The 144,000
From my understanding, various groups have claimed that they are the 144,000 that is referred to in this chapter (Revelation 7:4-8). The 144,000 (according to Dave Guzik and his research) are not the Jehovah's Witnesses, the Mormons or any of that. Some points that he uses are not only from Revelation 7 (see above) but also Revelation 14 (verses 1, 4 and 5). Guzik concludes that it is best to see the 144,000 as "chosen Jewish people who "came to faith in Jesus." It would not make sense for other sects of Christianity to lay claim to be the 144,000 if their membership is over that number. That would mean that everyone over those 144,000 were not believers, which goes against scriptural teaching and understanding as far as what Jesus said.
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Verify the Teaching
2 John 1:9 tells us that anyone who is teaching the word needs to abide in the Father and the Son. Anything less or more is incorrect. Don't let these teachers in your house. Furthermore, why would you want to let them in your house? If they teach that Jesus isn't the son yet you know differently, why would you allow falsehood into your life? Anything more than the Father and the son is like saying Jesus isn't good enough. Look, we do include the Holy Spirit but not as an extra, but as an inclusive part of the Father and Son. The Spirit comes from God, not some extra reach from another culture. You are responsible fore the teaching you allow in your life and do not check. If your math teacher tells you that 20 + 20 is now 60, would you not disagree, argue or consider them a fool? Do the same thing with Scriptural teachings.
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Suffer and Glorify
When someone murders, steals, meddles in others business or generally does evil and gets caught it can be very shameful. No one feels good after getting caught in doing something wrong. They suffer from the shame. But, if someone is to suffer as 1 Peter 4:16 points out for being a Christian, then do not be ashamed. Why would you be ashamed for being a Christian/Christ follower? instead of being ashamed, glorify God's name as the rest of 1 Peter 4:16 says. That is our focus in our life. Yes we slip, stumble and fall, but overall, where are we centered and where and to what are we grounded? Let the Lord be glorified.
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Servants and Masters
With reading 1 Peter 2:18-22, I didn't want to address the servants and masters issue that some Bible detractors will try to bring up to discredit scripture and say how it encourages slavery. When if read properly the reader (detractor will see) that the Bible was not seeking to institute slavery, it was trying to show people how to respond in various situations and circumstances. Even doing this ministry over the last few years, God has told me some things that I was not ready for and didn't want to do, including starting the ministry itself. But in this regard, we have Peter speaking to servants who, of course, would want to fight back for being beaten/whipped for sinning against the master. The first part is the sin of the servant against the master. Compare that to the way we as God's children sin against God and we are punished for it. Are we supposed to fight God, our master? No. The same "rule" applies here as servant hood was not the same during this time or in this example as the slavery we understand from American slavery. This was servanthood to pay off debts. So Peter's words here are about enduring when being punished for wrongdoing against the person you went into an agreement with. Even when you are innocent, Peter's words are to "endure" the punishment as Christ was also innocent and that endurance will be a testimony to you in honor of God through Christ and his endurance.
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Just Ask God
Just ask God for what you need and what you want in life. There is nothing wrong with asking God. The worst He will answer is no. He may say yes...or he may say wait. Either way, you can ask God for your needs and wants. God wants to hear from you. Just like a parent that says call all the time to their children it is a way to stay connected. It is also a way to prioritize what you want to ask God, not that He can't take all of your requests on (God is all powerful), but when you are requesting something from God it may spark some "would God want me to have this" thinking. Sometimes we want things just because we want them. Like "God please get me approved for this loan so I can get this sports car cuz I look so cool in it and I know that will attract women." Or "God please help me get this job so I can get discounts on their clothes." Whatever you take to God, needs or wants, asking Him will allow you to double check your intentions before you ask. This is what we learn in 1 John 5:14. The name of Jesus is strong as Jesus is the son of God, so whether we ask Jesus or the Holy Spirit or God himself for what it is we want or need, let it be in God's will. Check yourself. You may see that your intentions are not God honoring and it may allow you to reset your aims.
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Faith Without Works
James 2:19-20 exposes the view points of those who claim to be Christians/Christ Followers, but they lack evidence to prove their status. Just because you known that Jesus is God in the flesh doesn't make you more of a believer than others nor does it solidify your belief either. Even the demons know that Jesus is Lord (James 2:19). Once you know Jesus is Lord then how does that play into your life? What do you do with that? Sit on it? Tell others? Serve others because you are a good person or because you serve the Lord and serve others? basically,m just because you have faith, if you do nothing with it, then what is the point (James 2:20).
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Do What It Says
James 1:22 jumps out to me as it reminds me of how may people see Scripture. They can read it and even understand it, but do not follow through with it. In verses 23-24 it says that anyone who is not a doer of the Word after having heard it is like someone who forgets what they look like as soon as they look away from a mirror. So, why hear and understand the Word of God and and then not do what it says? Do you disagree? Did you forget? You have heard it and you understand it. There are resources to seek further understanding. There are no excuses.
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How Tough Is It Right Now?
Have you heard the saying, when the going gets tough, the tough get going? There was even a song about it by Billy Ocean in 1986. But, from scripture, we can know and understand that when things get difficult for us it can be seen as discipline. Having money troubles? Maybe God wants you to cut back on your spending. Maybe God wants you to trust Him through hardships. Maybe you shouldn't have taken that job as it didn't pay enough and you made a bad decision. What ever happens is not always "God punishing me." Your earthly father disciplines you and you respect him, but God does it and you curse Him. Why?? In Hebrews 12:7 we read "It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?" God is disciplining us. It isn't going to be easy. We can make decisions that back fire on us because we weren't doing what God wanted from us to begin with. See the discipline not as punishment but as a guiding for a new direction.
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Faith, Substance and Evidence
Hebrews 11:1 is one of those verses that really describe what faith is for Christians. Faith is the "substance of things hoped for". That substance is what I hope for. This is not like hope for a new job or a better car, but we are talking about a hope in God and in our redemption to Him. "The evidence of things not seen" is the other part of faith. We have not yet seen the results. We have not seen the inner workings of what is happening as we hold on to our faith. We hope for things to happen as they relate to God's will for our lives and we have faith that they will.
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Blood for Sins
The old covenant was solidified by blood (Hebrews 9:22). It was the blood of animals that were used as a sacrifice for sins of men. But when Jesus sacrificed himself, did that not hold more weight with sacrifice for sins than an animal? The writer makes this point once again by pointing what would be flawed logic for those that say Jesus was equal to or less than High Priests. Jesus shed his blood for your sins further solidifying his sacrifice. And that shedding of blood by Jesus was what we needed to be redeemed to God.
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Jesus the High Priest
Jesus was not equal to High Priests. If anyone sees Jesus as just another prophet then they are sadly mistaken. If you read the entire chapter of Hebrews (especially Hebrews 7:11-25) you will see how the writer explains in context how Abraham had a high priest to whom he would pay tithes and that priest was one of a number that would be named the High Priest (one at a time) and that also allowed for the belief that perfection could be attained this way (I hope I am understanding this correctly). Now, if that is the only way perfection can be attained then how did Jesus do it? He didn't go through the same process as the other High Priests. And it was written "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, 'You are a priest forever'" in reference to Jesus. Therefore when we comes across Hebrews 7:27 we know that Jesus did not have to pay tithes or offer any kind of sacrifice to God for his sins (because he was sinless) we know that Jesus died for our sins so that we can be reconciled to God.
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Jesus is an Anchor
If you know even a little about nautical experiences then you know that an anchor has a purpose. It is not just the tattoo that Popeye or Navy guys have on their forearms. It is a tool to use when the seas get rocky and start to rock the vessel to and fro. When things get scary utilizing the anchor will keep the ship from sinking or from being overtaken by the waves created by the storm. Our lives have storms and those waves are the problems that come along with the storm. When the seas get rough and we want to keep from sinking in stress and being overwhelmed, keep anchored to Jesus. In Hebrews 6:19 we read "We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain..." Jesus is more than a great guy. He is your Lord and Savior and your anchor when problems arise.
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God's Grace is Free
Grace is a wonderful thing. It is an important intangible. Grace is not something you earn. It is given freely. It is a gift. A gift that we all need in our relationships and in our relationship with God. In Romans 11:6 we understand that when it comes to our salvation (our eternal existence in Heaven) that the only reason why we get that chance is grace. The grace comes from God freely. We literally do not have to do anything to receive this grace, other than accept. You don't have to serve 50 homeless people for 10 years. You do not have to memorize 40 Bible verses and wrote 6 essays. All you have to do is accept God's grace that is free to you in order for you to have salvation.
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Near to the Throne
Hebrews 4:16 can be broken down in several ways. First, we can have confidence when we draw near to the thrown of Grace. We have been tempted as Jesus was tempted, so since he has experienced the same as we have, his grace and mercy does not expire. He has empathy and understanding for us as our experiences have been his also. Second, when you draw near to the throne that is how you can receive mercy. You do not have to drag those sins with you throughout life. God's mercy and grace through Jesus has relived us of that if we desire to believe that and follow Jesus. Not only do we need grace in various times but we can also give grace when needed to others. I need it. You need it. They need it. We need it. God gives it.
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Daily Encouragement
One can look at Hebrews 3:13 and assume that encouragement means to just encourage others to do what ever it is that they want to do or that we want them to do. If we encourage others to do what they want that could lead to enabling. If we are encouraging others to do what we want then that could be manipulation. We need to encourage one another daily in what the Lord would want for us. We don't want to succumb to sin as the rest of verse 13 states. So if we fellow brothers and sisters in Christ encourage each other to follow after God's heart and serve His will and not our own, that will pull us closer to Him and push us further away from sin. Your Christian walk was not meant to be done alone.
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Know the Power of Jesus
Hebrews 2:18 reminds us of the power within Jesus for us when we endure hard times. Hard times will come, but focusing on the Lord will help us overcome. We have to understand who Jesus is though. The writer says "For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." That means, if anyone understands and can empathize with what you are experience when it comes to pain and hurt and just being overwhelmed, then it is Jesus. No angel can relate because no angel was sent to die for the sins of man.
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Radiance of God's Glory
When the author (maybe Paul??) wrote that "the son is the radiance of God's glory (verse 3)" it sets up a picture painted with truth from scripture by understanding what has been written and what has not been. Jesus was not the same as an angel. Angels are not God's begotten son (verse 5). Angels were to worship God's son as referenced in verse 6. Lastly, angels did not sit at God's right hand (verse 13). Angels and Jesus are not the same. Only Jesus is God's only son, no one else.
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Be Loving Anyway
It can be very difficult to be loving to someone who is not being loving to you. Maybe they have insulted you or something like that and now you want to verbally retaliate. But ask yourself, does that honor God? If you are trying to figure out how you can insult someone in a round about way, then you are not focused on being loving. You are focused on revenge or vengeance. All we do is to be God honoring, even toward those that do not know or care for Jesus.
Remember that time they said/did that thing that hurt you? I mean it really hurt. You may have an emotion scar or even a physical one. The life of Jesus says for us to still love them. WHAT?!?! Yes, still love them. That does not mean you let them in your house and trust them. But it does mean get right in your heart and head (over and over again if need be) and forgive them. You may think, how am I supposed to do that? Well, ask God how he does it with you for those times you did people wrong or hurt someone? I struggle with looking at the words of others and think "that's not the Christian response" and then I think of the several things I said that day/week that are also not the Christian response. I need to repent and not just keep sinning. I need be loving like Jesus said in John 13:34.
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Division and Deeds
Paul tells Titus to be careful of those who cause division in the church in Titus 3:10. Paul says, "As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned." He isn't saying don't give them a chance, but he is saying after so many times, move on from them. The whole church is bigger than an individual who is not unified with others in Christ.
Paul also tells Titus "And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful." This reminds me today of so many of us who do not serve as Christ did and think we are "good Christians." We all have some kind of ability to help someone, not just our family and friends. Even the pagans can serve their families. Christ followers need to step it up.
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Continue With the Learning
Paul makes a great point in 2 Timothy 3:14. He says to Timothy "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it." In verses 10-13, Paul is commending Timothy for following his example as a mentor and then tells him that Christ followers will be persecuted and that evil people will continue doing what they do being deceived and deceiving others. I think that is (while it is very specific to Timothy) great encouragement to continue in the faith while others will not and try to persuade you not to. I know far too many people who have a problem with me having the faith that I have in an "invisible God." They lack faith and do not understand Jesus's life as I do. But I will continue in my learning of who God is, who Christ is and who I am with the holy spirit.
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