Barbara A. Lee

The significance of the Star of Bethlehem is that it was profecied in the Old Testament that when they (the Magi) saw the star, that would be the signal that the Christ child was born. The Magi came to find the Christ-child because they understood the prophetic meaning of His birth. It was prophecied that this would happen.

I dislike cliches but this is one time that one is needed. We, as Christians, need to remember that we lead by example. By this I mean we can't say "Do as I say not as I do". We must lead people like Christ did. By example. If we are going to be looked at as Godliness, the we have to show Godliness. I have a problem with drinking any alcoholic beverages. We are told everything in moderation is ok, but when you have people in Church that are recovering alcoholics, you really need to watch how you say certain things. This is one thing that really bothers me. You cannot have alcohol on your breath when you get an emergency call and have to leave right away. I am sorry, but Ministers need to set the example. If you are out having dinner at a diner, and you have a beer on your table and a member of your church walks by, how are you going to explain the message you gave on drinking when you are doing just the very thing you told them not to do. And, you should watch how you talk too. And tempers need to be tempered. It all leads back to we are what we say, do and think...

The bitter part about this is that no matter how hard we try, some will not have their name in the Book of Life. The sweet part is that those who have their name in the Book, will be worshipping and praising God. And we will be the ones that rule with God for eternity.I think it is the unknown that ishard for some to understand. We have a hard enough time to undestand what we know to be the truth let alone what we don't.

The "great multitude" is the people who are already in Heaven at the time of the Lord's 2nd coming at the end of time. The multitudes come from "all nations"! The spirit is reformed to be with Christ for eternity. They all bow down and worship God!! Amazing Grace has to do with the fact that I was a retched sinner and He redeemed my soul.. He paid the ultimate price for us....I was once lost but I am found now....

The rich and poor have the same choice to make. Follow in your heart Jesus or follow this world. Jesus knew what decision the rich man was going to make. This was just to show that we all have a choice to make in this life, and we are the only ones who can make that choice. We can have outside influence but ultimately it is our choice. Man, did he give up a lifetime experience. Ask me Jesus and I would choose Jesus over this world anyday. What a priveledge it would have been to follow Jesus and learn right along side of God Himself. This takes me back to when my son was 16 and he finally got his lisence. We didn't have a lot of money back then, so we always told our kids when you are old enough to buy a car you are old enough to drive. Well, I think he was 13 when he started saving for his first car...And by the time he was 16 he had a pretty big nest egg saved up. Not quite enough to buy the car that he wanted. Well my father had told him on his 16th birthday to call him that he had something to tell him. Un-be-knownst to me and his father my dad had started a savings account for all three of my kids when they just little kids. Not a whole lot but what he had was enough to buy his first car...But he knew that if he didn't have enough saved he would not be getting that car. People today have to get back to the basics of teaching our kids right from wrong...

How would you define "godliness"? Godliness is having a divine respect of God. An "AWE" of God. What produces godliness in a person? The right attitude toward God and the people chosen to serve God. How is godliness different from embracing a strict morality? Strict morality is just another way of doing something to prove you way. Where godliness is striving to do things God's way.

We learn that God is the protector. He will not let His people suffer. The 'Great Multitude" are already in Heaven at the time of the Lord's 2nd coming of the Lord's 2nd coming at the end of time. This multitude comes from "all nations." The seal is the way of identification, not between God and them, but between eachother.

All of these are in my life. I love to learn about Jesus Christ. I have been taking Bible Study courses for about 4 yrs. and I really love the ones on this site.

Saviour - Jesus will bring both salavation from enemies and from sin Christ - means anointed or Messiah The Lord - Person of high position - Yahweh It tells us he will be a saviour, anointed Messiah - Yahweh (GOD)

I think Jesus' birth comes to Shepherds has a two-fold meaning. First it is to signify that Jesus is for everybody and yes, even the poor lowly shepherd. These were people that didn't have a trade so they were left to do the shepherd's duties. Second Jesus is known as The Lamb. The lamb is given as a sacrifice just like Jesus was given as a sacrifice to atone for our sins. Jesus being born in a manger in a stable is showing that the lowest of lows can be the highest of highs. It doesn't matter what circumstances in life you are born into you can make your life better by your actions and your beliefs. And yes it is intentional. The point God is making is that no matter what you have done in your life, you can be as dirty as a lamb, and be saved by the precious blood of the Lamb. That lamb is Jesus.

Jesus wants this young man to divest himself as a test to see if he really looves Him. Is he about the Kingdom of God or is he about the almighty dollar. We put too much value on the THINGS of the World and not on the THINGS of God's Kingdom. We are an instant gratification world. We want everything now and go about getting it at any cost, and yes sometimes at the cost of others. I think this is what is so troublesome about this world. We have to make choices in this life about whether to serve Jesus or to serve man. If we chose to serve man then we are doomed for a lifetime in hell. That is why we have to be very careful about what and how we go about getting some things in todays society. If we go along with the world, we are putting ourselves in line with the devil. We have to do what is right, and yes sometimes that means just giving up a lot of worldly things.

It gives them a sense of moralistic righteousness. They think they are above everybody else. The true gospel doesn't have to prove anything. It is right no matter what. And it lets us chose whether we want to believe it or not. The legalistic way always has to prove that they are right. And 9 times out of 10 they are wrong.... The true way is the way to the life by Jesus Christ.

The "FIFTH SEAL," is actually the "Sacrificial Altar," or the "Burnt Offering Altar." The church or the "SOULS" of them that were slain for the "Word of God" and for the "testimony they held." were underneath the Sacrificial Altar. The fact that their "SOULS" were under the "Sacrificial Altar" is proof that they had been offered as a "Sacrifice," that is that they were MARTYRS. But they were not the Martyrs of the Christian Church, for they had been resurrected and taken up with the Church. These Martyrs' are those who will be killed for the "Word of God" and their "testimony" after the Church is caught out. We have a lot more to learn about the Church and their roles in the end times. That which the martyrs plead for, was the judgment of the power persecuting them. And it was to come when "their fellow-servants also, and their brethren that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled." When we come to 1798, this was fulfilled and judgment begun on the Papacy which is to be carried out in consuming and destroying that power unto the end. (This is a whole new study) To these martyred "SOULS" white robes were given. This does not mean that they were resurrected, that is, given glorified BODIES, and then robed, but that they in their "Soulish" or "PSYCHICAL" bodies were given white robes, for while the "Spirit" of man loses its earthly, or FLESHY body, at death, it still has a body, its SOULISH body, that can see, hear, speak, etc., for how could a SOUL "cry" if it did not have a form and physical senses. For a full exposition of this see the Book on "Dispensational Truth," the Chapter on the "Spirit World." These martyred SOULS were comforted, and told that they should rest for a "little season," about 3

Why do you think the journey to Bethlehem was difficult for Mary? Just the physical strain would have been enough to do me in...But then that is why God chose this particular generation. They were used to the harshness of tthe weather and terrain. But what about the emotional side. The hardship of not having your family and friends around. Many people would not understand the predicament she was in. But she was a God fearing woman. She did what the Lord asked her to do without hesitation. Is pleasure an indication that we are in God's will or not? No, I don't think pleasure or non-pleasure is an indication of whether we are in God's will. God only excepts those who believe that Jesus, His son, died, rose again, and is coming back at a time unknown to us, is an indication of whether we are in God's will or not... Being a Christian causes more hardships than just going with the flow. As John quoted Jesus saying "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." People think that the more material things they have the better they feel. I believe in just the opposite. We live in an instant gratification world. I believe that if we were to place our trust in the Lord, He will provide for all of your basic needs and some of your wants. He has blessed me and my family tremendously...

"Worthy Is The Lamb"!! The Lamb, being Jesus, is the one who initiates this storm of destuction. It was directed to those who deny Him and yes, it is JUST - because we were warned and we didn't heed the warning. We need to get harder at spreading His word....

When we find a Pearl or something of value, we strive to own it. You can be rich by what you have but still be poor in spirit. If you are poor in spirit you have nothing...Jesus is our PEARL and we should strive to live our lives for Him. With Him we have everything... Without Him we have nothing....This I believe is the main point of thses parables. By striving for Jesus we are living God's Word. When we put money above salvation we are a fallen nation. That is what has happened here in the United States. We have put Jesus at the back of our country and we are falling further and further behind. Once we start to put Jesus first we will turn our nation back to the stong hold it once was...You notice I said Jesus, not God. 85% of Americans believe in God, But only a hand full of those believe in Jesus....Think about that and reply if you would. I would like to hear what others say about this...

Paul's reminding Timothy of the falling away is two-fold. 1) This is Paul's obedience o Jesus to obey His teachings. 2) He was also, via prophecy, instructing that false prophets woujld come and decieve many. We are to be ever diligent in our spreading of God's Word. The more we spread the Word, the more souls we get to heaven. That is our ultimate goal once we accept Jesus as our personal savior.

The reason Luke names the rulers is to show who was the ruler at the time of Jesus birth. It sets a timepeice to his reality. That in itself lets us know that Jesus was a real man and that his birth was a hisorical era.

Joseph's acceptence of Mary and her unborn child speaks a lot about his character. He was obedient to /God's word. He was a very righteous man and loved Mary. He understood that this was prophesied a long time ago, so yes, he understood what was happening. Joseph was devoted to God, faithful to God, and loved and cared for Mary and Jesus.

Both the Father and Son receive the same worship. They are one and the same. We, when we accepted Jesus in our hearts, will have the same relationship with both the Father, God, and the Son, Jesus. There is also a third person that receives our worship too. That other person is the Holy Spirit.

It teaches us that the seperation and judgment will be swift and fast. We better have our spiritual lives in order. As Christians we need to get everybody that we can ready for this day/night. We are to LOVE our Neighbors, whoever & wherever they are. Our testimony should reflect our love for Jesus and God's Kingdom. When we go out proclaimning the Gospel we are to do it in an orderly fashion. Again I must stress that we are to act and look like Christians.

When we accepted Christ and His redeeming sacrifice we became equal to Him as children of God. We are, by this grace we are worthy to reign with Him. By grace through our faith we become priests by Jesus' side.

Because they were to fulfill a prophecy. It was an acted upon prophecy. It brought the prophecy to a completion.

The indications Jesus gives to us is: 1. It will be as in the days of Noah. A. People are going about their normal lives as if nothing is going to happen. B. On a particular day destruction from God occurs suddenly and without further warning. 2. It will be like Lot and his wife. A. Lot was warned when he left the city with his wife to not look back. His wife looked back and she was turned to a pillar of salt. Jesus warns us now that material things will not matter. Our attitude has to take a very big about turn. If we don't believe that Jesus is the WAY the TRUTH and the LIGHT then we stand to be like Lot and his wife.

1. Both elders and deacons must be solid in the apostolic message, not veering away from it. It remains the responsibiility of the leaders to "hold to" the actual teaching of the apostles, not some kind of evloved, modified, "Christian" faith. 2. Deacons are mainly concerned with admin duties, service as attendant, aide or assistant. He is an official administrator caring for the business of the church. Elders and overseers are the overall leaders of the church. Some specifically to do with the duty of teaching. 3. The office of the overseer is a noble task. It can help the whole body become well and maintain its health.