Bible Discussion Replies PAGE 177

Concluding thoughts on Matthew 14

I ran out of space on the last posting; I wanted to mention besides interchanges when crowds were present along with the Disciples we also have the private moments such as on the ship; in that case selecting only Peter for walking on the water.

We see selectiveness as well in Matthew 17 and two other Gospel accounts as well.

These verses remind us of Christ being the anchor of our soul ( Heb. 6:19) and captain of our salvation ( Heb. 2:10). His presence with us in the sealing of the Spirit ( Eph. 4:30) gives us the confidence even without His physical presence which we must remember the Disciples didn't have at that time. It serves well in examining our own hearts which can so easily be lead astray in reminding ourselves through these passages where even the Apostles before Pentecost truly appeared as children or babes in Christ.

Matthew 14

The beginning of this chapter describes the death of John the Baptist. I have found personal application here as to those who have died in my own family in that Christ Himself in an attempt to be isolated along with His grieving Disciples didn't have the time because of the multitudes. After healing them verse 21 shows how there was provision given for 5000 men not counting the women and children. Finally Christ took the time to be alone and in prayer; at the cost of getting any sleep that night. He then would come on the fourth watch of the night (verse 25); have Peter walk on the water with Him in the tempestuous seas (verse 29) then be in fear (verse 30) until Christ reached out and rescued him and then once on board the boat the wind ceased (verse 32). They acknowledged because of this event that He was the Son of God (verse 33); then they landed in Gennesaret where crowds once again gathered for healing (verses 35-36).

First off I was a bit hasty in neglecting further passages regarding healing after Matthew 13 yesterday; I apologize for that. I am still admittedly very ignorant in much of the Gospel passages as to specific details.

Again here we see how the Son of God was an example or "servant of all" ( Mark 9:35). It would appear that He was hardest hit with the news of John the Baptist's death; although I am sure nothing took Him by surprise in His humanity at least; He was grieving. The ministry to the crowds and interactions with the Disciples once again was at times interchangeable as was seen in this case and the feeding of the 4000 coming up in Matthew 15. He would discuss the means of provision in the case of chapter 14 with the disciples initiating the issue with a request to send the crowds away to get their own food and in chapter 15 Christ stating His compassion on them and asking what they had. Their unbelief is stunning as to provision ( Matt. 15:33); in fact that is a common theme of the whole chapter; sadly.

DSCY222,

From what you've shared, I would say that you did the right thing. As far as trying to persuade others to leave any church, the only way they will leave is if the Lord persuades them to do so. I would like to believe that it was the Lord that persuaded you to leave. I'm glad that I was able to share something that you found helpful. Welcome to this forum. It is always nice when new believers join in the discussions and share their knowledge and love for the Lord. I pray that you find a better fellowship, a place where you will be fed spiritually.

May the Lord bless you always!

PBDisciple,

Thank you for both the Greek and Jewish greeting! I am neither Greek nor Jewish, but it is still nice to hear. I thank you also for the reply but I'm afraid my question was not answered. You shared 1 Peter 1:2 with me where we see the word "elect." My question is who are the elect in this verse? Since you sent that verse to me, I was hoping you would be able to share your understanding of the word elect in that particular verse. It is my belief that it is referring to the Jews. Any thoughts?

Also, thank you again for sharing another two great pieces of scripture from Ephesians. I am unable to make the connection on how any of those passages are referring to the elect. There is not one mention of the word elect in any of the verses you've shared, nor is the word found anywhere else in the book of Ephesians.

Again, I do thank you for your time. I look forward to your answer to my question on this word elect in 1 Peter 1:2.

God Bless!!!

James 4:14

14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

Today I just found out my cousin passed away; something my aunt hadn't revealed for weeks since my mom died January 16.

She was never very close but did offer to help out in any way she could when my mom passed away. I suspect some of her substance abuse issues in the past may have contributed to whatever caused her death when she was hospitalized with some sort of virus.

My aunt and I have agreed that for now we have to curb visiting my dad who is obsessed on returning home from the facility he is in; and lately has had some issues falling; which I witnessed last week when we briefly went outside.

Reaching the lost and being willing to take the time even if for a few minutes is something I need to work on; as I had a couple opportunities to hand out tracts today which I didn't take advantage of. Our church is trying to recruit more people for VBS by handing out circulars; etc. as well as get enough people to supervise the event.

One thing about evangelizing is that it gives others who do believe the confidence to reach out and do the same. It is a balance sometimes with going out of our comfort zones and yet being discerning where the Lord doesn't want us going-I have noticed sometimes a person goes away in those circumstances. Knowing what boundaries to set is something I am still dealing with; giving out any personal information is unwise at first which is another reason I am balancing the wisdom of now living on my own rather than with other believers. I'll have a better idea in the next week what my next course is as to whether I have an opportunity or not to sell the house and possibly move back to Pittsburgh where I have a network of friends evangelizing and my old full time job still should be available.

So I guess this is under prayer request; keep my unsaved family in prayer

Amended version 4th para:

"The four angels holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree' illustrates how the voice of the Lord has reached the end of the earth. Those 144,000 belong to the left behind church and they are the dry bones in the valley. "Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord." They are substitutes in place of Israel and it shows gospel of salvation gave them to be counted in. The Spirit set the case of Seth in order to explain how gospel does work. Notice they are servants of God. " Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads./And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel." (Rev.7.3-4)"

The Spirit in organising the God document does not leave loose ends. The group 'sanctified ones' are set apart 144,000 on mount Sion.(Rev.14.1) These 144,000 represent " Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel."(Ezek.37.11) Both belong to the army saints following the Word of God.

Ezek.37.9 "Prophesy unto the wind"-4

"Thus saith the LordGod; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live."

The writer to the Hebrews gives us an interesting analogy which has bearing on the key verse. "Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham./For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him." (Heb.7.10-11) In the beginning was the Word which is settled eternal in the heavens and it gives us the commentary on the transaction between Abraham and Melchizedek who is sent to the world to validate the blessings under the everlasting Covenant upon Abraham as the Father of many nations. So we are looking at nations from the world of the Spirit. On account of the fall of man sons of Adam are under the law of sin and death. Sin of disobedience covers the whole mankind.

If Levi paid tithes while he was yet in the Will of God what are we? By the same line of argument we were dead in sins, are we not? God had foreseen apostasy of Israel beforehand yet he sent prophets as the writer to the Hebrews says "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,/Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son." (Heb.1.1-2).God in His mercy gave the nation of Israel ample opportunity but they rejected Him. God does not judge anyone but has left all judgment to His Son 'whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.'( Jn 5.22-24)

The four angels holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree' illustrates how the voice of the Lord has reached the end of the earth. Those 144,000 belongs to the left behind church and they are the dry bones in the valley. "Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord." They are substitutes in place of Israel and it shows gospel of salvation gave them to be counted in.

Dear PBD

I agree with you that unregenerated people cannot bring themselves to God on their own. God draws the elect to Jesus by the Holy Spirit enabling them to believe the gospel and turn to Jesus in faith.

In regards to those in our sphere of influence, we do not know whether God is doing this to those who watch our lives. Those who are unbelieving but being drawn to Jesus due to being elected to salvation from eternity will see that we live godly lives and may inquire to know why we live the way we do. This is the door God uses to open the way for the gospel to be shared with such people. God does use such "means" to accomplish His purpose. By causing people to be ready to receive the gospel in faith, God uses believers to be a catalyst for such people to hear the gospel.

Our good works will either be used of God to draw elect ones to seek to know more about our faith or such works can result in unbelievers who are not elect to harden their hearts against God more.

My main point for my original post was to point out one of the important aspects of living godly lives in this world. That point is that others are watching us to see if we are genuine in our lifestyle and faith.

Ezek.337.9-10 "Gospel"-3

Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the LordGod; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.

'Come from the four wind' inform us we are looking at the world framed by the word of God. It is a vision where Ezekiel is set down as the double for the Son of man. Open valley also attest to it. The command number Four signifies the Word and is the Gospel given shape. In the book of the Revelation this address to O breath as voices. "And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices."(Rev.4.5) The voices is the Gospel of God which is given utterance as Ezekiel say,'O breath, and breathe upon these slain."For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me."(Rom.7.11) St Paul refers to his gospel since the Spirit set him apart for preaching to the Gentiles and he refers to the law of sin and death operating in his members. by sinning the Law of the Spirit judged him. By following the Law he was freed from condemnation.(Rom.8.1) Jesus Christ was manifested to destroy the works of the devil. God sent him to the world give life everlasting too those who believed in him. Thus Gospel of God is given utterance by man and by faith as the word of God say, the just shall live./So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.(37.10)

Whether this is the army that followed the Word is not for us to determine. "And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God./ And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean."(Rev.19.13-14) The four winds are under command of the Law. " holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree." (Rev.7.1)

Ezek.37.3-7 "According to the word of God"( 1 of 2)

"And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live?" The intent of the Spirit in including this vision is two- fold. we are given an insight into the creation of man. Secondly unity of the Spirit begins with man.

The Word was God from which all prophesies begin so the man is the culmination of the natural world signified by flesh as in v.6."And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the Lord." So the idea of it is summed up here,'And ye shall know that I am the Lord.'Without the breath it is useless. So we have the order which is found in the day five of the first chapter of the book of Genesis. 1.26 "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." The self same breath of God creates heaven and the earth, When he comes to man God wants him to know specifically as His son and also as the Law of the Spirit would require him. 'After our likeness ' supplies the glory of the knowledge of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Cor.4.6) God will, 'Ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the Lord. How does one know but by doing the complete will of God? God commanded Moses as to the quality:"And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." God prophesied thus to the winds and day five in Ge.ch.1 refers to the command number for the soul of man.

" 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."(Ge.2.7). Compare this with Ezekiel quote, 'Thus saith the LordGodunto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live." When God brought Eve to Adam he had no difficulty in understanding where she came from him. It is the foreknowledge and soul of man is a sign. So there is no excuse.

About the verses the were omited and changed I have gone through them and indeed its bad

Thank you for this response. I have heard about the Textus Receptus. I don't mind if u explain more if u have time.

I have been doing my research too, that verse was found in 1522 Desiderius Erasmus 3rd edition bible, and the bible that came thereafter. But if that verse were not in the original scrolls of the 1st century, then we have big problems us believers of KJV

Sixteen Verses Omitted from Modern Bibles

Matthew 17:21: "Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting."

Matthew 18:11: "For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost."

Matthew 23:14: "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation."

Mark 7:16: "If any man have ears to hear, let him hear."

Mark 9:44: "Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched."

Mark 9:46: "Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched."

Mark 11:26: "But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses."

Mark 15:28: "And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors."

Luke 17:36: "Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left."

John 5:4: "For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had."

Acts 8:37: "And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."

Acts 15:34: "Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still."

Acts 24:7: "But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,"

Acts 28:29: "And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves."

Romans 16:24: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."

I John 5:7: "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."

Willis43, to the best of my knowledge, 1 John 5:7 was part of the original manuscripts known as the "Textus Receptus" which was used to translate the KJV. It has always been a part of the KJV. Some modern bible versions omit 1 John 5:7 because they are translated from a different and contentious set of manuscripts called the "Alexandrian Text". The basic reasoning for using the Alexandrian Text is based on the idea that they are older than the Textus Receptus. However, it has been proven that the Alexandrian Text have over 2000 errors.

If you are interested in hearing more about how the KJV came to fruition, I highly recommend the audio series by Michael Gowens. It can be found on the "Sovereign Grace Publications" website in the "Sermons and Audio Resources" tab page 2. The name of the series is "A Tribute to the King James Bible on it's 400th Anniversary". I would include the web address but I don't know if it is allowed on this wesite.

Hi Jesse.

My first "Thank you" is for your time to reply my post. I posted twice as I wasn't sure how this forum works as I am new. I want to say "Thank you" again because you have written this >>"there is still the appearance of evil which every believer is to avoid."

This is the core of my contention for leaving that church and same time, trying to persuade others to do likewise. For the record, this is not the only sermon or rubbish this hireling is churning weekly, it gets worst.

"Thank you" again for the truth had set me free from the nagging feeling that I may be wrong in my assessment of this person. Knowing that I am not only, not perfect but a sinner, it is very scary to determine oneself whether the action and speech is God inspired or evil creeping it's way into me. Your reply have confirmed what I had sensed all along.

Have a blessed day and God bless.

Part 2

To the contrary, if, when you refer to " unbelievers" you meant the elect of God who have not been converted to the truth, it seems that scripture supports the idea that good works could have a positive affect in their conversion process.

The idea that good works can influence the unregenerate to belief in Christ cannot be supported by scripture. God's Word tells there is none good, and that we are dead in sin unless and until God regenerates them to life as shown in the following verses.

Ephesians 2:1,5 KJVS

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; [5] Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Colossians 2:13 KJVS

And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

Romans 3:10-12 KJVS

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: [11] There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. [12] They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

GiGi, grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

I apologized for the slow response, this website hasn't be coopertive with me!

Matthew 5:16 is a great example of why we should do good works, because it glorifies God. But that isn't what I meant when I said I don't understand. My question refers to you use of the word "unbeliever" in the context of your response. Please correct me if I'm wrong but I assume when you say "unbelievers" you meant those who are unregenerant.

It seems important to point out that neither belief nor unbelief have anything to do with regeneration. Belief is an evidence of regeneration, not a requirement for regeneration.

Ephesians 2:8-9 says it very clear,

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast."

Ephesians 1:4-5,11 also supoort the fact that man has no part in regeneration. It says "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: [5] Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, [11] 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:

According to the plain meaning of scripture, unbelievers would not believe if they could, and could not believe if they would. Romans 3:10-12 tells us, "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: [11] There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. [12] They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one."

As I mentioned, Matthew 5:16 is an excellent example why God's elect should do good works, but it has no spiritual affect on the unregenerate.

Continued

Hello Willis43,

Over the years, there has been some controversy over this verse. Prior to the 14th century, this verse was not found in any Greek manuscripts. It is believed to have been a scribe's notes on the side that somebody put into the text later.

Good evening Jesse, Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

The elect are those whom God chose before the foundation of the world and borns again unto redemption.

Ephesians 1:2,4-11 KJVS

Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. [4] 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: [5] Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, [6] To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. [7] In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; [8] Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; [9] Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: [10] 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: [11] 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:

Ephesians 1:13,18 KJVS

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, [18] The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

Hello DSCY222,

I did read your earlier post but not before you posted the second time. I'm not sure what you mean by a "Wonderful time" lady, but I can share my thoughts on this.

A man, whether he is a pastor or not is free to re-marry if his current spouse dies. You asked about this pastor justifying getting remarried to a "wonderful time" lady by using Titus 1:6. I would say that Titus 1:6 has nothing to do with his situation. What bothers me about this is that this pastor is having a wonderful time with another woman while his wife is still alive. It should not matter that his current wife is critically ill. He is still required to be faithful to his wife. No man, especially a pastor should become involved with another woman while he is still married. Even though there may not be anything sexual or romantic going on, there is still the appearance of evil which every believer is to avoid.

We see this same phrase "husband of one wife" in 1 Timothy 3:2. As I share before when I went through 1 Timothy, it is literally a one-woman man. That's the way it reads in the Greek text. It doesn't have anything to do with marriage, divorce, or re-marriage. It means to be a one-woman man, faithful to one wife.

I hope this helps. Thank you so much for your message.

God Bless!!!

Hello PBDisciple,

Thank you for reading my post. It is your right to disagree, and I have no issue with that. I do however stand by what I posted. Also, thank you for sharing 1 Peter 1:2. Since you bring up that particular verse, may I ask you who the "Elect" is in Verse 2? Is this word elect referring to Jews, Gentiles, or the church?

Thanks again!

Ezek.37.1-3 "Son of man" (1 of 2)

Last in the series we have this vision where the Spirit gives the appellation depth that also explains ultimately why Israel as a nation ended up with the decalogue and not with the everlasting Covenant which is established under the Law, the Law of the Spirit to be precise.

'The hand of the Lord was upon me,'

Ezekiel stands as the double for Jesus Christ as David is double for the Son. Before God set him as the watch man he had to obey God totally. "Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel."(Ezek.3.1) God sets Ezekiel 'after our likeness' as David is set after our image'. The difference is that the Word became flesh. God sets several tasks for the prophets in subsequent chapters to which we need not go into. In the fulness of time God sent Jesus Christ and the nation of Israel rejected him. Thus the Vision of Dry Bones broadly refers to the house of Israel but without the Son they did not merit the glory and honour of having 'my name' in them "Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared./Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my nameisin him."(Exod.23.20-21)

Consequently the command number refers to the law of sin and death while Number 12 made up of 3x4 is Word based. It is the gospel of God, everlasting Gospel which the angel preaches in Rev.ch.14.6. "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people," Everlasting accordingly is introduced in the first chapter of Gen.1 and it is established as the constitution of the kingdom of God.

The hand was upon the prophet so he is in the spirit as St John was, and set me down in the midst of the valley, which was open. So it is in heaven and has nothing of the earth.

Hello Free. I am so glad that you are back on here.

I have been praying for you often since you took a "vacation" from this forum. I am glad to hear that you are dedicating so much of your day in prayer, studying the Word, and enjoying the close fellowship you are having with the Lord each day. It is really a blessing to be able to slow down our lives and do this. It has been this way for me since I retired in 2020.

And the Lord led me to this site and I have been so blessed by the conversations and the comments that cause me to study Scripture, doctrine, and topics even more deeply.

Free, I hope to hear from you more often. How are things in Sweden?

We were supposed to have had a really bad storm the other night with high winds, golf ball size hail, and possible tornadoes (which is very rare in the Pacific Northwest). God answered the prayers that this storm would be lessened in intensity and pass over us and it happened the way I prayed.

Of course, the south and southeast got really bad storms recently that damaged so many homes. Many are still waiting for repairs. And there was loss of life, sadly.

So, we can be thankful when God answers prayers to spare us harm and troubles, and choose to trust Him when our prayers are not answered in those ways. Either way, we bless the Lord and give Him glory for our lives and times are truly in His hands.

Dear Donna,

I have not given up on you and Arhtur. I continue to pray for you both and for the situation.

In reading your post I was a bit confused about a few things.

Did you leave Arthur at his brother's house or did he come back home with you?

I am sorry that the trip went so poorly with the arguing and abusive language.

Being an addict, Arthur is controlled by his need for drugs. He will do whatever he can to access drugs. And, since he is well into adulthood, he has the freedom to do what he wills unless a court would determine he needs a guardianship.

We do not know what the times ahead will be for Arthur or what the outcome will be, but God does know all these things and more. He works in our lives 24/7 whereas we cannot do so. I ask for God to be merciful to Arthur and to be his strength in these difficult and dangerous times he is facing with his ill health and addiction.

I will continue to keep praying. I am glad to hear your updates and be reassured that I will intercede for all in this situation. You are doing what you can as a loving Mom, so feel good about that. I hope to talk again with you soon.

Blessings,

Acts 17:30

"And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:"

Matthew 18:3

"And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."

I have a question about 1 John 5:7. Was this verse added later on, or did it exist from the original Aramaic Bible?

Dear KJV Readers,

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Rev.20.9 "Beloved city"

Remember where St John stood while the beast came out of the sea?"And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea"(Rev.13.1) Abraham's seed on the basis of faith creates two sets of heirs of promise,Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable."(Heb.11.12) Those who are alive and dead before the living God holds no difference. He is the God of Isaac and Jacob. Remember it is the Spirit whose intent is our spiritual instruction and he is not like Josephus writing the history of Jewish nation. These heirs of promise as stars and as sand, by Jesus Christ consist.(Col.1.17)

By the same token Magog and Gog are labels as we refer to the names of Trump and Putin and do not concern us. The nations that have rejected Jesus Christ are deceived, and they cover the four quarters of the earth. The horns of the beast bear names such as Gog, and Magog but what is driving them is Satan. Devil works from the beginning and Jesus Christ was manifested to destroy the works of the devil.

This entire chapter sums up the consequence of God's word dividing the light from darkness so the unclean spirits mustered by Satan and the doomed spirits of the sons of perdition from beginning are participants. The same lake of fire awaits them.

"and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. In Rev.19 the same specifically signified the word of God.'which sword proceeded out of his mouth'. As with the beast and the false prophet the end of Satan shall be. Naturally the question arises, Do the events in ch.19 very from this chapter. We saw the will of God as events pictorially presented by the Spirit till ch.19. Chapter 20 is a summing up by the word of God. 'The nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, refer to the world framed by the word of God and not the world of nations with own borders.

Rev.20.9 "Beloved city" (1of 2)

"And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city"

'Is this beloved city Jerusalem?' It is not. Jesus in his earthly ministry categorically said,"Behold, your house is left unto you desolate./For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord."(Mt.23.38-39).

The city was in the making before the foundation of the world. "I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was."(Pro.8.23) Wisdom has built her house with seven pillars and posted her maidens inviting children of men with invitation,'come and occupy.' "She hath also furnished her table./She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,/Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither." (Prov.9.2-4)St Paul chose not to go by what is seen which is temporal but to be a fool if need be in the eyes of the world. "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."(1 Cor.1.28-29)

The city on the making is not on the earth. Abraham lived in tents with the heirs of the same promise," For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God."(Heb.11.10;13.14) So we are of dual nationality, pilgrims and sojourners here 'For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.' We are called for life abundant because Jesus promised, This makes us beloved of God and it is the city which is under siege from without. "And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city." Who are they? And (Satan) 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."(20.8)