Bible Discussion Replies PAGE 189

oops again,

I meant to cite Hebrews 1:8 not John 1:8

Fuji

in the middle paragraph I meant to say that I do not find the teaching that Jesus as just an idea or plan in the Father prior to being conceived in Mary.

I went back to review and what I posted and discovered how I misspoke. I do believe that Jesus is God with the Father and Holy Spirit forever.

Hi BJGibson

You wrote " I believe there is negative energy that is created from sin in the earth that triggers and puts negative events into motion."

This is actulaly what Paul says in Rom 8:19-22, "19For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until noW"

This world and the events that occuring is the result of man's disobedience in the Paradise. Nothing good, sin is dominating everything and everywhere. Apart from God's people. We belong to the Kingom of God and we are under His protection. Of course this doesn't mean that God has placed us inside a glassy cage where nothing touches us, we are still living in this sinful world and we are going through all that the rest are going through. But there is aiways a limit that God does not permit to exceed. And there will be a day that all that will end and we will be living on the new earth that He will create for us full of hapiness for ever. And with this hope we keep going in this life. Blessings.

Hello Chris

This is the problem brother. If one fears God since His is an Allmighty God, a God that millions of angels worship, and cherubims hide their faces infront of Him etc, then it is impossible for one to approach God as a beloved Father. For them God will always be a fearsome personality. Fear keeps one away from another person.

But inspite of all those, which are true, God is love. He is a "person" that descended from His highness in Heaven, He became one of us, not any man but a poor man, and tolerated so many bad things from people even accepted to be crucified, He actually aimed that. So we also speak about a humble God who emptied Himself from His powers and rights, full of love for mankind, ready to sacrifice Himself for us.

Jesus is God who became a man. Did His disciples or any other person fear Him? No, I don't think so. They were feeling a deep respect for Him, but no they were not afraid of Him. John in the last supper threw himself into Jesus' arms. That one can never do if they feel a fear, an awe for somebody.

Maybe I am wrong Chris, but I prefer to consider God the way I am considering Him, a dear father who is not hard to approach, ready to throw myself into His arms. I could not do this if I feel even a little bit of fear. Fear would always keep me away. Of course this does not mean that I could play and joke with God. No I do not mean that.

Well, I will be thinking of your comment. Thanks brother. GBU

"Resurrection" (2 of 2)

And he (one of the four and twenty elders) said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb./Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them."(Rev.7.14-15) The Lamb is now seated on the throne meaning that he is risen ns is on the right hand of the most High.(Heb.1.3)

Another clue we have with regards to 'a season', ' that they should rest yet for a little season," A season is with regards to the Covenant and the body of Christ. Compare with the rise and fall of ungodly nations in the night vision of Daniel. "As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time." (Dan.7.12) This a season and a time' refers to the overthrow of the beast and the false prophet into lake of fire in Rev.ch.19. Satan shall be loosed after a lapse of 1000 years.(Rev.20.7) Nations shall be deceived.

Daniel's vision refers, "But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever." This begins with the 1000 period. 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.. At this point the beloved city Jerusalem shall be holy city of God and Jerusalem on the earth. As Elijah brought fire from above (1 Ki.18) we have the fire coming out of heaven.

Finally new earth shall have nations that are saved which is distinct from the body of Christ. It is the footstool (Isa.66.1)

"And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it."(Rev.21.24-27)

"Resurrection" (1 of 2)

"And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, "(Rev.11.18)

Testimony of Jesus Christ indicates that there is an order in resurrection, and a time which is called 'the time of the dead." The Book bound with seven seals contain the full account which when the seventh angel sounds it brings the curtain down. "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever." (11.15) It refers to the night "the night cometh, when no man can work.'( Jn 9.4)

Parable of Jesus also gives us a sequence: "and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn."( Mt. 13.30). The tares or the heresies are the work of the enemy. Both nation of Israel and the imposter churches are to be weeded out."For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?"(1 Pe.4.17)

We have the first fruits tagged by a number "These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb./And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God." 12x12x1000 indicates Gospel of God and it is in terms of the Lamb. They are of one measure, of angel."According to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

Then there are 'the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held.'(Rev.6.9)

They ask, 'How long?' "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."(v.11)

These fellow-servants also have the same tag. (Rev.ch.7)

Hi,

I should fear God, just like I fear my parents. I do my best to love and have a high respect for my earthly fathers, in the same or similar manner I believe I should respect and reverence God our Father. Now when the earth moves, and the waters are troubled and the wind and rain are hard to bear I can wonder is God trying to tell me something or get my attention. These calamities get my undivided attention, however although I believe these are acts of God I believe the cause most of the calamity is the sin in the earth atmosphere that puts these events in motion. I believe there is negative energy that is created from sin in the earth that triggers and puts negative events into motion. (now the negativity could be coming from any part of the earth not necessarily stemming from where a calamity has taken place)

I also believe God doesn't have fear, I believe only man has fear. My fear is an emotion, to help me to know or learn what I may be feeling. My fear helps me know not to do certain behaviors due to consequences, for example. Fear is a tool to help me learn however I should not abused fear, love also is an emotion that I can use to learn and I shouldn't abuse either.

The scripture tells us that God hates sin, man being born in sin, etc. is separated from God due to man's sin nature, Ah Ha, God provided an answer to remedy my separation from God and to bring me back in relationship with God, that remedy is salvation in Jesus Christ. The word salvation comes from salvage, God had a plan from the beginning to salvage my relationship with God.

I asked God why so much challenges, I believe I understand that God wants us to be like Him. His only begotten Son Jesus the Christ is our template. In order for me to be like God, I must go through trials and tribulation to best understand God by way of my own personal journey and personal relationship with God, disregarding the interference from others.

The Revelation

"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:"

The Book with Seven seals refer to the entire revelation concerning the testimony of Jesus Christ. "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him". This is explained from this verse,"The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool."(Ps.110.1). Whosoever adds or removes are in danger of damnation. Rev.22.18-19 "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things," in two ways it shall visit him, 'God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book,' and 'God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." This applies to the entire since the Pauline dictum did not come by his will. "all things were created by him, and for him:/And he is before all things, and by him all things consist."(Col.1.16-17)

Command number Five refers to the soul. Trespass offering consists of one-fifth value added thereto the value (Lev.6.5) Four is the word become flesh so soul of a man is compared to an altar. "I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD."(Ps.26.6) What does fourth seal indicate? And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth." Those who refuse the word become flesh are condemned to be slain one-fourth part of the earth. In context of this what does signify," And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand." Israel is judged according to the Law of Moses so one tenth explain that Law of the Spirit judged them under Law of sin and death.

"Babylon"

"I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger, even them that rejoice in my highness." (Isa.13.3)

The wrath of the Lamb is come as was determined in the will of God. The emblem of the Lamb slain prophesied the death of his Son and consequently the wrath remains to be fulfilled. One of the four and twenty elders informs St John "behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof." (Rev.5.5). The Root of David introduces the nation of Israel as one of the nations coming up for the wrath of the Lamb. Which are the other nations that were judged? Sodom, Egypt were spiritually at par with Jerusalem ,"the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified." and we discussed how one-tenth of the city fell soon after the two witnesses were called up by a voice from heaven."And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them./And the same hour was there a great earthquake "(Rev.11.8, 12-13)

Here Isaiah as commanded of the Lord foreshadows the fall of Babylon, at the heart of which is the nation of Israel. It is described in the chapters 17-18. "Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it."(Isa.13.9) The day of the Lord is same judgement meted out to Jerusalem in the ch.11. " and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven." Here a remnant of the Jews gives glory to God. The rest are slain so the judgment as seen from the Law of the Spirit. From the POV of the Son we have the day know as day of the Lord. The stone thrown down (Rev.18.21) is also mentioned in the King's dream as interpreted by Daniel.

SHALOM

My apologies for my earlier miss quoted question about the meaning of the word gay, in the book of Jer 1:9. I meant the letter of Jer 1:9

SHALOM

In reading the book of Jer 1:9, does the word expressing the actions of the virgin as being gay mean happy or is it speaking to sexual transgression?

Blessings to you too CNC. Thank you.

in this chapter Jesus was asked to change a rock into bread

Later he fed 5000 people with his baking talents

Instead of feeding himself

he fed the crowd that was following him

Praying for you Brother, hang in there.

Thank you for your reply on this Chris. I did read it and I found it incredibly helpful. I'm sorry for my late reply. God Bless man!

Dear Sister in Christ,

I will be praying for your requests this week.

Alleluia!

A Correction:

In the last para second line:Thus one was blessed and the other was not judged.

Please read it as,"Thus one was blessed and the other was condemned."

Rev.11.2 "The Gentiles"

"But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months."

The term Gentiles are those who are not counted by God as worthy of Zion. These includes Israel as well the Gentile nations. They are numbered among the sanctified ones and are covered by 144,000. "And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her./The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there."(Ps.87.5-6)

Blessed are those who found favour. "Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple."(Ps.65.4) From the same Gentiles there are those who are enemies to Christ. The Spirit has illustrated this two groups at the cross. "And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us./ But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss./ And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom./ And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise."( Lk. 23.39-43)

Both malefactors were justly under condemnation but one found grace who pleaded with a right spirit, 'remember me'. Thus one was blessed and the other was not judged. The nation of Israel will resist and 42 belongs to the sons of perdition and the beast derives his power from the dragon. "and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months."(Rev.13.5-8) The name of Israel shall not be found in the book of the Lamb. Death of two witness and the city of Jerusalem is judged as with Sodom and Egypt. (Rev.11.8)

"Blessed"

"Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts:"(Ps.65.4)

According to the everlasting Covenant the sanctified one are those 144,000 standing on mount Sion. (Rev.14.1)There is another 144,000 which are mentioned in Rev.7. They have come out of the great tribulation. "These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb./ Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them./ They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat./ For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."(Rev,7.14-19)

Here we have the temple of God which is in heaven which is being prepared. The 144,000 refer to the body of Christ where every believer has a volume. There is another 144,000 that comes out of tribulation. These are the Gentiles. The two witnesses testify for 1260 days in order to bring them into the body of Christ."And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth."(Rev.11.3) The number foreshadow the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ for Three and a half years.

"And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein./ But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles." (11,1-2) The temple of God when it is ready shall have the testament of Jesus Christ. "And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake."(Rev.11.19)

Brother Giannis thank you for those worthy thoughts. And yes, your wife certainly gave you a great illustration in the role & attitude of a father to his children. One thing though that came to mind (& coming from left field): I realize that this is a 'non-Scriptural' thought, but how do we perceive or visualize our Father God in Heaven. We do have several glimpses, especially in The Revelation (mainly in chapters 4, 5, 7), about those elders, angels, & beings around His Throne worshiping Him - is that how we generally perceive this state in Heaven?

Speaking from my own perception, and given whatever the Word reveals about the presence of God & His Character, I don't at all sense that He is a happy-go-lucky father figure, entertaining humor & jokes from the beings of Heaven, or even joining in the activities of Heaven. I realize that some believers may sense the opposite to what I do and that's okay, since I feel that after all, it can only be an individual's perception, unless we've had an Isaiah or Paul experience.

Therefore, the "fear of God" speaks to me of an Almighty, Holy, Everlasting God Who ever exists, thinks, behaves, & causes things to happen both within & without, in a way that is far removed from what an earthly father (or, man) could ever be, whether to his children, family or others. Yes, as we can run to our earthly father to express ourselves or needs, so too we can approach our heavenly Father in & through His Spirit within us. But the fact of the very Nature of God & His relation to all His creation, and without any similarity to our humaness, our God is truly to be feared for His Majesty, Wisdom, & Power. Do we just hold Him in awe & reverence, or do we (or should we) come before Him as those beholding His Glory, as no earthly father can produce or expect? Maybe, if we do receive a vision of His Glory, then the word "fear" will hold a greater, compelling, & worthier meaning to us. Blessings.

Dear !DLHenri,

I am continuing to pray for Arthur and yourself.

Just wondering, does he have you or anyone else as a power of attorney or guardian?

I ask this because, if so, then the doctors and nurses and social workers can legally speak with this person concerning Arthur and his care.

When you are in the room with Arthur, does the staff fill you in?

I can tell that this is so very hard for you. I am sorry that things are not coming into place as you or Arthur needs.

Be persistent in calling on the Lord. He does hear you.

Making amends: Repentance in word and deed

Luke 19:8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.

Matthew 5:24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

"Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth." ( Ephesians 4:28).

These verses show that our actions should be part of what we verbally confess in order to bring restoration to those we have offended. THere are cases like with Paul where Barnabus stated in Acts 9:27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. This reminds us of the verse Proverbs 27:2 where another is to praise us rather than promotion of ourselves. In this case the early believers had to hear it from someone other than Paul himself for no doubt they feared he would entrap them and were doubtful that he was truly converted. This could be compared in some ways with a convicted criminal who sincerely is apologetic with a family of a victim when he has nothing to gain for himself-anyone can repent and part of OUR repentance is showing God's love toward those who offended us.

Repentance also involves a permanent turn from sin and not replacing one sin for another. This is one danger of those who say that they have a demon of "lust" or some other specific manifestation. The enemy will substitute one temptation for another; that is clear from the verses of Christ's temptation to go from satisfying hunger; to being suicidal and worshipping the Devil rather than God. We need to repent from actions and the lifestyle that leads to the broad road or directly to sin

(1 Timothy Part 11b):

1 Timothy 3:3 continued:

Not covetous; Now the normal word for covetousness in the bible, which is not this word, but the normal word PLEONEXIA means to have a desire to want more. You might say more what? Well, that's what covetousness is. It's the whole attitude of I've reached this level of material wealth in life, and the common desire amongst western culture people is to want the next level, the next step, the next thing.

That's covetousness, to want more than what you have, and the desire to have more than what you need. We just keep going and that's covetousness. But that's not this word here. This word is a single Greek word that means a love for silver or love for money. It's the same word used in Chapter 6 where he says the love for money is the root of all evil.

It doesn't say money is evil. It says the love for money. And the word love is PHILEO which means friendship. And unfortunately for many people, money is their best friend. We rearrange our whole schedules around money, what's going to make us the money, and how we're going to spend our money.

So, a person in leadership cannot desire or love money. Which as you know, if you watch TV, or heard enough in church, for people in ministry, that's a difficult thing because usually that's all they talk about.

In Verses 4 and 5 we have the crux of the whole book. It's the pivotal point and the center of the whole book. It says in Verse 4, and this is the 14th characteristic of the person who is the overseer.

(1 Timothy Part 11a):

1 Timothy 3:3 - Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

The 8th thing is "Not given to wine." Now that kind of sounds like there's a loophole there. Not given to wine. Literally, the Greek text means to not be alongside of wine. What does that mean? It means don't be associated with it. Don't even let it sit on the table next to you, even if it belongs to someone else. Stay away from it. Don't be associated with it.

No striker, and that's the literal translation, somebody who does not use their fists to handle their situations. It is somebody who does not beat up other people.

Then the next thing which is our tenth thing and it's only in the Textus Receptus manuscripts. You won't find it outside of the King James Bible.

Not greedy of filthy lucre; Now before I understood what that meant, just by those words I didn't want anything to do with it. I had no idea what filthy lucre was, but I didn't want to find out. It's literally one Greek word that means do not desire or be greedy of shameful gain. It means that if you're in a position of leadership in the church, that issue of your relationship with the world and your desire for worldly material things, it has to already be settled.

But (meaning in contrast to that), but patient, that is, you wait back. You're not known to be out in the world. You're known to be moderate. You hold back. You don't need to go there. You don't need that!

Then it says not a brawler. That is self-explanatory.

(1 Timothy Part 10c):

1 Timothy 3:2 continued:

Next: To be of good behavior. Some people would be eliminated there. But good behavior comes from the Greek word KOSMION, like cosmetics, and it means to have an orderly lifestyle disciplined and orderly.

Next: Given to hospitality. This has nothing to do with parties, or the church Christmas party has got to be at his house. It has nothing to do with that. In fact, the word hospitality, it's one Greek word. It's a compound word that means to love or be fond of strangers.

I think I shared this in the past, but it has to do with the believers who come into town on the Lord's business, and they have nowhere to stay. And believers opened their homes to other Christians, people who were strange in that city, and had no place to go or no place to stay. So that's what it's talking about. Be hospitable to other believers that have no place to stay, as they're traveling through your town.

After giving the hospitality, it says apt to teach; And it literally means have the ability to teach. An overseer, and especially a pastor, must be able to teach God's word.

(1 Timothy Part 10b):

1 Timothy 3:2 continued:

As I mentioned in part 10a, there are 16 qualities that are necessary for a bishop, elder, or pastor.

First of all, it is necessary to be blameless. This word means that he is unable to be impeached. You can accuse him of things, you can spread rumors about him, but there must be at least two or three witnesses to bring a conviction in court. You can't just accuse a leader of something. You have to prove it. And there must be at least two or three witnesses, and this person cannot be eligible to be impeached. If he can be impeached for any of the moral problems or areas that he's presenting here, then he cannot be an overseer. So, he must be blameless, unimpeachable.

Secondly, the husband of one wife, and remember, all of this goes with (to be), to exist as the husband of one wife. How can a woman be an overseer (Bishop, Elder, or Pastor) and be the husband of one wife?

Now the way the Greek text reads, it reads a one-woman man. That's the way it reads. It has nothing to do with marriage, or divorce, or remarriage. It has nothing to do with any of those factors as far as the text is concerned. He must be a one-woman man, faithful, period! We're talking about faithfulness. He must be unimpeachable. He must be a one-woman man.



Next: He must be vigilant. That means attentive, to be watching, because Satan is always on the prowl. So, he's got to be taking inventory of his life and taking care of things as they're happening.

Then it says sober. This has to do with sober mindedness. This has nothing to do with alcohol or that type of sobriety. It means to have a frame of mind that thinks in wisdom and facts according to God.

(1 Timothy Part 10a):

1 Timothy 3:2 - A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

I would like to spend a little bit of time here because I believe there's some very important teaching here concerning the qualifications of a bishop. And please keep in mind that this word for bishop (EPISKOPOS) is also interchangeable with elder and pastor.



But here is a very important technicality I want to share with you. It says in the text a bishop then must be, and then he starts his list. The word "must" is the word necessary. It is necessary. And then in the Greek text, it says (to be), not just be, but to be. That is what is called a Present Tense Infinitive. It means to presently exist with these qualities. It has nothing to do with the past, and obviously nothing to do with the future. It is right now presently that these are the qualities and the character of this person.

There are a couple of highlights here that people use, but it's not really a text about marriage and divorce, or relationships. This is all about character. This is all about faithfulness. If you are into marking in your bible, you might want to write off to the side 1 Corinthians 4:2. Paul says there is one requirement of those who are stewards, or ministers, and that is faithfulness. That's the only requirement. If you read that into each one of these qualities, you will see that Paul is saying that to be an overseer, a (man) must be faithful in all of these areas. There are 16 of them.

Two witnesses-3

"And when they shall have finished their testimony,"Rev.11.7

These two witnesses testify and their testimony is true. Jesus said, "It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true." man and angel representing the pillar of cloud and of fire respectively correspond to man with his inner man. So John refers to it, "He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son."( 1 Jn 5.10; Jn 8.17)

Once again Jesus speaks, this time it is of the night, "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work."(Jn.9.4). For their testimony they are killed.

God fashioned all hearts alike so it a testimony against the unbelievers, "And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half," And when they rise from death, their testimony is complete. "And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them./ And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven."(11.12-13)

The Spirit gives us clues there that it is Jerusalem and the Jews are intended. The earthquake was a signal for those who crucified Jesus."Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost./And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent."(Mt.27.50-52). One tenth refers to the Decalogue and the Law of sin and death. The Word of the Law judged them and 7x1000 tells the truth. The city shall be lifted up so it is no longer but New Jerusalem that is the focus. (Zec.14.5,10) Once again earthquake is mentioned, 'yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah.'

What is "fear of God". Should we, His children, "fear God?"

In the past I was troubled by having two different feelings. One feeling that says that God is your dear Father who loves till death and a feeling that says that God is a fearsome, powerful God, with whom one should keep a distance from. After all He is God, not a man. Two opposite feelings.

One time as I was trying one more time to think what is the proper way to approach and think of God, I just asked my wife what she thinks of it. And she said something very simple to me," how would you like your son to see you and approach you?" And I said that I would like my son to love me, to appreciate what I have done for him, to trust me that I want the best for him and to respect me as a father. I would never liked that my son fears me, I would feel like a failed father if that had happened. So she said it is the same with God. Love Him, trust in Him, appreciate what He has done and doing for you and respect Him like a Father but do not fear Him. He wouldn't like this. Fear God means respect God as a Father.

So we should not fear God BUT we should fear about our salvation and be very serious about it. Philippians 2:12, "12Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." Let us obey God, let us not play games with sin, be careful, stay away from anything that could turn us to a different direction than that of the narrow way, along Jesus' footprints, which ends up in Heaven, Every other way leads somewhere else, not in Heaven.