by Onovae Akpoesiri | Aug 7, 2020 | Food for thought, Members Writeup
Six short lessons from Ecclesiastes chapter 4
Vs 1-3, Evil and oppression are in this world and those who oppress seem to have more power on their side to oppress. The only ones that are free from oppression are those that are dead but the most privileged are those that have never exited (not born). Why because even those that are dead only just had rest from the evil and oppression in this world but they that have not exited had neither experienced evil nor oppression. But for us alive today, in this world we would experience oppression and evil, don’t be part of those that oppress others.
1. Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed— and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors — and they have no comforter.
2. And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive.
3. But better than both is the one who has never been born, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun.
Lesson 2
Vs 4, Your labor should not be as a result of envy. It’s not a compitition, the labor that is motivated by envy has no joy; it is exhausting and empty.
4. And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
Lesson 3
Vs 5-6, it’s only a fool that folds his hands and destroys himself with laziness and idleness. Work hard but it’s very important that you learn how to rest and be patient than running around with too much work and no rest in pursuit of success. All the toiling and business is not worth it at last,
5. Fools fold their hands and ruin themselves.
6. Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.
Lesson 4
Vs 7-8, Work hard but learn to enjoy what you have also labored for, don’t be carried away with gathering riches without end. Let us take time to ask ourselves who we are gathering for because at the end it is all emptiness with no one to share it with. Wealth is sweeter when we share it with others.
7. Again I saw something meaningless under the sun:
8. There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with is wealth. “For whom am I toiling,” he asked, “and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?” This too is meaningless — a miserable business!
Lesson 5
Vs 9-12, Life without a true friend or companion is not satisfying. Two are better than one. Learn to connect with others and build good relationships because life is sweeter with friends; success is fulfilling when you have someone to share it with. The advantage of togetherness cannot be overemphasized; remember, one broom stick can be broken without stress but a stack of broom sticks cannot be easily broken.
9. Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:
10. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
11. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?
12. Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Lesson 6
Vs 13, Be open to receive instructions and friendly rebuke or warning, for a young one who listens to advise is wiser and better than an old foolish person who will not listen to advise or warning. Wisdom involves learning and listening to others, it involves humility to listen to the warning and rebuke of others. If you are wise to listen to others it will bring you riches and the position of a foolish king will be yours. Shalom!
13 Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to heed a warning. 14 The youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may have been born in poverty within his kingdom. 15 I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king’s successor. 16 There was no end to all the people who were before them. But those who came later were not pleased with the successor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
by Onovae Akpoesiri | Aug 4, 2020 | Food for thought, Members Writeup
The namw “Ecclesiastes” comes from a Greek word indicating a person who calls an assembly, so it makes sense that the author identified himself in Ecclesiastes 1:1 by the Hebrew word qoheleth, translated as “Preacher. King Solomon wrote the book and it holds so many lessons. Lessons that can guide us through the struggle of this world. Today we will be focusing on Ecclesiastes 3.
Lesson 1
There is time for everything vs 1-8. God has made everything beautiful in it’s time.
1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2. a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3. a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4. a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5. a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6. a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7. a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8. a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
Lesson 2
No one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end. We cannot know everything about God or what He does. vs 9-11
9 What do workers gain from their toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet[a] no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
Lesson 3
Rejoice, and do good with what you have and with your life. Enjoy the fruit of your ‘good’ labor_it is the Gift of God. Vs 12-13.
12. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 13 That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.
Lesson 4
Vs 14, whatever God does stands forever, we cannot add to what God has already made, neither can we subtract from it.
14. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.
Lesson5
Vs 15, what we see today has been in existence; and what we would see in the future had already been in existence. In essence, there is nothing really new in this world. What we call new and futuristic is what we modify from what God has already created. That’s why He demands us to give account of everything.
15. Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account.
Lesson 6
Vs 16-17, wickedness may overcome righteousness, but God will judge the righteous and the wicked. There is a set time for (to judge ) every purpose and every work (what we do).
16 And I saw something else under the sun: In the place of judgment—wickedness was there, in the place of justice — wickedness was there.
17 I said to myself,“God will bring into judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time to judge every deed.”
Lesson 7
Vs 18-21, after all, there is no difference between us and the animals when it comes to death. We all die and return to the dust from where we were taken. The only difference is that our breath goes back to the source (goes up) God. And that of the animals goes down to the earth since God did not breath into their nostrils the breath of life. But the bottom line is we all breath, so we all die.
18 I also said to myself, “As for humans, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals. 19 Surely the fate of human beings is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath[c]; humans have no advantage over animals. Everything is meaningless. 20 All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return. 21 Who knows if the human spirit rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?”
Lesson 8
Vs22, so in conclusion, nothing is better than rejoicing in the work of your hand and the delighting yourself in the good of your labor which is a gift from God; this is your heritage and only reward here on earth, to use very well what God has blessed you with to do good. Because when you die, you cannot come back to see how those who inherited all you have acquired will use it. So do the best that you can now that you are alive. We only have one life, live it to the fullest in glory to God. May God bless and keep us to His Glory. Amen.
22 So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work, because that is their lot. For who can bring them to see what will happen after them?
by Onovae Akpoesiri | Apr 14, 2020 | Bible Study, Members Writeup, Share your view
There is no seven (7) literal years of Antichrist reign after the rapture in scripture: There is absolutely nowhere in the scriptures in which one can find the Antichrist reign and oppression for seven or three and half years after the second coming of Christ. The popular unscriptural teaching is that Antichrist reign will last for 1 week (7 years) as seen in Daniel’s 70 weeks. He is said to rise as a peaceful world leader in the first 3 ½ years but in the next 3 ½ years, he will be the real devil he is.
The last week of the 70 weeks prophecy of Daniel 9 cannot be detached from the whole block of time and applied to a future period for Antichrist’s reign. The 70 weeks prophecy was probationary time given to Daniel’s people, the Jews (Daniel 9:24). This block of time stretches from the time the commandment or decree was given to restore and rebuild Jerusalem to the time the Messiah or Christ would come (the first time) to die (Daniel 9:25) and when the gospel will go to the Gentiles. That decree was given by Artaxerxes Longimanus I in 457 B.C. and says in verse 25 that the first 69 weeks (483 years, when you apply the year/day principle [see Ezekiel 4:6; Numbers 14:33) would lead to the appearance of the Messiah. Messiah is a Hebrew word that means “anointed.” The Greek equivalent is Christos. This part of the time prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus was baptized in A.D. 27, exactly 69 weeks or 483 years from 457 B.C. That’s when He was anointed with the Holy Spirit and was presented or officially introduced to Israel by John the Baptist as the Messiah.
Now there remains one prophetic week out of the 70 weeks prophecy. That is the seven years that is now said to be meant for the reign of Antichrist. But this seven years is not meant for the reign and activities of Antichrist, but that of Christ Himself. This may come as a surprise to many. First and foremost, you should know that this prophecy is about Christ and not Antichrist. Notice also that the one week is a part of the 70 weeks. It cannot be separated from it and applied to the future. There is no indication of such a separation or divorce of the one week or seven years of time from the 70 weeks in the text. The 70 weeks is one block of time and the angel who was interpreting was only giving Daniel, as well as us, a breakdown of what will happen at different times during the one block of time. This prophecy is perhaps the strongest evidence that can be presented to show that Jesus of Nazareth was indeed the Saviour that was to come to save the world. So this prophecy is about Christ and NOT Antichrist. Now let’s read verses 26 and 27 that tell us what happens to Christ and what He accomplishes in the 70th week of the 70 weeks prophecy in the King James Version (some modern ecumenical and biased Bibles translators have rendered the verse with to make it refer to Antichrist):
“26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 And he [Messiah, NOT Antichrist] shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate” (Daniel 9:26, 27).
Notice that verse 26 talks about Messiah being “cut of.” That’s a prophecy about Christ’s death. Notice too that it says He will not die for Himself, but for us. Then there is prediction about the prince that shall come and destroy the city that is referred to as the “abominations” that causes “desolations.” This is a reference to the destruction of Jerusalem by Prince Titus in A.D. 70. Titus, who became Roman emperor (79–81), was the prophesied “prince” in Daniel 9: 26, 27 was to be the conqueror of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. After service in Britain and Germany, Titus commanded a legion under his father, Emperor Vespasian, in Judaea in A.D. 67. Christ confirmed that this is the true interpretation of Daniel 9: 26, 27 when He was prophesying about the destruction of Jerusalem in Matthew 24 and He referred to it as the “abomination of desolation, spoken by Daniel the prophet” (verse 15). Christ used the very words in Daniel 9:26, 27. Some have applied this prophecy to Antiochus Epiphanes of the 2nd century B.C., who lived about 200 years before Christ. But this cannot be correct because Christ applied the prophecy to the future from His time. He said in Matthew 24:15: “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:).” So the fulfilment of the abominations of desolation through war cannot be a reference to Antiochus Epiphanes, but to Prince Titus.
Now back to the biggest Messianic event of the 70th week. Read it again inDaniel 9: 27: “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.”
It’s very clear. While confirming the covenant in the last one week of the 70 weeks prophecy, Messiah is “cut of” and the Old Testament sacrifices or sacrificial system ceases or comes to an end. The “midst of the week” here will be three and half years from A.D. 27, which brings us to A.D. 31, the exact year Christ died on the cross. The next three and half years lands us in A.D. 34, the end of the 70 weeks prophecy. What happened that year? The Jewish council called the Sanhedrin, rejected Christ officially when they rejected the gospel preached to them by Stephen and ordered that he be stoned to death. From A.D. 34, the Jews ceased to be God’s chosen agency to reveal the mystery of salvation to the world and the gospel goes to the Gentiles. Remember that the 70 weeks was given to them as probationary time.
Let me prove this a little further. Before A.D. 34 Jesus commissioned His disciples to preach only to the Jews: “These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10: 5, 6). Why would He make such a statement? Because it was not time in God’s prophetic calendar for the gospel to go to the Gentiles. He wanted to use the Jewish nation but they rejected the gospel. This is the understanding of Paul and the other apostles after A.D. 34. Remember Paul was converted after the death of the first Christian martyr, Stephen who was killed in A.D. 34. Listen as he addressed the Jewish leaders:
“But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles” (Acts 13: 45, 46).
The Jews, as a nation (not as individuals), misused their probationary time of 70 weeks or 490 years and God founded a new Israel from all nations of those who believe in Jesus as the Christ (Galatians 3: 26-29).
So the whole seven years theory of the Antichrist reign is not biblical. It was a Catholic Jesuit diversionary interpretation to make people not to focus on the real Antichrist identified by the Protestant Reformation in the Bible. This Antichrist remains the papal system.
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Azanor Eddy Thompson
by Onovae Akpoesiri | Feb 22, 2017 | Members Writeup
Revelation 13:16-18
Our passage reads: “And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.”
It is my conviction that God would not leave people in the dark concerning this most important end-time issue. Those who will gain victory over the beast—surviving its deceptions and assaults—would/must clearly understand the issues at stake. The prophecy of Daniel intimates us that God will grant special illumination to His faithful in the “time of the end.”: “Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand” (Dan. 12:9, 10, Emphasis mine). It is pertinent to note that understanding come to those who are the opposite of the wicked. They are wise because, first and foremost, they are righteous—they are true to the truth previously revealed to them (regarding stealing, adultery, state of the dead, Sabbath, etc.). So being righteous is a foremost prerequisite in receiving divine illumination.
Now the context in which our passage finds itself is undoubtedly dealing with the issue of worship. In fact, the entire book of Revelation is replete with this motif.
Another thing (very pivotal) that needs to be considered in knowing what the mark of the beast constitutes is to see the polarization shown in the book of Revelation. Most people follow the beast and a few follow the Lamb. Those who follow the Lamb do not receive the mark of the beast. They are characterized as those who keep the commandments of God in Revelation 14:12 and this is how they resisted the mark of the beast. From this alone it is safe to conclude that if one keeps all of God’s commandments by the enabling power of the Holy Spirit as a love commitment to Christ, one is bound to escape the mark of the beast.
Furthermore, taking the Bible as one corpus, it is also very easy to see what the issue will be in these last days. But before we even do that let us understand that once we are able to identify who the beast represents, we are not very far from knowing what its mark constitutes. And, of course, real, unbiased, textual, contextual, intertextual and objective studies have shown that the papal system of the medieval ages is the sea beast of Revelation 13. All the identifying marks unmistakably point to this religio-political power as the apocalyptic culprit that persecuted God’s people and tampered with His law in the Dark Ages (see our article “Who is the Beast with the Dreaded Mark?” on this blog).
Let us go back to looking at the entire corpus of Scripture in determining the mark of the beast. God has used different signs to mark His people down through the ages—entering the ark, circumcision, etc. But since we have been intimated in Revelation that those who do not receive the mark of the beast keep all of God’s commandments, it is only logical that God’s seal has everything to with God’s commandments.
It is important at this point to show that among the Ten Commandments there is only one that God speaks of as a sign between Him and His people (see Exo. 31:16, 17; Eze. 20:12, 20). It also makes sense to see that this is so because this is the only commandment that contains the reason why God alone is worthy of worship—by virtue of being the Creator God. It is not hard to see also that Satan would especially hate this commandment and seek to draw people’s attention from it—exactly what he has done through the ages. Have you ever noticed that even communist (atheistic) states had laws that prohibit stealing and murder? But such godless systems can never think of observing the Sabbath because the only reason for keeping it is to acknowledge the God who made the world in six literal, 24 hours, consecutive and contiguous days (Gen. 1:1-2:33; Exo. 20:8-11).
Moreover, the beast power has claimed that the greatest mark of its authority is the fact that it changed the Sabbath to Sunday and that those who keep Sunday are paying homage “to the authority the [Catholic] church.’’[1] And if we know that the mark of the beast is the opposite of God’s mark or seal (that Satan has created not only a spurious but also a counterfeit Sabbath), then it is not hard to figure out that faithful Sabbath observance in the last days constitute the seal of God and enforced Sunday observance and the prohibition of free Sabbath worship constitute the final issue around which the great controversy winds up on the earth. Remember, it’s not just a matter of days but that of those who you follow—the beast or the Lamb. And if Ellen White’s statement, as found in The Desire Of Ages, that “in order to keep the Sabbath holy, men themselves must be holy” is true, then true Sabbath observance calls for unreserved consecration to God.[2] It is no wonder Ezekiel links Sabbath observance to sanctification (Eze. 20:12).
Finally, as a Seventh-day Adventist who believes that Ellen White manifested the gift of prophecy in her life and ministry, I fully subscribe to the following from The Great Controversy (which I believe to be prophetic):
But when Sunday observance shall be enforced by law, and the world shall be enlightened concerning the obligation of the true Sabbath, then whoever shall transgress the command of God, to obey a precept which has no higher authority than that of Rome, will thereby honor popery above God. He is paying homage to Rome, and to the power which enforces the institution ordained by Rome. He is worshiping the beast and his image. As men then reject the institution which God has declared to be the sign of His authority, and honor in its stead that which Rome has chosen as the token of her supremacy, they will thereby accept the sign of allegiance to Rome—“the mark of the beast.” And it is not until the issue is thus plainly set before the people, and they are brought to choose between the commandments of God and the commandments of men, that those who continue in transgression will receive “the mark of the beast.”[3]
[1] Mgr. Segur, Plain Talk About the Protestantism of Today, p. 213 (Emphasis mine)
[2] Ellen G. White , The Desire of Ages (Seoul, Korea: Everlasting Gospel Publishing Association) p. 283
[3] Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy (Seoul, Korea: Everlasting Gospel Publishing Association), p. 449
by Onovae Akpoesiri | Nov 25, 2016 | Members Writeup
Where do demons come from? Demons are fallen angels who serve Satan. It’s in the Bible, Revelation 12:8-9 NKJV. “But they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”
We are in a spiritual battle with evil spirits – Satan and his fallen angels. It’s in the Bible, Ephesians 6:11, 12, NKJV. “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
The Bible warns us against trying to communicate with “familiar spirits,” or ghosts. It’s in the Bible, Isaiah 8:19, NASB. “When they say to you, ‘Consult the mediums and the spiritists who whisper and mutter,’ should not a people consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living?”
Can the dead communicate with the living? It’s in the Bible, Ecclesiastes 9:5-6, 10, NKJV. “The dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun…For there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave.”
How does the Bible describe death? It’s in the Bible, 1 Thessalonians 4:14, NKJV. “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus”
If the dead are sleeping, who are the spirits of our deearly departed? Fallen angels can deceive us by appearing as good beings, even spirits of people we are familiar with. It’s in the Bible, 2 Corinthians 11:14-15, NASB. “No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.”
Evil spirits can perform miracles and signs to deceive. It’s in the Bible, Revelation 16:14, NKJV. “For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.”
We do not have to be afraid of demonic impersonations of the living and the dead, if we give our hearts to Jesus and stay away from such satanic activities as séances, ouija boards, etc. It’s in the Bible, 1 John 4:1, 4, NKJV. “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God. . ..You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
Jesus has authority over demons. It’s in the Bible, Luke 4:35-36, NIV. “ ‘Be quiet!’ Jesus said sternly. ‘Come out of him!’ Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him. All the people were amazed and said to each other, ‘What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!’ ”
God makes demons tremble. It’s in the Bible, James 2:19, “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!”If we are true to Jesus and obey Him by faith, we do not need to be afraid of Satan’s power. It’s in the Bible, Luke 10:19, NKJV. “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
The Name of Jesus has power and authority. It’s in the Bible, Luke 10:17, NKJV. “Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”
Humble prayer and fasting are powerful weapons against the enemy. It’s in the Bible, Mark 928-29, NKJV. “And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”
You can’t just know Jesus’ name, you need to know Jesus. It’s in the Bible, Acts 19:13-16, NKJV. “Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them,[c] so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
Casting demons out doesn’t always mean you know God. It’s in the Bible, Matthew 7:21-23, NKJV. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
How else can I defend myself from demons? It’s in the Bible, Ephesians 6:14-18, NKJV. “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints”
Satan and his demons will leave us alone if we resist them and submit ourselves to God. It’s in the Bible, James 4:7, NKJV. “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
What is the ultimate end for Satan and his fallen angels? It’s in the Bible, Matthew 25:41, NKJV. “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’”
Your questions and comments are welcome. Have a splendid day!
by Onovae Akpoesiri | Nov 25, 2016 | Members Writeup
What does the Bible say about angels?
Who are angels? It’s in the Bible, Hebrews 1:14, NIV. “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?”
How many angels are there? It’s in the Bible, Revelation 5:11, NIV. “Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand.”
Angels can appear in the form of ordinary people. It’s in the Bible, Hebrews 13:2, NIV. “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.”
Do we become angels when we die? No, humans and angels are different from each other and were created separately. It’s in the Bible, Psalm 8:4, 5, NKJV. “What is man that You are mindful of him? . . . You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor.”
Who is the leader in charge of the angels? It’s in the Bible, I Peter 3:22, TLB. “And now Christ is in heaven, sitting in the place of honor next to God the Father, with all the angels and powers of heaven bowing before Him and obeying Him.”
Angels are special guardians. It’s in the Bible, Matthew 18:10, TLB. “Beware that you don’t look down upon a single one of these little children. For I tell you that in heaven their angels have constant access to My Father.”
Angels provide protection. It’s in the Bible, Psalm 91:10-11, NIV. “For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”
Angels rescue people from danger. It’s in the Bible, Psalm 34:7, TLB. “For the angel of the Lord guards and rescues all who reverence Him.”
Angels carry out God’s orders. It’s in the Bible, Psalm 103:20-21, TLB. “Bless the Lord, you mighty angels of His who carry out His orders, listening for each of His commands. Yes, bless the Lord, you armies of His angels who serve Him constantly.”
Angels carry God’s messages. It’s in the Bible, Luke 2:9-10, NIV. “An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”
What part will the angels play when Jesus comes the second time? It’s in the Bible, Matthew 16:27 and 24:31, NIV. “For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with His angels.”
“And He will send His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.” (Matthew 24:31)
Where did evil angels come from? They were good angels who chose to rebel. It’s in the Bible, Revelation 12:9, NIV. “The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.”
What influence do evil angels have? They struggle against those who are good. It’s in the Bible, Ephesians 6:12, NIV. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
What will be the final destiny of Satan and his evil angels? It’s in the Bible, Matthew 25:41, NIV. “Then He will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.'” Have a beautiful day!
