Yes i agree that the rapture itself is imminent, meaning it could happen at any moment-before these signs even fully unfold. Unlike the Second Coming, the rapture has no prophesied events that must precede it. Paul calls it our "blessed hope" ( Titus 2:13), meant to encourage and comfort believers rather than create fear. NOT THAT YOU'RE DOING THAT AT ALL!
So, could the rapture be near? Yes-it has always been "at hand" since Paul's day, and the alignment of current events makes many believers sense its nearness even more strongly. But the exact time is God's secret ( Acts 1:7), so our focus should be readiness: living in Christ, walking in grace, and sharing the gospel while there is still time.
If your "battle" is with believing that Jesus is God, may I suggest the following scriptures for your consideration:
Genesis 1:1 along with John 1:1-3, Revelation 19:13, Colossians 1:15-17, Matthew 1:23, John 10:30, John 14:9, Mark 2:5-7, John 8:58, John 20:28, Isaiah 9:6, Philippians 2:5-7, Colossians 2:9, 1 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 1:8, 2 Peter 1:1, Revelation 1:8, John 5:18, 1 John 5:20, Luke 24:52, John 9:38, Acts 10:25-26, Titus 2:13, Hebrews 1:3, Revelation 22:13, Micah 5:2, John 17:5, John 1:14. There are more, but these should suffice.
You mention that "Christians say that there is no separation between Christ and God," and that the bible shows otherwise. Jesus said I and my Father are one, and He also said that if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father. This may not mean anything to you, but in the book of Hebrews, Jesus is described as the APOUGASMA (the out beam) of God's glory, God projecting Himself through the time/space factor in the person of Christ. Jesus Christ, being God, was never separated from the source. This is why Jesus can say if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father.
The best example I can give would be taking a flashlight in a dark room and shining it on a wall. The flashlight is the source, and the light is projected on the wall from the source. There is no separation unless the flashlight is turned off. Now, imagine the flashlight being God, and the light shining on the wall is Jesus, again, no separation. Jesus is said to be the true light which came down from heaven, the APOUGASMA of God.
If you are sincerely struggling with the deity of Jesus Christ (Him being God), I hope these scriptures I've provided might help. Also, if you would like, I can share my personal understanding on Matthew 26:39 and Luke 22:42 and why Christ would ask this.
If I may ask, are you a Christian? If so, who do you say Jesus is?
Purpose: Remove the Body of Christ before God's wrath ( 1 Thess. 1:10; 5:9), unite all Church-age believers with Christ in heaven ( John 14:1-3), and complete the "mystery" program revealed to Paul but hidden in the OT ( Eph. 3:1-11).
Timing: Before the seven-year Tribulation (pre-trib view). No prophetic signs must occur first; it is imminent ( Titus 2:13).
Nature: Sudden, supernatural, without visible cosmic signs.
Christ descends into the air, not to earth. Believers' bodies instantly transformed ( 1 Cor. 15:51-52). Dead and living saints caught up together to meet Him ( 1 Thess. 4:16-17).
Participants: Exclusively the Church - those "in Christ" from Pentecost to the Rapture.
Aftermath: Church in heaven; world enters Tribulation ( Dan. 9:27; Rev. 6-18). God's focus returns to Israel's prophetic program ( Rom. 11:25-27).
SECOND COMING - Christ Comes with His Saints
Purpose: Judge nations ( Matt. 25:31-46), deliver Israel from her enemies ( Zech. 12:9-10; 14:3-4), and establish the Millennial
Kingdom ( Rev. 20:1-6).
Timing: After the Tribulation ( Matt. 24:29-30). Preceded by clear signs - cosmic disturbances ( Matt. 24:29), Antichrist revealed ( 2 Thess. 2:3-4), global judgments ( Rev. 6-18).
Nature: Public, visible to all ( Rev. 1:7). Christ descends to the Mount of Olives ( Zech. 14:4) with heaven's armies to defeat His enemies ( Rev. 19:15-21).
Participants: Christ, angels, and all raptured saints return ( Rev. 19:14). Survivors of the Tribulation, believing and unbelieving, are judged.
Aftermath: Satan bound 1,000 years ( Rev. 20:1-3). Christ reigns from Jerusalem ( Isa. 2:2-4; Mic. 4:1-3). Israel restored to her land in peace and blessing ( Ezek. 37:21-28).
Paul is the only apostle who gives detailed revelation about the rapture-the catching away of the Body of Christ-a doctrine unique to his epistles and part of the "mystery" revealed to him by the risen Christ ( Romans 16:25; Ephesians 3:1-9; 1 Corinthians 15:51). Here are the key passages and what Paul says:
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 - The Classic Rapture Passage
"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout... and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air..."
(vv. 16-17, KJV)
Paul describes:
A resurrection of dead believers.
A snatching away (Greek: harpazo, Latin: rapturo) of the living believers.
A meeting in the air-not Christ coming to Earth (contrast with Second Coming).
A comforting hope unique to the Body of Christ (v. 18).
1 Corinthians 15:51-53 - A Mystery Revealed
"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed... in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye"
Paul explains:
This was previously hidden-a mystery not found in prophecy.
There will be a transformation of living saints.
The event is instantaneous and involves receiving glorified bodies.
Philippians 3:20-21 - Our Heavenly Hope
"For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour... Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body"
Paul emphasizes:
Our hope is not earthly (kingdom), but heavenly.
Christ will give believers a glorified body like His own.
Summary:
Paul teaches that the rapture is a mystery revealed only to him for the Body of Christ. It is a pre-judgment event ( 1 Thess. 1:10; 5:9), sudden, and distinct from Christ's return to Earth in judgment (as in Matthew 24 or Revelation). This catching away is the blessed hope ( Titus 2:13) for those saved by grace through faith apart from the Law ( Romans 11:6; Ephesians 2:8-9).
You can find your answer in Jn. Ch. 1, especially vs. 14, but the verses preceding 14 explain who Jesus has always been prior to assuming human nature to His divine Person. He remained the Divine Son but in Jn. 1 The Son also was truly a human man and truly the Divine Person of the Son having always been God the Son from all eternity. But since the incarnation of God the Son into human flesh, being named Jesus, which means Yahweh Saves, is this God and Man forever, with a body that did die for the sins of the world. His divine nature can never die as it is Spirit as you say. But the Divine Person of Jesus experienced death in His human nature. This I truly believe. I just cannot read the New Testament and come to the conclusions you do. I think the Church from the apostolic times got it right with worshipping Jesus as God and Man, our Great God and Savior whom we wait for His glorious appearing at the end of the age. ( Titus 2:13)
The Greek to English of this verse in Titus identifies Jesus as our great God and Savior. It is His glorious appearing we hope in and wait for, not God the Father. So it would be a misinterpretation to separate "our Great God (Father) and Savior (Jesus) as the Greek does not allow for this interpretation.
When one comes to avow that Jesus is now both God and Man one can understand more clearly why Jesus' death satisfied the Father's wrath for those He saves because it would be necessary for a human to redeem mankind, but one man who lived without sinning could only pay the penalty for Himself. The merit and worth of Jesus' sacrifice is that He, as God the Son, was able to pay for the infinite offense of the sins of mankind to the fullest as these sins are an infinite offense to God. Jesus as the Divine Son did that as a human man who was also God the Son. Believing that Jesus is truly God and truly Man makes sense of ALL the testimony about Him.
There was no change in Jesus' Divine nature when He took upon Himself humanity.
Let no one despise you, and the word despise means to think down on you. It's just like he told Timothy, just different words, and under different circumstances. Set the church straight. Set the church in order. And notice that these relationships are listed under doctrine. This is the function of various people in the body of Christ with one another as a family. This is God's way.
We need more of the older women in the body of Christ to teach the younger women. It's a great need. One of my prayers is that the church gets back to focusing on the family. We need to go back to the grass roots, with the young people just getting married, and starting to have children, and be able to teach them how their own home church should be functioning, and how they should represent Christ, and how they should be growing in Christ.
And then how their family should be functioning with all the other families in that fellowship as one family in Christ. We have to go from big to small. We've gone from small to big, and we're kind of lost in the crowd. The things that Paul is telling Timothy and Titus, that's how all the fellowships were run. That's according to God's word, and it's very rare that it's taught today. And that's a shame!
Titus 2:15 - These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
These things speak, equivalent to when he told Timothy preach the word, speak these things. And so, Titus would have to go around to all these fellowships or at least get all the leaders together from a city that had these individual little fellowships, and he would have to teach them these things, and tell them you go back and teach your fellowships these things.
This is God's order. This is the way God wants the body of Christ to function. It's definitely not easy for Titus because of the pagan atmosphere that was there. We have the same problem, but our culture makes it easier for our paganism to get into the church. It's still worldly. It's still pagan. And we bring it into the church.
These things speak, and exhort, that is encourage, and rebuke, which is literally the word convict, with all authority, and the word authority is literally the word commandment. So, these things speak, and encourage, and bring conviction with all commandment, meaning command people to do these things. That's why it's translated authority.
Titus 2:14 - Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
He just talked about our Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Here is how I understand this. Jesus Christ gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity. The word redeem means to purchase out of the marketplace. What a person would do if they wanted to purchase a slave, they would go down to the marketplace, and they would have the slaves lined up.
And you could bid on them, or if no one's bidding, you could just come up and pay for one. And you could purchase a slave from out of the marketplace. And that word is applied to us. We're in the world. We're in the marketplace of sin, enslaved to sin. And Christ came and died for us on the cross and purchased us from out of the marketplace.
Some Christians have never heard that term purchased. In 1 Corinthians Chapter 6, Paul says do you not know that your bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, who you have from God? And you're not your own. You have been bought with a price.
When Jesus saved me, He also purchased me. The human body that I now live in belongs to Him. It is a temple, the temple of the Holy Spirit. So, he gave Himself, that He might redeem me, not just die for my sins, but purchase me. He owns me.
And purify unto Himself a peculiar people, who are zealous of good works. The word good is the word KALOS again (Not AGATHOS), people who are zealous to live right in the human the way God has taught us.
Titus 2:13 - Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
So, we have a position down here. We have an approach to the world and life down here, that we should reject the lusts, and the ungodliness, but live rightly lined with God in respect and reverence for Him. But at the same time, looking for that blessed hope, that living hope that we talked about, the glorious appearing.
In the Greek text, it talks about the appearing of His glory, the appearing of the glory of the great God, and our Savior Jesus Christ. So that's our position. That's our life summed up in the believer right there.
Titus 2:10 - Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
Not purloining, which means to take something that belongs to somebody else, like your master, and hide it away so that you could take it with you back to your home. For us it would be like being on a job and taking things that belong to the company and hiding them and taking them home with you, stealing it. Purloining is stealing something that belongs to someone else.
But shewing all good faith; that's what fidelity means. It means that you are faithful. That master can go into town all day and leave you there, trusting and knowing that you're going to be faithful, and that you're not going to steal from him.
The purpose: That they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things. That's a beautiful statement! To adorn means to dress it up. I carry with me the doctrine of God, and my life either throws a shadow over that, or it compliments it.
Paul said in 2 Corinthians Chapter 3 that we are books and letters being read by all people. People are reading us. I don't know if you do that, but I read people. And as God changes and transforms us, our life is a message. That would be like saying you have the message of God, adorn it with a good cover. I don't know about you, but I look at the cover of a book. I see the title, but if the cover on the book doesn't appeal to me, a lot of times I put it down.
Titus 2:11 - For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
It says for, and in the Greek text this is making reference back to Verse 1. Continually teach proper doctrine, for the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. Wow! The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.
Titus 2:5 - To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
To be discreet, and again, this is the word for sober mindedness. To be chaste, or holy in her lifestyle. Interesting, keepers at home. Some manuscripts read workers of the home. So, he's telling Titus that the proper function of younger Christian women is to keep the home.
She is to be good. This is the word AGATHOS, meaning good in the spiritual sense. She is to have God's goodness in her life. And then the word obedient is in a Participial form, and it means while being obedient. It means that she must be all of these things: being taught by older women, while being obedient, or submissive to their own husbands,
The purpose: that the word of God be not blasphemed. The body of Christ is desperately short of older women who make themselves available to the younger women to teach them how to keep the home, to love their husbands, take care of their children, to be sober minded in their thinking, to be holy in living, to be keepers of home, and all of this while being submissive to their own husbands.
Titus 2:7 - In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
He says in all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: and again, the word good is KALOS, because that's the theme of this section. Good works would be human, in the human realm.
Titus 2:9 - Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;
Exhort servants to be obedient to their own masters, and the word master is the word DESPOT, the owner. And to please them well in all things; not answering back;
Titus 2:3 - The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becomes holiness. Now all of that is just a long line of words that basically means to function as a priest. The word holiness is sacredness of a priest.
Now here's what its saying. It doesn't mean that women should become priests, but her behavior should be that of one who serves God as a priest. Sometimes, we don't hold leadership to a high standard, but we hold pastors to high standards. Yet the bible says that the people in the body of Christ are to behave and conduct their lives in a sacred way, just like a priest.
Not false accusers. Literally, it's the word DIABOLOS, meaning not slanderers.
Not given, or more literally enslaved to much wine. You might say what's that word much in there mean? Shouldn't it be without wine? Well, remember, they took a little wine because of the bad water. Older women should not be enslaved to much wine.
And they should be teachers of good things. The word good is the word KALOS, which means things that have to do with right living, which is why we have this next section, the proper function of younger women.
Titus 2:1 - But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
The word speak is a Present Imperative which means continue. Continue to speak the things which become proper doctrine. Don't stop saying it. Continue to teach it.
Titus 2:2 - That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
Here he's talking about the aged men. They are to be sober. They are to be grave. That means serious about the things of the Lord. Temperate, which in this case means sober mindedness, and we've seen this one before. Their thinking in judgment should not be influenced by thoughts from outside, except for the things of God.
They should be sound, or healthy in the faith. In charity, which is the word AGAPE, in love. And in patience. This is HUPOMENO, and this has to do with remaining under our circumstances. So, their testimony is they must be sober, serious about the things of the Lord, sober minded in their thinking, healthy with respect to faith, love, and endurance.
The only way to be safe by the evil spirits, we need to read and pray continually everyday for God to speak to us . The devil will tempt our spirit and then we could sin in our flesh.
Galatians 5:18-21
18But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
It is easy for the devil to use man to deceive us with all the worldly things .
Colossians 2:8
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of theworld, and not after Christ.
A rich Christian can fall very easily.
1 Timothy 6:17
Charge them that are rich in thisworld, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
Apostle Paul said that Demas loved this world and departed , but still saved .
2 Timothy 4:10
For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this presentworld, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
Drinking alcohol can put us in a bad spirit of this world.
Titus 2:12
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness andworldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this presentworld;
Are we having World War 3 ? ? Are we having earthquake nationwide ? ? Are Christians being killed for spreading the gospel of grace ? ?
Matthew chapter 24 speak of the Tribulation and we are not even close. We are seen bits and pieces.
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
Matthew 25:8-11
8All these are the beginning of sorrows.
9Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
10And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
11And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
To really know when the Tribulation will start, there's has to be a event from Heaven happen first.
1 Corinthians 15:52
Inamoment,inthe twinkling ofan eye,at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound,and the dead shall be raisedincorruptible,and we shall be changed.
That's right, the Rapture or the gathering in the clouds by the sound of on trumpet from God will happen first and then the Tribulation will start, but there's hope.
Titus 2:13
Looking for thatblessedhope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
May we all look up today in the clouds for that blessed hope in Christ Jesus.
Ray , in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 the Rapture is true and real .
GiGi , thanks for your story and it really touched my heart . I know that all may not agree with what I post in the writing, but it's all about winning one soul to Christ Jesus. I also know we can use the word of God to fight the scriptures in a way that is not Faith. I pray to God everyday that I do it in love and I do it in Jesus Christ faith .
Philippians 1:14-17
14And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
15Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
16The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
17But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
As a Christians, we are always going to offend others, because they are always ready to point it out. Satan and his followers will always accuse us of all our sins to God.
Revelation 12:10
And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for theaccuserof our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
But there hope, it's Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.
Titus 2:13
Looking for thatblessedhope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
The Holy Spirit inside us is a wonderful joy and I want to spread that joy to others.
Galatians 5:22-25
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father in glory and honor equal with the Father, as both are worshipped as such in Rev. 5:1-14;
9:1-8). Only God is rightfully worshipped.
And I believe that in Jesus, though He is fully human and fully God, having two natures that are united in the one Person of Jesus, these natures are not mixed together to form a new nature. Therefore, everything that Jesus did or said was as the divine Person of the Son of God. There are not two persons in Jesus: one divine and one human, nor is Jesus a human Person only, nor a human Person with deity.
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. John 1:14; Jesus is "God with us" "Emmanuel" Is. 7:14; Mt. 1:23; Titus 2:13.
I welcome others to discuss this if they feel led to by the Holy Spirit, both respectfully and seriously, not reactively.
May I say my opinion on christians drinking alchohol?
Paul suggests that the elders (or bishops) should not be "given to wine". This doesn't mean not to drink wine but not to drink in excess and getting drunk. That is why he says "not to be GIVEN". The grk also implies not to drink in excess.
Was Jesus drinking wine? Matthew 11:18-19, "For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.THE SON OF GOD CAME EATING AND DRINKING, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children."
In the above Matthew doesn't imply that Jesus was not drinking water, that would be very wierd, but he means drinking wine.
In the last supper with His disciples just before His crucifixtion, Jesus gave His apostles bread and wine for His Body and Blood. So He took wine from the wine they were drinking and gave them.
Paul in 1 Cor 11:20-21 writes, "When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken."
So that means that christians were having wine during their meals and Paul condemns their attitude of drinking in excess and getting drunk.
Titus 2:3 "The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;"
It says not be given to MUCH wine, it doesn't say not to drink wine at all.
Brother Jesse is right when he mentions that the ancient greeks used to mix wine with water when drinking. But not in that ratio of 9:1. The latter was done only when they wanted to clean the water they were drinking (which was not as clean as it is today by the use of so many chemicals) so they just poured a little bit of wine in the water to purify it. But I do not know if that was a custom in Hebrews too. Maybe it was common to all people at that time.
The more I read Apostle Paul's epistle, the more the doctrine will make me see false preachers and teachers today.
Romans 16:17
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to thedoctrinewhich ye have learned; and avoid them.
At one time I would listen to every preacher out there and think it was good doctrine, but I was not the doctrine of today , it only made things more confusing.
Ephesians 4:14
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind ofdoctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
I thank God Almighty for Grace Believers not being in the Tribulation. It's only going to get worse with doctrines of devils.
1 Timothy 4:1
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, anddoctrines of devils;
There is hope for doctrine today and that is Apostle Paul's epistle.
Titus 2:1
But speak thou the things which become sounddoctrine:
Apostle Paul told the Corinthians to follow him, Apostle Paul has the doctrine of grace.
1 Corinthians 11:1
Be yefollowers ofme, even as I also am of Christ.
Apostle Paul did not walk with Jesus like the 12 Disiples in the flesh, Paul is separated from that with his doctrine.
Romans 1:1
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
Apostle Paul has a doctrine.
2 Timothy 3:10
But thou hast fully known mydoctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
The whole Bible has doctrine, but which doctrine do we follow today for living in the gospel of grace. " Apostle Paul "
2 Timothy 3:16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable fordoctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
The reason some don't believe the trinity is because they don't believe the scriptures and they don't believe Jesus Christ is God.
When you read this verse, Jesus Christ is the Word. The three are one and that means trinity.
1 John 5:7
For there arethreethat bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and thesethreeare one.
Jesus Christ is the Word and the Word is God.
John 1:1
In the beginning was theWord, and theWordwas with God, and theWordwas God.
Jesus Christ the Word became flesh on earth.
John 1:14
And theWordwas made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Remember that Jesus Christ is the Word of God.
Matthew 24:35
Heavenandearthshall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Matthew 28:18
AndJesus cameandspake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me inheavenandinearth.
Jesus Christ said that He is God.
Matthew 22:32
IamtheGod of Abraham, andtheGod ofIsaac, andtheGod of Jacob? Godis nottheGod ofthedead, but oftheliving.
Jesus Christ said that the Father in Heaven is one with Him in the Trinity.
John 10:30
IandmyFatherareone.
Jesus Christ is our great God and Saviour.
Titus 2:13
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Jesus Christ is the Godhead.
Colossians 2:9
For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
Jesus Christ is God manifested in the flesh.
1 Timothy 3:16
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 God died for us on the cross.
There are many verses in the Bible that show the human nature of Jesus. But also there are many verses that show the divine nature of Jesus. Some of them are many parts of John's gospel (especially the begining) such as John 1:30, John 2:19, John 3:13, John 8:58-59, John 10:30-33, John 14:9-10, John 14:23, John 20:28, Acts 20:28, Titus 2:13, 2 Peter 1:1, Hebrews 1:8, Matthew 1:22-23, 1 Cor 10:9, Isaiah 40:3, Malachi 3:1, Zechariah 11:12-13, Romans 9:1-5, and many other that I can not recall now. Jesus also accepted people to kneel infront of Him, something that is only permitted for God. Also compare Psalms 102:25-27 where it talks about God to Hebrews 1:10 where it talks about Jesus. Also compare Joel 3:5 to Acts 9:13. Compare Jeremiah 17:9 to Rev 2:23, etc.
So we have two kinds of scripture. One says that Jesus is human, the other says that Jesus is God. So what do we make out of these two? The obvious, that Jesus is the God, one person of the Godhead, who became man.
Lets think it in another way. We know that God loved people so much so that He sacrificed His own son for us. Now lets use another example. Suppose I love my brother and want to help Him. and the only way to help him is to give my own life for him. How does it seem to you that I would sacrifice instead of my own life, my son's life for Him to help Him? Why my son? And not myself? The most sensible thing is that I would sacrifice my own life for him, not somebody's else. That would be very egoistic. Somebody else to suffer for my intention to help somebody that I love? I think you can understand what I trying to say. So what did God do? He sacrificed Himself for us, one person out of the Godhead took on Him our nature, became a man and gave His life for us. So it is God's love that attracts people to Him. It wouldn't be love if He sacrificed somebody else, an innocent person's life, for his intention to save us. I hope I haven't done it so complicated to understand. GBU
Your hope for your son and yourself is in the Lord Jesus Christ, our Great God and Savior, as stated in Titus 2:13; in the Father, our God Almighty, and the Holy Spirit who dwells in believers, so I recommend you keep spending your time and energies with God in prayer, asking for wisdom in this situation, for deliverance for your son, and the opening of doors for his care for the future.
I continue to keep you and Arthur in prayer. And I do recommend reading Psalms. Thanks for sharing this update. I am partnering with you in this distressing situation.
Who is God that we should worship ? Does God really answers our prayers ? Will God save us from Hell Fire ? We never hear God's voice, so why should we believe God?
I hear those questions all the time. People just want to go on with their life and be not bothered. People love the world more then the maker of this world.
Jesus Christ said that He is God.
Matthew 22:32
IamtheGod of Abraham, andtheGod ofIsaac, andtheGod of Jacob? Godis nottheGod ofthedead, but oftheliving.
John 10:30
IandmyFatherareone.
Titus 2:13
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Now we all know who is God. Jesus Christ
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 may Jesus Christ save you today by believing these verses , just believe only
Just a couple of corrections to the above: Of Jesus Christ: John 16:27,28 (I left a gap in-between, so the verse couldn't be highlighted). And Titus 3:13 should read as Titus 2:13. Apologies.
Graciousness is not something that God puts on and takes off.
Grace is one of the most important concepts in the Bible, Christianity, and the world. It is most clearly expressed in the promises of God revealed in Scripture and embodied in Jesus Christ.
Grace is the love of God shown to the unlovely, the peace of God given to the restless, the unmerited favor of God (Max Lucado)
I love that quote!
Grace is God's un-coerced initiative and pervasive, extravagant demonstrations of care and favor towards those who are objects of His wrath when He regenerates them to cause them to become objects of mercy in His own sovereign act.
Christians live every day by the grace of God. We receive forgiveness according to the riches of God's grace, and grace drives our sanctification. Paul tells us, "the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives" ( Titus 2:11). Spiritual growth doesn't happen overnight; we "grow in the grace"
Grace is what God does because he is gracious.
It does not depend on the situation. God is always gracious. Every action of God toward us involves his grace. His creation, providence, conviction of the sinner, gift of salvation, equipping of the saints, and the future He has prepared for us. All of this is due to God's grace.
Here is how grace is defined by some of the different Bible Dictionaries:
The Next subject is God's freely give undeserved grace.
GOD'S GRACE IS FREELY GIVEN, UNEARNED FAVOR WITH GOD
IT IS RECEIVING WHAT WE DO NOT DESERVE
IT IS GOD'S BLESSINGS IN THIS LIFE AND THE NEXT
What is the grace of God? Simply put it is God's favor and kindness toward us. Grace is God choosing to bless us rather than curse us as our sin deserves. It is His benevolence to the undeserving.
But it also exerts God's power in our life to bring about all that is needed for us to be saved: regeneration, repentance, faith, and trust in God in Jesus. And in Titus 2:11-13 we read that God's grace empowers us to say yes to what is right and no to what is sinful. It enables us to live godly lives in a wicked world.
The Holy Spirit uses grace to sanctify us unto God and to transform us to be more and more like our Lord and Savior. And it provides us with a sure and blessed hope of the appearing of Jesus, the great God and Savior. Without grace, we would give up on this hope. But God graces us with hope that does not fail.
God rains down grace on all mankind. He gave us the beauty and wonders of nature that we see each and every day. He gives us near misses when accidents are heading our way. He often brings us the right thing just in time. And He also gave us an innate conscience to know right from wrong. All these things are common graces, and everyone born on the earth has the benefit of them because God so loved the world.
Just being born on this planet includes many benefits. But when someone becomes a believer in Christ, that person receives even more graceful benefits from God reserved only for God's elect. In fact, believers are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm because we are united with Christ.
"We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are" ( Acts 15:11).
Ephesians 2:8 says, "For by grace are you saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves."
I have been blessed and continue to be blessed in the name of my SAVIOR. Though I have not been perfect, my LORD JESUS CHRIST is always perfect and faithful to His promises.
GOD to shine His face on all who have believed and trusted in the gospel of the LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Bless our nation, FATHER! For without You we are nothing. John 17
"11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing (in grk the appearance of glory) of the great God and our Saviour(Saviour of ours) Jesus Christ;
14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
I went through the above verses today. It is one of my most favorite scripture as it is sort of a summary of our faith. It is so clear that Jesus Christ is the great God who we are expecting to appear in glory.
The above also tells us that God's grace teaches us to deny sin and live a holy life full of good works. So how can some claim that nothing else matters but grace, no need for works. Grace doesn't teach such a thing.
Yes i agree that the rapture itself is imminent, meaning it could happen at any moment-before these signs even fully unfold. Unlike the Second Coming, the rapture has no prophesied events that must precede it. Paul calls it our "blessed hope" ( Titus 2:13), meant to encourage and comfort believers rather than create fear. NOT THAT YOU'RE DOING THAT AT ALL!
So, could the rapture be near? Yes-it has always been "at hand" since Paul's day, and the alignment of current events makes many believers sense its nearness even more strongly. But the exact time is God's secret ( Acts 1:7), so our focus should be readiness: living in Christ, walking in grace, and sharing the gospel while there is still time.
Grace and Peace
If your "battle" is with believing that Jesus is God, may I suggest the following scriptures for your consideration:
Genesis 1:1 along with John 1:1-3, Revelation 19:13, Colossians 1:15-17, Matthew 1:23, John 10:30, John 14:9, Mark 2:5-7, John 8:58, John 20:28, Isaiah 9:6, Philippians 2:5-7, Colossians 2:9, 1 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 1:8, 2 Peter 1:1, Revelation 1:8, John 5:18, 1 John 5:20, Luke 24:52, John 9:38, Acts 10:25-26, Titus 2:13, Hebrews 1:3, Revelation 22:13, Micah 5:2, John 17:5, John 1:14. There are more, but these should suffice.
You mention that "Christians say that there is no separation between Christ and God," and that the bible shows otherwise. Jesus said I and my Father are one, and He also said that if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father. This may not mean anything to you, but in the book of Hebrews, Jesus is described as the APOUGASMA (the out beam) of God's glory, God projecting Himself through the time/space factor in the person of Christ. Jesus Christ, being God, was never separated from the source. This is why Jesus can say if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father.
The best example I can give would be taking a flashlight in a dark room and shining it on a wall. The flashlight is the source, and the light is projected on the wall from the source. There is no separation unless the flashlight is turned off. Now, imagine the flashlight being God, and the light shining on the wall is Jesus, again, no separation. Jesus is said to be the true light which came down from heaven, the APOUGASMA of God.
If you are sincerely struggling with the deity of Jesus Christ (Him being God), I hope these scriptures I've provided might help. Also, if you would like, I can share my personal understanding on Matthew 26:39 and Luke 22:42 and why Christ would ask this.
If I may ask, are you a Christian? If so, who do you say Jesus is?
My understanding of the Endtimes...
RAPTURE - Christ Comes for His Church
Purpose: Remove the Body of Christ before God's wrath ( 1 Thess. 1:10; 5:9), unite all Church-age believers with Christ in heaven ( John 14:1-3), and complete the "mystery" program revealed to Paul but hidden in the OT ( Eph. 3:1-11).
Timing: Before the seven-year Tribulation (pre-trib view). No prophetic signs must occur first; it is imminent ( Titus 2:13).
Nature: Sudden, supernatural, without visible cosmic signs.
Christ descends into the air, not to earth. Believers' bodies instantly transformed ( 1 Cor. 15:51-52). Dead and living saints caught up together to meet Him ( 1 Thess. 4:16-17).
Participants: Exclusively the Church - those "in Christ" from Pentecost to the Rapture.
Aftermath: Church in heaven; world enters Tribulation ( Dan. 9:27; Rev. 6-18). God's focus returns to Israel's prophetic program ( Rom. 11:25-27).
SECOND COMING - Christ Comes with His Saints
Purpose: Judge nations ( Matt. 25:31-46), deliver Israel from her enemies ( Zech. 12:9-10; 14:3-4), and establish the Millennial
Kingdom ( Rev. 20:1-6).
Timing: After the Tribulation ( Matt. 24:29-30). Preceded by clear signs - cosmic disturbances ( Matt. 24:29), Antichrist revealed ( 2 Thess. 2:3-4), global judgments ( Rev. 6-18).
Nature: Public, visible to all ( Rev. 1:7). Christ descends to the Mount of Olives ( Zech. 14:4) with heaven's armies to defeat His enemies ( Rev. 19:15-21).
Participants: Christ, angels, and all raptured saints return ( Rev. 19:14). Survivors of the Tribulation, believing and unbelieving, are judged.
Aftermath: Satan bound 1,000 years ( Rev. 20:1-3). Christ reigns from Jerusalem ( Isa. 2:2-4; Mic. 4:1-3). Israel restored to her land in peace and blessing ( Ezek. 37:21-28).
God Bless!
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 - The Classic Rapture Passage
"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout... and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air..."
(vv. 16-17, KJV)
Paul describes:
A resurrection of dead believers.
A snatching away (Greek: harpazo, Latin: rapturo) of the living believers.
A meeting in the air-not Christ coming to Earth (contrast with Second Coming).
A comforting hope unique to the Body of Christ (v. 18).
1 Corinthians 15:51-53 - A Mystery Revealed
"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed... in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye"
Paul explains:
This was previously hidden-a mystery not found in prophecy.
There will be a transformation of living saints.
The event is instantaneous and involves receiving glorified bodies.
Philippians 3:20-21 - Our Heavenly Hope
"For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour... Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body"
Paul emphasizes:
Our hope is not earthly (kingdom), but heavenly.
Christ will give believers a glorified body like His own.
Summary:
Paul teaches that the rapture is a mystery revealed only to him for the Body of Christ. It is a pre-judgment event ( 1 Thess. 1:10; 5:9), sudden, and distinct from Christ's return to Earth in judgment (as in Matthew 24 or Revelation). This catching away is the blessed hope ( Titus 2:13) for those saved by grace through faith apart from the Law ( Romans 11:6; Ephesians 2:8-9).
"Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."
Titus 2:12
"Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Matthew 5:16
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
Blessings
You can find your answer in Jn. Ch. 1, especially vs. 14, but the verses preceding 14 explain who Jesus has always been prior to assuming human nature to His divine Person. He remained the Divine Son but in Jn. 1 The Son also was truly a human man and truly the Divine Person of the Son having always been God the Son from all eternity. But since the incarnation of God the Son into human flesh, being named Jesus, which means Yahweh Saves, is this God and Man forever, with a body that did die for the sins of the world. His divine nature can never die as it is Spirit as you say. But the Divine Person of Jesus experienced death in His human nature. This I truly believe. I just cannot read the New Testament and come to the conclusions you do. I think the Church from the apostolic times got it right with worshipping Jesus as God and Man, our Great God and Savior whom we wait for His glorious appearing at the end of the age. ( Titus 2:13)
The Greek to English of this verse in Titus identifies Jesus as our great God and Savior. It is His glorious appearing we hope in and wait for, not God the Father. So it would be a misinterpretation to separate "our Great God (Father) and Savior (Jesus) as the Greek does not allow for this interpretation.
When one comes to avow that Jesus is now both God and Man one can understand more clearly why Jesus' death satisfied the Father's wrath for those He saves because it would be necessary for a human to redeem mankind, but one man who lived without sinning could only pay the penalty for Himself. The merit and worth of Jesus' sacrifice is that He, as God the Son, was able to pay for the infinite offense of the sins of mankind to the fullest as these sins are an infinite offense to God. Jesus as the Divine Son did that as a human man who was also God the Son. Believing that Jesus is truly God and truly Man makes sense of ALL the testimony about Him.
There was no change in Jesus' Divine nature when He took upon Himself humanity.
Titus 2:15 Continued:
Let no one despise you, and the word despise means to think down on you. It's just like he told Timothy, just different words, and under different circumstances. Set the church straight. Set the church in order. And notice that these relationships are listed under doctrine. This is the function of various people in the body of Christ with one another as a family. This is God's way.
We need more of the older women in the body of Christ to teach the younger women. It's a great need. One of my prayers is that the church gets back to focusing on the family. We need to go back to the grass roots, with the young people just getting married, and starting to have children, and be able to teach them how their own home church should be functioning, and how they should represent Christ, and how they should be growing in Christ.
And then how their family should be functioning with all the other families in that fellowship as one family in Christ. We have to go from big to small. We've gone from small to big, and we're kind of lost in the crowd. The things that Paul is telling Timothy and Titus, that's how all the fellowships were run. That's according to God's word, and it's very rare that it's taught today. And that's a shame!
Titus 2:15 - These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
These things speak, equivalent to when he told Timothy preach the word, speak these things. And so, Titus would have to go around to all these fellowships or at least get all the leaders together from a city that had these individual little fellowships, and he would have to teach them these things, and tell them you go back and teach your fellowships these things.
This is God's order. This is the way God wants the body of Christ to function. It's definitely not easy for Titus because of the pagan atmosphere that was there. We have the same problem, but our culture makes it easier for our paganism to get into the church. It's still worldly. It's still pagan. And we bring it into the church.
These things speak, and exhort, that is encourage, and rebuke, which is literally the word convict, with all authority, and the word authority is literally the word commandment. So, these things speak, and encourage, and bring conviction with all commandment, meaning command people to do these things. That's why it's translated authority.
Titus 2:14 - Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
He just talked about our Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Here is how I understand this. Jesus Christ gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity. The word redeem means to purchase out of the marketplace. What a person would do if they wanted to purchase a slave, they would go down to the marketplace, and they would have the slaves lined up.
And you could bid on them, or if no one's bidding, you could just come up and pay for one. And you could purchase a slave from out of the marketplace. And that word is applied to us. We're in the world. We're in the marketplace of sin, enslaved to sin. And Christ came and died for us on the cross and purchased us from out of the marketplace.
Some Christians have never heard that term purchased. In 1 Corinthians Chapter 6, Paul says do you not know that your bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, who you have from God? And you're not your own. You have been bought with a price.
When Jesus saved me, He also purchased me. The human body that I now live in belongs to Him. It is a temple, the temple of the Holy Spirit. So, he gave Himself, that He might redeem me, not just die for my sins, but purchase me. He owns me.
And purify unto Himself a peculiar people, who are zealous of good works. The word good is the word KALOS again (Not AGATHOS), people who are zealous to live right in the human the way God has taught us.
Titus 2:13 - Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
So, we have a position down here. We have an approach to the world and life down here, that we should reject the lusts, and the ungodliness, but live rightly lined with God in respect and reverence for Him. But at the same time, looking for that blessed hope, that living hope that we talked about, the glorious appearing.
In the Greek text, it talks about the appearing of His glory, the appearing of the glory of the great God, and our Savior Jesus Christ. So that's our position. That's our life summed up in the believer right there.
Titus 2:10 - Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
Not purloining, which means to take something that belongs to somebody else, like your master, and hide it away so that you could take it with you back to your home. For us it would be like being on a job and taking things that belong to the company and hiding them and taking them home with you, stealing it. Purloining is stealing something that belongs to someone else.
But shewing all good faith; that's what fidelity means. It means that you are faithful. That master can go into town all day and leave you there, trusting and knowing that you're going to be faithful, and that you're not going to steal from him.
The purpose: That they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things. That's a beautiful statement! To adorn means to dress it up. I carry with me the doctrine of God, and my life either throws a shadow over that, or it compliments it.
Paul said in 2 Corinthians Chapter 3 that we are books and letters being read by all people. People are reading us. I don't know if you do that, but I read people. And as God changes and transforms us, our life is a message. That would be like saying you have the message of God, adorn it with a good cover. I don't know about you, but I look at the cover of a book. I see the title, but if the cover on the book doesn't appeal to me, a lot of times I put it down.
Titus 2:11 - For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
It says for, and in the Greek text this is making reference back to Verse 1. Continually teach proper doctrine, for the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. Wow! The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.
Titus 2:5 - To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
To be discreet, and again, this is the word for sober mindedness. To be chaste, or holy in her lifestyle. Interesting, keepers at home. Some manuscripts read workers of the home. So, he's telling Titus that the proper function of younger Christian women is to keep the home.
She is to be good. This is the word AGATHOS, meaning good in the spiritual sense. She is to have God's goodness in her life. And then the word obedient is in a Participial form, and it means while being obedient. It means that she must be all of these things: being taught by older women, while being obedient, or submissive to their own husbands,
The purpose: that the word of God be not blasphemed. The body of Christ is desperately short of older women who make themselves available to the younger women to teach them how to keep the home, to love their husbands, take care of their children, to be sober minded in their thinking, to be holy in living, to be keepers of home, and all of this while being submissive to their own husbands.
Titus 2:7 - In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
He says in all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: and again, the word good is KALOS, because that's the theme of this section. Good works would be human, in the human realm.
Titus 2:9 - Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;
Exhort servants to be obedient to their own masters, and the word master is the word DESPOT, the owner. And to please them well in all things; not answering back;
Titus 2:3 - The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becomes holiness. Now all of that is just a long line of words that basically means to function as a priest. The word holiness is sacredness of a priest.
Now here's what its saying. It doesn't mean that women should become priests, but her behavior should be that of one who serves God as a priest. Sometimes, we don't hold leadership to a high standard, but we hold pastors to high standards. Yet the bible says that the people in the body of Christ are to behave and conduct their lives in a sacred way, just like a priest.
Not false accusers. Literally, it's the word DIABOLOS, meaning not slanderers.
Not given, or more literally enslaved to much wine. You might say what's that word much in there mean? Shouldn't it be without wine? Well, remember, they took a little wine because of the bad water. Older women should not be enslaved to much wine.
And they should be teachers of good things. The word good is the word KALOS, which means things that have to do with right living, which is why we have this next section, the proper function of younger women.
Titus 2:1 - But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
The word speak is a Present Imperative which means continue. Continue to speak the things which become proper doctrine. Don't stop saying it. Continue to teach it.
Titus 2:2 - That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
Here he's talking about the aged men. They are to be sober. They are to be grave. That means serious about the things of the Lord. Temperate, which in this case means sober mindedness, and we've seen this one before. Their thinking in judgment should not be influenced by thoughts from outside, except for the things of God.
They should be sound, or healthy in the faith. In charity, which is the word AGAPE, in love. And in patience. This is HUPOMENO, and this has to do with remaining under our circumstances. So, their testimony is they must be sober, serious about the things of the Lord, sober minded in their thinking, healthy with respect to faith, love, and endurance.
The only way to be safe by the evil spirits, we need to read and pray continually everyday for God to speak to us . The devil will tempt our spirit and then we could sin in our flesh.
Galatians 5:18-21
18But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
It is easy for the devil to use man to deceive us with all the worldly things .
Colossians 2:8
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of theworld, and not after Christ.
A rich Christian can fall very easily.
1 Timothy 6:17
Charge them that are rich in thisworld, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
Apostle Paul said that Demas loved this world and departed , but still saved .
2 Timothy 4:10
For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this presentworld, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
Drinking alcohol can put us in a bad spirit of this world.
Titus 2:12
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness andworldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this presentworld;
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Are we having World War 3 ? ? Are we having earthquake nationwide ? ? Are Christians being killed for spreading the gospel of grace ? ?
Matthew chapter 24 speak of the Tribulation and we are not even close. We are seen bits and pieces.
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
Matthew 25:8-11
8All these are the beginning of sorrows.
9Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
10And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
11And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
To really know when the Tribulation will start, there's has to be a event from Heaven happen first.
1 Corinthians 15:52
Inamoment,inthe twinkling ofan eye,at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound,and the dead shall be raisedincorruptible,and we shall be changed.
That's right, the Rapture or the gathering in the clouds by the sound of on trumpet from God will happen first and then the Tribulation will start, but there's hope.
Titus 2:13
Looking for thatblessedhope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
May we all look up today in the clouds for that blessed hope in Christ Jesus.
Ray , in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 the Rapture is true and real .
Philippians 1:14-17
14And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
15Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
16The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
17But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
As a Christians, we are always going to offend others, because they are always ready to point it out. Satan and his followers will always accuse us of all our sins to God.
Revelation 12:10
And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for theaccuserof our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
But there hope, it's Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.
Titus 2:13
Looking for thatblessedhope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
The Holy Spirit inside us is a wonderful joy and I want to spread that joy to others.
Galatians 5:22-25
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
The joy of the Resurrection of Christ Jesus
pT. 2
Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father in glory and honor equal with the Father, as both are worshipped as such in Rev. 5:1-14;
9:1-8). Only God is rightfully worshipped.
And I believe that in Jesus, though He is fully human and fully God, having two natures that are united in the one Person of Jesus, these natures are not mixed together to form a new nature. Therefore, everything that Jesus did or said was as the divine Person of the Son of God. There are not two persons in Jesus: one divine and one human, nor is Jesus a human Person only, nor a human Person with deity.
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. John 1:14; Jesus is "God with us" "Emmanuel" Is. 7:14; Mt. 1:23; Titus 2:13.
I welcome others to discuss this if they feel led to by the Holy Spirit, both respectfully and seriously, not reactively.
May I say my opinion on christians drinking alchohol?
Paul suggests that the elders (or bishops) should not be "given to wine". This doesn't mean not to drink wine but not to drink in excess and getting drunk. That is why he says "not to be GIVEN". The grk also implies not to drink in excess.
Was Jesus drinking wine? Matthew 11:18-19, "For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.THE SON OF GOD CAME EATING AND DRINKING, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children."
In the above Matthew doesn't imply that Jesus was not drinking water, that would be very wierd, but he means drinking wine.
In the last supper with His disciples just before His crucifixtion, Jesus gave His apostles bread and wine for His Body and Blood. So He took wine from the wine they were drinking and gave them.
Paul in 1 Cor 11:20-21 writes, "When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken."
So that means that christians were having wine during their meals and Paul condemns their attitude of drinking in excess and getting drunk.
Titus 2:3 "The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;"
It says not be given to MUCH wine, it doesn't say not to drink wine at all.
Brother Jesse is right when he mentions that the ancient greeks used to mix wine with water when drinking. But not in that ratio of 9:1. The latter was done only when they wanted to clean the water they were drinking (which was not as clean as it is today by the use of so many chemicals) so they just poured a little bit of wine in the water to purify it. But I do not know if that was a custom in Hebrews too. Maybe it was common to all people at that time.
GBU
The more I read Apostle Paul's epistle, the more the doctrine will make me see false preachers and teachers today.
Romans 16:17
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to thedoctrinewhich ye have learned; and avoid them.
At one time I would listen to every preacher out there and think it was good doctrine, but I was not the doctrine of today , it only made things more confusing.
Ephesians 4:14
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind ofdoctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
I thank God Almighty for Grace Believers not being in the Tribulation. It's only going to get worse with doctrines of devils.
1 Timothy 4:1
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, anddoctrines of devils;
There is hope for doctrine today and that is Apostle Paul's epistle.
Titus 2:1
But speak thou the things which become sounddoctrine:
Apostle Paul told the Corinthians to follow him, Apostle Paul has the doctrine of grace.
1 Corinthians 11:1
Be yefollowers ofme, even as I also am of Christ.
Apostle Paul did not walk with Jesus like the 12 Disiples in the flesh, Paul is separated from that with his doctrine.
Romans 1:1
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
Apostle Paul has a doctrine.
2 Timothy 3:10
But thou hast fully known mydoctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
The whole Bible has doctrine, but which doctrine do we follow today for living in the gospel of grace. " Apostle Paul "
2 Timothy 3:16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable fordoctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
When you read this verse, Jesus Christ is the Word. The three are one and that means trinity.
1 John 5:7
For there arethreethat bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and thesethreeare one.
Jesus Christ is the Word and the Word is God.
John 1:1
In the beginning was theWord, and theWordwas with God, and theWordwas God.
Jesus Christ the Word became flesh on earth.
John 1:14
And theWordwas made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Remember that Jesus Christ is the Word of God.
Matthew 24:35
Heavenandearthshall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Matthew 28:18
AndJesus cameandspake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me inheavenandinearth.
Jesus Christ said that He is God.
Matthew 22:32
IamtheGod of Abraham, andtheGod ofIsaac, andtheGod of Jacob? Godis nottheGod ofthedead, but oftheliving.
Jesus Christ said that the Father in Heaven is one with Him in the Trinity.
John 10:30
IandmyFatherareone.
Jesus Christ is our great God and Saviour.
Titus 2:13
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Jesus Christ is the Godhead.
Colossians 2:9
For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
Jesus Christ is God manifested in the flesh.
1 Timothy 3:16
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 God died for us on the cross.
There are many verses in the Bible that show the human nature of Jesus. But also there are many verses that show the divine nature of Jesus. Some of them are many parts of John's gospel (especially the begining) such as John 1:30, John 2:19, John 3:13, John 8:58-59, John 10:30-33, John 14:9-10, John 14:23, John 20:28, Acts 20:28, Titus 2:13, 2 Peter 1:1, Hebrews 1:8, Matthew 1:22-23, 1 Cor 10:9, Isaiah 40:3, Malachi 3:1, Zechariah 11:12-13, Romans 9:1-5, and many other that I can not recall now. Jesus also accepted people to kneel infront of Him, something that is only permitted for God. Also compare Psalms 102:25-27 where it talks about God to Hebrews 1:10 where it talks about Jesus. Also compare Joel 3:5 to Acts 9:13. Compare Jeremiah 17:9 to Rev 2:23, etc.
So we have two kinds of scripture. One says that Jesus is human, the other says that Jesus is God. So what do we make out of these two? The obvious, that Jesus is the God, one person of the Godhead, who became man.
Lets think it in another way. We know that God loved people so much so that He sacrificed His own son for us. Now lets use another example. Suppose I love my brother and want to help Him. and the only way to help him is to give my own life for him. How does it seem to you that I would sacrifice instead of my own life, my son's life for Him to help Him? Why my son? And not myself? The most sensible thing is that I would sacrifice my own life for him, not somebody's else. That would be very egoistic. Somebody else to suffer for my intention to help somebody that I love? I think you can understand what I trying to say. So what did God do? He sacrificed Himself for us, one person out of the Godhead took on Him our nature, became a man and gave His life for us. So it is God's love that attracts people to Him. It wouldn't be love if He sacrificed somebody else, an innocent person's life, for his intention to save us. I hope I haven't done it so complicated to understand. GBU
Your hope for your son and yourself is in the Lord Jesus Christ, our Great God and Savior, as stated in Titus 2:13; in the Father, our God Almighty, and the Holy Spirit who dwells in believers, so I recommend you keep spending your time and energies with God in prayer, asking for wisdom in this situation, for deliverance for your son, and the opening of doors for his care for the future.
I continue to keep you and Arthur in prayer. And I do recommend reading Psalms. Thanks for sharing this update. I am partnering with you in this distressing situation.
I hear those questions all the time. People just want to go on with their life and be not bothered. People love the world more then the maker of this world.
Jesus Christ said that He is God.
Matthew 22:32
IamtheGod of Abraham, andtheGod ofIsaac, andtheGod of Jacob? Godis nottheGod ofthedead, but oftheliving.
John 10:30
IandmyFatherareone.
Titus 2:13
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Now we all know who is God. Jesus Christ
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 may Jesus Christ save you today by believing these verses , just believe only
Pt.3
Graciousness is not something that God puts on and takes off.
Grace is one of the most important concepts in the Bible, Christianity, and the world. It is most clearly expressed in the promises of God revealed in Scripture and embodied in Jesus Christ.
Grace is the love of God shown to the unlovely, the peace of God given to the restless, the unmerited favor of God (Max Lucado)
I love that quote!
Grace is God's un-coerced initiative and pervasive, extravagant demonstrations of care and favor towards those who are objects of His wrath when He regenerates them to cause them to become objects of mercy in His own sovereign act.
Christians live every day by the grace of God. We receive forgiveness according to the riches of God's grace, and grace drives our sanctification. Paul tells us, "the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives" ( Titus 2:11). Spiritual growth doesn't happen overnight; we "grow in the grace"
Grace is what God does because he is gracious.
It does not depend on the situation. God is always gracious. Every action of God toward us involves his grace. His creation, providence, conviction of the sinner, gift of salvation, equipping of the saints, and the future He has prepared for us. All of this is due to God's grace.
Here is how grace is defined by some of the different Bible Dictionaries:
Unmerited favor, mercy, compassion
Undeserved blessing, a free gift
Gods loving mercy toward mankind
Favor, graciousness, kindness, beauty, pleasantness
God's disposition to exercise goodwill toward His creatures
Synonymous with the gospel of God's gift of unmerited salvation in Jesus Christ
the one who receives it and in spite of what that same person deserves
Undeserved acceptance and love received from another, especially the characteristic attitude of God in salving us
cont. in Pt. 4
GOD'S GRACE IS FREELY GIVEN, UNEARNED FAVOR WITH GOD
IT IS RECEIVING WHAT WE DO NOT DESERVE
IT IS GOD'S BLESSINGS IN THIS LIFE AND THE NEXT
What is the grace of God? Simply put it is God's favor and kindness toward us. Grace is God choosing to bless us rather than curse us as our sin deserves. It is His benevolence to the undeserving.
But it also exerts God's power in our life to bring about all that is needed for us to be saved: regeneration, repentance, faith, and trust in God in Jesus. And in Titus 2:11-13 we read that God's grace empowers us to say yes to what is right and no to what is sinful. It enables us to live godly lives in a wicked world.
The Holy Spirit uses grace to sanctify us unto God and to transform us to be more and more like our Lord and Savior. And it provides us with a sure and blessed hope of the appearing of Jesus, the great God and Savior. Without grace, we would give up on this hope. But God graces us with hope that does not fail.
God rains down grace on all mankind. He gave us the beauty and wonders of nature that we see each and every day. He gives us near misses when accidents are heading our way. He often brings us the right thing just in time. And He also gave us an innate conscience to know right from wrong. All these things are common graces, and everyone born on the earth has the benefit of them because God so loved the world.
Just being born on this planet includes many benefits. But when someone becomes a believer in Christ, that person receives even more graceful benefits from God reserved only for God's elect. In fact, believers are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm because we are united with Christ.
"We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are" ( Acts 15:11).
Ephesians 2:8 says, "For by grace are you saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves."
See Pt. 2
Praise the LORD GOD from whom all blessings flow!
May we be faithful to our SAVIOR and glorify HIM in all things as we pray for the peace in Jerusalem.
Titus 2:11-14
October 3, 2024 Thursday
GOD to shine His face on all who have believed and trusted in the gospel of the LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Bless our nation, FATHER! For without You we are nothing. John 17
September 21, 2024 Titus 2:11-14
"11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing (in grk the appearance of glory) of the great God and our Saviour(Saviour of ours) Jesus Christ;
14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
I went through the above verses today. It is one of my most favorite scripture as it is sort of a summary of our faith. It is so clear that Jesus Christ is the great God who we are expecting to appear in glory.
The above also tells us that God's grace teaches us to deny sin and live a holy life full of good works. So how can some claim that nothing else matters but grace, no need for works. Grace doesn't teach such a thing.