SEEN BY 500

He was seen by over 500 brothers and sisters

   GOD has made JESUS both LORD and MESSIAH/CHRIST.

   “The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine.  Jesus answered him, "I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing.  Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said."  John 18:19-21

   “Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."  John 18:37

   "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."

Acts 2:36

   Many infallible proofs that He Lives!

   “The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.”  Acts 1:1-3

   The Bible tells us that when Jesus raised from death, He was seen first by Mary Magdalene and then by the other women.

   “Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons.”  Mark 16:9

 “So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.  And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, "Rejoice!" So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him.  Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me."  Matt 28:8-10

   “After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep.”  1 Cor. 15:6

   The four Gospels show us Jesus the Human One.  He is one of us and knows our weaknesses and strengths (Hebrews 4:14-16).  John leans on His breast at the Last Supper.

   “And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.”  Rev. 5:6-7

   Rev. ch 1 shows a towering, terrifying vision of The Risen Christ huge and blazing in His Holiness!  Not only is Jesus fully Man - He is fully God!  He is The Boss over the Universe!  [compare Col. 1:15-20]

     "I saw a gold menorah candlestick with seven branches, And in the center, the Son of Man, in a robe that reached to His feet with a gold breastplate, hair a blizzard of white, Eyes pouring fire-blaze, both feet furnace-fired bronze, His voice like a roaring waterfall, His right hand holding the Seven Stars, His mouth a sharp-biting sword, His face bright like the midday sun!"  [Rev. 1:12-16]

     This vision seen through Jewish eyes: Jesus the Son of Man is wearing the robe of the High Priest with the gold band of a king around His chest.  His hair is white, not with age, but with heavenly glory.  The fire-blaze of His eyes, the feet of polished brass, and the voice of command, show great power and authority.  He has authority over even death and the Hadean world of the dead.  “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  Phil. 2:10-11

    Wow!  That's really all you can say when you enter the Throne-room of Heaven (Rev. 4&5).  You shield your eyes from dazzling light!  You drop to your knees in fear and wonder!  Incense fills your nostrils!  A vast angelic host shakes the very foundation of the sky with their praise!  The countless thundering voices reverberate in your chest!  Amid all this, you are drawn irresistibly to the Figure on the Throne.  HE is more glorious, more holy, more powerful, more beautiful than you ever imagined!

   “And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation...”  Rev 5:9

How The Events Fit Together

HOW THE EVENTS FIT TOGETHER

        The Four Gospel writers describe the events of Christ’s death and resurrection from their own unique point of view.  By fitting them together we have a better understanding of the things that took place.

        “The very next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and yelled out: 'Here He is, God's Passover Lamb!  He forgives the sins of the world!'"  [Peterson on John 1:29; compare Rev. 5:6-14; 1 Peter 2:24]

        Crucifixion: see Deuteronomy 21:22-23; Gal. 3:13; Matt. 26:63-66; 27:37; John 19:31.

        After Jesus was arrested:

    1. Jesus was taken before Annas, ex-high priest (Luke 3:2) for a preliminary hearing (John 18:13).

    2. Next Jesus was taken to Caiaphas, Peter and John following along (John 18:15,24).  Alford's Greek Testament says both Annas and Caiaphas lived in the same great building, which must have been the Castle of Antonio [Praetorium] - a city within the city.

    3. First stage of the Jewish trial before Caiaphas (John 18:19-24).      

    4. Alford's Greek Testament thinks a second stage of the trial is implied (John 18:24).  It is possible that Jesus was shuffled from room to room, since both Annas and Caiaphas lived in the same castle.  The Jewish trial was illegal by their own laws, since it took place at night.

    5. Peter's three denials during the Jewish trial (Matt. 26:69-75).

    6. After condemning Jesus to death, The Sanhedrin recessed until dawn. 

    7. It is implied that Jesus was cruelly treated during this recess (Mark 14:65).

    8. The Sanhedrin reconvened at dawn (Matt. 27:1).  This would be the third stage of the Jewish trial - to make it appear legal.

    9. Jesus was again questioned and officially condemned to death (Luke 22:66-71).

    10. Jesus was tied with chains and taken to Pilate (Mark 15:1). 

    “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:33-38).

    11. Barabbas (Mark 15:7).  Barabbas was in prison for leading a rebellion against the Roman authorities.  He was justly condemned to be crucified.  The thieves who were crucified with Jesus may have been part of his group (Luke 23:41).  Pilate wanted to please the crowd so he set Barabbas free and sentenced Jesus to be crucified - nailed to the cross (Mark 15:15).  It was ironic to set the guilty man free and crucify the innocent man.  Compare 2 Cor. 5:21; Hebrews 9:28.

    12. Simon of Cyrene (Mark 15:21; Matt. 27:32-56).  Some think he was a "black man."  He may have been a convert to Judaism (a proselyte), but could have been of Jewish ancestry.

    13. The death of Jesus (Matt. 27:45-56).  "About three o'clock Jesus cried with a loud shout, Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani? which means ‘My God, My God, Why did You abandon me?’"  (Matt. 27:46; Psalm 22:1). 

    14. It is finished!  The "church fathers" believed that Jesus died voluntarily.  Note John 10:17-18. 

        a. the curtain in the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom (Matt. 27:51).

        b. graves were open and dead raised - as Jesus Himself came out of the grave (Matt. 27:52-53; Col. 1:18).  Perhaps three million people were crowded into Jerusalem as these things took place.

        c. There were many women there, among whom were Jesus’ mother, Mary; His mother’s sister [who may also have been named Mary]; Mary, the wife of Clopas; Mary Magdalene; Salome;  (Matt. 27:55-56; Mark 15:40-41; John 19:25-27; 20:1).  Women were last at the cross and first at the Resurrection.  [compare Acts 1:13-15]

 

THE RESURRECTION EVENTS

         “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.  He is not here; for He is risen, as He said.  Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” [Matt. 28:6]   

        “And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.”  [Romans 1:4]

        “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore.  Amen.  And I have the keys of Hades and Death.”  [Rev. 1:18]

        The Empty Tomb is vital to the Gospel.  Note 1 Cor. 15:12-22.  “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.”  Christ is the guarantee that all those who sleep in death will also be raised to life again.

        The women came first to the tomb expecting to find the dead body of Jesus.  But He was not there!                                     

        The sequence: The women went first to the tomb with Mary Magdalene taking the lead.  She arrived at the tomb while it was still dark, saw the stone taken away, and ran back to the city by a different route to tell the apostles.  The other women arrived at the tomb, saw the angels, and were told Jesus is risen, and ran back to tell the disciples.  Peter and John, followed by Mary Magdalene, run to the tomb, and then return to the city.  Mary Magdalene remains, sees the angels and then sees Jesus.  A few minutes after this, Jesus appears to the other women before they reach the homes of the apostles.  (The other women had left the tomb before Peter, John and Mary Magdalene came to it.) 

        The Gospel writers give the account of His appearances following the resurrection from the dead.

    After Rising from death, Jesus was seen:

    1. He was first seen by Mary Magdalene.  Mark 16:9; John 20:11-18.

    2. Secondly, He was seen by the women returning from the tomb.  Matt. 28:1-10.

    3. By Simon Peter alone.  Luke 24:34

    4. By two disciples going to Emmaus.  Luke 24:13.

    5. By the apostles at Jerusalem, Thomas absent.  John 20:19.

    6. By the apostles at Jerusalem, Thomas present.  John 20:26,29.

    7. At Lake Tiberias (Galilee).  John 21:1.

    8. By eleven disciples on a mountain in Galilee.  Matt. 28:16.

     9. By five hundred followers in Galilee.  (This may have been the same as #8.)  1 Cor. 15:6.

     10. By James only.  1 Cor. 15:7; Gal. 1:19.

     11. By all the apostles on the Mount of Olives.  Luke 24:51

     12. He was also seen by Paul (Acts 9:3-6) to offer him a commission as an apostle; and by John on Patmos (Rev. 1:12-13). 

     13.  He will be seen by everyone at the End of Time.  Rev. 1:7; Phil 2:9-11.

PRAYER

        Almighty God, through the death of Christ Jesus on the cross, You have overcome death for us.  Through His burial and resurrection from the dead You have made the grave a holy place.  You sent Christ Jesus so that the world might be saved.

        In Jesus, who rose from the dead, our hope dawned of being raised to life at the end of the world.  Our great sadness of death gives way to the bright promise of eternal life.  Lord, because of You, life is changed, but not ended.  When this body of our earthly dwelling lies in death, we hope for an everlasting dwelling with You in heaven.

        Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might; heaven and earth are full of Your glory.  We come to You, Father, with praise and thanksgiving, through Your Son Jesus Christ.  Amen.

 

CHRIST THE GREAT KING

　


Christ the Great King!
 This is my Bible.
It is a letter about my King - JESUS.
HE is The LAMB who came
to be the world’s SAVIOR!
The Old Testament is the Framework
to show how and why God’s LOVE
set in motion His Act In Christ
to put us right with Himself.
The sign of Jonah. [Matt. 12:39-40]
The sign of the brazen serpent. [John 3:14-15]
Abraham sacrificing Isaac. [Hebrews 11:17-19]
What does The Christ mean to me! [1 Timothy 3:16]


Speaking Christ to the World.

"Evangelism was not so much about seeking the lost as about spreading the fame of the glorious Savior." Moore

"And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth." Rev 5:9-10

"I had it all backwards. The main thing was not my love for God, but His love for me. And from that love I respond to God as one deeply flawed, yet loved. I’m not looking to prove my worth. I’m not searching for acceptance. I’m living out of the worth God already declares I have. I’m embracing His view of me and in the process discovering the person He created me to be." Wilhite


Isaiah spoke in prophecy.

"For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6


God was working in Christ Jesus.

"Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." Luke 2:34-35


The Triumphal Entry To Jerusalem.

"And as He went, many spread their clothes on the road. Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying: "'Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!' Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, "Teacher, rebuke Your disciples." But He answered and said to them, "I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out."  Luke 19:36-40

The Law required Jewish people to come to Jerusalem for the Passover. God had gathered the Jews for the Cross & Resurrection. From what Josephus says, more than three million people were probably there at this time. Some thousands of Galileans who had seen Jesus perform miracles were there, and they thought of Jesus as the Messiah-King. (If Jesus had wished to be a political king, this would have been the opportunity to seize power, and the Jewish leaders would have been helpless.)

As Jesus rides into Jerusalem, the people shout: "Praise God! God bless him who comes in the name of the Lord! God bless the coming kingdom of King David, our father! Praise be to God!" ("Hosanna" literally means, "Save, I pray," but was used in the sense of praise. Many say "Hallelujah" without knowing they are saying, "Sing praise to Jehovah." What these people are saying comes partly from Psalm 118:25-26, which was commonly used to speak of the Messiah.)

In humility, Jesus shows He has not come to set up the earthly kingdom of David. He does not ride in a chariot but upon a donkey, an animal of peace. This is no mere earthly king, but the King of Glory who has come to reveal the Kingdom of God. Thus the church sees the Son of God - the Human One - entering not only the earthly Jerusalem, but more importantly the Heavenly Jerusalem, to establish His Kingdom.


HE will Come Again.

"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words."  1Thess 4:16-18

SUFFERING SERVANT

The Suffering Servant of God.

"Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death." Rev 1:17-18

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."1 Cor 1:18

"Evangelism was not so much about seeking the lost as about spreading the fame of the glorious Savior." Moore

"We live in a culture that's ailing. The Church is here to heal it, not to accommodate the disease." Sullivan

Three streams of prophecy: Jesus is the great King; Jesus is the descendant of King David; Jesus is the Suffering Servant of Isaiah. "The place in the Scripture which he read was this: "He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He opened not His mouth. In His humiliation His justice was taken away, And who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth." So the eunuch answered Philip and said, "I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?" Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him." Acts 8:32-35 [Isaiah 53:7-8]

 

"The further process is easily traced. As Philip opens up item after item of the prophecy, and shows its fulfillment in Jesus, the eyes of the eunuch begin to penetrate the Scripture, until, at last, he sees a flood of heavenly light where all was darkness before. His eyes are opened, and he sees the wondrous glory of the suffering Savior beaming from the inspired page which lies before him." McGarvey

Bring them in.

"Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.' So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests." Matt 22:8-10

"It is the supreme discovery of life that we need not punish ourselves in a hopeless effort to earn God’s forgiveness. It is freely offered to all. We must gladly accept His gift of love on the terms offered. A grateful heart will make the best effort to please Him. No longer do we as criminals seek by our own strength to escape our chains, rather as faithful children we do our best to please our loving Father." JHW

Wise men seek Him.

"Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon." Isaiah55:6-7

"I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star." And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely." Rev22:16-17

JESUS THE PREACHER

JESUS THE PREACHER

"Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ--He is Lord of all-- that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him." Acts 10:34-38

1. Jesus taught with authority.

"And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes." Matt 7:28-29

He did not speak out of human doubts and limitations. He was the Eternal Word, and He spoke as One who knew the Eternal Truth of God.

a) The Golden Rule.

"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." Matt 7:11-12

"Jesus connects the Golden Rule with what precedes with the word "therefore." We are to practice the Golden Rule because God's divine judgment teaches forbearance, and his goodness teaches kindness. This precept is fitly called the Golden Rule, for it embraces in its few words the underlying and governing principle of all morality. It contains all the precepts of the law with regard to man, and all the amplifications of those precepts given by the prophets. It teaches us to put ourselves in our neighbor's place, and direct our conduct accordingly. It assumes, of course, that when we put ourselves in our neighbor's place, we are wise enough not to make any foolish wishes, and good enough not to make any evil ones." McGarvey—Four-Fold Gospel

b) The message of Jesus is the same in every age. The methods are to be used to translate the message into thought forms that will permit it to be appropriated by contemporary congregations.

c) The kingdom of God has drawn near in Jesus. Jesus opened the door to the kingdom and invited all who would to come in. People have to change to live happily in the kingdom. The kingdom is present in the rule of the indwelling Spirit and future in the consummation of history and salvation. The ethics of the kingdom are not easy to live by, but they are the way to human fulfillment. After all, what will you have if you are rich and successful and lose your own life (Matt. 16:25-27; Mark 8:34-38; Luke 9:23-27).

The kingdom is a gift offered by God through Christ to those who will accept it. No human achievement can create the kingdom. Jesus will return with shout and trumpet blast to fulfill the kingdom.

d) There is a sense in which Jesus is the kingdom.

"Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree" ), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." Gal 3:13-14

He is the means of salvation and entry into heaven. His sacrifice empowers us to proclaim forgiveness of sins. Jesus is the reign of God which calls for faithful obedience. Citizens of the kingdom participate in the ongoing re-creation of the world. All things are being made new. He is the pearl of great price for which people must leave all worldly security and pleasures. The grace of God is both gift and demand; to preach one without the other is untrue.

e) Kingdom people are servants in the world. They live by the Christian lifestyle of Christ. They do not contend with people but serve them. Power over others is rejected. As Jesus became weak for others, His disciples are called to become weak for others. Love is the motivating force for kingdom people. The Christian preacher must boldly expose the false illusions about what is valuable in this world. Greed and selfishness must be exposed as the most common deadly form of sin.

"But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him." But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God." 1 Cor 2:9-10

THE CHRISTIAN

THE CHRISTIAN - IN THE WORLD - LED BY THE SPIRIT

   “God does not have an unlisted phone number.”

  “So Cornelius said, "Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God.” Acts 10:30-32

   1. All have sinned and need a Savior.

   “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matt 11:28-30

   “For my yoke is easy. The yoke that sin imposes is heavy, and bearing it brings no rest. So, too, the yoke of false or corrupted religion is burdensome; but Christ's yoke is easy. It is not hard to bear it because it is borne in love. His burden, even if it be the cross, is light, because he helps us to bear it. Note: That one rejecting Christ in the midst of light is worse than a heathen. Christ graciously invites all to come to him. He is the rest of the soul.”  —Johnson’s Notes

   “....not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,” Titus 3:5

   “Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” John 3:5

   “We too, baptized ‘in water and the Holy Spirit’ (John 3:5) have to live in the world as did Jesus: in communion with the world, at variance with it, transcending it.  The Christian is at one and the same time, with, against, and beyond the world.  The Holy Spirit is the living and integrating source of these three relations.”  Suenens

   2. Jesus is God’s Answer.

   “And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;  To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."  Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him.  And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." Luke 4:17-21

   “It is helpful to reflect that we are not called Jesus-ites but Christians, taking our name not from Jesus, but Christ, that is the Anointed One, whom God anointed with the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:38).  The humanity of Jesus was, one might say, penetrated by the Holy Spirit; He was guided by the Spirit at every stage of His life, up to His supreme act of love: the giving up of Himself to death.  And this is the same Spirit whom He promised to His own, to continue His work.”  Suenens

   3. We live in a World that Jesus has overcome.

   “The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ--He is Lord of all--that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”  Acts 10:36-38

   “Good and upright is the Lord; Therefore He teaches sinners in the way.  The humble He guides in justice, And the humble He teaches His way.  All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.  For Your name's sake, O Lord, Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.”  Psalms 25:8-11

   4. Be warned about times of testing.

   “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.  But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”  1 Tim 6:6-12

   “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.”  1 Tim 4:1-5

   5. God’s promise.

   “For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. ²⁰ And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”  Romans 16:19-20