parallel passage emphasizing that Jesus Christ must be our primary allegiance, above even our closest kin.

John 6:66

After this many of his disciples TURNED BACK and no longer walked with him

(Jesus).

HEBREWS 10

How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has spurned the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?

Hosea 14:4

I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them.

Revelation 3:16

So, because you are lukewarm, and NEITHER hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

2 Timothy 2:18

Who have SWERVED from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some.

Book of Jude 1:

For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Matthew 10:33

But whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.

Hebrews 9:28

So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, NOT TO DEAL WITH SIN, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

2 Thessalonians 2:3

Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction

Hebrews 3:12

Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.

Galatians 1:8-9

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I SAY AGAIN, If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you (first) received, let him be accursed.

If we are to have the mind of Christ, It is power to be in his spirit! When we speak the truth in love, the holy spirit will do the work for us. When the spirit convicts people of sin they will either except it or reject it. One thing is for sure, it will convict them of sin! If it does not, then we will agree with Paul, when he says their conscience is seared as with a hot iron! Grace, mercy, and peace be unto you.

The ACLJ continues to score major victories for families struggling with school closures and AT-HOME learning during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Planned Parenthood has reared ts ugly head again. It's demanding that the Supreme Court overturn the Trump Administration's rule defunding it of millions of TAXPAYER dollars. We're ready to fight back at the Supreme Court.

Once again Senator Dianne Feinstein has reaffirmed her utter disdain for Christianity. Sen. Feinstein was caught on a "hot mic" ATTACKING Judge Amy Coney Barrett's faith and pro-life views: "She's been pro-life for a long time. So I suspect with her, it is deeply personal and comes with her "religion."

They promised to leave Barretts faith alone, but they just couldn't help themselves. But in the end, it's an attack on YOU, your faith and your pro-life views. Join us in demanding the Senate confirm Judge Barrett now.

House Speaker PELOSI is trying to hijack the Presidency, again!

Pelosi is pushing legislation to establish a commission with the power to declare the President of the United States - chosen by the American people - unfit for office.

This is a politically motivated attack on the 25th Amendment and on our democracy. We're taking action to expose and defeat the Left's plot.

Conservatives have been silenced, blocked from Twitter. Pro-lifers have been "fact checked" as false for exposing Planned Parenthood's lies. This can't be allowed to continue.

These social media giants must be held accountable. Next week the Senate Judiciary Committee will subpoena big tech CEOs for a hearing in just a few days. We're taking action, but we need YOU.

New petitions needing signatures today.

ACLJ website/petitions

Mishael

Matthew 10:34

"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

This gospel is the gospel of peace about the prince of peace from the God of peace.

King James Bible

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves

Ephesians 2:14

For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us

Ephesians 2:15

Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace

Ephesians 2:16

"And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:"

"And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh."

"For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father

"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;"

"And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;"

"In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:"

"In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."

2 Cor 3:16

King James Bible

Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away

King James Bible

Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord

Hello Fred,

It is so true about the times we live in right now. One of my cousins, a female, was just a lesbian but is now a full blown transgender. I have not seen her since and really have no interest to. I still love her, and always will, but feel so bad for what she has done not only to herself but the disgrace she has brought to her mother and father. I really don't blame her I blame satan and the world we live in today. So many evil things, as others you stated, are not just in the world but being force fed to the children while they are still young and in school. As people get brain washed into thinking good is evil and evil good. Also lies are truth and truth lies. Satan at work.

I don't hate people. Even the most wretched. I feel bad for them as they are just enslaved and being used by satan. Them not even knowing it. It truly is sad. As this is all over the world I feel to just pray for eveyone. That the Lord shall open their eyes one day and have mercy on them. We have all make mistakes before.

God Bless you brother.

God showed peter through a vision of the sheet, that there is nothing unclean of itself. Now that we live under a new commandment,a new covenant, found in the forgiveness of Christ, Time of Grace,How should we, as believing Christians love those who are outside the faith? Those who believe they are transgender, those that marry who are the same sex, or those that believe in abortion. These and many ,many, more questions. It is clear that the time of grace is fast removing! That man wants to live under the old covenant ,under the law. Jesus said, his blood is the blood of the new covenant. The new testament! We are reminded of the sins of those in the old test. and the consequences of it!The law (old testament) is indeed a schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ!( Gal. 3:24) How is it, they do not see . How is it they do not hear, nor understand. When you die you will be judged! You will not escape the judgment! You will either be judged by the law according to the old test. Or, according to the grace found, through faith in the atoning blood of Christ!

Hello Hilda,

I actually looked into this a little while ago to find the difference also. A disciple is a follower or a student of a teacher. Learning. An apostle is when that student goes out and actually teaches others, what they have learned, from their master or teacher.

Hope that helps. God Bless.

Why in Matthews 10:1 do Jesus say disciples, but in vs. 2 does he call them apostles ... what is the difference and when is one vs the other used.

Exactly, one can not just believe for salvation. That is a demonic religion.

We must Hear the word of God Roman's 10:17, Believe it John 8 :24, Repent Luke 13:3, Confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, Matthew 10:32-33, Be baptized fir the remission of our sins, Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, Mark 16:6, and live faithful and obedient. Matthew 10:22, Rev.2:10.

Hi William,

I'm sure you're aware that many Christians would disagree with your saying that 'you cannot' go to hell. On the contrary, Jesus spent quite a bit of time in parables and teaching his followers (Christians) warning them against sinning. So, I'm not sure how you come to the conclusion that this young person is somehow immune from going to hell? It literally says in the Bible to fear the Lord. Jesus said that himself. Matthew 10:28

Satan probably doesn't want people to fear Him though, he loves deceiving people into thinking they can sin all they want with zero consequence. The Bible already clearly says most people will go to hell- narrow is the way. And even not all Christians will get in either. Matthew 7:23. Some people should actually be afraid. But if we actually genuinely follow Jesus then we can put our faith and trust in Him and God's grace. Not all 'Christians' follow Jesus or try to avoid sin is the problem. It's especially concerning that people don't think they can commit blasphemy. It says clear as day that people who do this WILL NOT go to heaven. People have freewill and you don't know what they'll choose in the future. Even angels in heaven had freewill to sin and they did- hence satan and demons. God bless.

Warren, those are worthy thoughts you've expressed there: that to change the phrase "the fear of the LORD" to anything else, changes its meaning & implications to the reader. I feel that man has found that phrase to be outdated & confusing to anyone contemplating its meaning. It might, to them, present a loving, merciful God as One also filled with anger, unknowable & to be kept at a distance. And it's for this very reason that the Holy Character of God needs a full & complete explanation so none are kept in the dark, fearful or mystified to this God Who is personal & knowable.

Psalm 33:8: "Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him." An appropriate Psalm which should explain how our words should be used & to cause us to stop in our tracks if we dare to alter the Divine meaning of them. This Scripture declares that if the world is able to stand in awe (= admiration, astonishment, reverence, wonder) of the display & wonder of God, then they must first have the "fear of the LORD" within (fear = understanding the Character of God as we see Him as Holy & we are so unholy, Just as we are unjust, Merciful as we are unmerciful, Truthful as we harbour lies & deceit).

That we should cry out as Isaiah did ( Isa 6:5: "Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts."). This was not just a man beholding the Almighty in awe, but one who had to fall to his knees as he saw the absolute Holiness God revealing his sinfulness. This I see is a proper 'fear of the LORD' when we can understand & see with the spiritual eye Who God is that causes us to tremble before Him. Too many today have that 'casual chat with a Friend' approach to God & forget Who He is in the light of who they are.

Sometimes you just have to read it slower to pick up the meaning.

1 Peter 3

8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

9 NOT rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him REFRAIN his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

11 Let him eschew (avoid) evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue (follow) it.

12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

Mishael: there's no controversy to what you read. I read Genesis and Revelation at a snails pace. Genesis sometimes jumps forward; sometimes it adds more information, or points backward.

It helps tremendously to get a Bible with Center of Each Page, Reference Columns.

(See the abc notes?). It adds more info; or it fast forwards to fulfillment; or it will point to a prophesy about Jesus, etc.

Before too long, you'll be teaching. I always ask the Holy Spirit to show me what I am reading.

Like, if you're reading about Cain; it helps to read all the way through to his death and a little past that. Read the reference columns too as you move along.