Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | July 14, 2023

Nations in Turmoil – What’s Next?

Conflict and Chaos, an International Tragedy!

Rioting in Switzerland – Hindustan Times

There must be significant reasons the national media is ignoring the civil unrest disturbing a majority of nations in the world today. Our national media seems to be mesmerized by the rock-throwing being practiced by the politicians in the United States.

I get truly weary of the Democrats bashing the Republicans and vise-versa. We’re hearing the same stories on the news today that we heard months ago about the same people doing the same things!

There really are more important things going on in the world than the political mudslinging being featured on the news. Nations raging and threatening each other, along with rioting in the streets of major cities, seems to attract little to no attention from the media.

The Lord warned the disciples in Matthew 24:6-8:

“6 And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. 7 Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. 8 But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.”

It seems we may be living in the days of which the Lord spoke.

Risk Assessment

An international risk assessment firm, based in Great Britain, “Verisk Maplecroft” recently published the following:

“The world is facing an unprecedented rise in civil unrest as governments of all stripes grapple with the impacts of inflation on the price of staple foods and energy, according to the latest edition of our Civil Unrest Index (CUI). The data, covering seven years, shows that the last quarter saw more countries witness an increase in risks from civil unrest than at any time since the Index was released. Out of 198 countries, 101 saw an increase in risk, compared with only 42 where the risk decreased.”

This increase in civil unrest is taking place even though the restraining ministry of the Holy Spirit is still in place. In 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 it is written:

“6 And you know what is holding him back, for he can be revealed only when his time comes. 7 For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way.”

The Holy Spirit is holding back sin during this age of grace; as bad as it is now, it will get drastically worse after the Holy Spirit and the Church are withdrawn. The Bible warns us in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 where it is written:

“3 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!”

An Abrupt Change is Coming!

At a time, chosen by the Father, the church will be called home. This will happen suddenly, in the twinkling of an eye, and bring an end to the world as we have known it! The restraining ministry of the Holy Spirit will be removed, and Satan and sin will have full reign to bring widespread destruction to the world.

The Bible tells us those days will be shortened otherwise no one would survive the carnage. In Matthew 24:21-22 the Lord tells his disciples:

 “21 For there will be greater anguish than at any time since the world began. And it will never be so great again. 22 In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive. But it will be shortened for the sake of God’s chosen ones.”

The Bible tells us the last seven years of the “Times of the Gentiles,” known as the “Tribulation,” will come to an end with the victorious return of the Lord Jesus Christ at his Second Advent. What is not revealed is the timeframe between the removal of the restraining ministry of the Holy Spirit and the signing of the covenant between the Antichrist and Israel.

I’m of the opinion there could be several years between the removal of the restraining ministry of the Holy Spirit and the signing of the covenant agreement Israel signs with the Antichrist.

In the meantime, it will be advisable to faithfully follow the commands of the Lord Jesus Christ; in John 16:33 it is written:

“33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | July 7, 2023

Sciatic Nerve Pain

For Several Years Now, I’ve Lived with Sciatic Nerve Pain.

I have been to two chiropractors and one doctor who have not been able to provide any relief. The thought of surgery is unacceptable, so I have continued to look for alternate solutions.

Recently I found something which seems to hold promise; a back-stretcher that you can use at home. I checked it out on Amazon and saw it had a rather favorable review record.

The 8,717 ratings with an overall average of 4.2 out of 5 stars was impressive enough, so I ordered it and it came in Monday night. Tuesday, I tried it for the first time.

Day One

Using back stretcher unsupervised.

Using back stretcher with supervision.

I tried to carefully follow the instructions and was able to remain on the device for 15 minutes. I plan on using it every day for 15 minutes to see if it can provide any relief.

Day Two

This morning I completed another 15-minute unsupervised session on the back stretcher and seem to notice an encouraging difference in my back; it does not feel the same as it did before. I don’t want to jump to any conclusions but think it may be helping. I’ll check back with you tomorrow.

Day Three

This morning I used the back stretcher again for 15 minutes unsupervised; it seems my “supervisor” has lost interest in my efforts. It’s possible those stretch sessions are helping me. I’ll continue to use it and hope the results are really making a difference.

“Hope springs eternal in the human breast, man never is but always to be blest.” Alexander Pope, “An Essay on Man.”

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | June 30, 2023

Finding Meaning and Significance for Your Life

The Challenge of Staying on the Right Path as the Years Pass By!

Starting out, the thought of getting old never even crossed my mind; I was much too busy facing the challenges life was bringing to me as a young man. I have written on those younger years in a seven-part series that starts with, “Once Upon a Time, I was a Little Boy.”

By God’s grace, I still have some clear and vivid memories of those years, memories of people and places that no longer exist and will, in some sense, vanish once the Lord calls me home.

Earlier, I had felt a loss when I realized I had no in-depth knowledge of the thoughts of my parents and grandparents on deeper spiritual matters; I decided to start writing a blog, so my thoughts would be available to my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren if they ever began to wonder what I had thought on these matters.

Although I had never thought of myself as a writer, I actually began to enjoy the process of writing down my thoughts on life and to date, have published over 590 blog posts with over 50,000 views.

Limitations Imposed by Time

Time changes things; when it comes to the body, it seems just about everything comes to pass! While it was easy to observe the physical changes age was bringing to those close to me, the inner changes were not visible and had totally escaped my notice.

I had no idea to what an extensive degree, attitudes and perceptions were also changing as the years passed by. I wrote on this in, “A Surprising Discovery” and viewed these changes as a gift from God! In his grace, God has permitted his aging children to enjoy life within the decreasing range of possibilities imposed by the aging process!

What a gracious and loving quality for God to offer to his senior saints!

Advantages Acquired Over Time

Time provides a great opportunity to increase one’s wealth of experience and knowledge. Over the years, we are all given the opportunity to live through many different sorts of life situations. We can learn what works well and what doesn’t work so well! Hopefully, we can learn to repeat our good experiences and discard our bad ones.

I recently posted a blog on an issue to which I attach an extremely high level of importance, the principle of “Obedience, Your Only Hope for Inner Peace and Contentment.” If there is one single principle to which every Christian should adhere, it is the principle of obedience to God!

From my perspective of 90 years of experience, what wisdom I’ve acquired has conclusively demonstrated obedience to God as the cardinal principle that should guide the lives of every Christian!

Daily Implementation

In Psalm 118:24, it is written: “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” I have found it helpful to start each day acknowledging my relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ. I simply delight in remembering he is my creator and I’m his creation; created by him and for him!

It is my mission in life to obediently follow his commands and be ever mindful that I am his representative to everyone and everything! We have two precious cats who are beautiful examples of his creation; I serve as God’s representative to them and seek to convey his abundant love to them. They have been entrusted to our care by their creator and we have been given the responsibility of providing for them in the same manner he would.

Abby Cat and Tom Boy

For many years, my favorite life verse has been Galatians 2:20 where it is written:

“20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.“

Regardless of whether I’m relating to my family, friends or strangers; caring for our cats, publishing “Life from a Christian Perspective” or working for Global Media Outreach, it is my goal to be found a good and faithful servant to the Lord Jesus Christ!

I have found a life of obedience to God, to be the very best choice for a life filled with the God of Peace!

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | June 23, 2023

The Titanic Claims Five More Lives

Titan has Imploded!

The disappearance of the submersible, Titan, has captured the attention of many around the world. Five people embarked on a journey that would take them to the wreckage of the infamous Titanic located on the sea floor at a depth of over 12,000 feet.

Reports came out Thursday afternoon of the discovery of wreckage and body parts from Titan’s destruction. An adventure to visit Titanic had become a one-way journey to their final resting place for the five adventurers.

It is estimated that, worldwide, around 150,000 people die each day. The dramatic circumstances of the death of the five people on the Titan set them apart and made their deaths so newsworthy. Experts tell us they would have died before they could even realize they were in trouble; their deaths were instantaneous.

What we will likely never hear from the media, is all of these people are still alive but have vacated their tents; only God knows where they are now. Their destinations, after leaving their tents, is totally dependent on decisions they made concerning Jesus Christ during the time they were occupants of those tents.

I have no clue as to which of those individuals, if any, had been born again and which had not. Of one thing I am sure, if they had been born again by faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, then they are home with the Lord Jesus Christ; if they had rejected salvation by faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, then they are in hades and suffering terrible torment.

Our occupancy of our tents has always been a passing phenomenon, we use them for a while and then move on; this has always been God’s plan for us. Death is nothing more than a doorway to the next phase of our lives!

I sincerely encourage you to choose life by receiving Jesus Christ as your Savior; the alternative is death and eternity in the Lake of Fire!

“11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:11-15

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | June 16, 2023

Obedience, Your Only Hope for Inner Peace and Contentment

Murder, suicide, anger, violence, perversion, and destructive behavior of many sorts have become headline topics in the media today! The nation seems to be filled to overflowing with misguided attempts to find answers in all the wrong places to the many challenges life throws at us!

Sadly, nothing about this is new, looking in the wrong places has been a predictable pattern of behavior for thousands of years. After all, we live in a world dominated by a Satanic world system that specializes in deception so there should be no surprises there!

The problem is further compounded by the fallen nature of man, the dead spirit and the living active sin nature makes susceptibility to deception a powerful force in the decision-making process.

Discovering the truth requires outside intervention; without help, we cannot discover the truth of our situation. I wrote on this in an essay, “Your Dream World and the Red Pill” In one section of the essay, named, “The Red Pill”, I wrote:

“In the story Neo is told the truth of his situation and given the opportunity to take a non-reversible red pill that will change his life forever and discover for himself what reality is really like; he decides to take the red pill and his adventures begin. We too have a red pill called salvation in Jesus Christ; when we take that red pill we are born again, given spiritual life and given God, the Holy Spirit, to live in us forever. Only then do we have the power of discernment and the ability to distinguish between the Satanic matrix that holds us, and true reality.”

A tragic number of people are thrashing about in their Satanically devised matrix, seeking to find answers to the problems they face. The answers that work can only be found by taking the red pill of salvation, looking to the cross, and breaking free from Satan’s matrix!

True reality is only revealed in the pages of the Bible; it is only there we find the truth that will set us free! In John 8: 31-32 it is written:

31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Over the years, I have become convinced the most important thing in life is a devotion to obedience to God’s commands! Mankind was created to be God’s image bearers to his creation; to serve God as God’s representative to everyone and everything!

It is only as we faithfully serve God that we can find peace, happiness, fulfillment, and contentment! It is only in the power of God, the Holy Spirit we can find the fruit of the Spirit.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

By God’s grace, let us all join the Apostle Paul in letting Christ by our strength! In Philippians 4:11-13 it is written:

11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | June 9, 2023

The Humility Test

I received a devotional from a brother in Christ, Jeff Wells, Senior Pastor at WoodsEdge Community Church. As often happens, I found the devotional to be both helpful and encouraging and wanted to share it with my readers.

Jeff Wells

The Humility Test

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Matthew 23:12

Just as there are physical laws of the universe, such as the law of gravity, there are spiritual laws of the universe, such as the law of humility.  The law of humility is crystal clear:  If we exalt ourselves, God will humble us.  If we humble ourselves, then God will exalt us.

Either way, every single person in history will be humbled.  Either we humble ourselves now, in this life, or God will humble us finally, in the next life.  Our choice.

John Ruskin, the renowned English poet and philosopher, described humility.  “I believe that the first test of a truly great man is his humility.  I don’t mean by humility, doubt of his power.  But really great men have a curious feeling that the greatness is not of them, but through them.  And they see something divine in every other man and are endlessly, foolishly, incredibly merciful.”

He surfaces two of the essential characteristics of humility.  Humble people understand that any good thing in them is a gift, “the greatness is not of them, but through them.”  Also, they are not overly critical and judgmental of other people, “and they see something divine in every other man and are endlessly, foolishly, incredibly merciful.”

How do you do on Ruskin’s simple test for humility?

One of the most remarkable examples of humility is Michael Faraday (1791-1867), the British physicist and chemist who discovered electromagnetic induction.  He was also a devout follower of Jesus Christ. 

In his book, Five Equations That Changed the World, Michael Guillen describes Faraday:

He had labored for forty-plus years, filling up seven large volumes of detailed laboratory notes; he had turned down the presidency of the Royal Society not once but twice; and he had declined the queen’s offer of knighthood.   “I must remain plain Michael Faraday to the end,” he had explained politely.
 
Queen Victoria had offered Faraday his final honor – to be buried with Isaac Newton and other British luminaries in Westminster Abbey.  But predictably, the famous scientist had demurred, opting instead to be given “a plain, simple funeral, attended by none but my own relatives, followed by a gravestone of the most ordinary kind, in the simplest earthly place.”
 
In three-quarters of a century, Faraday had gone from being a poor, hard-working errand boy to being a poor, hard-working scientist.  No one before had changed science and society in such profound and permanent ways, or has since.  For that reason, Michael Faraday – the son of paupers and the confidant of princes – always would be remembered for being in a class by himself.

“Whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

© 2021 WoodsEdge Community Church. All rights reserved. This article may be reproduced for any non-commercial use.

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | June 2, 2023

Victory in the Lord Jesus Christ, The Church Caught Up to Heaven!

God Has Scheduled a Specific Time for the full number of Gentiles to come to Christ!

Although the world situation today matches the world situation described for the last days of the church on earth; I believe the Bible teaches us the removal of the church is based on the addition of the last believer, predestined for membership in the church, to receive their call by the Holy Spirit and join the body of Christ!

In Romans 11:25 it is written:

25 I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters, so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ.

In Romans 8:28-30 we read:

“28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.”

Jesus Will Return in the Same Way He Ascended into Heaven

The Lord Jesus Christ will return for his church at a time known only to God. He will meet with his church in the air and not set foot on the ground at this point.

6 So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”

7 He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

9 After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. 10 As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”

Jesus Christ will return in the air and the church will be caught up to meet him there; this is described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 where it is written:

“13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.

15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words.”

It is this event that will bring the Age of Grace, the Church Age, to a close.

The timing of the removal of the church is totally dependent on the number of people predestined to be a part of the body of Christ. At a point after the last person so predestined joins the body of Christ, then the church will be caught up to heaven. The Greek word used, ἁρπάζω, transliterated harpazō means to eagerly snatch away.

This principle is stated in 2 Peter 3:8-9 where it is written:

“8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

Not a single individual who has been predestined for the body of Christ will be left out, the church will be 100 % complete when it goes home! Only then will the church age come to a close and the countdown to the end of the Times of the Gentiles begin!

The Twinkling of an Eye!

The removal of the church shall happen so fast, it will be over before we can even realize it is happening; one moment you will be going about your business, whatever that may be, and the next you will be transformed and eternally with the Lord Jesus Christ! There will be no time for anyone to feel anything; it shall all happen “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye”! In 1 Corinthians 15:50 – 54 it is written:

“50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

Victory in the Lord Jesus Christ!

From God’s perspective, the battle has already been won, the Lord Jesus Christ is completely victorious! From a spiritual perspective, the events we observe today are nothing more than a replay of events that have already been settled and fully resolved by God!

There is no cause for concern because we know the Lord is victorious! Do not be troubled by world events for the Lord is working all things after the counsel of his own will! Your portion is peace in the Lord Jesus Christ; rejoice in the Lord Jesus Christ and the God of peace will be with you!

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | May 26, 2023

By God’s Grace, Christian’s Have Been Given Reality as a Gift from Their Creator!

Your Transformation was Instantaneous on the First Occasion and will be Instantaneous on the Second Occasion!

At the point you received Jesus Christ as your Savior, spiritual changes took place in your life that had eternal ramifications of the greatest significance. You were born again into the family of God, made a part of the body of Christ, your dead spirit was resurrected from the dead, and you were indwelt by God, the Holy Spirit for all of time and eternity!

While these deeply significant events were happening at a spiritual level, they were having no visible impact on your human body! Your body remained under the Adamic curse and could only return to the dust from whence it came; it could never join you in heaven!

This is explained in 2 Corinthians 5:1-8 where it is written:

“5 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”

The Resurrection of our Tents!

At a time, yet future, all who have been born again will experience the second occasion, the resurrection of their tents. This will also be an instantaneous experience as described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 where it is written:

“13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.”

This phase of the restoration God had planned before the foundation of the earth will have been completed! We have a summary of this in Romans 8:29-30 where it is written:

“29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”

 For we live by faith, not by sight.

I rejoice in the revelation we have been given in the Holy Bible; I rejoice in the sure knowledge I have been created by God and now exist as an expression of his mighty power! I rejoice in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ which will be brought to a successful conclusion at a time known only to God.

The eighth chapter of Romans has been lauded as the crowning pinnacle of Christian theology and I’m in full agreement with that assessment! I probably refer more Christians to portions of that chapter than any other chapter in the Bible.

The last two verses in that chapter express most eloquently, God’s love for his children:

38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | May 19, 2023

Getting a Grip on Becoming Real!

According to the Dictionary, You’re Not Real!

The Merriam Webster Dictionary provides the following definition of reality:

“something that is neither derivative nor dependent but exists necessarily”

The Bible makes it very clear that none of us exist necessarily but are both derivative and dependent! Genesis 1 records the fact that the one true reality, identified as God, created us. In Genesis 1:1 it is written:

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Later in Colossians 1, it is recorded our existence is sustained by the power of that one true reality!

In reference to the Lord Jesus Christ it is written in Colossians 1:16-17:

“16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.”

I have written on this in 2011 and 2015, but the enormity of this message warrants a further investigation into the truth of Biblical reality! I have never heard a pulpit message on this subject or encountered a conversation, among Christians on anything even close.

I personally delight in the thought of my dependence on the one true reality and rejoice in the absolute wonder of reality as revealed in the Holy Bible! A clear understanding of what is truly real and what is not provides the foundation for a proper worldview; I suspect the percentage of the world population that holds a true Biblical worldview is very small indeed!

The Mystery and Wonder of our One True Reality, God!

The Bible gives us very limited information on God; by examining those brief references we can put together some inferences as to the character and nature of God.

The Dallas Theological Seminary Doctrinal Statement provides the following summary:

Article II—The Godhead

We believe that the Godhead eternally exists in three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—and that these three are one God, having precisely the same nature, attributes, and perfections, and worthy of precisely the same homage, confidence, and obedience (Matt. 28: 18–19; Mark 12:29; John 1:14; Acts 5:3–4; 2 Cor. 13:14; Heb. 1:1–3; Rev. 1:4–6).

The Bible identifies certain attributes that helps us understand God. The following was compiled by the “Christian Research Institute” More information can be found by following the link.

1. SELF-EXISTENT: God has no cause; He does not depend on anything for his continued existence.

2. TRANSCENDENT: God is entirely distinct from the universe, as the carpenter is distinct from the bench; excluding pantheism (God in all) and animism (everything is a god).

3. IMMANENT: Though transcendent, God is present with and in the world; excluding deism (God is out there but not here).

4. IMMUTABLE: God is perfect in that He never changes nor can He change with respect to His being, attributes, purpose, or promises; excluding process theology, Mormon doctrine of eternal progression.

5. ETERNAL: God is perfect in that He transcends all time and temporal limitations, and is thus infinite with respect to time.

6. OMNIPRESENT: God is perfect in that He transcends all space and spatial limitations, and is thus infinite with respect to space, with His whole Being filling every part of the universe and being present everywhere (not diffused through the universe, but present at each point in His fullness).

7. OMNIPOTENT: God is perfect in that He can do all things consistent with the perfection of His being. God cannot do the self-contradictory (e.g., make a rock He cannot lift), nor can He do that which is contrary to His perfect nature (e.g., He cannot change, He cannot lie, etc.).

8. OMNISCIENT: God is perfect in that He knows all things, including events before they happen.

9. INCORPOREAL: God has no body or parts, and is immaterial, being a simple and infinite being of spirit; excluding the Mormon doctrine of God as an exalted man.

10. ONE: God is a perfectly unique and simple being, existing as one infinite Being called God. There is therefore only one God, who is called Yahweh in the Old Testament, and who reveals Himself in the persons of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in the New Testament; thus excluding polytheism, tritheism (belief in three gods), and subordinationism (in which Christ is a lesser god subordinate to the Almighty God).

11. CREATOR: God is the One through whom all things have come into existence; by His unbounded power and knowledge He created finite existence ex nihilo and formed the universe as it now is.

12. PERSONAL: God, as the author of personhood in the created universe, cannot be less than personal Himself; thus He experiences relationships with other persons, or self-conscious beings. Note that God may be more than personal, indeed, His infinite nature suggests that He must be.

13. INCOMPREHENSIBLE: God is incomprehensible, not in the sense that the concept of God is unintelligible, but in the sense that God cannot be fully and directly known by finite creatures, because of His uniqueness and His infinitude.

14. MORALLY PERFECT: God’s moral nature is perfectly unified, with no tension between His wrath and His love, for example.


You May Not be Real, but You are Eternal!

Mankind has a problem-filled history; starting with Adam, mankind’s record is filled with serious errors in judgment!

At the point of creation, mankind was created in a unique fashion; whereas God spoke the balance of creation into existence, God deliberately breathed mankind into existence. Certain attributes of the eternal God were imparted to mankind including eternal life! That’s right, you’re an eternal creation and will always exist somewhere in some form!

Your biggest problem is when Adam disobeyed God, there in the Garden of Eden, he died spiritually and also caused you to die spiritually. In other words, you were born spiritually dead; Romans Chapters 5 and 6-8 deal with that problem and its solution extensively.

God’s Love has had Amazing Results!

In 1 John 4:8 it is written:

“8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

God’s love for his fallen creation resulted in the First Advent which culminated in the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of God, the Second Person, revealed to mankind as the Lord Jesus Christ.

While the disobedience of the first Adam caused the spiritual death of mankind, the obedience of the Second Adam from above, the Lord Jesus Christ, resulted in salvation for all who will receive Jesus Christ as Savior and their change from not real to real!

Next time, your transformation from not real to real!

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Posted by: davidbowerkingwood | May 12, 2023

God’s Seventh Intervention, the New Heaven and the New Earth

Describing the Indescribable

Just imagine you are visiting a small, isolated village where the people still lived in mud huts and knew absolutely nothing about modern technology. You were going to try and describe a major modern city to someone who had never traveled more the 25 miles from their mud and stick home. Where do you start, how do you start, this individual has no words in their vocabulary that could communicate the thoughts and ideas you would be trying to explain.

I suspect the leap that would be required in that situation is minuscule by comparison with the challenge we face in moving from the world today to eternity in the new heaven and the new earth.

It should not be surprising so little information is given in the Bible about life in eternity. The Bible does provide some glimpses into what we can expect. Much of that is found in the Book of Revelation chapters 21 and 22.

The New Heaven and the New Earth

In Revelation 21:1-5 it is written:

21 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

God, in his infinite power, is capable of doing anything that pleases him! I have noted, in the Bible, that God has a respect for his creation which has been repeatedly demonstrated by his efforts to redeem his fallen creation; even to the point of sending his son to die on the cross that fallen man might be redeemed.

In Romans 8:18-22 it is written:

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.”

Those verses say to me that creation will be subjected to the refiners fire that will purge the bondage of corruption and deliver it into the glorious liberty of the children of God. I’m of the opinion that the verses in 2 Peter 3:10-13 refer to a refiners fire which will purify God’s creation and deliver it from the bondage of corruption.

I am deeply touched by the loving concern expressed for God’s creation in Romans 8:19-22! Mankind is purified by the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s creation is purified by the refiners fire! Those are my feelings on the matter.

The New Jerusalem

In Revelation 21:9-27, we have a description of the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven: (New Living Translation NLT)

“9 Then one of the seven angels who held the seven bowls containing the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come with me! I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”

10 So he took me in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. 11 It shone with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious stone—like jasper as clear as crystal. 12 The city wall was broad and high, with twelve gates guarded by twelve angels. And the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were written on the gates. 13 There were three gates on each side—east, north, south, and west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

15 The angel who talked to me held in his hand a gold measuring stick to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. 16 When he measured it, he found it was a square, as wide as it was long. In fact, its length and width and height were each 1,400 miles. 17 Then he measured the walls and found them to be 216 feet thick (according to the human standard used by the angel).

18 The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear as glass. 19 The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious stones: the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst.

21 The twelve gates were made of pearls—each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass.

22 I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. 24 The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. 25 Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. 26 And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. 27 Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.”

All Christians, caught up when the church is removed from earth, are likely to have been occupying the New Jerusalem for over 1,007 years while the city was suspended in orbit over the earth. Christian’s resurrected bodies would have no problem commuting to earth as desired.

It was likely visible from earth as a massive structure floating far above. The Bible does not specify whether the New Jerusalem is in the shape of a cube, or a pyramid; my guess is it will be in the shape of a cube. One reason for that conclusion is the Holy of Holies was a perfect cube, 15 feet in every direction. Some translations say the length and width and height were each 1,500 miles; that dimension has more personal appeal to me; 15 feet for the Holy of Holies and 15 hundred miles for the New Jerusalem!

In Revelation 22:1-6 more is revealed:

22 Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations.

3 No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. 4 And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. 5 And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever.

6 Then the angel said to me, “Everything you have heard and seen is trustworthy and true. The Lord God, who inspires his prophets, has sent his angel to tell his servants what will happen soon.”

The information provided in the Bible is overwhelming to my mind; I delight in meditating on it and the amazing wonders that await us.

For more information on the size, click on the link here.

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