Tag: Prophecy

All is Then Vain

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1Corinthians 15:12-19 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; you are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 

‘Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?’ Some false apostles at Corinth denied the resurrection of the dead, that of Christ which was fully proven by these eyewitnesses and the first resurrection of the dead which takes place at the rapture (11:13-15;). Most believers today believes in Christ’s resurrection but has no idea what the first resurrection is and that refers to the rapture (15:35-58). There are many proofs of the resurrection: from Scripture (15:1-4; Job 19:25; Ps. 16:10; Dan. 12:2; Matt. 28:1-20; Mark 16:1-20; Luke 24:1-53; John 20-21; Acts 2:27); from fact (15:5-8; John 21:14; Eph. 1:20; Rev. 1:12-18); proved by the absurdity of unbelief in the resurrection (15:12-19); proved by declaration of fact (15:20-22); proved by prediction (15:23-56); proved by the inconsistency of those who deny it (15:29); proved by faith and consecration in sacrificing all for it (15:30-34); proved by nature (15:33-49); proved by the absolute necessity of immortality of body in order to inherit the kingdom and other promises (15:50-54); proved by fulfillment of prophecy in the final victory over death (15:54-57). ‘And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.’ Twelve calamities “if Christ be not risen”: We have no guarantee of the resurrection [rapture] (15:12-13, 20-23); our gospel is then in vain (15:14). our faith is then in vain (15:14, 17); the apostles then were false witnesses because they have preached such a doctrine (15:15); we are then all yet in our sins (15:17); all the dead are then perished (15:18); we then have no hope (15:19); we are then most miserable (15:19); we are then plain fools (15:30-32); nature is then a farce (15:35-49); all promises are then lies (15:50-54), and all prophecies are then false (15:55-56).

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit Part 2

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1Corinthians 12:7-11 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these work that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 

‘The word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge…’ The classification and definition of the gifts:

[1] Gifts of revelation – the mind gifts: (1) The word of wisdom. This is a supernatural revelation or insight into the divine will and purpose, showing how to solve any problem that may arise (1Kin. 3:16-28; Matt. 2:20; Luke 22:10-12; John 2:22-24; 4:16-19; Acts 26:16; 27:21-25; 1Cor. 5:1-13). (2) The word of knowledge. That is a supernatural revelation of divine knowledge, or insight in the divine mind, will, or plan; and also the plans of others that man could not know of himself (Gen. 1:1-2:25; 1Sam. 3:7-15; 2Kin. 6:8-12; Matt. 16:16; John 1:1-3; Acts 5:3-4; 9:11-12; 21:11; Eph. 3:1-21). (3) Discerning of spirits. This is a supernatural revelation or insight into the realm of spirits to detect them and their plans and to read the minds of people (Matt. 9:4; Luke 13:16; John 2:25; Acts 13:9-10; 16:16; 1Tim. 4:1-4; 1Jn. 4:1-6).

[2] Gifts of inspiration – vocal gifts: (1) Prophecy. This is a supernatural utterance in the native tongue (14:3). It is a miracle of divine utterance, not conceived by human thought or reasoning (Acts 3:21; 11:28; 21:11; 2Pet. 1:21; 1Cor. 14:23-32). It includes speaking to people to edification and exhortation and comfort (14:3). (2) Divers kinds of tongues. This is supernatural utterance in other languages which are not known to the speaker (12:10, 28-31; 13:1-3; 14:2, 22, 26, 27-32; Isa. 28:11; Mark 16:17; Acts 10:44-48; 19:1-7). (3) The interpretation of tongues. This is simply supernatural ability to interpret in the native tongue what is uttered in other languages not known by the one who interprets by the Spirit (12:10; 14:5, 13-15, 27-28).

[3] Gifts of power – working gifts: (1) Faith. This is a supernatural ability to believe God without human doubt, unbelief, and reasoning (Matt. 17:20; 21:22; Mark 9:23; 11:22-24; Rom. 4:17; Heb. 11:6; 12:1-3; Jas. 1:5-8). (2) The gifts of healing. This is a supernatural power to heal all manner of sickness without human aid or medicine (12:9; Mark 16:18; John 14:12). (3) The working of miracles. This is a supernatural power to intervene in the ordinary course of nature and to counteract natural laws if necessary (15:10, 27-31; Ex. 7:10-14:21; 2Kin. 4:1-44; 6:1-7; Ps. 107:1-43; Matt. 17:20; Mark 9:23; 11:22-24; John 14:12; Heb. 2:3-4).

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit Part 1

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1Corinthians 12:7-11 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these work that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 

‘Manifestation’ [Greek: phanerosis] making visible. The visible manifestations would be the visible healing, miracles, manifest prophecies, tongues, interpretations, and even the giving forth of wisdom, knowledge, and discernment of various kinds.

‘Given by the Spirit’ – Facts and questions about the gifts: Their names and number (12:8-10). By whom imparted? The Holy Spirit. (12:4, 8-11). Who operates them? The Holy Spirit. (12:4-6, 11). Purpose: To confirm the Word of God (1:7; 12:11, 28-31; 14:1-40; Mark 16:17-20; John 14:12; Acts 1:1-8; Rom. 12:3-8; 15:18-19, 29; Heb. 2:3-4). Who may have them? Every believer (12:8-11; 1:7; John 7:37-39; 14:12; Mark 16:17-20; Rom. 1:11; 12:3-8). Can one have all of them? Yes (Matt. 17:20; 21:22; Mark 9:23; 11:22-24; John 14:12; 15:7, 16; Eph. 3:19; Jas. 1:5-8). Has anyone ever received all of them? Yes (John 3:34; Rom. 15:29). Were they manifest in Old Testament days? Yes (Num. 11:16-25; 1Kin. 3:12; 17:1 – 2 Kin. 13:25; Luke 1:17; Acts 3:21; Heb. 11:1-40). Can gifts be misused? Yes (Eccl. 2:9; Num. 20:7-13 with Deut. 32:48-52; 1Cor. 13:1-3; 14:1-40). Can gifts be exercised in a backslidden condition? Yes (Eccl. 2:9; 1Cor. 13:1-3). Are gifts permanent or temporary? Permanent if received as a personal gift (Rom. 11:29). Are gifts exercised at will? Yes (14:15, 23-32; 1Tim. 4:14; 2Tim. 1:6). Can gifts be neglected in use? Yes (1Tim. 4:14; 2Tim. 1:6). When should gifts be used? When needed to edify others (12:7; 14:3-6, 12, 17, 26; Rom. 12:3-8). Where should the gifts be used? Where needed (12:7, 12-31; 14:1-40). How can they be received? By faith and prayer (12:31; 14:1; Matt. 7:7-11). Do we need gifts today? Yes, for the same reason others of old needed them (1:7; 12:1-31; Mark 16:15-20; John 10:10; Acts 1:8; 10:38; Rom. 1:11). Can we choose which gifts we need today? Yes (12:31; 14:1, 12). How can we know when we have received them? When the Spirit operates them through us to accomplish their intended purpose (12:4-11, 28-31; 14:1-40). Are gifts to continue throughout this age? Yes (Matt. 3:11; 28:20; Mark 9:23; 11:22-24; 16:15-20; John 7:37-39; 14:12-17, 26; 15:26; 16:13-15; Acts 1:4-8; 2:38-39; 5:32; 1Cor. 1:7; etc.).

To be continued…

Division Among the People

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John 7:40-53 Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, of a truth this is the Prophet. Others said, this is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? Hath not the scripture said that Christ come of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was? So there was a division among the people because of him. And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him. Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have you not brought him? The officers answered, Never man spoke like this man. Then answered them the Pharisees, Are you also deceived? Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him? But this people who know not the law are cursed. Nicodemus said unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,) Do our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he does? They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search and look: for out of Galilee arise no prophet. And every man went unto his own house. 

There was division amongst the people whether Jesus was a Prophet or the Christ. The fourth Old Testament prophecy was fulfilled with Christ being born in Bethlehem and of David’s seed (Isa. 11:1, 10; Jer. 23:5; Mic. 5:1-2).

They laid no hands on Him because they were powerless to arrest Him, not being permitted by God.

The chief priests and Pharisees asked the officers if they were also deceived by Jesus because none of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in Him. Rulers believing a thing or not, does not prove it to be right or wrong. This is a standard held too long now by too many people. Many rulers did believe in Him (John 12:42; 19:38-39). They also stated that the people did not know the law and were therefore cursed. Neither knowing the law nor keeping it saves the soul. The law only condemns and makes guilty (Rom. 3:9-23; 7:7-25; 1Jn. 3:4).

Nicodemus, who was a Pharisee as well as a disciple of Christ, stated that their law doesn’t judge anyone before hearing him and know what he knows.

The chief priests and Pharisees stated ignorance of facts that some claimed to know in John 7:27, that when the Messiah would be born He would hide Himself and that when He appeared no man would know from where He had come. Christ was not born in Galilee, but in Bethlehem (Matt. 2:1-23; Luke 2:1-52). If they had searched they would have found that Jonah, Hosea, Elijah, Elisha, and others were from the Northern kingdom and not from Judea.

Rivers of Living Water

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John 7:37-39 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) 

‘The last day, that great day of the feast’ it was the eighth day, the great day of the feast because it was a day of great assembly and offering sacrifices for Israel. The first seven days they professed to offer sacrifices for other nations (Lev. 23:34-36). On this day a priest drew water from the pool of Siloam in a golden vessel and brought it to the temple. When the morning sacrifice was on the altar he poured this water mingled with wine upon it, while the people were singing with great joy. It was perhaps at this time that the Lord made His great prophecy of the fullness of the Holy Spirit in the life of each believer in Him.

The 20th New Testament prophecy that is being fulfilled for those who believe all that Jesus has done and commanded in that they will receive the Holy Spirit after the new birth. ‘Any man’ of every race and generation from the beginning of the fulfilment of this prophecy can experience the ‘rivers of living waters’ (Acts 2:38-39; 5:32; Gal. 3:14).

The conditions of receiving the Holy Spirit as given in verse 37, are first to ‘thirst’ which means the ardent, eager, famishing, keen, and all-consuming craving and passion of the soul for complete union with God and the fullness of the Spirit (Psa. 42:2; 63:1; 143:6; Isa. 41:17; 44:3). Secondly, to come unto Him meaning the complete surrender of the life to do the whole will of God as light (knowledge of the Word) is received (Isa. 55:1; Matt. 11:28-30; 1Jn. 1:7). Thirdly, to drink, which means the whole-hearted reception into one’s life of the gifts, the fruit, and operations of the Holy Spirit (1Cor. 12:4-13; Gal. 5:22-23). And lastly, it states in verse 38, to believe on Him which means to believe in and obey to the letter the whole gospel program (John 14:12-15; Matt. 28:20; Mark 16:15-20; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8; 5:32).

‘Out of his belly’ the Greek word for belly is koilia which refers to hollow, bowels, belly, the midst of a thing. Here it means the innermost being or part of man; the soul and spirit, as the seat of the intellect, emotions and desires (Psa. 31:9; Pro. 18:8; 20:27; John 7:38).  ‘Shall flow rivers of living water’ – out of the believer will flow unlimited power to do the works of Christ as John 14: 12 states. It will be a constant flow from the believer of the Spirit without measure – the measure Christ experienced.

Where I Am

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John 7:32-36 The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him. Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me. You shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither you cannot come. Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles? What manner of saying is this that he said, You shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither you cannot come? 

The Pharisees heard that the people murmured about Jesus being the Christ and they and the chief priests sent officers to arrest Him. Jesus responded by giving the nineteenth New Testament prophecy which was fulfilled: that He will be with them only a little longer – He was crucified 7 months later at the next Passover when He becomes the Passover lamb for all men – and then He went back to the Father at the ascension. They shall seek Him, and not find Him was a prophetic reference to the nation seeking a deliverer in vain when the Romans would come and destroy their city in 70 AD.

And where He will be (in Heaven), they cannot come. One must meet certain conditions to go up to where He now is. If one is cut off in his sins he will never be able to go there, but if one is saved from them he will go there at death or after the rapture (2Cor. 5:8; Php. 1:21-24; Heb. 12:23; Rev. 6:9-11).

The Jews thought that Jesus would go someplace else on earth and teach other nations (Gentiles simply means non-Israelites nations).  They did not comprehend that He would die for them and return to Heaven.

The Words of Eternal Life

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John 6:60-63, 65 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Does this offend you? What and if you shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? It is the spirit that quicken; the flesh profit nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. 

‘This is an hard saying; who can hear it?’ The Jews found Jesus’ message hard and they found it intolerable and impractical for they could not digest such a doctrine as this. People just want to hear of God’s grace and love and not of their role in the relationship. He must keep on giving and doing and they only want to receive (see 1Cor. 15:19).

Jesus knew by the gift of discernment and knowledge (Isa. 11:2; 1Cor. 12:4-11) that this time it was some disciples that were offended and that they murmured against Him.

He asked them that if the eating of His flesh and drinking of His blood offends them, what if He told them an even harder doctrine? Suppose you saw the Son of Man ascend up to heaven where He was before? This is the 18th New Testament prophecy that was fulfilled with the ascension (Luke 24:51; Acts 1:11; Eph. 4:8-10).

‘It is the spirit that quicken; the flesh profit nothing’ – Quickeneth must be understood figuratively of the benefits of His sacrifice. He will give this bread, which symbolizes His body given in death to save the world (1Pet. 2:24; Col. 1:20; 2:14-17). If they could literally eat His flesh and drink His blood, it would not save their souls. The words He spoke unto them were spirit, and are life – He spoke of spiritual and eternal life, not fleshly life (2Cor. 3:6; Heb. 4:12).

Bread of Life

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John 6:47-59 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believe on me has everlasting life. I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which come down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoso eat my flesh, and drink my blood, has eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eat my flesh, and drink my blood, dwell in me, and I in him. As the living Father has sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eat me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eat of this bread shall live forever. These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. 

‘Believe on me’ – expresses an act and a continued process. It could not be that one act of faith and no more will save the soul (Luke 8:13; 1Tim. 1:19; 4:1; 5:12; Heb. 3:12-14; 10:23-38). The faith that saves is an ever-present active one; it cannot cease and still produce results. Even Believers live by the faith of the Son of God and must always live by faith (Rom.1:17).

The manna of the wilderness (Deut. 8:3) was not the ‘meat which endureth unto everlasting life’ it was only the typology of the MAN that would have come in the flesh (John 1:1,14) which is the sixteenth New Testament prophecy fulfilled in Christ’s first advent. Any man that eats thereof will not die, refers to eternal life, not physical life which all men have (Heb. 9:27; 1Cor. 15:51-58; 1Thess. 4:16-17).

The fourth and last time in this chapter Christ claims to be the bread of life, this bread is His flesh which He gave for the life of the world (John 6:33, 51). Conditions must be met by the world in order to get this life, for example: ‘if any man eat of this bread’ is one of the first conditions one must meet to have everlasting life.  Christ is the life-producing bread, and eating of Christ simply means that man must accept by faith what Christ did for him and live by obedience to Him without sin so the penalty will not have to be paid again. We live when we accept Christ as our substitute and meet the Word’s conditions.

‘Eat my flesh, and drink my blood’ Eating and drinking is used figuratively of partaking of the benefits of the death of Christ. We partake by faith and enjoy the benefits because God gives them on the basis of what Christ did for us (Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 3:24-25; 5:1-11; 10:9-10; Acts 3:16; 4:12; 15:9; 26:18; Gal. 2:16-20; 3:1-26; 1Pet. 1:5-13). Eating is used figuratively of partaking of spiritual food (1Cor. 10:1-3); of other benefits received (Psa. 69:9; Eze. 2:8; 3:1-3; Rev. 10:9); and even of the evil results of sin (Pro. 9:17; Hos. 10:13; Jas. 5:3). No figure of speech was more common to Jews at this time, so there was no excuse for them to misunderstand His words. By comparing John 6:47-48 with 6:53-54 we see that believing on Christ is the same as eating and drinking Him.

Three times Christ here claims to be sent from heaven (6:38, 41, 42) and five times He claims He was sent by the Father (6:38, 39, 40, 44, 57).

Seven times manna and the true bread are spoken of as coming from heaven (6:31, 32, 33, 50, 51, 58).

Six times here men are promised everlasting life if they meet certain conditions (6:40, 47, 50, 51, 54, 58).

Believe on Him

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John 6:36-40 But I said unto you, That you also have seen me, and believe not. All that the Father give me shall come to me; and him that come to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which see the Son, and believe on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. 

‘That you also have seen me, and believe not’ Jesus explains to the Jews that God, and not Moses, gave the bread to the Israelites, but the Jews have seen Him multiply bread and do all kinds of signs and they still refuse to believe (trust) in Him. They only followed Jesus from sensual motives (John 6:26-27).

The thirteenth New Testament prophecy is constantly being fulfilled in ‘All that the Father gives me shall come to me, and him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out’ When one ‘comes to’ it means to come in faith, repenting and turning to Christ with a whole heart, giving up sin, and consecrating himself forever to God and His Word and His will (Rom. 10:9-10; 2Cor. 7:10; 1Jn. 1:9; Acts 2:38-39; 3:19).

The fourteenth New Testament prophecy – ‘And this is the Father’s will… that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day….that every one which sees the Son, and believes on Him, may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day’ – is being fulfilled and will be completely fulfilled in the resurrection (1Thess. 4:16-17; 1Cor. 15:23, 51-58).

The ‘last day’ is used six times of which five times refers to the last day of redemption of the righteous when their bodies will be fully redeemed (John 6:39-40, 44, 54; 11:24), and of the last day when the wicked will be resurrected and judged (John 12:48; Rev. 20:11-15).

I Am the Bread of Life

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John 6:30-35 They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work? Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. 

The Jews questioned Christ and asked Him to give them a sign to prove that He is the Messiah and the Son of God. To them, His multiplying of bread didn’t prove it, because Moses gave Israel bread for 40 years and He did not claim to be the Messiah or the Son of God.

Jesus answers them that Moses did not give them the true bread that feeds the soul and sustains eternal life, but mere temporal bread that feeds the body only (Exo. 16:15; Psa. 78:24). They still understood Him as speaking of temporal food.

John 6:35 is the twelfth New Testament prophecy in John that is being fulfilled. Jesus is described as seven typologies in John: “I am the Bread of Life” (John 6:35-51); “I am the Light of the World” (John 8:12; 9:5); “I am the Door of the Sheep” (John 10:7-9) “I am the Good Shepherd” (John 10:11-14); “I am the Resurrection and Life” (John 11:25); “I am the Way, Truth, and Life” (John 14:6); “I am the True Vine” (John 15:1-6).

Will never thirst because he can have “rivers of living water” flowing out of his innermost being (John 7:37-39). The abundant fullness of the Holy Spirit will meet every need and solve every problem (Matt. 17:20; 21:22; John 14:12-17, 26; 15:7, 16, 26; 16:7-15; Acts 1:4-8; 8:26).