What About Ancestors Who Probably Never Heard the Gospel?
Given America’s deep spiritual roots, it’s not unusual for people—even those from non-Christian backgrounds—to have encountered the gospel at some point. But what if you come from a Buddhist, Muslim or Hindu heritage?
While you may have had the opportunity to hear the message of Jesus Christ, perhaps for the first time after coming to America, you might wonder about your relatives who lived and died within those non-Christian cultures. What is the destiny of their souls?
The Bible is clear: no one is “without exposure” to God’s witness. Both creation and conscience proclaim God’s existence and moral law, pointing to the need for a savior. And God promises to draw near to those who seek Him. Salvation has been universally offered through Jesus Christ. Rejecting the light God provides—whether through creation, conscience or the gospel itself—brings personal accountability.
I think of my own grandparents who lived in a remote corner of Malaysia. Back in the day, the villagers loved to get together in the evening to share stories. As a boy, I remember the locals laughing at a man who came to share the gospel. They mocked him for wanting to “talk Jesus.” That experience impresses on me that even in far-flung places, God makes Himself known, and people choose how to respond. Here is some clarity from Scripture.
Creation’s Testimony
· Psalm 19:1-4 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun.
· Romans 1:19-20 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.
Conscience’s testimony
· Romans 2:14-15 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
· John 1:9 – Speaking of Christ: That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
Ultimately, salvation is not about exposure to religion, but about faith in Christ: He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. (1John 5:12)
Human nature often deflects the question of sin—pointing to religion, culture or philosophy—rather than facing the personal call to repentance. But God has made His Word simple: it doesn’t require advanced scholarship, only childlike faith.
The gospel message is straightforward:
· Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
· Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
· Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
· Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
If you would like to read more about this in a sharable, printable format, click here.
Richmond Shee
God’s Blueprint in Exodus With Moses
I was reading along in Exodus, taking in how Moses and Aaron jointly handled the plagues of frogs, lice, flies, etc.—until suddenly, something shifts.
Up through plague six, Moses and Aaron work in tandem—sometimes Aaron is the one stretching out his hand, sometimes both act together. But then comes this moment in Exodus 9:13-17, and the tone changes. For I (God) will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth. (Exodus 9:14)
It seems clear, God is saying, “Now it gets serious.” He’s about to turn up the heat—not just on Pharaoh, but on the account itself. And now, Moses becomes the sole instrument of God’s judgments. From plague 7 onward—hail, locusts, darkness—it’s Moses alone who stretches out his hand or rod (Ex. 9:22, 10:12, 10:21). These are the heaviest-hitting judgements, and not coincidentally, they’re the same ones that reappear in Revelation.
That’s not just historical detail. It’s God’s pattern. Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure. (Isa. 46:9-10)
What God began in Exodus, He will finish in Revelation. And that Exodus 9 interlude is like a prophetic signal, where God says, “Now you’ll see the full display of My power.” It’s not just for Egypt’s sake—it’s for all the earth to know there’s none like Him.
It’s exactly what we see in Revelation when God’s judgments escalate and His two witnesses (one of them clearly Moses) step onto the scene in chapter 11. What do they do? These have power to shut heaven… and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. Rev. 11:6)
It’s Moses all over again—but global this time.
Pharaoh isn’t just a villain in a Bible story—he’s a picture of the Antichrist. Both exalt themselves above God, harden their hearts against truth and drag their people into judgment. And just as Moses confronted Pharaoh with increasing severity, he will confront the Antichrist with power from heaven. The same judgments—hail, locusts and darkness—will fall again, just as they did in Egypt, because as Ecclesiastes 1:9 reminds us: The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be… and there is no new thing under the sun.
What we see in Exodus isn’t just God delivering Israel—it’s God revealing His entire plan in seed form. Moses’ growing involvement, God’s clear purpose statement in Exodus 9, the escalating judgments—it all mirrors the final confrontation in Revelation.
The Bible isn’t a loose collection of stories. It’s a sovereignly choreographed masterpiece where the first deliverance points to the final one. God is telling one story, and He told us how it ends right from the beginning.
R&J Shee
Moses, a Man for the Ages
We all know that Moses had a called-out life starting at birth when Pharoah decreed to kill all the baby Hebrew boys. In God’s sovereignty, Pharoah’s daughter saw baby Moses floating on the river in an “ark.” Her instant compassion led her to keep him as her own. But before she took possession of Moses, in God’s providence, Moses’s mother was allowed to ween him until the time for him to enter Pharoah’s house. And right there, Moses’s status changes from Hebrew baby to royal prince in Pharoah’s house.
It's obvious he is destined for great things. But there’s a hiccup on the way. It’s the story in Ex. 2:11-14 when he spied an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, and he killed the Egyptian and hid him. But he discovered his secret got out when he later confronted two Hebrew boys fighting. One of them recognized him as the murderer and said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us?
As Richmond likes to say, this is a common “coloring book story” that actually has a lot more meaning when you look at it through a “future” lens. (We can do that because God describes Himself in His word Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Isa. 46:10)
As it turns out, the question Who made thee a prince and a judge over us was prophetic. Prince and judge were two of Moses’s roles. One just after his birth (prince) and one in his later calling (judge—see Ex. 18:13).
When Moses killed that Egyptian, he hadn’t even met the Lord yet. His life-altering encounter with the Lord came at the burning bush event in the next chapter, Exodus 3. So what we see in Exodus 2 is the raw Moses who was prophetically asked, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? I know. We tend to focus on the “murderer!” part of that story, while the “where is God going with this” perspective goes unnoticed. BTW, who asked that question of Moses? It was the two Hebrew boys. The very group God made Moses to rule and judge.
For verification, look at the New Testament commentary on this story in Stephen’s sermon in Acts. This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush. (Act. 7:35)
The bigger and brighter take away is that God prepared Moses to be a specific vessel for His grand plan for the ages that won’t end until the Millennium.
Moses was born with the calling, mission and inner unction to protect and deliver the Hebrews.
Moses (and Elijah) returned to earth at the Mount of Transfiguration, appearing with Jesus to Peter, James and John (Matt. 7:1-5). God clearly was not done with those two notable Old Testament characters, even in Christ’s day, and He wanted Peter, James and John to be eye witnesses to that.
And God still has plans for Moses and Elijah to return to the earth again during the Tribulation (see Rev. 11:3-12). Moses will continue his leadership—this time of the 144,000 Jewish witnesses during the second half of the tribulation before he will be killed by the Antichrist—and then come back to life.
Moses was always meant to deliver Israel—starting with the day he killed the Egyptian fighting with the Hebrew. Then God used him to deliver the Hebrews from Egypt with its wicked Pharoah. And in the future he will lead and deliver Israel from the antichrist’s attempts to annihilate them. He was one unique individual… worth studying.
R&J Shee
The Secret to Cheerful Submitting
Face it, none of us likes to submit to an authority who tells us to do something we don’t really want to do.
True story: I once had an easy-going boss who set me free to shine in my job, but he left the company. His replacement was a scowling tyrant. A few days in, he suspected I wasn’t doing anything. “Starting tomorrow, I want you to sit there and write down every hour what you did that hour.” I expressed my hot displeasure at that prospect, and he said, “If I tell you to stand on your head in the corner and spit wooden nickels, that’s what I expect you to do.”
That night, I whined to the Lord how cruel and unfair this was, and who did this man think he was to treat me like that?
In the moment, I knew the only way to get a grip was to read something/anything in my Bible. These verses popped up: Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps. (1 Pet. 2:18-21)
It might have been the biggest light-bulb moment of my life. I heard the Lord say inside me, “If I asked you to write down what you were doing every hour, would you do it for me?” I told Him absolutely. I’d do it every 15 minutes for Him if He asked me to. And He impressed on my heart, “Well, I AM asking you to write what you’re doing every hour through your boss.” That changed everything.
I went into the office the next day thrilled to note my every move for the Lord. In fact, my cheerful obedience irritated my boss so much, he asked me to stop doing it after a few hours, and I was actually disappointed I had to stop!
The secret to submitting to a boss, husband, parent, etc. is to look past them and obey “as unto the Lord.” Paul amplifies this in several verses in Ephesians.
Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ. (Eph. 6:5)
With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: (Eph. 6:7)
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. (Eph. 5:22)
Your authority is put in place by God. Consider Christ’s example. Jesus was challenged to submit to the government officials in a way that not only hurt Him, it killed Him. But He took it. Why? Because Jesus didn’t consider that his personal human will was as important as God’s will. And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. (Mark 14:36)
Here’s an example of a prayer you could pray when you are struggling to submit (to anything except sin). “Lord, I don’t want to do what I’ve been asked to do, but I do want to obey you. So I’m choosing to yield my will to you because you have personally asked me to obey (my husband, boss, parent, etc.). So, for you, I choose yes. I will obey.”
Do this quietly in your heart before God rather than post it on your mirror, dashboard or computer. Your authorities don’t need to see those words, just your cheerful heart.
R&J Shee
Don’t Behave Like a Wild Animal
We were all born on a level playing field. The book of Job explains it pretty humorously. It’s two things. We are vain and we were born like a wild ass’s colt. LOL. Richmond likes to refer to that when he teaches. Here is the passage: For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it? For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass's colt. (Job 11:11-12) I came across this description of a wild ass’s colt: untamable, free-roaming, stubborn and born wild. It’s why Jesus had to come and die for us.
Notice how the Bible combines vain man with a wild ass’s colt. It’s a composite of our natural state. A vain disposition leads to wild-ass’s-colt behavior. The question is, can born-again believers be like this? Indeed we can. So let’s look at these verses:
The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity. (Ps. 94:11) Our natural thoughts are vain. Our natural thinking and reasoning aren’t anything like God’s. (See Isa. 55:8-9) And so it’s only natural that left to our vain thoughts, we will have vain opinions, words and actions.
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind. (Eph. 4:17) We are instructed not to walk (or behave) like unbelievers… in the vanity of our mind. A former pastor of ours used to like to say, “My opinion and a dime won’t buy you a cup of coffee.” Let’s not entertain vain, wild ass’s colt thoughts, opinions and actions.
If we’re not reading, studying and paying attention to biblical truth, we are likely headed down a spiritually useless path. Otherwise, the apostle Paul wouldn’t have warned believers not to walk in the vanity of our mind.
In these last days, we have plenty of vain-thinking fodder from natural “wild ass’s colts.” When have we ever had easier access to such a flood of random, empty thoughts? It’s the stuff of social media, where opinions are cheap and endlessly available.
I, for one, am weary of references to “the ladies on The View” presented on news programs –left and right—as a springboard into further useless ranting.
The Apostle Paul gives us a great list of thoughts that aren’t vain that are worth thinking on. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Phil 4:8) We don’t even have to pray about this.
Right thoughts based on God’s truth is a choice. The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. (Ps. 10:4) Let’s steer our ship correctly with the help of the Word and Spirit of God.
By the way, if you have a Bible study app on your phone or computer that has “The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge” (TSK) with its extensive cross references, look up Ps. 94:11 (above) and follow those cross references. It’s rich.
R&J Shee
What to Look For When Studying the Bible
I have a few early recollections from my life as a new believer in Christ after my salvation at age 15. One was (and still is) a passion to know God and Jesus more and more each day. From day one, my heart has been set on that one desire. I want to know Him.
A second early and ongoing recollection is a popular method to know Him while reading and studying the Bible: Look for SPECs in the Bible. That is,
S – Sins to avoid
P – Promises to claim
E – Examples to follow
C – Commands to obey
Does anyone see anything missing from that list? I ask because a few years ago a Christian leader sent out this SPEC list and asked if anyone in the email group would add anything to that. I responded, “I’d just add … What does the passage teach about God?”
His response; “Oh. Correct. The Bible isn’t just all about us, after all. It’s about God.”
Don’t get me wrong. The Bible is full of awesome SPECs. But don’t stop there. It’s just that knowing God more is possible from studying the Bible with a different lens. Why did it take decades for me to realize that? SPECs are great milk. And we are to desire the sincere milk of the word. So, nothing wrong with that. But the meat is what the Bible teaches us about God and what His plan is and where He is heading (which is playing out around us).
Here’s a launching pad in the quest to know God more: But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. (2 Pet 3:18)
Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians was this: That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: (Eph. 1:17)
I will say that in these last days, believers are starving to know God better. And many don’t realize that they don’t know Him very well because of anemic Bible study and teaching. We know when we’ve been fed meat… from Bible studies and sermons that point to God and Jesus Christ and their awesomeness. That kind of preaching and teaching is soul-fulfilling, but is largely missing in this day. Why? Because we’ve been conditioned to focus on us (sins we should avoid, promises we should claim, examples we should follow, commands we should obey).
How do you know if you’re living on milk and not meat? If your choice Bible study and teachings cherry pick through the Bible (SPECs), and you’re still not satisfied with your spiritual life. Then you assume you need an infusion of the right verses. You beat yourself up for not finding or fully grasping those sins to avoid, promises to claim, examples to follow or commands to obey.
Grace, people. Grow in your knowledge of God. Look for Him and His ways and His marvelous, sovereign path in the Bible. See how He outlined Christ’s first and second coming all through the Old Testament. Study a book of the Bible looking for Him and what the Bible teaches about Him. Experience shows, if you know Him better, you’ll automatically love Him more and obey Him more willingly—in gratitude for His awesomeness in revealing Himself to you in His word. You get the same spiritual results from being filled with His Word (Col 3:16) as being filled with His Spirit (Eph. 5:18-19). You want more of Him? Get more of Him in His word. Look for Him there. He will reveal Himself to you if you seek Him.
R&J Shee
Types connect the Old Testament with the New Testament
For all you doctrinal students, here’s a new lens through which to read the Bible. Author Greg Axe in his book “Revelation Made Simple” said, “Another cardinal rule of Bible study: any New Testament doctrine must have a corresponding type in the Old Testament.”
He used the rapture as an example. Some folks (hopefully us!) will never taste death, but will be caught up to meet Christ in the air, per 1 Thes. 4:16-17. He pointed out that doctrine in OT type is the story of Enoch in Gen. 5:24, which says, And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. To confirm this, Heb. 11:5 says, By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. He is an OT type of raptured believers.
Greg Axe is on to something considering this verse: In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. (2 Cor. 13:1b) For any New Testament doctrine, you get two or three witnesses (directly or in type) elsewhere in the Bible.
Another NT doctrinal example is Jesus became sin and a curse for us that He might redeem us from sin and the curse (2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:13). One OT type of this is in Numbers 21:8-9 when God told Moses to make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole that whoever would look up at it would live and not die in the plague that was killing everyone for their rebellion. That serpent on the pole was a type of Jesus Christ hanging on the cross for our sins. Another “witness” verse of this idea is Isa. 45:22. And like is often the case, there is yet a future fulfillment of this when Israel finally looks on Jesus whom they pierced… and they will be saved (Zech. 12:10).
I’m back to talking to you doctrinal students. Romans is the first doctrinal book in the New Testament. If doctrines were first discussed (in type) in the Old Testament, wouldn’t you expect to find some correlation between the many doctrines Paul outlines in Romans and many mentions, types and prophesies in the Old Testament? Yes, you would.
As I’m almost finished studying Romans, I’ve been impressed with the vast number of times Paul refers back to something said in the OT to make his NT doctrinal point. Someone else observed this before I did and noted that in Romans, there are 51 direct quotes from the Old Testament, 10 paraphrased quotes and 15 clear allusions. That comes to 76 references to the OT in the book of Romans as Paul discusses doctrine to us in the church age.
The point I want to make is that the Old Testament and the New Testament weave together in a God-orchestrated, God-breathed hologram type of way. You really can find Jesus on every page of the Bible. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! (Rom. 11:33)
If I was going through Romans again, I’d do it through this lens comparing OT types and prophesies with the NT.
I really want to encourage you to study your Bible with different eyes like this. Hopefully this helps. And if you are interested in a doctrinal take on the book of Revelation, let me encourage you to go on Amazon and buy Greg Axe’s book “Revelation Made Simple.” You won’t be disappointed!
R&J Shee
The Most Important Question
How did YOU come to get saved? It’s a question I like to ask believers when I get comfortable enough with them to ask. I love to hear their stories. That question is also one that a disciple-maker will ask others, because one’s salvation is the very foundation on which to build the Christian life.
But over the past few years, I’ve noticed a change in the answers I hear when I ask, “How did you come to get saved?” Or “How did you come to know the Lord?” Here’s what I’m hearing more of:
I’ve always known the Lord.
I just started getting interested in religion.
God helped me when I called out to Him when I was sick (or had some other need).
I’ve actually gone around the room and asked gatherings of believers how they got saved, and not a single one had what I’d call a “spiritual reckoning moment.” That is concerning.
All this came to my mind while studying Romans. Particularly Romans 6:17, But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. We go from sinner to saved by obeying “that form of doctrine.” What’s that? You hear the gospel, God draws your heart, and you obey the gospel. Here’s a reminder of what the gospel is per the Apostle Paul: For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures (1 Cor. 15:3-4).
So, is it possible to be born again or saved without knowing and reckoning with the doctrine of the gospel? Simply put, “You are a sinner in need of a savior. Jesus died, was buried and rose again to purchase your salvation. Believe, confess and be saved.”
Is that your testimony? Here’s an amplifying passage, Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you (1 Peter 1:23-25).
The word of God is operable in your salvation. So no one is saved by an experience that doesn’t include reckoning with what the Bible says about your condition and His solution. A salvation testimony is going to involve being convicted in your heart about how you woefully fall short and thus your need for a savior. Is that your story?
If the facts of the gospel are boring to you, get it right between you and God before it is too late. Jesus didn’t die to meet your felt needs. He died to purchase your soul from sin through faith. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Rom. 10:9-10).
Of course many or most of you reading this are 100% there with me. Let’s be the ones to hold the line on the gospel and true salvation. Let’s not assume everyone is already saved. Let’s question a little more and be at the ready to insert the word of truth through verses and our testimonies, outlining the facts of the gospel.
R&J Shee
Why Does it Matter So Much That Jesus Rose From the Dead?
When it comes to sharing the gospel with unbelievers, it’s been ingrained in me not to just say “Jesus died for your sins,” but to include that He was buried and rose again. Why? Because Paul defines the gospel as those three elements in 1 Cor. 15:1-4. So, I’ve always dutifully slipped in “and He rose again” to cover the bases, even when writing gospel tracts.
But Easter is coming. It’s when we spotlight “Jesus rose again.” I studied out from the Bible the fine points of why it’s so important that Jesus rose again… dots I’ve not connected on one page before. Here’s why it’s important that Jesus rose again:
His enemies. In Matt. 27:63-64, those who crucified Jesus knew their victory was not complete. Jesus had said He would rise again three days later. They sealed His tomb tightly and stood guard. It didn’t work. He rose again anyway! Had He not done that, His enemies would have had their victory.
His intercessory prayers. Jesus died, rose again and went to God’s right hand where He makes intercession for us. (Rom. 8:33-34) Now, I don’t know how He’s praying for me/us up there, but it’s an important work that’s only possible because He rose again. Could it be that this ongoing intercessory work is one reason why four verses in the Pauline epistles talk about the “faith OF Christ” (as if it’s His faith that works on our behalf) rather than “faith IN Christ” (as if it’s our faith that makes all the difference)? Those verses are Rom. 3:22, Gal. 2:16, 3:22, and Phil. 3:9. Just pondering. You find it in the KJV only.
Firstfruits of the harvest. Jesus rose again to become the firstfruits of them that slept, or died. (1 Cor. 15-17-20) You know, in any field, which Jesus said is prophetically symbolic for the world in Matt. 13:38, there are three harvests: The firstfruits (Christ’s resurrection), the main harvest (the rapture of the church) and the gleanings (the rapture of the tribulation saints at Christ’s second coming—Matt. 24:29-31). There’s this big doctrine of the harvest in the Bible, and if Jesus wasn’t resurrected from the dead, the other two resurrections won’t happen either. The promise in Acts 1:9-11 that He will return to catch believers away in the clouds (at the second or main harvest) will not happen. And then where is our hope?
The throne. If Jesus didn’t rise again, He’s dead, and He’s never going to sit on the throne. But you know, after He offered His body a sacrifice for sins forever, He rose and sat down on the right hand of God until He makes His enemies his footstool (Heb. 10:23-13). The whole Bible leads to Jesus on the throne ruling and reigning one day. If He didn’t rise again, the sovereign, dramatic conclusion will not come to pass! The word throne appears 39 times in Revelation—more than in any other book. In one of them, Jesus Himself said, To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. (Rev. 3:21)
Simply, Jesus was victorious over death, and that is absolutely everything! And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (Col. 2:15) He is risen indeed!
R&J Shee
Be a Time Traveler
You find in the Bible that God is not limited by time or space. He declares the end from the beginning (Isa. 46:10) because He’s already been to the past and already is in the future. Because of that, you’d almost think the Bible is a dystopian novel. But it’s real. You can go with God from the past of human misery caused by sin to where that will inevitably lead in the future when people and things don’t change.
Hosea 13 is a perfect example. Hosea is a minor prophet that highlights how Israel went whoring after other gods, when God’s first commandment was “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” There was punishment to be had. Israel was ripped apart in the Assyrian captivity. And then it’s ripped away again in the tribulation.
After declaring that Israel had forgotten God, using similitudes, God said, Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them: I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them. (Hos. 13:7-8) Just observe that God said He Himself would be like a lion, a leopard and a bear to them.
In short order, this was fulfilled and they were taken into captivity.
Now let’s do time travel to the tribulation in Revelation 13. By the way, the tribulation is largely for Israel. It’s alternately called “the time of Jacob’s trouble” in Jer. 30:7 because it’s Israel’s coming trouble.
Rev. 13:2, And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
The composite of a lion, a leopard and a bear in Hos. 13 is the same composite described as the beast in Rev. 13. Let’s make some observations:
In Hosea 13, God said HE would be to them as those 3 animals. In Revelation 13, it says the dragon (Satan) would give power to the beast that is likened to those 3 animals. If it’s the same thing, who is it behind all this—God or Satan? We know that Satan is a vessel of dishonor. (2 Tim. 2:20) Even he unwittingly carries out God’s purposes. And we also read this: The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. Prov. 16:4 Satan is also called “the wicked.” (Matt 13:19) To summarize: Satan is the vessel God uses in Revelation to carry out some of the tribulation judgment.
Satan’s reputation is that of the great deceiver and imposter. He has tried to compete with God from the beginning. Remember, he wanted to be “like the most high” way back in the beginning, and in the end, he shows up as the ANTIChrist. So if God presents Himself as a lion, leopard and bear to Israel in Hosea 13, is it any wonder that in Revelation 13, Satan also presents himself in beast form as a lion, leopard and bear?
There’s another nuance of how Hosea 13 points to Revelation 13—the way “beast” is used. Let’s review Hosea 13:7-8. Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them: I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them. God described Himself here AS a lion, AS a leopard and AS a bear. But He didn’t describe Himself AS the wild beast. “The wild beast shall tear them” is separate from the lion, leopard and bear. God would never compare Himself to the beast. He’s talking about something else, yet future. In Revelation 13, the dragon (Satan) gives the beast (false prophet or antichrist) power and authority. This beast is going to tear them, Israel in the tribulation.
We conclude that when the nation of Israel sinned by committing spiritual fornication against God, He pronounced their end. He described it in Hosea 13, and finally in Revelation 13. God knew and stated the end from the beginning. He does it all through the Bible.
And oh, if you’re reading a version other than the KJV, this vivid picture is clouded. The wild beast that tears them (Israel) in Hosea 13:8 and that is reminiscent of the beast in Revelation 13 disappears in the NIV. Hosea 13:8 ends, “A wild animal will tear them apart.” Final note, you can read any version you want and be blessed. But if you want to study and compare verses and get some understanding, you will want to use a KJV.
R&J Shee
How to Rightly Divide the Word of Truth
No one would disagree with 2 Tim. 2:15 that says Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But what does it mean? How do you know if you are rightly dividing it? Here are six key how-to tips that might help you.
Study the Bible, not books about the Bible. Devotional books don’t count for the purpose of rightly dividing.
Take into account the context of the verse or passage you are studying. Who was it written to and why? Read five verses before and five verses after your passage of interest to get the context and the intended meaning for the intended audience.
Grasp the fact that all the Bible was written FOR you, but not all the Bible was written TO you. Much (but not all) of the Old Testament was written TO and ABOUT the Jews. To rightly divide the word of truth, you will ask, “was this written to the gentiles, church or to the Jews?” The Jews were required to keep not only the 10 commandments to be right with God, but to offer animal sacrifices; observe special days/feasts; adhere to specific dietary laws; and many other things that do not apply to the church today. They were living under the law. We, the church, are living under grace. Again, righty divide who the passage was written TO. You can learn principles from what God addressed TO the Jews, but you are not bound to keep the commands and laws unless you find them written TO the church in the New Testament.
Compare scripture with scripture. It’s likely that many other verses in the Bible talk about the subject you are reading in your current verse. You can get an amplified view of that verse, passage or truth by reading other verses that are like it. Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little. (Isaiah 28:9-10)
To find cross references, download a Bible phone app or computer program containing the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on it, also known as the TSK. It is the most complete list of cross references available. For the phone, the free Blue Letter Bible has the TSK on it. For a computer program, consider the free e-sword program. It also has the TSK on it.
The actual words in the Bible matter, not just the ideas. God inspired the very words in the original languages, and then He preserved them, which He had to do given that we don’t have any scraps of the originals. And IF the very words matter, it matters which translation of the Bible you are studying, because they don’t all say the same thing. Just one tiny example, look up Acts 8:37 in your Bible. If it’s missing, it’s not the version you should be studying. Click here for more on this subject. Your efforts to rightly divide will be more fruitful if you have the best Bible version.
R&J Shee
Jesus in the Psalms
I’d like to take you on part of my journey through Psalms. I’ve examined it with a microscope for more than a year. I was recently in Ps. 144. We know David wrote it. Let’s marvel at this together: Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust;… (Ps. 144:1-2a) We all agree and cheer with David as the Lord is also our goodness, fortress, high tower, deliverer, shield and the one we trust in. (Those sentiments would make a great praise song.) But the sentence goes on… who subdueth my people under me. (Ps. 144:2b) What do you do with that? If you’re just reading and not studying, you likely skip that part because it doesn’t apply to you.
You have to bring your mind back from the sparkling inspiration that these verses are to the historical context. It seems David is giving the Lord credit for subduing his (David’s) people under him. But I will say, watch as a hologram picture of Jesus fades into focus. You know what I’m talking about. You think you’re reading one thing, and God slips Jesus into the scene, and then eventually goes back to the original narrative.
How do I know this is the case here? Because look at the next verse. The hologram picture of Jesus gets a little clearer. Ps. 144:3, LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him! I won’t quote it here, but this very verse is repeated in the New Testament in Heb. 2:5-6, and it clearly states that this son of man whom God is mindful of is Jesus.
Now that Jesus is clearly in focus here in Ps. 144, you are going to love what David prays prophetically in verses 5 and 6. Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke. Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them. What is he talking about!? You are looking at the second coming of Christ at the end of the tribulation in the Psalms! It lines up with Habakkuk 3:10-11.
The Psalm soon turns back to an obvious prayer of David. But I will point out that not only do you see Jesus in this Psalm written by king David, this highlights the fact that David was more than a king. He was a poet. And he was a prophet. A prophet? Peter said so in the book of Acts. Speaking of David, he said in Acts 2:30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne.
I encourage you to read and study through the Psalms, as I have taken more than a year to do. You have already well discovered the praise and encouragement of the book, but you will also find a lot of promised help for the Jews during the coming tribulation and Jesus ruling and reigning in the Millennium. And just as a teaser, Psalm 149 prophesies of the Millennial rule of Christ, and verses 5-9 tell us what we as saints who return with Jesus to rule and reign with Him will be doing.
R&J Shee
What’s Up With Psalm 119? Part Two
When you come to Psalm 119, the first observation is that it takes a long time to get through the 176 verses. The second obvious point is that it’s all about the Word of God. Only one or two of the verses doesn’t refer to His word, and that’s unique.
Now for some serious Bible student points to make. First, this is written to the Jews. Thus, the words used for The Word are very law oriented (law, judgments, testimonies, commandments, statutes and precepts). By contrast, the descriptors for the Word of God in the New Testament are things like “living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword” (2 Tim. 2:15); scriptures, truth, word of truth, word of God and prophesy. Here’s a little summary of the New Testament difference Christ made in relation to the law: Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace. (Eph. 2:15)
While not written TO us, Psalm 119 is definitely written FOR us, and we learn the powerful importance God places on His word.
But here’s something else unique about the style of this Psalm (and many of the Psalms). It falls within the poetry books of the Old Testament. In Part One of this blog, we talked about how Psalm 119 is an alphabetic acrostic. Each of the stanzas (and the verses within that stanza) begin with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet in order (22 letters, 22 stanzas).
But in addition to the alphabetic acrostic style, the Psalms, including this one, weave in prophesy. The whole of Psalm 119 is not prophesy, but prophetic elements interlace in and out of this poetic book and chapter. Because of that, you can wonder as you read the nouns if they are talking about David, the likely author of this Psalm, or are they talking about Jesus? Or both? So let’s look at one stanza with this lens.
Psa 119:161-168 SCHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word. (162) I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil. (163) I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love. (164) Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments. (165) Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. (166) LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments. (167) My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly. (168) I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.
You can see that the “me” and “I” referred to here easily could apply to David or Jesus. Actually, it can and does waft back and forth between the two in hologram style. But the No. 1 clue that Jesus is here is in that first verse. “Princes have persecuted me without a cause.” Without a cause is a key phrase throughout the Bible that always points to Jesus. How do I know? You simply compare scripture with scripture. Jesus said in John 15:25 But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause. What is Jesus referring to from the Old Testament? Take your pick: Psalm 7:4, 35:19, 69:4, 109:3, 119:161.
The puzzlement of the prophesy in Psalms is that the narrative takes you from the present to the prophetic future and back. By our standard English norms, the first-person grammar should apply to the writer in the present. The untrained eye can’t see past that. But once you do, you will see Jesus in passages that aren’t primarily about Jesus, and it will cause you to go back and look at that Psalm in a completely different light. I know. I’m over one year already studying each Psalm, and I see this all over the place!
R&J Shee
What’s Up With Psalm 119? Part One
Most readers of this blog probably know that Psalm 119, the Bible's longest chapter, is all about the Word of God. If you’re studying or teaching it, here are some key facts and insights to consider.
There are 22 stanzas of 8 verses each. The famous preacher F.B. Meyer summarized that the psalm is an elaborate acrostic. In the original, each verse in a given section begins with the same letter, so that the twenty-two sections present the complete Hebrew alphabet. So that’s a bit about the style. Another tidbit is that there are seven words repeated over and over throughout the 176 verses to refer to the word of God. Below I’ve distilled the meanings of each of the seven words.
Word: Spoken or revealed word
Law: A revelation or single command—all the way to the whole body of the law (first five books of the Bible)
Judgments: Regulations
Testimonies: The biblical witnesses or truth examples
Commandments: Given orders
Statutes, Authority of what God wrote
Precepts: Particular, detailed instructions
You could actually call this Psalm the “full mention” of the Word of God. Full mention is a term we use to describe a passage that stands out as the most comprehensive on any given topic. For example, the full mention of charity would be 1 Cor. 13. It’s good to pick out full-mention passages as a starting point for any topic you want to study further. Some of the most-quoted verses about the Bible come from Psalm 119. Find a favorite verse from this full-mention chapter and look up the cross references to it on any Bible phone app or computer Bible program that contains the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK). The TSK is the most exhaustive list of cross references you can find. I have the Blue Letter Bible app on my phone because it contains TSK cross references.
Now some observations and meditations I had on Psalm 119 after I completed studying it.
In every stanza, the psalmist incorporates at least six of the seven words for the Word, and in some cases, he uses all seven (word, law, judgments, testimonies, commandments, statutes and precepts). I think the repetition is why some consider the Psalm a little intimidating.
I find it instructional that there are seven words to denote the Word of God. Seven is the number of perfection or completion.
And here’s a meditation question with an “ah ha” answer. Besides the fact that seven is the number of perfection or completion, why does God use a spate of words to describe His word? To get to that, you have to look at a truth you may have overlooked. The Word is part of the trinity. No, you say. The trinity is the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Well, how about this verse: 1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. Stunning, I know. Jesus and the Word prove to be interchangeable, and that shouldn’t surprise us, because Jesus is the Word pointed out in John 1:1-2, 14 and elsewhere. (Notice 1 John 5:7 capitalizes the W in Word, denoting deity.)
There’s not a single word to encapsulate all that God is in any of His forms. Jesus has several names in the Bible (Christ, Emmanuel, Messiah, Son of God, Lord, the Word etc.). So does God (Jehovah, Abba, Father, the Ancient of Days, etc.). So does the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost, comforter, spirit of truth, spirit of glory, etc.)
Psalm 119 shows us the many nuances of the Word of God in seven terms. But we’re just getting started with the value of Psalm 119. In part 2, we are going to look at the context and prophetic value of Psalm 119. It’s a study angle you likely have never considered before.
R&J Shee
Truths Worth Repeating
I love a good book. Especially a mystery who-done-it that keeps me turning the pages until the suspense is finally over. Can we read the Bible like that? It starts in Gen. 1:2 with re-creation; sin enters; mankind makes a colossal mess out of life—over and over; Jesus comes to earth to rescue us; He is rejected and killed (and rises again); Some trust in Him by faith, and He saves them; He starts the church (where we are now); and it ends with the rapture, tribulation, second coming of Christ and His Millennial reign. That’s a brief summary looking at the Bible in the same linear way writers write books and readers are trained to read them.
But in a previous post, we saw how history repeats itself, and God has designed biblical history so that the same things or themes repeat over and over. We see through types and key phrases that the Bible is circular. Click here to read the post that explains that.
This is part 2 of this idea, specifically that God repeats Himself. We see this truth in three different verses. In Deut. 19:15, Moses says, At the mouth of two witnesses or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. Jesus also says it in Matt. 18:16, and Paul says it in 2 Cor. 13:1. How “ironic” that three witnesses say the same thing about settling matters or establishing the truth of a thing in the mouth of two or three witnesses. BTW, those witnesses could be two or three people, but could also be two or three records or accounts. In this case, it’s both.
If this truth is true, and the Bible says it is, then for example, when we read about the tribulation in Revelation, that shouldn’t be the first time in the Bible we are reading about that. We should find it other places—in the mouth of two or three other witnesses. Indeed, you find the tribulation mentioned prophetically all over the place, especially in reference to what Israel will go through. Key words that point prophetically to Israel in tribulation are trouble (think “time of Jacob’s trouble” in Jer. 30:7), sorrow, woman in travail and others.
Now, here’s an example appropriate to our conversation here. Three verses offer the phrase “my heart is fixed.” They are all in Psalms and are all significant prophetically for Israel. I see this clearly because I’m in the midst of a year-long tour through the Psalms looking at each chapter’s prophetic significance. I see Israel in tribulation and Israel at the second coming all over the place in Psalms.
When the Psalmist declares a fixed heart three times (Ps. 57:7, 108:1 and 112:7), he is speaking on behalf of Israel in the future, in the late tribulation or at Christ’s return when as a nation their heart gets fixed. Right now, it’s not fixed. They do not believe in Jesus as Messiah. But they will. God promised it prophetically by the prophet Moses as far back as Deut. 30:6. And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live. That hasn’t happened yet for Israel.
More directly, God said to Israel in Ezek. 11:19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh. (repeated in Ezek. 36:26, Jer. 31:33-34 and 32:39) God makes it plain in the mouth of two or three witnesses that one day He will fix Israel’s heart.
Back to our main point. While the Bible can be read in a linear way, God also orchestrates it to be circular, where you see prophetic themes repeated throughout the Bible, often through the use of key words and phrases. It’s an exciting concept to follow through the Bible. As you start on a new year, determine to read your Bible through this lens of history repeating itself.
R&J Shee
The Holy Spirit is Moving in Syria
The Holy Spirit is always at work in the world, shaping history to align with God’s eternal plan. Right now, His hand is moving powerfully in Syria, particularly with the dramatic shift in its leadership this week. Could this event be connected to the Bible’s prophecies about the end times? Absolutely.
God’s Word gives us a roadmap for the future, and what’s happening in Syria, especially in Damascus, fits right into His plan. As Daniel 2:20-21 declares, “Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings.”
Why Syria Matters in Prophecy
Syria, and its ancient capital Damascus, is a key player in Bible prophecy. As one of the oldest cities in the world, Damascus is mentioned repeatedly in the Scriptures, often as a focus of God’s judgment and a stage for major historical and spiritual battles.
The Bible foretells Damascus’ eventual destruction in detail:
Isaiah 17:1-3 calls Damascus a “ruinous heap,” indicating its complete downfall.
Amos 1:3-5 highlights God’s judgment on the rulers of Damascus for their cruelty, including their actions under King Hazael.
Hazael, a brutal king who ruled Damascus in ancient times, is described in 2Kings 8 as a powerful enemy of Israel. His reign was marked by relentless violence, fulfilling prophecies about the suffering he would inflict. Hazael’s actions were so horrific that they foreshadow the deeds of the Antichrist during the future Tribulation period.
How Today’s Events Align with Prophecy
The political shifts in Syria remind us of the prophetic warnings in Scripture. Like Hazael, who rose to power through betrayal and brought destruction, the Bible teaches that future leaders will align themselves with the Antichrist, opposing God’s people and His plans.
But here’s the good news: these events are not random. They are stepping stones toward the ultimate victory of Jesus Christ. When we see nations like Syria in turmoil, it’s a signal that God’s prophetic clock is ticking. Each development brings us closer to the fulfillment of His promises.
What Should Believers Do?
The Bible calls us to watch and prepare as we see God’s plan unfolding. Here’s how you can respond:
Recognize the Times
These events remind us that we are living in a crucial period of history. As the signs of the times become clearer, it’s essential to understand what they mean for the future. Jesus Himself told us to watch and be ready (Matthew 24:42).
Seek God’s Word
If you’re new to the Bible, start exploring passages about end times like Isaiah 17, Matthew 24, and Revelation 6-19. These chapters provide insights into what’s to come and how God’s plan is unfolding.
Talk About Prophecy
Use this opportunity to share with friends and family what you’re learning. End-times prophecy is a natural conversation starter, especially when it’s tied to current events. Explain how God’s plan offers hope in a world that often feels chaotic.
Pray for Syria and the World
Pray for the people affected by these events, that they might find hope and salvation through Jesus Christ. Pray also for wisdom to navigate these times with faith and discernment.
Prepare for What’s Ahead
These events remind us that Jesus is coming back soon. Live each day with eternity in mind. If you haven’t placed your trust in Him, now is the time to do so.
A Hopeful Reminder
What’s happening in Syria is a part of God’s unchanging plan. The Bible assures us that even in times of upheaval, God is in control. While the world may be shaken, His promises stand firm. These are not events to fear, but to view with hope, as they point to Christ’s ultimate victory and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.
As you watch the news unfold, let it deepen your faith and ignite your passion for sharing the gospel. The day is approaching when our faith will become sight, and every knee will bow before the Lord. Let’s be ready.
Note:
For a deeper understanding of Hazael and Damascus in the end times, click here.
Richmond Shee
The Bible is an Ocean
You can experience the ocean in many ways, from casting a line or net to snag dinner, to diving in a submarine to its depths and discovering wonders few have ever witnessed. Similarly, the Bible offers layers of depth and mystery, ready to be explored by anyone willing to submerge themselves in it.
For years after my salvation, I stood on the surface of the Bible “tossing in a line” to find inspirational morsels to get me through the day as I was taught to do. Only later did I find a church where they took us on expeditions through the Bible to uncover the riches way beneath the surface that you just don’t casually find as you read the Bible.
It makes sense that the God who created and hid mysterious creatures like dumbo octopus, sea pigs and sea spiders for His pleasure would equally conceal mind-blowing truths in the Bible. After all, didn’t the Apostle Paul proclaim: O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! (Rom. 11:33) But we can at least try to search for them!
If you’d like to get to the awe-inspiring meat of the Word, here’s the “how to” passage that speaks volumes: Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine (and not just inspiration)? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little. (Isa. 28:9-10)
Bottom line, you have to do the work of comparing scripture with scripture. To do that, you need a healthy dose of curiosity to motivate you and then you need a Bible and/or computer app that includes the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK), which is the most exhaustive list of cross references I know of.
There is something else that helps as you compare passages: A new lens through which to examine them. It starts with the understanding that history repeats itself. What happened at the beginning of the Bible, you see happening in other ways throughout the Bible—clear to the prophetic end. I’ll give you an example, but first, here are three verses that support that the Bible is circular with events happening over and over again—and will still happen through the tribulation and beyond.
The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us. (Ecc. 1:9-10)
I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him. That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past. (Ecc. 3:14-15)
Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: (Isa. 46:9-10)
Knowing these things, when I read stories in the Old Testament, I have to ask myself, “does this remind me of anything else that happened other places in the Bible or is yet to happen?” That’s the lens. And here’s just one example.
When the Israelites were thirsty in the wilderness, God’s solution was to bring water out of the rock that Moses was to strike with his rod. (Exo 17:6) Amplifying how this worked, Ps. 105:41 says He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river.
That reminds me of 1 Cor. 10:4, And did all (Israel) drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
Believers who trust Christ as savior receive that miraculous water. Jesus said In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (John 7:37-38)
In the tribulation when the Jews have to run to Petra, guess what. God is going to miraculously make water to flow for them to drink. The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen. (Isa. 43:20) See also Jer 31:9.
About the new Heaven and Earth, Jesus says, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. (Rev. 21:6b)
This line-upon-line thread is just one example of an infinite number of truths that repeat over and over. Now you have the history-repeats-itself lens that will serve you well as you start exploring!
R&J Shee
Three Demonstrations of God’s Marvels
I used to believe there is no God, primarily because I couldn’t see Him. I know this perspective isn’t unique to me. However, since I came to my senses and became a born-again believer, I see that God reveals Himself in many observable ways, most notably through creation, as the Bible says. The evidence of His existence is so apparent in what He has made that those who fail to acknowledge Him are choosing not to see. Consequently, they will have no excuse when they face Him after their life ends, having never formed a salvation relationship with Him. (Rom. 1:20)
While the visible elements of His creation sufficiently testify of His existence, He also communicates facets of His nature wisely and mysteriously through the intangible order He established. Here are three examples:
1. East
God attaches His glory and the return of Christ to the east. On some level, even pagans know that, otherwise they would not have shut and sealed the Eastern gate in Jerusalem. Speaking about His second coming, Jesus Himself said, For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (Matt 24:27)
He will fulfill Old Testament prophesy: Afterward he brought me to the gate, even the gate that looketh toward the east: And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory. (Ezek. 43:1-2)
This is no surprise, considering His rising-sun glory appears every single day without fail in the east. For now, it pictures His glory. In heaven, the sun rising in the east will no longer be necessary, because we’re actually going to have Jesus in His glory with us physically. Rev 21:23 says, And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
2. North
North is also important for its own reason. God attaches promotion as well as judgment to the north. For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. (Psa. 75:6) That only leaves north! When believers die and are promoted to glory, that will be north where God is. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. (Psa. 48:1-2)
Even Satan knows this. Look what he said when he was Lucifer, the son of the morning: For thou (Lucifer) hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north. (Isa. 14:13) Uh, No.
Enemies who are vessels of God’s judgment also come from the north. Set up the standard toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction. (Jer. 4:6) The evil God brought from the north was Babylon, sent to judge Jerusalem.
During the tribulation, Israel's enemies will invade from the north. The coalition of nations will be led by “Gog of the land of Magog.” (Ezek. 38:2) And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company, and a mighty army. (Ezek. 38:15)
3. Right hand
God’s blessings and strength are associated with His right hand. Jesus laid this out when He described how it’s all going to go down in the end: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world (Matt. 25:33-34)
Even Jacob, later named Israel, followed this pattern, and with his right hand he bestowed blessings on Joseph’s son Ephraim. (Gen 48:13-20)
Consider Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb. 12:2)
Just picture, our all-powerful Father, who has strength beyond our understanding, chooses to dispatch it on our behalf with his right hand. Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. (Psa. 20:6)
These three things show God’s intricate design in ways we would never think to even imagine. How awesome is our God!
R&J Shee
What is Truth?
During high school back in the 1970s, I remember discussions about an emerging philosophy that was expected to eventually take over. That is, “there is no such thing as ‘absolute truth.’ Something is only true if you believe it’s true. Truth is relative.”
I disagreed. There was no way that sane, thinking people would deny the truth of something that is obviously true. That is never going to happen. Crazy.
But here we are 50 years later, and you’re a minority if you think there’s absolute truth! You have to consciously keep your mouth shut on someone else’s crazy lest you offend them.
In today’s climate, the popular truth is “my truth.” To the point that some corporations ask their employees to declare their personal pronouns. A she isn’t necessarily a she unless he/she picks “she.” This kind of insanity is creeping down into grade school. Just a decade ago, it would have been unfathomable and laughable to let people decide for themselves if they are male or female.
What does God think about this shift in thinking away from absolute truth? Several things:
First, God embodies absolute truth. It’s who and what He is. (Deut. 32:4). Same with Jesus. (John 14:6, Rev. 19:11) Same with the Holy Spirit. (John 16:13) Same with the Word of God. (John 17:17) These all bear record in heaven. (1 John 5:7)
God already knew it would get like this. It’s a sign of the last days. This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come…. Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (2 Tim. 3:1,7) The fundamental truths encased in God-declared knowledge and wisdom take a back seat to personal views.
God gives us a choice to believe whatever we want to believe. But we suffer the consequences of rejecting the true knowledge and wisdom of God. Proverbs 1:20-33 is crystal clear on that.
God goes further than allowing us to reject the absolute truth if we want to. He actively gives non-believers of His truth over to their delusions. He absolutely releases them to their own misguided thinking. (2 Thes. 2:9-12) It is a last-days thing, and it’s here.
Thanks to the prince of the power of the air (Eph. 2:2), the closer we get to the very end of the age, the more that lies and deception spread—even within churches. Rather than preach “thus saith the Lord,” many pastors use the pulpit as a platform to tell folks what their ears itch to hear. (2 Tim. 4:3)
But this subtle "truth famine" is even worse than that. We talked about the truth of God’s word. Which version? After the KJV was published in 1611, the Revised Version popped up in 1885. Since then, more than 100 other English versions have been published. And they don’t all say the same thing. In order to acquire a trademark on a new version, a significant number of changes have to be made. It’s a “derivative work” requirement. New versions must include enough changes to be distinct from previous versions. We explain this away with the logic that it’s only the ideas expressed in the Bible that are true. The actual words don’t matter so much. Click here for more on that discussion.
In these last days, be a stickler for absolute truth above your own personal preferred truth, especially when it comes to eternal salvation, because There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Prov. 16:25) Click here to learn the absolute truth of eternal salvation.
R&J Shee
Prophetic Event Calendar
God is the ultimate event planner. He is so awesome, He plans events on a global scale, orchestrating all the people, parts and places leading to the ultimate event on His calendar, which is the second coming of Jesus Christ to rule and reign on earth for 1,000 years.
Thankfully, God decided to broadcast His event calendar, all the way from Adam and Eve’s fall in Genesis 3 to the final “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” in Rev. 22:20.
We know many of these planned events have already transpired: the making of the nation of Israel starting with one man, Abraham; the fall of that nation because of sin; and its national rebirth that happened in 1948. He also planned and announced the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, His cruel death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead.
Now, here we are in 2024 twiddling our thumbs wondering what event is next. It’s a profound ponderance, because absolutely, there are certainties ahead that we are powerless to stop. Why? Because they are on God’s event calendar, and He’s already published that calendar. “My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure,” He said. You don’t have to have a special app to find His event calendar. You already have a written copy of it.
The following events should take no one by surprise. Here are the still-future events God has told us about in advance—in order:
The capturing up of believers in the sky that we call the rapture (John 14:3, Acts 1:11, 1 Cor. 15:51-52)
The 7-year tribulation that you don’t want to be here for (Revelation)
The revealing of the antichrist midway through the tribulation and the mandate to worship him or you can’t buy or sell anything (2 Thes. 2:3-4, Rev. 13:11-18)
The second coming of Jesus Christ to save Israel and to deal justice to His enemies (Matt. 24:29-30)
Several wars, including the Battle of Armageddon at the end of the tribulation (Rev. 16:16, Rev. 19:19-21)
The 1,000-year reign of Jesus on earth (Rev. 20:1-6)
Knowing that God has decreed that all these events are going to happen, what should be our response?
1. If you have never come to realize, believe and accept that Jesus came to die for your sins to save your soul, you want to take care of that right now. It requires direct attention and action on your part. Your soul is not automatically safe. Learn more about that here.
2. Do not panic as you watch national and world events unfold as they are now. God said it was going to be like this. Believe it or not, what the wicked globalists want is exactly what they are going to get. You are watching it all begin to unfold.
3. Don’t forget that God is in control, and before the wrathful events of Rev. 6 happen (world war, financial collapse, global famine, global atmospheric catastrophes, etc.), believers will be raptured out. What we are witnessing now is the runup to all this. Don’t cover your eyes. Look up. The rapture is soon.
4. Be busy doing whatever you can to tell unbelievers about Jesus Christ. God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Pet. 3:9)
5. With a kingdom-forward outlook, ask God what you can do to encourage, exhort, teach and build others up so that they have the best possible standing with God when they face Him. Because, oh, by the way, there’s another event for each one of us individually. We are going to face God and give an account of our lives. (Heb. 9:27)
We don’t live in confusion and bewilderment. We live in certainty, because God has informed us of the events ahead.
R&J Shee