Two Bethlehems? by Dave Miller, Ph.D.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=13&article=1219

Two Bethlehems?

by	Dave Miller, Ph.D.

One powerful proof of the supernatural origin of the Bible is the presence of predictive prophecy within its pages. Old Testament prophets predicted minute details of events that were fulfilled in the New Testament. The uninformed observer may take this claim with “a grain of salt,” thinking that anyone can write a book that makes predictions, and then report the fulfillment of those predictions in the same book. In other words, one might simply assume that the entire Bible was written by only one (or a few) writers who simply selected contemporaneous events at the time they were writing, and then couched their subject matter in an anticipatory format, creating the impression that they were predicting events yet future to their own day.

This methodology certainly has been followed by other books that claim to be from God. The Book of Mormon is characterized mostly by its reporting of the past. It purports to be the result of a single individual—Joseph Smith—who allegedly received gold plates from an angel, which then were translated with divine assistance (see Miller, 2003). Likewise, the Quran claims to be the result of revelations presented to a single individual—Muhammad—by the angel Gabriel. It, too, gives the appearance of being the result of a single person responding to his surroundings without the ability to predict the future.

In contrast, the canon of the Old Testament Scriptures, completed prior to the formation of the New Testament, stands as an indisputable fact of history. Although the higher textual critics have attempted to reassign late dates to many of the Old Testament books, even they have not dated them beyond the second century B.C., with canonization complete by 100 B.C. (see Archer, 1974, pp. 77-79). One reason for this concession is the fixed historical fact that the Hebrew text of the Old Testament was translated into Greek by seventy-two scholars in Alexandria in approximately 250 B.C.The existence of this translation, known as the Septuagint, is corroborated by several independent historical witnesses (see Harrison, 1969, pp. 228ff.; Koester, 1982, 1:252ff.; Tenney, 1976, 5:342-343). The existence of the Septuagint verifies that the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament were intact over 300 years before the first books of the New Testament were penned. Likewise, the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls has further demonstrated a pre-Christian presence of the Old Testament books (see Finegan, 1959, 2:271ff.; Thompson, 1962, p. 264; Free and Vos, 1992, pp. 175ff.; Pfeiffer, 1969, pp. 25ff.; Archer, 1974, pp. 38ff., 505-509).

One category of Old Testament predictive prophecy is Messianic prophecy, i.e., prophecy that pertains to the coming of the Messiah—Jesus Christ. Some 332 (Free and Vos, 1992, p. 241) minute, intricate predictions are scattered throughout the Old Testament that pinpoint details of events and circumstances that transpired while Jesus lived on Earth. Included among these moments in the life of Christ are: His descent from Abraham (Genesis 22:18; Luke 3:34), through the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10; Hebrews 7:14), through the family of David (2 Samuel 7:12; Luke 1:32), through the virgin Mary (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:22), during the Roman empire (Daniel 2:44; 9:26; Luke 2:1), while Judah still had a king (Genesis 49:10; Matthew 2:22), His escape to Egypt (Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:14-15), His Galilean ministry (Isaiah 9:1-2; Matthew 4:12-16), His priesthood comparable to Melchizedek (Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 5:6; 6:20; 7:15-17), His rejection by the Jews (Isaiah 53:3; Psalm 2:2; Luke 15:25; 23:18; John 1:11; 5:43), His triumphal entry (Zechariah 9:9; Isaiah 62:11; Matthew 21:1-11; John 12:12-15), His betrayal by a friend (Psalm 41:9; John 13:18), for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12; Matthew 26:15), which would be returned for a potter’s field (Zechariah 11:13; Matthew 27:3-10), with His accuser replaced (Psalm 109:7-8; Acts 1:16-20), being spit upon and beaten (Isaiah 50:6; Matthew 27:30), His silence when accused (Isaiah 53:7; Matthew 26:62-63), by false witnesses (Psalm 27:12; 35:11; Matthew 26:60-61), mocked and insulted (Psalm 22:6-8; Matthew 27:39-40), given gall and vinegar (Psalm 69:21; John 19:29), His death with sinners (Isaiah 53:12; Matthew 27:38), with His hands and feet pierced (Psalm 22:16; Luke 24:39), but no bone broken (Psalm 34:20; John 19:33), while lots were cast for his clothing (Psalm 22:18; Mark 15:24), buried with the rich (Isaiah 53:9; Matthew 27:57-60), but in death his body would not decay (Psalm 16:10; Acts 2:22ff.), and His ascension (Psalm 68:18; Daniel 7:13-14; Luke 24:50-51; Acts 1:9).

One particularly striking prophecy was uttered by the prophet Micah, who lived and prophesied in the eighth century B.C. (Lewis, 1966, p. 32). He articulated a very specific reference to the place of Christ’s birth: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting” (5:2). This prophecy is remarkable on at least two counts. First, the fact that anyone could predict the precise city where a “ruler” would be born centuries later is unsurpassed in ordinary human experience. A charlatan would be “leaving himself wide open” to being discredited. Psychics, palm readers, spiritualists, and faith healers of today are very careful to maintain ambiguity and to keep their words sufficiently vague as to allow for adjustment, evasion, and multiple explanations.Pinpointing a specific city is specificity that is incomparable in its own right.

Second, Micah “stuck his neck out” even farther when he identified the city as “Bethlehem Ephrathah.” Few people probably realize that Palestine contained two towns named Bethlehem. Similarly, in the United States, we have Paris, Texas, and Paris, Tennessee. There’s a Jackson, Mississippi, and a Jackson, Tennessee, as well as a Lexington, Tennessee, and a Lexington, Kentucky. The Bethlehem with which most people are familiar is Bethlehem of Judah, located five miles south of Jerusalem. This town, or its inhabitants, is mentioned frequently in the Old Testament (e.g., Genesis 35:19; 48:7; Judges 17:7-9; 19:1ff.; Ruth 1:19), and was the birthplace of King David (1 Samuel 16:4; 17:12,15; 2 Samuel 23:14,16). After the Babylonian exile, Bethlehemites reinhabited the town (Ezra 2:21; Nehemiah 7:26). This same Bethlehem served as the birthplace of the Messiah (Matthew 2:1,5; Luke 2:4,15). In fact, King Herod’s familiarity with biblical prophecy caused him to concentrate his massacre of innocent babies on the infant population of this particular Bethlehem.

The other Bethlehem was Bethlehem of Zebulun in northern Palestine. Though mentioned less frequently in the Old Testament (Joshua 19:15; Judges 12:8,10), archaeological excavations indicate that it was a place of some importance in earlier days (Masterman, 1956, 1:449-450).

How did Micah know that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem—let alone Bethlehem Ephrathah? The only rational explanation is that Micah was inspired in his writing—supernaturally guided to predict the precise location where the Messiah would be born. The Bible stands alone—in a class by itself—apart from all other books on the planet that claim to be of divine origin. It is, in fact, the Word of God. As such, it reserves the right to require conformity to its precepts by all accountable human beings.

REFERENCES

Archer, Gleason L. Jr. (1974), A Survey of Old Testament Introduction (Chicago, IL: Moody), revised edition.

Finegan, Jack (1959), Light from the Ancient Past (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press), second edition.

Free, Joseph P. and Howard F. Vos (1992), Archaeology and Bible History (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan), revised edition.

Harrison, R.K. (1969), Introduction to the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans).

Koester, Helmut (1982), History, Culture, and Religion of the Hellenistic Age (Philadelphia, PA: Fortress).

Lewis, Jack (1966), The Minor Prophets (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker).

Masterman, E.W.G. (1956), “Bethlehem,” International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, ed. James Orr (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans), 1974 reprint.

Miller, Dave (2003), “Is the Book of Mormon from God?” [On-line], URL:http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2243.

Pfeiffer, Charles (1969), The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker).

Tenney, Merrill, ed. (1976), The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan).

Thompson, J.A. (1962), The Bible and Archaeology (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans).

From Mark Copeland... "MINISTERING SPIRITS" Angels In The Old Testament

                         "MINISTERING SPIRITS"

                      Angels In The Old Testament

INTRODUCTION

1. We have seen that angels are "ministering spirits sent forth to
   minister for those who will inherit salvation" - He 1:13-14

2. Their ministry as "messengers" of God is evident in the Old
   Testament...
   a. During the Patriarchal age, from the creation to giving of the Law
      at Mount Sinai
   b. During the Mosaic age, from Mount Sinai to the time of Christ

[An understanding and appreciation of the ministry of angels may be
gleaned by a survey of their appearances as revealed in the Old
Testament...]

I. THE PATRIARCHAL AGE

   A. BEFORE THE FLOOD...
      1. 'Sons of God' (angels?) shouted for joy at the Creation 

          - Job 38:7
      2. 'Cherubim' (angels?) were placed at the east of the Garden of
         Eden to guard the way to the tree of life - Gen 3:24
      3. 'Sons of God' (angels?) cohabitate with 'daughters of men'
         - Gen 6:1-4; cf. 2Pe 2:4; Jude 6

   B. IN THE LIFE OF ABRAHAM...
      1. The Angel of the Lord appeared to Hagar in the wilderness 

         - Gen 16:7-14; cf. 21:17
      2. Two angels together with the Lord appeared to Abraham 

         - Gen 18:1-2
      3. The same two angels appeared to Lot before destroying Sodom
         - Gen 19:1-22
      4. The Angel of the Lord prevented Abraham from sacrificing Isaac
         - Gen 22:11-18
      5. Abraham was confident that an angel would guide his servant in
         finding a wife for Isaac - Gen 24:7,40

   C. IN THE LIFE OF JACOB...
      1. In his dream at Bethel, Jacob saw angels ascending and
         descending on a ladder up to heaven - Gen 28:12
      2. The angel of God spoke to him in a dream, telling him to return
         to Canaan - Gen 31:11-13
      3. Angels of God met him on his return at Mahanaim - Gen 32:1-2
      4. He wrestled with a "Man", who is later called as "the Angel"
         - Gen 32:24-30; Hos 12:4
      5. Toward the end of his life, he refers to "the Angel who has
         redeemed me from all evil" - Gen 48:15

   D. IN THE LIFE OF MOSES...
      1. The Angel of the Lord appeared to him at the burning bush 

         - Exo 3:1-2; cf. Ac 7:30,35
      2. The Angel of God led the Israelites out of Egypt - Exo 14:19

[When the nation of Israel came to Mount Sinai, the Law was given,
ushering in a new dispensation.  It too was a time in which angels
ministered to the people of God...]

II. THE MOSAIC AGE

   A. ON THE WAY TO THE PROMISED LAND...
      1. God's angel led Israel through the wilderness - Exo 23:20-23;
         cf. 32:34; 33:2; Num 20:16
      2. The Angel of the Lord appeared to Balaam's donkey, and then to
         him - Num 22:22-35
      3. Some believe "the Commander of the Lord's Army" was the Angel
         of the Lord - cf. Josh 5:13-15
      4. The Angel of the Lord rebukes Israel at Bochim - Judg 2:1-6

   B. IN THE TIME OF THE JUDGES...
      1. Through Deborah the Angel of the Lord tells Israel to curse
         Meroz - Judg 5:23
      2. The Angel of the Lord appears to Gideon - Judg 6:11-24
      3. The Angel of the Lord appears to the parents of Samson 

         - Jud 13:1-23

   C. IN THE DAYS OF THE KINGS...
      1. The Angel of the Lord was sent to destroy the people of Israel
         after David's census - 2Sa 24:15-17; 1Ch 21:14-18,26-30
      2. The Angel of the Lord fed Elijah - 1Ki 19:5-7
      3. The Angel of the Lord sent Elijah with messages to the king of
         Samaria - 2Ki 1:3,15
      4. The Angel of the Lord slew 185,000 men of the army of Assyria
         - 2Ki 19:35; 2Ch 32:20-22; Isa 37:36; cf. Isa 63:9
      5. Isaiah sees 'seraphim' praising the Lord on His throne 

         - Isa 6:1-7

   D. IN THE YEARS OF BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY...
      1. Ezekiel sees 'cherubim' (angels?) in several visions 

         - Ezek 1:1-28; cf. 10:1-20
      2. Nebuchadnezzar praised God for sending His Angel to deliver
         Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego - Dan 3:28; cf. 3:24-25
      3. They appeared (as 'watchers') in Nebuchadnezzar's dream 

         - Dan 4:13,17,23
      4. God sent His angel to shut up the lions' mouths when Daniel was
         in the den - Dan 6:22
      5. Gabriel interpreted several visions for Daniel 

         - Dan 8:15-17;9:21-23
      6. A "certain man" appeared to Daniel and revealed what certain
         "princes" (like Michael, the archangel) were doing - Dan 10:
         4-13,21; 12:1

   E. IN THE PERIOD FOLLOWING THE RESTORATION...
      1. The Angel of the Lord appeared in Zechariah's eight visions
         a. The vision of the horses - Zech 1:7-17
         b. The vision of the horns - Zech 1:18-21
         c. The vision of the measuring line - Zech 2:1-5
         d. The vision of Joshua, the high priest - Zech 3:1-10
         e. The vision of the lamp stand and olive trees - Zech 4:1-14
         f. The vision of the flying scroll - Zech 5:1-4
         g. The vision of the woman in a basket - Zech 5:5-11
         h. The vision of the four chariots - Zech 6:1-8
      2. These visions along with the message of Zechariah were used to
         encourage the completion of the temple following their return
         from Babylon - cf. Ezr 5:1; 6:14

   F. IN THE SONGS OF ISRAEL...
      1. "For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You
         have crowned him with glory and honor." - Ps 8:5
      2. "The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him,
         And delivers them." - Ps 34:7
      3. "Let them be like chaff before the wind, And let the angel of
         the LORD chase them." - Ps 35:5
      4. "Let their way be dark and slippery, And let the angel of the
         LORD pursue them." - Ps 35:6
      5. "Men ate angels' food; He sent them food to the full." 

         - Psa 78:25
      6. "He cast on them the fierceness of His anger, wrath,
         indignation, and trouble, By sending angels of destruction
         among them." - Ps 78:49
      7. "For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in
         all your ways." - Ps 91:11
      8. "Bless the LORD, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do
         His word, Heeding the voice of His word." - Ps 103:20
      9. "Who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire."
         -  Ps 104:4
     10. "Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts!" 

         - Psa 148:2

CONCLUSION

1. Angels played important roles in the Old Testament...
   a. Including the giving of the Law - cf. Ac 7:38,53; Ga 3:19; He 2:2
   b. Who wondered at the scheme of redemption slowly being revealed
      - cf. 1Pe 1:9-12

2. They were truly ministering spirits...
   a. Serving the faithful saints throughout the Old Testament
   b. Serving the will of God as He prepared for the coming of His Son

Their service continued with the coming of Christ, which we shall
consider in a future study...

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2015

 

From Gary... OF fish, Judgement, and figure 8's

I have always liked this saying- whether or not Albert Einstein actually did say it!!!  In high school, the teachers grouped people into two groups- college material and others; oh, how wrong they were!!! All lives matter, all skills matter and think about it- where would we be without garbage collectors (otherwise known as "Sanitary Engineers") or retail clerks or car wash attendants? But, people will classify their neighbors and the early church was no exception...

1 Corinthians, Chapter 12 (WEB)

 1 Now concerning spiritual things, brothers, I don’t want you to be ignorant.  2 You know that when you were heathen, you were led away to those mute idols, however you might be led.  3 Therefore I make known to you that no man speaking by God’s Spirit says, “Jesus is accursed.” No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” but by the Holy Spirit.  4 Now there are various kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 

  5  There are various kinds of service, and the same Lord.  6 There are various kinds of workings, but the same God, who works all things in all.  7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit;  9 to another faith, by the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, by the same Spirit; 10 and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; to another different kinds of languages; and to another the interpretation of languages.  11 But the one and the same Spirit works all of these, distributing to each one separately as he desires. 

  12  For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ.  13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all given to drink into one Spirit.  14 For the body is not one member, but many.  15 If the foot would say, “Because I’m not the hand, I’m not part of the body,” it is not therefore not part of the body. 16 If the ear would say, “Because I’m not the eye, I’m not part of the body,” it’s not therefore not part of the body.  17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the smelling be?  18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body, just as he desired.  19 If they were all one member, where would the body be?  20 But now they are many members, but one body. 21 The eye can’t tell the hand, “I have no need for you,” or again the head to the feet, “I have no need for you.” 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.  23 Those parts of the body which we think to be less honorable, on those we bestow more abundant honor; and our unpresentable parts have more abundant propriety;  24 whereas our presentable parts have no such need. But God composed the body together, giving more abundant honor to the inferior part,  25 that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.  26 When one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. Or when one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 

  27  Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.  28 God has set some in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of languages.  29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all miracle workers? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with various languages? Do all interpret?  31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. Moreover, I show a most excellent way to you. 

God gives gifts (spiritual, or otherwise) to whom he chooses, for his own reasons. Therefore, everyone is important and worthy of honor!!! I remember working in a hospital as a janitor in the early 80's and saying to myself (as I was mopping in figure 8's) that this too can glorify God!!! 

Today, consider your life, because it is worth considering!!! Glorify God in whatever you do, because HE just may give you a better job in order to see if you will continue to praise HIM!!!

PS. HE gave me several better jobs over the decades and I thank HIM for it!!!

From Gary.... Bible Reading December 30

Bible Reading 

December 30

The World English Bible

Dec. 30

Zechariah 13, 14

Zec 13:1 "In that day there will be a spring opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness.

Zec 13:2 It will come to pass in that day, says Yahweh of Armies, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they will be remembered no more. I will also cause the prophets and the spirit of impurity to pass out of the land.

Zec 13:3 It will happen that, when anyone still prophesies, then his father and his mother who bore him will tell him, 'You must die, because you speak lies in the name of Yahweh;' and his father and his mother who bore him will stab him when he prophesies.

Zec 13:4 It will happen in that day, that the prophets will each be ashamed of his vision, when he prophesies; neither will they wear a hairy mantle to deceive:

Zec 13:5 but he will say, 'I am no prophet, I am a tiller of the ground; for I have been made a bondservant from my youth.'

Zec 13:6 One will say to him, 'What are these wounds between your arms?' Then he will answer, 'Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.'

Zec 13:7 "Awake, sword, against my shepherd, and against the man who is close to me," says Yahweh of Armies. "Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; and I will turn my hand against the little ones.

Zec 13:8 It shall happen that in all the land," says Yahweh, "two parts in it will be cut off and die; but the third will be left in it.

Zec 13:9 I will bring the third part into the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will test them like gold is tested. They will call on my name, and I will hear them. I will say, 'It is my people;' and they will say, 'Yahweh is my God.' "

Zec 14:1 Behold, a day of Yahweh comes, when your spoil will be divided in your midst.

Zec 14:2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city will be taken, the houses rifled, and the women ravished. Half of the city will go out into captivity, and the rest of the people will not be cut off from the city.

Zec 14:3 Then Yahweh will go out and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.

Zec 14:4 His feet will stand in that day on the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in two, from east to west, making a very great valley. Half of the mountain will move toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

Zec 14:5 You shall flee by the valley of my mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach to Azel; yes, you shall flee, just like you fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Yahweh my God will come, and all the holy ones with you.

Zec 14:6 It will happen in that day, that there will not be light, cold, or frost.

Zec 14:7 It will be a unique day which is known to Yahweh; not day, and not night; but it will come to pass, that at evening time there will be light.

Zec 14:8 It will happen in that day, that living waters will go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the eastern sea, and half of them toward the western sea; in summer and in winter will it be.

Zec 14:9 Yahweh will be King over all the earth. In that day Yahweh will be one, and his name one.

Zec 14:10 All the land will be made like the Arabah, from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem; and she will be lifted up, and will dwell in her place, from Benjamin's gate to the place of the first gate, to the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananel to the king's winepresses.

Zec 14:11 Men will dwell therein, and there will be no more curse; but Jerusalem will dwell safely.

Zec 14:12 This will be the plague with which Yahweh will strike all the peoples who have warred against Jerusalem: their flesh will consume away while they stand on their feet, and their eyes will consume away in their sockets, and their tongue will consume away in their mouth.

Zec 14:13 It will happen in that day, that a great panic from Yahweh will be among them; and they will lay hold everyone on the hand of his neighbor, and his hand will rise up against the hand of his neighbor.

Zec 14:14 Judah also will fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the surrounding nations will be gathered together: gold, and silver, and clothing, in great abundance.

Zec 14:15 So will be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the donkey, and of all the animals that will be in those camps, as that plague.

Zec 14:16 It will happen that everyone who is left of all the nations that came against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, Yahweh of Armies, and to keep the feast of tents.

Zec 14:17 It will be, that whoever of all the families of the earth doesn't go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, Yahweh of Armies, on them there will be no rain.

Zec 14:18 If the family of Egypt doesn't go up, and doesn't come, neither will it rain on them. This will be the plague with which Yahweh will strike the nations that don't go up to keep the feast of tents.

Zec 14:19 This will be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all the nations that don't go up to keep the feast of tents.

Zec 14:20 In that day there will be on the bells of the horses, "HOLY TO YAHWEH;" and the pots in Yahweh's house will be like the bowls before the altar.

Zec 14:21 Yes, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah will be holy to Yahweh of Armies; and all those who sacrifice will come and take of them, and cook in them. In that day there will no longer be a Canaanite in the house of Yahweh of Armies.

 Dec. 30

Revelation 21, 22

Rev 21:1 I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth have passed away, and the sea is no more.

Rev 21:2 I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready like a bride adorned for her husband.

Rev 21:3 I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, "Behold, God's dwelling is with people, and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.

Rev 21:4 He will wipe away from them every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. The first things have passed away."

Rev 21:5 He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." He said, "Write, for these words of God are faithful and true."

Rev 21:6 He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give freely to him who is thirsty from the spring of the water of life.

Rev 21:7 He who overcomes, I will give him these things. I will be his God, and he will be my son.

Rev 21:8 But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."

Rev 21:9 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls, who were loaded with the seven last plagues came, and he spoke with me, saying, "Come here. I will show you the wife, the Lamb's bride."

Rev 21:10 He carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,

Rev 21:11 having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, as if it was a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

Rev 21:12 having a great and high wall; having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.

Rev 21:13 On the east were three gates; and on the north three gates; and on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.

Rev 21:14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb.

Rev 21:15 He who spoke with me had for a measure, a golden reed, to measure the city, its gates, and its walls.

Rev 21:16 The city lies foursquare, and its length is as great as its breadth. He measured the city with the reed, Twelve thousand twelve stadia. Its length, breadth, and height are equal.

Rev 21:17 Its wall is one hundred forty-four cubits, by the measure of a man, that is, of an angel.

Rev 21:18 The construction of its wall was jasper. The city was pure gold, like pure glass.

Rev 21:19 The foundations of the city's wall were adorned with all kinds of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald;

Rev 21:20 the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprasus; the eleventh, jacinth; and the twelfth, amethyst.

Rev 21:21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls. Each one of the gates was made of one pearl. The street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

Rev 21:22 I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God, the Almighty, and the Lamb, are its temple.

Rev 21:23 The city has no need for the sun, neither of the moon, to shine, for the very glory of God illuminated it, and its lamp is the Lamb.

Rev 21:24 The nations will walk in its light. The kings of the earth bring the glory and honor of the nations into it.

Rev 21:25 Its gates will in no way be shut by day (for there will be no night there),

Rev 21:26 and they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it so that they may enter.

Rev 21:27 There will in no way enter into it anything profane, or one who causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Rev 22:1 He showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb,

Rev 22:2 in the middle of its street. On this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruits, yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Rev 22:3 There will be no curse any more. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants serve him.

Rev 22:4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.

Rev 22:5 There will be no night, and they need no lamp light; for the Lord God will illuminate them. They will reign forever and ever.

Rev 22:6 He said to me, "These words are faithful and true. The Lord God of the spirits of the prophets sent his angel to show to his bondservants the things which must happen soon."

Rev 22:7 "Behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."

Rev 22:8 Now I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. When I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who had shown me these things.

Rev 22:9 He said to me, "See you don't do it! I am a fellow bondservant with you and with your brothers, the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God."

Rev 22:10 He said to me, "Don't seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.

Rev 22:11 He who acts unjustly, let him act unjustly still. He who is filthy, let him be filthy still. He who is righteous, let him do righteousness still. He who is holy, let him be holy still."

Rev 22:12 "Behold, I come quickly. My reward is with me, to repay to each man according to his work.

Rev 22:13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

Rev 22:14 Blessed are those who do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city.

Rev 22:15 Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

Rev 22:16 I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify these things to you for the assemblies. I am the root and the offspring of David; the Bright and Morning Star."

Rev 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" He who hears, let him say, "Come!" He who is thirsty, let him come. He who desires, let him take the water of life freely.

Rev 22:18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if anyone adds to them, may God add to him the plagues which are written in this book.

Rev 22:19 If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, may God take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.

Rev 22:20 He who testifies these things says, "Yes, I come quickly." Amen! Yes, come, Lord Jesus.

Rev 22:21 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all the saints. Amen. 

From Roy Davison... Seek the things that are above!

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Davison/Roy/Allen/1940/053-liftup.html

Seek the things that are above!

“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:1, 2).

Frederick Langbridge^* wrote:
     “Two men look out through the same bars:
       One sees the mud, and one the stars.”

There is much mud, but one must look down to see it. God encourages us to look up, to look up at the stars, to look beyond the stars! We can behold God’s glory when we lift up oureyes, when we lift up our souls, when we lift up our hands, when we lift up our voices, and when we lift up our heads.

Lift up your eyes, and see who has created these things!
“It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. ... ‘To whom then will you liken Me, or to whom shall I be equal?’ says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these things, who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, by the greatness of His might and the strength of His power; not one is missing” (Isaiah 40:22, 25, 26).
When someone perseveres in unbelief while seeing the glories of creation, he is rejecting clear evidence for God: “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor languagewhere their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world” (Psalm 19:1-4).
The more an unbeliever learns about the expanse of the universe, the smaller he becomes from his own perspective. Based on his own world view, a materialist is not even a millionth of a speck of dust in the universe.
Belief in the theory of evolution is a form of nature worship. God-like powers are attributed to nature. Evolutionists believe that the forces of nature have created all things, even man from the mud of the earth. This is ridiculous because something like the universe, which had a beginning and will have an end, cannot create itself. As Maria sings in The Sound of Music, “Nothing comes from nothing, nothing ever could.”
The more a believer learns about the expanse of the universe, the more he stands in awe of God, and the greater his gratitude is for what God has given mankind.
Referring to the sun, moon and stars, we read in Genesis 1:17: “God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth.” Thus, the innumerable galaxies with their innumerable stars are not without purpose. They were placed in space and time to enlighten man!
People should not worship the sun, moon and stars because God has given “the sun, the moon, and the stars, all the host of heaven” “to all the peoples under the whole heaven as a heritage” (Deuteronomy 4:19). God splashed the trillions of stars into space as a gift to man, to give us a glimpse of His mighty power and majesty. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts,” says the Lord (Isaiah 55:9). “He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him” (Psalm 103:10, 11).
“Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look on the earth beneath. For the heavens will vanish away like smoke, the earth will grow old like a garment, and those who dwell in it will die in like manner; but My salvation will be forever, and My righteousness will not be abolished” (Isaiah 51:6).
That the universe is ‘running down’ and eventually will vanish away is a scientific observation. We observe that matter and intelligence exist. What is the source of intelligence? We observe that intelligence can create and that matter cannot create. Matter cannot even create itself, let alone intelligence.
From these observations it is philosophically and scientifically sound to “understand” that both matter and intelligence had to be created by a higher intelligence.
The expansive, yet finite, material universe and the intricate, yet finite, biosphere on earth had to originate from an intelligence greater than our intelligence as the heavens are higher than the earth.
Man’s amazing, yet limited intelligence could not be auto-created by finite matter, any more than an intricate, yet mindless computer could create itself. Only man, made in the image of God, has sufficient creative power to produce a computer. And computers are a collective creation of mankind. One man can make a hammer by tying a stone to a stick, but the design and construction of something as intricate and complex as a computer requires the collective and co-operative intelligence and work of thousands of men. The intricacy of a computer is child’s play compared to the intricacy of life forms. Matter cannot even create a computer, let alone man and the universe!
God, not matter, is the Creator of all things. This is clearly seen and understood from the things that are made.
“I will lift up my eyes to the hills - From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1, 2).
“Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens” (Psalm 123:1).

Lift up your soul to God!
After lifting up our eyes and seeing the majesty of God in His creation, we lift up our souls to God, we entrust our spiritual well-being to His care.
“To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in You; let me not be ashamed; let not my enemies triumph over me. ... Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day” (Psalm 25:1, 2, 4, 5).
“Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You do I trust; cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You” (Psalm 143:8).
“Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I cry to You all day long. Rejoice the soul of Your servant, for to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications” (Psalm 86:3-6).
We lift up our souls to God, we entrust our spirits to His keeping. As was prayed by David in a Psalm and by Jesus on the cross: “Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O LORD God of truth” (Psalm 31:5).

Lift up your hands in joyful prayers of praise!
“Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. ... And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips” (Psalm 63:3, 4, 5).
When we lift up our eyes and see the glories of God’s creation, and then lift up our souls to Him, we also lift up our hands in prayer.
“Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to You, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary” (Psalm 28:2).

Lift up your voice with strength!
“O Zion, you who bring good tidings, get up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, you who bring good tidings, lift up your voice with strength, lift it up, be not afraid; say to the cities of Judah, ‘Behold your God!’” (Isaiah 40:9).
This Messianic prophecy refers to the deity of Christ. Good news of God’s salvation would be preached to all nations beginning at Jerusalem. “Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem” (Isaiah 2:2, 3).
We must lift up our eyes and see the peoples of the earth who are in urgent need of salvation. Jesus tells His followers: “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” (John 4:35).
“But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest’” (Matthew 9:36-38).
We lift up our eyes and see the glory of God; we lift up our souls to God and place them in His care; we lift up our hands to God in prayer, and we lift up our voices to tell the whole world about the glories of God and salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Look up and lift up your heads!
When Jesus returns most people will be terrified: “And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?’” (Revelation 6:15-17).
God’s little flock, however, will not be afraid, but will rejoice: “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near” (Luke 21:27, 28).
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:1, 2).
Let us look beyond the stars! Let us lift up our eyes and see the glory of God in His creation, let us lift up our souls to God and place them in His care, let us lift up our hands in prayer, let us lift up our voices and tell the good news of salvation by Christ to all the world. Then at His appearing to judge the living and the dead, we can lift up our heads and greet Him with joy, then we can be with Him forevermore. Amen.
Roy Davison

The Scripture quotations in this article are from
The New King James Version. ©1979,1980,1982, Thomas Nelson Inc., Publishers.
Permission for reference use has been granted.

Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)

Footnote

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^* Frederick Langbridge (1849-1923) was a poet, novelist, dramatist and religious writer. He was born at Birmingham, England but was of Irish descent. He was educated at Oxford. He served as rector of St. John’s Cathedral in Limerick, Ireland. This quotation is from ‘A Cluster of Quiet Thoughts’ published by the Religious Tract Society.