These are the Histories of the Earth and the Heavens
In the first chapter of the book of Genesis, two histories are given concerning the heavens and the earth. The first history was the creation of the universe, followed by an earth that is in ruin due to judgment. The second history is the renovation of the earth for biological life and the creation of humans.
These are the histories of the heavens and the earth when He created them, in the day the Lord God made the earth and the heavens – Genesis 2:4.
Some of our English translations make the histories singular; however, there is no issue with what we know of the original Hebrew, which is plural. Likely this translation error was influenced by theology rather than using proper hermeneutics, for there are some that claim God created the universe and all that is in it in six days, contrary to what is recorded in Genesis chapter 1, where the six days are describing the renovation of the earth for biological life.
Genesis chapter 1 is not the history of the first time God created something and the rule of Lucifer, it is the story of the renovation of the earth and the creation of humans. Therefore, the creation of the universe was summarized in verse one where God created the heavens and the earth out of nothing after creating the spirit beings, who saw God create it ( Job 38:7 ). Then in verse two we see the earth is in ruin; however, it was not originally in this state and it had to be in an orderly state before it could come to be found a wasteland covered in water ( Isaiah 45:18 ). This is the first history, for to tell of the history of the renovation of the earth and the creation of humans it is necessary to understand how the earth came about and why it was being renovated. From verse three through the rest of the chapter, we are given the history of the renovation of the earth, which details the creation of humans and the garden God planted on Eden (earth) for humans to reside in.
Staying true to Scripture is important. Especially when disputing false “scientific” claims that contradict reality, such as evolution. “Scientific” claims in this area are hypotheses. According to Scripture, the earth is older than humans. This can be verified scientifically through proper dating of the rocks and fossils. New findings in science have begun to disprove millions of years old, but there is truth in the fact that the earth was created before humans, and this was not by only days. In other areas of Scripture, we find the earth was occupied prior to humans by Lucifer, who ruled over the entire universe ( Ezekiel 28:13-14 ). There would be no biological evidence of this, because he is a spirit being. And we are not given a time period for his kingdom, as time did not yet exist. However, we have plenty of evidence of the garden of precious stones that he resided in for they are scattered all over the globe by the flood that resulted from his sin ( Ezekiel 28:13 ).
Therefore, in Genesis chapter one we have two histories being told, and Genesis 2:4 verifies this. In the first record, the creation of the universe and the ruining of the earth by the first inhabitant are summarized. In the second history, we are informed of how God created humans and the biological life that now inhabits Eden. Within this history we find the making, not creating, of the atmosphere of the earth (Genesis 1:8), which divided the second heaven into two heavens, along with the making of the sun and moon, for seasons, days, and years ( Genesis 1:14 ; Genesis 1:16 – the moon rules the night with the stars, which already existed). We are also informed of the first creation of biological life (Genesis 1:21), the making of the animals from the earth ( Genesis 1:25 ), and the creation of humans ( Genesis 1:27 ), who were created in the likeness and image of God. When Adam was created, he had a garment of light (image) and was a rational being (likeness), a being made of both soul (emotion) and spirit (logics), with a house formed from the earth (body). Along with the chronologies that follow in Genesis, and true scientific research (research not influenced by hypotheses), we can also determine that this happened around six thousand years ago. These are the true histories of the creation of the universe and humans found in Scripture.
Postpositive
Postpositive
A word that cannot be placed in the first position within the sentence, but is translated first: γάρ, γέ, δέ.
Romans 7:9
ἐγὼ δὲ ἔζων χωρὶς νόμου ποτέ, (But, I was alive at some time apart from law)
Galatians 3:10
Ὅσοι γὰρ ἐξ ἔργων νόμου εἰσίν, ὑπὸ κατάραν εἰσίν· (For as many as are out from law , they are under a curse)
Glory (δόξα)
and exchanged the proper opinion (glory) of the incorruptible God with the likeness of an image of corrupt man and birds and four-footed animals, and crawling things – Romans 1:23.
Glory means, “to have or express a proper opinion”. Its root concept is grounded in an opinion, notion, or judgment concerning someone.
When we express glory to God, we are actually voicing a proper view of Who He is. In the first chapter of the book of Romans, we see the impact on those who reject a proper opinion of God as they change His image to be that of corrupt humans, birds, four-footed animals, and even creeping things, while not giving the Creator glory. That is, not expressing a proper opinion of Who God really is.
Due to Adam’s trespass and sin, we all have fallen short of God’s opinion of us – for all sinned and fall short of God’s proper opinion, Romans 3:23 (Romans 5:12 – Adam’s sin is passed to all of us). God never expects us to live up to His glory, for He shares His glory with no one (Isaiah 42:8). Romans 3:23 is referring to His opinion of us as Humans. When God created Adam, He blessed Him (Genesis 1:28). When Adam ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, his conscience became aware of the difference between what is beneficial and what causes calamity. However, in determining to break God’s law, Adam separated himself from God in his spirit, bending his nature to corruption, which he passed down to all of us (Genesis 5:3). He corrupted what God blessed. Although we have a corrupt nature, we still have a conscience and the knowledge of good and evil; therefore, God’s opinion of all humans involves their ability to do what is right.
When it comes to the gospel of the Christ, it has a proper opinion (glory) because there is only one Gospel (1 Timothy 1:11 – glorious gospel; Romans 1:16 ability to save; Galatians 1:6; 3:1-3 bewitched to believe another gospel). The Gospel of the Christ contains initial salvation and how to live out the salvation we now have in Christ. Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day, all according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). The Christian life is lived out from faith, not law (Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:12). For God created a new creation in which Christ is the head and the Church is His body (2 Corinthians 5:17).
In Christ, God also has an opinion of us. One that we can boast concerning (Romans 5:1-2). In Adam we were condemned, but in Christ we are righteous before God (Romans 8:1; 1 Corinthians 1:30). This is an opinion that we should be lining up our frame of mind with concerning ourselves (Colossians 3:1-3). God says we are righteous, therefore let us act accordingly, not by works of our own righteousness, but through righteous works that come from faith (Philippians 3:9).
When we see the glory of God, we see Him for Who He really is. Those who reject who God is, also discard a proper opinion of Him, for they do not want to know Who He truly is; rather, they make up their own gods by conforming their opinion of God to that of corrupt humans and the worship of sticks and stones to justify their unrighteousness in their own eyes, claiming to be wise while darkening their minds and becoming foolish in their thoughts. Our lives as Christians glorify God to those around us by living a life that properly expresses who we are in Christ. For by this life we have in Christ, we can manifest a character that truly expresses a proper opinion of God’s opinion of those He has saved, thereby giving God glory.
The Importance of an Accurate Gospel Message
Since God did not determine that some would perish, so no one is headed to hell by God’s choice (2 Peter 3:9), it is important to present the facts of the Gospel accurately, according to what Scripture states.
Over in 1 Corinthians 15, Paul reminds the Corinthians saints of the gospel that he brought. This is one of the clearest presentations of the gospel to the Gentiles in Scripture. Paul states, this is the gospel by which we are saved (1 Corinthians 15:2). Christ died on behalf of our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures.
This is the message that contains the inherent ability of God to save (Romans 1:16) and the only sin that the Holy Spirit is convicting unbelievers of today (John 16:9). Faith is an interesting concept. We often consider faith to be something within the mind. However, it is specifically defined in Hebrews 11:1 as the substance of that which is hoped for, the evidence of accomplished deeds not seen, and in James we find that faith without works is dead (James 2:17), also we know from 1 John 3:4 that sin is an action, not something that happens within the mind; therefore, faith is not seen from God’s perspective as something within the mind, but an action that results from belief within the mind. Saying you believe something is not faith. Faith will always manifest itself in works, for it is the act of believing. Abraham believed God and there was an action that was associated with that belief. This was demonstrated when Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son, for in his mind he concluded that God would have to then raise him from the dead for he was the son of promise (Hebrews 11:17-19). Since faith is the substance of that which is hoped for, and hope is always based upon a promise, stating the promise correctly is very important.
As a result of Adam’s trespass and sin, our human nature is in a state that rejects God (Romans 5:12-21). Because of this condition none of us do righteousness, show kindness, and we have all gone astray (Romans 3:10-12). Therefore, an aspect of grace is that God has given to us the ability to believe in order to take Him at His Word (Philippians 1:29), for salvation is offered by grace through faith, not works. Grace is God’s attitude whereby He gives a benefit without consideration of merit. This grace has appeared unto all humans (Titus 2:11). By believing the facts of the gospel for salvation we are taking God at His Word and thereby expressing faith. A faith that brings salvation.
So what is our part in salvation? We need to take God at His Word, changing our mind, and believe that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. He paid the penalty for not only our sins, but the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2). He was buried, proving His physical death. And He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures (Psalm 16:10), to show that all who believe in Him are justified before God (Romans 4:25). Over five hundred witnesses saw Him after His resurrection, giving absolute proof that He did in fact raise from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:5-6). Taking God at His word means a change of the mind. This repentance will result in actions, for we are believing that in fact God did die for sins and was raised on the third day so that we could have new life. All are condemned in Adam, none are predetermined for salvation, for God did not determine that some would perish, salvation is only by faith, faith is based upon a promise, the promise God gave was that when we believe that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scripture we will be saved; therefore, our part is simply to take Him at His Word, for He has done everything else required to obtain salvation and offers it to us without consideration of merit.
2 Corinthians Caring for the Saints
Bringing to Completion What Had Been Started, 2 Corinthians 8:6-17
Titus Is Encouraged to Complete What He Began with the Corinthians Saints, 2 Corinthians 8:6
In Order that This Grace Should Abound in the Corinthians Saints, 2 Corinthians 8:7
Paul is Not Commanding Them, 2 Corinthians 8:8
Experientially Knowing the Grace from Our Lord, 2 Corinthians 8:9
The Advantage Is for The Corinthians Saints in Completing the Task, 2 Corinthians 8:10
Completing the Task from What You Have, 2 Corinthians 8:11
Each One is to Give What He Has, Not What He Does Not Have, 2 Corinthians 8:12
Giving Is Not To Provide Relief For Others While Causing Tribulation For Yourself, 2 Corinthians 8:13
Fairness – Being Consistent
How a Master is to Treat His Slaves, Colossians 4:1
Comes from the Concept of Equality or Being Consistent
The False Testimony Against Christ, Mark 14:56
Christ Making Himself Equal with God, John 5:18
The Laborers Dispute, Matthew 20:12
Their Abundance Abounds to The Saints in Jerusalem Who Are In Tribulation
Other Sharing When the Corinthians Saints are in Need, 2 Corinthians 8:14
Israel As an Example, 2 Corinthians 8:15
Titus Finishing the Task with the Corinthians Saints, 2 Corinthians 8:16-17
Regarding Proper Things, 2 Corinthians 8:18-24
Sending A Brother with Titus, 2 Corinthians 8:18
A Brother Appointed by the Church, 2 Corinthians 8:19
Taking Steps to Not Be Blamed by Anyone, 2 Corinthians 8:20
We Regard the Things that Are Proper, 2 Corinthians 8:21
Giving Thought to Doing Things in a Proper Manner, Romans 12:17
Holding Fast to the Proper Things, 1 Thessalonians 5:21
Rich in Proper Works, 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Being Zealous for Proper Works, Titus 2:14
They Also Sent a Well Trusted Brother With Them, 2 Corinthians 8:22
Being Diligent in How They Handle the Gift
Because of His Confidence in the Corinthians Saints
How These Men Are to Be Considered, 2 Corinthians 8:23
Titus as a partner with Paul
Titus as Their Fellow Worker
To the Brethren They Should Be Treated as Apostles – Those who are sent on a specific mission from the assembly
Encouragement to Demonstrate Their Love, 2 Corinthians 8:24
Scripture Reading
We, because of this, encouraged Titus in order that just as he began, thus also he would bring to full completion unto you, even this grace.
But just as in all, all of you abound in faith and in word and in knowledge and in diligence and in the love out from you among us, in order that also in this grace you should abound.
I do not speak according to a command but through the approval from a diligence of others and the sincerity of your love.
For all of you experientially know the grace from our Lord Jesus Christ that because of all of you He became destitute, being wealthy, in order that by that One’s poverty all of you should be rich.
And in this I give an opinion, for this is an advantage to you, who began not only to do but also to desire a year ago.
But now also you bring to full completion the task, thus just as the eagerness of the desire thus also the completion out from what you have.
For since the eagerness is present, in so far as if perhaps he has, [it is] acceptable, not so far as he does not have.
For not in order that others should be eased, and you troubled, but out from fairness in the current time the [fairness] of you abounds unto that need,
in this time your abundance unto those ones need, in order that also their abundance should come unto you, thus it should become fair.
Just as it is written, “The one having much did not have too much, the one having less did not have too little.”
Indeed, thanks to the God, the One giving the same diligence concerning you in Titus’ heart.
Because, on the one hand, the encouragement he welcomed, on the other hand, while diligence exists, he went on his own towards you.
And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise in the gospel through all the assemblies.
And not only, but also after being appointing from the assemblies a companion of us with this grace, the one administered by us, towards the glory of the Lord Himself and our readiness,
while avoiding this, anyone should blame us in this abundance, the one administered by us.
For we regard proper things, not only before the Lord, but also before men.
And we sent with them our brother, whom we approve in many things at many times being diligent, but now more diligent, the confidence in you.
Whether concerning Titus, he is my partner and unto you a fellow worker, whether our brethren, apostles of an assembly, to a proper opinion of Christ.
Therefore, the demonstration of your love, and our boasting concerning you, unto them you manifest before the assemblies.
Revelation The Wars at the End of the Tribulation
The Wars
There are Three Major Battles
The King of the South
The King of the North and the King of the West – They Destroy the Harlot
The Army from the East
The Armies Around Jerusalem
The Armies of the South
The Battle of Armageddon
The Four Angels Released from the Euphrates, Revelation 9:14
Under the Authority of the Dragon, Beast, and False Prophet, Revelation 16:13
The Fourth is Under the Authority of the Harlot
They Are Released to Gather the Armies of the Earth, Revelation 16:14
The King of the South – Egypt
Considers Himself to Be a God, Ezekiel 29:3
He is coming against the false prophet to destroy the beast, Daniel 11:40
The Willful King is the Second Beast of Revelation 13:11
He has all the Authority of the First Beast, Revelation 13:12
He Performs Signs and Wonders to Deceive People Into Worshiping the Beast, Revelation 13:13
They also have a plot against Israel
Israel is In the Wilderness at This time
After Fighting With the King of the North, Coming Down and Destroying Israel
The King of the North And King of the West
The Ten Kings, Revelation 17:12-13
He will Come Against the King of the South, Daniel 11:40
He is the First Beast of Revelation 13:1
He has to use ships, indicating he is from Rome, Daniel 11:40
He Will Come Into Many Counties – The Land of Israel that has been, Daniel 11:38
He Hears News from the North-East of the Army Coming, Daniel 11:44
All Nations are Gathered to Battle Against Jerusalem, Zechariah 14:2
Christ Will Return at This Time, Zechariah 14:3-4