Light on the Rock Blogs

Pentecost is so deep and so meaningful and many who speak on it often miss some of the biggest meanings of Pentecost. I have a video sermon reposted from 2024, but has a timeless message. You will find a full and complete review of what Pentecost is really all about in that video sermon.  I hope you check it out.

https://www.lightontherock.org/index.php/sermons/message/pentecost-2024-first-fruits-first-resurrection-and-more

Most of us who keep Pentecost recognize it as the day of two main events, as taught by most of the church groups which keep Pentecost:  the giving of God’s law at Sinai, and the pouring out of God’s Holy Spirit in Acts 2. True, these are profoundly important parts of Pentecost, but there’s so much more. Let’s start with those 2 foundational understandings and then move on in a condensed form, other often missed parts of Pentecost. 

First was the giving of the Law at Mt Sinai in Exodus 19-24, AND God’s Marriage to Israel at this season.  Keep in mind something else too:  the 70 elders of Israel plus Moses, Aaron and his two oldest sons – all SAW the GOD of Israel, and ate and drank with GOD, on a glass-like supernatural foundation like bright, gorgeous sky-blue sapphire.  (Ex. 24:9-11). Keep this in mind for later. This foreshadowed a future duplication of firstfruits saints on a much greater brilliance of a heavenly sea of glass (Revelation 14:1-5). 

Exodus 24:9-11  “Then Moses went up, also Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, 10 and they SAW the GOD OF Israel . And there was under His feet as it were A PAVED WORK OF SAPPHIRE STONE, and it was like the very heavens in its clarity. 11 But on the nobles of the children of Israel He did not lay His hand. So THEY SAW GOD, and they ate and drank.”

Seventy four leaders SAW God the Word who was on a paved work like bright BLUE sapphire stone, and ate and drank with Him. No human has ever seen God the Father (John 1:18) so this had to be YHVH the Word.  Remember, scripturally YHVH can apply to the Word as well as to God the Father. No one has seen the Father, so whenever anyone has seen YHVH (like Gen 18 and Ex. 24:10-11)  that had to be the one we know as Jesus the Christ. Exodus 24:1-2 clearly show us this is YHVH calling them up to meet him Him and they SAW this “LORD” – so it had to be the future Yeshua, son of God, since no human has ever seen God MOST High. 

The Second point most talk about is how on this day of Pentecost in Acts 2, God poured out his Holy Spirit to the 120 gathered as one on this day. They spoke in tongues, and in this case, the miracle was in the hearing.  As each one spoke, everyone heard him talk in their own language or dialect (Acts 2: ***).  No one needed to interpret for them in Acts 2. They heard them speak in their own earthly language.  Three thousand were baptized and received the Holy Spirit. 

So this day reminds us of the giving of the law of God and entering a covenant relationship with him and marriage to God – in the Old Testament in this season – and then giving of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament.

BUT THERE’S SO MUCH MORE, and I explore this in detail in my video posting of Pentecost.  This will add so much more to your normal view of this day, so don’t miss it.  Most preachers miss the other points. I’m summarizing in this blog for those who want a quick-read review.

FIFTY DAYS before Pentecost was the WAVESHEAF CEREMONY – when the very first of the FIRSTFRUITS of finely ground barley (the “omer” or sheaf”) was raised up to heaven on behalf of the rest of the harvest so the barley harvest could begin (Leviticus 23:9-11). This pictured Jesus after his resurrection telling Mary he had to go “to my God, and your God, to my Father and your Father” (John 20:17). 

Jesus is the FIRST of the firstfruits early harvest.   Notice the word “firstfruits” here and continuing on.  This is a HUGE point: PENTECOST is the ONLY holyday that refers to FIRSTFRUITS several times, except a reference also to the wavesheaf being a DAY of firstfruits also, picturing Yeshua. 

Here are more scriptures which combine the word “firstfruits” with words about Pentecost, or Feast of Weeks.  Numbers 28:26; Exodus 34:22 – you shall observe the Feest of Weeks of the firstfruits of wheat harvest…   Also the TWO LEAVENED LOAVES that are raised up towards God in heaven on this day are also described this way: “these are FIRSTFRUITS to the LORD”  Leviticus 23:17.

So keep that in mind.  Pentecost is about Firstfruits.

It helps to understand God’s plan of salvation to realize that the spring and summer holydays point to those being called first, now.  The Fall holydays picture God working with and calling the rest of the world.  Obviously NOT everyone is being called now; just firstfruits. Keep that in mind as we pivot later to discussing the first resurrection.  And remember the first resurrection is about resurrecting those who are in Christ and are FIRSTFRUITS to God. And Pentecost is all about firstfruits. 

The harvest of firstfruits began on Wavesheaf day, picturing Jesus’ ascending to God on that day, and ended on Pentecost 50 days later with the beginning of the wheat harvest.  Wavesheaf and Pentecost are not about the entire harvest so much as being about the firstfruits of the barley and later the wheat. Firstfruits of the spring early-summer harvest begins with Wavesheaf day and ends on Pentecost. 

Remember that “firstfruits” are the first ones harvested – not the entire harvest.

And seven weeks/sabbaths plus one day, come between Wavesheaf day and Pentecost, which comes from the Greek meaning “50” or “fiftieth”.  The Hebrew name for this day is SHAVUOT, meaning “Weeks”.  So this holyday is also called “the Feast of Weeks (Exodus 34:22) of the firstfruits of the wheat harvest”.    

Spiritually that’s the same meaning. Jesus is the first of the firstfruits of those being called and chosen now (1 Cor.15:22-24) – and those who are called, chosen and faithful to the end  (Rev. 17:14) at the return of the Messiah will be the END of the firstfruits harvest, pictured by Pentecost.  

WEDDING TO Israel and then the FIRSTFRUITS of GOD in New Covenant IN HEAVEN after the FIRST RESURRECTION

In the Pentecost season is when GOD MARRIED ISRAEL (Exodus 24:1-8) and they agreed to obey his covenant. There was a wedding feast where the 74 leaders ate and drank with God of Israel (Exodus 24:9-11) on a pavement of sky-blue sapphire-like stone.  THAT PICTURED The REALITY of what will happen yet ahead of us!  The Israel of God in the New covenant are CALLED OUT ONES from ALL NATIONS, not just Israel.  And if they are in Christ, they are HEIRS of the promises (Gal. 3:26-28). 

God is the Father who will also put on a wedding for his Son, Jesus the Christ to the New Covenant Firstfruits saints from all nations (READ Matthew 22:1-10).  GOD IS IN HEAVEN. Those redeemed from the earth are shown as being before the very throne of God and of the 24 elders – all of which is in heavenly Jerusalem!! 

The FIRST RESURRECTION makes no sense happening in the FALL – which is not about FirstFruits.  PENTECOST is the holyday about Firstfruits. 

The FIRST RESURRECTION is ONLY about the firstfruits. ONLY firstfruits saints filled with the Holy Spirit and who have God’s law written on their hearts will be in the first resurrection. 

And the ONLY holyday that is about FIRSTFRUITS is Pentecost.  ON this day TWO LEAVENED LOAVES were elevated to God in heaven  -- picturing us, the firstfruits of God (James 1:18) also raised to Heaven after our resurrection, which will most likely be on the day of PENTECOST. 

Revelation 14:1-5  Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father's name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a  VOICE FROM HEAVEN, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. 3 They sang as it were a new song before The THRONE, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed FROM the earth.

4 These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, BEING FIRSTFRUITS TO GOD and to the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault BEFORE The THRONE OF GOD.” 

So the 144,000, after the 7^th or Last trump of God, are IN HEAVEN, BEFORE The THRONE OF GOD!!  They are spared having to go through the Seven Last Bowl plagues of God (Rev. 16), which are the WRATH OF GOD on evil people on earth.

Revelation 15:1-3

“Then I saw another sign IN HEAVEN, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the WRATH OF GOD is complete.

2 And I saw something like A SEA OF GLASS mingled with fire, and those who have the VICTORY over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. 3 They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying:” 

Remember the pavement of sky blue Sapphire in Exodus 24:9-11, when the leaders of Israel ate and drank with the God of Israel right after the marriage between God and Israel?  That all pointed to the reality of Rev. 14 and 15!!  THIS SHOULD BE SO EXCITING TO US!! 

And then soon later, God puts on the Wedding Feast of the Lamb (Revelation 19), in heaven.  WHERE else IN The UNIVERSE could you have A FITTING LOCATION FOR The  Wedding of Christ and His Bride that is worthy of such an event.  Much more of the details are in my Pentecost sermons for 2024-2025.  This should be so exciting to you and me. Yes, firstfruits are going to heaven to worship God the Father and be among those blessed to be at the wedding supper of the Lamb of God, Jesus the Messiah. 

REMEMBER, AFTER The FIRST RESURRECTION AT The 7^TH TRUMP, there are still SEVEN LAST PLAGUES going on, which take MONTHS.  WHERE are those FIRSTFRUITS after they are resurrected?  

THEY ARE TAKEN by Jesus the Christ to HEAVEN to be shown their homes, to meet God and their angels and to get married!!!  It’s all spelled out in the sermon!  They are not just hovering over earthly Jerusalem all that time. 

ALL THAT I’VE JUST SAID is what is so often just skipped over, and not understood, by 95% of the sermons about the meaning of Pentecost. 

Much more in the sermons on Pentecost.  So what’s the meaning of this day: 

• It’s all about FIRSTFRUITS SAINTS filled with God’s spirit and who have God’s law written on their minds and hearts (Jer 31:31-33). Yes, the Holy Spirit was given on Pentecost which started the New Covenant church. Yes, the LAW of God was given in Ex. 20-24 on Mt Sinai at this time.

• The FIRST RESURRECTION happens – very likely on Pentecost, which is all about firstfruits. ONLY Firstfruits of God will be in the First resurrection.

• These firstfruits saints are taken to the third HEAVEN as the 7 last plagues of Rev. 16 are being poured out. (Rev. 14:1-5; 15:1-4)

• The WEDDING of the Lamb is put on by the Father (Matthew 22:1-2) in HEAVEN, where HE is.

• Those attending are chosen from the byways and whoever they could find, for the first ones called were not worthy! (Matthew 22:8-10) So Gentiles and Israelites alike will compose the Bride.

• THEN, after the 7 last plagues are done on earth, and the Wedding is complete in heaven, we shall all follow The King of Kings back to earth, to reign with him and under him (Rev. 20:1-6). This will happen in the Fall, likely on the Feast of Trumpets/Shouts.

SO ENJOY PENTECOST and everything it explains for us.  Praise you our dear Abba, our heavenly Father. Praise you Yeshua, our Savior and Redeemer.  Hallelujah, Amen. 

Hi fellow brothers and sisters in the family of God. Isn’t it wonderful how God is calling us to be literal, real sons and daughters of God?  

You are all probably aware that the Bible several times says we must “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17) and “Pray always”.  I’ll read those shortly.  Hasn’t that intrigued you?  Always? Pray always? But you have other things to do. You have to get ready to go to work. Then drive to work. Plus you have to do your chores around house. You have assignments and things to read – how can we possibly “pray without ceasing”?  

And yes, I pray to our Father in heaven, but also to the Son of God. Stephen did in his dying moments, “Lord Jesus, receive my Spirit. Lord, do not charge them with this sin.”  (Acts 7:59-60)  Of course mostly I pray to my father, but of course we can pray to Jesus too. A bride (us?) does not just speak to the Fiancé’s father, but to the Fiancé himself. Of COURSE. 

Some of you admit you find it hard to pray anyway, period. You’ve told me you don’t know what to say after a few minutes.  This talk today may help those of you who are like that.

On top of that, we find ourselves constantly fighting temptation and sin. I hope we are, anyway. And constantly trying to find ways to do good, to do the right thing, to live obediently – but our Adversary is constantly trying to distract and tempt us to look at the allure or pleasures of sin for the moment (Heb 11:24-25). How do we fight him? We hopefully have the Holy Spirit, but how do we harness the power of the Holy Spirit to defeat our Adversary?

I take heart from the promise that “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). God the Father and Jesus dwell in us, by the Holy Spirit. Study the sermons on “What is the Holy Spirit?”

In my first half of 2023 sermons, I’ve often referred to something I’m finding to work phenomenally for me, when I do it!  Sometimes I forget to do it because it’s a relatively new concept for me. So it’s not perfect because I don’t work it perfectly yet myself, but notable. It works when I do it faithfully. 

I have called it “constant contact” or even “frequent contact”. This definitely helps me “walk in the spirit” more (Galatians 5:16).  Paul tells us that if we walk in the spirit we won't do the works of the flesh. I’ll do another talk this year with more detail about walking in the spirit and even praying in the spirit as Paul says. 

But today, I just want to explain and clarify what I mean by the expression “constant contact”. Some of you have asked me to explain how it works, so here we go.  Some of you may well have been doing something similar to this already for many years. I did too, but not to this extent.

The foundation of Constant Contact concept is based on these:

** We are to pray constantly, always…

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 
“Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Luke 18:1

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart.”

Luke 21:36

“Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."

We have other things we must be doing in any normal life, so how do we pray without ceasing, and how do we pray constantly?

This is where Constant Contact (CC) comes in. I found myself not nearly as close and strong as I felt I should be as a child of God, as a minister – and it scared me. Our time for victorious salvation – or defeat – is NOW.

Those of us who have been called now, listen: This is our only chance, folks – this lifetime, if God has opened your mind to his way and truths and especially if He’s give you His Spirit and divine nature. The key is to draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.

CONSTANT CONTACT DEFINED

So end of last year – 2022-- I set aside a day to fast and seek God deeply so I could be stronger than I was feeling. And that’s also when I started this constant contact. And I’ve got to say, when I do it a lot, it’s like “walking in the spirit” all day and I’ve found, when I do it consistently and right, my thoughts and actions are more godly and more righteous and more victorious.

I don’t think this will be unique to me. Please listen carefully and try this.

Hallelujah, praise God, to HIS glory and honor.  So it started with fasting and repentance and much more contact with God. This was where my 2-part repentance sermons also had their genesis. 

Here’s what CC is:  My goal is to make frequent or even constant contact with God and Jesus Christ in short bursts of prayers throughout the day. I mean easily 10-20 or 30 times each day. I might do it 3x while doing these notes. I don’t mean the longer prayers on my knees by my bed morning and evening. I do it also as I lay my head on my pillow.

I also find it easier and more effective to have frequent short topics and prayers with God rather than a much longer prayers by my bed. Long prayers are overrated anyway. Some of the most effective prayers in the Bible are the short prayers like when Jesus resurrected Lazarus. Or Elijah’s prayer on Mt Carmel when fire from heaven came down.

Those of you who lead in prayer publicly, remember our Lord’s admonition to keep your prayers short.  You’re not there to impress anyone.

Matthew 23:11

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.”

Constant Contact does NOT replace the longer, more formal prayers I hope you’re having daily.  Constant contact is throughout the day in short bursts of prayers that are usually only 30 seconds to 1-2 minutes long.  If you were beside me you’d think I was whispering to myself.

Even if you’re at work, when you take breaks, or while sitting at your desk, or walking your dog, or driving your truck – turn the noise off (radio) and just talk to God briefly but frequently. Gardening, doing dishes, going for walks – do these short bursts.

So that’s what CC is:  many short bursts of prayer and contact with God throughout the day. Twenty or more times a day. 

Some of you are thinking that “Hey, for many years now I’ve spoken and prayed to God many times throughout each day”.  That’s wonderful. I’ve always done that too. But now instead of random haphazardly praying/talking to Father, now it’s part of a concentrated effort on my part to stay attached to our Father and Yeshua by doing this 20-30x a day. Every day.

MORE reasons to do Constant Contact

Here are a few more reasons why we NEED to do this and then I’ll share some examples of what I say in these short bursts of prayer. 

** Without Yeshua/Jesus living his resurrection life in us, without us abiding in Christ, we can do NOTHING.  So we must stay in contact.

John 15:1-6

"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.  2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.  3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.  4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 

5 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.  6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.”

I’ve discussed this many times. Jesus Christ is the VINE. We are the branches on the vine that HE is.  If we stay attached/abiding with him, we shall bear much fruit. But if we don’t stay attached, we wither up and die and are burned in the fire.  He says without Him we can do nothing spiritually.

Remember how often we read of Yeshua getting up early to pray, or sending his disciples on ahead of him as he plans to walk across the lake and catch up.

Jesus set that example of a lot of prayer, because he himself said that without Father in Heaven, He too, could do nothing.  John 5:19. Even HE said that!

If our fruit is bad, we need to let the self die and ask to be grafted on to the TRUE VINE Yeshua.  We have to make the tree good (Matthew 12:33) in Christ.

** Our new lives in Christ are not supposed to be just trying to fix up and repair our old nature, but to replace our old self with the life of Jesus Christ.   “I no longer live…” – Gal. 2:20-21; Col. 3:3-4. 

**  If we “walk in the spirit” we will not fulfill the desires of the fleshly nature we all have (Gal. 5:16).  We also have GOD’S own divine nature by His Holy Spirit.  2 Pet. 1:4.  Our task is to ACTIVATE God’s nature in us.

EXAMPLES of What to Say

What do I bring up in these short bursts? What do I say and talk about?

** Thanksgiving and praise for all things, even what seem like bad things as I remind myself in these short prayers that everything works together for good (Romans 8:28).

I thank God for Jesus Christ dying for my sins and living for my eternal life (Rom 5:10). I praise him for the Holy Spirit and ask for more, always for more, much more. I thank him for my wife and family. For the birds and flowers and the beautiful sky and clouds and for rain and for sunshine.

** I do supplication prayer asking for God’s mercy and healing for many of you, throughout the day. I hope you’re doing it for me too and my issues. And some of you need jobs, need money, or want a spouse, or….

** Remember the Laodiceans at the end of Revelation 3? And how Jesus is OUTSIDE knocking on the door and he’s urging them to let him in?  So I frequently say, “Yeshua, please come into my life and BE my life. I’m opening the door of my heart to you. Please come in. Please speak to me. Please guide me and rebuke me when I’m heading the wrong way. Please open doors and shut doors according to your will. Please teach me how to make you my Lord and Savior fully. Please help me be more zealous for you.” 

** Of course, I would hope we frequently pray for more wisdom and understanding and more of the Holy Spirit to guide us and to speak to you. Jesus recommended that, remember? (Luke 11:13). Also ask for Jesus to help you find him, and come to know HIM personally. Let God see you are diligently seeking him and want to find him! Claim the promise that whoever diligently seeks after God will find him. Constant Contact does that.

** Sometimes my constant contact prayers are pleas for my Savior to continue to save me, to help me beat temptations I’m facing. Jesus is not just our savior once, but every day!  He was tempted in all things, yet without sin (Heb 4:15).  I tell God what I’m going thru (though he already knows) and how much I desperately need his help to get through this day without giving in to any sin. Sometimes these short prayers are very heart-wrenching, as I don’t want to sin.

Remember we don’t fight against flesh and blood but spirits in high places (Eph 6:12). Sometimes I even say, “Father, Jesus, if the Adversary and his evil spirits in high places are trying to make me fall in sin, please – in Jesus’ name, REBUKE them, keep them away, and give me the victory in Yeshua, the commander of the armies of the Lord of Hosts!”

Go ahead, ASK for help. Ask him to help you win against sin and evil! 

** My constant contacts with God include many times of repentance, including for going too far with a temptation. The temptation is not the sin, as even Jesus was tempted and tried in ALL THINGS, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). But if we go too far with the temptation, then the thoughts can become sin. So pray, “Deliver me from the evil one. Give me power to defeat all that’s wrong in me”.

** I pray for the pastors and brethren in Africa I work with and wherever else God is bringing in people through Light on the Rock or other venues. Growth has been phenomenal, by the way.

And I ask him to bless our webmaster Scott Doucet and his wife Brandie, for all the countless hours they put into giving us all the ability to use Light on the Rock. I pray God will also BLESS all of you who ever send any donations that we do appreciate and need so badly here at Light on the Rock. It’s just a handful of people right now but I hope more of you will feel inspired to help us out, if you're being fed good solid spiritual food here. 

** I pray for his intervention in problems in my life and thank him in advance for his answers, for I know he’s already working behind the scenes long before I’m aware of it.

**I ask for more of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and for the FRUIT of the Holy Spirit. The greatest gift of the Holy Spirit, AND the greatest fruit – is LOVE. Remember? 1 Cor. 13:13 – “Faith, hope and love – and the greatest of these is love (Charity)”.  How often do you pray for more love? Or do you pray more often for – especially if you’re a minister -- miracles, healing, speaking in tongues, and so on?  In 1 Cor. 14:1-6, Paul explains it’s better to speak (or prophesy) in plain English, so to speak, than in a tongue that nobody understands.

** sometimes my constant contact moment might simply be reciting the Lord’s prayer and I update it to our present situation. “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done.” And yes, by the way, God is not stuck in old KJV English!  Or if I’m outside in the garden, I might put on some inspiring praise or worship songs. Some of them really put you into the right mood.

** I ask God for help with the sermons and blogs I’m working on. And I hope some of you pray for my inspiration too.

** I pray for my children and loved ones to have a walk with Christ and that they may be saved. I pray for their protection – physically and spiritually. Pray they are protected as they drive. Pray they are safe from evil doers and violent people. And I praise God for my wonderful wife.

** Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Read Psalm 122:6-8.

** Pray for our national and local leaders, like them or not. We’re told to pray for them and honor them.

** I often ask my God to help me live more in his will, and not mine. 1 Peter 4:1-2.  I might even say, “Lord, you are holy. Peter tells us to be holy, for you are holy. Please help me be holy – set apart for your use; different.” 

I could go on and on, but especially those of you who struggle with what to say, maybe print out these points and use them yourself. 

**  You can also speak God’s word back to him. If you’ve found a powerful verse that speaks to you, us that verse back to God and ask him to show you how to use that instruction in your life. You can also “pray the Psalms”  -- like Psalm 18:1 – “I love you, LORD my strength”. 

You get the idea I’m sure. I’m finding it very, very effective in battling wrong thoughts and temptations  -- as long as I faithfully do this 20-25 times a day, every day.  I’m finding I’m not nearly as tempted as before if I keep my Constant Contact program up! I find I’m stronger on these days than usual. The spirit is willing, but flesh is weak, remember.

Anyway, I hope that helps. Share this with others and let me know what you think. This means making the short bursts of prayer at least 10x a day, and shoot for 20x a day or more… just 1-2 minute short prayers.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 
“Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

How intimately do you pray to your Father in heaven, or as many of you would say, “to The Father” in heaven?  I’m contrasting the words  “our Father” vs. “The Father”.  Both are Biblical and OK.  Both are used widely in the Bible by the apostles and by Jesus the Christ Himself. You’ll hear the term “God The Father” many times in sermons.

But do you ever refer to God Most High as “OUR father” or is it always “the Father”? When referring to your earthly father – do you call him “the Father’ or “My father”? Why do we not do the same for our heavenly Father?

I’ve spoken before about how God wants us to have a sense of belonging, of being a part of, all the things He is doing with his Family. He wants us knowing He sees us being a part of Him,  a part of His kingdom, a part of his majestic plans. Read that again. Do you feel a part of all that God is doing? Yes, I mean YOU. When we say “our Father” that shows you’re starting to get it.  God Most High isn’t just “God” – he is my Father. He is your father.  I hear people constantly referring to “the Father” but rarely if ever as “Our Father”.

This is not just a little point, as some may be thinking right now.

Remember Yeshua taught the disciples – and therefore us as well -  to pray “Our Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:9).  This is HUGE. Yeshua was the son of God and God was HIS father, but now he’s telling US that we also should think of God in the Highest as “OUR Father”, just like HE called God HIS Father. Now he’s inviting, even telling us, to start saying “OUR Father”. 

The words “Our Father” also ties all of us, his children, into one family as well when we say “OUR Father”. 

I’m certain most of you who lead prayers in church or at home, will most of the time start your prayer with “Father in heaven”.  Add “our” to the start of that first sentence and it will start to mean more to you. God Most High is actually your Father. He is yours. And you are HIS. And it also does this:  it joins US firstfruits who have His spirit – together, as one, into this same family as well. 

Right after his resurrection on the First of the Weeks (sabbaths), as the Wavesheaf of God, what did Jesus say to Mary of Magdala?  “I go to MY Father and YOUR Father, to My God and your God” (John 20:17). 

Grasp the magnitude of that. God is YOUR Father now as much as God is Jesus’ father. And he’s not just “God” – but is YOUR God.  And he’s preparing a kingdom for YOU. There’s a city in heaven that will be YOUR city, the city of the first fruits saints.  We’re told Abraham looked for a city whose builder and maker is GOD (Hebrews 11:10).

But just be fully aware the concept of saying “God OUR Father” is throughout the New Testament.

From Romans 1:7b to Philemon 3, we read “peace from God OUR Father..”

1 Cor. 1:3 “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

That is repeated exactly by Paul so many times. Look up some of these. They all start the same way. 2 Corinthians 1:2; Eph 1:2; Philippians 1:2;  Col 1:2; 1 Thess 1:1;  2 Thess 1:1;  1 Timothy 1:2; and Philemon 3.

There are even times where Jesus spoke of “God your Father”, not just “God the Father”. He wants it to hit home, feel it in our hearts, be personal and real (Matthew 11:25-26; Luke 6:36; 12:30). 

Don’t get me wrong. Jesus and the Apostles often said “God the Father” as well.  I’m just making the point to add this different dimension.  

Be intimate with the most awesome Being in the universe – God your own Father. He is your Abba – Aramaic for “dear father”. In Hebrew it is “Ab”.  It’s fine to refer to him directly as “Abba” as well, if you wish. Jesus did.  Paul used “Abba” several times in Romans and Galatians.

While I’m at it, take time to frequently just tell your Abba in heaven how deeply you really love him and appreciate him. Just say it. “Father, my Abba, I hope you know how much I love you. I sure do.  I want you to help me love you even more. And thank you for all the love you have for me too.” 

If you haven’t ever prayed like that, or ever said the words, “My father in heaven, I sure love you”,  try it once in a while. I promise you: God loves that! Build that closeness even God Most High dearly wants with you  - His beloved children.  Yes, in spite of our failures, He sure does love you. He even loves me in spite of all my failures!   

Let me add one more thought. Do you just refer to “God” – or do you sometimes say “my God” and “our God”?  Not just “God” – but your God.  

Over TWO HUNDRED times, scriptures tell us how YHVH GOD  is “OUR God”.  Other nations have their gods, and even worship the sun, moon and stars, or even a cow or a dung beetle (No kidding). They’ve all been gods of other peoples. But YHVH is OUR God. Praise His holy name. 

Even the Shema, Deut 6:4 – “Hear O Israel, YHVH OUR God, YHVH is one” – Mark 12:29.  David in the Psalms must use that term “our God” over 50 times or more – “The LORD our God…”   Psalm 68:20 “Salvation belongs to OUR God”. 

All of you who give sermonettes and sermons in church – start saying “OUR God” in your sentences that refer to Him. Help all the brethren start hearing it so much they start to really get it!  Make it a part of you.

It almost sounds like you’re extolling the wonders of the God we serve when you speak of “OUR God”. And that’s great! OUR God is the God of salvation. Our God is the Rock.  In our God is peace and holiness.  Make it personal. Make it real.  God is your God.  He is YOUR Father, not just “the Father’. 

ENJOY this new element in your conversations and prayers to God and about Him. 

This question of who were “firstborns” of Exodus 12 has intrigued people for a long time. I don’t know if it’s that crucial to know – but since it does come up and I hear it preached both ways, that the death of the firstborn included girls – or most say “firstborn sons”.  Which is it? Just males, or males and females?

Most commentators agree it was the firstborn MALES who were killed. No girls, even if they were born first. But some ministers and commentators teach it was firstborn male OR female

In Exodus 12 itself, it’s not actually specified whether firstborn were just boys, or either boys or girls. So let’s use more of the Bible.

Consider this: Whenever we read of names of families in the Bible, firstborns are always males. In fact, in the blessing of the sons of Jacob in Genesis 49, Jacob’s daughter DINAH was not even named or included in the blessings of Israel, though she was included in a list of children.

Do we ever read of firstborn daughters?  There’s one example in Genesis 19:30-38, when Lot fled to the hills with his two daughters, after his wife was turned to a pillar of salt.  The older daughter is depicted as “the first born said to the younger” in verses 31, 34.  

But other than that, I’m not aware of scripture calling daughters “the firstborn”.

Now let’s look for hints from some scriptures.

Remember that Pharaoh did his best to kill all Hebrew SONS (Exodus 1:15-16,21).  God certainly paid him back, with the death of Pharaoh’s own firstborn son.

We have these other verses about “firstborn”. 

Exodus 22:29, 30  “You shall present the firstborn of your sons to me. 

You shall do the same with your cattle and with your sheep.”

Numbers 3:40

“Then YHVH said to Moses: "Number all the firstborn MALES of the children of Israel from a month old and above, and take the number of their names.

43:  And all the firstborn MALES, according to the number of names from a month old and above, of those who were numbered of them, were twenty-two thousand two hundred and seventy-three.”

Exodus 12 mentions the death of the Egyptian firstborns.  Now we come to the next chapter.

Exodus 13:1-2  “Then YHVH spoke to Moses, saying, 2 "Consecrate to Me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and beast; it is Mine."

Verse 2 can seem to imply “ANY AND ALL firstborn – whoever opens the womb”- whether male or female. But let’s keep reading. 

Exodus 13:11-15    "And it shall be, when YHVH brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as He swore to you and your fathers, and gives it to you, 12 that you shall set apart to YHVH all that open the womb, that is, every firstborn that comes from an animal which you have; the MALES shall be the Lord's.

 13 But every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck. And all the firstborn of man among your SONS you shall redeem.

14 So it shall be, when your son asks you in time to come, saying, 'What is this?' that you shall say to him, 'By strength of hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 15 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh was stubborn about letting us go, that YHVH killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of beast. Therefore I sacrifice to YHVH all MALES that open the womb, but all the firstborn of my SONS I redeem.'

It seems to me that the Bible defines the FIRSTBORN as the firstborn MALES in Exodus 13:15.

It seems that there is clear evidence that the rule for humans is that the firstborn SON of a father is the firstborn. There is no direct statement of females being included. 

ANOTHER point:  In the Old Testament the duties and privileges of the firstborn included receiving a double portion of the inheritance and to be the head of the family upon the death of the father, as well as to provide priestly service (in this they were replaced by the Levites).  Being head of a family and providing priestly service does not fit well with thinking the firstborn could be a daughter. We just don’t find that in scripture.

The rights of the firstborn son could be lost or transferred to another son by God’s decision or by misconduct by the physical firstborn (Esau to Jacob; Manasseh to Ephraim; Reuben to Joseph because of Reuben’s sexual misconduct) (Genesis 35:22; 49:4; 1 Chronicles 5:1-2).

Even when there were no sons, the inheritance rights of the family property could pass to the daughters, but those rights had to pass through their HUSBANDS, who in effect became adopted sons of their wife’s father. See Numbers 27 and 36, in the story of Zelophedad’s daughters.

Plus, when you realize that Egyptians focused on killing Israel’s firstborn sons – at the time of the birth of Moses – it seems this was payback time for God against the Egyptians, including the death of Pharaoh’s own firstborn SON.

One final point:  the death of the firstborn sons pictured also that GOD HIMSELF would offer up his own firstborn SON to die for us all.  Jesus was also the firstborn of Mary (Luke 2:7).  Mary had at least four other sons and at least two daughters (Matthew 13:55) after Jesus. But the one who would be sacrificed, was her firstborn son.

Firstborn daughters could not have completed the picture of pointing to the son of God who redeemed all those who came under his blood, and whose own blood pictured by the lambs’ blood splashed on the door posts and lintels of each  home. Jesus himself was called “the firstborn among many brethren”(Romans 8:29) and the “firstborn of God” (Hebrews 1:6).  Jesus, the firstborn son of God, was the one who died for us all who accept him.

Even God’s church is called “the church of the Firstborn registered in heaven…” (Hebrews 12:23).

Conclusion:  So, combining all the above, it seems clear to me that the death of the firstborn of Egypt were only the sons. I hope this helps.

Many over the years have wondered about this question. Protestants and Catholics believe that immediately upon his death his soul went to Paradise in heaven. Let’s review this.

Luke 23:32-33, 39-43 NLT   “Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him.  33 When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified--one on his right and one on his left. 

39 One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, "So you're the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself--and us, too, while you're at it!"

40 But the other criminal protested, "Don't you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die?

41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn't done anything wrong."

42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom."

43 And Jesus replied, "I assure you today, you will be with me in paradise."

There was no punctuation in the original Greek manuscripts.  In verse 43, the placement of the comma after the word “you” changes Christ’s statement to imply that the thief would be in paradise that same day.  This would contradict John 3:13, which was written by John long after Jesus Christ’s crucifixion. We’ll also show that Peter preached even righteous King David did not ascend to heaven (Acts 2:34).

John 3:13     "NO ONE has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven -- the Son of Man.

Acts 2:29, 34 NKJV   "Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.

34- “For David did NOT ascend into the heavens…” 

Acts 13:36 NLT   “… after David had done the will of God in his own generation, he died and was buried with his ancestors, and his body decayed.”

Jesus said he and the thief would be together in Paradise.  So where is “paradise?”

Luke 23:43 NKJV   And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you today, you will be with Me in Paradise."

2 Corinthians 12:4 NKJV   “how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter”. 

Revelation 2:7 NKJV    "…To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God."

Observations

The thief fears God (Luke 23:40).

1. The thief admits/confesses that what he did was wrong and was the reason he was going to die.
2. The thief understood (likely through previous interaction/observation) that Jesus the Christ was innocent.
3. The thief understood and believed that Jesus Christ was indeed the Son of God and desired to be in His kingdom (seek first the kingdom of God?).
4. Jesus Christ reacted to the thief’s words and attitude by assuring him that he would be in “paradise.”
5. Scriptural usage of the term paradise appears to refer to the third heaven.(2 Cor. 12:2-4)

Foundation

2 Peter 3:10-13 NKJV  “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.

11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?

13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

The big picture objective of God’s entire plan is a “new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”  This means that sin will be permanently eradicated forever.      The creation of the physical by God was for the express purpose of testing physical human beings, with freedom of choice, as to whether they will reject unrighteousness and embrace righteousness from the heart.  Only those that embrace righteousness from the heart will be changed to spirit and given eternal life. 

Righteousness can only dwell forever if only those that have proven that they embrace righteousness from the heart will be there.  Notice Paul’s explanation in Romans 10 of how ones will be saved.

Romans 10: 9-10, 13 NKJV   “ that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. ...  13 For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."

Genesis 15:6 NKJV   “And he [Abraham] believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.”

1 Samuel 16:7 NLT   But the LORD said to Samuel, "Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

Conclusion

Based on the above observations and the scriptural foundation set forth, I believe that the preponderance of the evidence points to the thief on the cross being in the first resurrection. 

However, I dare not attempt to speak for God.  But He is a God of mercy, love, forgiveness, and grace.  And He is a perfect discerner of the heart.  I dare say, He would not assure the thief on the cross of his ultimate destiny if He hadn’t properly discerned his heart.

(Comments from Philip Shields: I’ve known Jeff Niccum and his wife Sarah and family for many years. He is a good friend and fellow minister of Jesus Christ. We have sermons from Jeff also posted on this website. I hope to see more blogs and sermons. Thank you Jeff.)

Many don’t know or misunderstand what Jesus meant when he said to watch.

When I was growing up in the church, my mom had the news on TV running seemingly nonstop. Why? Because she had heard in sermons and so had to come to believe that to “watch” meant to “watch the news.” That was always put in context of watching prophecy start to be fulfilled, of course. Many others are just like my mom, thinking to “watch” means to carefully watch the news. There certainly are areas of prophecy we should be watching and I have a recent audio sermon in March 2025 on that.

Many use watching the news to finalize their ideas on prophetic time lines and charts. Jesus was clear that his return would catch even disciples by surprise, coming at a time they wouldn’t expect (Matt. 24:44). Here at Light on the Rock, we do not set dates, years, times – but focus instead on letting God’s Holy Spirit reign in our lives.  Setting dates is the wrong focus and often is a waste of time. Just don’t.  

But is watching the news the real INTENT of Jesus’ frequent statements to WATCH? Let’s see the context of those statements to reveal what He meant. Think about it:  though truly He did tell us about events that would precede his return – like wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes, epidemics and so on – just please realize this as well:

 If Jesus had meant for his disciples to understand “watch” to mean “really spend a lot of time watching the news,” how could they? THEY did not have internet, non-stop TV news, newspapers, radio, podcasts and all the means we have today of watching the news. How could they possibly have been aware of worldwide news back then? There’s a better answer.

Thinking “to watch” means watching news events on TV poses other problems too. Many of us, especially in the USA, get very little foreign news, so watch all you want, it won’t give you much world news. And the news we do see and hear is going to be biased by the political leanings of the station you’re watching. And the big news events most likely happening in secret and in private and we’re not going to even be aware of much of the real news.

But the main point, we’ll see that in context, Jesus is referring to things much deeper than “the news” when He says to “Watch.” 

Referring to his return, Jesus had this to say in Mark 13. Notice how he combines “watching” with PRAYING – and then a few verses later – to watch, pray, and be sure you aren’t spiritually SLEEPING. Keep in mind that all ten virgins of Matthew 25, who were looking for the return of the Bridegroom, SLEPT. He ends his point by saying in essence, “when I say to watch, I mean I want you spiritually alert, awake, and on your guard.”  

Mark 13:32-37   "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 34 It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch.

35 WATCH therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming — in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning —   36 lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!" 

Even then, Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 24;44 to watch, as  he will come “at an hour YOU DON’T EXPECT –and BE ready!” 

When Jesus had asked Peter, James and John to stay up and watch with him as he prayed in Gethsemane, but found them sleeping an hour later, again Jesus combines watching with praying, lest we enter temptation. 

Mark 14:37-38  “Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation.” 

Are you seeing how watching goes so much further than just watching the news? 

Here are some more about watching – in CONTEXT: 

1 Corinthians 16:13-14   “WATCH, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.” 

There Paul puts watching in context of being sure you’re strong in the faith. So we are to be watching how strong we are in the faith!

Christ himself puts watching in Revelation 16 in context of watching our spiritual attire, being clothed spiritually. That takes effort.

Revelation 16:15   "Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who WATCHES, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame." 

We know we are supposed to put on the whole armor of God daily – helmet of salvation, shield of faith, sword of the spirit, and much more (Ephesians 6:11-18). But too many of us are not watching enough how we prepare for each day. So we go out to face the world daily sometimes dressed, spiritually speaking, just in our underwear! Are you each day thinking, “I need to be sure to take my sword of the spirit and the shield of faith – and all the rest”?

Several translations translate the word “watch” as “STAY ALERT” because the original Greek can mean that. Stay spiritually awake, be alert to what’s going on in your life. That’s what this word really means.

The church of Sardis in Revelation 3, are told to wake up to the fact that they are just about spiritually DEAD and need to STRENGTHEN the weak areas of their lives. That’s not about watching news but one’s spiritual condition.

Revelation 3:1-3    "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,

'These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.

2 Be WATCHFUL, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.

3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.”

So here in Revelation 3, WATCHING is a lot about watching our SPIRITUAL CONDITION, not so much about being worried we’re not getting all the world news we want! Part of their WATCHING was to REPENT of letting spiritual areas of their lives die. So when Christ returns, they won’t be ready to receive him properly.

Here’s another – that in context tells us so much of what Yeshua means by watching. Don’t be DISTRACTED he says.

Luke 21:34-36    "But take heed [watch?] to YOURSELVES, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.

35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.

36 WATCH therefore, and PRAY ALWAYS that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."

The Greek word here for “watch” is AGRUPNEO  -- meaning “keep awake,” be aware of what’s going on. Yeshua clearly says in verse 34 and 36 to watch yourselves and pray always! Our spiritual state is his concern.

Are you overly concerned and worried about cares of this life? Are you getting too involved with friends who want to party all the time and not watching your spiritual relationship with GOD? Are we praying enough? He says to PRAY ALWAYS so we’ll be counted worthy to be protected from what’s coming, or be able to withstand the troubles coming. So again, watching is tied to watching our spiritual condition. 

Don’t misunderstand me. I also do watch the news, but I realize God wants my primary focus to be on watching my relationship with Him and fellow humans.

1 Thessalonians 5:6  “Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober”.

 Other translations say to be alert, stay spiritually awake and be on your guard – which are straight from the literal translation of “let us watch.”  This is not about being obsessed with what’s going on between Ukraine and Russia, or Israel and Hezbollah.

If you’re fully understanding this, to watch means we are quick to recognize, for example, bad situations developing and to remove ourselves. Or to be aware of a temptation to sin beginning to form inside us. We’re awake and alert when we begin to hear or spread gossip or to let worry, fear, lust, hate begin to well up in our hearts. 

We’re watching, so it means actively and consciously bringing every thought we have into captivity of obedience to Christ (2 Cor. 10:3-4). So those watching are also overcoming areas of their lives that are weak and prone to sin. 

Yeshua/Jesus also said to watch” means to BE ready for His return, not to “GET ready.”  We must right now BE ready and stay that way. 

Matthew 24:42-44  “WATCH therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 

44 Therefore you also BE ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Of the ten Virgins of Matthew 25, only five wise ones were ready. They had enough oil/holy spirit. The five foolish ones were not already ready and so had to go get ready. WHERE ARE YOU in all this? Are you ready to meet your returning king? As the foolish five virgins tried to get ready, the Bridegroom came, the marriage supper started, and the door was shut to those who started too late to get ready, instead of BEING ready. “Therefore you also BE ready.” 

In practical terms, this means we are children of God who pray several times every day. God tells us to “pray always.” We spend time studying God’s Word daily so we know directly from God how to handle every thought and every situation . We take stock of how each day is going or how it went. We’re watching, meaning we are evaluating where do we need to strengthen our life and spirit. We are watching if we’re doing these things.

Someone truly watching, being alert and vigilant, is aware of Satan going about like a roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8-9) and we RESIST him, fight him, knowing He who is in us is greater than he in the world (1 John 4:4). So this vigilance keeps us strong and able to throw worry out of our thoughts. 

So from now on when you read Christ saying TO WATCH  -- realize he is referring to being very watchful of our spiritual condition and our relationship with God and with one another. We’re being very alert, very spiritually awake – and not caught off guard. 

Let’s show at least as much interest in learning about how the Holy Spirit works in our lives  - as we are on trying to figure out prophecy. We might even figure out a lot prophecy but if our relationship with God and one another is not strong, it will all be in vain!

Look at what Paul tells us – especially those of you who really over-emphasize speaking in tongues or knowing prophecy by watching so much world news and making time lines and charts – or focusing so much on having great faith – instead of growing in the love of GOD, which is MOST important, for God IS love, remember. Be watching the main thing!

Look carefully at the priorities apostle Paul gives us in 1 Corinthians 13. 

1 Corinthians 13:1-2, 8   “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 

8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.”   

So let’s focus on watching the spiritual condition of our lives much MORE than spending so much time focusing on repetitive news stories.

For many of us, one of our favorite stories Jesus gave is the story of the Prodigal son. Prodigal means “wastefully extravagant.”   If you’re unfamiliar with it, study it in Luke 15:11-32. I love Luke 15. It’s one of my favorite chapters as it conveys a series of stories of God’s love and mercy for us and how He even searches for us when we’re lost, and how forgiving he is, and how joyful God feels when we wake up and come to our senses in deep repentance. The story of the Prodigal son returning caps off the series of stories in Luke 15 and is so deep in God’s love and forgiveness, even after we have been super bad but repent and return to him.

Did you realize that all the stories of Luke 15 – the lost sheep, the lost silver coin and the lost son (the Prodigal son), came about because Jesus was reacting to many who were criticizing him for being friendly with known “sinners”? That was the backdrop for the three stories of God’s love even for sinners when they repent and are found again, and the sheer JOY God feels when we’re found in Him again. So then Yeshua/Jesus gave these three most beautiful stories.

Luke 15:1-3   Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, "This Man receives sinners and eats with them”.

Then Jesus started with his story of the joy of finding the one lost sheep, then the lost but found silver coin, and finally the topic of this blog – the Prodigal Son and his faithful brother. I recommend you all re-read Luke 15.

Here’s a summary of the Prodigal son story, but I want to focus soon on a part of the story many miss or don’t seem to discuss. 

A man had two sons. At a certain age, the younger son said he wanted his inheritance now. His father gave him his share of the inheritance but that son left home and squandered all the money in shameful living. He got drunk often, and spent his money on booze and prostitutes and wasteful living. When his money ran out, his friends left him and he was reduced to watching someone’s pigs for him. He came to his senses and realized he could do better if he would ask his father for forgiveness and go back home. So he did. He not only turned his life around– a huge part of true repentance – but came back home and gave up the sinful acts he had been practicing. We also, if we are truly repentant, have to acknowledge all our sins of the past, repent of them, come back to God OUR Father in a new life of obedience – giving up our sinful way of life.

Father saw him from afar off, ran to meet him, and welcomed him back. One of my favorite songs is “When God ran” you can find on Google.

Luke 15:20-30   "And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

22 "But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry;  24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry.

25 "Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.'

28 "But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him.

29 So he answered and said to his father, 'Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.'

So the older son, who had faithfully continued to work and serve his father, was understandably a bit upset. It seemed unfair to him for the younger brother to be celebrated by the Father and everyone, after all the shame he had brought on the family name. And it was looking like the Prodigal son was being reinstated back to his full position he had before as the son of this wealthy man! That didn’t seem fair to the older faithful brother.

It’s true that the main focus of the story is God’s incredible forgiving love for us when we repent and return to him. But there’s more.  

The father did accept him back in spite of all the evil and shameful things the younger son had done. Indeed Father restored that shameful son to full sonship and did not insist he just come back as a servant. That is shown by putting sandals on his feet (slaves or servants were often barefoot), and did give his son a new robe and a ring, showing sonship was restored. That’s a wonderful part of the story. Even when we sin terribly, when we repent and come back to God, though there may be consequences, He forgives us our sins and the death penalty of sin – and restores us to being a full son or daughter of His, in spite of any past sin. ALL our past sins are washed away in the blood of the Lamb (1 John 1:9).

The older brother thought “How unfair. I never during all my years of faithfulness even received just a goat to celebrate with, but this no good brother of mine gets The fatted calf and a party. I never had a party, though I never brought shame on the family or squandered the money.”  

I think we’ve sometimes been too harsh against the faithful son for not wanting to party with the others to celebrate his shameful brother’s return.

Get this:  It was like the older faithful son was asking, “what advantage was there in me remaining faithful instead of getting to experience all the sinful pleasures my brother had? I might as well have left home for a while too, for all the good it’s done me to stay faithfully working at home. He’s a son again  - like me – and he’s even being given a party! How is that fair?”   

This blog is especially crucial for those who have been raised or are being raised “in the church”.  At a certain age, there IS a pull to go check out the world and see what it’s really like out there and have a little fun for a while.

True, the older brother should have been more forgiving of his brother who had come back. That’s part of the lesson for all of us: to be willing to forgive and accept and celebrate brethren who come back. Sometimes it’s the elders – the older brethren spiritually – or even the pastors or deacons - - who are adamant not to accept a repentant, returning brother. I preach to myself too.

Fair enough, the prodigal had to acknowledge his sins, which he did. Those who want back into fellowship in God’s church have to do the same and return to God in obedience. They can’t remain living a life of sin and expect to be accepted back. The prodigal son had to return, which he did. He had to acknowledge he no longer deserved any grace and was willing to come back as a mere slave – and this part the Father didn’t even discuss, but just joyfully brought him back in.

So far, so good. All of that is usually well explained in sermons and discussions on this story. And it’s true, the biggest part of this story is the loving forgiveness of our God and how He joyfully and fully accepts us back, when our repentance is complete and we commit to quit doing what was so bad before.

But now comes the part that is usually missed.

 Let’s pick up at verse 30-32:

Luke 15:30-32  “But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.'

31 "And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and ALL that I have is YOURS. 32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.'"

Did you catch what his father (and our Father) is saying?  “ALL that I have is yours”.  Did you get that? 

There ARE blessings when one does not leave the way of God and refuse to go live a life of sin, thinking they can always repent later and everything will all be the same again. 

It’s NOT all the same again. It’s not “hunky dory” again as we say. Even with forgiveness of our death penalty and acceptance back into the family, there are always consequences for sin. AND there are blessings and positive consequences for faithfulness! 

The Father had already given the younger son his share of the family inheritance. The Prodigal could come back and be a son again, but EVERYTHING that father had at that point, was now part of the inheritance of the faithful son. That’s why Father said, “ALL that I have is yours.”  Please let that sink in and fully comprehend it. 

Father was saying to the older son, “Yes we killed the fatted calf this one time to celebrate his return. But that’s it. You, faithful son, I hope you realize that ALL the other calves, cows, bulls, donkeys, camels, goats, and sheep you see on our farm – are now all YOURS. ALL of it. He took HIS inheritance already and wasted it. So ALL that I have here -- all the barns, the houses, the farm machinery, the furniture, all the animals and livestock we have – ALL of that is now yours. Your prodigal brother squandered his share. Sure, he can start to slowly rebuild a future again – but faithful son, let me say it again to you: EVERYTHING you see here, ALL that I have here, is now YOURS.” 

Whenever you or I are tempted to sin – and think “I can always repent of it and be forgiven and everything will be the same again” – don’t go there. THAT is very serious and shows God we’re not very serious about Him and living His way. God’s way is called “THE Way.”  Yes, we can always be forgiven after we sin. But we also risk losing a lot, and having terrible consequences. The Prodigal Son could have acquired STtD’s for example (Sexually transmitted Diseases). He may have become an alcoholic. He may have some enemies for his reckless life. So we can come back to God, but there will likely be some terrible consequences we may have to live with.

Faithful living will result in a higher reward from God, though we all can receive the gift of God – which is eternal life (Romans 6:23; Eph 2:8). But NOT all of us will have the same reward.

Eternal life is God’s GIFT and it’s the same for all repentant children of God. It’s not the reward. We must get that distinction. The gift God gives us is from his gracious mercy. The REWARDS we receive though, IS something we earn by our way of life, by our works. Remember some are given ten cities or five cities. Rewards vary.

So the GIFT is eternal life, and that’s the same for everyone of God’s children. It’s given by His grace and favor and not by our works at all.

But the rewards will vary and DO depend on our works.

So yes, there is forgiveness upon repentance. But when we sin, there ARE always some consequences. It IS far better to remain faithful. There are greater rewards in the future when we live a very obedient and faithful life.

Yes, “it does pay” to never leave God or his Way. It does pay to remain faithful, for as Father says to the faithful: “ALL that I have is yours.” 

All of you who have children and teens being raised in the church – teach them this blog carefully. They’ll have plenty to repent of – and don’t need to go out and discover Satan’s world. 

And we hope to hear Christ say to us, “Well done, good and faithful servant, inherit the kingdom prepared for you and for all who remain faithful, from the foundation of the world.” 

Remember that God’s days begin at sundown the day before. So the seventh day sabbath on “Saturday”, actually begins the sundown before, at Friday sundown and ends at Saturday sundown. That is the sabbath – “from evening to evening.”  Remember Genesis 1 – each creation day began with “the evening” before.

ALL of the dates given below will actually officially begin at sundown just before the actual holyday date. These calendar dates CHANGE EACH YEAR. 

NOTE: The dates given below are based on the sighting of the new crescent moon in Jerusalem on March 30, 2025, so Abib 1 is March 31, 2025 this year. 

Please note:  Those intending to follow the traditional rabbinical Hebrew calendar dates instead, would keep each day one day earlier than those presented below.

*********************** ******************************************* ****************

Remember God says the days all begin at the sundown before. 

** Passover SERVICE   April 12, 2025  Saturday EVENING.  Jesus’ last Supper was on the eve of Passover day, when he was crucified at 3 pm. The FOOT WASHING, BREAD AND WINE SERVICE  will be April 12, Saturday NIGHT, shortly after sundown, on the eve of Passover DAY, which is April 13 this year.  Passover DAY is 14^th of Abib/Nisan of the Hebrew calendar.

The first DAY of Unleavened Bread, a holy day,  begins at sundown of April 13, Sunday night, customarily with a  special meal. NO leavened products should be in the homes.

**FIRST HOLYDAY OF UNLEAVENED BREAD with church services -   MONDAY April 14. Is the 15^th of Abib or Nisan of the Hebrew Calendar.  A special holy day offering should be collect on April 14.

The seven days of Unleavened Bread – BEGIN April 13 at sundown and end at sundown April 20, eating only unleavened bread products with meals.

The 7^th day of Unleavened Bread in 2025, a holy day with church services, will be on April 20, Sunday, beginning with the sundown of the evening before. God commands a “holy convocation” or meeting, only on the first and 7^th days of Unleavened Bread.

Wavesheaf Day, not a holy day, but a commemoration of Jesus’ earlier resurrection, and then his rising to heaven at 9 a.m on the first day of the week, pictured by the wavesheaf offering to be accepted by God the Father in heaven, is this year –on Sunday April 20. 

** PENTECOST  HOLY DAY OBSERVED ON SUNDAY,  June 8, 2025, beginning at sundown June 7 and ends at sundown June 8. We do NOT keep wrong Jewish Sivan 6 date.  Come with a holyday offering of whatever you are able to bring to show your gratitude to God.

** FEAST OF TRUMPETS, Yom Teruah (Day of shouts and blasts)  is on Wednesday,   Sept 24, 2025 with a holyday service. The day starts at the evening before.

** DAY OF ATONEMENT,  day of fasting, October 3, 2025 Friday.

Fast from sundown Oct 2 until sundown Oct 3.  Most fast with no water, no food 24 hours. Those who MUST eat something if they’re taking medicines, may do so with a tiny amount of food and water.

** FEAST OF TABERNACLES, (FOT),  Sukkot. A feast of seven days. Holyday Oct 8, Wednesday, beginning the night before. Have a holyday offering.

Day 1 is a holy day WITH church services on Wednesday Oct 8.  The Feast of Tabernacles continues through Oct 14, Tuesday, which is the true “Last day of the Feast of Tabernacles” . Most of our congregations have church services each of the 7 days of the Feast.

** “8^TH DAY” , a holy day after the FEAST OF TABERNACLES, October 15, 2025, on Wednesday. 

This is a separate holy day. Have church services.  We do not call it “Last Great Day’  but the Biblical name “8^th day”  (Leviticus 23:36,39).  ENJOY.  PRAISE YAH! 

Reminder:  The dates given are based on the sighting of the new year new moon on March 30, 2025.  Those intending to keep the rabbinical calendar dates based on calculation and not the sighting of the new moon,  would keep all the dates given above one day earlier. 

Are we thankful and grateful people, or are we what the KJV calls “murmurers”, those who seem to often grumble or complain?  God, in his word, is actually very firm and harsh against complainers, ungrateful murmurers. We must overcome this tendency to not be deeply grateful even for the smallest things. Israelites – former slaves mind you – didn’t take long to start murmuring and complaining to and about Moses, for lack of water and food (Exodus 15:24; 16:2; 17:3). This was even after God’s Red Sea miracle.

Passover season is coming up soon. It’s a remembrance of all the wonderful love, forgiveness and gifts of reconciliation and eternal life we have from God.  It’s a time you’d think we’d all be so grateful and thankful.

If we understood that once we commit our lives to God Most High, every detail of our lives is known to Him. Every thought, every worry, every hair on our head – He knows it all. He sends good things and allows “bad things”. But when we really understand Him and His total involvement with our lives, we can actually learn to be grateful even for the hard times in our lives.

That is why Paul teaches us in Philippians 4:6-7 (one of my favorite verses) that, no matter what, share all your concerns with God, but with thanksgiving.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7)

“IN everything, with thanksgiving”. Yes, even the death of your son or daughter or losing your job or being told you have stage 4 cancer, thank God that he is there for you. I know from many years of doing it.  It brings peace.

But back to everyday life: are we grumblers and murmurers, or do we exude thanksgiving?

I remember watching a video of children who, for their Christmas, did not get what they had hoped for. I don’t keep Christmas, but I’m making a point. People, friends, relatives had bought these children various gifts, but none of the gifts could seem to bring joy to those spoiled children. They didn’t get quite the gifts they wanted,  so they threw the gifts down, cried and complained and it was just awful to watch.

As grownups, maybe we don’t act or react so openly bad like spoiled brats – but I hope you think about this. God does not like murmurers and complainers, as I’ll show shortly. But God really appreciates His children who express gratitude, satisfaction and appreciation when they are given something they didn’t have before -- even if it’s not perfect in their eyes. That can be a healing, or a gift, or something you didn’t have before – but now are so grateful and express it profusely.

I admit, I have been a complainer too often as well. I hope you can see it in your own life too. It must stop. We must overcome complaining. I started this blog as a Bible study for me to grow in this, but then thought I should share it. 

Expressing thankfulness and gratitude needs to be taught from the time someone is a baby. A grateful person will always be a more content, happier, upbeat, positive person. But a murmurer will never be a consistently happy person. So being grateful makes you happier and makes God happier with you too.

The best way to teach our children or even our congregation how to be thankful and grateful is by our own EXAMPLE.  When life isn’t quite right, how do we react? When YOU receive something, especially if it’s not quite exactly like you’d hoped it would be, what do our children and grandchildren SEE in us? Do they see and hear a grateful mom and dad – or a murmurer and complainer?  Either way, our example is teaching them lessons for the rest of their lives. They’re watching. So is God.

Let your children hear the way you express gratitude for your neighbors, for your boss at work, for your church pastor, for the sermon he gave and the points you gained from his sermon. Or do they hear us criticizing his sermon?  I’ve done that. I’m sure many of you have. Do they hear us making derogatory or positive statements about our neighbor? Either way, we’re teaching them.  

Praising someone is a nice way to express gratitude and appreciation. When was the last time you praised your boss? Or your wife? Or your husband?  When did you last praise your children?  When was the last time you thanked your children for being children you are proud of? Or for how they helped clear off the dinner table or how they made their bed?  Expressing praise is a form of showing gratitude.  Children will feel this and someday may more likely express their own praise and gratitude.  

Besides being their example of gratitude, we should also be sure to be actively teaching our children to say “thank you” out loud, every chance they get.  I taught my children during meal time to express gratitude to their mom for having prepared such a nice dinner and even say things like “Mom, this tastes so good! Thank you for dinner!” instead of complaining about something.  If we had a meal without gratitude expressed, I’d ask them, “Kids, before you can leave the table, have you forgotten something?”

Encourage your children to express gratitude to their teachers, or their principal, or their coach for all the time he spends with the team. Encourage them to even write a note of gratitude and thanksgiving to teachers and others.

Imagine having leprosy.  What a discouraging thing that could be. There was a time ten lepers begged Jesus to heal them. He told them present themselves to the priests, and on the way, they were healed. But only one bothered to come back to thank Yeshua/Jesus for making him well and healed.

Jesus/Yeshua, the Son of God, was appalled and shocked by that!  Please take time to read the whole story in Luke 17:12-19.  I’ll pick up at verse 15. Notice how shocked Yeshua was – at verse 17-18.  Do WE leave Jesus feeling shocked at our inability to express thanksgiving to him more than we do?

Luke 17:15-19    “And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.

17 So Jesus answered and said, "Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?  18 Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?"  19 And He said to him, "Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well."

The other nine were “lucky” that God didn’t put the leprosy back on them for their ingratitude. God certainly will be more likely to keep blessing us when we’re grateful – than when all we can do is complain or be ungrateful. 

Let’s see now how GOD views complaining vs. being THANKFUL for what He does for us and gives us.

Philippians 2:14-16  “Do all things without complaining and disputing,  15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…”

Jude says this about the ungodly in verse 16: “These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage.” 

David reminds us how upset God became with Israel when they chose to worship a gold calf they had made instead of Him, after all God had done for them.

Psalms 106:19-27  “They made a calf in Horeb, And worshiped the molded image.  20 Thus they changed their glory Into the image of an ox that eats grass. 21 They forgot God their Savior, Who had done great things in Egypt,

22 Wondrous works in the land of Ham, Awesome things by the Red Sea.

23 Therefore He said that He would destroy them,

Had not Moses His chosen one stood before Him in the breach,

To turn away His wrath, lest He destroy them.

24 Then they despised the pleasant land;

They did not believe His word,

25 But complained in their tents,

And did not heed the voice of the Lord.

26 Therefore He raised His hand in an oath against them,

To overthrow them in the wilderness,

27 To overthrow their descendants among the nations,

And to scatter them in the lands.” 

When the twelve spies returned from checking out the Promised Land, remember ten were very negative. So Israel cried and complained. This upset God so much that he decreed that all who were 20 years old and above would die in the wilderness and never see the Promised Land. And the ten spies who inspired doubt and fear were killed in a plague from God (Numbers 14:36-37).

Are you seeing how upset God feels when we murmur, grumble and complain?

God inspired Paul to put complaining in the same category as idolatry and sexual sin! Did you realize that? Imagine THAT!  And those complaining were destroyed by God for an example to the rest of us.  

1 Corinthians 10:6-11  “And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play."  8 Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; 9 nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; 10 nor COMPLAIN, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for OUR admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.”

After preparing this blog, I had to realize how ungrateful I can sometimes be too. Too often, in fact, and I’ve had to repent. I hope you will too, and ask God to help you overcome murmuring and being ungrateful and become a very grateful and thankful person no matter what, instead. We CAN do this if Jesus truly becomes our new life.

Think about how Jesus handled things. There was hardly any food to feed many thousands, except some loaves and a few small fish. What would YOU do? What did Jesus do? He THANKED God for the insufficient food – and God made it multiply.  Be honest: would you have given thanks for food that clearly was not enough to feed thousands?  Yeshua DID! But too many of us don’t even bother thanking God every time, for every meal we eat

Matthew 15:35-36  “So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. 36 And He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitude.”

Jesus even thanked God for the bread and the wine he was serving at his last Passover, knowing full well the wine pictured HIM, his spilled blood. The unleavened bread he broke and gave them to eat was his body given for us. He thanked God for that (Luke 22:19-22), even with the betrayer right there! 

What would you do if you were told you’d be killed violently if you prayed to God in the next 30 days? When Daniel heard that, he thought, “now this is something I need to pray to God about” and then did so-- with thanksgiving! We might have prayed about it silently – but with thanksgiving?

Daniel 6:10   “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and GAVE THANKS before his God, as was his custom since early days.”

Ponder this finally:  What if God told us that at the end of each week, he will take away everything He’s given us that we don’t thank Him for each week? What would we have left?  So don’t let another day go by without thanking God for his high calling, his Spirit, His SON, your spouse and FAMILY, that you’re alive, that you have something to eat, for your pastor, for your country.  Let’s all be more thankful.

Do you belong to the Republican party?  Or to the Democrat party? Do you put your faith and stock in the leader of one of those parties in America – or in any country’s leaders anywhere in the world?  Could we need a reminder of to whom we actually belong? And IN whom should our trust be?

In November 2024, there was a very important presidential election in the USA.  Donald J. Trump, a Republican, won that race and is now the president. A lot of emotion played out during these elections.

I’ve found many members of the family of God identified with either Trump or Kamala, his opponent. They were either “elephant party” (Republican) or they were of the “donkey party” (Democrat) – and each proudly proclaimed it so.

I’m also seeing more and more brethren putting a lot of trust in President Trump. He may or may not end up as a great president, but one thing we must remember:  never put your faith in man. Never. Though God is clear: HE is the one who puts our leaders in place, whether good or bad. Others go the other extreme and hate Trump. Both extremes are deadly wrong. Romans 13:1-2 was likely written during the despotic evil reign of Caesar Nero, who ultimately even beheaded Paul the apostle. But look what Paul says.

Romans 13:1-2  “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.” 

 Jesus is the only true perfect Potentate (1 Timothy 6:15).  So all of our faith as God’s children must always be in God our Father and God alone – not in any political leader. This applies to any and all of you no matter where you live in the world.

King David says in so many of his Psalms that he put ALL  his trust in God, and not in man. (Psalm 7:1; 11:1;  16:1; 56:4). That’s where you and I must be.

Why are so many of God’s family also talking about how President Trump will save America.  Brethren, we have one Savior only and that is Jesus Christ.  Some are even talking about how President Trump will save the world. That is very, very dangerous talk coming from children of God. God’s SON alone is the Savior of us all who will accept him.

This short blog is to remind all of the family of God throughout the world, we do NOT belong to parties or groups of men or even church organizations. We belong to “Lamb of God party”.  And that’s it. We see Yeshua, the Messiah, as our Savior and Leader. Ultimately, not any man or woman or group.

There may come times when we have to proclaim where our supreme loyalty lies. The early Christians had to face punishment or even death if they didn’t proclaim and worship the current Caesar.  The coming Beast power, or Antichrist, will also demand worldwide worship of him – or you die (Rev. 13:8, 15). But neither must we ever even for a second consider worshiping The Beast or the Man of Sin, or we will suffer the greater wrath of God.

 So let’s learn all this now:  we owe our allegiance to God. If we ever have to decide between God and man, we must always pick GOD. See verse 29 below. And of course we must never, ever, ever worship anyone but God. 

Acts 5:27-29  “And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, "Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man's blood on us!" 

29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men.” 

We are not of this world, Jesus said (John 17:11). Our citizenship is in heaven first of all (Philippians 3:20), though we also hold our citizenship to our country. That’s OK. Paul used his Roman citizenship on occasion to save himself from being whipped without a trial as a Roman citizen (see Romans 2:22-29; 3:27).

So our VALUES, what we believe, what we hold dear, are all based on God and HIS values, what HE holds dear, and WHO HE is and everything He shows us in His word.  This is why we must be deeply studying God’s word daily.  

In Jesus’ “high priestly prayer” of John 17, Jesus lays out the priorities. He says a couple times that we are not OF this world though we’re sent into it.  And we are to “come out of her, my people” (Revelation 18:4). Finding the right balance is the key.

 John 17:14-19  “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.  15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.  16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.  17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.  18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.”

 So you and I may prefer one political party over others, but in the end, we must remember:  “I’m NOT one of them. I’m of the Lamb of God. Period.”

So who do we belong to? We’ve actually been bought with the price of the blood of Jesus – and therefore we belong to him (1 Cor. 6:19-20;  Mark 9:41; Galatians 3:29).

Mark 9:41  “For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you BELONG to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”

We don’t even just own ourselves. GOD owns you. God bought us. God now indwells us by His Spirit. So you and I now BELONG to God and we have to live and think and act every day like someone who fully, deeply understands that.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20   “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.”

 Galatians 3:29  “And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

 I suggest we all take a deep breath and in prayer, rededicate and confess our total unswerving allegiance to our Savior and our heavenly Father and renew our total dedication and faith in God – who OWNS us -- and NOT in any man or woman or party. 

Philippians 2:12-13 offers a profound insight into the dynamic relationship between human responsibility and our Creator:

"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure."

Many, many over the years have quoted Phil 2:12 as proof that we must save ourselves, in a sense. “Work out your own salvation” can sound like making sure you save yourself.  But isn’t that being saved by our own works? Ephesians 2:8-9 clearly says is not the case. Ephesians 2 says we’re saved by grace through faith, and NOT by our own works, lest we start to boast. Or often on the other hand, people feel defeated as they are all too aware of their own failures and how often we fall short of God’s perfection.

If we could save ourselves, then we are our own savior. Being saved is God’s work and is God’s GIFT.  We can’t earn a gift, or it’s no longer truly a gift. Ephesians 2:8 makes that clear: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the GIFT of God,”

Many miss how once called to salvation, totally a gift of God, our relationship with God after that should be a collaborative relationship. That’s what He wants as long as remember there is only one Savior – and it’s not you or me. Jesus is our Savior entirely.

Verse 12 challenges believers to take their salvation seriously, approaching it with reverence and intentionality.  Then verse 13 shifts the focus to the heart of the matter—God's active role in our lives.

God’s Power in Action
Verse 13 reminds us that salvation isn’t by human effort; it’s about His divine grace working within us. But remember eternal life and salvation are God’s GIFTS to us.  Let’s review this again, but read also verse 10 this time:

Ephesians 2:8-10 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

Philippians 2:12 fits more with Ephesians 2:10, that after we receive the gift of God – his salvation for us – He wants to see our lives demonstrating that new life, that new gift by doing good for others.  Salvation is a gift. We can’t earn gifts, or it’s no longer a gift but a payment. But we can show we appreciate the gift by living in a changed way and having good works.

Our good works don’t save us, but prove we are saved. And our future rewards will be largely based on our works. But remember, salvation is not a reward, but a gift.

Let’s read Philippians 2:12-13 again: "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure."

God doesn’t just leave us to figure it out on our own. Instead, He works in us, transforming our desires (“to will”) and empowering our actions (“to do”). This work is not random but is perfectly aligned with His good pleasure—His divine plan and purpose for our lives.

The Will to Obey (“both to will…”)
Have you ever felt a sudden desire to pray, forgive, or take a step of faith? That’s God at work in you, reshaping your will to align with His. Left to ourselves, our natural inclinations often drift away from God’s ways. But His Spirit gently nudges and redirects our hearts, instilling a desire to follow Him.

The Power to Act (“and to do for his good pleasure”)
God doesn’t just stop at changing our desires; He gives us the strength to act on them through His Holy Spirit working in us. Whether it’s stepping out in faith, serving others, or resisting temptation, His power is at work, enabling us to live out the purpose He’s called us to fulfill. As Paul says later in this same epistle, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13).

Living Out the Partnership
Philippians 2:13 offers hope and reassurance. It reminds us that our spiritual journey is not a solitary endeavor. God’s active presence in our lives ensures that we are never alone in our struggles, uncertainties, or growth.

As we strive to "work out our own salvation," let’s do so with the confidence that God is continually working in us—shaping our hearts, guiding our steps, and empowering us to live for His glory. And it’s all to God’s glory, not ours.

Let these verses encourage you today: you are not just working for God; you are working with God, and HE is working with you.

Recently, I was listening to the sermon “Healings Part 2: Conquer Unbelief” by Philip Shields at Light on the Rock (https://youtu.be/AjqoB6zPU9g), and it really got me thinking about how to turn my unbelief into belief. The message resonated deeply, reminding me of how often doubt can creep into our hearts, even when we want to trust God fully. Thankfully, the Bible offers wisdom and guidance to transform our unbelief into unwavering faith.

One of the most powerful examples of this transformation is found in Mark 9:23-24. A desperate father, seeking healing for his son, cries out to Jesus. When Jesus says, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes,” the man responds with raw honesty: “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

This story reminded me that faith doesn’t have to start perfect—it starts with surrender and a willingness to begin to trust God, even in our doubt.

Christ wondered out loud if he would find faith in the earth at his return (Luke 18:7). Hopefully we can all grow in this matter of trusting, believing and faith. 

1. Faith Comes from the Word of God

Romans 10:17 declares, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” To overcome unbelief, we must immerse ourselves in Scripture. The Word of God isn’t just text; it’s living and active (Hebrews 4:12), capable of renewing our minds and softening our hearts. Whether through sermons, personal Bible study, or hearing Scripture aloud, God’s Word fuels our faith. We all miss out on so much faith when we miss out on Bible study. We grow in faith when we let God speak to us by his word. Peter encourages us to seek God’s word as eagerly as a newborn baby seeks milk (1 Peter 2:1-2). 

2. Trust Over Understanding

Doubt often arises when we try to rely on our limited understanding instead of God’s infinite wisdom. Proverbs 3:5-6 urges us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

Replacing doubt with trust is a deliberate choice to surrender control and believe that God’s plans are higher and better than ours. It means changing where we’re looking. We’re no longer just looking at the physical scary realities, but we keep looking to Christ no matter what. This reminds us of when Peter started sinking when he took his eyes off of Jesus after Peter started walking on water. He looked at the high winds – and down he went. He should have kept trusting Jesus and his presence (Matthew 14:29-32).  Are we looking at all the physical evidence and how our mind reasons – or to guidance from our Master?

3. Pray Boldly and Honestly

James 1:5-6 encourages us to pray with unwavering faith: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting.”

Just like the father in Mark 9, we can bring our struggles to God with humility and boldness. Prayer is the bridge that connects our doubts to His promises, allowing Him to work in us.

4. Step Out in Faith

Finally, 2 Corinthians 5:7 reminds us, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” Faith requires action, even when we can’t see the full picture. It’s in stepping out—despite fear or uncertainty—that we experience God’s faithfulness.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18  “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

Remember when the Israelites came to the Red Sea? Behind them were Pharoah’s chariots and army – and in front of them was the impassable Sea. Moses told them to stand still and see the salvation of the LORD. But what did GOD tell them?  Step forward. Get moving right now (Exodus 14:13-15). Think about times you had to step out in faith when the way seemed impossible, but God made a way.

Unbelief is not the end of the road; it’s an opportunity to grow deeper in trust and reliance on God.

Like the father in Mark 9, we can honestly acknowledge our struggles and invite Jesus to help us conquer our unbelief. Start by diving into His Word much more than we do, seeking Him in prayer – always, and trusting Him enough to take the next step of faith. Things impossible for us are totally possible with God, Messiah said (Luke 18:27). And we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).

Donating to Christian ministries is more than a financial transaction; it’s an investment in the Kingdom of God. As believers, we are called to be stewards of the resources God has entrusted to us, using them to further His work on Earth.

Matthew 6:19-21  "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

This Website – www.Lightontherock.org  is one such ministry making a profound impact, and here are some reasons why your support matters. 

1. Advancing the complete Gospel Worldwide

Light on the Rock is committed to spreading the good news of Jesus Christ and of the Kingdom of God through teaching, preaching, and outreach. This ministry reaches people across the globe, including East Africa in countries like Kenya, Malawi, and Tanzania, as well as Pakistan, the USA, Europe, and Canada. Check out this link we have where you can hear our sermons 24/7 – around the clock, around the whole world -- practically everywhere:  https://zeno.fm/radio/light-on-the-rock/  Your donations help keep even that simple link going!  And your support helps provide biblical teachings and resources that are transforming lives and bringing people closer to God and one another. 

2. Helping Those in Need

In addition to spiritual nourishment, Light on the Rock also supports efforts to meet physical needs. From providing resources to communities in East Africa to empowering marginalized groups in Pakistan, your contributions ensure that the love of Christ is shared both practically and spiritually. This means believers in very poor areas no longer have to just meet under a tree – but in a real hall with real chairs to sit on. We have purchased and handed out over 760 Bibles to very poor families who just had no money available for that. This was possible only because of caring people like you. We have helped pay medical and hospital expenses also. Widows and orphans are being blessed and many more. So many can’t afford even basic medical care without our help. We’re trying also to prevent any more children from dying from malaria by helping with hospital bills for that, and buying mosquito nets for especially the little children, the most vulnerable. It was devastatingly sad when a little boy of four years of age recently  died quickly in Kenya because of malaria. We want to help keep the little kids alive over there! Your help will keep some children and others alive! 

3. Empowering Discipleship

Light on the Rock equips believers with tools to grow in their faith through biblical insights, online sermons, and other resources. By donating, you help this ministry continue to create life-changing materials that strengthen the global body of Christ. We are making a point to translate sermons and blogs into local languages like Swahili and Chichewa (Malawi) for those who do not speak or write English.  We could hire more translators! More people are coming to salvation via this website.

4. Obeying God’s Call to Generosity

The Bible teaches us to be cheerful givers (2 Corinthians 9:7) and reminds us that our giving is an act of worship. Pure religion is providing for widows and orphans, while remaining unspotted from the world (James 1:28).  We have widows receiving help who have also lost sons to malaria. Your loving support is feeding them and giving them hope. The blind and disabled are not left helpless, because of generous people. By supporting Light on the Rock, you’re answering God’s call to generosity, contributing to a ministry that serves people across diverse regions and cultures.

5. Multiplying Eternal Impact

Your gift to Light on the Rock doesn’t just affect one individual—it reaches families, communities, and nations. Whether it’s providing encouragement to believers in the USA and Canada or sharing hope in East Africa and Pakistan, your donation multiplies its eternal impact.  To understand more of how we are directly impacting very poor and needy people spiritually and physically, check out this special teaching focusing on how Jesus accepts your help personally:  https://lightontherock.org/index.php/sermons/message/who-is-the-least-of-these-my-brethren 

Supporting Light on the Rock allows you to be an active participant in God’s mission. And yes, we could really use your regular support or whenever you’re able to.  Every dollar you give helps keep us going. We need technical equipment from time to time – newer microphones, newer technology. Plus we definitely want to fulfill a calling to not leave behind any of the super-poor groups – in our case especially in East Africa -  who love God but need financial assistance to just be able to even meet together in a real hall, or with a roof over their heads and with chairs to sit on.

And there’s no doubt that when you do, you’re helping to spread God’s love, transform lives, and prepare people for God’s soon coming King and Kingdom across continents. Pray about where God is leading you to give, and trust that your generosity will make a lasting difference, both now and for eternity. It certainly will.

Partner with us today and help bring hope to the world. Together, we can light the way for others to see the Messiah, Jesus the Christ.

Donate today     https://www.lightontherock.org/index.php/donate

For you who want the truth about Christmas

For many people, so much of Christmas music is so beautiful. And the decorations can be exciting. You should see the decorations all over the front lawn of one of my neighbors.  And without giving it much thought, many just get into the spirit of the season and before long, they’re fully engrossed in Christmas. And isn’t it all about Christ anyway? And what could be wrong with bringing Christ back into Christmas? But what if He was never IN it, folks? 

Do you want to study deeper into what God REALLY thinks of Christmas?  Does God love it, or hate it?  He actually does tell us!  I’ll include several links to short articles or blogs – and a sermon or two -- in this website that could help you find out. 

Especially read the blog right below about Aaron’s gold calf and how Aaron tried to justify it by turning that terrible gold calf worship service into a day of worship to the one true living God! Aaron really did! Check it out in Exodus 32 the first few verses. But there’s much more in this blog. Blogs are short 10 minute reads.  Here’s the link to that:

https://lightontherock.org/index.php/blog/entry/aaron-and-the-lesson-of-christmas-celebrations?highlight=WyJjaHJpc3RtYXMiXQ==

So many try to do the same thing with Christmas as Aaron did with the gold calf – calling it a celebration dedicated to worshiping Jesus at his birth, when more and more people are waking up to realize Jesus was never even born anywhere near Christmas and God commanded us not to mix worship of Him with anything to do with paganism or the way the world worships their gods.

Or DOES it even MATTER if we keep Christmas or not?  Find out! Many of you might be thinking I’m making too much out of nothing here. But I’m not.   

Jesus no doubt HATES his name associated with this pagan custom, just as He did when Aaron tried to tie the gold calf to the true God too. It didn’t impress God at all! In fact it infuriated God to bring a gold calf out and then say that day they would be worshiping the true God. Folks, remember this:  God wants us to worship Him in spirit and TRUTH – not the long list of lies associated with Christmas like the date itself, flying reindeer and an all-knowing Santa, yule logs, mistletoe, and so much more. Why celebrate the Son of God with lies?

Don’t get me wrong.  I believe deeply in the virgin birth and eventual death of Jesus for us, but not with the pagan trappings attached to His story today. So if you’d like to learn more, please look over these blogs and sermons.  Write and tell me where you feel I’m wrong, but it won’t work to claim you’re just worshiping the true God – but with pagan foundations! But if I’m right – don’t mess with God and the way you worship Him!

You could find these links on your own, by the way, if you go into this website, then find the Search Bar at the top right of the home page, and simply type in “Christmas”. 

Some people won’t fully participate in Christmas but see nothing wrong with “dabbling” in Christmas just a bit.  They’ll maybe put a Christmas wreath on their door. Or go watch and listen to church choirs sing Christmas songs – like the Singing Christmas Trees.  Or, they may feel if they focus on Christ for Christmas then they’re OK if they’re not doing all the traditions like Christmas gifts or Christmas trees. But IS that OK with God?  This 40 minute sermon will give you things to think about. Does God have anything to say about it? How does HE feel about it all? 

https://lightontherock.org/index.php/sermons/message/god-warns-us-about-dabbling-in-christmas?highlight=WyJjaHJpc3RtYXMiXQ== 

For those of you wishing to know the full true Biblical account of Christ’s birth – and how it wasn’t in December and so much more – this next link will be for you.  Why do two of the gospels – Mark and John – totally ignore any mention or details of Jesus’ birth altogether?  Were there three wise men or more? Did the wise men actually see Jesus in a manger, or was it somewhere else? What was the meaning of their three specific gifts?  You’ll never think of  Christ’s birth the same way after hearing this sermon.

https://lightontherock.org/index.php/sermons/message/birth-of-jesus-the-true-biblical-account?highlight=WyJjaHJpc3RtYXMiXQ==

One more: could the exact spot where Jesus was born have been foretold 700 years before his birth? I don’t mean just saying “in Bethlehem”. But WHERE in Bethlehem?  This very short blog of where exactly our Messiah was born, will fascinate many of you.

https://lightontherock.org/index.php/blog/entry/where-was-the-messiah-actually-born?highlight=WyJ0b3dlciJd 

We love Yeshua and His Hebrew name meaning “Savior”. Let’s honor and worship him correctly, 365 days a year, without mixing all that with anything from pagan roots.

Pass this on if it has given you pause or things to think about.  May our Savior come again soon to save the world from itself. 

Much of the world is in the Christmas season; or “Christ’s mass”. We’re told this season is supposed to be about the birth of baby Jesus, the son of God as a human. But we’re surrounded by Christmas trees, bright lights, holly wreaths, images of a fat Santa Claus flying around with flying reindeer – and yule logs – both the wooden kind and the pastry kind made to look like a tasty log. Santa? Really? “I know when you are sleeping, I know when you’re awake…” – really?

What do all the traditions associated with Christmas have to do with the birth of Christ? And why is society celebrating the birth of God’s son in the season to honor the pagan god Saturn – and the Saturnalia orgies focused on Saturn and around the winter solstice? The solstice was a clear celebration of sun worship. The sun was coming back and days were getting longer. SUN worship: that’s the root of this holiday. How and why are pagan celebrations – re-christened with new so-called “Christian” labels, put alongside the birth of the Messiah?

In my upcoming video I will speak specifically about the TRUE story about the birth of Yeshua (Jesus) – and I ask, was it even anywhere near December 25^th?

We’ll examine the way the story is told about 3 kings coming to a manger with the shepherds to worship the newborn king – and how much they’ve mangled the true story.  

But my blog today is about the trappings of Christmas. Does it matter – if we celebrate the true God in the way pagans celebrated their pagan non-existent gods? Is it OK to take something Almighty God says he detests – the worship of pagan gods – and just re-label it all now as dedicated to the true God? Is that OK?

Many who keep Christmas DO know its pagan origins but justify it by saying it’s all about Jesus now. IS that OK? Does that make it OK?

So many people who once believed as I do, that we can’t worship God from a pagan base, now keep Christmas with all the trimmings. They feel all this is harmless. IS it harmless? Is God rejoicing at all this glory going to him and his son?

This is such a serious question, such a serious offense to our God and I’ll show you – by scripture – so click on “continue reading” to see the rest of the story.

Wow! God’s “appointed time” – His appointment with us for his holy days – have started for the Fall. I know, some of you kept the holydays a few weeks earlier than the Hebrew calendar, but either way, we’re in the Fall holydays of God, his appointed times. That’s what “moed” or “moedim” mean, words we read as “feasts” or feast days.

As far as world news events go, the world seems to be on fire! Iran has finally made it clear that THEY are the one behind the attacks on Israel by their proxy agents like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, etc.

Major world news events are hitting the headlines every few hours or minutes, in what used to take many days. WE children of God need to wake up. We need to become more and more zealous, and letting Christ live in us, to be our life now. I preach to myself also on this. We all need to do this. We need to be using this time to fervently seek after God, repent of any “Laodiceanism” we have and compromising with any sins or being lukewarm, and be watching not just world news – but our entire relationship with God and one another. We need to be praying that God will count us worthy to escape all these things that are coming upon the world (Luke 21:36).

On Yom Teruah – the Day of Blasts (or Trumpets) – be sure realize what an exciting and even tumultuous and noisy day this is all about. When God came down to Mt Sinai to speak the Ten Commandments, there was an unimaginable noise, earthquakes, fire like a furnace with lots of black smoke on top the mountain. Then the shofar trumpet of God was so loud the people trembled. And then God spoke!

When God most High sends His Son back to earth with his angels and saints, it will definitely also be a noisy, violent, and most frightening time the world has ever seen – especially for those assembled to fight him. But for us who are part of His elect, we will not have to go through the wrath of God (1 Thess 1:10), reserved for “children of disobedience” (Eph 5:6; Col. 3:6). Revelation 6:15-17 shows the enemies of God hiding in the caves and rocks for fear of the wrath of the Lamb. Have you ever seen a wrathful Lamb? The world will! But we will in fact be His Bride, recently married by then in the 3^rd Heaven itself (Revelation 19). Yes, we’re living in “Bible times.”

In your congregations each year on this day, I hope there are brethren who blow on a shofar at your church services or even in your home. This is the day of Blasts! I hope there are people who will shout out loud, “Hallelujah! Our KING is coming!”  I hope there will be applause and cheers for our returning King. Make it a time of blasts, of joyous shouts and celebration and joyful noise -- “for your redemption draws near (Luke 21:28).

And be sure to check out my new sermon about this day – “Feast of Blasts/Trumpets 2024. The King’s Return with his saints and angels.” 

When God’s son comes again, it will be a time of shouting and jubilation for His people – but a terrifying time for those who don’t know him. He came as a lamb the first time, but this time he’s coming on a white angelic charger as the Lion of Judah with millions of angels on chargers and his Bride, the saints – also on chargers. MILLIONS appearing and descending from the sky to take over the government of the world. Just imagine it.

After Jews returned to Jerusalem after 70 years of captivity in Babylon, they were busy rebuilding the walls and eventually even the start to a new temple.

Then on this day, the Day of Blasts/Trumpets, on the first day of the seventh month, they came to worship God and hear his Word. This produced great sorrow in them to realize how much they were not doing, how much they had missed. Let’s read this account of God’s people coming together on this holy day.

Nehemiah 7 actually lists the families who returned – including the singers who were sons of Asaph, the gatekeepers, the priests, and so on.

Nehemiah 8 tells us what happened.

Nehemiah 8:1-12

“Now all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which YHVH had commanded Israel. 2 So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month. 3 Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.

4 So Ezra the scribe stood on a platform of wood which they had made for the purpose; and beside him, at his right hand, stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Urijah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah; and at his left hand Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.

5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. 6 And Ezra blessed YHVH, the great God.

Then all the people answered, "Amen, Amen!" while lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped YHVH with their faces to the ground.

7 Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law; and the people stood in their place. 8 So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading.

9 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to YHVH your God; do not mourn nor weep." For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law.

10 Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of YHVH is your strength."

11 So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, "Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved."

12 And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them.”

So on this holyday they feasted and rejoiced, as we should be doing also. It’s OK to cook on the annual holy days, and they did, and shared, and rejoiced, and bowed their faces to the ground and worshiped. Remember God’s holydays – all of them – are days of gladness (Numbers 10:10).

When Yeshua/Jesus returns, there will be great sorrow for a time for the carnage that will happen – but that will be turned to joy as God finally puts an end to the madness of man’s rulership, previously under Satan the god of this world (2 Cor. 4:4).

So praise be to Yah, to God Most High our Father and His Son our Savior as we look forward to the impressive meaning of this day and all the Fall holydays.

All scriptures are NKJV unless noted otherwise.

I don’t believe it’s as common any longer as it used to be in the USA – but 20-40 years ago, people from various church groups felt they needed to evangelize the entire world and time was short, so they often went house to house to win converts. Often it was two men, sometimes in white shirts and neck tie. The Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) commonly were doing this.

But now in America, if a house or business has posted a “No Trespassing” sign or a “No soliciting” sign, it actually could be illegal to even try to speak to anyone in that home, unless they’ve asked you inside.

Sometimes I still come across this notion that believers are called to go house to house with God’s message. This is especially true in Africa, I find. 

So a pastor over there may visit a particular village, may speak in the public square and hope there are interested people who will listen. He may also have an opportunity to speak in one of the local churches. Then often one of those days, he and an assistant will literally go from house to house proclaiming the gospel. If they’re invited in, then the Bibles come out and the discussion and preaching begins. But also keep in mind that many households in East Africa can’t even afford to own their own Bible and so may be more eager to hear the Word than we experience in western countries. I must say, after a few days, invariably there will be 5-15 water baptisms in Yeshua’s name.

But did Jesus/Yeshua say anything about preaching house to house?

The concept for going house to house often comes from some scriptures in the book of Acts. But ARE we supposed to evangelize house to house?

Two main verses are used to support this belief that teachers are to go house to house. Then after that, I will show you what Jesus actually had to say on the topic.

Right after the 3,000 were baptized on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2, a casual reading of this next verse leaves the impression we should copy what they did, and break bread from house to house. Many still believe that “break bread” was referring to eating the Lord’s Supper, but it just meant to eat food.

Acts 2:44-47    “Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.

46 So continuing daily with one accord IN The TEMPLE, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

Notice a couple of things. They stayed together as one, learning from each other  - where? In the Temple complex, verse 46, not house to house. And afterwards they would share their food and eat, the meaning of “breaking bread.”  That, yes they would do, house to house of the brethren. The “church” part of their interaction was in the temple complex. To “break bread” did not always refer to the Last Supper, remember.

Also keep in mind, though not the same topic, many of the brethren in Paul’s day, met in people’s houses for sabbath services. Many scriptures refer to the church that meets in “so-and-so’s house.” They didn’t have massive expensive basilicas and cathedrals like many churches today. Peter and Paul would be appalled to see how the simplicity in Christ has been corrupted today into such extravagance.

Later, in speaking to the leaders of Ephesus, Paul said this to the elders and leaders. His context is what he taught them and how he did it:  publicly and from house to house. Their houses. He was eager to finish his ministry with joy, “to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”  Acts 20:24

Acts 20:18-21   “And when they had come to him, he said to them: "You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, 19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews;

20 how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught YOU publicly and from house to house, 21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”

So Paul admitted to going house to house – but this was said to the elders of Ephesus. The reason I say this is because of the clarity in Jesus’ own words about going house to house when preaching the gospel. The context indeed was about how they were to preach to the general public in various towns.   

Luke 9:4  "Whatever house you enter, STAY there, and from there depart.”  

They were to have a “home base” and from there do their preaching around the village and to stay with the one hospitable family willing to take them in.

Luke 10:4-7   “Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. 5 But whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this house.'  6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you.

7 And REMAIN in the SAME house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do NOT GO FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE.”   

Mark 6:10-11

Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, STAY there till you depart from that place. 11 And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"

Even when Paul traveled to Thyatira in modern-day Turkey (now spelled “Turkiye”), a woman named Lydia invited him and his party to stay with her in her beautiful home instead of having to find places to sleep each night.

Acts 16:14-15

“Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. 15 And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and STAY." So she persuaded us.”

Yeshua/Jesus did advise his followers to preach the gospel. How were they to do it? Not house to house. They preached instead in synagogues while they could. Or in the public square. Or by a river side. Or wherever they could, generally in public.

I obey what Yeshua/Jesus said, so I do not go preaching house to house. Jesus said not to. But to preach in a church building, or public place, or in a park or public square – would be wonderful.

What exactly is a Christian? Or a true disciple of Christ? These are questions every believer should ponder occasionally. Of course, the New Testament clearly shows that a true follower of Christ is not simply someone who believes in God (James 2:19), for even demons do that, and tremble. Nor is a true follower just one who feels they are a good person (1 John 1:8).  But how do the Scriptures actually identify a real Christian?

Dr. George Barna, head of the respected Barna Research Group, recently shared some interesting statistics (Raising Spiritual Champions,‎ Arizona Christian University Press, 2023) regarding Christianity in the United States that are relevant to this question.  Barna noted that there are some 174 million self-identified Christians in the US – constituting 68 percent of the country’s population.  But there are only 84 million who attend a church once a week – constituting 33 percent  of the population –  and only 46 million Christians – some 18 percent of the population– who self-identify as being deeply committed to their faith.

What is amazing is not that these numbers are so low, but that true disciples of Christ are probably far fewer still. As Barna correctly notes, just being willing to identify ourselves as Christian, growing up in a Christian family, going to church, or even feeling that we are “committed” believers does not make us Christians. Sadly, even among the minority of more committed individuals, Barna’s research shows that very few understand what actually constitutes the biblical definition of a disciple of Christ.  

Fundamentally, as the apostle Paul wrote, “If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ ... The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children” (Romans 8:9, 16), but how do we recognize such a person –  a true disciple or follower of Jesus? Several verses in the Gospel of John provide the answer to this question from the words of Jesus himself. 

First, Jesus taught unequivocally that “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples” (John 8:31).  Jesus spoke these words to those who were said to believe on him (“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said …”), showing belief alone is not enough to make us a real follower of Jesus.  If we do not obey Christ’s teachings, we simply are not his disciples – and, of course, this involves knowing what those teachings are. If we do not know what Christ commanded, we cannot “hold to” or keep his teachings.

Jesus also insisted on another identity test for his true followers: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). Although this primarily means love of other Christians in the context in which it was spoken, loving “one another” also has the broader application of loving everyone, whether fellow believers or not.  And what made it a new command, was his statement to love one another “as I have loved you” (verse 34). Love as Christ loves.

Finally,  Jesus told his followers: “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” (John 15:8). Even if we obey Christ’s commands and love one another, we must still bear spiritual fruit in order to truly be a follower of Christ. Usually we tend to think of spiritual fruit in terms of Paul’s list of the “fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23), and these qualities could certainly be included in what Jesus said, but in context his words about bearing “fruit” perhaps apply even more to Christian service – that we do not simply develop ourselves, but that we enable God to work through us to produce  spiritual fruit, doing good works and spreading the gospel in whatever ways we can. Notice, regarding this final test, John shows Jesus spoke to his disciples about being one with him in a context of service (John 15:14) and stressed that “I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit” (John 15:16 emphases added).  The disciples were not appointed and then told to “go” just to develop their own spiritual attributes. Fruit on a tree is not just for the tree, but to feed others – people, deer, and more. In the same way, fruit God produces in us is to be shared with others for their benefit.

Jesus summarized exactly these three criteria of discipleship on the final evening of his ministry.   In John 15:10–16 we find that he told his followers “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love … Love each other as I have loved you ... I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.” 

The apostle John elaborates on these same requirements of discipleship repeatedly in his letters (1 John 2:3; 2:10; 3:10; 3:17–18; etc.), but it is important to remember that the criteria were not just John’s and that they were established by Jesus himself. 

Jesus showed that anything less than the pursuit of these goals is not really following him. It is only as we obey him, love one another, and produce spiritual fruit in the form of good works and the furtherance of the gospel that we are truly his disciples – that we are really following Jesus Christ.  Are we settling for less? That is something we can all think about.

*This blog post was adapted from the author’s website at TacticalChristianity.org.

Note from P Shields: this article or blog is by Carol Taylor and she brings some deep insights into this topic. Enjoy. 

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We all know what happens if muscles are not exercised—they get flabby. Not because they ‘turn to fat’ but because they lose the mass that developed when we were pushing them. Neither bones nor muscles develop properly nor remain healthy if there is no stress put on them. Even seedlings must endure some wind at times, or they will grow up weak and scrawny.

            If we didn’t have to go through any difficulties, we think we’d be happier, but we wouldn’t be growing like we should. Unlike animals, virtually every new motor skill we learn results in many failures before accomplishment—whether walking, running, jumping, climbing, skating, biking or whatever. It’s a good thing we start learning these things as children, because a great many adults would likely never try, knowing the struggle it was going to be.

            In the same way, trials are a necessary part of our growth, maturity, and development. And don’t think that all trials are some kind of punishment from God! Remember it says of Christ that He ‘learned obedience by the things He suffered.’ (Heb 5:8) This does not mean that Christ was disobedient in any way! It means He learned how difficult obedience is when we have to deny our natural evil instincts.

            “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb 4:15-16)

            Have you ever had someone tell you, “I know just what you’re going through!”? Unless that person has gone through what you’ve gone through, they can’t really understand. There just is no way to know what it’s like to lose a child, a mate, go through divorce, a serious car accident, loss of a job, long-term illness, suffer endless severe pain, etc. unless you have gone through it yourself. We can sympathize with someone’s trials, but we cannot empathize unless we’ve been through a similar experience.

            In that regard, Paul said something very interesting about his trials: “Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of His body, which is the church.” (Colossians 1:24 NIV)

            What does he mean about afflictions which are ‘lacking’ in Christ’s Body? It's quite possible it means that his (and our) sufferings and endurance in trials add knowledge and understanding to His own Body! After all, there are all kinds of human afflictions Christ had no time or opportunity to experience during His short time on earth. Christ never lost an arm or leg, never had a disease, never lost a child, never was paralyzed, never had his home vandalized, never was in a severe accident… The list could go on and on. And, in order for the Body of Christ—the Church—to be fully empathetic of every type of human tragedy and suffering, it would make sense that at least one of the Elect has to go through it. Then, as a complete entity, the Body of Christ would never encounter anyone throughout the ages who would be able to say, “You don’t understand.”

            We know Paul was not being punished when he suffered a shipwreck, was left in the open sea to drown, was beaten, stoned, imprisoned, disrespected, etc. But he was a light to the world in his sufferings, was miraculously preserved from death many times, and rejoiced that he was counted worthy to add his afflictions to Christ’s Body—the Church.  So, we too or even as the direct result of ours or others’ sins. Although we do bring things on ourselves, and others’ actions do affect us, many times trials come upon God’s people for no apparent reason and we should not see every trial as God punishing us. And though it’s hard to ‘count it all joy’ when we fall into trials and difficulties, (James 1:2) it should help to know that it might be part of our preparation for our place in God’s Kingdom. After all, we are going to be priests and kings to the entire world one day! (Rev 1:6; 5:10) In order to be effective rulers, we must go through testing and trials to understand the world’s sufferings just as Christ did.

            One other purpose of trials is for God to show us our hidden faults, as He did with Job. It’s not easy for us to see our own self-righteousness, selfishness, vanity, etc. yet these are serious sins just as much as any other and need to be rooted out.  “Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts and see if any wicked way is in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psa 139:23-24)

            When Job went through his many difficulties, he said, “Should we accept blessings from God and not adversity?” Job knew that so many tragedies coming all at once could not be coincidental. Although he didn’t understand why so many bad things had happened to him, he knew God was in charge and had allowed them. And God would not have allowed Satan to do so much to Job if He wasn’t quite sure Job would remain faithful to Him.

            When we go through a series of trials, one way to rejoice is to acknowledge that it is God who allows Satan to test us. Like Job, we should be fully confident that God is in charge and actually feel honored that He believes us strong enough to withstand Satan’s attacks. God uses Satan to correct, test and try us—just like He uses the wind to build strength in trees and shrubs or to knock them down if they aren’t strong enough. Satan only wishes to do evil and thinks he can undermine God’s plan. He has no idea that he is simply a tool in God’s hand and, when he is no longer useful, will be removed.

            We’re very happy to attribute all the good things in our lives to God but don’t always realize that the evil God allows, or even sends, is also for our ultimate benefit! We love to quote Romans 8:28 but must remember all things work together for good, for God’s purpose it says. When we can trust God even in the tough trials, that shows God our faith remains in him regardless of what He lets us go through. In fact, that builds the faith muscles of our lives. And in these – we can rejoice. 

It may take years to fully understand why God sent or allowed various trials, but someday we’ll understand. And in the meantime, the trials help us become what God needs us to be. For example, we’re told in Job 42:11b that Job’s family came to comfort Job for all the adversity God had brought upon Job, though God used Satan to actually do it. Even Joseph told his brothers that all the evil they had done against him was actually all in God’s plan – to eventually save many people alive (Genesis 50:18-21).  What a lesson for us too! Joseph must have often wondered why he was spending years in a dungeon. God was having his purposes accomplished and faith being built.

 Trials create strength, understanding, humility, faith, perseverance, endurance, depth, maturity, and much more (Romans 5:3-4). And we must always remember that God will let nothing bad happen to us that isn’t part of His plan. He can and does stop many bad things from happening to us—sometimes in miraculous ways—but He also allows us to experience a normal life in a world full of suffering and pain. We must experience some of what everyone else does—occasional sickness, injury, accidents, pain, sorrow—because we are part of this world. And it will help us have deep empathy for others when we reign with Christ as priests and kings. But God is always aware of what we’re going through! Every moment of our lives is in His hand and awareness. After all, he knows when every sparrow alights on the ground and has every hair on our heads numbered. (Matt 10:29-31)

            Trust God in good times and in bad. He has a purpose for all we go through, and He never sleeps nor slumbers! (Psa 121). So yes, we can and must learn to rejoice even in our trials.

So many teach and believe that when we pray “thy kingdom come”, that we’re referring to the millennial thousand-year reign of Christ. We use phrases like “the soon-coming Kingdom of God” – and to many, that’s referring to the thousand year reign of Christ on the earth. That millennial time is often also called “the world tomorrow”.

The kingdom of God is also called – especially by Matthew’s gospel – “the Kingdom of heaven”.  Keep that in mind as we review this topic.

So IS the “world tomorrow” or the Millennium actually the full kingdom of God on earth finally? Many of you would respond, “Of course it is!”  Well, is it?  It’s important to believe and teach truth. Jesus is truth personified.

Many teach – especially during the Feast of Tabernacles, the many prophetic scriptures of what the earth will be like when God’s Son is ruling: how the desert shall blossom like a rose, and how there will be righteous rulers, and justice will prevail, and every man will sit under his own fig tree, and they will not learn war anymore but will convert their swords and spears into plowshares and agricultural instruments. Nation will not go to war against nation, under Christ … at least not at first.

Those are all wonderful, but do those prophecies necessarily mean the world tomorrow Millennial reign of Christ will be the kingdom of God on earth?

Here are some key points defining the Kingdom of God:

** God’s kingdom has always existed and exists now. We’re not waiting for it to exist. God’s kingdom will come to the new earth eventually but it already exists very well in heaven.

** Because the Kingdom of God is currently in heaven, Matthew especially often calls it “the kingdom of heaven.” It’s called “Heavenly Jerusalem” (Hebrews 12:22), where God’s throne is, and where Yeshua/Jesus is seated on the right hand of God’s majesty (Eph. 1:20;  Hebrews 8:1).

If we study Revelation 4, we can get a very good and colorful portrayal of God’s throne room in heaven – with the thrones of the 24 elders and Four Living Creatures all on the massive “sea of Glass” like crystal before God’s very own throne. Plus there will be hundreds of millions of holy angels – with various appearances. Some will have four or six wings and some without wings. Some angels appear as spirit humans, or as spirit eagles, or horses, or oxen or other creatures we know on earth.

** God the Father is very generous and shares His kingdom also with his Son, so it’s also called “the kingdom of the Son of His love” (Col. 1:13). So it’s not just the kingdom of God the Father, but also of his Son – so it’s also the kingdom of Jesus, the Son of God; same as the kingdom of God.

**  Jesus/Yeshua – like our Father – then also shares that kingdom with His holy ones, the saints. So the kingdom of God really is also OUR kingdom and in fact we are citizens right now of that kingdom (Eph 2:19) and members of the household of God. We are joint heirs with Christ of everything He is given (Rom. 8:16-17).

Luke 22:28-30   "But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. 29 And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me,  30 that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

Those who overcome will inherit all things (Rev. 21:7) --- which means we should also think of the Kingdom of God, or Kingdom of heaven – as also being OUR kingdom. In the same way that we citizens of the USA, think of the USA is OUR country. So the kingdom of God is also the kingdom of the saints who have God’s spirit.

** “Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 15:50). This verse is too often forgotten or ignored. There will still be many millions, maybe billions of physical flesh and blood people living in the millennial times, so how could that be the Kingdom of God? The motif or seal of the lion and the lamb being led by a little child cannot be the picture for the kingdom of God. It’s a great picture of the Millennium, yes, or of “the World Tomorrow,” yes – but not of the Kingdom of God. Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God remember.

Think about this! IF flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God, then that means that ALL of those in the Kingdom of God, EVERYONE in the Kingdom, are all SPIRIT beings, no longer physical. They are all immortal with spirit bodies, not just glorified physical fleshly bodies.

Be sure to study 1 Corinthians 15:42-50,which explains there are fleshly bodies and there are spiritual or spirit bodies. Those in the kingdom of God no longer can die. They are immortal spirit beings.

ONLY spirit beings make up the Kingdom of God: God, the Son of God and holy angels, whom we’re told are also spirit (Heb 1:7, 14). Then we, once we are changed to spirit at the resurrection, will also be part of that exciting special spirit kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 15:42-49   “So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.”

** ONLY righteousness dwells in the Kingdom of God. There’s no more sin, no more unrighteousness in that kingdom. God’s perfect will is always done in the Kingdom of God. We even pray “thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” The poor in spirit inherit the Kingdom of heaven (Matt 5:3). But yes, there will still be sin and unrighteousness by some in the millennial kingdom.

2 Peter 3:13  “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells”.

Revelation 21:27  “But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.”

** Therefore only obedience to God will prevail in the Kingdom. But this is a central point: but what do we see in the Millennium by contrast? Though much better than the world is now, it is still not perfect. We find much of the world refusing to obey at first. Zechariah 14:16-19 is clear that Egypt and many others “of all the nations” will refuse to come to Jerusalem to keep the Feast of Tabernacles for some years. They refuse! So the Millennium cannot yet be the Kingdom of God.

Zechariah 14:16-19    “And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. 17 And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, on them there will be no rain. 18 If the family of Egypt will not come up and enter in, they shall have no rain; they shall receive the plague with which the Lord strikes the NATIONS who do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. 19 This shall be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.”

And even worse, at the end of 1,000 years of righteous rulership by Christ and the saints, what happens? Read Revelation 20:7-10. Satan is released from the prison abyss and successfully forms a large army to come attack King Jesus and the camp of the saints – perhaps at a Feast of tabernacles going on! That’s after 1,000 years of righteous rulership! That war, and their ugly attitudes, certainly do not represent the Kingdom of God! That would never happen in the full, complete Kingdom of God.

So back to our question: when Jesus returns and sets up his reign on earth for one thousand years, is that the “kingdom of God”?

Answer: NO, the Millennium is RULED by the kingdom of God’s spirit rulers but there’s still too much sin and rebellion that is periodically happening to be able to call the Millennium the Kingdom of God. And remember flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor 15:50). ONLY spirit beings make up the kingdom of God.

The Kingdom of God is in heaven at present. It will be the Rock that crushes all the earthly kingdoms when Christ returns, pictured by the Stone smashing the feet and the image of the earthly kingdoms of Daniel 2, and then fills the whole earth. Then God our Father comes down from his third heaven to a new heavens and new earth – and brings the kingdom of heaven down to earth, as described in Revelation 21 and 22. And of his kingdom there shall be no end.

THAT, not the Millennium or “world tomorrow,” is the true, full kingdom of God.