DISCIPLESHIP LESSONS lessons 5-8

Lesson Five

The Trinity and God the Father

“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one” ().

1 John 5:7 KJV 1900

For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

I. There Is Only One God

“Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God” (). ; ; ;

Isaiah 44:6 KJV 1900

Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, And his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; And beside me there is no God.

Isaiah 44:8 KJV 1900

Fear ye not, neither be afraid: Have not I told thee from that time, And have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? Yea, there is no God; I know not any.

Psalm 9:2 KJV 1900

I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.

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1 Timothy 1:17 KJV 1900

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 11:6 KJV 1900

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

A. One God composed of three parts or Persons The trinity of the Godhead is sometimes a difficult concept.

This is because each Person of the Godhead is dealt with specifically in the New Testament regarding His ministry and characteristics.

Therefore, it is sometimes difficult to see them as all parts of one individual God.

But it is important to understand that there is only one God, and that all three parts are equally God. Each part of the Godhead is distinct, but not independent of the other two.

They work together to form a unit. “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. . . . For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father” (, ). ; ,

Ephesians 2:13 KJV 1900

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2:18 KJV 1900

For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

Matthew 28:19 KJV 1900

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

John 1:1 KJV 1900

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14 KJV 1900

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

1. The Father is God ;

Ephesians 4:6 KJV 1900

One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

1 Corinthians 8:6 KJV 1900

But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

2. The Son is God ; ; ;

John 5:17–18 KJV 1900

But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

John 10:30 KJV 1900

I and my Father are one.

Titus 2:13 KJV 1900

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Hebrews 1:8 KJV 1900

But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

3. The Holy Ghost is God

Acts 5:3–4 KJV 1900

But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

B. Each part of the trinity is defined in the Scriptures

“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (). In the creation account of Genesis 1, God is referenced in the singular form in every instance except when it speaks of the creation of man. In that passage God specifically and forcefully refers to Himself in the plural form three times, once for each part of the trinity as we shall see. God specifically stated “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness” ().

1, God is referenced in the singular form in every instance except when it speaks of the creation of man. In that passage God specifically and forcefully refers to Himself in the plural form three times, once for each part of the trinity as we shall see. God specifically stated “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness” ().

In the next verse, God returns to the singular form indicating that the plural and singular are both proper ways to refer to God. Furthermore, the text goes on to reemphasize that man was created in that image as a singular form (“in his own image”) and in the plural form (“in the image of God”).

In , the Bible gives more specific information on the creation of man in verse 7 where it states: “And the LORD God formed man of the dust [physical body] of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life [the spirit]; and man became a living soul.” As you can see, He formed him out of a physical material (dust) fit for the physical realm. He then breathed into man the breath of life.

The Hebrew word from which breath is translated (ruah), is used consistently throughout the Old Testament to indicate both the Spirit of God and the spirit of man. In this passage we see that man’s spirit was not created, but rather given out of the Spirit of God. The combination of body and spirit then produced a soul. Thus we see that the image of God has a body like the Body of God, a soul like the Soul of God and a spirit that is of the Spirit of God.

The Trinity and God the Father • 3

1. God has a body best expressed in His Son

a. In the Old Testament as Melchizedek: ;

b. In the Old Testament as the Angel of the Lord: ; ; ;

c. In the New Testament as Jesus Christ:

2. God has a soul best expressed in the Father ; ; ; ;

3. God has a spirit best expressed in the Holy Ghost The Holy Ghost is almost universally (but incorrectly) referred to as the Holy Spirit.

This is probably a result of the problem we have previously mentioned in which the Bible uses the term spirit for any part of the spiritual realm. You should understand, however, that the actual name for the third person of the Godhead is the Holy Ghost. ; ; ; ;

II. The Triune Nature of the Godhead Although there is truly only one God, as we have seen He has three distinguishable Persons.

The number three embodies the ultimate characteristics of the Godhead. It is found in His very nature and in the basic construction of the universe He created. “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork” ().

A. The Godhead is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent

1. The Son best expresses God’s omniscience “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” ().

Omniscience is a term that means all-knowing. God has created everything that is and knows everything there is to know about everything in His creation. ; , ; ; ; ; ; ;

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2. The Father best expresses God’s omnipotence The term omnipotent means all-powerful.

The Father has all power, but has temporarily given that to the Son. The Son has been given the responsibility to defeat all of God’s enemies and when His mission is completed He will return that power back to the Father. ; ; ; ;

3. The Holy Ghost best expresses God’s Omnipresence Omnipresence means that God is everywhere. There is no place you can go where God is not there. ; ;

B. Just as He has three parts, everything in God’s whole creation has three components.

“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” (). The components of the universe are space, matter, and time. These are each further broken down into three parts.

1. Space is composed of length, width, and height

2. Matter is composed of solids, liquids, and gases

3. Time is composed of past, present, and future

III.The Trinity in the Old Testament The doctrine of the Trinity was not revealed until the time of Christ.

However, as is often the case with New Testament doctrines, it can be found in the Old Testament once it is read in the light of the New Testament teachings. Armed with this New Testament derived knowledge, we can now look back and see the fullest meaning of several Old Testament passages.

A. The Jewish religion was strongly monotheistic ; ; , ; ;

B. God occasionally referred to Himself in the plural form ;

C. Old Testament passages suggest the different roles of the Persons of the Trinity

1. The Father ;

2. The Son ; ; ;

3. The Holy Ghost ;

IV.God the Eternal Father

A. First person of the trinity

B. While all persons of the trinity are equally God, there is a distinct order to the Godhead ; ; ; ; , ; ,

C. Receiver of petitions. Proper prayer is made:

1. To the Father ; ;

2. In the name of the Son. Because the Lord Jesus died for us, the Father grants our requests made in His name.

That is why you will often hear Christians start their prayer with something like “Dear heavenly Father” and end their prayer with something like “in Jesus’ name, amen.” ; ,

3. Through the Holy Ghost “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

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And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God” (). ;

D. Granter of requests This is why our petitions are brought to the Father. ; ;

E. From everlasting to everlasting These are very difficult concepts for the human mind to grapple with. We must take it on faith that God had no beginning and will have no ending. He has always existed. ; ; ; ; ;

F. Male gender Some recent Bible versions have attempted to render God in the neuter, or even in the female gender, but it simply won’t fly.

God has always, only, emphatically represented Himself as the male gender. , ; ,

V. God the Father of Israel

A. Known for the first 2430 years after creation primarily as Almighty God or “I Am” ; ;

B. Known to Israel as Jehovah Israel knew little or nothing of the second and third persons of the Godhead. They were only revealed after the coming of Jesus Christ.

God chose to be known primarily as Jehovah from the time when He called Israel out of bondage in Egypt until the coming of the Son, Jesus Christ. ;

C. Figuratively referred to Himself as a Husband to Israel Just as we saw in the last lesson that Jesus referred to Himself as the Bridegroom of the Church, God the Father portrayed Himself as the Husband to an adulterous nation. ; ; , ;

VI.The Ministry of God the Father as Revealed in His Names The part of God revealed to Israel in the Old Testament was primarily God the Father.

He figuratively ‘married’ Israel and became her protector, provider, and so on. The Church, on the other hand, is primarily ministered to by God the Son. Just as the Father ‘married’ Israel, the Son is espoused to the Church.

We are all part of the bride of Christ in a figurative sense.

The Holy Ghost is the part of the Godhead that binds these two groups together, making us all equally the people of God for eternity.

As primary minister to Israel, God the Father’s ministry is well expressed in His seven particular names as follows:

A. Jehovah=“He Is” or “I Am” Because they considered it blasphemy to mispronounce the name of God, the Jewish scribes of the Old Testament purposely inserted another name wherever the name of God was indicated in the original text.

The transliteration of that name in the English is Jehovah, the name we use for the Lord of glory, the great I Am. It indicates that He is the greatest force in existence for all eternity Whenever you see a reference to GOD or the LORD using all capital letters in your King James Bible, that is an indication that the Hebrew text used the word Jehovah in that verse. It is by far the most frequently used name for God in the Old Testament. However, in some cases the translators saw fit to leave the word in it’s untranslated form so there are several references to God using this version of His Personal, Holy Name. ; ; ; ; and as JAH in

B. Jehovah-Jireh=“the Lord will provide” “And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen” ().

When God tested Abraham’s faith by asking him to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac asked his father where the lamb for the burnt offering was. Abraham’s answer was “God will provide himself a lamb” (). Later, as Abraham lifted the knife to slay his son, the Lord called out to him and told him not to kill the boy because he had already passed the test of obedience by coming to this point. He then saw a ram stuck in a thicket which the Lord had provided to be offered in Isaac’s stead. This, of course, prefigured the offering of Jesus Christ on the cross in our stead as the “Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world” (). Here is another case where the New Testament sheds additional light on an Old Testament passage since God, in the person of Jesus Christ actually did provide Himself as a sacrificial Lamb.

C. Jehovah-Nissi=“the Lord, my banner” “And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi” ().

When the nation of Israel was in the wilderness, en route to their Promised Land, the nation of the Amalekites attacked them without provocation. In this battle, Moses stood on the top of a hill and held the rod of God in the air. As long as he held the rod up, Israel prevailed in the battle. Whenever he let his arms down, however, the Amalekites prevailed. Moses had to get two helpers to hold his arms up all day until the Amalekites were finally routed. Because of this attack, God promised Israel that one day He would “utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven” (). God showed the people that He was a great God to give their allegiance to. From that time on, they could have confidence that they could win every battle fought under the banner of Jehovah.

D. Jehovah-Rophi=“the Lord heals” “And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee” ().

After Israel had finally escaped from Pharaoh and had safely crossed the Red Sea, Moses led them three days journey into the desert of Sinai. When they finally found water, it was not fit for drinking and made those who tried it sick. God then showed Moses a particular tree which he cut down and threw into the water. This, of course, made the water drinkable and the nation survived. God thus proved to the people that He would watch over them and heal them of their diseases. At that time, God made a great offer to His Chosen nation. He told them that if they would obey Him, He would not allow any diseases to afflict them. ; ; ;

E. Jehovah-Shalom=“the Lord is peace” “Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites”().

After Israel had gotten settled into their Promised Land, they began a cycle where they would turn away from God and therefore come into bondage to a neighboring nation. When the bondage became too wearisome they would call upon the Lord for help.

He would then raise up a judge who would lead the people to victory over their oppressors. There would be a revival in the land which would last for a time and then they would come full circle by eventually falling away from God and ignoring His commandments and covenants again.

During one of these periods of oppression, God raised up a man named Gideon to whom He appeared as the Angel of the Lord. God told Gideon that he must lead the nation of Israel to victory over the Midianites.

Upon realizing to whom he had just spoken, Gideon became frightened but the Lord spoke to him and said: “Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die.” Gideon immediately built an altar and named it after the God that brought peace to him and would soon bring it to His people Israel–Jehovah-shalom.

F. Jehovah-Shammah=“the Lord is there” “It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there” ().

The last two names of Jehovah are actually prophetic in nature. Jehovahshammah refers to the name ascribed to the future city called New Jerusalem.

It will be the site of the throne of God and of the Lamb for all eternity.

This city will descend from heaven and land on the new Earth that God will create after He has destroyed this present Earth by fire. ; ; ; ;

G. Jehovah-Tsidkenu=“the Lord our righteousness” “In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS” ().

This is the name given to Jerusalem and to her King the Lord Jesus Christ during the millennium.

At that time, Jesus will physically and personally reign over the whole Earth for 1000 years from Jerusalem. ;

Lesson Six

The Person and Ministry of God the Son

“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen” ().

Almost 2000 years ago, a Man was born in the tiny nation of Israel who would forever change the world and the lives of individual men and women living in the world.

This Man never bought a house or owned property, did not have a regular job for the last three and a half years of His life, never held a political or public office, never did any of the things men normally do to survive and prosper.

This Man roamed from town to town on foot, owning only the clothes on His back, yet meeting the needs of people wherever He went.

He never did any of the things usually associated with greatness and yet He is revered today more than the greatest men that ever lived.

This humble Man was none other then God Himself who left His glory in Heaven to bring salvation to the people He so loved. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” ().

I. God the Son The ministry of God the Son, as we have seen in previous lessons, is distinct from that of the other two Persons of the Trinity.

The Bible gives much more information about His Person than about the Father and the Holy Ghost combined. In fact, Jesus Christ is the Hero of the entire Bible.

The Bible records the history of His Story. The Old Testament records the history of opportunities given to man and his failure to use them properly.

It establishes the need for a Savior to rescue man from his own follies and redeem him back to God.

The New Testament chronicles the advent of that Savior and shows us how to obtain that redemption based solely on the merits of the Savior.

A. The second Person of the Trinity ;

B. The God-Man ; ; ; “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom” ().

1. Physical Son of God–conceived of the Holy Ghost ;

2. Son of man–born of a woman ;

C. Creator of the physical universe , , ; “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist” ().

D. Holder of the three God ordained offices in government of man Priest, Prophet, and King When God created the universe, He created Adam to be it’s king (; ).

Satan beguiled Eve and thus defeated Adam in the Garden of Eden (), thereby winning the crown and establishing himself as the “god of this world” ().

However, God did not utterly abandon us to Satan. He had ready a plan of redemption whereby He would call out a people loyal to His Son, offer His Son as an atoning sacrifice to pay for our sins, defeat Satan and take the kingdom back for His Son.

To accomplish this purpose, God has sent the Second Person of the Godhead down to Earth in 2000 year intervals to obtain the three offices He had ordained for human government—Priest, Prophet, and king.

1. Priest “Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec” ().

He came as a High Priest by the name of Melchizedek 2000 years after creation. ; ; ;

2. Prophet “And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house” ().

He came as a Prophet by the name of Jesus at the 4000 year point. Since He was already established as a High Priest, He was qualified under God’s Old Testament law to offer the sin sacrifice for the people. He did that when He sacrificed himself on the cross at Calvary. ; ; ;

3. King “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS” ().

He’s coming again, under a name that no man yet knows, as a King of kings at 6000 years after creation. ;

II. Jesus the Man It is important for us to understand that Jesus lived His earthly life as a very ordinary and very normal man in most ways.

He differed from other men primarily in that He had complete trust and confidence in God. He committed Himself wholly to God’s will and plan for His life. His example shows what any of us can do if we will make the same level of commitment to God.

We will be able to do whatever Jesus did in our own lives!

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it” ().

A. Humble life

1. Not wealthy

2. Not royalty

3. Knew hunger, thirst, tiredness, etc. ; ;

4. Not particularly handsome

The Person and Ministry of God the Son • 5

B. Loved the multitudes ; ;

C. No compromiser ; ;

D. Spoke authoritatively

E. In all points tempted like as we are

F. Sinless ; ; ;

G. Rose from death and the grave ; ;

H. Presently sits at the father’s right hand ; ; ;

I. Is preparing a place for His own ;

J. Will very soon be King of kings ; ;

III.The Ministry of Jesus Christ

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” ().

A. Lived a life of example to us The term Christian means Christ-like.

As Christians we need to learn how Christ responded to, and what His attitudes were towards various situations in life. His life is the perfect pattern for everyone. ;

B. Discipled the Twelve (12) As Christ imparted spiritual knowledge to His disciples, so are we commissioned to impart spiritual knowledge to those of lesser knowledge within our sphere of influence. ;

C. Offered the kingdoms

1. To the Jews: the Kingdom of Heaven ; Jesus’ primary mission to the nation of Israel was to offer them a kingdom in which they would become priests to the entire world and the leading nation of the world ().

He made it clear however, that their then-current leaders were unfit to lead in the new kingdom (; ). Many of the leaders of Israel at that time simply did not believe that the Son of a humble carpenter (as they believed Jesus to be–) could be their Messiah. Because of their hardness of heart, God had blinded their ‘spiritual eyes’ so they rejected Him ().

2. To the world: the Kingdom of God ; ; Although the Jews rejected His gracious offer, Jesus had another kingdom to offer to the whole world ().

We call this kingdom the Kingdom of God. It is a strictly spiritual kingdom in which God reigns in the hearts of anyone who will accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

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D. Atoned for the sins of the world ; Jesus’ offer of Himself on the cross was so great a sacrifice in the eyes of God that it is sufficient atonement for every sin that has ever been committed or ever will be committed except for two types.

There are two sins that can never be covered according to the scriptures. The first one is not accepting the Lord’s atonement for your sins or in other words not being Born Again (). The other sin can only occur during the soon upcoming tribulation. That sin occurs when one takes the “mark of the beast”of in their right hand or forehead and worships him ().

E. Became the Savior God has graciously offered the atonement earned by His Son to every individual who will commit his life to the Lord Jesus Christ. ; ;

F. Head of the Church “Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church” ().

1. Established and organized His Church through the Apostles and their epistles ; ; ; ; ;

2. High Priest ;

3. Intercessor ;

4. Purifier ;

IV.The Sufferings of Jesus

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” ().

Because this world is currently ruled by Satan, no man was ever hated by it more than Jesus Christ. In spite of this, our God came from His glory in Heaven to Earth and dwelt among us.

He paid a tremendous price to redeem us from Satan’s power. The Bible gives many graphic descriptions of His sufferings at the hands of a rebellious world.

A. Hated by the world ; , ;

B. Rejected by His people ; ; ; ;

C. Betrayed by a friend ; ; ,

D. Arrested on false charges ; ; ;

E. Mocked, spit upon, and beaten ; ; ; ; ;

F. Crucified Psalms 22:14:17; ;

G. Descended into Hell ; , ; ;

V. Jesus the Victor Jesus endured the agonies of His sacrifice and arose the victor over Satan’s domain.

He purchased our salvation with His own blood. He will soon return to take His rightful place as King of creation. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” ().

A. Defeated death and hell ; ; ;

B. Defeated Satan Jesus began to get the upper hand over Satan when He came to Earth to live a perfect, sinless life in Satan’s domain ().

Even though Satan still is the god or prince of this world, he lost the battle for the lives of the redeemed of God when Christ died on the cross (; ; ; ; ).

He will not lose the war until the end of the millennium when he will be cast into the lake of fire (). However when Christ arose from the dead, His final victory over Satan was assured ().

C. Openly showed His victory ; ; ; ;

D. Will return in great power and great glory ; ; ;

E. Every eye shall see Him ;

VI.Jesus the King Jesus will always be the Lord of his Church and we will forever enjoy a very special relationship with Him.

We have trusted in Him by faith alone without hard, concrete proof of His existence. In the millennium, however, the Church Age will have ended and all mortal people (who can never become part of His Church) will have a different relationship with Him.

They will have a very definite code of conduct which will be strictly enforced. Because of this there will be virtually no crime or disturbance to the peace and prosperity they will enjoy.

Yet for all this, there will be a final rebellion at the end of the 1000 years in which the last of the malcontents will be killed ().

A. Jesus will rule from Jerusalem (Zion) during the millennium ; ; ;

1. Will reign in righteousness ; ;

2. Will rule with a “rod of iron” ; ; ;

3. Will assign saints to rule with Him ; ; ;

B. Jesus will rule from New Jerusalem through all eternity ,

1. Will establish a kingdom that shall never end ;

2. His kingdom will increase forever

LESSON SEVEN

The Ministry of God the Holy Ghost

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” ().

1 Corinthians 6:19 KJV 1900

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

I. God the Holy Ghost

A. Third Person of the Trinity ;

Matthew 28:19 KJV 1900

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

1 John 5:7 KJV 1900

For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

B. Giver of life God the Son creates but God the Holy Ghost gives life to the soul. ; ; , ; ;

Genesis 2:7 KJV 1900

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Job 33:4 KJV 1900

The Spirit of God hath made me, And the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

Matthew 1:18 KJV 1900

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

Matthew 1:20 KJV 1900

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

Luke 1:35 KJV 1900

And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

John 20:22 KJV 1900

And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

C. The Spirit part of the Trinity

John 7:39 KJV 1900

(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

II. The Ministry of God the Holy Ghost “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” ().

John 16:8 KJV 1900

And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

A. The Holy Ghost convicts all men

1. Of sin

John 16:9 KJV 1900

Of sin, because they believe not on me;

2. Of righteousness

John 16:10 KJV 1900

Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;

3. Of judgment

John 16:11 KJV 1900

Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

B. The Holy Ghost is the agent of the New Birth “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (). , ; ;

2 • Lesson Seven

John 3:5–6 KJV 1900

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Romans 8:14 KJV 1900

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Romans 8:16 KJV 1900

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Hebrews 9:14 KJV 1900

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Titus 3:5 KJV 1900

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

C. The Holy Ghost indwells God’s people

“And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness” (). , , ; ; ;

Acts 4:31 KJV 1900

And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

Luke 1:15 KJV 1900

For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.

Luke 1:41 KJV 1900

And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

Luke 1:67 KJV 1900

And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

Luke 4:1 KJV 1900

And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

Acts 4:8 KJV 1900

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

1 Corinthians 6:19 KJV 1900

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

D. The Holy Ghost gives guidance to God’s people

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come” (). ; ; ;

John 16:13 KJV 1900

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Mark 13:11 KJV 1900

But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

Luke 12:12 KJV 1900

For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

John 14:26 KJV 1900

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

1 Corinthians 2:13 KJV 1900

Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

E. The Holy Ghost seals the believer until the day of redemption

“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption” (). ; ; ;

Ephesians 4:30 KJV 1900

And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Romans 8:23 KJV 1900

And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

2 Corinthians 1:21–22 KJV 1900

Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

2 Corinthians 5:5 KJV 1900

Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

Ephesians 1:13–14 KJV 1900

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

F. The Holy Ghost sanctifies the believer

“But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth” ().

2 Thessalonians 2:13 KJV 1900

But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

1 Peter 1:2 KJV 1900

Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

G. The Holy Ghost makes intercession for the believer

“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God” ().

Romans 8:26–27 KJV 1900

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

1 Chronicles 28:9 KJV 1900

And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

H. The Holy Ghost is the Comforter “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (). ; ; ; ;

John 14:26–27 KJV 1900

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:16–20 KJV 1900

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

John 15:26 KJV 1900

But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

John 16:7 KJV 1900

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

Acts 9:31 KJV 1900

Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

Romans 5:5 KJV 1900

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

I. The Holy Ghost gives power to God’s people

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (). ; ; ;

Acts 1:8 KJV 1900

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Acts 2:1–4 KJV 1900

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 4:31 KJV 1900

And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

Acts 10:38 KJV 1900

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

Acts 19:6 KJV 1900

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

J. The Holy Ghost gives joy to God’s people

“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” ().

Romans 14:17 KJV 1900

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Acts 15:32 KJV 1900

And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

K. The Holy Ghost gives spiritual discernment to God’s people

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (). ;

1 Corinthians 2:14 KJV 1900

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Acts 13:9–11 KJV 1900

Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.

1 Corinthians 12:10 KJV 1900

To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

III.The Holy Ghost–Agent of Communication

A. The Holy Ghost dictated the Scriptures to human agents

“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” ().

2 Peter 1:21 KJV 1900

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

2 Samuel 23:2 KJV 1900

The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, And his word was in my tongue.

B. The Holy Ghost speaks to us ; ; ;

Luke 2:26 KJV 1900

And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

Luke 12:12 KJV 1900

For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

Acts 13:2 KJV 1900

As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

Acts 16:6 KJV 1900

Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

C. The Holy Ghost speaks through us ; ; ; ;

4 • Lesson Seven

Mark 13:11 KJV 1900

But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

Luke 1:67 KJV 1900

And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

Acts 1:16 KJV 1900

Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.

Acts 2:33 KJV 1900

Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

Acts 21:11 KJV 1900

And when he was come unto us, he took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.

D. The Holy Ghost is the agent of divine communion

“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” (). ; ; ; ;

Romans 8:16 KJV 1900

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

John 14:17 KJV 1900

Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

John 15:26 KJV 1900

But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

John 16:12–15 KJV 1900

I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Ephesians 1:13 KJV 1900

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Hebrews 10:14–15 KJV 1900

For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,

IV.What Is the World of the Spirit All About?

A. Some original language words for the Spirit of God

1. Hebrew: ruah=breath, wind ;

Job 27:3 KJV 1900

All the while my breath is in me, And the spirit of God is in my nostrils;

Job 33:4 KJV 1900

The Spirit of God hath made me, And the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

2. Greek: pneuma=wind, breath We can see from the above words that a spirit is very hard to quantify or describe.

It has no definite shape or substance. It is not bound by the laws of nature. Thus, it’s whereabouts cannot be definitely known.

We do know, however, that the Spirit of God, the Holy Ghost, fills the physical universe and all of heaven and hell (; ). His whereabouts can be known in that He is everywhere all the time. He is omnipresent.

Psalm 139:8 KJV 1900

If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: If I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

1 Kings 8:27 KJV 1900

But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?

B. There are spirits of nations, people, emotions, states of being and etc. ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

Numbers 5:14 KJV 1900

And the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be defiled: or if the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be not defiled:

Deuteronomy 34:9 KJV 1900

And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses.

2 Kings 2:15 KJV 1900

And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.

1 Chronicles 5:26 KJV 1900

And the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, and brought them unto Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river Gozan, unto this day.

2 Chronicles 21:16 KJV 1900

Moreover the Lord stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians, that were near the Ethiopians:

Ezra 1:1 KJV 1900

Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,

Job 20:3 KJV 1900

I have heard the check of my reproach, And the spirit of my understanding causeth me to answer.

Isaiah 4:4 KJV 1900

When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, And shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof By the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.

Isaiah 11:2 KJV 1900

And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and might, The spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;

Isaiah 19:3 KJV 1900

And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; And I will destroy the counsel thereof: And they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, And to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards.

Isaiah 29:10 KJV 1900

For the Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, And hath closed your eyes: The prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.

C. There are evil spirits These spirits often appear to be good spirits and are therefore even more dangerous than you might think (). ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

2 Corinthians 11:14 KJV 1900

And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

Hosea 5:4 KJV 1900

They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God: For the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them, And they have not known the Lord.

Luke 4:33 KJV 1900

And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice,

Luke 13:11 KJV 1900

And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.

Acts 16:16 KJV 1900

And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:

Romans 8:15 KJV 1900

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Romans 11:8 KJV 1900

(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.

2 Timothy 1:7 KJV 1900

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

1 John 4:3 KJV 1900

And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

D. There are good spirits Good spirits are comprised of all those who remained true to God when Satan made insurrection against Him.

Satan took one third of God’s angels with him, but the rest remained sinless. In this respect all heavenly spirits are holy spirits.

Thus when we speak of THE Holy Spirit, it is preferable to specify Him as the Spirit of God or the Holy Ghost. ; ; ; ; ; ;

Zechariah 12:10 KJV 1900

And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, The spirit of grace and of supplications: And they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, And they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, And shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

Romans 8:15 KJV 1900

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

2 Corinthians 4:13 KJV 1900

We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

Galatians 6:1 KJV 1900

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Ephesians 1:17 KJV 1900

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:

2 Timothy 1:7 KJV 1900

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Revelation 19:10 KJV 1900

And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

V. Gifts of the Spirit?

A. Spiritual gifts given to special individuals ; The scriptures, primarily in 1 Corinthians chapters 12 and 14, mention a number of spiritual gifts that were given to certain individuals in the Church by the Holy Ghost.

1 Corinthians 12:7–11 KJV 1900

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

1 Corinthians 12:28–31 KJV 1900

And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

These included words of wisdom and knowledge, faith, healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues, and the interpretation of tongues.

6 • Lesson Seven

The question as to whether these gifts are still available to the Church today has caused a deep rift within the present day Church.

One segment of the Church accepts these as being still available to the Church today and the membership aggressively seeks to be endowed with such gifts.

These are generally known as Pentecostal or Charismatic congregations. Unfortunately, there is much documented fraud from those who would make merchandise of the saints (), among those of this persuasion.

1 Peter 2:1–3 KJV 1900

Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

Additionally, there is a noticeable lack of sound doctrinal teaching in these congregations since “words of knowledge” or “prophecies” are often pronounced which are in direct conflict with the written Word of God. We are warned against accepting this type of prophecy in , , , , and .

Deuteronomy 18:20–22 KJV 1900

But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

Jeremiah 14:14–15 KJV 1900

Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart. Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.

Ezekiel 14:9–10 KJV 1900

And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the Lord have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel. And they shall bear the punishment of their iniquity: the punishment of the prophet shall be even as the punishment of him that seeketh unto him;

Mark 8:11–12 KJV 1900

And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.

2 Thessalonians 2:11 KJV 1900

And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

On the other hand, the apostle Paul, in , admonishes to covet earnestly the best gifts.

1 Corinthians 1:27–31 KJV 1900

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

The question is: Was that admonishment only to the early Church or was it meant for the entire Church throughout the entire Church Age? While the afore mentioned segment of the Church believes these gifts are meant for the entire Church Age, another faction of the Church vehemently denies this.

They believe that the gifts were given only to establish the new Church and then, when the scriptures were completed, they were withdrawn.

The “gifts” faction retorts with the verse “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever” ().

Hebrews 13:8 KJV 1900

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

While this appears to be a powerful argument, one has to wonder if it is a misapplication of the scriptures since it can easily be demonstrated that God has dealt with man very differently in different eras (dispensations).

that each individual must have enough faith to be healed. The opposition then points out that this type of healing would constitute concrete evidence of God’s presence in man’s affairs in an age when “we walk by faith, not by sight” (). The “anti-gifts” people further argue that most of the greatest men of God in our modern times, men like John Wesley, Charles Spurgeon, and D. L. Moody, never received any of these special gifts and yet they won thousands of people to the Lord in their lifetimes. Some of the ‘gifts’ people believe, on the other hand, that if a person doesn’t exhibit at least one of these he or she is not even saved. The “anti-gifts” people point to , which occurs right in the middle of the main biblical treatise on the gifts of the Spirit. This passage indicates that at least prophecies, tongues, and words of knowledge were meant to be temporary. Congregations of this persuasion are often very strong on doctrine but much weaker on emotional involvement with their God. We at the Little Red Book ministry believe that this second ‘anti-gifts’ faction has the correct outlook and interpretation of the scriptures. We want to be careful however not to put a limit on what we believe God’s will is. We certainly acknowledge that God is still very active in healing the sick, but more according to , rather than the belief that a particular man is endowed with the gift of healing. We genuinely love our Lord, as also do many of our friends, and yet we do not receive any of these gifts. Given the confusion and profusion of fraud among our Charismatic and Pentecostal brethren, we feel obliged to take a stand against any thing that ultimately so profanes and blasphemes the exalted name of our God. B. Testing the spirits “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (). It is important to recognize that just because something unnatural occurs which seems to be a very good thing, it is not necessarily from God. As we have seen, we are not to have anything to do with evil spirits and further, we must test any spirits we knowingly come in contact with. It therefore seems more reasonable to let the Holy Spirit of God minister to us through His written Word and to have nothing to do with questionable spiritual manifestations. ; ; ; ; , ,

Further, in a number of aspects it can be shown that Jesus Christ has not always been just what He is today. The “anti-gifts” faction argues that if a man were given the gift of healing, then he should be emptying all the hospitals.

The “gifts” group counters with verses that they say indicate that each individual must have enough faith to be healed. The opposition then points out that this type of healing would constitute concrete evidence of God’s presence in man’s affairs in an age when “we walk by faith, not by sight” ().

2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV 1900

(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

The “anti-gifts” people further argue that most of the greatest men of God in our modern times, men like John Wesley, Charles Spurgeon, and D. L. Moody, never received any of these special gifts and yet they won thousands of people to the Lord in their lifetimes.

Some of the ‘gifts’ people believe, on the other hand, that if a person doesn’t exhibit at least one of these he or she is not even saved. The “anti-gifts” people point to , which occurs right in the middle of the main biblical treatise on the gifts of the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 13:8–10 KJV 1900

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

This passage indicates that at least prophecies, tongues, and words of knowledge were meant to be temporary. Congregations of this persuasion are often very strong on doctrine but much weaker on emotional involvement with their God.

We believe that this second ‘anti-gifts’ faction has the correct outlook and interpretation of the scriptures.

We want to be careful however not to put a limit on what we believe God’s will is.

We certainly acknowledge that God is still very active in healing the sick, but more according to , rather than the belief that a particular man is endowed with the gift of healing.

James 5:14–15 KJV 1900

Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

We genuinely love our Lord, as also do many of our friends, and yet we do not receive any of these gifts. Given the confusion and profusion of fraud among our Charismatic and Pentecostal brethren, we feel obliged to take a stand against any thing that ultimately so profanes and blasphemes the exalted name of our God.

B. Testing the spirits “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” ().

1 John 4:1 KJV 1900

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

It is important to recognize that just because something unnatural occurs which seems to be a very good thing, it is not necessarily from God.

As we have seen, we are not to have anything to do with evil spirits and further, we must test any spirits we knowingly come in contact with.

It therefore seems more reasonable to let the Holy Spirit of God minister to us through His written Word and to have nothing to do with questionable spiritual manifestations. ; ; ; ; , ,

Matthew 24:5 KJV 1900

For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Acts 20:29–31 KJV 1900

For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

Romans 16:17–18 KJV 1900

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

Philippians 4:18–20 KJV 1900

But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Jude 3–4 KJV 1900

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jude 8–13 KJV 1900

Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. These are spots in your feasts of charity when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.

Jude 16 KJV 1900

These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.

LESSON EIGHT

The Nature of Man

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” ().

Genesis 1:27 KJV 1900

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Man was created in the image of God, without sin and holy. However, he was given a commandment from God with the option of disobeying the commandment.

As is painfully obvious all around us, man used free will to his own detriment. He sinned against God when he ate of the fruit of the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil” (; ) and thus defiled the whole creation.

Genesis 2:17 KJV 1900

But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Genesis 3:6 KJV 1900

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

It was not the fruit that defiled the creation, but rather it was the disobedience that accompanied it. As a result of this sin, God cursed the universe he had created ().

Genesis 3:17–20 KJV 1900

And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.

Modern day physicists call this curse the Law of Entropy or the Second Law of Thermodynamics. This law says that all systems run down or deteriorate without additional outside input.

This law includes biological, geological, and sociological systems among others, and it is universally accepted by science and easily demonstrated. Yet it is diametrically opposed to evolution. It is final proof that evolution past a certain point is impossible!

Modern science, for all its claims to rigorous demands for facts and truth, has chosen to accept the impossible rather than admit to a Creator to whom it would then be answerable. That is why the Bible admonishes us to: “. . . keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen” ().

1 Timothy 6:20–21 KJV 1900

O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

I. Man Was Created With Free Will

“And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken” ().

Genesis 3:22–23 KJV 1900

And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.

Man was given the right and the responsibility to make moral choices. Adam made a very poor choice which has affected the whole creation.

The price for sin is eternal damnation, but God has graciously devised a plan whereby we might be redeemed back to Him through the shed blood of Jesus Christ who became our Savior.

Many theologians have attempted to prove that man does not in fact have free will. They argue that God has chosen from the beginning who He will redeem and who He will not redeem.

This comes from a few verses that seem to indicate “foreordination” or “predestination”(see for instance ; , ).

John 15:16 KJV 1900

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Ephesians 1:3–5 KJV 1900

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Ephesians 1:10–11 KJV 1900

That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

There are a number of verses, however, that indicate that God had “foreknowledge” of who would accept salvation and who would not (; ).

Romans 8:29–30 KJV 1900

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

1 Peter 1:1–2 KJV 1900

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

In the face of the vast number of verses that indicate free will, it is most logical to presume that the few verses in dispute actually refer to the foreknowledge of God rather than to predestination.

The position taken by those who believe in predestination also fails in an examination based on simple logic. If God has already chosen who will be saved and who will not, there is no reason for us to carry out the great commission of going into all the world to preach the gospel. The elect persons will be saved regardless of our actions.

Thus, much scripture is negated or at least trivialized.

Also, the whole process of going through this life becomes a shameful sham. In such a case, a just God would simply bring to life his chosen people and prevent the unchosen from coming into existence.

Why should He create masses of hopeless victims? Predestination is a hopeless, futile position.

The Nature of Man • 3

A. Free will in the garden ;

Genesis 2:16–17 KJV 1900

And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Genesis 3:1–3 KJV 1900

Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

B. Free will in the Promised Land ;

Joshua 24:15 KJV 1900

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Judges 5:7–8 KJV 1900

The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, Until that I Deborah arose, That I arose a mother in Israel. They chose new gods; Then was war in the gates: Was there a shield or spear seen Among forty thousand in Israel?

C. Free will in the New Testament ;

John 8:36 KJV 1900

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Romans 10:13 KJV 1900

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

II. Man: In the image of God

“And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” ().

Genesis 2:7 KJV 1900

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

As we have seen in Lesson 5, God is a trinity with a Body, a Soul, and a Spirit. When He created man, He made us in His image, that is, with a body, a soul, and a spirit. However, only the body and soul of man are products of creation.

The spirit was not created.

The Bible is quite clear that God gave us a part of His Spirit.

We are not told very much about how our spirit relates to our body and soul and this has been the source of much conjecture.

We do know that it is our spirit that communes with God’s Holy Spirit as we saw in Lesson 7.

We also know that in some way it is uniquely our spirit.

Yet, even though it is our own spirit, it does not appear that any man’s spirit ever goes to hell.

This experience appears to be unique to the body and soul of a “lost” or unsaved person.

A. The body in life

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” ().

Galatians 5:19–21 KJV 1900

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

The biblical term for the body is the “flesh.

” It is identified with the solid state of matter.

The body will do anything to satisfy its urges, regardless of its effect on anything or anyone else. It has self-awareness and reacts to situations to its own benefit only.

Christians who live “in the flesh,” whose soul primarily seeks to satisfy the flesh, are said to be “carnal” (; ).

1 Corinthians 3:3 KJV 1900

For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

Romans 8:5–7 KJV 1900

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

1. The body is basically evil The body tends always only to evil. It is only through the workings of the soul and spirit that any good can come out of it. , , , ;

Romans 7:14 KJV 1900

For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

Romans 7:18 KJV 1900

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

Romans 7:21 KJV 1900

I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

Romans 7:23–25 KJV 1900

But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

1 Corinthians 3:3 KJV 1900

For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

2. The body is primarily controlled by the will (in the soul) and secondarily by needs and ‘drives’ to satisfy hunger, tiredness, sex, etc.

James 4:1–2 KJV 1900

From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

3. The body is operated by the brain Thus, when the body’s cells need oxygen, the brain immediately operates the respiratory system to provide it. On the other hand, the will (soul) may override the drive to breathe and make the body hold its breath.

Romans 7:23–24 KJV 1900

But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

B. The body at death

1. The body initially turns back to dust at death ; ;

Genesis 3:19 KJV 1900

In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Job 34:15 KJV 1900

All flesh shall perish together, And man shall turn again unto dust.

Psalm 103:14 KJV 1900

For he knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.

2. The body of the lost is resurrected just before, and goes to hell right after the Great White Throne judgment ; ;

Matthew 5:29–30 KJV 1900

And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Matthew 10:28 KJV 1900

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Revelation 20:11–15 KJV 1900

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

3. The body of the saved is changed (glorified) and either raptured or resurrected to “ever be with the Lord” ; ;

1 Corinthians 15:50–55 KJV 1900

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 KJV 1900

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Revelation 20:4–6 KJV 1900

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

C. The soul in life

“Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors” (). The soul in the Bible is sometimes identified with the liquid state of matter within a man, specifically with the blood (; ; ).

Isaiah 53:12 KJV 1900

Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, And he shall divide the spoil with the strong; Because he hath poured out his soul unto death: And he was numbered with the transgressors; And he bare the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.

Genesis 4:10 KJV 1900

And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.

Genesis 9:4–6 KJV 1900

But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat. And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.

Psalm 72:14 KJV 1900

He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: And precious shall their blood be in his sight.

It is what energizes the body, making it a living organism rather than just a machine (; ).

1 Samuel 1:15 KJV 1900

And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord.

Job 30:15–16 KJV 1900

Terrors are turned upon me: They pursue my soul as the wind: And my welfare passeth away as a cloud. And now my soul is poured out upon me; The days of affliction have taken hold upon me.

Except for certain reflexive reactions, the soul is in complete control of the body. The soul is the residence of all our passions and affections. It takes great joy in pleasing the flesh, often to its own detriment.

It does however, have the capacity to reason and the will to choose between right and wrong, good and evil, wise and foolish, and so on.

The soul has a world- or social-awareness, and makes choices based on balancing its desire to gratify the flesh and its desire to interact with its’ environment in its best interest.

The soul of a lost person will often yield to the prompting of the conscience which is a function of the spirit. However, in the final analysis, the soul is also in complete control of the spirit.

The soul of the Christian differs from the soul of the lost. It also attempts, at the spirit’s urging, to live by godly principles where these differ from its affections or the body’s desires.

Another way of stating this would be to say that the brain and the mind are both under the control of the will.

Thus, the brain or the mind may know or desire something but not have the ability to use this knowledge or satisfy this desire.

As we have stated, the soul also controls the spirit.

The hierarchy of the Godhead is: Father (the Soul), Son (the Body), and Holy Ghost (the Spirit). The Son and the Holy Ghost are both subject to the Father and therefore we may say the Body and Spirit are both subject to the Soul. It is no different for man who is made in the image of God. ; ; ;

The Nature of Man • 7

John 14:24–26 KJV 1900

He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 16:13–15 KJV 1900

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

1 Corinthians 15:28 KJV 1900

And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

Ephesians 1:17 KJV 1900

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:

1. The soul is the battleground between good and evil–between body and spirit

“For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members (the brain seeking to satisfy the needs and urges of the body), warring (in the soul) against the law of my mind (the spirit seeking to please God), and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members” (). ; , , ; ; ;

Romans 7:22–23 KJV 1900

For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

Galatians 5:17 KJV 1900

For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Romans 7:15 KJV 1900

For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

Romans 7:19 KJV 1900

For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

Romans 7:22–23 KJV 1900

For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

Romans 8:1 KJV 1900

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

1 Peter 2:11 KJV 1900

Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

2 Peter 2:8 KJV 1900

(For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

2. The soul is primarily controlled by the heart, or desires and secondarily by the body and spirit ; ; ;

Proverbs 23:7 KJV 1900

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; But his heart is not with thee.

Proverbs 10:20 KJV 1900

The tongue of the just is as choice silver: The heart of the wicked is little worth.

Jeremiah 17:9 KJV 1900

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Romans 10:9–10 KJV 1900

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.

3. The soul is operated by the will Thus, the heart says “because I want to skydive, I will do thus and such to obtain it.

Romans 10:13 KJV 1900

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

” The body will say “I am afraid of getting hurt” while the mind (spirit) may say “this is a foolish and unnecessary risk.

” If the desire is weak, the body or spirit may prevail.

However, if the desire is strong, the will can overcome the objections and force the issue in favor of the soul.

D. The soul in death

“The soul that sinneth, it shall die.

The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him” ().

Ezekiel 18:20 KJV 1900

The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

1. The soul of the lost person goes to hell ; ; ; ;

Psalm 16:10 KJV 1900

For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; Neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Psalm 86:13 KJV 1900

For great is thy mercy toward me: And thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.

Proverbs 23:13–14 KJV 1900

Withhold not correction from the child: For if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, And shalt deliver his soul from hell.

Matthew 10:28 KJV 1900

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Acts 2:31 KJV 1900

He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

2. In this age, the soul of the saved person goes to a place in heaven, usually paradise and there waits for the resurrection to be reunited with the glorified body ; ; ;

Luke 23:43 KJV 1900

And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

2 Corinthians 12:2–4 KJV 1900

I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

Revelation 2:7 KJV 1900

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Revelation 6:9–11 KJV 1900

And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

E. The spirit in life

The Nature of Man • 9

“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law” ().

Galatians 5:17–18 KJV 1900

For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” ().

Galatians 5:22–25 KJV 1900

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

The spirit is identified with the gaseous state of matter in a man, specifically the breath of man.

It attempts to influence the soul for good.

This is difficult in a saved person and much more so in a lost person. It produces emotions such as remorse or guilt in the soul.

The spirit has a God-awareness that is denied by the unrepentant soul ().

Romans 1:8–19 KJV 1900

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end you may be established; That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

It is only through the salvation offered by the Lord Jesus Christ that the spirit can gain a true foothold in the soul in this life.

Every person must have this spiritual rebirth to be complete and fully alive ().

John 6:63 KJV 1900

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

The spirit produces a desire to do the “right thing” in the soul.

1. The spirit is good The spirit of man, unlike other created beings, was given to him out of God’s Spirit (; ; ; ).

Genesis 2:7 KJV 1900

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Isaiah 42:5 KJV 1900

Thus saith God the Lord, He that created the heavens, and stretched them out; He that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; He that giveth breath unto the people upon it, And spirit to them that walk therein:

Psalm 104:29–30 KJV 1900

Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: Thou takest away their breath, they die, And return to their dust. Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: And thou renewest the face of the earth.

Titus 3:5 KJV 1900

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

That is why man is the only thing on Earth with a conscience.

The spirit’s function is very limited without the influence of the filling of the Holy Spirit of God.

A man is said to be spiritually dead if he is unsaved. , ;

2. The spirit is primarily controlled by the will (in the soul) and secondarily by the Holy Spirit of God God asks us to wilfully reverse this order when we are saved. “He must increase, but I must decrease” ().

1 Corinthians 2:12 KJV 1900

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

John 3:30 KJV 1900

He must increase, but I must decrease.

“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded [the will satisfies the body] is death; but to be spiritually minded [the will satisfies the spirit] is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be” ().

Romans 8:5–7 KJV 1900

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

We must come to the place where we make our will subject to the will of God to become useful and effective Christians.

This is not something that just happens. It is the result of a willful decision in our soul.

We do this by immersing ourselves in the things of God. We need to spend time every day reading the Word of God and in prayer.

We need the fellowship of the saints.

We need to listen to God-honoring music.

We need to be under the preaching of a godly man.

These things will allow the Holy Ghost to dictate what will be on our mind. ; ; ; ; ;

Philippians 3:15 KJV 1900

Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

Titus 2:11–13 KJV 1900

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Titus 3:8 KJV 1900

This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Ephesians 6:10–18 KJV 1900

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

James 1:8 KJV 1900

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

James 4:8 KJV 1900

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

3. The spirit is operated by the mind or “heart of hearts” “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind [spirit] I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh [body] the law of sin” ().

Romans 7:25 KJV 1900

I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

“For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ” ().

1 Corinthians 2:16 KJV 1900

For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

it were. But, if it is in fact not true or right, we know this in our heart of hearts. Thus, a person’s heart tells him (or her) that it is all right to cheat on his spouse for many good reasons. But at some level beyond his heart, he knows that he is ultimately in the wrong. The seat of this understanding is in the mind. The mind is the part of man that is renewed in the process of regeneration of the spirit which brings salvation (; ). In the process of regeneration, our spirit is forever joined to the spirit of God and therefore to the spirits of all other saved people. We become, in essence, one spirit. “But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit” (). ; ; ; However, there is something within us that can impede this unity. “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (). This thing that makes us have to endeavor to keep the unity of the spirit is the possibility of a change of mind. The will changes the mind which in turn affects the unity of the Spirit. The will can not directly change the unity of the spirit, but rather must go through the medium of the mind. Thus, the mind operates the spirit. “And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God” (). For this reason we are exhorted over and over to preserve the unity of the spirit by controlling our mind, or more correctly, by wilfully giving control of our mind over to the Holy Spirit of God. ; ; ; ; , ;

“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness” ().

Romans 8:9–10 KJV 1900

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

We all have a place within us, in our “heart of hearts,” where we recognize that which is right or true. We may desperately want to believe that a thing is true or right and go so far as to live and act as if it were.

But, if it is in fact not true or right, we know this in our heart of hearts.

Thus, a person’s heart tells him (or her) that it is all right to cheat on his spouse for many good reasons. But at some level beyond his heart, he knows that he is ultimately in the wrong.

The seat of this understanding is in the mind. The mind is the part of man that is renewed in the process of regeneration of the spirit which brings salvation (; ).

Romans 12:2 KJV 1900

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Ephesians 4:23 KJV 1900

And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

In the process of regeneration, our spirit is forever joined to the spirit of God and therefore to the spirits of all other saved people. We become, in essence, one spirit. “But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit” (). ; ; ; However, there is something within us that can impede this unity. “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” ().

1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV 1900

But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

1 Corinthians 3:16 KJV 1900

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

1 Corinthians 12:13 KJV 1900

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Ephesians 2:22 KJV 1900

In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Ephesians 4:3–4 KJV 1900

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

Ephesians 4:3 KJV 1900

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

This thing that makes us have to endeavor to keep the unity of the spirit is the possibility of a change of mind. The will changes the mind which in turn affects the unity of the Spirit. The will can not directly change the unity of the spirit, but rather must go through the medium of the mind.

Thus, the mind operates the spirit. “And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God” ().

Romans 8:27 KJV 1900

And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

For this reason we are exhorted over and over to preserve the unity of the spirit by controlling our mind, or more correctly, by wilfully giving control of our mind over to the Holy Spirit of God. ; ; ; ; , ;

1 Corinthians 1:10 KJV 1900

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

2 Corinthians 13:11 KJV 1900

Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

Ephesians 4:23 KJV 1900

And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

Philippians 1:27 KJV 1900

Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

Philippians 2:2 KJV 1900

Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Philippians 2:5 KJV 1900

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

1 Peter 3:8 KJV 1900

Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

F. The spirit in death

1. The spirit of the lost person goes back to God ; ;

Ecclesiastes 3:21 KJV 1900

Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?

Ecclesiastes 12:7 KJV 1900

Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

Job 34:14–15 KJV 1900

If he set his heart upon man, If he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath; All flesh shall perish together, And man shall turn again unto dust.

2. The spirit of the saved person integrates with the Spirit of God forever from the moment of salvation ; ; ; ;

John 17:20–21 KJV 1900

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

Romans 8:9 KJV 1900

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

1 Corinthians 3:16 KJV 1900

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV 1900

But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

Ephesians 2:22 KJV 1900

In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

III.Fallen Man God told Adam while he was yet in the Garden of Eden that in the day that he ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil he would surely die.

This promise came true for two parts of the trinity of Adam, and indeed for all mankind. Adam ate of the fruit of the tree and his spirit was immediately cut off from its close relationship with the Spirit of God.

The Bible indicates that lost men still possess a spirit (; ; ; ), so it was in the sense that death is separation from God, his spirit “died.” In addition to the fact that his spirit “died” immediately, Adam determined the maximum lifespan for any human body.

Job 34:14–15 KJV 1900

If he set his heart upon man, If he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath; All flesh shall perish together, And man shall turn again unto dust.

2 Chronicles 24:20 KJV 1900

And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the Lord, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the Lord, he hath also forsaken you.

2 Chronicles 36:22 KJV 1900

Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,

Ezra 1:1 KJV 1900

Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,

The Bible establishes a special meaning for the word day in a number of places.

According to and , God considers a day to be the same as a thousand years for certain prophetic purposes.

Psalm 90:4 KJV 1900

For a thousand years in thy sight Are but as yesterday when it is past, And as a watch in the night.

2 Peter 3:8 KJV 1900

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

In light of these verses, it is interesting to look at the pre-flood life spans of the men listed in .

Seven of the first nine men listed in this chapter lived 895 years or longer, but none of them exceeded 1000 years.

Adam died at 930 years old.

Thus Adam, who had been created to live forever, succumbed to the curse that God placed on the creation within the “day” in which he sinned.

After the fall of man in the garden, God immediately instituted a plan to redeem back to Himself anyone who was willing.

God had already set the payment for sin as eternal damnation, separation from God forever (; ).

Romans 6:23 KJV 1900

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Ezekiel 18:4 KJV 1900

Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

This would start immediately following the natural death of each person and be finalized after the Great White Throne judgment.

The price for remission of sins is the shedding of the blood of each person ().

Hebrews 9:22 KJV 1900

And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

The problem created by this was that once a person had shed his blood, he was dead and had no further opportunity to establish a right relationship with God. He was already separated from God in hell.

It was for this reason that God took on Himself the form of a man. He lived a sinless life on Earth, and then shed His own blood on the cross to make atonement in the place of anyone who would establish a right relationship with Him through His Son. Following this, He descended into hell in our place.

But hell could not hold Him. He defeated death and hell and rose from the dead, assuring that He could defeat death for us (; ).

Ephesians 4:9–10 KJV 1900

(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

Revelation 1:18 KJV 1900

I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

Since that first sin, man has always been divided into two camps.

One camp desires a proper relationship with God, while the other seeks only self serving interests.

This has been true throughout the various ages of history called dispensations. (These are ages in which God has dealt with man in different ways, giving him a variety of ways to return to Him.)

In each age, or economy, people have been classified under different terminology, but the net result has always been the same.

different ways, giving him a variety of ways to return to Him.) In each age, or economy, people have been classified under different terminology, but the net result has always been the same. Some “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season” (), while others chose to enjoy the pleasures of sin. Some chose life while others chose death (). A. Before the law was given to Moses 1. The righteous sought God ; . The wicked sought to please self ; B. After the law 1. The Jews or Israel–under the law ; 2. The Gentiles–lawless before God C. Since Christ 1. The saved by grace 2. The lost–unrepentant, no sincere attempt to please God ; D. At all times–two families “The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one” (). 1. Family of God ; ; ; . Family of man (or Satan) ;

Some “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season” (),

Hebrews 11:25 KJV 1900

Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

while others chose to enjoy the pleasures of sin.

Some chose life while others chose death ().

Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV 1900

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

A. Before the law was given to Moses

1. The righteous sought God ;

Genesis 7:1 KJV 1900

And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.

Genesis 18:22–23 KJV 1900

And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the Lord. And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?

. The wicked sought to please self ;

Genesis 18:22–23:2 KJV 1900

And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the Lord. And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? And the Lord said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes. And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes: Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it. And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty’s sake. And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there. And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty’s sake. And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten’s sake. And the Lord went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place. And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground; And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant’s house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night. And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat. But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them. And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him, And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly. Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof. And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door. But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door. And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door. And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place: For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord; and the Lord hath sent us to destroy it. And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law. And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city. And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed. And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord: Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die: Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live. And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken. Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar. The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar. Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven; And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. And Abraham gat up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the Lord: And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace. And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt. And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he feared to dwell in Zoar: and he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters. And the firstborn said unto the younger, Our father is old, and there is not a man in the earth to come in unto us after the manner of all the earth: Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father. And they made their father drink wine that night: and the firstborn went in, and lay with her father; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose. And it came to pass on the morrow, that the firstborn said unto the younger, Behold, I lay yesternight with my father: let us make him drink wine this night also; and go thou in, and lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father. And they made their father drink wine that night also: and the younger arose, and lay with him; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose. Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father. And the firstborn bare a son, and called his name Moab: the same is the father of the Moabites unto this day. And the younger, she also bare a son, and called his name Ben-ammi: the same is the father of the children of Ammon unto this day. And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar. And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah. But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man’s wife. But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation? Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this. And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her. Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine. Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid. Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said unto him, What hast thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done. And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing? And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife’s sake. And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife. And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father’s house, that I said unto her, This is thy kindness which thou shalt shew unto me; at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He is my brother. And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife. And Abimelech said, Behold, my land is before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee. And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes, unto all that are with thee, and with all other: thus she was reproved. So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children. For the Lord had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham’s wife. And the Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did unto Sarah as he had spoken. For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac. And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him. And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him. And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me. And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have born him a son in his old age. And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned. And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking. Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac. And the thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight because of his son. And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called. And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beer-sheba. And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs. And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept. And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation. And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink. And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer. And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran: and his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt. And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phichol the chief captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God is with thee in all that thou doest: Now therefore swear unto me here by God that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son’s son: but according to the kindness that I have done unto thee, thou shalt do unto me, and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned. And Abraham said, I will swear. And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water, which Abimelech’s servants had violently taken away. And Abimelech said, I wot not who hath done this thing: neither didst thou tell me, neither yet heard I of it, but to day. And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech; and both of them made a covenant. And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves. And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves? And he said, For these seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that they may be a witness unto me, that I have digged this well. Wherefore he called that place Beer-sheba; because there they sware both of them. Thus they made a covenant at Beer-sheba: then Abimelech rose up, and Phichol the chief captain of his host, and they returned into the land of the Philistines. And Abraham planted a grove in Beer-sheba, and called there on the name of the Lord, the everlasting God. And Abraham sojourned in the Philistines’ land many days. And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you. And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen. And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beer-sheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beer-sheba. And it came to pass after these things, that it was told Abraham, saying, Behold, Milcah, she hath also born children unto thy brother Nahor; Huz his firstborn, and Buz his brother, and Kemuel the father of Aram, And Chesed, and Hazo, and Pildash, and Jidlaph, and Bethuel. And Bethuel begat Rebekah: these eight Milcah did bear to Nahor, Abraham’s brother. And his concubine, whose name was Reumah, she bare also Tebah, and Gaham, and Thahash, and Maachah. And Sarah was an hundred and seven and twenty years old: these were the years of the life of Sarah. And Sarah died in Kirjath-arba; the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.

Genesis 13:13 KJV 1900

But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly.

Genesis 38:7 KJV 1900

And Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the Lord; and the Lord slew him.

B. After the law

1. The Jews or Israel–under the law ;

Deuteronomy 26:16–19 KJV 1900

This day the Lord thy God hath commanded thee to do these statutes and judgments: thou shalt therefore keep and do them with all thine heart, and with all thy soul. Thou hast avouched the Lord this day to be thy God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice: And the Lord hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments; And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the Lord thy God, as he hath spoken.

Deuteronomy 30:15–20 KJV 1900

See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; In that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it. I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

2. The Gentiles–lawless before God

Jeremiah 14:22 KJV 1900

Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? Or can the heavens give showers? Art not thou he, O Lord our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: For thou hast made all these things.

C. Since Christ

1. The saved by grace

Ephesians 2:8–9 KJV 1900

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

2. The lost–unrepentant, no sincere attempt to please God ;

Luke 19:10 KJV 1900

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

2 Corinthians 4:3–4 KJV 1900

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

D. At all times–two families

“The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one” ().

Matthew 13:38 KJV 1900

The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;

1. Family of God ; ; ;

Romans 8:16 KJV 1900

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Galatians 4:6–7 KJV 1900

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Ephesians 3:14–15 KJV 1900

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

1 John 3:1–3 KJV 1900

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

. Family of man (or Satan) ;

14 • Lesson Eight

1 John 3:1–2 KJV 1900

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

John 3:8–10 KJV 1900

The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

John 8:42–44 KJV 1900

Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

IV.The Millennial Man During the soon-to-come one thousand year reign of Christ on Earth, man will undergo a new experience in a new dispensation.

This millennium will start immediately after the Tribulation, the time when most of the people on Earth will die under the judgments of God.

The Devil and his host will be chained in hell during this time (; ).

Revelation 20:1–3 KJV 1900

And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

Jude 6 KJV 1900

And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

The great deceiver and tempter of mankind will be removed.

Additionally, God Himself in the Person of Jesus Christ will sit on His throne in Jerusalem from which He will rule the world with a rod of iron.

Any infraction of the law will be met with swift and just punishment.

The Earth will be subdued, the environment cleaned up, and crime non-existent.

It will return to the state enjoyed by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. And yet, for all this, some men will still rebel against God.

A. The King will rule righteously ;

Psalm 2:6–12 KJV 1900

Yet have I set my king Upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: The Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; This day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, And I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, And the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: Be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, And rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, And ye perish from the way, When his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Isaiah 11:4–5 KJV 1900

But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, And reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: And he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, And with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, And faithfulness the girdle of his reins.

B. There will be no dangerous conditions ; ;

Hosea 2:18 KJV 1900

And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, And with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: And I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, And will make them to lie down safely.

Isaiah 11:6–9 KJV 1900

The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, And the leopard shall lie down with the kid; And the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; Their young ones shall lie down together: And the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, And the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, As the waters cover the sea.

Isaiah 35:7–10 KJV 1900

And the parched ground shall become a pool, And the thirsty land springs of water: In the habitation of dragons, where each lay, Shall be grass with reeds and rushes. And an highway shall be there, and a way, And it shall be called The way of holiness; The unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: The wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, Nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, It shall not be found there; But the redeemed shall walk there: And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, And come to Zion with songs And everlasting joy upon their heads: They shall obtain joy and gladness, And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

C. People will enjoy long, healthy lives–probably like before the flood and possibly like in the Garden where mortal man could live forever ;

Isaiah 25:8–9 KJV 1900

He will swallow up death in victory; And the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; And the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: For the Lord hath spoken it. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; We have waited for him, and he will save us: This is the Lord; we have waited for him, We will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

Isaiah 35:3–6 KJV 1900

Strengthen ye the weak hands, And confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: Behold, your God will come with vengeance, Even God with a recompence; He will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, And the tongue of the dumb sing: For in the wilderness shall waters break out, And streams in the desert.

D. Crime will cease ; ;

Psalm 2:8–9 KJV 1900

Ask of me, And I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, And the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

Isaiah 11:9 KJV 1900

They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, As the waters cover the sea.

Revelation 12:5 KJV 1900

And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

E. All the Earth will be habitable making a very large population by the end of the Millennium possible ; ;

Isaiah 35:1–2 KJV 1900

The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; And the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice Even with joy and singing: The glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, The excellency of Carmel and Sharon, They shall see the glory of the Lord, And the excellency of our God.

Isaiah 40:4–5 KJV 1900

Every valley shall be exalted, And every mountain and hill shall be made low: And the crooked shall be made straight, And the rough places plain: And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, And all flesh shall see it together: For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

Zechariah 14:10 KJV 1900

All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem: And it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, From Benjamin’s gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, And from the tower of Hananeel unto the king’s winepresses.

F. A final purging will still be needed.

Many men will rebel against the King when Satan is released at the end of the Millennium.

Revelation 20:7–9 KJV 1900

And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.