According to the National Geographic Magazine, the KJV translation introduced 18 classic phrases and made famous more than 240 more from earlier translations. Here are some of the phrases listed in the magazine in order of popularity:
From time to time (Ezekiel 4:10)
Stand in awe (Psalm 4:4)
The root of the matter (Job 19:28)
Suffer little children (Luke 18:16)
Get thee behind me (Luke 4:8)
A thorn in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7)
As a lamb to the slaughter (Isaiah 53:7)
How are the mighty fallen (2 Samuel 1:19)
A still small voice (1 Kings 19:12)
Unto the pure all things are pure (Titus 1:15)
Know for a certainty (Joshua 23:13)
A man after his own heart (1 Samuel 13:14)
East of Eden (Genesis 4:16)
No small stir (Acts 12:18)
Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:20)
Beat their swords into plowshares (Isaiah 2:4)
Fell flat on his face (Numbers 22:31)
Much study is a weariness of the flesh (Ecclesiastes 12:12)
Set thine house in order (Isaiah 38:1)
Pour out your heart (Psalms 62:8)
To everything there is a season (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
Be horribly afraid (Jeremiah 2:12)
Others include:
Fight the good fight (1 Timothy 6:12)
What comes out of the mouths of babes (Psalms 8:2)
A house divided
A law unto themselves
A stumbling block
A thief in the night
All these things must come to pass (Matthew 24:6)
All things to all men
And the word was made flesh
Apple of his eye
At their wit's end (Psalm 107:27)
Be fruitful and multiply
Born again
Bottomless pit
By their fruits ye shall know them
Charity shall cover the multitude of sins
City set on a hill
Crumbs which fall from ... table
Death, where is thy sting
Den of thieves
Dreamer of dreams
Eat, drink and be merry (Luke 12:19)
Eat the fat of the land (Genesis 45:18)
Eye for an eye
Fallen from grace
Fatted calf
Fell by the way side
Fell on stony ground
Fight the good fight
From strength to strength
Give up the ghost
God forbid
Heart’s desire (Psalms 21:2)
Holier than thou (Isaiah 65:5)
Honour thy father and mother
In the twinkling of an eye
Land of Nod
Left hand know what thy right hand doeth
Let my people go
Let there be light
Love thy neighbour as thyself
Milk and honey
Money is the root of all evil
My brother's keeper
New wine into old bottles
No room for them in the inn
Out of the mouths of babes (Matthew 21:16)
Physician, heal thyself
Propitiation
Put words in his mouth (Exodus 4:15)
Put the words in her mouth (2 Samuel 14:3)
Reap the whirlwind
Scapegoat
See eye to eye (Isaiah 52:8)
Seek and ye shall find
Set thine house in order
Sheep's clothing
Suffer fools gladly
Take root
The blind lead the blind
The last shall be first
The leopard [change] his spots (Jeremiah 13:23)
The lost sheep
The powers that be
The quick and the dead
The signs of the times (Matthew 16:3)
The skin of my teeth (Job 19:20)
The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41)
They know not what they do
Thou shalt not bear false witness
To give than to receive
To the ends of the earth (Zechariah 9:10)
Turn to him the other [cheek]
Turned the world upside down (Acts 17:6)
Two are better than one
Two-edged sword (Proverbs 5:4)
Vengeance is mine
Wandering stars
White as snow
Woe is me
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Choosing a Religion
Many people said that there are so many religions in the world and it is difficult to know which is true. This is one way to sort out the mess. Ask yourself this question, "Do you believe that you can save yourself?" If your answer is "Yes", your problem remains because there are thousands and thousands of religion teaching us how to save ourselves.
If your answer is "No", there is only one way. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31 KJV)"
If your answer is "No", there is only one way. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31 KJV)"
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Christmas Gospel
Here is the familiar nativity story in the Bible.
Luke 2:8-12
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” (ESV)
Why is the birth of Jesus good news of great joy? The Bible gives us the reason, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.” A Saviour! Wow, what does this Saviour save us from?
What does Jesus save us from?
Answer: Jesus saved us from our sins.
Matthew 1:21
She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." (ESV)
How does He save us?
Answer: He saves us by dying for our sins.
Romans 5:8
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (KJV)
1 John 2:2
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (KJV)
1 Peter 2:24
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (KJV)
How do we know that we are sinners?
Answer: Because all of us received the wages of sin, which is death.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (KJV)
Luke 2:8-12
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” (ESV)
Why is the birth of Jesus good news of great joy? The Bible gives us the reason, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.” A Saviour! Wow, what does this Saviour save us from?
What does Jesus save us from?
Answer: Jesus saved us from our sins.
Matthew 1:21
She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." (ESV)
How does He save us?
Answer: He saves us by dying for our sins.
Romans 5:8
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (KJV)
1 John 2:2
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (KJV)
1 Peter 2:24
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (KJV)
How do we know that we are sinners?
Answer: Because all of us received the wages of sin, which is death.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (KJV)
So what? When I die, and everything is over.
Answer: There will be judgement after death.
Hebrews 9:27
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (KJV)
Answer: There will be judgement after death.
Hebrews 9:27
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (KJV)
I am not afraid of judgement. I am a good person.
Answer: No one is good because nobody is perfect.
Job 15:14
What is man, that he can be pure? Or he who is born of a woman, that he can be righteous? (ESV)
Psalm 14:1
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. (KJV)
Psalm 53:1
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good. (KJV)
Psalm 14:3
They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. (KJV)
Psalm 53:3
Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. (KJV)
Psalm 143:2
And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. (KJV)
Proverbs 20:9
Who can say, "I have cleansed my heart; I am pure and free from sin"?( NLT)
Ecclesiastes 7:20
For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. (KJV)
Roman 3:10
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: (KJV)
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (KJV)
1 John 1:8
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (KJV)
Ok. I did made some mistakes. But I also do charity.
Answer: You righteousness does not count in the eyes of God.
Job 22:3
Is it any pleasure to the Almighty if you are in the right, or is it gain to him if you make your ways blameless? (ESV)
Isaiah 64:6
We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. (ESV)
If nothing I do pleases God, then I have no hope.
Answer: Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy. You can be saved by believing in Jesus.
Luke 2:10-11
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (KJV)
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (KJV)
1 Corinthians 15:3-8
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. (ESV)
Is there any other way?
Answer: No.
John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (KJV)
Acts 4:12
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (KJV)
1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (ESV)
Matthew 7:13-14
Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. (ESV)
Answer: No.
John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (KJV)
Acts 4:12
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (KJV)
1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (ESV)
Matthew 7:13-14
Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. (ESV)
Friday, December 23, 2011
Eve of Christmas Eve
There are some who believe that 25th December is not the birthday of Jesus. It does not really matter. What matters is the purpose of His birth, not the date of it. So why was Jesus born?
Recently, one bank found a bug in Alliance Access with patch 7.0.20 or higher with Message Syntax Table 1105. After removing the FIN-Copy code (e.g. MEP) in a message in the Text Modification application, the code is not removed in the block 3 of the message. But the message will not show the code in the header information, giving users a false impression that the removal is successful. The consequence is that the message is still treated as a FIN-Copy message. This bug was introduced by patch 7.0.20 because Alliance 7.0 was working fine.
Does anyone in their right mind expect the bug in Alliance Access 7.0.20 to go away by itself without a patch from SWIFT?
Why was Christ born?
Answer: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners
Matthew 1:21
She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."
(ESV)
他将要生一个儿子，你要给他起名叫耶稣，因他要将自己的百姓从罪恶里救出来。」(和合本)
1 Timothy 1:15
The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. (ESV)
「基督耶稣降世，为要拯救罪人。」这话是可信的，是十分可佩服的。在罪人中我是个罪魁。(和合本)
Who are the sinners?
Answer: All of us.
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (KJV)
因为世人都犯了罪，亏缺了神的荣耀；(和合本)
Where does sin came from?
Answer: Sin entered the world when Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:1-24).
Romans 5:12
Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned (ESV)
这就如罪是从一人入了世界，死又是从罪来的；於是死就临到众人，因为众人都犯了罪。(和合本)
Many have protested against this injustice. Why should be bear the consequences of our ancestor’s actions? It is unfair.
When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, sin entered the world and the world became imperfect. Unfairness and injustice are all part of imperfection. And our ancestor’s actions continue to impact us. A father who get AIDS from a prostitute infects his baby with the virus. What sin has the baby committed? Nothing. It is the father’s sin. So when Adam disobeyed God, we become sinners.
But God had made provision for the salvation of the sinner.
Romans 5:8
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (KJV)
惟有基督在我们还作罪人的时候为我们死，神的爱就在此向我们显明了。(和合本)
Mechanics of salvation – propitiation (挽回祭).
1 John 2:2
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (KJV)
他为我们的罪作了挽回祭，不是单为我们的罪，也是为普天下人的罪。(和合本)
1 Peter 2:24
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
他被挂在木头上，亲身担当了我们的罪，使我们既然在罪上死，就得以在义上活。因他受的鞭伤，你们便得了医治(和合本)
Christ rose again because He was sinless.
1 Corinthians 15:4
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures: (KJV)
而且埋葬了；又照圣经所说，第三天复活了，(和合本)
All in Christ shall all arise with Him.
1 Corinthians 15:22
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. (KJV)
在亚当里众人都死了；照样，在基督里众人也都要复活。(和合本)
What do we have to do?
Answer: Believe.
Acts 16:31
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (KJV)
他们说：「当信主耶稣，你和你一家都必得救。」(和合本)
Jesus is the only way.
Acts 4:12
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (KJV)
除他以外，别无拯救；因为在天下人间，没有赐下别的名，我们可以靠著得救。」(和合本)
Does anyone in their right mind expect the bug in Alliance Access 7.0.20 to go away by itself without a patch from SWIFT?
No. The solution must come from the creator of Alliance Access. Likewise, the solution to sin must come from the creator of the heavens and the earth. Anyone who think that there is another solution is deeply mistaken.
2 Timothy 3:13
But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. (KJV)
只是作恶的和迷惑人的，必越久越恶，他欺哄人，也被人欺哄。(和合本)
The truth is simple. The truth is clear. The truth reflects reality.
Meanwhile, Alliance 7.0.20 all over the world are praying, fasting, chanting, doing charity, climbing mountains, going into pits, making pilgrimages, hoping that they can solve the bug without intervention from their creator, the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication.
John 3:16-18
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (KJV)
「神爱世人，甚至将他的独生子赐给他们，叫一切信他的，不至灭亡，反得永生。 因为神差他的儿子降世，不是要定世人的罪（或作：审判世人；下同），乃是要叫世人因他得救。信他的人，不被定罪；不信的人，罪已经定了，因为他不信神独生子的名。(和合本)
Recently, one bank found a bug in Alliance Access with patch 7.0.20 or higher with Message Syntax Table 1105. After removing the FIN-Copy code (e.g. MEP) in a message in the Text Modification application, the code is not removed in the block 3 of the message. But the message will not show the code in the header information, giving users a false impression that the removal is successful. The consequence is that the message is still treated as a FIN-Copy message. This bug was introduced by patch 7.0.20 because Alliance 7.0 was working fine.
Does anyone in their right mind expect the bug in Alliance Access 7.0.20 to go away by itself without a patch from SWIFT?
Why was Christ born?
Answer: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners
Matthew 1:21
She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."
(ESV)
他将要生一个儿子，你要给他起名叫耶稣，因他要将自己的百姓从罪恶里救出来。」(和合本)
1 Timothy 1:15
The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. (ESV)
「基督耶稣降世，为要拯救罪人。」这话是可信的，是十分可佩服的。在罪人中我是个罪魁。(和合本)
Who are the sinners?
Answer: All of us.
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (KJV)
因为世人都犯了罪，亏缺了神的荣耀；(和合本)
Where does sin came from?
Answer: Sin entered the world when Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:1-24).
Romans 5:12
Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned (ESV)
这就如罪是从一人入了世界，死又是从罪来的；於是死就临到众人，因为众人都犯了罪。(和合本)
Many have protested against this injustice. Why should be bear the consequences of our ancestor’s actions? It is unfair.
When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, sin entered the world and the world became imperfect. Unfairness and injustice are all part of imperfection. And our ancestor’s actions continue to impact us. A father who get AIDS from a prostitute infects his baby with the virus. What sin has the baby committed? Nothing. It is the father’s sin. So when Adam disobeyed God, we become sinners.
But God had made provision for the salvation of the sinner.
Romans 5:8
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (KJV)
惟有基督在我们还作罪人的时候为我们死，神的爱就在此向我们显明了。(和合本)
Mechanics of salvation – propitiation (挽回祭).
1 John 2:2
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (KJV)
他为我们的罪作了挽回祭，不是单为我们的罪，也是为普天下人的罪。(和合本)
1 Peter 2:24
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
他被挂在木头上，亲身担当了我们的罪，使我们既然在罪上死，就得以在义上活。因他受的鞭伤，你们便得了医治(和合本)
Christ rose again because He was sinless.
1 Corinthians 15:4
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures: (KJV)
而且埋葬了；又照圣经所说，第三天复活了，(和合本)
All in Christ shall all arise with Him.
1 Corinthians 15:22
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. (KJV)
在亚当里众人都死了；照样，在基督里众人也都要复活。(和合本)
What do we have to do?
Answer: Believe.
Acts 16:31
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (KJV)
他们说：「当信主耶稣，你和你一家都必得救。」(和合本)
Jesus is the only way.
Acts 4:12
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (KJV)
除他以外，别无拯救；因为在天下人间，没有赐下别的名，我们可以靠著得救。」(和合本)
Does anyone in their right mind expect the bug in Alliance Access 7.0.20 to go away by itself without a patch from SWIFT?
No. The solution must come from the creator of Alliance Access. Likewise, the solution to sin must come from the creator of the heavens and the earth. Anyone who think that there is another solution is deeply mistaken.
2 Timothy 3:13
But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. (KJV)
只是作恶的和迷惑人的，必越久越恶，他欺哄人，也被人欺哄。(和合本)
The truth is simple. The truth is clear. The truth reflects reality.
Meanwhile, Alliance 7.0.20 all over the world are praying, fasting, chanting, doing charity, climbing mountains, going into pits, making pilgrimages, hoping that they can solve the bug without intervention from their creator, the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication.
John 3:16-18
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (KJV)
「神爱世人，甚至将他的独生子赐给他们，叫一切信他的，不至灭亡，反得永生。 因为神差他的儿子降世，不是要定世人的罪（或作：审判世人；下同），乃是要叫世人因他得救。信他的人，不被定罪；不信的人，罪已经定了，因为他不信神独生子的名。(和合本)
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Why Obey God
At the opening sermon of our Family Camp yesterday, Rev Dr Tang Tuck Keong gave a sermon on obeying God, which can be summarized in the following outline:
Obeying God
Reason: He is God
Extent: All things (revealed in Scripture)
Motive: Fear, Blessings, Love
Promise: A new heart (Ezekiel 36:26, Hebrews 8:10)
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Every Day a New Beginning
This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24 ESV)
Every day is a new beginning. If you are less optimistic, then every week is a new beginning, or every month is a new beginning. Well, for the pessimist, every new year is a new beginning. If the new year is not a new beginning for you, you must be truly depressed.
Every day is a new beginning. If you are less optimistic, then every week is a new beginning, or every month is a new beginning. Well, for the pessimist, every new year is a new beginning. If the new year is not a new beginning for you, you must be truly depressed.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Bottomless Pit
He opened the shaft of the bottomless pit, and from the shaft rose smoke like the smoke of a great furnace, and the sun and the air were darkened with the smoke from the shaft. (Revelation 9:2 ESV)
He opened the bottomless pit, and smoke went up out of the pit, like the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by the smoke of the pit. (Revelation 9:2 NASB)
Where is this bottomless pit? I don't know, but geologists may be in for surprises about the composition and construction of our planet Earth.
He opened the bottomless pit, and smoke went up out of the pit, like the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by the smoke of the pit. (Revelation 9:2 NASB)
Where is this bottomless pit? I don't know, but geologists may be in for surprises about the composition and construction of our planet Earth.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Keys, Hell, Bottomless Pit and Lake of Fire
And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. (Isaiah 22:22 KJV)
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 16:18-19 KJV)
Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. (Revelation 1:18 KJV)
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. (Revelation 3:7-8 KJV)
And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. (Revelation 9:1-3 KJV)
And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (Revelation 20:1-4 KJV)
And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 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. (Revelation 20:7-10 KJV)
And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (Revelation 20:14 KJV)
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 16:18-19 KJV)
Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. (Revelation 1:18 KJV)
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. (Revelation 3:7-8 KJV)
And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. (Revelation 9:1-3 KJV)
And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (Revelation 20:1-4 KJV)
And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 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. (Revelation 20:7-10 KJV)
And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (Revelation 20:14 KJV)
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Deny, Take Up and Follow
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (Luke 9:23 KJV)
Take Up:
And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:27 KJV)
Follow:
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12 KJV)
He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. (1 John 2:6 KJV)
Take Up:
And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:27 KJV)
Follow:
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12 KJV)
He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. (1 John 2:6 KJV)
Friday, December 2, 2011
The Just Shall Live by Faith
The just shall live by faith. This is repeated four times in the Bible, once by Habakkuk in Old Testament, and quoted three times by Paul in the New Testament.
Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. (Habakkuk 2:4 KJV)
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (Romans 1:17 KJV)
But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. (Galatians 3:11 KJV)
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. (Hebrews 10:38 KJV)
Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. (Habakkuk 2:4 KJV)
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (Romans 1:17 KJV)
But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. (Galatians 3:11 KJV)
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. (Hebrews 10:38 KJV)
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Our Greatest Need
If God had perceived that our greatest need was economic, he would have sent an economist. If he had perceived that our greatest need was entertainment, he would have sent us a comedian or an artist. If God had perceived that our greatest need was political stability, he would have sent us a politician. If he had perceived that our greatest need was health, he would have sent us a doctor. But he perceived that our greatest need involved our sin, our alienation from him, our profound rebellion, our death; and he sent us a Savior.
D.A. Carson, A Call to Spiritual Reformation (Baker, 1992), page 109
D.A. Carson, A Call to Spiritual Reformation (Baker, 1992), page 109
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