God of the Holy Bible

One of the main themes of the Holy Bible is the lordship, authority, and sovereignty of the Almighty God – El-Shaddai.[1] The LORD God Almighty is sovereign, and He rules and reigns over the heavens and all the earth.[2] All the earth belongs to the LORD.[3] The Holy Bible states that the Almighty God is LORD of creation as He is the CREATOR, KING, SUSTAINER, and JUDGE of both heaven and earth.[4] The Holy Bible declares that the LORD God Almighty is from everlasting to everlasting.[5] The LORD God Almighty is an awesome God, and He is the LORD of lords, God of gods, and King of the universe.[6] The living LORD God is glorious and holy, and the whole earth is filled with His glory.[7]

 

One of the clear messages of the entire Holy Bible is that the LORD is the only true God of heaven and earth. There are no other gods besides the LORD God Almighty because He is the LORD.[8] The LORD God is the only God that is to be worshipped, and He demands our exclusive loyalty and allegiance FIRST.[9] The living LORD God deserves all our wholehearted love, devotion, obedience, affection, allegiance, and worship above all.[10] The Holy Bible proclaims the LORD God Almighty requires everyone’s wholehearted love, trust, worship, praise, and obedience to Him and His good commands.[11]

 

Furthermore, the Holy Bible is clear that we must NEVER worship or serve any other gods, lords, idols, nor kings except the LORD God Almighty as only He deserves ALL our wholehearted praise, trust, love, allegiance, and worship.[12] The LORD God Almighty is a jealous God and consuming fire, and He demands our wholehearted love, obedience, affection, trust, and praise for Him as our God and Provider FIRST.[13] In fact, the LORD God Almighty’s Name is Jealous as He is a Jealous God.[14] The living LORD God must be worshipped with our whole hearts, souls, minds, and strength.[15]

 

The Holy Bible declare that the LORD God can do ALL things.[16] For the LORD God Almighty created the mountains, the stars, turns the light of the dawn into darkness, and only He stirs the winds and rains.[17] For the whole earth is the LORD's and all the earth’s fullness.[18] The LORD God Almighty is supreme, and He rules and reigns over the heavens, universe, and all the earth.[19] Many true servants of God had the privilege of seeing the ruling Judge and King – the living LORD God Almighty.[20]

 

The living LORD God is King over all the earth, and only He protects and saves His people from harm and danger.[21] The Holy Bible teaches that the LORD God Almighty is all-powerful (omnipotent), all-knowing (omniscient), transcendent (supreme), and unchanging (immutable) as He is filled with love, faithfulness, holiness, goodness, and truth.[22] The LORD God gives His heavenly shield of protection, salvation, and peace as we trust, rely, and depend upon Him.[23] The Holy Bible is clear: the living LORD God is the Savior of all people, and He is our salvation.[24] Moreover, the Holy Bible teaches EVERYONE must seek and love the LORD God to find true life, grace, and peace and flee from the worship and trust of idols, human efforts, and other gods.[25] The living LORD God Almighty is a shield of protection and reward to those who are faithful and obedient to Him.[26] The LORD God comes to those who humbly and wholeheartedly seek Him and repent by turning from sins and Satan’s evil ways.[27]

 

The LORD’s divine love runs like a golden thread through the entire Holy Bible.[28] The LORD God Almighty is a good and glorious God, and His mercy and goodness endures for forever.[29] Moreover, the LORD God is forgiving, fair, merciful, good, and abounding in love to all who call to Him in faith and obedience.[30] The LORD God is not a man, and He cannot lie.[31]

 

In addition, the LORD God Almighty requires ALL PEOPLE to live holy, good, and blameless lives with wholehearted obedience and trust for Him and His commands.[32] From the beginning of human history, the LORD God Almighty called ALL PEOPLE to humbly obey and walk with Him and to DO what is good, kind, merciful, fair, and right to prevent living a life of sin that leads to destruction and death.[33] The LORD God Almighty will not tolerate but He punishes sin, wickedness, and disobedience in hopes of leading those who sin to repentance.[34] The Holy Bible teaches that love and obedience to God and His commandments bring His blessings, peace, and life.[35] In fact, Jesus taught that when we obey His commandments by loving His Father the LORD God and loving one another then the Presence of He and His Father through the Holy Spirit come to dwell and live with us.[36] However, the LORD God’s wrath and punishment comes to those who reject Him and refuse to turn from Satan’s evildoing.[37] Therefore, let everyone stop serving other gods and being stubborn and love, cling, know, and obey the living LORD God Almighty and His Son, Christ Jesus.[38] Furthermore in all things, whether eating, drinking, or working, or whatever you do, let us do all for God’s glory.[39] 

 

The living LORD God Almighty works in mysterious ways, and He has no rivals.[40] His works are always perfect and fair as He does no wrong.[41] The LORD God Almighty creates the light and make the darkness, and He sends the good times and bad times – both peace and calamity.[42] The Holy Scriptures calls everyone to love and trust the LORD God Almighty, even during times of testing and suffering, knowing that He works everything for good for those that love and honor Him.[43] Several examples are included in the Holy Bible such as Joseph, Job, and most importantly Jesus who were tempted and suffered, but they never lost their faith and obedience to the LORD God Almighty.[44] Because of their faithfulness, these individuals were blessed and honored by the LORD God Almighty beyond measure.[45] These biblical examples – Joseph, Job, and Jesus – realized that they must ALWAYS trust in God’s sovereignty and love, and obey Him amid their troubles.[46]

 

What is God’s name? The Holy Bible is filled with different names for God. The LORD of the entire heavens and earth is God Almighty and is translated in Hebrew meaning “El Shaddai” (shuh-DYE).[47] The covenant name of God is Yahweh.[48] The LORD is a transliteration or conversion of the proper name YHWH that is sometimes rendered “Jehovah” or “Yahweh.”[49] Yahweh is a translation of the Hebrew letters YHWH, traditionally translated the LORD. In some older English translations, YHWH is rendered “Jehovah,” a form derived from combining the vowel sounds for ʾAdonai with the consonants for YHWH.

 

The LORD is the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and He revealed His Name to Moses.[50] Importantly, the LORD is His eternal Name to remember for all generations, and His Name must be remembered and worshipped for all generations.[51] The Holy Bible is clear that the wonderful and awesome Name of the LORD God must ALWAYS be respected, feared, honored, worshiped, and loved and NEVER cursed nor taken in vain.[52] The living LORD God (Yahweh) repeatedly sent His messengers to proclaim to the people that He was the ONLY true God and everlasting King of heaven and earth, and He alone is to be worshipped and obeyed.[53] The Most High God is the LORD of Israel, and there is no god like Him in heaven above or on earth as He alone is the only true God.[54] The LORD is El, the infinitely strong One, and He is the Sovereign LORD of heaven and earth. “Elohim” is a plural term and the most frequent Hebrew word for God in the Holy Scriptures.

 

The LORD revealed His Name and character to Moses at the burning bush as the Great I AM.[55] Moreover, the living LORD God proclaimed His covenant name and character to Moses at Exodus 34, and this declaration became a central confessional passage. At Exodus 34, the living LORD God descended in His glory cloud and stood with Moses and proclaimed the Name of the LORD. The living LORD God passed before Moses and proclaimed His name, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and patient, and overflowing with committed love and faithfulness, keeping committed love for thousands, forgiving evil and wrongdoings and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty.” The LORD’s covenant name is proclaimed again at Numbers 14:18-19; Nehemiah 9:17, 31; Psalm 86:15; Psalm 103:8; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2. The LORD God’s covenant name is mercy, grace, patience, love, truth, justice, and faithfulness.[56] The LORD God is good.[57] The LORD God’s goodness and grace is the core of His character and nature.[58] Even more, the LORD God’s covenant name is all His glory, His way, His goodness, and His Presence.[59] The very Name and essence of the living LORD is compassion, mercy, patience, grace, unending love, and faithfulness, but the LORD is also just and fair to everyone.[60]

The LORD God Almighty is Spirit and invisible as He has no body, no physical nor measurable form.[61] His Spirit is everywhere and omnipresent because He fills the heavens and earth with His glory.[62] The LORD God Almighty is the God of all the earth.[63] He reveals Himself through the natural world.[64] More importantly, the LORD God Almighty became visible in human form and revealed Himself through His Son Jesus.[65]

 

Importantly, the living LORD God Almighty is One with this Son, Christ Jesus.[66] Jesus is part of the Godhead.[67] The living LORD God was in Christ Jesus reconciling the world to Himself.[68] Jesus is the image of the invisible God and the glory of God.[69] During His public ministry, Jesus revealed His Father and proclaimed to His disciples that anyone who has seen Him had seen His Father.[70] The Presence and Glory of the living LORD God of heaven came to earth and lived (tabernacle) inside His Son, Jesus.[71] Jesus shared His Heavenly Father’s glory before the world began.[72] As God incarnate, Jesus is all-knowing (omniscient) and universal (omnipresent), and He knows what is really inside a person’s heart and mind.[73]

 

In the New Testament, Jesus came from heaven to earth to reveal His Father – the living LORD God to the world.[74] One of the ministries of Jesus was to make known His Holy Father in the world as the Great I AM incarnate – human flesh.[75] While on earth, Christ Jesus revealed His Father and His Father’s Name and Nature to the world.[76] Jesus demonstrated His Righteous Father’s compassion, kindness, grace, truth, and justice during His public ministry.[77] Jesus was filled with compassion, humility, courage, and most important sinlessness.[78] The good works and good teaching of Jesus testified about His Father’s Name and Nature.[79] Jesus revealed and proclaimed His Holy Father’s Name and Glory by completing the work His Heavenly Father gave Him to accomplish.[80]

 

Opposite of the LORD God’s name is Satan’s name. Satan’s name and character are the very opposite of the LORD God’s covenant name and Satan is against the LORD God’s covenant. Satan’s name and character is murderer, adulterer, liar, theft, deceiver, lawless, sinful, and envious.[81] Everyone who commits sins become a slave of Satan and lives outside God’s Kingdom.[82]

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[1] See e.g., Genesis 35:11; Exodus 6:2-3; Psalm 83:18.

[2] See e.g., Deuteronomy 10:14; Nehemiah 9:6; Isaiah 40:28; Acts 17:24-29; Revelation 14:7.

[3] See e.g., Exodus 9:29; Exodus 19:5; Psalm 24:1; 1 Corinthians 10:26, 31.

[4] See e.g., Genesis 1:1-2:25; Psalm 10:16; Psalm 33:6-7; Psalm 47:2; Psalm 134:3; Isaiah 66:1-2; Jeremiah 32:17-19; Acts 14:15; Acts 17:24; 1 Timothy 6:13; Hebrews 11:3.

[5] See e.g., Genesis 21:33; Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 10:16; Psalm 29:10; Isaiah 40:28.

[6] See e.g., Exodus 15:11; Deuteronomy 7:9, 21; Deuteronomy 10:17.

[7] See e.g., Leviticus 11:44-45; Isaiah 6:3; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Revelation 4:8.

[8] See e.g., Deuteronomy 4:35, 39; Joshua 2:11; 1 Samuel 2:2; Psalm 83:18; Isaiah 44:6, 8; Isaiah 45:5, 18, 22-23; Mark 12:29, 32.

[9] See e.g., Exodus 20:3; Exodus 22:20; Exodus 23:13, 24; Deuteronomy 4:35, 39; Deuteronomy 5:7; Deuteronomy 6:4-6, 13-15; Matthew 6:33; Matthew 22:37; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6

[10] See e.g., Deuteronomy 6:4-6; 1 Samuel 15:22-23; Matthew 6:33; Matthew 22:37.

[11] See e.g., Deuteronomy 5:6-21, 33; Deuteronomy 10:12-13, 20; Deuteronomy 11:1; Psalm 128:1; Jeremiah 7:22-23; Micah 6:8; Mark 12:29-30; John 14:15, 21, 23-24; Romans 7:12; 1 John 2:3-5; 1 John 5:2-3.

[12] See e.g., Exodus 20:2-6; Deuteronomy 5:6-10; Deuteronomy 6:4-6, 13-15; Deuteronomy 10:20-21; Jeremiah 25:6; Matthew 4:10; Luke 4:8.

[13] See e.g., Exodus 20:5; Deuteronomy 4:24; Deuteronomy 5:4-5; Deuteronomy 6:1-6, 13-18; Deuteronomy 8:6-10, 18; Deuteronomy 30:6; 1 Samuel 15:22-23; 2 Chronicles 7:1-3; Matthew 4:10; Matthew 6:33; Matthew 22:37-38; 1 John 5:21; Revelation 14:7; Revelation 20:9.

[14] See e.g., Exodus 20:5; Exodus 34:14.

[15] See e.g., Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Psalm 86:10; Isaiah 43:10; Isaiah 44:6-8; Matthew 22:37; Luke 10:27.

[16] See e.g., Job 42:2; Proverbs 3:5-6; Matthew 19:26.

[17] See Amos 4:13; Amos 5:8; Amos 9:6

[18] See e.g., Psalm 24:1; 1 Corinthians 10:26, 28.

[19] See e.g., Deuteronomy 10:14; Nehemiah 9:6; Isaiah 40:28; Acts 17:24-29; Revelation 14:7.

[20] See e.g., Exodus 24:9-11; Numbers 12:6-8; 1 Kings 22:19; Psalm 82:1; Isaiah 6:1-5; Jeremiah 48:15; Jeremiah 51:57; Ezekiel 1:26-28; Daniel 7:9-14; 2 Corinthians 12:1-4; 1 Peter 4:5; Revelation 4:1-11.

[21] See e.g., Exodus 14:13-14; Psalm 24:1, 7-10; Psalm 44:4; Psalm 74:12; Zephaniah 3:15.

[22] See e.g., Genesis 17:1; Genesis 18:14; Leviticus 11:44-45; Leviticus 19:2; Leviticus 20:7; Deuteronomy 4:39; 1 Samuel 2:2-3; 1 Chronicles 29:12; 2 Chronicles 20:6-7, 21; Isaiah 6:1-5; Isaiah 49:7; Daniel 4:17; Nahum 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Hebrews 1:12; Hebrews 13:8.

[23] See e.g., Isaiah 26:3-4; Isaiah 54:17.

[24] See e.g., Exodus 15:2; Psalm 18:46; Psalm 27:1; Isaiah 12:2; Habakkuk 3:18-19; Luke 1:47; 1 Timothy 4:10.

[25] See e.g., Psalm 34:10; Isaiah 55:3, 6-7; Hosea 14:1-2; Amos 5:4; Matthew 6:33; Matthew 22:37; 1 John 5:21.

[26] See e.g., Genesis 15:1; Deuteronomy 33:29; Psalm 115:9.

[27] See e.g., Psalm 34:18; Psalm 50:16-20; Proverbs 28:13; Isaiah 66:2; Daniel 9:7, 9; Amos 5:4, 6; 1 John 1:9.

[28] See e.g., 1 Samuel 2:2; Psalm 145:9; John 3:16; 1 John 4:8.

[29] See e.g., 2 Chronicles 5:13; 2 Chronicles 7:3; Psalm 106:1; Psalm 136:1-3.

[30] See e.g., Exodus 34:6-7; Deuteronomy 7:9-10; Deuteronomy 32:4; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm 34:10-15, 18; Psalm 86:5-7; Psalm 103:12-13; Lamentation 3:22-25; Jonah 4:2; 1 Timothy 1:17.

[31] See e.g., Numbers 23:19; Malachi 3:6.

[32] See e.g., Genesis 17:1; Leviticus 11:44-45; Leviticus 19:2; Leviticus 20:7-8, 26; Deuteronomy 10:12-13; Deuteronomy 18:13; Exodus 19:5-6; Joshua 22:5; Ezekiel 11:20; Micah 6:6-8; Matthew 7:21; Mark 3:35; Ephesians 4:23-32; 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 2:11-12; 1 Peter 1:15-16.

[33] See e.g., Genesis 2:16-17; Genesis 4:7-8; Genesis 5:22; Genesis 17:1; Exodus 19:5-6; Deuteronomy 10:12-13; Psalm 15:1-5; Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:6-8; Matthew 5:3-10; Acts 10:35; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 2:10; James 1:27.

[34] See e.g., Genesis 18:20-21; Genesis 19:13; 1 Samuel 15:22-23; Romans 2:1-11.

[35] See e.g., Deuteronomy 11:9, 29; Deuteronomy 30:16; Psalm 34:8-10; Psalm 145:20; Matthew 12:50; Mark 4:20.

[36] See e.g., John 14:15-17, 21; John 15:1-6.

[37] See e.g., Exodus 20:5-6; Leviticus 26:14-39; Deuteronomy 28:15-68; Psalm 34:16.

[38] See e.g., Deuteronomy 10:16; Deuteronomy 11:22, 32; Deuteronomy 30:20; John 17:3.

[39] See e.g., 1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17, 23; 1 Peter 4:11.

[40] See e.g., Isaiah 45:5, 15; Isaiah 55:8-9.

[41] See e.g., Deuteronomy 32:4; 2 Samuel 22:31.

[42] See e.g., Genesis 1:3-5, 17-18; Psalm 8:3; Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; Isaiah 45:6-7; Jeremiah 31:35; Amos 3:6-7; Amos 4:13; James 1:17.

[43] See e.g., Genesis 50:20; Job 2:10; Psalm 103:11; Romans 8:28.

[44] See e.g., Genesis 37:18-36; Genesis 39:19-23; Job 1:1-2:10; Luke 4:1-13.

[45] See e.g., Genesis 41:41-46; Job 42:7-16; Matthew 28:18; Mark 16:19.

[46] See e.g., Job 42:1-6; Matthew 4:10; Luke 22:41-44.

[47] See e.g., Genesis 17:1; Exodus 6:3.

[48] See e.g., Exodus 3:13-16.

[49] See e.g., Exodus 20:7; Leviticus 24:16.

[50] See e.g., Exodus 3:6; Exodus 6:2-4; Exodus 34:5-7; Matthew 22:32-33.

[51] See e.g., Genesis 4:26; Genesis 14:22; Genesis 26:22; Exodus 3:14-15; Exodus 20:2-3, 5; Exodus 34:14; Deuteronomy 6:4-6; 2 Kings 17:35; Zephaniah 3:9; Matthew 6:33; Matthew 22:37.

[52] See e.g., Exodus 6:2-3; Exodus 20:7; Deuteronomy 5:11; Deuteronomy 28:58; Deuteronomy 32:3.

[53] See e.g., Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Jeremiah 10:10; Jeremiah 7:25-28; Matthew 6:33; Matthew 22:37.

[54] See e.g., Exodus 6:2-8; Exodus 8:10; Deuteronomy 10:14; Nehemiah 9:5-6; 1 Kings 8:23, 60; Daniel 2:47; Daniel 3:28-29; Daniel 4:34-35; Daniel 6:26-27; Revelation 14:6-7.

[55] See Exodus 3:6, 13-16; Exodus 6:2-3.

[56] See e.g., Exodus 3:14-15; Exodus 34:5-7; Nehemiah 9:17; 1 John 4:7-8.

[57] See e.g., 2 Chronicles 5:13-14; Lamentations 3:25.

[58] See Exodus 34:6-7; Psalm 34:8; Psalm 86:5; Joel 2:13.

[59] See Exodus 33:13, 18-19, 22.

[60] See e.g., Exodus 34:5-7, Numbers 14:18; 2 Chronicles 30:9; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm 86:15; Psalm 103:8; Jeremiah 9:24; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2; James 5:11.

[61] See e.g., John 4:24; 2 Corinthians 3:17; 1 Timothy 1:17; 1 Timothy 6:16.

[62] See e.g., 1 Kings 8:27; Psalm 72:19; Psalm 139:7-12; Isaiah 6:3; Jeremiah 23:23-25; Amos 9:2-4; Acts 7:48-50; Revelation 1:8.

[63] See e.g., Deuteronomy 4:35, 39; Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Isaiah 41:4, Isaiah 44:6-7, 24; Isaiah 45:5-6, 15, 18-19, 21-23; Isaiah 66:1-2; Mark 12:32; Acts 14:15; Acts 17:24.

[64] See e.g., Psalm 19:1-6; Acts 14:17; Romans 1:19-20.

[65] See e.g., Matthew 1:23; John 1:1-3, 14, 18, 34, 49-51; John 14:9-11; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6; 1 John 4:9-10.

[66] See e.g., Exodus 3:6, 13-15; Matthew 3:16-17; John 10:30, 38; John 12:45; John 14:9-11, 20; John 16:32; John 17:11, 21; Acts 7:32-33; 1 Corinthians 8:4, 6.

[67] See e.g., Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14.

[68] See e.g., 2 Corinthians 5:19.

[69] See e.g., John 1:14, 18; John 12:45; Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3.

[70] See e.g., Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-3, 14, 18; John 6:38, 42; John 12:45-46; John 13:1, 3; John 14:9-11; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Philippians 2:6; Colossian 1:15; Hebrews 1:3.

[71] See e.g., John 1:1-3, 14; John 10:30, 38; John 12:45; John 14:9-11, 20; John 17:11, 21; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Colossians 1:15, 19; Colossians 2:9-10.

[72] See e.g., Proverbs 8:23; John 1:1-2; John 16:28; John 8:28; John 17:5, 24; Philippians 2:6; Hebrews 1:1-3.

[73] See e.g., see 2 Chronicles 6:30; Jeremiah 17:10; Ezekiel 11:5; Matthew 9:4; John 2:24-25; John 13:11; Revelation 2:23.

[74] See e.g., John 1:1-5, 14, 18; John 6:38; John 13:3.

[75] See e.g., John 1:14, 18; John 6:35; John 8:12; John 10:11; John 14:6.

[76] See John 17:6, 26.

[77] See e.g., Exodus 34:5-7; Matthew 9:36; Matthew 14:14; Matthew 15:32; Mark 6:34; Mark 8:2-3; John 1:14, 16-17; John 14:6.

[78] See e.g., Matthew 4:23-25; Matthew 9:36; Matthew 14:14; Mark 6:34.

[79] See e.g., John 5:36; John 10:25, 38.

[80] See e.g., John 1:14, 18; John 4:34; John 5:36; John 17:1, 4.

[81] See e.g., John 8:41, 44; John 10:10; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10; 1 John 3:4, 8, 12.

[82] See e.g., Psalm 15:1-5; Psalm 24:3-5; Matthew 7:21-23; Matthew 25:41; Luke 13:27; John 8:34-35; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21; Revelation 21:7-8; Revelation 22:15.

Love One Another

Christians and Jews are connected to Muslims through their Father Abraham. By way of background, Muslims believe Islam originated from Ishmael, which means “God hears” (see Genesis 16:11-12). Ishmael was the first son of Abraham by the Egyptian concubine named Hagar (see Genesis 16:1-16). The Holy Bible teaches that Ishmael was born when Abraham was 86 years old. Ishmael was born in Abraham’s attempt to fulfill God’s promise by human means with Hagar and not through his wife Sarah (see also Romans 9:7; Galatians 4:23). Hagar and her son Ishmael were near death in the wilderness when the Angel of the LORD directed Hagar to a well to save her and her son’s life (see Genesis 21:8-21). The Holy Bible teaches that the living LORD God was with Ishmael, and Ishmael was also under God’s blessing (see Genesis 17:18-20; Genesis 21:20).  The living LORD God promised Hagar He would multiple Ishmael and his descendants (see Genesis 16:10-12). 

Furthermore, the living LORD God promised Abraham that He would bless his son Ishmael, make him fruitful, and greatly increase Ishmael into a great nation (see Genesis 17:20-21; Genesis 21:13, 17-19). Abraham and his son Ishmael were both circumcised in the flesh (see Genesis 17:26). Ishmael was one of the first to experience the physical sign of God’s covenant – circumcision.  According to the Holy Scriptures, Ishmael was the father of twelve sons (see Genesis 25:12-16).  Many Arabs claim Ishmael as their forefather and thus Palestine as their land.  Also, Israel’s founding fathers — Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and the twelve sons of Jacob (Israel) lay claim to Palestine as their land.  In the New Testament, Jesus declared that everyone who accepts, loves, and obeys Him as the living LORD God’s Son become part of His family and grafted into God’s people – Israel and Abraham’s seed (see e.g., John 1:12-13; Luke 8:21; Galatians 3:26-29; Ephesians 2:19-22). 

Therefore, let us all love one another (see Matthew 7:12; Matthew 22:37-40; John 13:34-35; Romans 13:8-10; 1 Thessalonians 4:9)!

Glory Cloud

The living LORD God’s glory cloud has appeared throughout the Bible. The glory cloud appeared in the Old Testament (see e.g., Deuteronomy 31:15; 1 Kings 8:10-13; 2 Chronicles 5:13-14), in the New Testament at Jesus’s Transfiguration and Ascension into heaven (see e.g., Matthew 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:34-35; Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9), and in the book of Revelation (see Revelation 15:8). In the book of Daniel, the “Son of Man” is presented as coming in the glory cloud to the Ancient of Days – the Sovereign LORD God (see Daniel 7:9, 13-14). The living LORD God spoke from His glory cloud at Jesus’s baptism to confirm Jesus as His dearly loved Son (see Matthew 3:16-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:33-34) and before Jesus’s glorification (see John 12:28-29). Even more, the glory cloud with the Presence of God came into the Tabernacle in the wilderness and Solomon’s Temple (e.g., Exodus 40:34-38; 1 Kings 8:10-11; 2 Chronicles 5:13-14; 2 Chronicles 7:2-3). Further, the LORD’s glory appeared over the atonement cover of the Ark of the Covenant (see Leviticus 16:2). When Israel was in the wilderness, the living LORD God lead His people Israel within His glory cloud – a pillar of cloud and pillar of fire (see Exodus 13:21-22; Deuteronomy 1:33; Number 10:33-34). The LORD God’s glory cloud provided protection, provision, and guidance for Israel and was a visible sign of His Presence – a Theophany (see e.g., Exodus 14:19-20; Exodus 16:10-12; Exodus 19:9, 16-18; Exodus 24:15-18; Exodus 34:5-7; Exodus 40:34-38; Numbers 9:15-23; Numbers 12:5-8; Matthew 17:5; Matthew 24:30; Acts 1:9). One day Jesus will return to earth with the holy angels of God in the glory cloud (See e.g., Matthew 16:27; Matthew 24:30; Matthew 25:31; Mark 14:61-62; 1 Thessalonians 4:16). Truly, the whole earth will be filled with the LORD God’s glory (see e.g., Numbers 14:20-21; Psalm 72:19; Isaiah 6:3).

Jesus Loves You!

 ⁹ God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son (Jesus) into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him (Jesus). ¹⁰ This is real love — not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice (propitiation) to take away our sins. ¹¹ Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other…. ¹⁹ We love each other because God loved us first. 1 John 4:9-11, 19, New Living Translation Edition

 

One of the Holy Bible’s most important messages is God’s love and mercy for the world (see e.g., John 17:23; Romans 5:5, 8; Romans 8:35-39; Ephesians 2:4; 1 John 4:10, 19). The living God is rich in mercy, compassion, and love towards everyone, even when we are unloving and living at our worst (see e.g., Psalm 145:9; Luke 6:35; Luke 15:20; Acts 14:17; Romans 10:12). In the same way, Jesus showed and continued His Father’s grace, compassion, and love for the world, while living in the world (see e.g., Matthew 9:36; Matthew 14:14; Luke 7:13, 16-17; John 1:14, 17-18; John 13:1, 34; John 15:9).

 

God’s everlasting love for the world was seen visibly by Him sending His only beloved Son Jesus into the world as Savior for our sins (see e.g., Matthew 1:21; Luke 2:11; John 4:42; John 3:16-17; John 17:23, 26; Romans 5:8; Titus 3:5; 1 John 2:1-2; 1 John 4:9-10, 14). Jesus is the sacrificial Lamb and Messiah (Christ) sent from His Father, the Sovereign LORD God of heaven and earth (see e.g., Matthew 1:1, 16; Matthew 16:16; Luke 9:20; John 1:29, 36; John 20:30-31). The love of God was revealed by giving His Son Jesus as a sacrifice on Calvary’s Cross to wash away of our sins by His precious blood (see e.g., Romans 3:24-26; Romans 5:6-10; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Revelation 1:5). NOTHING can separate us from God’s love that is revealed in His Son, Christ Jesus (see e.g., Romans 8:35-39; Ephesians 5:2, 25).

 

Nevertheless, the living God of heaven and earth calls every person to REPENT and TURN from Satan’s evil and dark deeds and turn to His word and light found in His Son, Jesus (see e.g., Ezekiel 18:30-32; Matthew 3:3, 8; Matthew 4:17; John 1:1-5; Acts 17:30). The living God is holy and righteous, and He wants EVERYONE to be holy and righteous and obey His commandments (see e.g., Exodus 19:5-6; Exodus 20:1-17; Leviticus 11:44-45; Leviticus 19:2; Leviticus 20:7, 26; Isaiah 6:3-5). In His love for the world, God demands EVERY PERSON to follow and obey Him and His Son Jesus and walk in truth, goodness, peace, holiness, and faith in our daily conduct and TURN from evil desires and Satan’s darkness (see e.g., Matthew 10:38; Luke 9:23-24, 26, 35; John 12:26; Acts 26:18; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 6:14-18; 1 Thessalonians 4:7; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 1 Peter 2:9-10). Living evil, rebellious, and dark lives lead to God’s wrath and separate us from God’s blessings and union with Him and His Son Jesus (see e.g., John 14:21, 23; John 15:1-5; John 16:27; John 17:26; Romans 1:18). When we repent and turn from our sins, God comes running with open arms to welcome us into His gracious Kingdom with heavenly celebration (see e.g., Luke 15:7, 10, 18-24).

 

Jesus calls everyone to REMAIN in His and His Father’s love and friendship through our faith and obedience to His and His Father’s commandments and teaching (see e.g., Luke 8:21; John 14:15, 21; John 15:9-10; 1 John 2:5; 1 John 5:3). In fact, Jesus taught that we must patiently obey, believe, and cling to His and His Father’s word with our whole hearts (see e.g., Matthew 12:48-50; Luke 8:21; Luke 11:28)! Obedience to God’s word and commandments brings salvation and life (see e.g., Matthew 19:17-19; Luke 8:11-12, 15, 21; Luke 10:25-28; John 1:1-5; John 6:28). Satan knows God’s words bring life and peace, so he tries to take God’s word away from people’s hearts (see e.g., Mark 4:15; Luke 8:12).

 

God the Father and His Son Jesus’s commandments are to love and be good-hearted, merciful, and kind to one another, even our enemies (see e.g., Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 5:43-48; Matthew 7:12; Matthew 22:39; Luke 8:15; Luke 10:25-29; John 13:34-35; John 15:12-13; 17; Romans 12:9-10; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; 1 John 2:10; 1 John 3:11, 23; 1 John 4:11-12; 2 John 1:5). Love is the bond of perfection (see e.g., Matthew 5:48; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; Colossian 3:14). Our love and obedience for God and love towards one another is action and means stopping from our busyness and work and taking time to worship God and others in need of help (see e.g., Luke 10:30-42). The Holy Scriptures promise that our love for God and mercy towards others bring heavenly and overflowing joy, blessings, grace, and peace into our lives and hearts, and we become one and friends with God (see e.g., John 14:23, 27; John 15:11, 14-16; 2 Thessalonians 2:16).

 

HERE IS GOOD NEWS! The living God and His Son Jesus set us FREE from Satan’s evil, darkness, and disease and restores our heart peace and calms our storms through faith in Jesus (see e.g., Mark 5:7-8, 15, 18-20; Luke 8:24-25, 35, 38-39; John 16:33). In fact, Jesus is filled with healing power, and He can deliver us from Satan’s darkness and disease when we come to Him by faith (see e.g., Luke 8:46-48, 50). By faith in Him, Jesus has the power and authority to cast out and heal all our diseases, demons, and sickness (see e.g., Matthew 4:23-25; Mark 1:32-34; Luke 4:40-41). Jesus is the light and power of God (see e.g., Matthew 17:2; Mark 6:51; Luke 4:36; Luke 8:25; Luke 9:29, 43; John 1:4-5).

 

Some people hate Jesus! Jesus calls people to flee and turn away from Satan’s dark and wicked deeds such as greed (covetous), hypocrisy, falsehood, deception, corruption, murder, quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, self-importance, egotism, drunkenness, wild parties, disorderly behavior, discord, impurity, sexual sins, and lustful pleasures (see e.g., Luke 11:39-42, 44, 47-50; Luke 12:1, 15, 45-46; John 7:7; 2 Corinthians 12:20-21; Galatians 5:19-22; Ephesians 4:31-32; James 3:14-16).[1] Sadly, certain people love sin and darkness, and they do not want to walk in Jesus’s goodness, truth, and light (see e.g., John 1:4, 9-11; John 3:19). Everyone doing sin and wickedness hates the light and wants to continue in their darkness and evildoing (see e.g., John 3:20; Ephesians 5:11, 13).

 

God the Father and His Son Jesus call everyone to REPENT and TURN from evil and darkness and turn to God’s light, goodness, and truth (see e.g., John 3:21; Acts 20:21; Acts 26:15-20; 1 John 4:17). Both God and His Son Jesus are filled with mercy and compassion. However, God the Father and Jesus command everyone – saint and sinner alike – to REPENT, stop sinning, and turn from darkness, wickedness, and evil and turn to a life of goodness and love towards others (see e.g., Isaiah 55:6-7; Matthew 4:17; Luke 5:32; Luke 6:35; Luke 11:39-54; Luke 13:3, 5, 24-27; Luke 14:12-14; Luke 15:10; John 5:14-15; John 8:11). In fact, God sent His Son Jesus from heaven to earth to call everyone to REPENTANCE and OBEDIENCE and also to save those who are lost and suffering from Satan’s sin, disease, and darkness (see e.g., Mark 1:14-15; Matthew 20:28; Luke 11:28-32; Luke 15:7, 10; Luke 19:10).

 

Our faith and obedience to God’s teaching demonstrates God the Father and Jesus’s Lordship in our lives and hearts and keeps us strong during times of testing and temptation (see e.g., Luke 6:46-51). Moreover, our love, faith, and devotion to God and His Son Jesus bring forgiveness of our many sins, healing, and inner heart peace (see e.g., Matthew 9:2, 22; Luke 5:20; Luke 7:47-50; Luke 8:48).

 

REPENT and come back to God (see e.g., Matthew 6:33; Luke 12:31; 2 Corinthians 5:20). Even more, let everyone take time away from their work and busyness to love, worship, and learn from God and His Son Jesus (see e.g., Exodus 20:2-11; Leviticus 26:2; Deuteronomy 5:12-15; Luke 10:38-42). God genuinely loves you!

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[1] Jesus was often called the “new” Moses or one of the Old Testament prophets like Elijah or Jeremiah (see e.g., Matthew 5:1-12; Matthew 16:14; Luke 9:8, 19, 30-31). Like the Old Testament prophets, Jesus spoke against unfaithfulness to God, sin, and wickedness.

Resurrection of Jesus Christ

 ²⁵ Jesus told her (Martha), “I AM the resurrection and the Life. Anyone who believes in Me will live, even after dying. ²⁶ Everyone who lives in Me and believes in Me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?” John 11:25-26

 

Resurrection of Jesus Christ! No topic in the Holy Scriptures is more important than Jesus’s resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus deserves our particular attention because Jesus’s resurrection is the majestic hinge on which Christianity turns.

 

The death and resurrection of Jesus is Good News (Gospel) message for ALL PEOPLE and not just Christians (see e.g., Luke 2:10-11; 1 Corinthians 15:1).[1] At the heart of the Good News (Gospel) stands the message of Jesus’s atoning and sacrificial death as God’s Passover Lamb and His resurrection from complete death for the sins and salvation of the world (e.g., see John 1:29, 36; Romans 1:3-4; Romans 5:8-10; Romans 6:5-11; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 2 Timothy 2:8). This Gospel is the same message promised long ago through God’s holy prophets of the Old Testament (Romans 1:2; see also Luke 24:25-27, 44-47; Acts 26:6; Galatians 3:8). The Good News is about God’s Son, Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior (see e.g., Romans 1:2-3, 16-17).

 

The Good News message teaches that Christ Jesus voluntarily lied down His life and died for our sins on Calvary’s Cross (tree), was buried in Joseph of Arimathea’s new tomb, and He was raised from complete death on the third day by God’s Spirit, just as the Old Testament prophets predicted long ago (see e.g., Psalm 16:9-11; Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Zechariah 13:7; Matthew 27:57-60; John 10:18; Acts 2:24, 32; Acts 10:39-40; Acts 13:27-29; Romans 3:24-25; Romans 5:6-8; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 12, 20; Galatians 1:3-4; 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10). On Calvary’s Cross, Jesus the Messiah personally carried our sins, curses, and shame in His body and shed His precious blood so that we can REPENT, TURN from sin and darkness, and LIVE for what is good, holy, and right (see e.g., Isaiah 53:4-6, 11; Romans 4:25; Romans 6:2-7, 11-12; 2 Corinthians 5:20-21; Galatians 2:20; Galatians 3:13; Hebrews 9:14-15, 28; 1 Peter 2:24-25; 1 John 3:5).

 

Here is more Good News! God the Father raised His Son Christ Jesus from complete death through the Holy Spirit (also known as God’s Mighty Power) after Jesus died for the world’s sins as the Passover Lamb on Calvary’s Cross (see e.g., Matthew 28:6-7; Acts 2:24, 32; Acts 3:15; Acts 5:30; Acts 10:39-42; Acts 13:32-37; Ephesians 1:19-20; 1 Corinthians 15:15; Philippians 3:10). Jesus promised during His earthly ministry that He would raise from the dead after three days once He had suffered for the sins of the world (see e.g., Matthew 16:21; Matthew 17:22-23; Mark 8:31; Mark 10:33-34; Luke 9:22; Luke 18:31-33; Luke 24:46-49; John 2:18-21). If there is no resurrection of Christ Jesus, then our faith is useless and we are still guilty of your sins (see e.g., 1 Corinthians 15:16-18).

 

Significantly, Jesus’s resurrection from complete death proved that He is the Messiah and the Son of the living God (see e.g., Acts 5:30-32; Acts 13:33-35; Romans 1:3-4). In Jesus’ earthly life, He was born into King David's family line (see e.g., Matthew 1:1, 6; 16-17; Luke 1:31-33; Romans 1:3; 2 Timothy 2:8). However, Jesus was shown to be the Lord, the Son of God, and Great Shepherd when He was raised from complete death by the power of God’s Holy Spirit (see e.g., John 20:28; John 20:30-31; Acts 2:36; Romans 1:4; Ephesians 1:20-22; Hebrews 13:20). Now, Jesus lives and reigns as the Resurrected Messiah and King with His Father – the Sovereign LORD God of heaven and earth (see e.g., Romans 6:19; Revelation 1:5, 18; Revelation 5:6-13; Revelation 19:13, 16).

 

The New Testament gives many accounts of what followed Jesus’s resurrection and victory over complete death. There were no human witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection. However, Jesus’ tomb was found empty, and no one ever located Jesus’s body (see e.g., Matthew 28:5-7; Mark 16:5-6). Moreover, the Holy Scriptures unanimously declare the personal and bodily resurrection of Jesus from complete death by the Mighty Power of God – the Holy Spirit (e.g., see Acts 2:24; Acts 4:10; Acts 10:40; Ephesians 1:19-20; Romans 1:4; Romans 8:11; Colossians 2:12).

 

After the resurrection, many of Jesus’s disciples and apostles witnessed the Resurrected Jesus (see e.g., Mark 16:12-14; Luke 24:36-42; John 20:19-29; Acts 1:3, 11; Acts 10:40-41; Acts 13:31). First, Jesus’s disciples and apostles saw Jesus’s empty tomb outside Jerusalem early Sunday morning (see Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-9). Also, Mary Magdalene witnessed the Resurrected Jesus at His empty tomb (see Mark 16:9-10; John 20:11-18). Later, the Resurrected Jesus appeared to two travelers on the Emmaus Road (see Mark 16:12; Luke 24:13-32). Moreover, the Resurrected Jesus appeared to the Apostle Peter in Jerusalem (see Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5). Furthermore, the Resurrected Jesus appeared to His apostles in the Upper Room (see Mark 16:14; Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-31; 1 Corinthians 15:5). Several days later at daybreak, the Resurrected Jesus appeared to His disciples fishing on the Sea of Galilee (see John 21:1-23). Furthermore, the Resurrected Jesus appeared to His apostles on the Mount of Galilee and later at the Mount of Olives, and He commissioned His disciples and apostles to take His Good News message of forgiveness and reconciliation with God through faith in Him into all the world (see Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 24:44-49; Acts 1:3-8). Sometime later, the Resurrected Jesus appeared to the Peter, James, and more than 500 of His followers (see 1 Corinthians 15:5-8). Notably, the Resurrected Jesus appeared to the Apostle Paul in His glorious Light on the Damascus Road to appoint Paul to take His Gospel message to the Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel (see Acts 9:3-8, 15-16, 20-22; Acts 18:28; Acts 22:6-21; Acts 26:12-20; 1 Corinthians 15:8-11; Colossians 1:23). Finally, the Resurrected Jesus appeared to John in the book of Revelation to reveal the apocalypse at His second coming (see Revelation 1:1, 9-11).

 

These disciples and apostles that witnessed the Resurrected Jesus became fearless and courageous evangelists of the Gospel message of Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection (see e.g., Mark 16:15; Acts 4:33). The Holy Spirit empowered Jesus’ disciples and apostles to proclaim His Good News message (see e.g., Luke 24:46-49; Acts 1:8). For example, the Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Rome to continue to spread the Good News about Jesus (see Romans 1:1, 7). Through Christ Jesus, God gave the Apostle Paul and many faithful others the privilege and authority as apostles to tell everyone throughout the world what God has done through Jesus, so that everyone will believe and obey Him, bringing glory to His Name (see e.g., Romans 1:5-6).

 

Everyone who accepts Jesus’s resurrection is changed, transformed, and empowered by Jesus’ living giving Spirit (see e.g., Romans 6:4-6; 2 Corinthians 5:17). This Good News message of Jesus’s death and resurrection is the power of God that brings salvation, inner heart change, and new life to all who wholeheartedly believe in Jesus’s atoning death and resurrection for their sins (see e.g., Acts 4:10-12; Romans 1:16-17; Romans 10:9-13; 1 Corinthians 1:18, 30; 1 Corinthians 15:2). God sent His Son Jesus to save and bless everyone who believes in Him and to call everyone to REPENT by turning away from sin, darkness, and wrongdoing (see e.g., Matthew 1:21; Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:14-15; Acts 2:38; Acts 3:26; Ephesians 1:3; Titus 2:11-14). Through our repentance and belief in Jesus’s resurrection, believers of Jesus receive new life, salvation, and forgiveness sins by God’s Holy Spirit (see e.g., John 3:3-8, 16; John 20:29; Acts 13:38-39; Romans 8:11; Romans 10:9).

 

Believers of Jesus have been buried, baptized, and resurrected with Jesus to new life (see e.g., Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 2:20-21; Ephesians 2:5-6, 8-10; Colossians 2:11-13). Faith and obedience in Christ Jesus bring new and abundant spiritual life NOW in the present from heaven and for all eternity (see e.g., John 1:4; John 5:21, 25-29; John 10:10, 28; John 17:2-3; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Corinthians 15:45-49; Ephesians 1:3; Colossians 2:12; Colossians 3:1-4; 1 John 5:11-12). Jesus declared that resurrection from the dead and life are so closely tied to Him that resurrection and life are embodied in Him and can be found NOW in the present through our faithful relationship with Him (see e.g., John 6:33, 39-40; John 11:25-26; John 14:6; Acts 3:15; 1 Corinthians 15:21, 45; 2 Corinthians 1:9-10; 1 John 1:1-3).

 

The Holy Scriptures proclaim that believers in Jesus are united with Him in His sacrificial death and raised to a new life in Him through our faith and union to Jesus (see e.g., Romans 6:5, 8, 11). Jesus’s resurrection from death allows believers of Jesus to live new resurrected and victorious lives through our faith in Him (see e.g., Romans 6:4, 9; Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 6:14). Through our faith and union to Jesus, our old sinful lives are crucified with Christ Jesus so that we are SET FREE and REDEEMED from the power of sin in our lives by God’s Mighty Power – the Holy Spirit (see e.g., Matthew 20:28; Matthew 26:28; Romans 6:6-7; Ephesians 1:7, 19-20; Colossians 1:14; Titus 2:14). Jesus is a life-giving Spirit (see e.g., John 10:28; John 17:2-3; Acts 3:15; Romans 5:17; 1 Corinthians 15:45; 1 John 1:1-3; 1 John 5:11-12). Only our belief and union to the Cross of Christ Jesus and His resurrection save our souls from sin and wrath (see e.g., John 3:36; Romans 10:9-13; Galatians 6:12, 14).

 

The Sovereign LORD God so loved the world that He gave His Son Jesus as an atoning sacrifice (propitiation) for our sins (e.g., see John 3:16; Romans 3:24-26; Romans 8:32; Ephesians 5:2; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 2:17; 1 John 2:2; 1 John 4:10). Christ Jesus propitiated or turned His Father’s wrath away from sinners by dying on Calvary’s Cross and enduring God’s wrath and punishment for our sins and wrongdoing so Jesus could break and defeat the power of death, darkness, and sin in our lives (see e.g., Isaiah 53:5; Romans 6:10; Romans 8:3; Hebrews 9:25-28). Christ Jesus’s resurrection overcame and defeated the powers of evil, darkness, and death. Moreover, Christ Jesus canceled or expiated our sins, wrongdoing, and crimes by becoming sin and absorbing our sins in His body on Calvary’s Cross so that we can live for goodness, holiness, and righteousness (see e.g., Romans 8:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24).

 

Because of Christ Jesus’s death and resurrection, God made His Son Jesus our Lord and Savior (see e.g., Matthew 1:21; Luke 2:10-11; Acts 2:36; Acts 13:23, 26; 1 John 4:14). Jesus is the Head and Savior of the church, which He purchased with His precious blood (see e.g., Acts 20:28; Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 5:23, 25-27; Colossians 1:18). Now, Jesus is sitting on the throne at the right hand of His Father – the Sovereign LORD God – in heaven as our Prince and Savior to lead everyone to REPENTANCE, goodness, and forgiveness of sins (see e.g., Psalm 110:1; Mark 16:19; Acts 5:30-31; Ephesians 1:20; Titus 2:10-14). At the Sovereign LORD God’s right hand, Jesus makes intercession (intervention and negotiation) for the church of believers with His Father (see e.g., Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25).

 

In our present age, Jesus is King and Lord because His Father – the Sovereign LORD God – has given Him all power and authority in heaven and earth (see e.g., Matthew 11:27; Matthew 22:44; Matthew 28:18; Luke 10:22; John 3:35; John 13:3; Acts 2:22, 36). For Christ Jesus must reign and rule as King and Lord with all authority and power given from His Father until He humbles and destroys all His enemies, including the final enemy – death (see e.g., 1 Corinthians 15:25-27; Ephesians 1:22). At the end of the age, Christ Jesus will turn the Kingdom over to His Father, the Sovereign LORD God, because He has now destroyed every dark and evil ruler, authority, and power (see e.g., 1 Corinthians 15:24, 28). So, let everyone be strong, immovable, and always working enthusiastically for the Lord Jesus, for we know that nothing we do for Him is ever useless (see e.g., 1 Corinthians 15:58).

 

Jesus has become the first born of the dead and first fruit of the great harvest of all who have died (see e.g., 1 Corinthians 15:20, 23; Colossians 1:18; Revelation 1:5). Sadly, death entered the world because of Adam and Eve’s sin, disobedience, and rebellion against God and His commands (see e.g., Genesis 2:17; Genesis 3:6, 19; Romans 5:12-17; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22). Resurrection and new spiritual life have now entered the world through our wholehearted faith, union, and belief in Jesus – the Second Adam (see e.g., John 5:21-29; Romans 6:23; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22, 45).

 

Jesus’s resurrection is the foundation for all future resurrections (see e.g., Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 6:14; 2 Corinthians 4:14). In between death and the resurrection, a person lies in an intermediate state awaiting “the redemption of our bodies” to be transformed into our new heavenly bodies (see e.g., Romans 8:23; 2 Corinthians 5:1-5). The Holy Scriptures promises resurrection from death for all people – young and old – when Christ Jesus returns at Second Coming (see e.g., Acts 24:15; 1 Corinthians 15:15, 23, 29; Philippians 3:21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 20:12-15). The Holy Scriptures promise the same Resurrected Jesus will return to earth in glory cloud at His second coming (see e.g., Matthew 16:27-28; Matthew 24:30; Matthew 25:31; Mark 14:61-62). 

 

Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried in the dust of the earth will rise at the end of the age, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace (see e.g., Job 19:25-27; Isaiah 26:19; Ezekiel 37:1-4, 12; Daniel 12:1-2; Matthew 22:31-32; Mark 12:26-27; John 5:25, 28-29; Acts 24:15; Romans 14:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 20:12-15). God promises a second death into a fiery lake for the wicked who follows the evil deeds of Satan because their names are not written in the Book of Life – Jesus, who is Life (see e.g., John 1:4-5; John 14:6; Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:14-15; Revelation 21:8).

 

However, everyone whose names are written in the Book of Life – Jesus, the Sovereign LORD God promises to bring the dead back to life and transform those dead bodies into a glorious new and strong body to live forever (see e.g., Ezekiel 37:3-6; 1 Corinthians 6:14; 1 Corinthians 15:38, 42, 52-53; Philippians 3:21). This new body from God will spiritual and heavenly without brokenness, weakness, and corruption (see e.g., Mark 12:25; 1 Corinthians 15:43-44, 48-49). Moreover, this new spiritual body will inherit the Kingdom of God and be transformed into immortal bodies that will never die (see e.g., 1 Corinthians 15:50, 53-56).

 

There is NO CONDEMNATION for those who belong to Christ Jesus (see e.g., John 3:18-19; John 5:24; Romans 5:1; Romans 8:1-2). The Sovereign LORD God gives everyone victory and peace through faith and union to His Son, Jesus the Messiah (see e.g., John 15:4-5; John 16:33; Romans 8:37; 1 Corinthians 15:57; 1 John 5:4-5). Through our faith and union to Jesus, believers of Jesus are reconciled to the Sovereign LORD God and declared righteous because of Jesus’ atoning sacrifice on Calvary’s Cross (see e.g., Romans 1:16-17; Romans 5:10; Romans 10:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Philippians 3:9).

 

EVERYONE – Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews) – that confesses with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe with their whole heart that the Sovereign LORD God raised Jesus from the dead will be saved and made right by the Sovereign LORD God (see e.g., Romans 10:9-13). Through faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection believers also receive new life and become one with Him and His Father through the Holy Spirit (see e.g., Romans 6:2-6). Genuine and wholehearted faith in Jesus brings you into union and fellowship with God and His Son, Jesus.

 

Jesus died for our sins so that we may receive and be included in His new life – a resurrection life – and no longer live for selfishness, wrongdoing, and sin but instead live for Him and His glory (see e.g., Romans 6:2-4, 11-12; 2 Corinthians 5:15, 17; Galatians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:24). Before our faith in Jesus, we were dead because of our sins but we are now ALIVE AND FORGIVEN through our faith in Jesus (see also Colossians 2:13-14). God placed ALL our wrongdoings, sins, and crimes on His Son Jesus so that we would be made right and good with Him (see e.g., 2 Corinthians 5:21).  

 

Through our faith and union with His Son Jesus, the Sovereign LORD God of heaven and earth has poured into our lives His abundant grace, kindness, forgiveness, and peace, and we have now been adopted into His heavenly family by the Holy Spirit (e.g., see Luke 24:47; John 1:12-14, 16; Acts 10:43; Acts 13:38-39; Romans 5:1-2; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 1:2-3, 13-14; Ephesians 2:4, 7-9; 18; Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 4:14-16). Faith in Jesus frees us from Satan and a life dominated by darkness, sin, and death. We find lasting joy, peace, and love through faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and made right with God (see e.g., Romans 5:1-5; Romans 7:24-25). REPENT and come to the Light of God and away from Satan and darkness (see e.g., Acts 26:13, 18, 19-20, 23; Romans 6:1-2, 12-18).

 

God’s grace found in Jesus Christ NEVER permits believers to keep on sinning! Instead, God through Jesus calls everyone to walk in goodness and turn away from Satan’s darkness, deceit, and destruction. Christ Jesus came into the world that we may live for His glory and no longer for sin, rebellion, and lawlessness. Since God loved us by sending His Son Jesus, we should love and care for one another and not hate one another. (see e.g., Romans 8:35-39; 1 John 3:23-24; 1 John 4:7-11, 16, 20-21). REPENT AND TURN TO JESUS and become ABUNDANTLY FREE of sin (see e.g., Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19).

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[1] The Gospel and the Good News are used interchangeably when referring to Jesus the Messiah (Christ). Christians use the word Gospel or Good News as the message of God's saving activity through the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of God's unique Son, Jesus.