August 31st - The Opinions of Men

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16)

Books and commentaries written by Theologians, nor Pastor's sermons, nor  the views of those with YouTube channels or Blog sites are Scripture. Most may be very fine people, but as good as they may appear to be, their thoughts, nor mine, are “God-breathed”.

"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)

"...having heard and believed the word of truth--the gospel of your salvation--you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit..." (Ephesians 1:13)

No matter how sincere and reasonable the product of religious thought, it is still just the opinion of men. I prefer to read the Word of God for myself.

“Come…take the water of life freely.” (Revelation 22:17)

August 30th - We Have Hope and a Future

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future…It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance...we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. Prescribe and teach these things.” (Jeremiah 29:11; 1 Timothy 4:9-11)

God's ultimate plan for humanity is to prosper us and not harm us. He will save humanity from the evil we experience in this era. In studying the book of Revelation we find the following promise from God...

"...and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away...Behold, I am making all things new." (Revelation 21:4-6)

There is to be a consummation of God's purpose for mortal humanity. At that point in time friends, enemies, believers, and unbelievers will have been reconciled to God and all will love Him and each other. 

"You shall be loving the Lord God out of your whole heart, and out of your whole soul, and out of your whole comprehension, and out of your whole strength. This is the foremost precept." And the second is like it: 'You shall be loving your associate as yourself.' Now greater than these is no other precept." Mark 12:30-31)

All humanity will one day be loving immortals enjoying abundant, eternal life. We do not know much about that time but we know that....

“...it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)

For now we have all kinds of problems, heartaches, and hatred for perceived enemies from time to time. We just do the best we can with the hand we are dealt...with an expectation of a brighter Future!

August 29th - I Am Prepared For What Comes Next

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

“The days of our years, in them are seventy years, and if by mastery there are eighty years, yet even in their heyday is toil and sorrow, for it is sheared off hurriedly, and we fly away.” (Psalm 90:10)

“...as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)

Over the years God has spoken to me only in one way - through reading the Bible. I have not had any divine dreams or visions, or inner voices. Following are some of the things I have learned.

* There is only one God through Whom all has been created.

* There is only one Lord, the Son of God, Who became a man named Jesus.

* Except for Jesus, all humans sin and fall short of the glory of God.

* All humans die.

* Jesus came to earth the first time to deal with the sin and death of humanity. He died for our sin, and His death was a sufficient sacrifice to redeem, ransom and save humanity out of death.

* Jesus will free humanity from death and transform them into a new creation - the image of Christ Jesus Himself - immortal, powerful, spiritual and righteous.

* The salvation of humanity from sin and death is a free gift from God in His Grace.

* A few humans come to the realization of the truth about their salvation in this age only because God gifts them with faith to believe this good news– no one can boast, it is a gift from God.

* In a subsequent age, every human will give an account to God regarding their actions, motives, thoughts, and words. The good things will be rewarded and the bad things will bring temporary shame.

* Every human is destined to voluntarily bend their knees and acclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord.

* Humanity will become part of the unified, immortal, and righteous body of Christ. All will be full of grace, mercy, truth and love - just like God the Father.

I have also learned from Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 that…

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace…"

The author of Ecclesiastes asked...

"What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race." 

I have learned that when when all activity is done in this mortal frame, when all that I experience in this life are just memories I will know that God...

"...has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end..."

I no longer dwell on my sins and the bad memories they bring to mind, but prefer to dwell on the good memories which give me joy and make me laugh and cry, sometimes at the same time. I have learned…

"…that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink and find satisfaction in all their toil - this is the gift of God..."

Over the years I have come to be in awe of God because I know...

"...that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will be in awe of Him." (Ecclesiastes 3:1-14)

Today is my birthday and I am at peace with God. I try to live so that the memories I make in the next year will be harmless to my family and friends. 

Experiencing the sin and failures of this life has shown me that…

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

Thank you Father for another birthday, and if I do not have another, I am ready for what comes next!

August 28th - The God Worthy of the Name

Israel was in comfortable exile in Babylon when Jeremiah reminded them of God’s plan for them….

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you, declares the Lord, and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile." (Jeremiah 29:11-14)

Many years ago I found myself captive and comfortable in a local church. By the grace of God I realized that it was not an ideal place for me to grow in the grace and knowledge of God and Christ Jesus, but had become a sanctuary from life in an evil world. It is difficult to leave the comfortable atmosphere provided by a local church.  

So, why did I leave?

Religious sanctuaries too often embrace prejudices and judgmental attitudes that you will not find in the outside world. People gather around respected leaders and follow their doctrine without much effort to determine if such doctrine is true. The most fanatical leaders of Islam want to kill all the infidels now, in the name of Allah. The fanatical leaders of Christianity reason and teach that God will assign everyone who does not choose Him in this life to eternal damnation and torture in hell. Both religions provide sanctuary and fellowship.

When I began to see error in the sanctuary I realized it would require leaving the comfort it provided. I left and after embraced the good news that God will save humanity, every one of them. 

"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39)

I often feel alone, but never forsaken by the one true God who is worthy of the Name!

August 27th - God Does Not Dwell In Church Buildings

“The Most High dwells not in Temples made with hands. Heaven is my throne, and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me says the Lord? Or where will My resting place be? Has not My hand made all these things? You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised.” (Acts 7:48-51)

Think about that for a minute…now consider what we generally refer to as “the house of God”.

God does not DWELL there!

It seems to me that gathering in church is vanity if the presence of God is undetectable in our houses, businesses, or public places. God can be found everywhere in His creation and attending a building with a pulpit is just another one of those places.

"The Pharisees and their scribes began grumbling at His disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?” And Jesus answered and said to them, “It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:30-32)

Look closely at the Scripture and you will notice that it was often the religious "Pharisees and their scribes" who were called to repentance. The "sick" that Jesus was referring to was not those with whom he was eating and drinking. The "sick" were the judgmental self-religious Pharisees. Our words and actions are the only God that some people will ever see. And it is how we act toward others that will be judged. 

“He made from one man every nation of humanity to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God… and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist…for we also are His children. Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man…” (Acts 17:26-29)

Do not assume God will judge you righteous because you regularly gathered in a church. All will enter and see the new heaven and earth, but there will be no Temples to attend.

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God…But I saw no temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple." (Revelation 21:1-2, 22)

August 26th - I Saved Two Frogs

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

Sue Ann came in the house the other day and announced “I just saved two frogs”.

“What?” I said.

“Two frogs were trapped in the pool strainer and I saved them.” She told me.

“Did they thank you?” I jokingly asked.

She laughed and said, “No, they don’t even know they had been saved” she laughed.

That is what God does for sinners…saves them! But many will never know about it in this life.

Sue Ann did not ask if they wanted to be saved - she just saved them - and that is what the Bible tells me God will do for all humanity - it is called GRACE!

"For the GRACE of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all humans, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds." (Titus 2:11-14)

August 25th - The Promise of the Spirit

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law…so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” (Galatians 3:13-14)

What is the curse of the Law?

“…sin is the transgression of the law...the wages of sin is death.” (1 John 3:4: Romans 6:23)

The curse of the law is DEATH and we all will eventually face and experience that curse.

But Christ Jesus came and has "redeemed us from the curse". Therefore we will not perish in death but will "receive the promise of the Spirit".

So what is the promise of the Spirit? LIFE...Abundant, endless LIFE.

"The Spirit gives LIFE; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you--they are full of the Spirit and LIFE....the letter kills, but the Spirit gives LIFE..The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have LIFE, and have it abundantly." (John 6:63; John 10:10; 2 Corinthians 3:6)

Humanity sins and the wages of that sin is death. Nevertheless, humanity has been "redeemed" from that curse as the "free gift of God". When the final resurrection of each human comes to pass, all will have received "the promise of the Spirit" - Abundant and endless LIFE.

“For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ  ALL will be made alive...For the wages of sin is death, but the FREE gift of God is eonian LIFE in Christ Jesus our Lord...For by grace are you saved through faith..." (1 Corinthians 15:21-23; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8)

WQhat does Paul mean when he says we receive the promise "through faith"? Is it "faith" that seals the deal?

NO, the "grace" of God seals the deal. Eternal life is a "free gift of God". Faith is the means of enjoying "the promise of the Spirit" while we wait for  it to become a reality at our resurrection.

For now, the "promise of the Spirit" is just that - a PROMISE. And we can only enjoy the promise in this life by believing it is true. We can have the JOY and PEACE of knowing that after God is finished with us and those we love, the SPIRIT will give us endless life, and we will "have it abundantly".

August 24th - God Is Your Friend

"For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of His Son while we were still His enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of His Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God." (Romans 5:10-11 NLT)

God actually LOVES His "enemies" and SAVES His enemies. His grace, love and mercy will eventually make all His enemies friends.

"And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang: “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.” (Revelation 5:13)

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." (John 8:32)

August 23rd - Do Not Lose Heart In Doing Good

“For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:8)

Paul is making an observation about life in this present evil age. Those who labor and strive in the “flesh” produced the works of the flesh - which is temporary…we all will leave these things behind!

"For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love...the works of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those committing such things will NOT BE ENJOYING THE ALLOTMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD." (Galatians 5:13, 19-21)

Works of the flesh will not be part of the Kingdom of God (the allotment). On the other hand, those who live their lives producing fruit of the spirit will continue to be rewarded with those fruits in the Kingdom of God.

"...the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23) 

So….

“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people.” (Galatians 6:9)

August 22nd - Pray for Our Leaders

“The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone He wishes...” (Daniel 4:17)

Like it or not, the Bible says that God decides who the leaders of humanity will be. In the last Presidential election my will and God’s turned out not to be the same. But I did not spend time worrying about it since I trust God to do what He determines necessary.

"Don't worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:5-7)

We are urged to pray for our leaders, whomever they may be, even if we dislike them and their destructive policies...

"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior…” (1 Timothy 2:1-3)

Paul also gave some some good advice on what we should think about, and it is not politics or religion...

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things." (Philippians 4:8)

August 21st - Faith Gives Us Rest

“Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His REST, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. For we who have BELIEVED do enter that REST.” (Hebrews 4:1-3)

God has made a promise that when “BELIEVED” gives “rest”. This belief has nothing to do with obtaining salvation, that is a "free gift" from God. Believing something means we have FAITH in what we have been told is going to happen. Those who have faith have rest NOW, in this present world, while we wait for the salvation promised to be manifested when Christ Jesus returns to resurrect the dead.

"...looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus." (Titus 2:13)

Christ Jesus…

“…has appeared once FOR ALL at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself…And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time FOR SALVATION without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him (are resting by faith in His promise)” (Hebrews 9:27-28)

Jesus came the first time and dealt with sin as the great high priest and sin bearer. He is “the lamb of God which takes away the sin of THE WORLD” (John 1:29). He will come the second time to deliver humanity from death just as He himself was delivered from death.

At his second coming the sins of the world will not be considered against humanity because they were “taken away” by the sin bearing “lamb of God” at His first coming. Humanity will be given "immortality" as "a free gift of God."

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord….when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about 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”. (Romans 6:23: 1 Corinthians 15:54-57)

Resting in our faith in God is a good place to be in these troubled times.

August 20th - Salvation of Humanity

“I have come as Light into the world...I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world..." (John 12:47)

From the mouth of Christ Jesus Himself comes the truth that he did not come to judge but to save the world. He also told the world that it is God's commandment to give eternal life.

“...the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. I know that His commandment is eternal life...” (John 12:49-50)

Jesus will return to save humanity from death and give them eternal life. Jesus showed humanity His power to raise the dead with the resurrection of Lazarus, but the final proof of His power to do so was His own death and resurrection! So Jesus declares...

“Now judgment is upon this world (death); now the ruler of this world (death) will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth (resurrected), will draw ALL MEN to Myself.” (vs 31-32)

The final enemy of humanity is death and it will be cast out because Jesus was lifted up out of death. Jesus will return to resurrect the all the dead and give us eternal life!

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God…the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable…DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory” (1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 15:52,55).

This is the good news for all humanity...not just the few who go to church.

August 19th - The Faith of Jesus Christ

"...the Scripture has confined ALL under sin, that the promise by the faith OF Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe." (Galatians 3:22)

Some poorer translations of the bible say faith "in" Jesus Christ but a look at the Greek shows it literally means "by the faith OF Jesus Christ", not our faith.

Because of "the faith of Jesus", the promise will come to ALL humans when they "believe".

So, what is the promise?

"...the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23b)

Only a few humans become believers in this life, but the bible says that...

"...at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that EVERY TONGUE will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord..." (Philippians 2:10-11)

The above obviously includes every human, so the bowing and confessing must come after the resurrection of the dead for most humans. 

So to summarize, because of "the faith OF Jesus Christ", ALL humanity will eventually believe and be given eternal life as God's free gift.

"For as in Adam ALL die, so also in Christ ALL will be made alive...that God may be all in ALL." (1 Corinthians 15:22, 28)

ALL humans who die will be made alive because of the faith of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. That is the good news of the Bible.

August 18th - Peace and Rest

“For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. For we who have believed do enter that rest.” (Hebrews 4:1-3)

There is great peace and “rest” in this present evil age for those who believe the good news (gospel) that God has told us about, especially the good news about life AFTER death.

“All have sinned and come short of the glory of God...the wages or sin is death, but the free gift or God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 3:23; 6:23)

Hearing the good news does not give “rest” unless we have faith that God will actually do what he says - save us by resurrecting us and place us into a sinless new heaven and new earth.. 

"For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive...The last enemy to be destroyed is death." (1 Corinthians 15:22, 26)

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with humanity. He will dwell with them, and 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 death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 22:1-4)

God raised Christ Jesus from death, and Jesus promised to return and raise us. In this life, only those who have heard the truth and "believed" have peace and rest.

"Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of humanity, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and we believe that God, through Jesus, will bring to life those who have fallen asleep in Him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up at the same time with them into the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words." (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

August 17th - The Armor of God

"...take up the complete armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all things, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod the feet with the readiness of the gospel of peace; besides all, having taken up the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God..." (Ephesians 6:1 3-17)

We are instructed to "take up" God's armor of "truth", and "stand" behind the "shield of faith" in the truth of God's word. Only then can we be safe from the lier who comes to steal our security, peace, and joy in the salvation promised us by God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10)

"Now the spirit is saying explicitly, that in subsequent eras some will be withdrawing from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and the teachings of demons in the hypocrisy of false expressions...Now profane and old womanish myths refuse...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 mankind, especially of believers. These things be charging and teaching." (1 Timothy 4:1-11)

August 16th - The Blessing of Abraham

"…that the blessing of Abraham might be coming to the nations in Christ Jesus, that we may be obtaining promise of the spirit through faith.” (Galatians 3:14)

What is the “blessing of Abraham”? 

It was the promise God made to him that in him “all families of the earth will be blessed." 

"And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” (Genesis 12:3)

"It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God ordained with your fathers, saying to Abraham, 'AND IN YOUR SEED ALL FAMILIES OF THE EARTH SHALL BE BLESSED.’" (Acts 3:25)

From Abraham would come the "seed" through which all families of the earth are blessed. That seed was  Christ Jesus.

"Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as one would in referring to many, but rather as in referring to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ." (Galatians 3:16)

What is the "promise of the spirit."? 

The good news that all humanity, both Jew and Gentile, will be "one in Christ Jesus."

“…the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit...There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 3:28)

When people hear and believe the good news they are “sealed” with the "Holy Spirit". And the Bible teaches me that ALL peoples of the earth will eventually hear and believe…

“For it is written, as I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God….of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. " (Romans 14:11; Philippians 2:10-11)

Most do not believe in this life, but must wait for their resurrection to appear before  "the great white throne"...

“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away….and I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne…" (Revelation 20:11-12)

I think it is before the great white throne that "every knee shall bow" and "every tongue give praise to God" and all "will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord”. Then all will be "marked with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit" because…

“…no one can say, Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:3)

August 15th - Good News of Great Joy

Below is a summary of the really good news, the gospel of our salvation.  It needs no explanation or comment.

"Then God said, let us make humanity in Our image, according to Our likeness...so God created humanity in His own image, male and female made He them..." (Genesis 1:26)

"...all sin and fall short of the glory of God...the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ the Lord." (Romans 3:23; 6:23)

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible...it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself..." (Colossians 1:15-20) 

"...you shall give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)

"I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."(Luke 2:10-11)

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

"...you know that Christ appeared to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin." (1 John 3:5)

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son...love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." (John 3:16; 1 John 4:10)

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

"....that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I glorified you on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given me to do. Now, Father, glorify me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was...Jesus said, It is finished. With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit." (John 17:3-5; 19:30)

"We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world..."  (1 John 4:14)

"...having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach." (Colossians 1:20-22)

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all humanity..." (Titus 2:11)

"It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.." (1 Timothy 1:15)

"For there is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all..." (1 Timothy 2:5-6)

"...when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for humanity appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy...whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life..."  (Titus 3:4-8)

"...now we know that this man truly is the Savior of the world." (John 4:42)

"This is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all humanity, especially of believers. Prescribe and teach these things." (1 Timothy 4:10-11)

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among humanity, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:1-4)

"The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen." (Revelation 22:21)

August 14th - Abundant Mercy

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living expectation through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you" (1 Peter 1:3).

Above is a clear statement of good news from Peter. Peter says that as a result of God’s MERCY, humanity has the expectation of resurrection. This "living hope" is instilled in us when we hear about it, and believe it is true…

"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes in Him who sent me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life" (John 5:24).

I find joy in my expectation of everlasting life. However, most humans die without this hope. Nevertheless, just as all humans die as the result of Adam’s sin, all humans will be be returned to life as the result of the one righteous act of Christ Jesus - the righteous act of taking upon Himself the sins of the human race.

"Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all humanity, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all humanity, resulting in justification of life" (Romans 5:18).

Every human is destined to bow before Jesus Christ, and confess that He is Lord,

“…at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)

August 13th - A Revelation Worth Having

 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God." (Romans 8 18-19)

There is more knowledge, government, and religion on this planet today than at any other time in the history of humanity; and yet they have failed to bring salvation, peace and unity to the creation. 

The Bible tells us why...

"For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it." (Romans 8:20)

It was God who "subjected" the creation to futility. The governments and religions of man will continue to try to repair the world but will fail. Creation can be "set free from its bondage to corruption" only by the God who "subjected" it in the first place . All we can do is "wait for it with patience".

"...the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God...in this expectation we were saved. Now expectation that is seen is not expectation. For who expects for what he already sees? But if we expect what we do not see, we wait for it with patience..."  (Romans 8:21-25)

“For it is God Who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)

“They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

God, and those who love Him, know that everything will work out for "good"...

"...we know that for those who love God all things work together for good..." (Romans 8:28)

God is working "all things together for good". The "good" is that creation will be "set free from its bondage to corruption" and "obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God". Humanity is predestined to be "conformed to the image of His Son".

"...For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom He predestined He also called, and those whom He called He also justified, and those whom He justified He also glorified." (Romans 8:29-30)

God will save "humanity" because Jesus Christ the Lord has ransomed us "ALL".

"There is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for ALL." (1 Timothy 2:5-6)

"One trespass led to condemnation for ALL humanity, and one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for ALL humanity. For as by Adam's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the obedience of Christ Jesus the many will be made righteous." (Romans 5:18-21)

It has been revealed to humanity what God will do for them, and that revelation is that they will br saved, justified, and reconciled to God by Jesus Christ the Lord, and that for humanity brings glory to God the Father.

"At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:10-11)

That is indeed a revelation worth having!

August 12th - What God Does To and For Sinners

God gave the death penalty TO sinners.

"For all have sinned... the wages of sin is death..." (Romans 3:23; 6:23)

God alone has the power to do what He wants FOR sinful humans after death. So, what will that be?

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him! For if, 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! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” (Romans 5:6-11)

God intends to actually save the ungodly after their death, not torment them. He is merciful and loving and says he will resurrect the dead, changed into the image of Jesus.  

“So will it be with the resurrection of the dead, the body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body…the spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual…and just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man." (1 Corinthians15:42-49)

"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself." (Philippians 3:20-21)

"For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?" (Romans 8:29-31)

the Bible says that God is not only going to save ungodly sinners out of death, but will transform them into the image of His Son with a glorified new body like Jesus now has!

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

August 11th - Sealed and Protected from the Mark of the Beast

In my post about the Rapture on August 10th I said that I think the Rapture will happen just before the final year of the Tribulation. Of course if I am correct, then living believers will have to deal with the Antichrist and his mark. God has provided believers to endure the  tribulations of life when He sealed us with the very power of God - the Holy Spirit.

"In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will...And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were SEALED with the promised Holy Spirit." (Ephesians 1:11, 13)

This power with which we have been "sealed" will prevent us from taking the mark of the beast. To worry about such a time brings sorrow to God and is simply a matter of not trusting Him.

"And do not be causing sorrow to the holy spirit of God by which you are sealed for the day of deliverance." (Ephesians 4:30)

Again, believers in Christ Jesus are "sealed with the promised Holy Spirit" and this power will enable us to refuse the mark of the beast and endure the consequences, if any. 

"Then the beast was permitted to wage war against the saints and to conquer them, and it was given authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation. And all who dwell on the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written from the foundation of the world in the Book of Life belonging to the Lamb who was slain. He who has an ear, let him hear: “If anyone is destined for captivity, into captivity he will go; if anyone is to die by the sword, by the sword he must be killed. Here is a call for the perseverance and faith of the saints." (Revelation 13:7-10)

I feel certain believers will stand firm to the end and see the salvation of the Lord just as he delivered Judah from the Moabites.

"You need not fight this battle. Take up your positions, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out and face them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you.’ ” (2 Chronicles 20:17)

August 10th - The Rapture of the Church

There have been all kinds of theories proposed over the centuries regarding the Rapture, a non-biblical word used for the time when the resurrection of believers will occur. 

Here are my thoughts.

First, Jesus did not promise believers they would not suffer tribulation, in fact he said that they would. He did promise we could have "peace" while we go through "tribulation".

"I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33)

The governments of humanity have cause much "tribulation" in the world and believers who are alive when Jesus returns are not exempt from the tribulations caused by the governments in power at the time. However, the Bible says there is coming a time called the "Day of the Lord" when God will pour out His wrath from heaven on human government, and Paul says believers are NOT destined for that wrath.

"Now as to the periods and times, brothers and sisters, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that the DAY OF THE LORD is coming just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction will come upon them like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. BUT YOU, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness, so that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day...For God HAS NOT destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us...Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up.” (1 Thessalonians 5:8-11)

Isaiah called the Day of the Lord “the DAY of vengeance” and "a YEAR of retribution".

"Come, my people, enter your rooms and close your doors behind you; hide for a little while until His wrath runs its course. For behold, the LORD is about to come out from His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their wrongdoing." (Isaiah 26:21)

“For the LORD has a DAY of vengeance, a YEAR of retribution for the cause of Zion.” (Isaiah 34:8)

"Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; The retribution of God will come, but He will save you.” (Isaiah 35:3-4)

It seems to me that the "Day of the Lord" is a “YEAR of retribution” where the wrath of God is poured out on unbelieving humanity just before Jesus returns. When Jesus came the first time, He read the following prophecy from Isaiah in the Synagogue . Then He said He had fulfilled it at that time.

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD anointed me to bring good news to the humble; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim release to captives and freedom to prisoners; to proclaim the favorable YEAR of the LORD.” (Isaiah 61:1-2a; Luke 4:18-19)

He stopped at that point because it was not time for the "favorable YEAR of the Lord" to begin. The Bible calls this year a favorable year for BELIEVERS because they are to be delivered from it. Isaiah's prophecy then continues where Jesus stopped and says this...

“And the DAY OF VENGEANCE of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the cloak of praise instead of a disheartened spirit. So, they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:2b-4)

During the favorable year of the Lord and “day of vengeance", God will pour His wrath out from heaven on the unbelieving governments of humanity. Just before that year begins there will be silence in heaven for half an hour. 

“When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense ascended from the angel’s hand with the prayers of the saints before God. Then the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar and hurled it to the earth; and there were peals of thunder and sounds, and flashes of lightning and an earthquake.” (Revelation 8:1-5)

Believers have been promised deliverance from that "wrath". So, I think all believers will be raptured during the half hour of silence just before the wrath of God is poured out on the faithless governments of humanity.

"For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up.” (1 Thessalonians 5:8-11)

This is how Paul says the event called the Rapture will occur...

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as the rest of humanity does, who have no hope...For the Lord Himself will be descending from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the Chief Messenger, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ shall be rising first. Then we, the living WHO ARE SURVIVING, shall at the same time be snatched away together with them in clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus shall we always be together with the Lord. So that, console one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13, 16-18)

August 9th - The Return of Jesus to Save Israel

Jesus told the Jewish leaders that they would not see Him again until they called Him "Blessed". 

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! Look, your house is left to you desolate. And I tell you that you will not see Me again until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.’” (Luke 13:34-35)

One reason that the Tribulation occurs on this earth is to force Israel to call upon the name of Jesus their Messiah for their salvation.

"For at that time there will be great tribulation, unmatched from the beginning of the world until now, and never to be seen again. If those days had not been cut short, nobody would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, those days will be cut short." (Matthew 24:21-23)

The "elect" of Israel will suffer great affliction in those days because of how they treated Jesus their Lord the first time He came - Israel "rejected the Lord" and "despised the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on Him".

"Listen, O heavens! Pay attention, earth! This is what the LORD says: “The children I raised and cared for have rebelled against me. Even an ox knows its owner, and a donkey recognizes its master’s care—but ISRAEL doesn’t know its master. MY PEOPLE don’t recognize my care for them.” Oh, what a sinful nation they are—loaded down with a burden of guilt. They are evil people, corrupt children who have REJECTED THE LORD. They have despised the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on Him." (Isaiah 1:2-4)

Jesus is "the Holy One of Israel". Israel turned their back on Him and had Him crucified. Therefore, ISRAEL is said of God to be called "not my people".

"And the LORD said, “Call his name Not My People,  for you are not my people, and I am not your God.” (Hosea 1:9)

But there will come a day when God will be merciful to Israel and they will call on Jesus. Then, once again, Israel will become the people of God.

"...and I will sow her for myself in the land. And will have mercy on No Mercy, and I will say to Not My People, ‘You are my people’; and he shall say, ‘You are my God.’” (Hosea 2:1)

Hosea implied to me that this would happen two thousand years after Israel rejected Jesus, a thousand years for each of the "two days" mentioned in his prophecy.

"Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us to pieces, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bind up our wounds. AFTER TWO DAYS He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His presence. So let us know—let us press on to know the LORD. As surely as the sun rises, HE WILL APPER; He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the earth." (Hosea 6:1-3)

Most Jews still do not believe Jesus is their Messiah and therefore are not calling upon Him to save them.

"I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, “What happened to the promise of His coming? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created...But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A DAY IS LIKE A THOUSAND YEARS TO THE LORD, and a thousand years is like a day...This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him—speaking of these things in all of his letters." (2 Peter 3:3-4, 8, 15-16)

Nevertheless, Israel will be saved when Jesus returns. They will be saved because Jesus will "turn Israel away from ungodliness".

"The people of Israel have hard hearts...As the Scriptures say, “The one who rescues will come from Jerusalem, and he will turn Israel away from ungodliness. And this is my covenant with them, that I will take away their sins.” The people of Israel are now enemies of the gospel, and this benefits the Gentiles. Yet they are still the people he loves because He chose their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For God’s gifts and His call can never be withdrawn." (Romans 11:25-29)

Jesus was crucified on the day of preparation for the Passover festival. As best as I can tell from my study of the Bible, that day was Wednesday April 11, 35 AD. He was entombed at sunset then spent three nights and three days in the tomb. He was raised from the dead at sunset on April 14, 35 AD. He then spent the next forty days teaching His followers about the Kingdom of God. Then from Bethany, a town on the Mount of Olives, He was lifted up into the clouds to return to heaven on May 25, 35 AD.

"When Jesus had led them out as far as Bethany, He lifted up His hands and blessed them. While He was blessing them, He left them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, praising God continually in the temple." (Luke 24:50-53)

"In my first book, O Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach, until the day He was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles He had chosen. After His suffering, He presented Himself to them with many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a span of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. And while they were gathered together, He commanded them: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift the Father promised, which you have heard Me discuss. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. So when they came together, they asked Him, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After He had said this, they watched as He was taken up, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. They were looking intently into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:3-11)

Zechariah tells us that when Jesus returns to save Israel from the Antichrist His feet will set down on the Mount of Olives from which he left.

"Behold, a day of the LORD is coming when your plunder will be divided in your presence. For I will gather all the nations for battle against Jerusalem, and the city will be captured, the houses looted, and the women ravished. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be removed from the city. Then the LORD will go out to fight against those nations, as He fights in the day of battle. On that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem." (Zechariah 14:1-4)

We are nearing 2,000 years from the day He left - I am watching the events taking place in Israel and around the world, and it seems to me that His return and the redemption of Israel is drawing near!

"For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. WHEN THESE THINGS BEGIN TO TAKE PLACE, STAND UP AND LIFT UP YOUR HEADS, BECAUSE YOUR REDEMPTION IS DRAWING NEAR.” (Luke 21:22-28)

During the last half of the Tribulation Satan controls the armies of the world. He knows that Jesus is coming and so he is said to gather all the armies to oppose His return. It will be an instant defeat, and the Antichrist and the False Prophet will then be thrown alive into the lake of fire, and every person who had received the "mark of the beast" will be killed.

"And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many crowns; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written: “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS...And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies, assembled to make war against Him who sat on the horse, and against His army. And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire, which burns with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh." (Revelation 19:11-16, 19-21)

Jesus then binds Satan and places him in the "bottomless pit". He will be kept there for a thousand years so he cannot deceive the nations during that time.

"Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the bottomless pit and a heavy chain in his hand. He seized the dragon—that old serpent, who is the devil, Satan—and bound him in chains for a thousand years. The angel threw him into the bottomless pit, which he then shut and locked so Satan could not deceive the nations anymore until the thousand years were finished. Afterward he must be released for a little while." (Revelation 20:1-3)

Christ Jesus, the Son of God, and Messiah of Israel will rule the world for a thousand years. Those who are killed for their faith in the Messiah during the Tribulation will be raised to life and become the "priests of God and of Christ" during this time.

"Then I saw thrones, and the people sitting on them had been given the authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus and for proclaiming the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his statue, nor accepted his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They all came to life again, and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years. This is the first resurrection. (The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years had ended.) Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. For them the second death holds no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him a thousand years." (Revelation 20:4-5)