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  Here is a link to four  VIDEO CLIPS  of Christian’s standing for peace.

Did Jesus Christ tell the truth all of the time or just some of the time?  Did Jesus Christ tell the truth when He declared the following: ” …I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6) 

With that thought in mind, I want you to think about something for a moment. Did Jesus Christ tell the truth about Hell?  Do you think that maybe he was trying to deceive us about this place of torment, or was He trying to warn us about an eternal place that is very real?  Of course I believe the latter and there is not a doubt in my mind that Hell is as real as the ground that you and I walk on.

 The words below are the words of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He is also known as the First and the Last and the Alpha and Omega. (Revelation 1:11)  Every single person who is reading this blog will stand before him one day and give an account for their life.  If you declare yourself to be a believer in Jesus Christ then you must also believe his words.

There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. (Luke 16:19-31)

Lessons Learned From Jesus Christ

 

Hell is real

People are conscious in Hell

People can hear in Hell

People can talk in Hell

People can remember in Hell (they remember their lives on earth)

People cannot escape from Hell

People are tormented in Hell

People in Hell do not want their relatives to end up there

People need to believe the scriptures

People need to repent and get right with God

The word that is used for HELL in this passage of scripture is the Greek word HADES which can be defined as the place of departed souls.  Remember that Jesus Christ is the one that is telling the story here. It is very interesting that Jesus Christ, who was the most compassionate human being to ever walk this earth went into such extreme detail here in describing the torment that the “rich man” in HELL was experiencing.

Jesus actually told us that the “rich man” was begging for a drop of water on his tongue.  Can I accuse Jesus of being  too harsh for using such language?  Can I accuse Jesus of being too hard for telling us about the impossibility of the “rich man” escaping the torment that he was in?

People often accuse Christians of using scare tactics, or of preaching “fire and brimstone” messages to scare people, but I use Jesus Christ Himself as my example. In other words, I will speak the words that are recorded  in my Bible.  If Jesus Christ preached about HELL then I will also preach about HELL.

After Jesus rose from the dead He encouraged His disciples to preach the gospel to the whole world. Jesus told them that the believers would be saved and the unbelievers would be damned.  (Matthew 16:15-16)  What does it mean to be DAMNED according to Jesus Christ?  Listen to Him for yourself! 

Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? (Matthew 23:33)Do not use vague terms such as telling people that  they are going to a “Christless Eternity” because that would be like heaven to them. They do not want Christ now, and they just might figure that they are alright without Him in eternity also.   Tell them the truth about HELL the same way that Jesus told them.  Take my word for it on this one. God will honor you for doing that simply because God  always honors His Word,  even ABOVE His own name, and don’t you ever forget that.I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. (Psalms 138:2)It is the obligation of EVERY true bible believing Christian to preach the gospel and to warn the sinners about the damnation of HELL. How can we stand by and not warn the souls who are perishing all around us?  In fact I pity the minister who stands in the pulpit Sunday after Sunday and never warns the people about HELL.  That is not the LOVE of God at all.  God is LOVE and  Jesus Christ is God, and Jesus Christ preached often about Hell, and we need to do the same.

At another time Jesus declared that when the Son of Man (Himself) comes in His Glory, He will separate the sheep from the goats. The sheep are placed on the right hand and the goats are placed on the left hand. (Matthew 25:31-33)  The “sheep” (God’s people) inherit the Kingdom prepared for them.  But Jesus declared that there would be a different fate for the “goats” who did not follow the Lord.

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: (Matthew 25:41)

JUDGMENT DAY

Ultimately the place called HADES will be cast into the “lake of fire” and that will be the place of   “everlasting fire”  and  “everlasting punishment.”   You can choose to reject the teachings of the Word of God if you so desire, but the words will always remain true. but the words of Jesus Christ will never pass away according to Jesus Himself. (Matthew 24:35)  You can call HELL a myth if you so desire, but I tell you in love, that you are in for the shock of your death.

 You will NOT be annihilated and exist no more.  There is no second chance either.  Jesus NEVER spoke about a place called Purgatory and it is not to be found in the Bible.  Jesus NEVER spoke about being reincarnated and it is not to be found in the Bible.

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 (HADES) delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and HELL (HADES) 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. (Revelation 20:11-15)

 I do not believe for a moment that the people who are presently in HELL (HADES) are having a BIBLE STUDY wondering whether they are in SHEOL, HADES, or the LAKE OF FIRE.  Not for a moment. They are in absolute torment according to Jesus Christ.

The very SAME Jesus Christ who spoke so clearly about HELL is the very SAME Jesus who laid down His life upon the cross for us.  Jesus Christ died as a substitute in our place. 

Many  people fall into the fatal trap of thinking that they are a “good person” and when they die they hope that their own “goodness” or their own “good deeds” will outweigh their “badness” or their own “bad deeds.”   They are hoping  that the eternal “scales of justice” will weigh in their favor, when the truth of the scriptures has already proclaimed them GUILTY! 

 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:19-20)

The Law of God absolutely silences every single man and woman on earth from justifying themselves before a holy and righteous God. If you want to look for an  “axis of evil”  you need not look any further than your own heart.

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9)

 Do you understand that you are spiritually DEAD in the sight of Almighty God?  Do you understand that God is offering you SALVATION and ETERNAL LIFE in His Son Jesus Christ?

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (Romans 5:8-9)

You do not have to end up in Hell like so many billions that have lived before you. The Gospel of Jesus Christ has been mocked for centuries and those that mock the gospel in modern times are no different than those that went before them.

Jesus Christ said “…repent and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15)

My friend, please remember that these words about Hell were spoken by Jesus Christ Himself, the very creator of all things. Do not gamble with your soul as the rich man did in this true story.

Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? (Matthew 23:33)

For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek (Gentile): for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:12-13)

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Bible Study Synopsis

The New Testament Men Of God Honored God’ Word- The apostle Paul declared that all scripture is inspired by God and is everything we need in the way of righteousness. Peter one of the original disciples of Jesus Christ, and an eyewitness to many incredible miracles of the Lord Jesus Christ, exalted the Word of God above them all. (2 Peter 1:16-21) We can depend upon the Word of God to be a light for our path. (Psalm 119:105) We must not mix the Word of God with man made tradition, psychology, our own opinions or anything else. Any type of mixture will produce a perverted and corrupt Gospel.

The Old Testament Men Of God Honored God’s Word – Jeremiah said that it brought a rejoicing to his heart (Jeremiah 15:16) and he compared it to fire and a hammer (Jeremiah 23:29) Isaiah declared that the Word of God was the determining factor of whether a person had “light” in them. (Isaiah 8:20)and that the word of God would never return void. (Isaiah 55:11) Job said that God’s Word (spiritual food) was more important than his necessary (physical) food. (Job 23:12)

The Old Testament Prophecies Prove God’s Word True- Micah prophesied the birthplace of Jesus the Messiah in Bethlehem. (Micah 5:2/Matthew 2:6) Zechariah prophesied that the King of Israel, just and having salvation, would ride into Jerusalem on a donkey. (Zechariah 9:9/Matthew 21:1-5) Isaiah prophesied of the death of the Messiah approximately 700 years before the event actually took place. (Isaiah 53:1-12) No other “Holy Book” can make the claim that the Bible makes because no other book has Biblical prophecies with a 100 percent accuracy rate.

Jesus Christ Honored The Word Of God - Jesus Christ quoted from God’s Word three different times in fighting off the devil when he came against Him. (Matthew 4:1-11, Deuteronomy 8:3, 6:16, 6:13) and Christ also declared that the very words He spoke would be what judged us in the last day. (John 12:4

The New Testament Men Of God Honored God’s Word

The apostle Paul penned those words nearly two thousand years ago and they are just as true today as they were back then. We need not look any further than the scriptures themselves, to find everything we need, concerning the salvation of our soul and how to continue on in our walk with the Lord. It is all found in the Word of God.

The apostle Peter was one of the original disciples of Jesus Christ and as a close companion of Christ he was a witness to the many things that Jesus did.

Peter Was There When:

Jesus performed many incredible miracles

Jesus cast demons out of the possessed

Jesus raised the dead to life again

Jesus healed the sick of their diseases

Jesus caused a raging storm to cease with three words “Peace Be still”

Jesus was transfigured on a mountain top and spoke with Elijah and Moses about His coming death at Jerusalem

And yet after all of those amazing experiences Peter wrote the following words:

For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 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 1:16-21)

The apostle Peter shows us in this excerpt from one of his letters that he knew the value of the scriptures and he placed them above any of the experiences mentioned above. Peter made a point of writing down the fact that he was there as an eyewitness of the majesty of Christ upon that holy mount (mountain) when the glory of God shone upon Jesus Christ. Peter was referring to the time when he along with John and James saw Jesus Christ transfigured before their very eyes and they saw the glory of God all over Him. They also saw Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus about the death which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. (Luke 9:28-31) I encourage you to read the gospel accounts in Matthew 17:1-13, Mark 9:1-13, and Luke 9:28-36 because there is much to learn there.

Peter contrasts that awesome mountaintop experience, described above with the “more sure word of prophecy” which are the scriptures themselves. Peter learned through experience that even after being an eyewitness to such great things that his faith could still be attacked. Do not forget that Peter denied the Lord three times when trouble came his way, and the rest of the disciples also vanished at that same point in time. Peter would eventually learn to trust in the Lord and the infallibility of His Word and stare death in the face. (John 21:18-19) .

We cannot separate TRUE faith from believing the Word of God. They are absolutely inseparable. If you say that you believe in God then you must believe the words that He spoke! And within the Word of God you will find the right path that God wants you to take.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalms 119:105)

A fatal trap that many people fall into is when they start to MIX the Word of God with something else and therefore pollute the scriptures and come up with a mixture that will lead them astray.  Beware of those who add their own books and place them alongside the Bible and tell you that they are on an equal par with God’s Word.  The Lord does raise up people to teach and help others understand His Word but we are not to ADD or TAKE AWAY from His Word.

It is NOT the Word of God plus the traditions of man

It is NOT the Word of God plus man made psychology

It is NOT the Word of God plus man made opinions

It is NOT the Word of God plus something else

It is JUST the Word of God!

The Old Testament Men Of God Honored God’s Word

Jeremiah the prophet said this regarding the Word of God Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. (Jeremiah 15:16) Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? (Jeremiah 23:29)Isaiah the prophet said this regarding the Word of GodSo shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11) To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. (Isaiah 8:20)
Job the man of God said this regarding the word of GodNeither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. (Job 23:12)The Bible has something that every other “Holy Book” does not have and that is prophecy.  There are scores of prophecies that are found in the Bible and many of them deal specifically with Jesus Christ.  This is not one of those tabloids that you buy in January that makes some predictions, most of which never happen but these are prophecies that were spoken hundreds of years beforethe evnts actually took place. Can you name ONE other “Holy Book” that can make that claim? Do not think too hard because there are NONE! Here are just a few references that you can check out for yourself.

The Old Testament Prophecies Prove God’s Word True

Micah, the prophet declared that the Messiah, the one who was “from everlasting”, meaning eternal, was to be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) and that is the very place where Jesus Christ was born. (Matthew 2:6)

Zechariah the prophet prophesied that the King, who is just, and having salvation would ride into Jerusalem on a donkey (ass). (Zechariah 9:9) and Jesus Christ, the King of the Jews rode into Jerusalem on a donkey (ass) just as Zechariah declared He would! (Matthew 21:1-5)

Isaiah prophesied of the death of Christ almost 700 years before the event actually took place. (Isaiah 53:1-12) and Christ, the Messiah, died just as he prophesied. (John 19:30)
There are absolutely scores of other prophecies in the Bible and I encourage you to take the time to study them for yourself.

Jesus Christ Honored God’s Word

Jesus Christ Himself used the Word of God to refute the temptations and the liesof the devil when he came to tempt him in the wilderness. Three different times the Lord quoted from the book of Deuteronomy , and He preceded each of those quotations with the words “IT IS WRITTEN!” (Deuteronomy 8:3, 6:16, 6:13) refuting the DEVIL at every single point with the scriptures. (Matthew 4:1-11)  If the Lord Jesus Christ found the Word of God to be that important, how much more do we need to know and use the Word of God ourselves? Not only that but Jesus told us that the very words that He spoke would be what would judge us in the end:

Have Ye Not Read?

At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? (Matthew 12:1-5)

The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, (Matthew 19:3-4)

But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.(Matthew 22:31-32)

And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: (Mark 12:10)

The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. (Psalms 118:22)

He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. (John 12:4

Preach God’s Word

It is the Word of God that makes all the difference and it is the Word that needs to be preached to the lost souls all over the world. The pulpit is the place where the Word of God is to be preached and expounded on because it is the truth that sets people free. It is not a crime to have a healthy and sanctified sense of humor but when that becomes the rule and jokes become too common it can cheapen the gospel and send off the wrong message to the listeners especially when souls are at stake.

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. (2 Timothy 4:1-5 )

To hear the audio message of the same title, you can go to THE ONLINE TABERNACLE and then click on the ONWATCH Podcast to find that message.  Blessings in Jesus Christ

Elaina commented    “Keep spreading the Good News!!!! I have gained so much from this!!!!”

And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:5-12)

In this passage of scripture, the apostle Peter is being confronted concerning a miracle which took place the day before. [Acts 3]  A man who was lame since his birth, was healed in dramatic fashion and the religious leaders wanted to know by what power, or what name this miracle was done. This was such a beautiful “Holy Ghost setup” if I may use those words, because of this great opportunity to glorify Jesus Christ. The very same Peter who denied Jesus Christ three times was now “filled with the Holy Ghost” and he held nothing back. Peter let it be known that the man was made whole [healed] by the name of Jesus Christ “whom ye crucified.” and whom “God raised from the dead. “

That was some bold preaching  folks, considering the fact that Peter was speaking to the “elite” religious establishment here. Peter went on to say that Jesus Christ was the “stone set at nought of you builders” and he was obviously referring to the scriptures, which these rulers would have known:

The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. (Psalms 118:22)

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. (Isaiah 28:16)

Peter then made it clear to all of them present, that salvation could not be found in any other name except the name of Jesus Christ. Please keep in mind that Peter was speaking to the highest Jewish religious leaders and rulers here, which included Caiaphas., the one who condemned Jesus Christ to death.

The one thing that we need to get out of this passage of scripture is that true salvation is found only in the person of Jesus Christ. This is as true today as it was back then. There is no plan “B” for anybody Jew or Gentile. That is the whole point of the scriptures that we have here. Peter was confronted by the Jewish religious rulers of his day and he gave them the unadulterated truth straight out, without compromise. If Peter had said anything else, then he would have been distorting the truth of the gospel of Christ. Peter would have made a liar out of Jesus Christ who plainly declared the following words: 

“… I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)

If a person is truly a born again believer in Jesus Christ then there can be no messing around with this scripture here. It is very plain, and it is very clear, and that is exactly how Jesus Christ wanted it to be. Before I came to know Jesus Christ, it did not make any sense to me that there could be only ONE way of salvation, but then the Spirit of God opened my eyes and there is no question at all now. After I was born again, I awoke to the truth that I had been living on the brink of hell without even realizing it. There is no other way of salvation for either Jewish or Gentile, according to Jesus and His disciples, and according to the word of God.

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. (2 Corinthians 4:3-4 )

Is there any hope for the people of Israel outside of Jesus Christ? That is the question that I put before you today. Once again I will go to the scriptures to answer that question.

But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. (Acts 13:45-47)

What a powerful portion of scripture we have here. Paul and Barnabas were preaching the word of God and people were getting saved.  Of course there were many Jewish people who rejected the gospel that Paul preached and there was a great controversy that took place.  Paul and Barnabas both “waxed bold” and testified to those who opposed them.  They basically told them that the gospel was meant to go to them first (to the Jewish people) but now that they have rejected the offer of salvation through Jesus Christ, they would move on and give the gospel to the Gentiles.  Not only that but they told the Jewish people that the scriptures had prophesied of that very thing!  Paul and Barnabas were referring to the prophet Isaiah who uttered the following words:

I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; (Isaiah 42:6)

This scripture is speaking of a person who will be given for a “covenant of the people” and that person was Jesus Christ. It makes it very clear that Christ would be a light for the Gentiles also.

And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth. (Isaiah 49:6)

Do not forget the fact that Paul was once a severe persecutor of Christians and he even consented unto the death of some, until Jesus confronted him from heaven. (Acts 26:1-3)  From that day forward, Paul was a new man with a new message that Jesus was the Christ (Messiah) (Acts 9:22)  So how was that message received by the Jewish people of Paul’s day?

And straightway he (Paul) preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? But Saul(Paul) increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: (Acts 9:20-23)

So after Saul (Paul) had that amazing Damascus road experience with the Lord Jesus Christ, he went preaching the gospel, and it was but a short time before the Jewish people wanted to kill him!  Paul was making it clear to his own people (Paul was Jewish) that Jesus was in fact the Christ (that word means Messiah) and that they needed to turn to Him!

The apostle Paul suffered much for the preaching the truth of the gospel, and many are persecuted severely for preaching the gospel in modern times also. In the passage below,  Paul is testifying before King Agrippa about the message he was preaching and the reason that the Jews wanted to kill him:

Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. (Acts 26:19-23)

The one thing that I want you to notice here is that Paul told them that the message he was preaching was no different from what the prophets, and Moses,  said should come.  Paul was putting his endorsement upon the Old Testament scriptures, showing how they prophesied of the coming Christ (Messiah).  Earlier, in the book of Acts, Paul spoke in a similar manner regarding the same subject:

For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him. (Acts 13:27)

Paul is basically saying that the Jewish people who put Jesus the Christ (Messiah) to death, did not realize or believe Him to be the Christ (Messiah).  They did not really know and (understand) the voices of the prophets. Jesus Christ was slain on the cross but even His death was prophesied by the prophet Isaiah in chapter fifty three (Isaiah 53:1-12).  That chapter is one of the most compelling prophecies in the Bible, considering the fact that it was given approximately 700 years before Jesus was slain on the cross.

Listen to the apostle Paul testify here again:

And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope’s sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. (Acts 26:6-7)

Do you hear what Paul is saying here? He is testifying that he is being judged for the “hope of the promise” that God had made to “our fathers”.  He was talking about the “fathers of the faith” meaning people such as Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and others like Moses. Paul was making it clear that Jesus Christ was the very fulfillment of that promise. On another occasion Paul testified that he was chained (imprisoned) for “…the hope of Israel…” (Acts 28:20)

That is why Paul had such a continual sorrow in his heart for his very own people. (Romans 9:1- Paul knew that the Jewish people were lost without Jesus Christ. Paul knew  that they would “die in their sins” even as Jesus said would happen if they rejected Him. (John 8:21-24)

We are talking about life and death issues here. We are talking about eternity here. We are talking about heaven and hell here. There is only ONE hope for the Jewish people and ONE hope for the Gentiles and that is Jesus Christ. The New Covenant is in HIS BLOOD and that BLOOD was shed approximately 2000 years ago.  You can listen to the audio message of the same title at THE ONWATCH RADIO PODCAST   (mp3 player)  or THE ONLINE TABERNACLE  (Windows Media Player)

Who are the children of Abraham? Do they exist today? Where are they located?

We can find the answers to these questions when we take a look at the scriptures.

Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. (Galatians 3:6-9)

The passage above tells us that Abraham believed God, and that God laid this to Abraham’s account for righteousness. This is referring to the promise that God made to Abraham regarding his seed (descendants) as being more numerous than the stars in heaven. God promised Abraham a son from his own loins, and that promise was fulfilled when Isaac was born. (Genesis 17:21) Abraham received a promise that in him all the families of the earth would be blessed. (Genesis 12:3) That promise included families from every nation on planet earth. (Genesis 22:18, 26:4)

It is all about faith, and it is all about faith in the one true God. The scriptures let us know that God would justify the “heathen” through faith. The word “heathen” (ethnos) is used here by Paul, and that is a word that is  also translated as Gentiles or nations in the Bible.

In plain and simple language, the scriptures let us know that it was always God’s plan to have the gospel go to the whole world. It is very interesting that Paul told us that Abraham had the “gospel” (glad tidings) preached unto him, and it all had to do with the “gospel” going to all the nations of the earth!

Jesus Christ was the promised “seed” or descendant whom God had spoken to Abraham about all those years ago.

Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. (Galatians 3:16)

Jesus Christ is the very fulfillment of the promise that was made to Abraham. Jesus Christ is the one who came down from the glory of heaven, to fulfill the promise which was made all those years ago to Abraham. Jesus Christ went to the cross so that wretches like you and me might receive the promise of eternal life. It is about Jesus Christ and what He has done for us at Calvary.

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (Galatians 3:13-14)

Jesus Christ took the curse of the law upon Himself so that people from every corner of the earth, who are all sinners, might turn to him (repent) and be forgiven of their sins. Many people make the fatal mistake of believing that their “good deeds” will outweigh their “bad deeds” and that God will hold up the “scales of justice” on judgment day and say “come on up!”

Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. (Romans 3:19-26)

The law of God absolutely silences the mouth of every human being on planet earth who attempt to justify themselves before the one true holy and righteous God. The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) act as a spiritual X-RAY machine which lights up and blinks “CONFIRMED WRETCH IN NEED OF MERCY” in bright neon letters as it examines the heart of every person who allows themself to be examined.

To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law. (Romans 3:26-31)

So what is the bottom line in all of this? The bottom line is that the children of Abraham are those who are trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. There is no difference between  Jew and Gentile (non Jew). This means that any person from any part of the world has an equal opportunity for salvation. There is no boasting about how wonderful a person is or what they have done. The only boasting you will hear from those who have trusted in Jesus Christ is their boasting about His awesome mercy in reaching out to them with His great salvation. They see themselves in truth, even as Almighty God sees them.

Salvation has nothing to do with geographical location and that includes the land of Israel in the middle east. Salvation comes by faith and it is all about that spiritual connection which is made between the sinner and Almighty God. The same offer of salvation is available for the sinner in Haifa, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem as is available to the sinner in Baghdad, Istanbul, or New York City.

So the “children of Abraham” are those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation and that includes people from every corner of the earth.  The “children of Abraham” are scattered all over the world at the present time, and that includes people of every color,  every language, every race and they come from every country.  Are you numbered with the “children of Abraham?”  Have you repented of your sins and put your faith in Jesus Christ?

And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. (Revelation 5:9)

The hate mongers who claim to know God and hate people of a different race will not be found among this group in heaven. The only people who  will be found in heaven, will be those who have seen themselves in truth and received the awesome mercy and great salvation that God offers them through His Son Jesus Christ!