To the Lord

2Corinthians 8:1-7 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. Therefore, as you abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that you abound in this grace also.

‘We do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia.’ Paul now brags [praise always ‘in the Lord’ on the congregations of Macedonia about their giving to the poor saints at Jerusalem (8:1-5).

‘How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.’ The Macedonians, though poor and persecuted, rejoiced at the opportunity of doing good to their more impoverished and persecuted brethren in Judea.

‘Liberality’ [Greek: haplotes] simplicity (1:12; 11:3; Rom. 12:8;); singleness (Eph. 6:5; Col. 3:22); liberality (8:2; 9:13); and bountifulness (9:11).

Liberality commanded regarding: God (Ex. 22:29-30; 25:1-8; 35:4-29; 36:3-6; 38:8; Lev. 19:5; Num. 35:8); Israel’s feasts (Deut. 12:11-19); Ministers (Deut. 12:19; 14:27-29; 18:1-8; Prov. 3:9; Mal. 3:1-18; 1Cor. 9:1-27; Gal. 6:6); The poor (Deut. 24:19-22; Ps. 41:1-3; 112:5, 112:9; Prov. 11:24; 13:7; 14:21; 19:17; 22:9; 28:27; Matt. 6:1-4; 19:21; 25:34-46; Luke 3:10-11; 6:38; 11:41; 12:33-34; Acts 20:35; Rom. 12:8-13; 1Cor. 16:1-3; 2Cor. 8-9; Eph. 4:28; 1Tim. 6:18; Heb. 6:10; 13:16; 1Jn. 3:17).

‘Beyond their power they were willing of themselves.’ The Macedonian congregations gave beyond their ability, and did so willingly, even praying that their brethren would receive the gift (8:3-5).

‘But first gave their selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.’ This is the secret of all giving of material things. When one gives himself to the Lord, he is willing to do all other things the gospel teaches.

‘Grace’ this compassion on the poor is called a grace in 2Corinthians 8:1, 6, 7, 19; 9:14.

‘As you abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that you abound in this grace also.’ Seven blessings of the Corinthian congregations: They were enriched in everything (8:7), and abounding in faith (8:7; 12:9), utterance: tongues, interpretation of tongues, and prophecy (8:7; 1Cor. 12:10; 14:1-40), knowledge (8:7; 1Cor. 12:8), in all diligence (8:7; 7:11), in love (8:7; 1Cor. 13:1-13), and in the grace of giving (8:7).

In the Sight of God

2Corinthians 7:11-16 For behold this selfsame thing, that you sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things you have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you. Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all. For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spoke all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth. And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him. I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things. 

‘What carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things you have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.’ Seven blessings of godly sorrow are mentioned here – it promotes: Working of carefulness and obedience. Clearing of selves from guilt. Indignation and hatred of sin. Fear of God and the result of sin. Desire to make things right. Zeal to do the right thing. Revenge in punishing the guilty.

‘I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.’ This is a reference to the fornicator of 1Corinthians 5:1-13.

‘For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spoke all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I make before Titus, is found a truth.’ Paul boasted to Titus of the Corinthians and they have confirmed his boasts to Titus themself. For that reason was he exceedingly happy (7:13-14). Titus was moved with great affection for them when he saw their obedience and how they received him with fear and trembling (7:15).

‘I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.’ Paul rejoiced then since he has learned of them that they have judged the guilty and had broken up the factions that were among them. If the false prophet who seduced them from truth and righteousness had succeeded Paul would have had to act by his power to correct things (1Cor. 4:19-21). As it is now, he had confidence in them in all things that they will obey.

Godly Sorrow

2Corinthians 7:8-10 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle had made you sorry, though it were but for a season. Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you sorrowed to repentance: for you were made sorry after a godly manner, that you might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow work repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world work death. 

‘For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, thou I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle had made you sorry, though it were but for a season.’ Paul first regretted having written such a severe letter, but when he saw its effect he was glad.

‘Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you sorrowed to repentance.’ He did not rejoice because they were made sorry, but he was glad that they sorrowed to repentance. They were made sorry after a godly manner so that no harm has been done, for godly sorrow always works to the salvation of those who exercise it (7:9-10).

‘That you might receive damage by us in nothing’ – their repentance prevented him from using his power for destruction so that they received no damage in anything.

‘Godly sorrow work repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world work death.’ Three kinds of sorrow here (7:8-10): Paul’s regret for the moment as he wondered whether he had made a mistake by being too severe in his letter (7:8). Godly sorrow that works repentance to salvation, changes the life and cleanses it from sin (7:8-10). Sorrow of the world that works death (7:10). This is unrepentant sorrow or pain over lost goods, lost friends, lack of pleasure and partial reaping of what has been sowed.

Examples of sorrow: Cain in punishment (Gen. 4:13-14). Hagar in homelessness (Gen. 21:17). Israel in bondage (Exo. 3:7-10). Jacob for Joseph (Gen. 37:34-35). Jacob for Benjamin (Gen. 43:14). Hannah in barrenness (1Sam. 1:15). Saul when rejected (1Sam. 15:24, 30). David for Absalom (2Sam. 18:33 – 19:8). Mary and Martha (John 11:19-40). Jesus (Isa. 53:3; Matt. 26:37-44). Judas in betrayal (Matt. 27:3-5). The Corinthians (2Cor. 7:8-12).

Come Out.. Be Separate.. Touch Not

2Corinthians 6:17-18 Wherefore come out from among them, and be you separate, said the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, said the Lord Almighty. 

‘Wherefore come out from among them, and be you separate, said the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.’ This is the 3rd Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in 2 Corinthians (Isa. 52:11).

‘Comeout from among them, and be you separate’ – forty kinds of people not to have fellowship with: The ungodly (Ps. 1:1-6); scorners (Ps. 1:1-6); workers of iniquity (Ps. 6:8); vain persons (Ps. 26:4); evil workers (Ps. 26:5); criminals (Pro. 1:10-15); the foolish (Pro. 9:6; 14:17); the angry man (Pro. 22:24); an excommunicated congregation member (Matt. 18:17); those causing divisions (Rom. 16:17); backsliders (2Jn. 1:9-11); false teachers (1Tim. 6:3-5; 2Jn. 1:10); the disorderly (2Thess. 3:6); the disobedient (2Thess. 3:14-15); unbelievers (2Cor. 6:14); infidels (2Cor. 6:15); fornicators (1Cor. 5:9); covetous people (1Cor. 5:10); extortioners (1Cor. 5:10); idolaters (1Cor. 5:10); railers (1Cor. 5:11); drunkards (1Cor. 5:11); lovers of themselves (2Tim. 3:2); boasters (2Tim. 3:2); proud people (2Tim. 3:2); blasphemers (2Tim. 3:2); those who are disobedient to parents (2Tim. 3:2); unthankful people (2Tim. 3:2); unholy people (2Tim. 3:2); those without natural affection (2Tim. 3:3); trucebreakers (2Tim. 3:3); false accusers (2Tim. 3:3); incontinent (2Tim. 3:3); fierce people (2Tim. 3:3); despisers of those who are good (2Tim. 3:3); traitors (2Tim. 3:4); heady people (2Tim. 3:4); highminded people (2Tim. 3:4); those who love pleasure more than God (2Tim. 3:4); hypocrites – those who have “a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof” (2Tim. 3:5).

‘Unclean’ [Greek: akathartos] translated “unclean” and “foul”: Of unclean and foul spirits 24 times out of 30 (Luke 4:33); of children (1Cor. 7:14); of the homosexual (Eph. 5:5); of the unclean thing (2Cor. 6:17) All demonic, moral, and physical uncleanness must be cleansed from body and spirit if one wants the fulfilment of the promises of 2Corinthians 6:16-18.

‘And will be a Father unto you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.’ The same kind of promise as 2Samuel 7:14. This means that God will assume all responsibility of parental concern and give Himself to the eternal care of His family (Eph. 3:14; Matt. 7:11). At this point here, one is in God (He will receive us) and can then be called redeemed after following the steps of verse 17: Come out from among them, and be separate, and touch nothing unclean thing.

Sufferings

2Corinthians 1:5-11 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounded by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so shall you be also of the consolation. For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raised the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; You also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf. 

‘Sufferings’ [Greek: pathema] It refers to sufferings for Christ, not to those of Christ on earth. Translated “suffering” (1:5-7; Rom. 8:18; Php. 3:10; Col. 1:24; Heb. 2:9-10; 1Pet. 1:11; 4:13; 5:1); “affliction” (2Tim. 3:11; Heb. 10:32; 1Pet. 5:9); “affections” (Gal. 5:24); and “motions” (Rom. 7:5).

‘So our consolation also abounded by Christ’ – the more we suffer for Christ, the more grace and comfort abound by Christ (1Cor. 10:13).

‘Afflicted’ [Greek: thlibo] narrow (Matt. 7:14); suffer tribulation (1Thess. 3:4); throng (Mark 3:9); afflict (1:6; 1Tim. 5:10; Heb. 11:37); and trouble (4:8; 7:5; 2Thess. 1:6-7).

‘It is for your consolation and salvation’ – the substance of 2Corinthians 1:6-7 is: whether we be afflicted or comforted, it is for your good and for an example to you.

‘Partakers’ [Greek: koinonos] partaker (1:7; Matt. 23:30; 1Cor. 10:18; 1Pet. 5:1; 2Pet. 1:4); partner (8:23; Luke 5:10; Phm. 1:17); companion (Heb. 10:33); and have fellowship with (1Cor. 10:20).

‘So shall you be also of the consolation.’ Since you share sufferings for Christ, you will share His grace and comfort.

‘For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia’ Six things not to be ignorant of: God’s faithfulness in trouble (1:8-10); Gospel responsibility (Rom. 1:11-18); Spiritual gifts (1Cor. 12:1-31); God’s purpose for Israel (Rom. 11:25-32); The resurrection and future life (1Thess. 4:13-18); God’s judgments on backsliders (1Cor. 10:1-13).

‘Our trouble which came to us in Asia’ Acts 13:44 – 20:3 cover his troubles in Asia.

‘Raised the dead’ an example from Paul’s own life is given in Acts 14:19.

‘You also helping together by prayer for us.’ Paul depended upon saints for prayer. ‘Gift bestowed upon us’ – this gift refers to the contributions of the saints to Paul’s work for God (1:10-11).

Be Not Deceived

1Corinthians 15:30-34 And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. 

‘I die daily’ – this refers to the outward man perishing day by day, as in 2Corinthians 4:16, not to die to sin daily. That he did not teach. He argued that we should become dead to sin once and then stay dead to sin always (Rom. 6:6-11; Gal. 2:20). It could also refer to Paul’s being in constant danger of death daily for the gospel – even every hour (15:30, 32). At least it refers to the body, for the whole chapter is on the death and resurrection of the body.

‘Fought with beasts at Ephesus’ – Perhaps referring to his fight with the beastly men at Ephesus (Acts 19:28-31). Such men are called beasts (Tit. 1:12; 2Pet. 2:12; Jude 1:10). In his list of sufferings in 2Corinthians 11:23-28, Paul does not refer to having been in combat with wild beasts in an arena, when naming all his hardships.

‘Let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we die’ quoted from Isaiah 22:13 – this is the attitude of the ungodly who have no hope of a life to come, for the idea of a short life only made men want to live in sinful pleasure as long as possible (Isa. 22:12-14).

‘Communications’ [Greek: homilia] associations. Evil ones will corrupt good morals. A quotation from the Thais of Menander, an Athenian poet. Good is always influenced, corrupted, and spoiled by bad because faith comes through hearing (Rom. 10:17) and by hearing comes faith. No one is immune against this form of corruption, so for a Christian that thinks he/she will not be defiled by bad conversation or company, a rude awakening will follow when Scripture slowly but surely becomes uninteresting, hard to understand and our standards drop to worldly ones (1Jn. 2:15-17); hence so-called Christians today walk and talk like all others and never follow in the example set for born-again Christians as stated in 1Peter 2:21-23 and 1John 3. ‘Awake to righteousness, and sin not’ – return to sobriety and righteousness and quit sin in view of the resurrection.

God is In You of a Truth

1Corinthians 14:22-25 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serves not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that you are mad? But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believes not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. 

‘Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serves not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.’ This is Paul’s explanation of the main purpose of tongues. They are designed as a sign to unbelievers that through their miraculous exercise sinners might see the manifestation of the supernatural (Isa. 28:11-12). Examples of this are found in Acts 2:1-11; 10:44-48; 19:1-7 and 1Corinthians 14:1-40.

‘Will they not say that you are mad?’ This will naturally be the result of such misuse of tongues.

‘And so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.’ The chief end of all gifts and worship services is to bring people to repentance and surrender to God. This is the chief purpose of the death of Christ (John 3:16).’

In Understanding Be Men

1Corinthians 14:20-21 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be you children, but in understanding be men. In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, said the Lord. 

‘Be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be you children, but in understanding be men.’ Three stages of human growth are mentioned: [1] The Greek word nepios, meaning an infant who cannot yet speak and who knows nothing of sin (the verb nepiazo is translated “be you children” in 1Corinthians 14:20). [2] The Greek word paidion, a child beginning schooling to receive their first instructions. [3] The Greek word teleios, a man of mature age and thought; a man of growth and understanding. In other words, don’t be as little children in understanding. In malice be infants who cannot speak and who knows nothing of sin, but in understanding be people of maturity and growth.

‘Law’ – the law was a term used by Jews to express the whole Scriptures of the law, the prophets, and the psalms (Luke 24:44; John 10:34; 15:25), which we call the Old Testament today. ‘…written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.’ This is the 5th and last Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in 1 Corinthians (Isa. 28:11-12). This prophecy reveals that God intended over 700 years before Christ to speak to people with stammering lips and other languages.

Praise, Honour and Glory

1Peter 1:6-8 Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perish, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, you love; in whom, though now you see him not, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory

‘Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season’ in which salvation you rejoice, but once in a while, it is needful for you to go through manifold temptations to test your faith that it be found genuine and thus be rewarded (1Pet. 1:6-7). Trials test religion and faith and the man who stands true in them, proves his religion sound and his faith genuine. Tests work patience and patience works perfection (Jas. 1:3-4, 12; Rom. 5:3-5; 1Pet. 1:7). A trial of any kind is not necessarily a temptation to sin and remember that God never tempts anyone to sin (Jas. 1:13) to test them.

‘Heaviness through manifold temptations’ caused grieve through many kinds of trials.

‘That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ’ this is the 2nd New Testament prophecy in 1Peter that is unfulfilled.

‘Gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire’ – the fire only separates all the foreign and impure materials from gold. It loses nothing of its nature, weight, colour, or any other property. Gold has been kept in a state of fusion for months without the smallest change. Genuine faith also will be proved by trials.

‘Might be found unto praise and honour and glory’ through trials that can purify man from all impurities and sin, one should be in this condition – praise, honour and glory – at the coming of our Lord Jesus; not grumbling, complaining and busy with the cares of this life (Luke 21:34-36).

‘At the appearing of Jesus Christ’ at this time, it will manifest what rewards men will have in the eternal kingdom (Matt. 16:27; 25:21, 25:23).

‘Whom having not seen, you love; in whom, though now you see him not, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory’ faith in Christ makes one a new creature and instils in him personal living confidence as strong as the faith of those who have seen Him and known Him personally (2Cor. 5:17-18; Rom. 5:5). This faith produces joy (1Pet. 1:8-9). To be strong in the Lord, we have to find our joy in Him alone, (Neh. 8:10; Rom. 15:13; 1Thess. 2:19) all else will disappoint and fail us.

Abundant Mercy

1Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy has begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fade not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 

‘God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ’ God are both the Father and God of Jesus Christ. He is not Jesus Christ. It is clear in Scripture that there are three separate and distinct persons in the Godhead.

‘Begotten us again’ the Greek word anagennao meaning to beget anew. It is used both times by Peter (1:3, 23). It certainly teaches begetting more than once. The word “again” proves this fact (1Pet. 1:3; John 3:3, 7; Gal. 4:19). Man was created in union with God and in God’s grace and favour. He fell from this position and has to be born again to get back into God’s grace (John 3:3, 7). After one is born again he is warned not to build again the things he once destroyed (Gal. 2:18); not to turn again to sin (Gal. 4:9); not to be entangled again with the yoke of bondage (Gal. 5:1); not to be overcome again with the pollutions of the world (2Pet. 2:20-22), and not to lay again the foundation of repentance and service to God (Heb. 6:1). If men do not heed these warnings and do these things again, he falls away and is in a backslidden condition (Rev. 3:15-19). There is nothing made but what can be revived, restored, recast, refinished, rebuilt, reanimated, refashioned, and remade be proper and skilled workmen. Therefore the Almighty God can restore us or ‘begotten us again.’

Peter is a good example, as he was once converted, confessing Jesus as the Son of God and the Christ, which brings the new birth (1Jn. 5:1; Matt. 16:16). He even had the power to preach and heal and had the Spirit in him (Matt. 10:1-20). Jesus predicted his backsliding and reconversion (Luke 22:31-34), proving that a converted man can and must be reconverted if he sins as Peter did in Matthew 26:69-75.

‘Lively hope by the resurrection’ the hope of living again by resurrection (John 14:2-3; 1Thess. 4:17).

‘To an inheritance incorruptible …’ the first New Testament prophecy in 1Peter that is unfulfilled. ‘Inheritance’ the Greek word kleronomia meaning a possession (1:4; Matt. 21:38; Mark 12:7; Luke 12:13; 20:14; Acts7:5; 20:32).  ‘Incorruptible’ the Greek word aphthartos meaning immortal.

‘Undefiled’ here we have the five-fold character and position of Jesus Christ: He is holy (Heb. 7:26; 1Pet. 2:22); harmless, the Greek word akakos meaning without evil.  He is undefiled meaning that He had no physical imperfection and nothing low, base, or unbecoming in His life and conduct. He kept Himself separate from sinners (Heb. 7:26). He lived a perfect life not being unequally yoked together with sinners in their sinful ways (2Cor. 6:14 – 7:1). He was made higher than the heavens. He was more exalted than angels and all other created beings of heaven (Heb. 7:26; Eph. 1:20-23; Php. 2:9-11; 1Pet. 3:22).

‘Kept’ the Greek word phroureo meaning garrison; guard; keep; defend. There are ten secrets given for the cure of worry in God’s Word: Permit the peace of God to garrison or keep your heart and mind through Jesus Christ (Php. 4:7). Renounce all worry; then by prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving, make all requests known to God (Php. 4:6; Jas. 4:7). Think on the right things (Php. 4:8). Keep your mind stayed on God (Isa. 26:3). Use the weapons of spiritual warfare (2Cor. 10:4-6). Put on the whole armour of God (Eph. 6:10-18). Have faith in God (Matt. 6:25-34; 7:7-11; 17:20; 21:22; Mark 11:22-24). Live and walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:16-26; Rom. 6:14-23; 8:1-13). Do not cast away confidence (Heb. 3:6, 12-14; 6:11-12; 10:19-23, 35-39). Cast all your cares upon God (1Pet. 5:7).

‘Salvation’ – here the threefold salvation of the believer is explained: The believer now has salvation and is saved from all sin (Luke 19:9; Acts 4:12; Rom. 1:16; 10:9-10; 2Cor. 6:2; Eph. 1:14; 2Thess. 2:13; 1Jn. 1:9); the believer is being kept from sin as he walks in the light (Php. 2:12; 2Tim. 3:15; Tit. 2:11-12; Heb. 2:3; 6:9; 1Jn. 1:7); the believer will eventually be saved from all the fall (Rom. 13:11; 1Thess. 5:9; Heb. 5:9; 9:28; 1Pet. 1:5, 9, 13).

‘Ready to be revealed in the last time’ we see the future blessings of salvation throughout the Word of God: Redemption of the body (Rom. 8:23); redemption of all creatures (Rom. 8:19-24; Acts 13:47; Isa. 11:6-9); unforfeitable eternal life (Matt. 19:29; Mark 10:30; Luke 18:30; Gal. 6:7-8); final defeat of satan (Isa. 24:21-22; 25:7-8; Rev. 12:10; 20:1-10); all rebellion put down and cancellation of the curse (1Cor. 15:24-28; Rev. 22:3); uniting of heaven and earth (Eph. 1:10); complete removal of sin, sickness, death, and all effects of rebellion (1Cor. 15:24-28; Rev. 21:3-5); renewal of the heavens and earth to a perfect state (Rom. 8:19-25; Heb. 1:10-12; 12:25-28; Rev. 21-22; 2Pet. 3:10-13); eternal continuation of natural people, animals, and all things as would have been if man had not sinned (Gen. 8:22; 9:12; Isa. 11:6-9; 65:20-25; Rom. 8:20-25); eternal kingdom of Christ and of God on earth (Isa. 9:6-7; Dan. 2:44-45; 7:13-14; Luke 1:32-33; Rev. 11:15; 22:4-5).