http://www.hisvictory.com/spiritual_warfare.html
There are some names in this link that I recognize, and some that I don’t.
Therefore I cannot vouch for the theological accuracy of all of the material listed here. Charles H.Spurgeon is, of course, one of the best and well known. There are some who’s material I intentionally avoid.
I would like, if it is ok with the forum manager, to do a limited study on each piece of the armor of God. Onward Christian soldiers.
We may lose a battle now and then, but, our Captain assures us that we have won the war!
Ephesians 6:10-20
You're certainly entitled to your opinion. I've explained mine replete with scripture.
Good comment. I don't think we're that far apart in terms of our eschatology as i believe as you do that God will "rapture" the believers right before Armageddon per Rev 16:16. I believe the rapture and 2nd Coming are one and the same event.
Of all the 7 Churches described in Revelation, only the Philadelphian church is spared from the Day of the Lord: Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth (Rev 3:10).
The perseverance of the saints of Philadelphia through the tribulation period results in Jesus' promise to keep them from the HOUR of trial to come upon the whole world. Consequently, if we know what HOUR Jesus is referring to, we have a time frame as to when Jesus raptures us.
The HOUR refers to the hour of the destruction of mystery Babylon as described in Rev 14:6-8, 15; Rev 18:10, 17, 19. Babylon is destroyed at Jesus' 2nd Coming, but before that hour occurs, before Armageddon commences, the saints are raptured and are spared from that hour which tests the rest of the inhabitants of the earth. The above passages confirm Jesus' teaching in Rev. 16:15-16.
Hi Martin. I don't disagree with anything you wrote. Yeshua's atoning blood is indeed efficacious and is obtained by faith alone. However, having affirmed that, the germane question is: What constitutes genuine faith? I have shown you scriptures that biblical faith consists of continued belief and obedience to the Father. It is worth pointing out that the Hebrew children had to first obey God by sprinkling the blood on the doorposts on their homes in order for the death angel to identify whom to spare.
Good works don't cause us to be saved however, our outward works are the evidence of genuine inward faith. We were created to do good works (Eph 2:10); were are justified by works and not by faith alone (James 2:24); and strive to do good works (Titus 2:14; 3:1,8,14).
Throughout the whole of Scripture, there are blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. God does not change His ways. Both Paul and James warn us that habitual disobedience results in spiritual death. Thus the doctrine of eternal security is not biblical in my opinion and certainly questionable. In order for one to hold to that doctrine, one must be able to explain away Paul's and James' warning to the brethren.
I don't wish this to be an extended discussion, so I'll just stop here but leave you with this as food for thought. I don't believe in the rapture when Jesus returns as a thief prior to the tribulation as many believe. Jesus himself taught that he comes as a thief at the end of the great tribulation just prior to the battle of Armageddon (Rev. 16:15-16) which fits a post-tribulation view. My point is if a believer is eternally secure and cannot lose his salvation no matter what, if such a believer worships the beast and takes the mark, is he still saved? I have no reason to doubt that you're a genuine believer, so if you worship the beast and take the mark of the beast, will you still be saved?
Revelation 14
9And another, a third angel, followed them, saying in loud a voice, “If ANYONE worships the beast and its image, and receives a mark on his forehead or upon his hand, 10he also will drink of the wine of the anger of God, having been mixed undiluted in the cup of His wrath; and he will be tormented in fire and brimstone before the holy angels and before the Lamb. 11And the smoke of their torment goes up to ages of ages; and those worshiping the beast and its image have no rest day and night, and if anyone receives the mark of its name.”
"Anyone" includes both believers and unbelievers. If a believer disobeys God by worshiping the beast and taking the mark, he no longer has eternal life and is instead condemned to the lake of fire. That is why continued belief and obedience is requisite for eternal life.
Hi Martin. Thanks for your cordial reply. I agree with you in terms of where our world is headed as Satan is setting up humanity toward the NWO antichrist system. Although I knew this day was coming, I never imagined it would turn out the way it has unfolded thus far. The father of lies has done a cunning job of deceiving the world and bending the population toward his will. Despite this, I also wholeheartedly agree with you that our Father is still in charge.
In terms of our salvation being eternally secure, I used to believe as you do as that is what I was taught when I got saved decades ago and reinforced when I attended seminary as all of my professors were Reformed in their theology. However, years later when I began studying the subject on my own, I noticed discrepancies in Scripture that appeared to contradict what I was taught. It literally took me years to change my view of eternal security as I ended up having to first unlearn what I was taught and discard my biases which proved difficult for me.
John 3:16 does indeed say that belief is necessary for salvation. The word for "believes" in that verse is pisteuōn which in the Greek is a present tense verb indicative of ongoing action. Thus one must be "believing," i.e., continuing to believe in order to be ultimately saved. One can initially believe but later apostatize and cease believing. Only true believers can apostatize from the faith as it is impossible for the unsaved to depart/apostatize from the faith that they never were a part of. That is why we are urged to fight the good fight and finish the race -- as not all finish the race for one reason or another. If all believers automatically finish the race, Paul would have no reason to have written such an admontion.
The whole of Scripture also indicates that in addition to believing, obedience is also necessary for salvation. Heb. 5:9 states: "and having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all those obeying Him," (BLB). Most English translations read "obey" however the Greek word is hypakouousin which is also a present tense verb, more accurately rendered as "obeying." Thus eternal salvation is made available to those who continue to obey God in contrast to a one-time moment of obedience when one initially makes a one-time confession of faith in Jesus.
Thus I believe the scriptures teach ongoing belief and ongoing obedience which results in our ultimate salvation and glorification.
#6 is a controversial one and I don't wish to get into an extended discussion concerning eternal security but if you wish to have a friendly discussion we can always choose to agree to disagree. It may be a timely discussion, especially as it appears that we are living in the last days, if believers fall away, are they still saved, or if not, does it mean that they were never believers in the first place.
One thing that I have learned is that, the more that you step out for God , the more that He will step in for you.
I‘m on the Winning Side
https://youtu.be/zYQgN1jxo3A
Keep on the Firing Line
https://youtu.be/bpHlPqdveSY
Some books teach how to pray.
While others inspire their readers to become a prayer warrior, the kind which invokes Heaven’s action, and causes Hell to tremble. The booklet, “ Power Through Prayer” by E.M. Bounds is one such book. Creating in the man of God a desire to spend time with God Almighty in the “ effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man which availeth much. Js.5:16
One of the most important things in spiritual warfare is knowing the Word of God. Dr. John Barnett is, IMO, one of the best Bible teachers since the Apostle Paul:
https://youtu.be/oKFEnOsDmK0
Watch and Pray
https://youtu.be/wCx4nTWY3C0
Additional verses would include John 3:16, Romans 5:8, and
Romans 10:9-10.
In addition, believe’s baptism by immersion is our way of saying publicly that we have placed ou faith in Jesus, and that we belong to Him.
The thief on the cross did not get baptized, yet Jesus said to him; this day you will be with me in Paradise.
How to be 100% sure that you will go to Heaven when you die.
we must realize that we are a sinner.
1. The Bible says that we all have sinned. Romans 3:23 says, For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. We were born with a sin nature, most people have no problem realizing that. Have you ever lied? Have you ever stolen anything?
Have you every lusted?
Have you ever hated someone?
I think that you get the idea.
2. Our Creator, Almighty God has put a penalty on sin. Romans 6:23a says, For the wages of sin is death; in other words, the recompense for sin is death. Romans 5:12 says Wherefore, as by one man(Adam vs.14) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
3. A biblical doctrine which is less popular these days is the doctrine of Hell. Luke chapter 16 is one description of Hell. The Bible talk about Hell having fire. Mark 9:44, 46, and 48. In my opinion, the worm mentioned is possibly the mind or the conscious of the person in Hell.
I believe that they are constantly reminded of the sins that they committed while alive on the earth being the reason they are there in Hell. If someone else has a different opinion about the worm, then they are entitled to their opinion.
We deserve to go to Hell to pay for our sins.
4. Here’s the good news!
Jesus/Yeshua paid for our sins on Calvary. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Through his death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus/Yeshua paid for our sins. And He is our high priest that sprinkled His atoning blood on the mercy seat in Heaven, which precious blood is efficacious and constantly atoning for our sins.
Romans 6:23b but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Jesus paid it all!
The gift of God has been paid for.
That gift is eternal life. 5. All that one needs to do in order to make that gift theirs is simply receive it. By faith. Putting our faith in Jesus/Yeshua as our Savior. Trusting Him and Him alone for our eternal salvation. Because He paid our sin debt in full.
Some people simply and sincerely believe on Him, believing who He is and what He did for them through His death, burial, and resurrection.
And some people pray a simple prayer and ask Him to forgive their sins and save their soul.
Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
The words “ call upon “ actually means to completely rest in Christ, trusting Him 100% completely, and nothing else. You need not work for it, or earn it, because it’s completely free!
If, by chance, you would like to pray a prayer asking the Lord to save you, then here is a simple prayer asking Him to save you. Dear Lord, I realize that I am a sinner, please forgive my sins and save my soul. I trust you Jesus, and you alone for my salvation, and my only way to heaven when I die. Thank you for saving me, amen. Realizing that it is not the prayer that saves us, but rather it is placing faith from our heart, in what Jesus did for us. 6. Once saved, always saved!
You cannot lose your eternal salvation. God does not take back His gift. Once you receive it, it is yours forever. Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, SHALL BE saved.
It doesn’t say unless, this or that.
Your name is written in the Lamb’s book of life . Revelation 21:24-27.
Remember to Read the Bible, which is God’s written word. The Bible tal about being born again in John 3:3, 3:7, and 1 Peter 1:23. Adam and Eve were created with a body, soul, and spirit.
Because of Adam’s disobedience to God (sin), when he ate that which was forbidden, Adam became separated from God both physically and spiritually. Because of Adam’s sin, his spirit died, and he could therefore no longer be in the presence of God. Albeit, the Lord made them aprons of fig leaves, which were symbolic of salvation.
Our spirit, which is dead because of sin, is made alive, or born again when we put our faith in Jesus as our Saviour. Whereby, the Holy Spirit comes inside of the believe’s body, and the body of the believer becomes the abode, dwelling place, or the temple of the Holy Spirit.
https://youtu.be/UtwU-Ya79C8
https://youtu.be/UtwU-Ya79C8