March 26th - Talking Peals of Thunder

"When the seven peals of thunder had spoken, I was about to write; and I heard a voice from heaven saying, Seal up the things which the seven peals of thunder have spoken and do not write them." (Revelation 10:4)

I think this is similar to what the Apostle Paul saw and heard when he was caught up to the "Paradise"of the third heaven, but was not allowed to write down the details.

"I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago—whether in the body, I do not know, or out of the body, I do not know; God knows—such a man, having been caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body, I do not know; God knows—that he was caught up into Paradise, and he HEARD inexpressible words, not being permitted to man to speak." (2 Corinthians 12:2-4)

So, what did they say? You'll have to ask John after when you see him. However, here are my thoughts:

I know from experience that we SEE lightening before we HEAR the thunder. And lightning is associated with the return of Jesus to earth.  

“For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.” (Matthew 24:27)

Therefore it seems logical that the "peals of thunder" spoke of what follows the return of Jesus to earth. Chapters 1 through 20 deal with the seven years leading up to the return of Jesus to earth to reign for 1000 years. I think that in Chapters 21 and 22 John writes down what the thunders said to him in Chapter 10. It was the hope of a New Heaven and New Earth.

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth for the former heaven and the former earth pass away…and I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God..God is with mankind...and He will be brushing away every tear from their eyes. And death will be no more, nor mourning, nor misery; they will be no more, for the former things have passed away" (Revelation 21:1-4)

In Chapters 8 and 9 six angels had SHOWN John details of what will happen during the years just before the return of Jesus. Then in Chapter 10 he HEARD the "seven peals of thunder" tell him what would happen after the destruction of this earth, but was not allowed to write down what they said until he had written down the consummation of the “the mystery of God”.

“…in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then the mystery of God is finished as He preached to His servants the prophets.” (Revelation 10:7)

So, I think the thunders told John about the New Heaven and New Earth. I think he heard about the salvation of all humanity and their reconciliation to God later revealed to the Apostle Paul by the risen Jesus. The prophet Isaiah called it  a time when humanity will “rejoice and be glad in His salvation”.

“And it will be said in THAT DAY, Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited that He might save us. This is the LORD for whom we have waited; Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation." (Isaiah 25:9)

The Apostle Paul tells us that the “gospel” given to him by the resurrected Jesus was the mystery of Christ - the secret that all humanity, not just the people of Israel, will be saved.

“When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” (Ephesians 3:4-6)

Paul refers to this mystery as “my gospel", which had been “kept secret” in the past.

“Now to Him who is able to establish you according to MY GOSPEL and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past…” (Romans 16:25-27)

Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, elaborates on what he calls “my gospel” in his New Testament letters. Paul explains in his letters that the mystery/secret revealed to is the good news of the grace of God bringing salvation and reconciliation of ALL created beings both on earth and in heaven.

“For the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to all people…God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself not counting their trespasses against them...and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross…"  (Titus 2:11; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Colossians 1:19-20)

"Once you were alienated from God and were hostile in your minds because of your evil deeds. But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy, unblemished, and blameless in His presence." (Colossians 1:21-22)

"…the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God…in this hope we are saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see? But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently.” (Romans 8:19-25) 

Again - "Creation itself will be set free" and "in this we hope"  - Yes I do!

To me, the words of the "peals of thunder" is the really good news we HEAR about now, but will SEE in the future when God creats the New Heaven and New Earth. For now I just have faith in that future.

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not being seen." (Hebrews 11:1)

March 25th - Alexander the Coppersmith

"Alexander the coppersmith displayed to me much evil: the Lord will be paying him in accord with his acts --whom you also guard against, for very much has he withstood words of ours. At my first defense no one came along with me, but all forsook me. May it not be reckoned against them! Yet the Lord stood beside me, and He invigorates me, that through me the heralding may be fully discharged, and all the nations should hear; and I am rescued out of the mouth of the lion. The Lord will be rescuing me from every wicked work and will be saving me for His celestial kingdom: to Whom be glory for the eons of the eons. Amen!" (2 Timothy 4:14-18)

Paul was on trial before the Roman Emperor, Caesar. Alexander the Coppersmith was most likely a witness for the prosecutor, and his testimony brought "evil" accusations against Paul at the trial. Alexander was being used as a witness to impeach the character of Paul and was lying about him.

However, the Lord was with Paul, so he used this opportunity to share about Christ Jesus to the nations. He most likely told Caesar what he preached to all people of every nation which was...

"Faithful is the saying and worthy of all welcome (for for this are we toiling and being reproached), that we rely on the living God, Who is the Savior of all humanity, especially of believers. These things be charging and teaching." (1 Timothy 4:9-11)

Men like Alexander come and go, but the Lord always stands with us when we proclaim the truth. Humanity is destined to believe the gospel and enter and see the Kingdom of God where the Lord will receive glory throughout the "eons of the eons".

March 24th - Fear or Love

"He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.” (Isaiah 33:6)

Humanity is admonished to fear the LORD but God does not GIVE us a "spirit of fear".

“God hath not given us the spirit of fear...” (II Timothy 1:7).

We are encouraged to fear the Lord because fear is the BEGINNING of salvation, wisdom, and knoledge. It starts us on our journey to find God's love and faithfulness.

"Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil.” (Proverbs 16:6)

“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love." (1 John 4:16)

The Bible assures us that God "keeps no record of wrongs", and that His love "never fails".

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

Love is the GRACE of God in action! In His grace God gives us a "spirit of power, and of love, and a sound mind".

“God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (II Timothy 1:7).

"This is how we know that we live in Him and He in us: He has given us of His spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world..." (I John 4:14).

When we gain the wisdom and the knowledge that love is what motivates God to save humanity, our fear of Him is gone.  Love and fear are not intended to occupy the same ground. 

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because He first loved us." (1 John 4:13-19)

It is a glorious thing to realize our fear of God's anger lasts "only a moment" - while His love for us lasts a lifetime, and beyond. We should rejoice in that salvation, wisdom, and knowledge!

"For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." (Proverbs 30:5)

March 23rd - Trust the Blood of Jesus

After Jesus ascended back to the Father, Peter told the people of Israel that if they would repent of the sin of crucifying Jesus, and be baptized in tHis name, Jesus would return and restore their Kingdom on this earth as promised by the prophets. The whole house of Israel needed to be baptized to demonstrate repentance.

"Let all the house of Israel know certainly, then, that God makes Him Lord as well as Christ - this Jesus Whom you crucify...Repent and be baptized each of you in the name of Jesus Christ...repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time...It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers." (Acts 2:36-39; 3:20-25)

Israel did not repent and blindness came upon Israel that remains to this day. However, one day Israel will repent and be  baptized, each of them in the name of Jesus their Messiah, and He will return.

"For I would not, brethren that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the nations be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob." (Romans 11:25-26)

Repentance and water baptism is a requirement for the restoration of the kingdom of Israel, and it will last 1,000 years. However, eternal salvation in the Kingdom of God is a free gift from God to all people.

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

The BLOOD of Jesus takes away the sin of the world.

"The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29)

"But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin." (1 John 1:7)

March 22nd - The Sovereignty of God vs the Free Will of Man

"For everything comes from Him and exists by His power and is intended for His glory. All glory to Him forever! Amen." (Romans 11:36)

"...being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who works all things after the counsel of His own Will." (Ephesians 1:11)

Has God predetermined the events that happen in the Universe?  Religion challenges this by giving humanity a "free will" and says God is subservient to the free will of humanity. Yet...

"Remember this and be brave; take it to heart, you transgressors! Remember what happened long ago, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me. I distinguish the end from the beginning, and ancient times from what is still to come, saying: ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure.’" (Isaiah 46:8-10)

Some teach that the Sovereignty of God means that He dictated every detail of life when He created humanity, both thoughts and actions. However, God Himself says...

"They have built pagan shrines to Baal in the valley of Ben-Hinnom, and there they sacrifice their sons and daughters to Molech. I have never commanded such a horrible deed; it NEVER ENTERED MY HEART TO COMMAND SUCH A THING. What an incredible evil, causing Judah to sin so greatly!" (Jeremiah 32:35)

God is Sovereign without having predetermined every thought and action of man. My view is that humans are free to choose how they live  but God has the power to work bad choices for good. And, God will eventually remove the consequences of the bad choices, together with the pain. He will make a New Creation where such things no longer exist.

"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with mankind, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:3-4)

Humans make up doctrines such as the doctrine of eternal conscious torment in hell, however, that doctrine never entered the mind or heart of God it seems to me. God's Will and purpose is to save humanity and reconcile His creation to Himself regardless of the evil of bad choices in this present wicked age.

“I applied by heart to inquiring and exploring by wisdom concerning all that is done under the heavens: It is an experience of EVIL Elohim has given to the sons of humanity TO HUMBLE THEM by it.” (Ecclesiastes 1:13; 3:10)

"He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world." (1 John 2:2)

March 21st - Woe to Hypocrites

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are going about the sea and the dry land to make one proselyte, and whenever he may be becoming one, you are making him more than double a son of Gehenna than you are." (Matthew 23:15)

Does this apply to today?  

The Apostle Paul says those who follow Christ Jesus have a "ministry" given to them - a message of reconciliation.

"Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:18-21)

God has reconciled humanity to Himself in Christ Jesus - ALL of us. We are to share that truth among the nations.

"For His achievement are we, being created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God makes ready beforehand, that we should be walking in them." (Ephesians 2:10)

God will not leave one human being unsaved and unreconciled or the Bible is not true. The ages were created to create and transform humanity "to the image of His Son".  There is none righteous among humanity today, not one.  But when God is finished humanity will be righteous and ready to do good works in the oncoming eons.

"There is none righteous, not even one."  (Romans 3:10)

"...whom He foreknew, He designates beforehand, also, to be conformed to the image of His Son, for Him to be Firstborn among many brethren. Now whom He designates beforehand, these He calls also, and whom He calls, these He justifies also; now whom He justifies, these He glorifies also. What then, shall we declare to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?" (Romans 8:29-31)

God is to become All in ALL  - not just in a few.

"He Who undertakes a good work among you, will be performing it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6)

"Now, whenever all may be subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also shall be subjected to Him Who subjects all to Him, that God may be All in ALL." (1 Corinthians 15:28)

God has entrusted the final judgment of humanity to His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

"The Father is not judging anyone, but has given all judging to His Son." (John 5:22)

Jesus died by the hands of the most highly regarded religious men of Israel. Yet, while dying on the cross Jesus prayed...

"Father forgive them, they do not understand what they are doing." (Luke 23:34)

SINNERS are FORGIVEN, and predestined to be "conformed to the image" of Jesus. His blood has atoned for all humans commit in the world. 

"He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2:2)

"The saving grace of God made its advent to all humanity." (Titus 2:11)

The heart of all humans will be examined by the Lord - all o us.

"...the one who examines me is the Lord. Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God." (I Corinthians 4:4-5).

March 20th - Humanity Has Gone Astray

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3)

Mercy and Grace are essentially the same characteristic of our God. Mercy is withholding from us what we deserve – to die and stay dead. Grace is getting what we do not deserve – immortal abundant life in a New Heaven and New Earth. Humanity has this "living hope" because Jesus “died for our sins” and “bore our sins”. 

"Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures..." (1 Corinthians 15:3)

“He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)

As son of a man, Jesus died like the rest of us, because of Adam’s sin…

“As in Adam all die…it is appointed unto men once to die” (1 Corinthians 15:22; Hebrews 9:27)

In so doing Jesus, the Son of God, identified Himself completely with humanity, even our death. Yet more importantly, He showed us that the same ALL who are "in Adam" will be made alive "in Christ". 

"All we like sheep have gone astray..." (Isaiah 53:6)

"As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive…" (1 Corinthians 15:22)

"...we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand…God demonstrated His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us… we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him… while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life… just as sin entered the world through one man (Adam), and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people… many died by the trespass of the one man…just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act (of Jesus) resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous…where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:1-20)

Jesus said that He had come that we may have “abundant “ life. Not in the mortal body we now have, but in our future immortal body…

"I am the door; if anyone enters through me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief (death) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it ABUNDANTLY. I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” (John 10:9-11)

Yes humanity has gone astray and death comes to our mortal bodies  - but Jesus will save every one of us, and give us immortal life.

"Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, n a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory...thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your trouble is not in vain."  (1 Corinthians 15:49-58)