Does Anybody Know the Future? Revelation 1:7

What does the Bible say about the future of humanity? It would be exciting to know the details of tomorrow or next year, but for most of us, it is not possible. However, it is possible to know the most important future event of the human race.

Look he is coming in the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen." Revelation 1:7, NIV.

These words are from the book of the Revelation of Jesus, often referred to as the Apocalypse. The opening statement is that Jesus is coming back wonderfully, and for most of us, it will not be a good thing.

ALL WILL SEE
Every eye will see Jesus. His coming is not just to a nation or a people or a church. It will not be spiritual or cultural, but in a way that every person will be aware of it. The words "All peoples" are universally inclusive. Not a single human being will escape the event.

HE BRINGS

What Is In The Future?

Mankind will grieve and mourn at his coming. It will be because of our sins, guilt, and missed opportunities to enter into a loving relationship with our creator and redeemer.  The chance to come to Jesus is not extended past the grave; the Bible says, "Today is the day of salvation now is the acceptable time."*. Those who mourn are those who missed the opportunity to come to his love.

THE GOSPEL
In the same book of Revelation, Jesus later declares an invitation. He says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him and he with me."**  Jesus invites us to a relationship based on his redeeming act on the cross where he took our sins upon himself and bore our punishment. He asks us to respond to his invitation to fellowship with him.

THE PEOPLE OF THE EARTH VS THE PEOPLE OF?
Once we come to Jesus, we are no longer part of the world's system of allegiances. We are no longer people of the world; we become members of the Kingdom of God, we become the people of God, and the people of God will not be part of those who mourn.

JOY
Those who trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior will have peace with God. For those who come to God, the fear of judgment is cast out by the love shown on the cross.

To learn more about coming to Jesus, follow this link: Click Here.

* 2 Corinthians 6:2, **Revelation 3:20
To read Revelation 1:7 in other translations, follow this link: Online Parallel Bible.

(c)Adron Dozat 10/11/12

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Why Did Jesus Come? 1 Timothy 1:15

Why did Jesus come? Everybody has their own answers, but the Bible makes it plain.

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of which I am the worst." 1 Timothy 1:14, NIV.

A Trustworthy Saying
You can trust the teaching of the Bible.  Here is a statement that says, "Of all the statements of the Bible, pay special attention to this one," as if this one saying stands above all the others.

Full Acceptance
The saying is not only trustworthy but must have your full acceptance. If you believe anything in the Bible, you need to believe this one. You must completely accept the nine words; Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. If you accept or believe only some of them, it is not full acceptance.

Who?
Christ is the God One who saves by sacrificing himself on our behalf.

He is the one who came; the quote does not say born but came as if he was somewhere else before. This verse is clear that he existed before his earthly incarnation.

Why?
Jesus did not come simply to teach, establish a new religion, modify an old one, or be a revolutionary- he came to save sinners. We need salvation; we need to be rescued from the bondage of sin in our lives and be delivered from the future judgment of sin. Sin offends God, and being holy, he must judge sin, but being loving, God sent his son Jesus to die in our stead and take the punishment for our sins. God accepts Jesus' death as payment in full for our sins and gives us Jesus' righteousness.

Could The Apostle Have Been A Sinner?
Paul the Apostle was once a Pharisee who observed the strictest sect of Judaism. His teaching and writings were central to the establishment and survival of the church. He penned portions of the New Testament, and his writings give context for the teaching of Jesus. How could he say he was a sinner? In one place, he wrote about his struggles with pride, and in another, he discusses covetousness, and in another, he recounts his former way of life when in the name of God, he persecuted the church, even voting for the death penalty against Christians. Despite his sinfulness, the Apostle found Salvation in Jesus.

(c)Adron Dozat 7/11/12

An Eyewitness Testimony of the Crucifixion of Jesus. Luke 27:54

If you could interview a non-bias witness you could expect to have an accurate account without prejudice of the events.

"When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!" Luke 27:54, NIV.

THE ROMAN
This Roman Centurion had no vested interest in Jesus one way or the other.  He was not looking for a messiah, and he was not a disciple or follower so far as anybody can tell. He does not appear elsewhere in the gospels, Acts, or letters of the New Testament. This makes him the perfect witness.

The Centurion

THE CRUCIFIXION
Jesus died as no other died, not that the crucifixion in his case was worse than anybody else.  The Romans routinely mocked their victims.  The scourging was the standard operating practice to weaken the condemned.  The crown of thorns was an extra measure, but extra measures were not uncommon.  This Centurion would have seen hundreds of deaths maybe thousands and would have presided over many executions.  He did not see death in the sterile modern hospital common in the western world. Death happened daily on the streets of his world- he knew death. Something was outstandingly unique in the death of this one that caused the hardened Centurion to remark, "Surely, he was the son of God!"

The events recorded in the Gospel accounts include darkness over the land, earthquakes, the resurrection of many righteous from the tombs, Jesus' own loud cry.

We cannot fully understand the context of the Roman times, but something terrified these hardened veterans of hand to hand warfare. They saw and experienced something at the death of Jesus that was petrifying.

SON OF GOD
What did he mean by the "Son of God?" In the setting of the first century and the thinking of the average roman, gods were everywhere and every king claimed to be one or descended from one. The events convinced the Centurion that Jesus was the true incarnation of the One and the Supreme God.

A PERSONAL CHOICE
Not everyone who encounters Jesus becomes a follower.  This Roman acknowledged the truth and as far as we know that is as far as he got.  Many of us today give lip service or nod our head to the truth that Jesus was God incarnate and his death paid for our sins; but we don't admit our personal need for a savior, we do not call on him to be our own savior and Lord. We must make that choice for ourselves.

To know more about trusting Jesus as Savor follow this link: Jesus and the Plan of Salvation

(c)Adron Dozat

What Does It Means To Be With Jesus Mark 3:19

Is Jesus interested in me? Am I someone he wants to be friends with?

"Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve- designating them apostles- that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach..." Mark 3:13, 14. NIV.

Jesus is always calling people to come; in the Bible, we see Jesus calling all kinds of men to himself; often in the New Testament, he says, "Come to me."  In the verses above, we see a specific calling of those he called apostles.

Among the many beautiful thoughts in these verses, the most precious is that he called to him those "that they might be with him." There are so many possibilities in those words. There is the idea of being close to Jesus as a friend and a companion, being with him in his experiences, seeing and observing his way of life, and sharing his likes and passions and his zeal. To be with him is to experience his love. To be with him changed the lives of the apostles, and they changed the world.

Were those apostles super saints far removed from us who experienced gifts and blessings we cannot own? A reading of the New Testament says no.  They were the first generation of the church, but we being human, would tend to put them above others and ascribe them some mythical grace that we can't attain. They were just like us and being just like us. If they could be with Jesus, so can we by faith.

It does not end with just being with Jesus; he called them so that he "might send them out to preach." His intention is for his apostles to be with him and then take his life out and into the world. He did not set up a cloister or monastery with walls for his followers to hide behind, but a base where his disciples would get a vision of him and tell others about being with him.

He calls us to come to him, not to a political party, a conservative agenda, a social platform, a culture war, or even a religion but to come to him. When we lose sight of him, we no longer have his message, we may have a Christ-like message, but it is empty without him.  We must remember to come to him and to preach to him.

Jesus calls us. From the cross where he died to pay for our sins, he calls us, from before time began, he knew us and is calling our name, and from his place in heaven, he is calling us to come to him. For some of us, this means the beginning of a new relationship with Jesus, and for others, it means a renewal of being with Jesus.

Post Script:
To learn more about how to come to Jesus and have him in your life, follow this link: Jesus and Salvation

.© Adron 3/16/12

What Does The Bible Say For Personal Disaster?

What can you do when you face the loss of everything?  An overlooked prophet guides us.

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, 18. Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” Habakkuk 3:17-18, NIV.

HOPE IN DARKNESS
The prophet Habakkuk, foresaw grim times, and dark disasters.  He foretold the economic, political and social destruction of his homeland.  He foresaw the subjugation of his people.  His visions of apocalyptic events eclipse even today’s evening news.  In view of oncoming devastation, he declares his own personal response- “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”

FOCUS
His answer to withered crops was not science, his reaction to failed harvest was not a government bailout, nor was his response to the demise of the flock a bank loan, but it was in God his Savior.  He looked beyond the tribulations and saw God, God the Savior in times like these and our soul’s Savior for all time.  His joy was not in crops or flocks but in the Lord.

RESOLVE
He declares “Yet I will…” It is like he says, “In spite of these things,” or “Even so,” or “Nevertheless.” No matter what may befall he resolved to rejoice in the Lord.

HIS SECRET
His words “God my Savior” is the key to his attitude of joy.  Not God THE Savior but MY Savior. His God and his salvation are personal possession.

He salvation was not by
     * The Law.
     * A charismatic personality.
     * A religion.
     * Culture,
     * Offerings.
     * Service.
     * Offerings
     * Or attendance to rituals
But his salvation was BY GOD.

To him God was more than culture, community, nationality, or heritage; he claimed God as his own.  He looked forward in faith to see God fulfill salvation in the life, death, and resurrection of his Son Jesus, (it is faith in what God promised that saves us; that if we believe on Jesus we are saved).

OUR OWN LIVES
We all have heartbreak times where everything comes to end, but look beyond it to God your Savor and rejoice in Him.  Let’s not look to bank accounts, possessions, relationships and status for our joy but make our joy in God.  Like Habakkuk, we need to resolve to rejoice in the Lord.

After all, what are a few disasters compared to the Almighty Lord of the Universe? We’ll find much to celebrate in God our Savior.

To learn more about the plan of salvation follow this link: click here.

(c)Adron Dozat 11/19/11

Is Everybody A Child Of God Or Only Some? John 1:12

What does it mean to be a child of God?

People talk about being a child of God. Is it just a statement of optimism, New Age pantheism, or are some of us possessing something different from the rest- something truly Divine?

"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" John 1:12, NIV.

Why are we not automatically children of God? The answer is unpopular, but if you get past the bad news the good news is truly Gospel. We are not automatically children of God because we have sinned, and our sins offend His holy nature and this separates us from God, but He has provided the answer to our need.

GOD'S OFFER

God offers something to us we can't have any other way; salvation and forgiveness; and not only that but adoption as sons and heirs. He did the hard part, He sent his son to die in our place on the cross; all he wants us to do is receive it. To receive something is to take it. If someone has a package in their hand and they hold it out to you have not yet received it; it has been offered and the giver is willing and maybe you are willing to have it, but until you take the gift from his hand into yours you have not received it. God is offering salvation through faith in His son's work and death on the cross for our sins. He is holding it out to us but we must take it.

ANYONE

Anyone can receive Jesus no matter what your background or history or education or status. The Bible says "Yet to all..." There is nothing that you are, or you have done that can make the offer of receiving Jesus void. "Yet to all" is God's word in the Bible to all. Whoever you are you can receive Jesus and become a child of God.

ALL
We can’t receive some of Jesus and reject some of Jesus, it is all or nothing. We must receive his divinity, his teaching, his sacrificial death for us, and his resurrection power. The hardest for many is to receive him as Lord of their lives.

NEED
According to this verse we need to become children of God, but not by good works, or giving, or membership in a faith community, it is by receiving Jesus. If you have not yet received Jesus won't you do it now?

To learn more about the plan of salvation follow this link: click here

(c) Adron Dozat

I Have Engraved You in The Palms of My Hands. Isaiah 49:18

We question God's love and we ask, "Where is the evidence of Divine Love?"

"See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me." Isaiah 49:18.

NOT ACCIDENTAL
The great love God demonstrated for us through his Son is eternally written in the scars on his hands. We can see in our mind's eye Jesus holding out his hands saying, "See, I have engraved you..." We normally get scars by accident but God says, "I have..." this was not by accident. The scars that Our Lord bears on His hands were predetermined. He knew He would endure the cross and bear its memory the moment He created the first man- and still He made Adam. He did this engraving Himself. I have..." It didn't just happen, like the poor martyr, but He received those scars on purpose. The events of the Crucifixion of His Son were carefully designed before all creation by our Loving Father.

DESIGN
The word "Engraved" sounds like there was skillful craft involved; skillful craftwork demonstrated in the love the Savior has for us. Most people's scars are the result of some painful event, usually an accident; and seeing them are reminders of what each event was. Jesus chose to bear the reminders of His love for us through all eternity and we will see the engraving in His hands.

DEVOTED
He is devoted to our care and protection. The city walls were its protection, status, and strength. For God to say, "Your walls are ever before me." is to say He is standing guard on the walls. He is our protection, status, and strength.

"Ever" not just sometimes or only at a certain time but ever, always, and not ending. Perhaps here we see a hint of eternity, we need not fear some destruction in this life or next. For those of us who have taken Jesus' hand by faith and accepted his death on our behalf are assured of His protection and guard for the "Ever," of eternity.

SEE
The first word of this verse may be the most important, "See,"God invites me to look upon Him, to see Him, and know Him. We must set our eyes on Jesus; we must look at Him and see who He really is and what He has done for us.

When we get to heaven and Jesus holds out His hand for us to take, we will see ourselves engraved there and will think just two words. "For ME!"

To learn more about the God's eternal love and how you can have a personal relationship with him follow THIS LINK

(c) Adron 8/19/10

Where Can You Find Loving Help If You Are The Most Worst Person There Is? Matthew 8:2-3.

This short post proves that no matter how bad off you are, how shameful or vile you are, there is someone where you can find compassion.

We have struggles with things that are shameful and are slowly eating us away from the inside out. Where can you go and get help without being judged and condemned?

“A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, 'Lord if you are willing, you can make me clean.' Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man, 'I am willing,' he said. 'Be clean!' Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.” Matthew 8:2- 3. NIV

THE NAMELESS LEPER

Every time he saw his hands, arms, legs, or feet, he would see the loathsome sores and rotting flesh of a painful creeping death.  This dreaded disease had the stigma of sin and God’s judgment.  The leprous had to wear rags and live apart from society, and whenever another person approached, they must call out, "Unclean! Unclean!"  The response would have been curses punctuated with thrown stones.

What beauty and compassion to see Jesus speak to him with tenderness and to do the unthinkable- to touch the man with leprosy and to risk the contamination of the disease.  The touch may have meant more to the man than the healing.

WHAT THE LEPER KNEW

The beggar called Jesus Lord.  This is in contrast to the action Jesus takes moments later.  A lord or king does not touch a common person, and in first-century Jewish culture, he would not even speak to a leprous person.  The beggar knew Jesus was the Lord.

He knew that Jesus was able to cleanse him. He did not ask, "Are you are able?" believing that Jesus was able is implied when he stated that if Jesus was willing, he could heal him.

He knew his place was on his knees before Jesus. Not only since Christ as Lord but as a humble petitioner.

COMPASSION

Jesus spoke kindly and gently to the beggar.  His words, "I am willing." are among the most significant words ever written.  Amazingly, Jesus touched the untouchable man, a man who has not known a human touch for so long- and he is healed.

This Savior who touches the untouchable is Lord and Master.

If Jesus were among us today, he would not steer away from people who struggle with addictions, abuse, deformity, poverty, ignorance, and slavery to harmful lifestyles; he would reach out to touch them.

I AM WILLING

Jesus said. "I am willing." as he touched this poor soul, and on his lips, those words are golden music from heaven.  He is willing to heal and to touch.  It is not only good wishes or good intentions, but he is purposeful in healing us.  He is willing- after all, he left his place in heaven. He came to be our Savior by dying for our sins and to give us eternal life, thereby dealing with the cause of our inner darkness and beginning the process of transforming us into new creatures.

THE TOUCH OF JESUS HEALS
When we come to Jesus with our own personal leprosy, we can kneel before him and say, if you are willing, you can heal me- and we can be assured that he is willing.

(c) Adron 8/18/10

A Treaty of Peace with God. Romans 5:1

The world wants peace, our communities want peace, and as individuals, we each want personal peace.

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith we have peace with God through our lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2 NIV.

WE WERE ENEMIES
Because of our sins that we were enemies of God even though we may not have known it; our sins offended Him and established warfare between us and God.

JUSTIFIED
To be "justified" is to have all charges against us wiped clean and to be proven innocent of any crime. To be justified before God is to say that we stand in front of the All-Knowing God clean and innocent; as if we never had any contact with sin.

JESUS
The verses that precede these explain it, “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” (Romans 4:25). The death of Jesus paid the penalty of our sins and gives us peace that we could never find otherwise, a peace the world, psychology, philosophy or religion could never know or give. Peace with God our Creator is the beginning of having peace within ourselves.

PEACE
We do not receive the peace with God by good deeds that outnumber our bad deeds, or by our acts of devotion, or by any observance, or sacrament, but only by faith.

He built a bridge to cross from guilt to peace, that bridge is the cross of Jesus where the Lord of Love after living a sinless life gave up his life and took our sin's punishment upon himself. It is like a treaty between two nations to lay down their weapons of war. A legal peace enforced by powers greater than the individual soldiers who formerly fought. This treaty of peace is first ratified by God in the resurrection and then we agree to it and receive it by faith.

IT STARTS
Peace with God is only the beginning. We now stand acceptable to Him in a new relationship with God where we are His children, ambassadors to this world and co-laborers in His work among mankind.

Those three words “Peace with God” are so beautiful! What a blessing to think all our fears of God and our doubts can be utterly washed away. If you do not have peace with God come to God through the blood of Jesus alone, confess your sins, and accept the gift of peace with God by faith.

To learn how to come to God and find eternal life and peace follow THIS LINK to read more.

(c) Adron Dozat 8/11/10

What Does The Bible Say About Depression. Psalm 42:11

We all have times of discouragement.  In our struggle with discouragement, we turn to programs, pills, education, government, or something else, and it leaves us as depressed as before.

“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:11, NIV.

AN AUTHORITY
The author of this verse experienced deep depression. He uses words like downcast,” meaning not able to look up. He is “disturbed,” meaning his peace was taken away. He had experience with the deep darkness of depression.

HOPE
The deepest problems of our hearts are often answered by the simplest truths. “Put your hope in God,” not in money, government, programs, relationships, or education. Hope looks forward in faith and trust. One may say it is faith. We must actively trust God and not spend our time feeling sorry for ourselves.

We can put this into practice by:
     * Meditating on His Love.
     * Drawing close to God through His Word.
     * Review the promises He gives.
     * Remember, He knows your inner need.
     * Remember, He made you and understands you.
     * Express to God in prayer that you put your hope in Him.

FOCUS
When we focus on God and not on our problems, we begin to find healing and take the first steps to lasting peace. Hope in God will lead to praise; like the verse says, “I will yet praise him.” - there is a future beyond this trouble, and this sorrow is not all there is.

SAVIOR
God is our “Savior.” We are not saved from our sins by an angel or any created person or thing, and our own actions will not save us- instead, we are saved by faith in God, our Savior. God wants us to know the joy of salvation. Out of love, God sent his Son to die for our sins, so if we trust Jesus, He will be our Savior. Whatever depression, defeat, or sorrow you carry. I encourage you to "put your hope in God." Bring your grief to God in prayer, and keep praying until you can start to praise him and continue to praise him.

If you need to learn more about how God can be your savior, see my other blog: Click Here.

A Prayer.
Psalm 42:11.
Heavenly Father, You are the God of joy.
You deserve my total service and worship,
but sometimes I get so down and discouraged,
Where I feel depressed and in a dark place.
I know You made me for a better purpose.
You want me to experience joy and salvation.
I know you love me; you see me and understand.
Pardon my sin of selfishness with this life.
Forgive me for withholding worship and praise.
Turn my heart to You and away from self-pity.
I put my hope in You alone for victory.
I accept Your wise and good purpose for me.
I receive Your love and forgiveness through Jesus.
Give me a lifestyle of worship and joy.
Thank You, Father, for these wonderful blessings.

© Adron 1/3/10

An Example Of Finding Faith When In Trouble, Job 19:25

Job was the most troubled man of his generation or any other. Yet he makes the strongest statement of faith found anywhere.

“I know that my Redeemer lives and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. and after my skin has been destroyed yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes- I and not another, how my heart yearns within me!” Job 19:25. NIV.

BACKGROUND
Job lost everything he owned, next his children were killed and then he was afflicted with a horrible disease; yet Job makes this statement of incredible faith.

I KNOW
He says, “I know my Redeemer lives.” This know is to be certain, it was faith not in his head but his heart. In the deepest trial faith was his anchor. The issue of his sin was greater than loss and death; he looks beyond the earthly and sees God his Redeemer.

GOD'S NAME
Job's name for God was "My Redeemer.” A redeemer paid the price of your debt when you could not. Job was confident of redemption, we call it salvation. He wasn't looking or hoping for one- he had a redeemer.

REDEEMER
We need redemption from our lives and sins. Our sins have pawned us into a debt beyond all payment. Our Redeemer must be someone without sin of his own, or else he too would need a Redeemer. The only one who ever lived that sinless life was Jesus. Job looked forward in faith to the coming Redeemer who would pay for his sins. Job’s redeemer had not yet taken on flesh but was already in existence with the Father in heaven.

JOB'S REDEEMER
Job's Redeemer was triumphant and “in the end will stand on the earth.” Jesus paid for our sins on the cross and emerged from the tomb to stand triumphantly as Savior. Soon He will return to stand in triumphant over the kingdoms of man.

Job believed in a personal resurrection. He believed after his fleshly body decayed back into dust that again it will become flesh. He had faith that his spirit will be united to his flesh, with awareness and all senses.

No matter how deep your troubles look beyond them and seek the Lord who can redeem you from your sin and give abundant life today.

To learn more about how Jesus can be your redeemer see my other blog..

(c)Adron Dozat10/28/09