SPEAKING IN TONGUES

I ran a search on the internet for "Speaking in Tongues" and I couldn't believe some of the things that were being said about this beautiful evidence of the indwelling holy spirit. It is amazing that something spoken of so highly in the New Testament could be maligned so. I thought I would tackle the subject. This page is a simple declaration from Scripture showing (hopefully) that speaking in tongues is God's will.

Jesus said that one of the signs following those who believed in His name would be that they would speak in new tongues (languages). (Mark 16:17)

Jesus said that one of the signs following those who believed in His name would be that they would speak in new tongues (languages). (Mark 16:17)

Jesus, after He was resurrected from the dead, gave His Apostles instructions to wait in Jerusalem because, in a few days, they were going to receive what God promised them, which was the holy spirit. He told them that after the holy spirit comes upon them, they would be clothed with the power from Heaven. (Luke 24:49 and Acts 1:8) Jesus called this experience the baptism of the holy spirit. (Acts 1:5)

So, about 8 to 10 days later, on the day of Pentecost, the Apostles were the first to receive the promised holy spirit. It says that "they were all filled with the holy spirit, and began to speak in other languages as the spirit enabled them." (Acts 2:4) The initial evidence of receiving the holy spirit was speaking in tongues. On that particular day the languages were understood by people who were watching this amazing outpouring from Heaven occur right before their eyes and, in amazement, they testified that the Apostles were speaking the great and wonderful things of God. (Acts 2:11) In another place, some others testified that those who were speaking in tongues were speaking words that magnified God. (Acts 10:46)

Some time later another Apostle was sent by the will of God named Paul, who wrote many things about speaking in tongues. He spoke in tongues a lot (1 Corinthians 14:18) and had some insight, as well as revelation on the matter. These are a few things that He wrote to the believers about speaking in tongues.

When we speak in tongues:
1. We are speaking to God (1 Corinthians 14:2)
2. God is speaking to us (14:21)
3. We are giving thanks well (14:17)
4. We edify ourselves (14:4)
5. We bring rest to our souls (14:21 from Isaiah 28:12)
6. We are praying with our spirit (14:14)
7. And it is the spirit that makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God (Romans 8:26 & 27)
8. We mortify (blow to smithereens) the deeds of our lower nature (Romans 8:13)

It is the spirit that searches out the deep things of God. (I Cor. 2:10)

Jude wrote that we build ourselves up on our most holy faith when we pray with the holy spirit. (Jude 20)
And last but not least, it was our Master Himself who said, before the holy spirit was given, that "the hour was coming when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth." (John 4:24)

WELL THE HOUR IS NOW HERE!

More on Speaking In Tongues

What is speaking in tongues? The Scripture testifies that it was an essential element of the Christian experience in the first century. The Apostles did it and expected it of those to whom they ministered. Paul said in one of his letters that he spoke in tongues more than all the people he was addressing, encouraging them to do the same. It was also one of the signs that would accompany those who believed. So what happened? Why is this topic, when brought up in our day treated like it is something strange and new.

After His resurrection, Jesus gave some final instructions as to what they were to expect upon receiving the promised holy spirit, which He also described as being baptized with the holy spirit. (Acts 1:2-9). He told the Apostles that when they had this experience (which happened a few days later on Pentecost):

Acts 1:8

“...you shall receive (lambano) power after the holy spirit is come upon you and you will be witnesses to Me…”

This word "receive" was translated from the Greek word "lambano" which means “to take hold of something in order to use it.” (Thayer’s Greek definitions). It’s not a passive taking as you would of something that was dropped into your hand, which the Greek word “dechomai” would have defined. “Lambano” is “a seizing, a laying claim to what is yours by actively taking hold of it”.

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they, upon being filled with the holy spirit, began to speak in other tongues (languages) as the spirit enabled them.

Acts 2:4

“And they were all filled with the holy spirit, and began to speak in other tongues as the spirit enabled them”.

These other languages that the Apostles spoke in were unknown to them. They spoke not as their mind enabled them but as the Spirit enabled them. After the holy spirit came upon them, the initial evidence that they had received the spirit from GOD was that they spoke in tongues. This marked the beginning of the age of grace which we are still in today (as of 2004).

This is what Jesus spoke of in Mark 16:17. One of the “…signs that would follow those who believed in His name…” would be that they would “…speak with new tongues”.

Now there were many devout people in Jerusalem that day from all over the known world who actually understood the languages the Apostles spoke in. Being amazed at what they saw and heard, they asked one another what this meant. (Acts 2:5-12) Peter said to them all:

Acts 2:32:

“GOD has raised this Jesus to life and we are all witnesses of the fact.”

Acts 2:33

“Exalted to the right hand of GOD, He has received from the FATHER the promised holy spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.”

Peter therefore instructs them to:

Acts 2:38&39

“Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you will receive (lambano) the gift of holy spirit for the promise is for you, and for your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the LORD our GOD will call.”

Here Peter was telling the people present what they must do in order to experience what they had just witnessed the Apostles experience (Acts 2:4) which was “to be filled with the holy spirit and speak in other tongues”.

He also let them know that this promise was not only to them alone but also to "…as many as the LORD our GOD will call”. If this was not true, then Peter would not have laid out this open invitation. He would have said: "Some of you will receive (lambano) the spirit as we did and some of you won't." (This is what some teach today…that some Christians can speak in tongues and some can’t.) But Peter did not say that. He said that: “…the promise is for you, and for your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the LORD our GOD will call.”. Could we possibly be missing out on something wonderful because we have not been told or have been wrongly instructed?

Acts 2:4

“And they were all filled with the holy spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the spirit enabled them.” .

and Acts 2:11 states that when they spoke in tongues they were “speaking the wonderful works of God”.

Acts 10:46 says that when “they spoke in tongues they magnified GOD.”

Acts 19:6

“And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.”

How and why did something so fundamental to Christian growth and witness get lost, concealed and/or queered over the centuries? And how did it get reduced to the idea of it being merely a sectarian doctrine rather than GOD's Will? What happened? We are in a spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:11-18) and there is an enemy of righteousness who has been eternally defeated by what GOD accomplished through the perfect obedience of Christ. When a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and GOD the FATHER who raised Him from the dead lives a victorious life by walking in the power of the holy spirit, it makes Satan's defeat evident in the world… a world that has long been deceived into thinking that darkness rules. Certainly he does not want this information getting out. No, he cannot change what GOD accomplished through Christ but, he has been doing a pretty "good" job of covering it up for almost 2000 years. To talk believers out of operating the spirit that GOD gave us to help us obtain victory over him has been one of the enemy’s most successful deceptions. I've heard Christians say: “Speaking in tongues was just for the believers in ‘Biblical’ times”. Then, there are those who have been convinced that speaking in tongues is a gift that some Christians have and other Christians don’t and they are one of the ones who don’t. . I've heard others say: "Oh that's not for me. That's for those 'charismatic' Christians". They’ve been deceived into thinking that it’s just too weird and won't even consider it for a moment. What a rip off! Don't let the enemy rip you off of manifesting the holy spirit.

As far as our own personal growth, where true witnessing begins, 1 Corinthians 2:12 says: “We have received…the spirit that is from GOD that we may know the things that are freely given to us of GOD”. This word "receive" is also the Greek word "lambano", (to take hold of something in order to use it.). As we speak in tongues (in other words as we “lambano” or “actively use” the spirit), we will grow spiritually and will then be able to understand spiritual things for..."GOD reveals these things to us by HIS spirit for it is the spirit that searches all things, even the deep things of GOD”. (1 Corinthians 2:10)

1 Corinthians 12:7 says: “The manifestation (or operation) of the spirit is given to each one of us to benefit from.” These benefits are listed in 1 Corinthians 12:7-10. The foundational benefit, the one that builds us up spiritually, is speaking in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:4) which we can operate at all times if we so choose. (Ephesians 6:18)

1 Corinthians chapter 14 basically deals with how speaking in tongues is to be operated in the church, in other words, amongst other believers. In that case, tongues should be accompanied by its companion manifestation of interpretation of tongues (1 Corinthians 14:5&28) so people will be able to understand what is being said. Otherwise the person is to speak in tongues silently within themselves to God. Clearly, the believers in Corinth needed to be straightened out as to how they were operating this manifestation in the church.

But there are also some very helpful verses noting the benefits to the believer as he or she operates the spirit in their private prayer life.

1 Corinthians 14:2 says that when you speak in tongues you are “not speaking to men but to GOD” and God speaks to us by this spirit also. (1 Corinthians 2:10) How wonderful! A direct and intimate communication with GOD!

1 Corinthians 14:16&17 tells us that when we speak in tongues we are blessing with the spirit and giving thanks well.

1 Corinthians 14:4 says that it edifies you-in other words it builds you up spiritually.

1 Corinthians 14:18 & 19 says:

18- “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all.” (Where? In private obviously.)

19- “Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.”

This would be encouragement enough for any seeking believer. It reveals that the Apostle Paul spoke in tongues much in his private prayer life. He must have known it’s importance since he wasn’t a man given to vain things. He also was a man who received much spiritual understanding. Could there be a tie in??? (see Ephesians 3:20 and 1 Corinthians 2:6-13)

1 Corinthians 14:14&15 says that when we speak in tongues, our spirit is praying. Romans 8:26&27 says that with our minds we don't know what to pray for as we ought, but the spirit helps us to overcome this weakness by praying in perfect harmony with GOD'S will. GOD is allowing us to work together with HIM to bring good to pass with the spirit that HE gave us. It is ours to operate by the freedom of our will. It really is up to us to exercise the faith that is motivated by our love for HIM. This blessing should not be treated like it’s an option. It cost God His only begotten Son to make this available.

Ephesians 6:18 tells us to pray in the spirit at all times. And this instruction is placed in the chapter that discusses the spiritual battle we face daily. How important is that? The believers in the first century knew. When we ask ourselves: "What did they have that made them walk in such power and boldness?" They had Apostles ministering the spirit to them and it's proper operation.

In Acts 19:1-7, it tells of the Apostle Paul meeting some disciples and asking them if they received (lambano) the holy spirit when they believed. Did you manifest? Did you bring it into evidence? This is what he was asking them. As soon as they heard the word they believed and then he laid hands on them and they spoke in tongues.

Acts 10:44-46, is the account of the Apostle Peter ministering at the household of Cornelius. In this case no hands were laid on them. They simply heard the word, believed and then they spoke in tongues.

This was Apostle's teaching then…THIS IS APOSTLES TEACHING NOW!

(see Acts 2:42. and Ephesians 4:11-16)

By far, the most wonderful thing speaking in tongues is, is worship! Philippians 3:3 says that we "worship GOD by the spirit.." and in John 4: 23, Jesus said that; "...the true worshipers will worship the FATHER in (or: by) spirit and in (or: by) truth." He also said: “the FATHER seeks this kind of worshipper”. "GOD is Spirit and those who worship HIM must worship HIM in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24)

Ephesians 3:20 says that "GOD is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that is at work (actively operated) within us”.

Jude 20 states that we “build ourselves up on our most holy faith when we pray in the holy spirit.”

Let's show our appreciation for the "helper" (John 14:26, and John 16:7 &13) that has been given to us by operating it daily. We are only going to get the benefit of the indwelling spirit to the degree that we operate it. GOD forbid we do what the man in the biblical account did who was given a talent (ability) and buried it out of fear. (Matthew 25:24 &25)

A recap. How was it known that they received the spirit? They spoke in tongues. You can't see spirit so when they spoke in tongues they knew that they had received the promised holy spirit. Romans 8:16 says that “the Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are the sons of GOD." I would think that this should be a number one priority to any child of GOD to be absolutely sure that they are born of GOD'S spirit-in other words saved, born again, sealed with the holy spirit of promise. (Ephesians 1:13)
When a person “…confesses Jesus as Lord (Ruler) while believing in their heart that GOD raised Jesus from the dead, they are then saved as Romans 10:9 states. They are born of the spirit (John 3:8). This is when a person receives the holy spirit within them. When we speak in tongues, we make outward proof of the indwelling presence of the spirit. How important is it to you to be sure that you have GOD’s spirit? Or do we want to count on our feelings. One day you feel saved, the next day you don't. Far too risky! At Cornelius' house, how did Peter and those with him know that the people they were ministering to received the holy spirit? "They heard them speak with tongues and magnify GOD." (Acts 10:44-46)

When you speak in tongues you will be doing the speaking. The spirit will provide the words...a divinely inspired language that is unknown to the speaker. It is our responsibility to speak in tongues but what we speak is GOD'S responsibility.

Although this language is unknown to the speaker, what we do know from Scripture is that the words will always glorify and magnify GOD. You speak this beautiful language by faith. It will be unknown to you but every word a prayer and praise to the ALMIGHTY! As you speak, the words will be there. (Acts 2:4) You do this with childlike faith...kind of like putting out your foot and believing that GOD will provide the ground for you to step upon. (Luke 18:17,10:21) You are in complete control of this manifestation of the holy spirit.

If we want to manifest GOD'S power, then we must not fear. We have GOD'S absolute protection and help whenever we step out to do HIS will. (Luke 11:9-13) How could we think otherwise?

Consider these words and the Lord will give you understanding. (2 Timothy 2:7)

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Let me begin by saying that there are some very obvious events in our time that lead me (and many others) to believe that the appearing of Jesus Christ to take His people out of this world (known as the Rapture) will occur in this generation. I am not setting a date. I am simply observing the times and the seasons that surround me.

In Matthew 24, Jesus gave some very specific information concerning the things that would be evident prior to His Second Coming. He then said:
"… when you see all these things, you may be certain that it is near, even at the doors. Truly I say to you that this generation will not pass away until all these things are fulfilled." (Matthew 24:33+34)
Which generation? The generation that sees "all these things".

Ok, so we may not know the exact day or hour of His Second Coming. (Matthew 24:36) And we may not know the exact day or hour of the Rapture either, (which will happen about 7 years before His Second Coming) but we can know what season we are in as surely as we know that spring is near when we see buds on the trees. (Luke 21:29) Actually by the context of this subject matter, Jesus is expecting the generation he is speaking about to be aware, to be watching and to be ready. In Matthew 16:3, Jesus had a pretty hot rebuke for those who were demanding of Him to show them a sign and were not discerning the obvious signs which were right before their eyes. Those signs were evident to alert that generation of the first coming of their Messiah just like the signs that are evident today are alerting our generation to His Second Coming and even more to the Rapture which, as I said before, will occur approximately 7 years before the Second Coming.

I can not stress this point enough, that the Rapture and the Second Coming are two different events and not the same event. The Rapture is also called the Appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ when Jesus comes FOR His people to take them out of this world before the judgment on this world begins. Then comes the Great Day of Wrath, which will last for about 7 years. At the end of this period, Jesus will come back WITH His people to put down all rebellion against the Most High God and to set up His righteous kingdom on earth for 1000 years.

OK back to the end signs. First I want to say that those of us who will be taken out before the Great Tribulation will not see all these things Jesus spoke about in Matthew 24 in their fullness, but we will see them in their developing stage. The fullness of what is written will occur AFTER the Rapture. The message for centuries has been: "Flee from the Wrath to come" and those who have accepted God's gracious pardon through their faith in Jesus Christ will be delivered from the Wrath (judgement) that is Coming. (Romans 5:9 and 1 Thessalonians 1:10)

I thought that I would list some of the things that we have been watching develop in our time.

1. One-World Government

Over the recent years, there has been a change in the way the world does business and politics. Countries are, in our time, linked economically like never before. Ideology, religion, tradition, culture, nationality and individual politics have all taken a back seat to trade.
In the past, countries used to go to war over differences and disputes. Now, in many instances, things are settled through economics. Sanctions, embargoes and money under the table have replaced bullets and bombs. The fact is very telling. In Revelation 13, it describes a leader who is coming that will bring the whole world under his reign of tyranny. He will control and manipulate the masses through deception, sorcery, and economics.

In addition, the Sanhedrin, the highest tribunal of the Jewish state and religion, was re-inaugurated (October 2004) by a group of rabbis in Tiberias after 1,600 years of absence. According to Jewish sources, last notice of the Sanhedrin dates around 425 A.D. After that, it ceased to exist. The Jewish anticipation for the arrival of the Messiah includes the reconstitution of this body of sages. And on Feb. 9, 2005, the religious sages began to consider the rebuilding of the Temple.

6. Satellite Surveillance.

I am sure that many of you have heard of the ability of today's satellite systems being so sophisticated, that they can pick up the numbers of a car license plate from way up yonder. Now add on to this technology the implantable micro chip. One of the big sells for this micro chip has been to wealthy business men. Since the micro-chip can be tracked by satelite so efficiently, for their safety, they get this chip implanted in their bodies so that they can be located in case they were kidnapped. Since the very strong possibility exists that this chip will be used as the infamous "mark of the beast" it is here today and already being used.

7. Satellite Media

I believe it was in 1970 that I saw the first world-wide television broadcast transmitted by satellite. It was the Beatles singing "All You Need is Love". It was so exciting because I knew that the whole world (at least those who had access to a television) was seeing what I was seeing at the exact same time.
There is an awful account in Revelation 11 of two of God's faithful witnesses being killed by the anti-christ and the whole world viewing their dead bodies lying in the street for 3 ? days. At what time in history could this have ever been done except at this present time?

8. The Rise of the Occults.

In Revelation 9:20 and 21 it says "the rest of mankind" refused to repent and would not give up their sourceries (also translated magic and witchcraft), and their worshipping of devils. How does it get to that degree? The resurgence of spiritualism with it's psychic readings, hypnosis, and channeling (just to name a few) has received mainstream acceptance in the very recent years.

9. Rise of paganism and it's growing animosity toward Christians and Christ.

Also, in very recent years, there has been a rise in paganism. It is once again becoming a mainstream religion and is playing a major part in the development of the One World religion that is coming, which will, as far as I understand, be headed up by the false prophet mentioned in Revelation, chapter 13. Many, in celebrating their pre- "Christian" roots, have unearthed old forms of worship that have been condemned by the teaching of the Holy Spirit and will bring only destruction to those who practice them. I put "Christian" in quotation marks because true Christianity is not the oppressive religion that has borne (or should I say stolen) the name for use in conquest. In some cases, it is because of this false religion with it's oppressive rule, and the trail of dead bodies it has left in it's wake, that there is much animosity towards the true Christians and towards Christ.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent (without self control), fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

(To add a personal note to this, I grew up in the Bronx in the 50s. We lived in an apartment building. The kids would play carefree in the hallways. There were screendoors on the outside of the apartment doors and we used to keep the apartment door open with just an unlocked screendoor closed as did many others in the building. It's a far cry from those days. The hinges for the screen doors are still on the door frames in many of the old buildings as a reminder of how much and how quickly things have changed.)

So, to summarize, when does "this generation which sees all these things" begin? I cannot answer that in absoluteness. Many developments occurred in the late 40s and early 50s such as the United Nations, the European Union, Israel becoming a state, credit card introduction, space exploration, the invention of the first computer, the television media and the youth culture. I mention the youth culture because, for one thing, in 2 Timothy 3:2 it mentions "disobedient to parents" as a "last days" sign. I have to honestly ask myself: what parent through the ages did not have that complaint? But in the 1950s the "generation gap" became a part of this youth movement. Disobedience to parents was almost expected if you wanted to fit in. Another thing that afflicted the youth of that time (and unfortunately continues today) was drug abuse which opened the door to the occults as many of us saw in the 60's. Various forms of the occult have resurfaced in modern times and have gained mainstream acceptance.
Are all of these things converging at once just a coincidence??

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This is something I have encountered a number of times. Maybe you have too. The misuse of the saying: "But of that day and that hour knows no man..." (Matthew 25:13 and Mark 13:32).

There are some who take this scripture out of context which, in it's erroneous usage, attempts to put off those who with eager expectation, stemming from love and an obedience to God's Word, are looking for their Lord's Appearing. When confronted with a Christian who is speaking about our Blessed Hope with excitement, they would misquote saying: "Well no one knows the day or the hour" in an attempt to "shut the door in their face" treating their enthusiasm as if it's misplaced and coming from some "end times fever". And yet, when this verse is read in it's context, it says just the opposite of what they imply. It clearly states (for all who have eyes to see) that since we do not know the day or the hour, the believers are being exorted to be watching at all times.

Matthew 24:42 & 44
42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Matthew 25:13
13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Mark 13:32 -33 & 35-37
32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Even though, when Jesus spoke these words ("no man knows the day or the hour") He was referring to His Second Coming, the same principle would also apply to the Rapture of the Church (which will occur approximately 7 years earlier) since the Bible does not reveal the day or hour of that event either.

I once heard it put so well: "If we knew the day or the hour and, lets just say it was one week from today at 5pm. Would we be looking for Him to appear today? No! Of course not. But since we do not know the day or the hour, then we cannot honestly say that this will not be the day and this will not be the hour." It is actually because we do not know the day or hour that we should be looking for Him today and everyday until that glorious day...our motivation being because we love Him so. It is a very legitimate thing for a Christian to be looking for Christ's appearing. Even the believers in the first century who really loved Jesus were looking for His Appearing. The Apostle Paul and the Apostle Peter writing to the believers of their day said:

Titus 2:13
13 Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

2 Peter 3:12
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, ...

1 Thessalonians 5:4-6
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

How much more should those of us who will be alive* at the time of His appearing be in a state of readiness; watching and praying?

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"Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a NEW COVENANT with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah...I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin will I remember no more."
Jeremiah 31:31-34

What is written in the Torah, the Prophets and the Psalms in regards to the Anointed One (The Messiah) who would institute this New Covenant?

Moses said:

The Messiah would be a Prophet raised up by the LORD GOD and that the people were to listen to this Prophet as they listened to Moses. He also said that this Prophet would speak to the people of Israel all the words that the LORD GOD will put in His mouth and that whoever will not harken to these words will be held accountable. Deuteronomy 18:15-18

Micah said:

He that was to be ruler in Israel would be born in Bethlehem. Micah 5:1&2

Jacob said:

He that was to rule forever more would come from the tribe of Judah and unto this ruler should the obedience of the people be. Genesis 49:10

David, Nathan, and Jeremiah said:

The Messiah would come from the line of David. Psalms 89:3&4, 132:11,Jeremiah 23:5, 1 Chronicles 17:13

David said:

The Messiah would be rejected by the rulers of Israel, but never the less, would become the cornerstone of salvation. Psalms 118:22

Isaiah said:

GOD would lay on the Messiah the sin of us all. Isaiah 53:6

That the Messiah would be a light to the Gentiles also. Isaiah 49:6

And that the Messiah would die for the sins of the people. Isaiah 53:8

Daniel was told:

The Messiah would be cut off before the second Temple in Jerusalem would be destroyed.(which happened in 70 A.D.) Daniel 9:25&26

David foresaw:

that Messiah would be raised from the dead. Psalms 16:10

and that Messiah would be made to sit at GOD's right hand. Psalms 110:1

In most English versions, this verse reads:

"The LORD said unto my lord: 'Sit at My right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool." Psalm 110:1

David was referring to the coming One (the Messiah) being told by GOD to sit at His right hand. The first word translated as "LORD" is the Hebrew word transliterated: "Yehovah" which refers to GOD. The second word translated as "lord" is the Hebrew word transliterated "adoni" which means ruler. This verse should have been translated: "GOD said to my ruler, 'sit at My right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.' Unfortunately this distinction is not seen in most English versions. Many centuries ago the translators removed GOD's name (YHWH) from Scripture replacing it with the word LORD instead, causing no end of confusion in understanding the difference between "LORD" when referring to "GOD" and "lord" as a title of respect relating to the anointed Ruler (the Messiah). They are not one and the same as many claim. GOD is not a man.(Numbers 23:19) We who believe the truth as revealed by GOD's holy prophets know that there is but one GOD... the GOD of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Hear O Israel, the LORD our GOD, the LORD is one. Deuteronomy 6:4

Thou shalt have no other gods before Me. Deuteronomy 5:7

...there is no god besides Me. Deuteronomy 32:39

But that the Messiah would be the son of GOD was foretold in the second Psalm...

Thou art My son, this day have I begotten you. Ask of ME, and I will give the nations for thine inheritance, and the ends of the earth for thy possession. Psalm 2:7&8

Nathan also bore witness to this: 1 Chronicles 17:13&14

Jeremiah said:

...I will raise unto David a righteous shoot(branch) and he shall reign... Jeremiah 23:5

This righteous shoot-the Lamb of GOD who takes away the sin of the world-is the Passover Lamb for all time. Just as the children of Israel their last night in Egypt, putting their faith in the word GOD commanded Moses to speak to them, sacrificed the lamb and sprinkled it's blood on the doorpost and because of this, death passed over them...even so now, those who put their faith in the word GOD commanded Messiah to speak to them will accept His sacrifice as the Lamb of GOD and the blood that He shed as the atonement for their sin and will forever pass from death to life. Yeshua Hamashiach! Jesus is the Messiah!

Though many of the ruling body of Israel rejected Him as the Messiah, those who were first to accept Him and proclaim Him as Messiah were of the house of Israel. And they were the ones who, at great risk, brought the good news to the Gentiles. (see Isaiah 49:6)

Now we, as an expression of love and appreciation (for the love of Israel burns in our heart) want to return the favor shown to us by bringing the good news back to the people who were first to receive it and proclaim it as GOD's truth.

Whoever believes Jesus is the Messiah is born of GOD. 1John 5:1

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My husband Johnny has a good one I thought I'd share with you. His posture as he awaits the appearing of the Lord Jesus to take us believers out is that everything is subject to "rapture" cancellation. He puts it like this: "Just picture your best case scenario. Say you met the man or woman of your dreams and it's your wedding day. Or you are a parent expecting a beautiful baby boy or girl at any moment. Or a musician who AFTER 57 YEARS (ahem) finally got signed up with Arista records :) Well, if, under those circumstances, you can still cry from the heart: "Come Lord Jesus!" you're priorities are in the right place, in other words, Hope up front." I have been exhorted by this and I hope someone else will be too. In my years with the expectation of His appearing (32 so far), I have observed that it is something that can get drowned out by the pleasures and/or pressures of this world. Have to be determined to keep it on the front burner or it will drift for sure. Sometimes I remind myself of how Jesus might be feeling about getting us all up there to safety and it helps me.

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John 7: 24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. So would it be safe to say that judging by appearances is unrighteous judgment? We judge by appearances all the time and don't give a second thought as to how ungodly it is. If you look at the context in which this verse is set, you'll see what erroneous conclusions this unrighteous judgment can come to. Jesus was being judged as being an evil doer because He healed a man on the Sabbath.

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Talent...how are you gonna use it, to serve or be served. In the world, a person who is recognized for their talent is usually praised and served and, with a worldly frame of mind, this person will most likely think that their talent has set them above the rest. But when God has His way, a person's talent or ability will be used to serve others. So, for example, a strong man will not be greasing and flexing his muscles but will be using his strength to lift another up, being grateful for the God-given ability to do so.

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It's a misconception that if a person is loved, that means they're special, as if they are worthy of that love. True love is unconditional. So when a person is loved with this love, they are loved by someone who loves all, be they the high or the low of this world. They love for the sake of love. For the beauty of love. So if anyone is special, it's the one doing the loving not the one who is being loved. It goes the other way too. If you find yourself in the category of the "unloved", don't let this reflect upon you as if there is something wrong with you. You're simply among unloving people.

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When your bridges are burned behind you and you enter a period of persecution and/or tribulation, you can't retreat to escape it. The only escape from it is to go forward. That's a good thing.

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