Lesson 14-16 Perilous Times! Continued

Our number one desire for these Bible lessons are for them to be understandable, defendable, and for the Holy Spirit to bear witness that the conclusions are the true, and correct interpretation of the Holy Scriptures.

Guidelines for our Bible studies on this website:

1. We treat the living words of the living God as spoken by the Lord Jesus and given to the Apostle Paul for the Body of Christ the same importance, as the words of the Lord Jesus recorded in red letters in the books of Matthew – Acts Chp. 8, as what should be known as the instructions to the nation Israel.      

2. We will not be wresting the scriptures against each other, we will look at the verses in their context, and will not try to make the scriptures say anything, but what they say.

3. We will be using the verses out of the Authorized Version, commonly known as the KJV. It is fine if you want to look the verses up in other translations if you like, but we will consider the Authorized Version as our final written authority.

4. We do not and will not use the Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, or Latin languages to prove any points, or give any indication that the Authorized Version has been incorrectly translated. 

As we begin this lesson we now have added France, Turkey, and Munich to the list of tragic events since the Orlando FL and Dallas TX shootings. This time in France a simple delivery truck was the weapon of choice to kill innocent women and children! At the time of this writing there are 84 dead and 202 injured.

Again it is hard for me to believe that the events taking place are not a forerunner of the events spoken of in the Bible as the last days before the glorious return of the Lord Jesus Christ. If these are not the fulfillment of prophesy these events sure resemble the prophetic words of the prophets recorded in the Bible.

In our last lesson we looked at the words the Apostle Paul spoke to Timothy approximately two thousand years ago concerning the last days and the perilous times to come. We defined perilous times as a period of time full of danger or risk.

I would like to continue with this theme of perilous times as we look outside the scriptures specifically written to the Body of Christ (Christians in the dispensation of Grace). Let’s take a look at the prophesies that Jesus gave to the disciples as a record for the nation Israel.

First up this week we will look at the words of the Lord Jesus concerning the end times. I love just taking the Bible and letting the Holy Spirit speak to us through God’s Holy Word.

Matt.24

[1] And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. [2] And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. [3] And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

In verses 1-3 we see the Lord Jesus interacting with his disciples as they are showing him the temple buildings. The Lord Jesus gives them a little preview of what’s to come.

Notice that when Jesus is speaking the Temple is still standing and he is telling the disciples that the day is coming when there would not be one stone upon another that would not be thrown down, in other words destroyed!

We recognize immediately this is prophecy or the foretelling of future events. The disciples immediately asked him when these things would be, as they knew full well they were asking him to foretell the future.

Of course unlike some gypsy fortuneteller in New Orleans, the Lord Jesus is going to give accurate details of the future events.

Matt.24

[4] And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. [5] For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

In verse 4 he warns the disciples against being deceived by men, and then in verse 5 tells them many shall come in his name saying I am Christ and shall deceive many. 

With a quick check I found only one person listed in the 18^th century that officially claimed to be Jesus, the number climbed to seven in the 19^th century, and twenty-two in the 20^th century.

It is still early in the 21^st century and we are already up to six false Christ. I find it interesting that the numbers of people claiming to be Jesus seems to be on the increase, but what I find really more interesting is how many people will follow these false Christ.

Remember Jim Jones (1931–1978), founder of Peoples Temple, which started off as an offshoot of a mainstream protestant sect before becoming a personality cult as time went on. He claimed to be the reincarnation of Jesus, Akhenaten, Buddha, Vladimir Lenin, and Father Divine in the 1970s. Organized a mass murder suicide at Jonestown, Guyana on November 18, 1978. He shot himself after the murders were done.

Let’s look at another so called false Christ by the name Alan John Miller (1962–), more commonly known as A. J. Miller, a former Jehovah's Witness elder and current leader of the Australia-based Divine Truth movement. Miller claims to be Jesus Christ reincarnated with others in the 20th century to spread messages that he calls the "Divine Truth." He delivers these messages in seminars and various forms of media along with his current partner Mary Suzanne Luck, who identifies herself as the returned Mary Magdalene.

In recorded audio, Miller notes, “There’s probably a million people who say they’re Jesus and most of them are in asylums. But one of us has to be. How do I know I am? Because I remember everything about my life.” 

Now let’s look at this false Christ who is alive today, I would like to demonstrate for you how easy it is to determine if a person who claims to be Jesus Christ really is or just a fake.

Where would you go for your information to determine if someone who comes into town claiming to be Jesus Christ really is Jesus? Well I go to my authorized Bible (KJV) to test all spiritual things!

In the book of Matthew, Jesus gives instructions on how to identify false Christs. Let’s read them and see if they are easy to understand instructions.

Matt.24

[23] Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. [24] For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. [25] Behold, I have told you before. [26] Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. [27] For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

The instructions seem pretty simple to me, Jesus states if any man claims to be Christ they are simply not to be believed. Jesus says some of these false Christs and false prophets will even be able to do great signs and wonders.

I was listening to a preacher a while back who claimed to have raised people from the dead (that’s no small thing to claim). Jesus said to just not believe it when you hear he’s in the desert or secret chambers, and then tells us why in verse 27. He said as lightning comes "out of the east and shineth even unto the west so shall the coming of the Son of man be."

Why does he say that, well because when Jesus comes back to planet Earth, we read in the book of Revelation that every eye shall see him, even those who pierced him. We also learn the mode of his transportation, I tell my friends all the time when Jesus comes back to planet Earth he’s not riding a Harley Davidson, he is riding a white horse and the first thing he does is make war, he is not coming back as a babe in the manger, but as the King of Kings that he is!

Rev.1

[7] Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

Rev.19

[11] And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. [12] His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. [13] And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. [14] And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. [15] And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. [16] And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Mark my words when Jesus Christ returns to Earth there will be no doubt in anyone’s mind who he is. Now back to our study on the last days and perilous times.

Jesus continues with a list of things that will be happening before his coming or return to Earth. Remember the disciple’s questions “when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” there are three different questions that Jesus is providing answers to.   

Matt.24

[6] And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. [7] For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. [8] All these are the beginning of sorrows.

In the verses above we see that the signs that will be happening at the beginning of the time line. All the items in verses six and seven have been happening in times past, but as we get closer to the end times, the catastrophic events increase in frequency and magnitude.

Remember Jesus does not just show up at his second coming until all the old testament prophecies concerning his return are fulfilled. (God has a timeline for the restoration of planet Earth to its original sin free condition)

Matt.24

[21] For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. [22] And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

After the beginning of sorrows, Jesus tells his disciples in verse 21 that there will be great tribulation such as was never seen before on planet Earth. All one has to do is read the newspaper, history books, etc. about the Civil War, World War I, World War II, and multiply that many times to arrive at just how bad the great tribulation will be.

When the Antichrist comes into power and rules supreme on planet Earth, he will make Stalin, Lennon, and Hitler look like Sunday School teachers.

A few more quotes from the Bible concerning the upcoming great tribulation that Jesus shared with his disciples.

Luke.21

[25] And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; [26] Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

When we read these words of Jesus many of these things appear to be upon us even as I write this lesson. Just watch the news a few nights this week and there is certainly distress of nations. The news casters speak of it every night, but it is going to get even worse and then guess what our Savior whom this world crucified is going to return and set all things in order.

[27] And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

What a great day that will be when Jesus Christ returns in all his glory, friend don’t let that day take you unawares. Today Jesus has his arms outstretched and open to sinners to put their trust in him. One day we will all stand before him either as our savior or our judge, don’t put it off invite Jesus to save you today!

"The crowd that will not accept one truth will decay to the point that it does not accept one God: many denominations, many translations, many gods."

All of the confusion among Christianity/Christians today can be attributed to the simple fact that the church, the Body of Christ, does not recognize the separate, distinct, and unique apostleship, ministry, and message of Paul.

If you fail to understand, or fail to learn how to rightly divide the word of truth, you can never come to the knowledge of the truth, and sound doctrine.

Romans 10 [8] But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; [9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10] For with theheart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

The words of our Apostle Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles!

2Tim.2 [15] Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Come join with us as we study God’s Holy Word!

Remember most unsound Bible Doctrine, is sound Bible Doctrine misapplied to the wrong time period, or wrong group of people.

The next lesson is in work, and will be posted when done!  

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Lesson 13-16 Perilous Times Are Here!

Our number one desire for these Bible lessons are for them to be understandable, defendable, and for the Holy Spirit to bear witness that the conclusions are the true, and correct interpretation of the Holy Scriptures.

Guidelines for our Bible studies on this website:

1.  We treat the living words of the living God as spoken by the Lord Jesus and given to the Apostle Paul for the Body of Christ the same importance, as the words of the Lord Jesus recorded in red letters in the books of Matthew – Acts Chp. 8, as what should be known as the instructions to the nation Israel.      

2.   We will not be wresting the scriptures against each other, we will look at the verses in their context, and will not try to make the scriptures say anything, but what they say.

3.   We will be using the verses out of the Authorized Version, commonly known as the KJV. It is fine if you want to look the verses up in other translations if you like, but we will consider the Authorized Version as our final written authority.

4.   We do not and will not use the Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, or Latin languages to prove any points, or give any indication that the Authorized Version has been incorrectly translated. 

As we begin a new lesson since the tragic event that took place in Orlando we now have another tragic event in Dallas, I don’t believe it to be an accident that these events are taking place. I believe with all my heart that we are witnessing the events spoken of in the Bible as the last days before the glorious return of the Lord Jesus Christ. If they are not the fulfillment of Bible prophesy these events sure resemble the prophetic words of the prophets recorded in the Bible.

I had been planning this lesson before the Orlando and Dallas events, I think you will find it a timely lesson.

Our brother and Apostle Paul spoke the following words to Timothy approximately two thousand years ago and as we study them together I believe you will find them to perfectly describe the times in which we are living.

2Tim.3

[1] This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

In this first verse we are told that in the last days perilous times shall come, perilous simply means full of danger or risk. So to give an example of how times have changed, just the other day in the little town I live in a teenage girl has gone missing. In times past this type of thing was almost unheard of in America. As an elementary school student our parents thought nothing of letting us walk to school by ourselves, now parents are afraid to even let the children play in the front yard without supervision. I remember when you could go almost anywhere in an airport, your family could even meet you as you stepped off the plane. There were no metal detectors, and armed guards at the county court house or schools.

Yes, all one has to do is just look back not that many years and see that the world in which we live has become perilous, full of danger and risk. In the following verses Paul gives the main cause for these perilous times. I still remember the first time I read these verses and I didn’t have any problem understanding them out of an Authorized Version of the Bible, in fact the words seemed all too clear. See what you think.

[2] For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, [3] Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, [4] Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

Honestly, as I read these words for the first time forty-two years ago I thought someone could have just written them the week before describing the people of the world in which I lived. I want to just give a couple of examples, I am sure that as you read the words many of you had the same thoughts I had.

Men shall be lovers of their own selves, I believe they refer to us as the me generation everything revolves around self, and not others, to Quote Patch the Pirate it is “King Me First”.    

I thought about the doctors and women who abort and kill babies in the womb when I read the words without natural affection, and how calloused people have become when they care more about a cat, dog or some other animal being abused, but not a word from them on reaching into a mother’s womb and killing that little baby. A woman or man with natural affection would do anything and everything to save a baby in the womb!

Despisers of those that are good, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, notice how today they are building bigger and bigger sports arenas, race tracks, movie theaters, etc. People will sit out in the cold, rain, all kinds of inclement weather to watch football, car racing, baseball, etc. and then make fun of a Christian that spends a couple of hours a week in a Church service or Prayer meeting and label them as a religious fanatic if they mention the Lord Jesus.

[5] Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. [6] For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

Again many people like to say they are a Christian but their actions speak volumes. They talk about God like he is some impotent being that has no real power.

[7] Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

I would like to comment on verse 7 as it is a perfect description of what our educational system has become, instead of teaching the students reading, writing, and arithmetic and focusing on things that will help them become productive citizens with a meaning in life. The students are taught in school that there is no God, no heaven (no hope), no hell (no punishment) they are just an animal and the only thing they can look forward to in this life is as much partying as they can get in before they die and go into a hopeless eternity, so they are never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Then for the Seminary students they go off to be young preachers and are taught that the Bible has lots of errors in it (KJV specifically) and they can learn how to correct it and make it better using the Greek and Hebrew languages which is one of Satan’s biggest lies to mankind. Again this leads to ever learning and not being able to understand or come to the knowledge of the truth.

[8] Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. [9] But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

In this verse we get the names of a couple of people who withstood Moses and Paul uses their failure to declare the end of the scoffers at the last days.

[10] But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, [11] Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. [12] Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Paul now gives us a look at how people who live for the Lord Jesus shall fair among the religious nonbelievers he says that the people who live godly will suffer persecution.

[13] But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

Here again we see that evil men and seducers simply get worse and worse not only deceiving people but being deceived themselves.

[14] But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; [15] And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. [16] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: [17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Paul finishes off chapter 3 with the wonderful words of wisdom and tells Timothy where to find real wisdom in the Holy Scriptures.

Now I want to share a section of scripture and I am not going to make any comments on it other than to tell you it is on a 7^th grade reading level. I want you to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes of understanding to his word as you read it. Please let me know in an email if you get it.

Rom. 1

[16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. [17] For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

[18] For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; [19] Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. [20] For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: [21] Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. [22] Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, [23] And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. [24] Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: [25] Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. [26] For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: [27] And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. [28] And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; [29] Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, [30] Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, [31] Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: [32] Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, your life is short and if you have been slack concerning Bible study, it is high time for you to get back to studying the living words of the living God or begin studying if you have not in times past.

With modern day technology being what it is, it is very easy to do word searches and check when someone quotes a Bible verse or tells you something is in the Bible for you to look it up and verify if they are pulling your leg!

The Truth of God’s Holy word is easy to determine if you let the Holy Spirit lead you.

Remember all of the confusion among Christianity/Christians today can be attributed to the simple fact that the church, the Body of Christ, does not recognize the separate, distinct, and unique apostleship, ministry, and message of Paul.

If you have never trusted the Lord Jesus as your savior, I encourage you to believe in him and invite him to save you today! All one needs to do is to trust and believe in the Lord Jesus’s death, burial and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins to be made new in him.

Gal.2 [16] Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified

Eph.3 [17] That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, [19] And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

What a great day that will be when Jesus Christ returns in all his glory, friend don’t let that day take you unawares. Today Jesus has his arms outstretched and open to sinners to put their trust in him. One day we will all stand before him either as our savior or our judge, don’t put it off invite Jesus to save you today!

"The crowd that will not accept one truth will decay to the point that it does not accept one God: many denominations, many translations, many gods."

The words of our Apostle Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles!

2Tim.2 [15] Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Come join with us as we study God’s Holy Word!

Remember most unsound Bible Doctrine, is sound Bible Doctrine misapplied to the wrong time period, or wrong group of people.

The next lesson is in work, and will be posted when done!  

Please Subscribe by email, and you will be notified when new lessons are posted 

Remember if you like these lessons, don't just like them, share them!

Contact us at: biblerightlydivided@gmail.com

Lesson 12-16 Orlando Shootings – What Is the Cause?

Our number one desire for these Bible lessons are for them to be understandable, defendable, and for the Holy Spirit to bear witness that the conclusions are the true, and correct interpretation of the Holy Scriptures.

Guidelines for our Bible studies on this website:

1.  We treat the living words of the living God as spoken by the Lord Jesus and given to the Apostle Paul for the Body of Christ the same importance, as the words of the Lord Jesus recorded in red letters in the books of Matthew – Acts Chp. 8, as what should be known as the instructions to the nation Israel.      
2. We will not be wresting the scriptures against each other, we will look at the verses in their context, and will not try to make the scriptures say anything, but what they say.
3. We will be using the verses out of the Authorized Version, commonly known as the KJV. It is fine if you want to look the verses up in other translations if you like, but we will consider the Authorized Version as our final written authority.
4. We do not and will not use the Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, or Latin languages to prove any points, or give any indication that the Authorized Version has been incorrectly translated. 

First let me say the tragic event that took place in Orlando on June 12, 2016 was both an act of terrorism and a hate crime.

The direct cause of the event in Orlando was no different from the mass murder/suicide of individuals in 1978 after they joined the Peoples Temple of the Disciples of Christ.

It is the result of a false religion, and it does not matter whether it is one derived from Judaism or Christianity, which teaches false ideals and principles to anyone who will follow and support their cause. The end result is always the same, people hurt, killed, and robbed of any true hope!

Now I am a firm believer that the living words of the living God are simple to understand! The problem most people, believers and unbelievers, have is not with being able to understand the words of the living God, but which verses or part of the Bible applies to them today.

It might surprise you but the killings in Orlando are a direct result of individuals not knowing what scriptures apply to people living in the Year of Our Lord 2016.

This is and always will be a problem as long as people are following the wrong scriptures , whether it is verses out of the Quran/Koran, or verses out of the Old Testament in the Bible, that do not apply to this current time period.

The Quran/Koran, which is the equivalent of the Bible for Muslims, was written between 609-632 AD.

The Islamic faith has only been around since that time period, and as such is younger than Judaism and Christianity.

Islam is considered to be an Abrahamic religion along with Judaism, and Christianity since it claims Abraham as it’s father. It adheres to a religious text that parallels many of the Old Testament Laws.

Muslims do not believe Jesus Christ was holy, or that he was God manifest in the flesh.

The Islamic faith like Judaism rejects the New Testament, and as such the teachings of Jesus Christ as given to the apostle Paul for the believers of this dispensation.

Also extreme prejudice remains, both socially and legally, in much of the Islamic world against people who engage in homosexual acts. In Afghanistan, Brunei, Iran, Mauritania, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, United Arab Emirates and Yemen, homosexual activity carries the death penalty, so it is no surprise that the followers of Islam wouldn’t think it was wrong to kill homosexuals.

This attitude comes from verses in the Quran that speak against homosexuality and support the death penalty. 

Christians and Jews who adhere to the Old Testament also hold similar views.

Now let’s take a look at another dark time in the United States when the Salem Witch Trials were taking place.

The Salem Witch Trials are a good example and demonstration of what happens when religious people fail to understand which parts of the Bible apply to them, and the correct time period in history to which the verses apply.

The Salem Witch Trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693. The trials resulted in the executions of twenty people, fourteen of them women, and all but one by hanging.

Now the culprits of the Salem witch trials were a group of Calvinist, or today they like to be referred to as Christians of “Reformed Theology”, no matter which name you call it, Reformed Theology or Calvinism, it is one in the same.

Now how did they arrive at the death penalty for being a witch, they simply used the Bible. “Exodus 22 [18] Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.”

They took one Old Testament verse, and decided to enforce it. The sad part is the Old Testament was written to the Jews, and were laws for the Jews. They were not, and are not, for Christians living in the dispensation of Grace.

When you take Bible verses that do not apply to Christians living today and enforce them, this is the kind of results that you get.

Now let’s look at a few more Bible verses from the Old Testament to give you more food for thought.

Deuteronomy 21 [18] If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: [19] Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; [20] And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. [21] And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.

If my mom and dad had been a follower of the Old Testament laws out of the Bible, I have to tell you that I would not be sharing these Bible lessons with you today. I would have met my fate with the elders of the city and would have been stoned to death, glad my mom and dad knew we were not under those Old Testament laws.

Here are some more for your discernment.

Leviticus 20 [8] And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the LORD which sanctify you.

[9] For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him.

[10] And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

[11] And the man that lieth with his father's wife hath uncovered his father's nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

[12] And if a man lie with his daughter in law, both of them shall surely be put to death: they have wrought confusion; their blood shall be upon them.

[13] If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

[14] And if a man take a wife and her mother, it is wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you.

[15] And if a man lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death: and ye shall slay the beast.

[16] And if a woman approach unto any beast, and lie down thereto, thou shalt kill the woman, and the beast: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

I believe if you are still with me at this time, you surely realize that if Christians are going to follow all the laws in the whole Bible, it’s going to be a brutal place to live.

Now most Christians will tell you that not all of those things apply but some of them, actually there is nowhere in the Bible from Acts Chapter 9 and backwards to Genesis Chapter 1, that the Jews or anyone else were ever told that they did not have to keep all of those Laws. 

Jesus speaking in Matt. 5 [17] Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. [18] For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. [19] Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus was a law keeper and taught nothing in the first four books of the New Testament but the Law, and that the Law was to be kept! Stay with me and I will get to the point of this lesson.

Exodus 31 [15] Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.

Now in the verse above we see that if a man worked on the sabbath day or seventh day of the week he was to be put to death. I bet a lot of people reading this have worked on the sabbath day and if you are wondering what day that is, it is Saturday. If you don’t believe me ask any Jew, or Seventh Day Adventist, or Seventh Day Baptist, or Seventh Day Church of God and they will confirm it for you.

As we see more and more people adopt Reformed Theology or Calvinism, we will see more and more people revert back to trying to observe or keep the Old Testament Laws.

Leviticus 20 [13] If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

Now back to the Orlando incident and root cause, we have a multitude of people that go and take a verse like the one above out of the Bible, and use it to justify their hatred of a certain group of people.

For Christians living in the dispensation of grace, we can rest easy in our confidence that Paul did not encourage such destructive behavior for any human, believers or otherwise.

I wonder why the people who want to enforce the Old Testament laws on people only pick a few of them to enforce?  James said if you keep the whole law yet offend in one point you are guilty of all, in other words you deserve the death penalty.

James 2 [8] If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: [9] But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. [10] For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

Now let’s bring this lesson to a final conclusion.

The Bible is a record of God’s interaction with men and mankind. It only includes enough information for us to come to know the Living God who revealed himself to mankind as the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is not only the God of the Old Testament, but the God of the New Testament.

The Bible does not contain a record of everything God has done in eternity past. It is a brief summary of some of his dealings with man.

John.20 [28] And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. [29] Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. [30] And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: [31] But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

John.21 [25] And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

I had group come to my house the other day passing out literature about their understanding of the Bible, and what they believe.

I accepted and read it because I like to know what others believe, this helps me to be able to share with others the truth of God’s Holy Word. 

You see I don’t believe everyone can be teaching so many different things, and everyone be right. I believe there is a right way and wrong way to discern the Bible.

If you read the Bible and claim any and every verse as your verses, you will forever be trapped in Bible ignorance.

You can do this same thing with any novel. Get a copy of Gone with the Wind, go to a chapter pick one line, and say that is your verse, and claim it.  You’re actually better off doing that, than picking random verses out of the Bible that don’t apply to you and trying to live by them today. Doing so can bring harm to yourself and others.

Misapplying Bible verses can have eternal consequences! If you are trying to live by the words of Jesus in Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and the first eight chapters of the book of Acts you are in for a big surprise.

The instructions for Christians living today are found in the epistles given to Paul by the Lord Jesus after his return to heaven, not the words given to the nation Israel during his time on Earth.

Back to the group that came to my house after reading their literature it was obvious that are trying to reach heaven the wrong way. There were Bible verses in their pamphlet, but not one verse out of the books written by Paul in the Bible, Romans – Philemon.

If I am correct in my belief, teaching, and understanding of the scriptures that the instructions and doctrine for Christians are found in the Pauline Epistles, then it is no wonder that people are confused and Christianity has lost it’s standing in the world.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, your life is short and if you have been slack concerning Bible study, it is high time for you to get back to studying the living words of the living God or begin studying if you have not in times past.

"The crowd that will not accept one truth will decay to the point that it does not accept one God: many denominations, many translations, many gods."

All of the confusion among Christianity/Christians today can be attributed to the simple fact that the church, the Body of Christ, does not recognize the separate, distinct, and unique apostleship, ministry, and message of Paul.

If you fail to understand, or fail to learn how to rightly divide the word of truth, you can never come to the knowledge of the truth, and sound doctrine.

Romans 10 [8] But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; [9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

The words of our Apostle Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles!

2Tim.2 [15] Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Come join with us as we study God’s Holy Word!

Remember most unsound Bible Doctrine, is sound Bible Doctrine misapplied to the wrong time period, or wrong group of people.

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