As for the widely reported experiences of seeing light, we should remember that since God is light, it is understandable that Satan duplicates light of his own. We cannot emphasize too strongly that he wishes to disguise himself as an “angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14). And of course, many unsuspecting souls simply assume that this “being” who radiates light is kind and benevolent; in an age of “feel good” religion they can’t imagine that it is anyone else but Christ. Although positive near-death experiences are widely reported, I must point out that other research indicates that many have dark and foreboding experiences. In The Edge of Death, by Philip J. Swihart, and Beyond Death’s Door, by Maurice Rawlings, there are accounts of those who tell terrifying stories of the life beyond. Some have seen a lake of fire or abysmal darkness, along with tormented persons – all of whom are awaiting judgment. These reports, the authors contend, are more accurate because they were gained through interviews almost immediately following near-death and resuscitation. These dark experiences, the writers say, are often lost to the memory after a short period of time.
Erwin Lutzer

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E-pistle for October 23, 2015

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#1 · October 22, 2015, 9:49 am

Posted by: info <info@...>

e-pistle

FreeWay Foundation            October 23, 2015

 

fulfilled signs to confirm god's word

(I Samuel 10:1-27)

Dr. Curt Scarborough

 

I.  Concentration:  on the contents of this chapter

            1.  Samuel anointed Saul with oil and told him to expect several confirming

                 signs, vv. 1-8.

            2.  All the signs came to pass and God gave Saul a new heart; Saul joined

                 with a group of prophets in prophesying; Saul kept secret Samuel's

                 act of anointing him as king of Israel vv. 9-16.

            3.  Samuel called all Israel to assemble at Mizpah; he revealed God's choice

                 of Saul as king; the people shouted, "Long live the king!"  vv. 17-24.

            4.  Samuel explained and recorded instructions for the king's conduct; some

                 valiant men "whose hearts God had touched" joined Saul's entourage,

                 but others in rebellion despised him and refused to give him any gifts;

                 Saul held his peace, vv. 25-27.

II.  Meditation:  on the signs which Samuel prophesied to Saul

            1.  Two men would meet Saul, and they would tell him that his donkeys

                 had been found, v. 2.

            2.  Three men with three goats, three loaves of bread, and a skin of wine

                 would meet Saul; they would give him two loaves, vv. 3-4.

            3.  Then several prophets would meet Saul; they would be playing musical

                 instruments, v. 5.

            4.  These signs in sequence and at certain predicted locations were given to

                 confirm to Saul that Samuel's words were from God, vv. 6-7.

III.  Revelation:  on what happens when God's prophetic words are believed

            "When these signs come upon you . . . do as the occasion demands, for

            God is with you," v. 7.  (See Mark 16:20, about signs confirming God's word.)

            1.  When God's words are believed, the Spirit of the Lord will come upon His

                 servant in power, v. 6.

            2.  When God's words are believed, God's servant, himself will begin to speak

                 prophetic words, vv. 6, 10.

            3.  When God's words are believed, God's servant will be transformed into

                 another person, v. 6.

            4.  When God's words are believed, God will give His servant another (spiritual)

                 heart, v. 9.

IV.  Applications:  as a Christian leader, I need to . . .

            1.  Receive God's personal anointing and prophetic word for me.

            2.  Expect God to confirm His word to me through other persons who help to

                 relieve my burden of worry and who supply my needs out of their abundant

                 resources.

            3.  Join with God's people in worshipping Him and in testifying of His mercy

                 and grace in my life.

            4.  Allow the Lord to give me a new heart and to begin transforming me in the

                 likeness of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

 

 

 

angel-309478_640[1]

 

archangels

(I Thessalonians 4 :1-18)

Dr. Curt Scarborough

 

 

I.  Concentration:  on the contents of this chapter

            1.  Paul issued a plea to the Thessalonians, that they abstain from sexual

                 immorality . . . "for God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness,

     vv. 1-8.

2.  Paul urged them to "aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own

     business and to work with your own hands," vv. 9-12.

3.  Paul revealed that when Christ returns, both living and dead believers will

     be caught up to meet Him in the air, vv. 13-17.

4.  Paul taught them to encourage each other with these words, v. 18.

II.  Observations:  on angels and archangels (v. 16)

            1.  Angels are created beings with a specific purpose, Psalm 104:4.

            2.  Only three angels (archangels?) are listed by name in the Scripture.

            3.  Each archangel commands one-third of the lower angels, Revelation 12:4.

            4.  Archangels are powerful, but they are not omnipotent.

III.  Meditation:  on Gabriel, the messenger archangel

            1.  Daniel 8:16 – sent to help Daniel comprehend the vision.

            2.  Daniel 9:21 – sent to give Daniel skill to apply the vision.

            3.  Luke 1:19 – sent to give God's message to Zacharias.

            4.  Luke 1:26 – sent to give God's message to Mary.

IV.  Meditation:  on Michael, the warrior archangel

            1.  Daniel 10:13, 21 – one of the "chief princes."

            2.  Daniel 12:1 – the one who stands guard over God's people.

            3.  Jude 1:9 – contended with the devil over Moses' body.

            4.  Revelation 12:7 – wages war with Satan in heaven (in heavenly places;

                 in the spiritual realm).

V.  Mediation:  on Lucifer, the fallen archangel

            1.  Isaiah 14:11-15 – possibly the heavenly praise and worship leader?

            2.  Luke 10:18 – Christ saw Satan fall from heaven.

            3.  Revelation 12:3-4, 9 – angels were cast out of heaven.

            4.  Matthew 25:41 – hell is prepared for Satan and his angels.

            (See "Personal & Practical" Bible studies on "Lucifer, Son of the Morning"

            Isaiah 14: "The Anointed Cherub Who Covers," Ezekiel 28; "God Exposes

            Satan as 'Leviathan,'" Job 41.)

VI.  Revelation and Applications

            1.  God communicates with His people, sometimes using angels, although

                 often we do not recognize their heavenly origin, Hebrews 13:1.

            2.  Spiritual warfare is being waged here and now, Daniel 10:13.

            3.  Sometimes answers to our prayers are delayed because of the battle being

                 waged in the spiritual realm, Daniel 10:13.

            4.  We children of God someday will "judge angels," I Corinthians 6:3.

 

Mark Twain said:  "Wrinkles should merely indicate where the smiles have been."

 

               

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