DO NOT TAKE PAYMENT FROM THE ENEMY

PROCLAMATION

“And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto The Lord, The Most High God, the possessor of heaven and earth, that I will not take … any thing that is thine, least thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich; Save only that which the young men have eaten …”  Genesis 14:22-24 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Moses under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  After Lot separated from Abram, he resided in an area near Sodom.  There was a war between the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah, and the four kings to the east who prevailed against them.  The four kings seized all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah including Lot and his possessions. (Genesis 14:1-12)  When Abram heard what had happened to Lot, he gathered 318 of his men and went and rescued Lot and recovered all of his possessions. (Genesis 14:13-16)  The king of Sodom offered the possessions to Abram, but he refused them.  He said that he would not take anything from him so that he could never say that he made Abram rich. (Genesis 14:17-24)

 

APPLICATION

There are a number of reasons for not taking any form of payment from the enemy.  He may feel that he owns you, or that he has bought your loyalty.  However, the main reason is that it would appear to others that the two of you are in some kind of partnership with each other.  The Bible says that we are to do that which is good and right, and we are to avoid evil.  It also says that we are to avoid even the appearance of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:22)  Don’t partner with people who are doing evil.  Don’t be bought.  If we are going to do something good to help someone who is in need, then do not accept payment for doing it.  Also, do not broadcast the good deed to get public acclaim.  If we seek the glory of men then we already have our reward for the good deed. (Matthew 6:2)

 

BE GENEROUS TO GOD'S PEOPLE

PROCLAMATION

“And Abram said unto Lot, ‘Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.  Is not the whole land before thee?  Separate thyself, I pray thee, from me; if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.’  And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered … Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east ...”  Genesis 13:8-11 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Moses under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  After Abram left Egypt he returned to Bethel with more than he had when he left.  His herds and Lot’s herds were so large that the land could not support them both. (Genesis 13:1-6)  When quarreling started between Abram’s herdsmen and Lot’s herdsmen.  Abram told Lot to choose the part of the land that he wanted, and he would take the other side. (Genesis 13:7-9)  Abram was very generous and let Lot have the best part of the land. (Genesis 13:10-11)  After Lot left, The Lord spoke to Abram and blessed him saying that all of the land that he could see, in all directions, would be his. (Genesis 13:14-18)

 

APPLICATION

All separations are not bad.  Sometimes it is better to separate yourself from some people in order to keep the peace.  The children of God are to be peacemakers. (Matthew 5:9)  Some of the people that we are keeping close to us are blocking our blessings.  There are some people in our lives we need to let go in order to be blessed.  We can also be blessed by giving to others.  Be generous when you give to God’s people.  The Bible says, “Give, and it shall be given unto you.” (Luke 6:38)  For by giving, we shall receive.  The Bible says that as we give, so shall we receive. (Luke 6:38)  The Bible also says that the generous person will be made rich, and he that blesses others will himself also be blessed. (Proverbs 11:25)  If we give generously to God’s people, then we will be blessed.

 

WHEN THE LORD SAYS GO IT IS TIME TO MOVE

PROCLAMATION

“Now The Lord had said unto Abram, ‘Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will show thee.’ ”  Genesis 12:1 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Moses under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  After God confounded their language and scattered mankind to different parts of the earth, (Genesis 11:3-8) they continued to multiply.  Abram, who would later become known as Abraham and as the father of the faithful, (Genesis 17:5) was born from the lineage of Shem. (Genesis 11:10-26)  Abram and his wife Sarai went with his father from the land of Ur to Harran and settled there. (Genesis 11:31)  It was from there that The Lord God told Abram to leave. (Genesis 12:1)  The Lord told Abram that He would bless him and make him into a great nation.  God said that whoever blesses Abram would be blessed and whoever curses him would be cursed.  All of mankind would be blessed through him. (Genesis 12:2-3)  Abram left Harran and travelled through Canaan, and towards Bethel, to Egypt.  It was in Egypt that Abram lied to Pharaoh and said that his wife Sarai was his sister because he feared for his life. (Genesis 12:10-16)  Sarai was taken to Pharaoh’s palace, but God sent a plague upon Pharaoh and his household and Sarai was returned to Abram before Pharaoh touched her. (Genesis 12:17-20)

 

APPLICATION

When The Lord God tells us to “Go” then it is time for us to go, even when we are not sure exactly where we are going.  When God says that we are to leave a place or a person, then it is time for us to move on.  Sometimes we have to move out of our comfort zone in order to be where God wants us to be.  There are times when we need to leave a job, a city, a relationship, or some people behind, and that includes family.  We need to listen to and obey the voice of God.  He speaks to us with a still small voice (1 Kings 19:12) and through His Holy Word.  Where we were yesterday may not be where God wants us to be tomorrow, so it may be time for us to move today.  We all need to make sure that we are where God wants us to be and that we are doing what God wants us to do.

 

THE BEGINNING OF DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

PROCLAMATION

“And The Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do … Let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.”  Genesis 11:6-7 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Moses under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  As mankind began to multiply as God had commanded, (Genesis 9:1) they journeyed eastward to the land of Shinar.  At this time all of mankind spoke the same language.  There they decided to build a city and a tower of brick and tar.  The tower was to be so high that its top would reach up to heaven. (Genesis 11:4)  This must have displeased God because after He saw what they were doing, He confounded their language so that they could not understand each other.  This caused them to stop building the city and the tower and they scattered in different directions all over the earth. (Genesis 11:5-9)  The place where this occurred is called Babel.  The remainder of the chapter details the genealogy of Noah’s son Shem up to Abram, (Genesis 11:10-32) whose name would later be changed to Abraham.

 

APPLICATION

No one knows what language mankind spoke when they all spoke the same language.  Today there are more than 6,500 languages, dialects, and tongues spoken throughout the world, according to Google.  This is the result of man thinking that he can get to heaven on his own ingenuity.  Maybe they thought that they could save themselves if there was another flood.  However, the only way for man to get to heaven is by Christ. (John 14:6)  It is only by the grace of God, through faith in Christ, that we are saved.  Salvation is a gift from God.  Nothing man can do on his own can save himself. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

 

THE GENEALOGY OF THE NATIONS

PROCLAMATION

“These are the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations; and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood.”  Genesis 10:32 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Moses under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  After the flood, God blessed Noah and his sons and told them to be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth. (Genesis 9:1)  Noah had three sons, Japheth, Ham, and Shem.  Each of his sons had sons, and each of them had sons. (Genesis 10:1-32)  These grandsons, and great-grandsons, and great great-grandsons of Noah spread out in different directions establishing territories of their own for their families. (Genesis 10:5, 10:11-12, 10:19, and 10:30)  These family territories were the foundations of the nations of the world.

 

APPLICATION

If we could trace our family history back far enough, we would all find that we are related to one of Noah’s sons.  For most of us this history is lost.  However, the Jewish records were maintained, probably because of their concern regarding the genealogy of Christ.  For all of our national and ethnical differences, all of the people in the world today came from Noah’s family.  We need to pray for our family members, nearby and far away, those known, and unknown. 

 

THE SIGN OF THE COVENANT WITH NOAH

PROCLAMATION

“And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying, And I, behold, I establish My covenant with you, and with your seed after you, and with every living creature that is with you … neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth … I do set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between Me and the earth.”  Genesis 9:8-13 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Moses under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  After the flood, God blessed Noah and his sons and told them to be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth. (Genesis 9:1)  God gave them dominion over all the beast of the earth, the fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea. (Genesis 9:2)  God also said that every living thing that moves shall be food for them.  Just as He had given them the green plants to eat, He now gives them everything to eat. (Genesis 9:3)  However, they were told not to eat any animal while it was still alive with blood running through it.  If they did so, then their life would be required of them.  God also said that if any man kills another man, his life will be required of him. (Genesis 9:4-6)  Then The Lord God said that He would establish a covenant with Noah and his sons and his seed after him that He would never again destroy all life or the earth with water.  The rainbow in the clouds would be a sign of that covenant. (Genesis 9:8-17)

 

APPLICATION

The Lord God did not say that He would never again destroy mankind and the earth.  What He said was that He would not destroy them again with water. (Genesis 9:11)  The rainbow in the clouds is a sign of the covenant that He made with Noah not to destroy everything again with water. (Genesis 9:13)  The Lord God will destroy mankind and the earth again, but the next time it will be with fire. (Revelation 16:21, 20:9, and 20:15)  The church will have been raptured before this happens so believers will not be destroyed. (1 Thessalonians 4:17)  The message to non-believers is, therefore, repent, the destruction of mankind is coming.

 

WAIT ON THE LORD

PROCLAMATION

“And God spake to Noah, saying, Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons’ wives with thee.  Bring forth with every living thing that is with thee …”  Genesis 8:15-17 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Moses under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  After The Lord God spoke to Noah and told him to build the ark, Noah did all that God had commanded him to do. (Genesis 6:22)  Then The Lord God told Noah go into the ark with two of every kind of animal and He shut him in. (Genesis 7:1-16)  Afterwards, it rained continuously for forty days and forty nights. (Genesis 7:12)  The rain caused a flood which lifted the ark, (Genesis 7:17) and covered the mountains by more than twenty feet. (Genesis 7:20)  All the animals and all mankind outside of the ark died. (Genesis 7:21-22)  The water covered the earth for a hundred and fifty days. (Genesis 7:24)  When the flood waters began to recede, Noah stayed inside of the ark.  As the water receded the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. (Genesis 8:4)  After forty days Noah opened a window, and he could see the tops of the mountains, but he stayed inside of the ark.  Even after the dove that he sent out returned with an olive leaf, Noah stayed inside of the ark. (Genesis 8:8-12)  Even when he could see that the surface of the ground was dry, Noah stayed in the ark until The Lord God said for him to come out of the ark. (Genesis 8:13-17)  When he did come out of the ark, he built an altar and sacrificed some of the clean animals that he had brought with him. (Genesis 8:18-20)  Then The Lord God said that He would never again destroy every living thing as He had done. (Genesis 8:21)  He would never again do it this way, by water.

 

APPLICATION

Noah had faith in God, he was obedient and built an ark even before there was a cloud in the sky.  He entered the ark when The Lord God told him to do so, and he did not come out of it until God told him to come out.  Even though he could see that the ground was dry, he did not come out.  We need to learn to trust in The Lord and lean not on our own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)  Things are not always as they appear.  Relying on our five senses and our limited intelligence, instead of doing what thus saith The Lord, will get us into trouble.  We need to develop patience.  We need to pray before we act, (Philippians 4:6) and before we speak, and we need to learn to be patient and to wait on The Lord. (Psalm 27:14)

AND THE LORD GOD SHUT HIM IN

PROCLAMATION

“And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the breath of life.  And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him; and The Lord shut him in.”  Genesis 7:15-16 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Moses under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Noah built the ark and did everything just as God had commanded him to do. (Genesis 6:22)  Then The Lord God told him to take his family and go into the ark.  He told him to take with him into the ark a pair of every kind of animal, male and female.  He was also told to take seven pairs of every clean animal. (Genesis 7:1-3)  God told Noah that in seven days He would cause it to rain for forty days and nights and kill every living creature on earth. (Genesis 7:4)  Noah did as The Lord God had commanded.  He was six hundred years old when the rain flooded the earth with water. (Genesis 7:5-6)  After Noah and his family and all of the animals had entered the ark, The Lord God shut him in. (Genesis 7:7-16)  It rained for forty days and nights.  The flood waters covered the mountains by more than fifteen cubits, or about twenty feet. (Genesis 7:19-20)  Every living thing on earth died except for those that were within the ark. (Genesis 7:21-23)

 

APPLICATION

When Noah entered the ark, The Lord God shut him in. (Genesis 7:16)  I always thought that Noah and his sons closed the door of the ark, and I wondered how they could close it tight enough to keep the flood waters out.  Then I read that God closed the door.  It was God who sealed him in the ark and protected him from the flood.  Nothing was getting in or out of the door that God closed.  God can close doors that no man can open. (Job 12:14)  He can also open doors that no man can shut. (Revelation 3:8)  Whether they be to doors of protection or to an opportunity, when God closes the door, it is closed.  When God seals us in we are protected.  When God saves us we are saved.

  

STAY IN GOD'S GOOD GRACES

PROCLAMATION

“And God saw that the wickedness of man was great … And it repented The Lord that He had made man … And The Lord said, I will destroy man … and beast, and every creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; … But Noah found grace in the eyes of The Lord.”  Genesis 6:5-8 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Moses under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  After Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:23-24) they had children, (Genesis 4:1-2 and 4:25) and their children had children, who also had children for nine generations before Noah was born. (Genesis 5:3-30)  After the death of Adam there was much wickedness on the earth and The Lord was displeased. (Genesis 6:5-6)  The posterity of Seth, a God fearing people who lived in the mountains and were called the son of God, mated with the posterity of Cain, a vile and profane but beautiful people who lived in the valley and were called the daughters of men. They had children who became mighty men that did not follow God. (Genesis 6:4)  God said that He would destroy both the man and beast that He had created, but Noah found grace in the eyes of The Lord. (Genesis 6:7-8)  Noah was a just man who walked with God. (Genesis 6:9)  Because the earth was corrupt, immoral, and violent, God told Noah that He was going to destroy mankind, but he should build an ark (Genesis 6:11-14) so that he and his family would be saved from the coming flood which would destroy all flesh. (Genesis 6:17-18)  Noah was told to bring two of every kind of animal, male and female, into the ark with his family and food to feed them. (Genesis 6:19-22)

 

APPLICATION

Even when surrounded by wickedness and corruption, a child of God should maintain his faith and Christian walk.  By doing so one will find grace and favor in the eyes of The Lord and thereby be spared the wrath of God which will come to those people who are doing evil.  By following The Word of God we will be protected from the evil around us and from the punishment that they will receive. (Hebrews 11:7)  God will make a way out of no way to protect the righteous from His punishment of the evil, even if there are only a few righteous people involved. (Genesis 18:22-32)  Only He knows the future but occasionally The Lord God will share some of His secrets and plans with those who truly believe in Him. (Genesis 6:13 and Psalm 25:14)  Stay in the good graces of God and avoid His wrath. (Revelation 18:4)

ENOCH WALKED WITH GOD AND DID NOT DIE

PROCLAMATION

“And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah; And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters; And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years; And Enoch walked with God; and he was not; for God took him.”  Genesis 5:21-24 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Moses under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this fifth chapter of Genesis, Moses presents the genealogy of Adam from creation to Noah.  He said that Adam lived one hundred and thirty years before he begat his son Seth.  Adam had many other sons and daughters and lived a total of nine hundred and thirty years before he died. (Genesis 5:1-5)  Briefly mentioned in the genealogy were Seth, who begat Enosh, who begat Kenan, who begat Mahalalel, who begat Jared, who begat Enoch.  Enoch was the first man mentioned in The Bible who walked with God. (Genesis 5:22)  Enoch is also the first of the two men mentioned in The Old Testament who did not die. (Genesis 5:24)  He was translated, he was removed from earth by God.  The other man who did not die was Elijah. (2 Kings 2:11)  Moses goes on to say that Enoch begat Methuselah, who lived to be nine hundred sixty-nine years old, the oldest man to ever live. (Genesis 5:27)  Then Moses said that Methuselah begat Lamech who was the father of Noah.

 

APPLICATION

No one knows how long they will live.  The Bible says that the days of our lives are seventy years, threescore and ten years, but that can be lengthened, or it may be cut short. (Psalm 90:10)  However, walking faithfully with God may be a good way to extend our years.  Enoch walked with God for three hundred years after the birth of his son Methuselah. (Genesis 5:22)  Enoch and Noah are the only two men who are said to have walked with God. (Genesis 5:22 and 6:9)  The best was to get in good favor with God is to keep His commands.  We need to pray and ask God to forgive us of our sins, and then help us to walk in His way.  We may have to go through death, but that will be our transition from earthly labor to heavenly reward.

 

GIVE GOD YOUR VERY BEST

PROCLAMATION

“In the process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto The Lord.  And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof.  And The Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering; But unto Cain and his offering He had not respect.  And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.”  Genesis 4:3-5 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Moses under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this fourth chapter of Genesis, Moses presents the sons of Adam and Eve.  Cain, the oldest, grew up to be a worker of the soil, and Abel grew up to be a keeper of the flocks. (Genesis 4:1-2)  In the course of time, Cain brought of some of the fruits which he had produced as an offering to The Lord.  Abel, however, brought the best from the firstborn of his flock as an offering to The Lord.  The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but He did not look upon Cain and his offering with favor. (Genesis 4:3-5 and Hebrews 11:4)  Cain did not give The Lord God the best of his produce.  God told him that if he had done that which was right, and given of his best, he and his offering would have been accepted. (Genesis 4:6-7)  Afterwards, while they were in the field, Cain attacked and killed his brother Abel. (Genesis 4:8)  Later on, God asked Cain, “Where is Abel thy brother?”  Cain replied, “I know not; Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9)  The blood of Abel cried out to The Lord God from the ground, and He cursed Cain then drove him out of the land.  God put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him. (Genesis 4:10-16)  Adam and Eve then had another son, Seth.

 

APPLICATION

When we give to The Lord God, we should give Him the very best of whatever it is that we have to offer.  We are to give to Him from the first fruits of all of our increases. (Proverbs 3:9)  He deserves the first portion of the very best that we have, and not some small part of that which is left over after we give to ourselves and to others.  We need to put God first in everything, including our giving of our time, our talent, and our treasures. (Matthew 6:33)

 

THE PUNISHMENT FOR THE ORIGINAL SIN

PROCLAMATION

“In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground;  for out of it wast thou taken; for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”  Genesis 3:19 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Moses under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this third chapter of Genesis he describes the first sin of man, his fall from grace, and the punishment that he received for it.  The serpent is a crafty, cunning, and deceiving beast. (Genesis 3:1)  Eve was tempted by Satan, who appeared in the form of a serpent, and she did eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17) which The Lord God had commanded them not to eat. (Genesis 3:1-6)  She offered some of this fruit to Adam and he also ate it. (Genesis 3:6)  After eating the fruit they immediately became aware of their nakedness and tried to hide from God. (Genesis 3:7-10)  When God questioned Adam about his action, he blamed Eve, and she blamed the serpent. (Genesis 3:9-13)  For their part in this, the original sin, God cursed the serpent, (Genesis 3:14-15) He also cursed Eve, (Genesis 3:16) and He cursed Adam. (Genesis 3:17-20)  Even though He punished them, God still provided garments for Adam and Eve. (Genesis 3:21)  The Lord God banished them from the Garden of Eden, and He protected them by placing a cherubim with a flaming sword to prevent their access to the tree of life. (Genesis 3:22-24)

 

APPLICATION

Even though he was blessed with abundance, man still sinned and disobeyed God.  Man had an easy life in the Garden of Eden with all of God’s provisions.  Now, after the sinful fall from God’s grace, we have to work and sweat to eat and survive.  Even though we will be punished for our sinful choices, The Lord God still blesses us.  When we sin today, it is not out of necessity for our survival; it is because of our selfish desire for personal gain, greed, or lustful pleasure.  There was a price to be paid for our sins. (Romans 6:23)  Jesus, The Christ, paid the price for our sins on Calvary and offered us the way to salvation and eternal life.  When we die, all believers must still give an account for our behavior, and our stewardship, (Luke 16:2 and Revelation 20:12) and for every idle word that we speak. (Matthew 12:36)  Our physical death will be the separation of our spiritual soul from our physical body.  Our body will return to the dust of the earth.  However, where our soul will spend eternity depends upon our acceptance or rejection of Jesus, The Christ. (Ephesians 12:7 and Revelation 20:15)

MAN AND WIFE ARE TO BE AS ONE FLESH

PROCLAMATION

“And The Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; and the rib, which The Lord God had taken from man, made He a woman, and brought her unto the man.  And Adam said, ‘This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman because she was taken out of man.’ ”  Genesis 2:21-23 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Moses under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Chapter two begins after God had created the heavens and the earth, and all things therein, in six days. With all of that completed, on the seventh day God rested and He blessed that day. (Genesis 2:1-3)  This second chapter also provides some additional information regarding how the things that were presented in the first chapter were actually created. (Genesis 2:7 and 2:21-23)  The Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden, and He made all kinds of trees to grow.  This was where He placed man. (Genesis 2:8-9)  Man was put in the Garden of Eden to work it and to take care of it.  Man was told that he could eat the fruit from any tree in the garden except for the tree in the center of the garden which was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 2:15-17)  Then The Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone …” (Genesis 2:18) and He made man a suitable helper.  God made woman from one of man’s ribs. (Genesis 2:21-23)

 

APPLICATION

Woman was formed from one of man’s ribs.  She was taken from his side.  She was created to be a helpmate for man. (Genesis 2:20)  She was not created to be his slave, or his servant, or his punching bag.  She should be at his side, not behind him or in front of him.  A man and a woman are to be a team, working together as a unit, so close together that they are to be as one flesh. (Genesis 2:24)  Once married, a person should leave their father and mother and be united with their spouse. (Genesis 2:24 and Ephesians 5:31)  The husband is to love his wife as he loves his own body (Ephesians 5:28) and as he loves himself. (Ephesians 5:33)  He is to love her as Christ loves the church. (Ephesians 5:25)  The wife is to submit to the husband. (Ephesians 5:22-23)  If both the man and the woman would do as The Bible says, there would be many more happy marriages and a lot less divorces.

GOD CREATED HEAVEN EARTH AND MAN

PROCLAMATION

“And God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.’  So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.”  Genesis 1:26-27 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were written by Moses under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  This is the first Book of The Bible and this first chapter is all about the beginnings of everything.  This includes the creation of the heavens, and the earth, and everything therein. (Genesis 1:1-31)  When God said, “Let Us … in Our …”, He was referring to The Holy Trinity, God The Father, God The Son, and God The Holy Spirit, and collectively these three are one God. (John 1:1 and 1 John 5:7)  God created something, the earth and man, and everything in the universe, out of nothing.  Everything was created in six days, however, a day to God is like one thousand years to man. (2 Peter 3:8)   

 

APPLICATION

God created the earth out of nothing.  He spoke and it came into existence.  Man was created in the very image and likeness of God.  As different as we all look today, who is to say which one of us looks more like God, our heavenly Father.  We should be very careful when we make references about someone’s physical appearance.  We are all made from the same chemicals that are in the dust of the earth, which form the same body parts, but they are just a little bit different in each of us.  We are the marvelous works of God and we are wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:13-16)  Our souls are completely different, special, and unique.  They are from the breath of God (Genesis 2:7) and they are eternal.  Our bodies, however, are from the dust of the earth and to dust they shall return. (Job 34:15, Psalm 104:29, Ecclesiastes 3:20, and Ecclesiastes 12:7)  Jesus taught us to pray to our heavenly Father, (Matthew 6:9) but then He also said, “I and My Father are one.” (John 10:30)  God is omnipotent, all powerful. (Matthew 28:18)  He alone can make something out of nothing by speaking things into existence.  With God, all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26 and Mark 10:27)

ABOUT REV WENDELL

Since 1999, Rev. Wendell Wharton has been a Baptist preacher. He was initially assigned to educate the youth at his former church, St. Paul MBC in Los Angeles. There he found his true passion — teaching The Word of God. He later became the assistant pastor at Praises of Zion MBC in Los Angeles. He is currently assisting the pastor at St. John MBC in Bakersfield. Professionally, he is a Physician Assistant (P.A.), and has taught and practiced medicine for more than 40 years. He was an assistant professor at The Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles. He also taught medicine as a visiting professor at medical schools in several other cities across the country, including New York, Chicago, and Washington, DC. And now, his website, RevWendell.com, allows him to combine his love for teaching and his love of The Word of God. This online ministry evolved from his initial assignment with the youth ministry which became the basis for his "Life Lessons". He offers daily divine, inspirational, and thought-provoking insight on The Holy Scriptures. For additional information regarding Rev. Wendell Wharton please visit the PA History Society website.

 

JESUS THE CHRIST IS COMING AGAIN SOON

PROCLAMATION

“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’  Amen.  Come, Lord Jesus.”  Revelation 22:20 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of prophecy which were revealed to, and written by, the Apostle John, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  This is the twenty-second and final chapter of Revelation, the last Book of The Bible.  John was still in the spirit and the angel, who was one of the seven angels that had one of the seven bowls full of the wrath of God, showed him the river of the water of life.  This river flowed from the throne of God and The Lamb down the middle of the street.  On each side of the river stood the tree of life.  The tree yielded its fruit every month and yielded twelve different crops of fruit. (Revelation 22:1-2)  There will be no more night.  Neither will there be a need for the sun or lamps.  The Lord God will give them light. (Revelation 22:5)  Christ said to John, “Look, I am coming soon!” (Revelation 22:7)  This He repeated two more times. (Revelation 22:12 and 20)  John was told not to seal up the words of this prophecy. (Revelation 22:10)  Christ said that He is coming soon, and His reward was coming with Him.  He will give rewards to each person according to what they have done. (Revelation 22:12)  Then The Holy Spirit says let the one who is thirsty for The Word come; and let the one who wants the eternal life giving water come. (Revelation 22:17)  The Bible Book of Revelation ends with a warning to everyone not to add anything to, or take anything away from, this Word of God. (Revelation 22:18-19)  “… Amen.  Come, Lord Jesus.”

 

APPLICATION

Jesus, The Christ, will come again soon. (Revelation 22:7, 22:12, and 22:20)  However, soon is a relative term.  To Christ, one day is as one thousand years is to us. (2 Peter 3:8)  So, from His point of view, He has only been gone for two days.  No one knows the hour or the day when He will return. (Matthew 25:13)  Therefore we should get ready, and stay ready, so that we will be ready when He comes. (Matthew 24:44 and Luke 12:40)  Repent, Christ is coming back, and the kingdom of God is at hand. (Matthew 3:2, Matthew 4:7, and Mark 1:15)

 

A NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH

PROCLAMATION

“Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.  I saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.”  Revelation 21:1-2 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of prophecy which were revealed to, and written by, the Apostle John, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this twenty-first chapter of Revelation, while he was still in the spirit, John saw the new heaven and the new earth.  He also saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down from heaven. (Revelation 21:1-2)  Then John heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look!  God’s dwelling place is now among the people …”  It said He will be their God.  There will be no crying, dying, mourning, or pain there for that has all passed away. (Revelation 21:3-4)  Then John was carried away in the spirit by one of the seven angels who had one of the seven bowls full of the wrath of God to a high mountain.  There he saw the new Jerusalem shining brilliantly like a precious jewel. (Revelation 21:9-11)  Then John gave a detailed description of the city including its gates, walls, foundation, and its contents. (Revelation 21:12-26)  Nothing impure will ever enter it. (Revelation 21:27)

 

APPLICATION

After the present heaven and earth pass away there will be a new heaven and a new earth as it was predicted. (Isaiah 65:17, 2 Peter 3:13, and Revelation 21:1)  The only people that will be there will be those whose names are written in The Lamb’s book of life. (Revelation 21:27)

 

THE BOOK OF LIFE AND THE LAKE OF FIRE

PROCLAMATION

“Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.”  Revelation 20:15 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of prophecy which were revealed to, and written by, the Apostle John, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this twentieth chapter of Revelation, while he was still in the spirit, John saw another angel coming down from heaven with the key to the Abyss in his hand.  The angel seized the dragon, who is the devil or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.  He threw him into the Abyss and sealed it. (Revelation 20:1-3)  Then John saw the souls of those who would reign with Christ for a thousand years.  (Revelation 20:4-6)  When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released for a short while and will again go out and deceive the nations.  He will gather the nations to do battle against God’s people, but fire will come down from heaven and devour them.  Then the devil will be thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet were thrown.  They will be tormented there day and night forever. (Revelation 20:7-10)  Then John saw a great white throne and he saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne.  Books were open from which the dead were judged.  Anyone whose name was not found in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.  Death and Hades were also thrown into the lake of fire.  This is called the second death. (Revelation 20:11-15)

 

APPLICATION

All of the dead unbelievers, the great and small, the young and old, the free and slave, stood before the great white throne.  Each of them was judged according to what they had done as written in the books. (Revelation 20:12)  Their life was reviewed to reveal that they had the opportunity to accept Christ, but they rejected Him.  Therefore their name was not written in The Lamb’s book of life.  Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15) )  Repent, the kingdom of God is coming.

 

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS

PROCLAMATION

“On His robe and on His thigh He has this name written: ‘KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.’ ”  Revelation 19:16 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of prophecy which were revealed to, and written by, the Apostle John, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this nineteenth chapter of Revelation, while he was still in the spirit, John heard what sounded like a roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: “Hallelujah …”  because the great prostitute, Babylon, had been condemned. (Revelation 19:1-3)  The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God and they cried: “Amen, Hallelujah!” (Revelation 19:4)  Then an angel said to John, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of The Lamb!” (Revelation 19:9)  Then John saw heaven opened and there before him was a white horse whose rider is called Faithful and True, who with justice He judges and wages war.  “His name is called The Word of God.” (Revelation 19:11-13)  The armies of heaven followed Him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine white linen.  Coming out of His mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations.  On His robe and on His thigh He has this name written: “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19:14-16)  John then saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the white horse and His army.  The beast and the false prophet were captured and both of them were thrown alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.  The rest of them were killed with the sword which came out of the mouth of the rider on the white horse. (Revelation 19:19-21)

 

APPLICATION

“His name is called The Word of God.” (Revelation 19:13)  This is an affirmation of what the Apostle John had written earlier: “In the beginning was The Word, and The Word was with God, and The Word was God.” (John 1:1)  “And The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us …” (John 1:14)  He has a name which is written on Him that no one knows but He Himself. (Revelation 19:12)  What is known is that He is The King of Kings and The Lord of Lords. (Revelation 19:16)  What is incredible is that in light of all the signs that had occurred, mankind refused to repent, and gathered together to wage war against Him. (Revelation 19:19)  It was a war which they lost, and they died in their stubbornness. (Revelation 19:20-21)  Repent, the kingdom of God is coming.

 

COME OUT FROM AMONG THE EVIL DOERS

PROCLAMATION

“Then I heard another voice from heaven say: ‘Come out of her, My people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes.’ ”  Revelation 18:4 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of prophecy which were revealed to, and written by, the Apostle John, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this eighteenth chapter of Revelation, while he was still in the spirit, John was carried away into a wilderness by one of the seven angels who had one of the seven bowl full of the wrath of God.  There he saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast.  The woman, the great prostitute, represented the city of Rome, the spiritual Babylon, the seat of idolatry, immorality, deception, and persecution. (Revelation 17:1-3)  After this John saw another angel coming down from heaven, who illuminated the earth with his splendor, shouting: “Babylon the great is fallen …”  Babylon had become a dwelling place for demons and a habitat for impure spirits. (Revelation 18:1-2)  Then John heard a voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, My people …”  Do not partake of her sins and you will not share in her punishment. (Revelation 18:4-5)  Babylon will be destroyed in one day. And the kings, merchants, and sailors who profited greatly from her will mourn her demise as well as their loss of future revenue. (Revelation 18:9-20) 

 

APPLICATION

The text here is directed at Babylon, or Rome, but it can be applied to a number of sin-sick cities of yesterday and today. (Ezekiel 22:1-13)  The take home lesson here is that those who gain by deceit will lose in the end.  We were taught not to be envious of evil doers who prosper and enjoy dishonest gain because The Lord God is against them and they will be cut down in the end. (Psalm 37:1-2 and Psalm 37:16)  We were also taught not to associate with evil doers because only birds of the same feather will flock together. (Amos 3:3)  If we share with them in their sins, then we will share in their punishment. (Revelation 18:4)  The Lord God has called us, His people, out of sinful darkness into His marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9 and Revelation 18:4)  If we come out of our sinful existence and desire to go back to it, then we are not fit for the kingdom of heaven. (Luke 9:62)  Remember what happened to Lot’s wife as they left Sodom and Gomorrah. (Genesis 19:26)  We are in this world but not of it.

 

THE PROSTITUTE AND THE SCARLET BEAST

THE PROSTITUTE AND THE SCARLET BEAST

 

PROCLAMATION

“Then the angel carried me away in the spirit into a wilderness.  There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns.”  Revelation 17:3 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of prophecy which were revealed to, and written by, the Apostle John, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this seventeenth chapter of Revelation, while he was still in the spirit, John was carried away into a wilderness by one of the seven angels who had one of the seven bowl full of the wrath of God.  There he saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast. (Revelation 17:1-3)  The woman, the great prostitute, represented the city of Rome, the spiritual Babylon.  Upon her forehead was written: “Babylon, The Great, The Mother of Harlots and Abominations of The Earth.” (Revelation 17:5)  The scarlet beast upon which she sat is the seat of idolatry and persecution, a deceiver of mankind.  The seven heads represent the seven hills upon which Rome stands.  The ten horns represent the ten kings which have yet to reign.  The chapter ends by describing their destruction. (Revelation 17:15-18)

 

APPLICATION

It is thought by some Bible scholars that The Antichrist will establish a “false church” through a covenant with the papacy.  He will come to hate this false church, break the covenant, and destroy this apostate church clearing the way for worship of the Antichrist.  The real church will have been raptured and will not be available to help guide the unbelievers during this period.  Today, and in the future, let us not get so caught up in the sinful pleasures of this world and the “worship” of things that we put them ahead of, or in place of, worshiping The Lord God.  That path is well-travelled, and many have followed it, but it leads to destruction. (Matthew 7:13)

  

PROCLAMATION

EXPLANATION

APPLICATION

THE SEVEN BOWLS OF GOD'S WRATH

PROCLAMATION

“Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, ‘Go, pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.’ ”  Revelation 16:1 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of prophecy which were revealed to, and written by, the Apostle John, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this sixteenth chapter of Revelation, while he was still in the spirit (Revelation 4:2), John continued to see vision after vision and hear voices.  He heard a loud voice coming from the temple telling the seven angels to pour their bowls of wrath onto the earth. (Revelation 16:1)  The first bowl caused ugly, festering sores to break out on the people who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped its image.  The second bowl caused the sea to turn into blood like that of a dead person and it killed every living thing in the sea.  The third bowl caused the rivers and streams and springs to turn into blood.  The fourth bowl caused sun to scorch the people as if they were burned with fire.  The fifth bowl plunged the earth into darkness.  The people gnawed at their tongues in agony.  They cursed God and they refused to repent. (Revelation 16:2-11)  The sixth bowl caused the great river Euphrates to dry up to prepare the way for the kings of the east.  Then John saw three impure spirits, that looked like frogs, come out of the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet. These demonic spirits went out to gather the kings of the world for the battle of Armageddon. (Revelation 16:12-16)  The seventh bowl caused lightning and thunder and a great earthquake.  Islands and mountains disappeared, and one hundred pound hailstones fell from the sky onto the people.

 

APPLICATION

The Great Tribulation period will begin with thunder and lightning (Revelation 4:5) and it will end with thunder and lightning. (Revelation 16:18)  The church will not suffer through this, nor will any believers.  The wrath of God will be felt by the unbelievers who have the mark of the beast on their foreheads, or their hand, and who worship its image. (Revelation 16:2)  Those who refuse to repent will suffer the consequences.  

 

THE PEOPLE VICTORIOUS OVER THE BEAST

PROCLAMATION

“And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name.  They held harps given them by God and sang …”  Revelation 15:2-3 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of prophecy which were revealed to, and written by, the Apostle John, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this fifteenth chapter of Revelation, while he was still in the spirit (Revelation 4:2), John continued to see vision after vision.  Now He saw another great and marvelous sign in heaven, and he saw what he described as a sea of glass glowing with fire.  Standing besides the sea he saw those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and they were singing. (Revelation 15:1-3)  After this he looked and he saw in heaven the tabernacle of the covenant, and it was open.  Out of the temple came seven angels with seven plagues.  Each angel was given a bowl filled with the wrath of God which, along with the plague they had been given, would soon be unleashed on the earth. (Revelation 15:5-8)  The seven seals, the seven trumpets, and the seven angels were precursors to the seven bowls of wrath, the wrath of God, which will be the last and worst of all. (Revelation 15:1)  This is the preparation for the destruction of the Antichrist.

 

APPLICATION

After the rapture of the church from the earth, (1 Thessalonians 4:17) the 144,000 Jewish male virgins will be sealed and protected during the Great Tribulation period, and they will be God’s witnesses on earth. (Revelation 7:9-10)  They will proclaim the gospel and many souls will be saved.  Those saved people are the ones that John saw in his vision standing by the sea of glass glowing like fire. (Revelation 15:2-3)  They did not defeat the beast, they survived him by their belief in God.  They were brought into heaven during that first harvest. (Revelation 14:14-16)  Believers will be watching what the unsaved will be going through next from someplace safe in heaven.  The Bible Book of Revelation is a book of prophecy.  It provides us with a warning of things which must take place in the future. (Revelation 4:1)  Repent or suffer.

THE THREE ANGELS

PROCLAMATION

“… If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or their hand, they too will drink the wine of God’s fury ... They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and The Lamb.”  Revelation 14:9-10 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of prophecy which were revealed to, and written by, the Apostle John, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this fourteenth chapter of Revelation, while he was still in the spirit (Revelation 4:2), John was shown a vision.  He saw The Lamb standing on Mount Zion and the 144,000 sealed male Jewish virgins were with Him. (Revelation 14:1)  They sang, and it sounded like the playing of harps.  They sang a new song which only they could sing based upon what only they had been through. (Revelation 14:2-5)  Then John saw an angel flying in midair proclaiming the gospel and saying, “Fear God, and give Him glory …” (Revelation 14:6-7)  A second angel followed saying, “Babylon is fallen …” (Revelation 14:8)  A third angel followed them and said, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or their hand, they too will drink the wine of God’s fury.” (Revelation 14:9-11)  Then John was told to write: “Blessed are the dead who die in The Lord from now on.” (Revelation 14:13)  Then there were the two great harvests, the wheat and the grapes, the good men and the evil men. (Revelation 14:14-20)

 

APPLICATION

The first time that Christ came to earth was to shed His blood for mankind’s salvation.  His second coming will be to shed their blood in mankind’s judgment. (Revelation 14:17-20)  There will be some souls saved during the Great Tribulation period but most of them will be lost.  Take heed, Christ is coming back.  This time when He comes, He is not coming to suffer but to inflict the suffering on those who reject Him.  People get ready.  Those who give in and worship the dragon and the beast and its image, and accept its mark on their forehead or hand, will suffer.  Resistance will require patient endurance on the part of believers. (Revelation 14:12)

THE MARK OF THE BEAST

PROCLAMATION

“The dragon stood on the shore of the sea.  And I saw a beast coming out of the sea.  It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name.” … “Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth.  It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon.” …  “It also forced all people … to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads …”  Revelation 13:1-18 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of prophecy which were revealed to, and written by, the Apostle John, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this eleventh chapter of Revelation, while he was still in the spirit (Revelation 4:2), John was shown a vision. (Revelation 5:1, 6:1-17, 7:1, 8:1-2, 9:1, 10:1, and 12:1-3)  After the dragon had harassed the woman, he stood on the shore of the sea.  Then John saw a seven-headed beast with ten horns coming out of the sea. (Revelation 13:1-2)  The beast could speak and it uttered blasphemies against God.  It slandered the name of God, His dwelling place, and all those who live in heaven. (Revelation 13:5-6)  The beast was given the power to wage war against God’s holy people.  All of the people whose name was not written in The Lamb’s book of life worshipped the beast. (Revelation 13:7-8)  Then John saw a second beast, this one coming out of the earth.  It made people worship the first beast.  It had the power to perform signs and it deceived the people. (Revelation 13:11-15)  It forced the people to receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead in order to buy or sell goods. (Revelation 13:16-18)  The number of the beast is 666.

 

APPLICATION

A lot has been said about the advances in technology with microchips containing information turning up in some unusual places.  Credit cards with microchips are used almost everywhere.  Some businesses now require credit card transactions exclusively.  Not only are microchips  being placed in pets, some employers require their employees to have microchips placed under their skin rather than using time-cards and identification badges.  It sounds like the world is being preconditioned to receiving the mark of the beast in order to transact business.  People used to brand cattle, horses, and other animals to denote ownership.  This mark of the beast, or the microchip, could also denote ownership.  Those whose name is written in The Lamb’s book of life will not worship the dragon or the beast, and we will not wear his mark or microchip.