Humility

Humility what is it?

What’s it mean to have humility or to be humble?

According to Holman’s  Bible Dictionary

Humility : A personal quality in which an individual shows dependence on God and respect for other persons.

Humility : hu·mil·i·ty

   [hyoo-mil-i-tee or, often, yoo-] Show IPA

noun

the quality or condition of being humble;  modest opinion or estimate of one's own importance, rank, etc.

 Synonyms
lowliness, meekness, submissiveness.

Antonyms
pride.

The Hebrew meaning 1)   be humbled, be subdued, be brought down, be low, be under, be brought into subjection of Humble, to bow down.

Greek: Lowliness of mind, humility of mind, gentleness, meekness

Often in the OT humility was associated with affliction.  Duet 26:5-9

Duet 26: 5 "And you shall make response before the LORD your God, 'A wandering Aramean was my father. And he went down into Egypt and sojourned there, few in number, and there he became a nation, great, mighty, and populous. 6 And the Egyptians treated us harshly and humiliated us and laid on us hard labor. 7 Then we cried to the LORD, the God of our fathers, and the LORD heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. 8 And the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great deeds of terror, with signs and wonders. 9 And he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey.

Subtitled: David’s song of deliverance. 2 Sam 22:28-31

2Samual 22: 28 You save a humble people, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them down. 29 For you are my lamp, O LORD, and my God lightens my darkness. 30 For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. 31 This God--his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. 32 "For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God

Psalms 51 is a good passage of King David asking God to forgive and give him a humble heart.

What does God require In the OT?

Answer Micah 6:6-8

Micah 6: 6 "With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? 7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?" 8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Bowing down is a form of humility. God ask that they do Justice, love and kindness, and to walk humbly with him..

What’s it mean to walk humbly with God?

In faithfulness.  God is in control, God is greater than you, God knows things you don’t.

What can be the benefits of humility?

Prov 11:2 Wisdom

Prov11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. 3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them. 4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.

Prov 22:4 The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life.

Is this verse speaking of worldly riches?

I have a commentary on the OT I call my commentary by two Germans. It’s wordy and kind of hard to follow  ,but the jest of what I think they were saying is :that the riches received when fearing the Lord is humility ,or you can’t fear the Lord without humility ,Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom  the riches spoken of.

Psalms 111: 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

Side Thought.

Maybe humility, fear of the Lord and wisdom are all connected in some way or fashion.

Another benefit of humility  :Honor

Prov 15: 33 The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

Humility turns away God’s wrath 2 Chron32:26 read this last week Hezekiah and Jerusalem humbled themselves and it turned away God’s wrath.

With the thought of God’s wrath being turned away by being humble, can someone come to Christ without humility?

Also in 2 Chron  Amon didn’t humble himself and he incurred more guilt.

2 Chron 33:23 And he did not humble himself before the LORD, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself, but this Amon incurred guilt more and more.

Why does guilt increase just for not being humble?

What first verse that comes to mind when thinking of humility?

One of my favorite verses. 2 Chron 7:14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.

Does God hear the prayers of those who don’t seek him?  Sure but this verse states that his ears will be attentive to the prayers of those who humble and seek him.

Examples from Jesus Life

Matt 11: 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Lowly in heart is the same as humble NASB ,NIV use humble.

What does Christ mean when he said I come gentile and lowly in heart or meek and humble as some translations use? This Question might be answered in Phil 2:1-11

Philip2: Christ's Example of Humility

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant,being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Is he saying something like I come as a servant to you?

What does Matt 23:11, Mark9:35, Luke 14:11, 18:14 have in common?

Matt 23: 11 whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Mark 9: 35 and he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, "If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all."

Luke 14: 11 for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Luke 18: 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

What’s the common theme?

Don’t be looking down on others.

Kingdom standards Matt 18:1-4

Matt 18:1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" 2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

What is it about a child that Christ would use them as an example?

The child’s complete trust in who is to take care of them.

Continuing with some OT theme of humility

James 4:6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

1 Peter 5: 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,

The NT church spoke of humility and meekness as a worthy characteristic to have.

2 Cor 10:18, Col3:12, Eph 4:2 All speak of having humility and compassion and meekness with each other an attribute of  Christ.

So through all of this how good are we at practicing meekness/ humility?

Pride Good or Bad

What is Pride/ Humility?

What is Pride?

On line dictionary

1.

a high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc.

2.

The state or feeling of being proud.

3.

a becoming or dignified sense of what is due to oneself or one's position or character; self-respect; self-esteem.

4.

Pleasure or satisfaction taken in something done by or belonging to oneself or believed to reflect credit upon oneself:   

10.

a group of lions.

How does pride affect our lives, personnel relationships and our relationship with God?

How has pride affected mankind?

Isa14: 12-15, 12 "How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star ( KJV NKJV “Oh Lucifer” ), son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! 13 You said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.' 15 But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit.

Ezekiel 28 also seem is relating to Satan.

This is a lament over the King of Tyre

Ezekiel 28:11-17  11 Moreover, the word of the LORD came to me: 12 "Son of man, raise a lamentation over the king of Tyre, and say to him, Thus says the Lord GOD: "You were the signet of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. 13 You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire,emerald, and carbuncle; and crafted in gold were your settings and your engravings. On the day that you were created they were prepared. 14 You were an anointed guardian cherub. I placed you; you were on the holy mountain of God; in the midst of the stones of fire you walked. 15 You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created, till unrighteousness was found in you. 16 In the abundance of your trade you were filled with violence in your midst, and you sinned; so I cast you as a profane thing from the mountain of God, and I destroyed you,O guardian cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. 17 Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. I cast you to the ground; I exposed you before kings, to feast their eyes on you.

According to Grudems Systematic Theology 

It wasn’t uncommon for Hebrew prophetic speech to pass from descriptions of human events to descriptions of heavenly events that are parallel to them and that earthly events picture in a limited way. If this is so then the sin of Satan is described as one of pride and attempting to be equal to God in status and authority.

In John 8:44 it states that Satan Is the Fathers of lies  John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Just a thought!

Could it be safe to say that Satan is also the father of pride?

If one of the mightiest angels falls to pride how devastating can pride be?

2Chron 32:24, 24 In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death, and he prayed to the LORD, and he answered him and gave him a sign. 25 But Hezekiah did not make return according to the benefit done to him, for his heart was proud. Therefore wrath came upon him and Judah and Jerusalem. 

What is about pride that Judah and Jerusalem had to feel the effects of the wrath?

26 But Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD did not come upon them in the days of Hezekiah.

Another thought !

(What about Judah?)

What is God able to do with the proud?

 Dan 4:37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

Prov 10: 10 By insolence (pride) comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom.

Pride can equal strife.

Proverbs has many statement on the negative effects of pride

Mark 7 20 declares “20 And he said, "What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."

Is there positive pride?

1 Cor 15: 31 I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day!

NASB I affirm, brethren, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

 NKJV I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

Paul often reproved the Corinthians, yet he always boasted of their faith in Jesus Christ.

2Cr 7:4 I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In our entire affliction, I am overflowing with joy.

 As their Spiritual father, Paul is justifiably proud of the Corinthian believers. He is able to boast about them to anyone who wishes to listen.

I think when pride is properly directed is OK and credit given where credit is due ,then I think its OK to have pride in something ,but if its to build you up then NO! next week Humility

Ezra practices compared to Paul and James teaching.

Often I have said, "The Bible is it's own best commentary" and once again as I look at the OT I see support for the NT ,and the NT support for the OT.
So how does Paul's and James teaching compare to Ezra's practices .

Romans1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith,as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith."
James 1: 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing

We can see in just these few verses that we as Christians should not be ashamed or embarrassed of Gods Word ,we are to  live it and share it .
So you may ask what does this have to do with Ezra? 
Ezra 7:10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and  to teach its statutes and rules in Israel.

Ezra set his heart to the study of Gods Law,He was not ashamed, He practiced Gods Law :he was a doer, and he taught Gods law. he shared Gods law.

Ezra did what the NT writers tell us to do. Kind of amazing how Gods Word supports it self .

Ezra set the example ,the NT writers said this is what we should be doing , its past time for us as Christians to take a stand and not be ashamed of the Gospel ,to live it like it really matters ,and share it like it really makes a difference.
Just a thought .

The Deception of Empty Words

"Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience" (Eph. 5:6).

- Ephesians 5:6

John Calvin, in his commentary on Ephesians 5:3–5, offers the church a helpful reminder of the difference between repentant sinners and those who obstinately continue in their transgressions. He writes: "When men have repented, and thus give evidence that they are reconciled to God, they are no longer the same persons that they formerly were. But let all fornicators, or unclean or covetous persons, so long as they continue such, be assured that they have no friendship with God, and are deprived of all hope of salvation." There is a difference between those who profess Christ, seek to mortify the flesh, and occasionally sin, and those who profess Christ but celebrate their sin. The latter group — the impenitent — has no share in the Lord's kingdom. On the other hand, Jesus receives with open arms those who hate their evildoing, even if they sometimes fall (1 John 1:8–9).

Let us always remember this when we consider Scripture's teaching on the fate of the sexually immoral. Only "the sons of disobedience" receive the wrath of God (Eph. 5:6). Sons typically bear many of the physical and personality traits of their parents; thus, the sons of disobedience have their father's nature. They reflect their lineage consistently, relishing their sin, even demanding that others approve of it. These individuals show no desire for repentance, and they have no place in Christ's body. Converted people, however, have "become children of God" (John 1:12). They are "partakers of the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4) and are being slowly conformed to it over their lifetimes. Such individuals resist temptation, hate it when they sin, and never seek approval of their transgressions. We gladly welcome these men and women in our churches, for they are recovering sinners just like us.

Today, many churches look the other way when there are cohabitating unmarried couples in the congregation. Entire denominations consecrate impenitent homosexuals as pastors. These are examples of those who attempt to deceive the church "with empty words" — words devoid of gospel truth (Eph. 5:6). They are engaged in a deadly business, providing false assurance to many and rejecting Jesus' demand for faith and repentance (Mark 1:14–15). If these leaders continue in their lies, they have a dreadful judgment awaiting them (James 3:1).

 

There are men and women struggling with sexual sin in all of our congregations. They want to please God and are seeking to mortify the flesh, and we should do all that we can to help them. This means creating an atmosphere where repentant sexual sinners feel that they can share their burdens without being seen as scum. If we are honest about our own sins without seeking to excuse them, other repentant sinners will feel welcome among us.

Passages for Further Study

Psalm 41:4–7
Proverbs 12:19
Galatians 6:1–2
Ephesians 2:1–3

Therefore Be Imitators Of God

Just a little study I did answer the questions for your self enjoy.

Ephesians 5:1-21

Eph 5:1-21

1 Therefore
be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Think about these 4? While we read some verses.

1 Therefore be imitators of God, Why?

2 What's it mean to put off the old self? Or as the NKJ translates it the old man

3 What's it mean to put on the new self or new man?

4 Why do we need to do this? Change from old to new.

Look up

EPh 2:4-5

Eph 5:8

Col 1:21-22

2 Cor 5:17-21

Eph 4:1-6

Eph 4:17-32 now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!-- 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self,a which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. EPH 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

 

Eph 2:4-5 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved-

Eph 5:8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light

Col 1:21-22 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,

2 Cor 5:17-21 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin,( Heb 9:28 Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.)so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Eph 4:1-6 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call-- 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

So what's it means to put off the old self?

To not act like we did before we had salvation , that could include ,attitudes ,the way we speak to others , things we do,ect ect ect.

When you repent it means to turn away from .To no longer continue to live the habitual lifestyle that is displeasing to God.

Why do we put off the old self and put on the new self?

Even if you think you're an old, young, or somewhere in between Christian we are AMBASSADORS of CHRIST.

Why do we need to be imitators of God?

Compare: Gen 1:26a Then God said, "Let us make mana in our image, after our likeness.

Eph 4:24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Whats it mean to be imitators of God?

1 Cor 2:16"For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.

 

 

Part 3 Heaven is for real my last thought on this book

OK this is it ,I think everyone who has read my blog knows I do not like the book .Heaven is for real.I don't need to say any more .Its a ok read but not valid as truth of the Word (my opinion) If someone comes to Christ because of the book then finds out it not exactly true  ,then what ? I would not recommend it to non believers or believers that are not solid in their faith..So for what its worth I don't recommend it. Thanks for listening.

New subject coming soon!

Heaven Is For Real Review Part 2

Colton says Jesus wears Purple and white. but Rev 19:13 speak of a robe dipped in blood.
Colton say's Jesus wounds are visible.Well sure they are Christ showed them to Thomas

John 20:27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe."If He had his wounds after his resurrection then we need to ask was Christ in his glorified body at resurrection or was it at his ascension to Heaven ..I'm going to say at resurrection and because he had his wounds here of course he would have them in Heaven. Colton said everyone has wings .Really ! Christ is our example in every aspect of Christianity even being resurrected. In our glorified bodies.There is no mention of wings. Lets take a little rabbit trail. How do we know angels have wings? We know the 4 living creature ( Seraphim )did they had six wings and full of eyes all around Rev 4:And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!" These creature ,if I remember right are a type of angel. So do all angels have wings? Cherubim have wings Ex 25:20a The cherubim shall spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings.,Seraphim have wings six wings I think these are the same creatures in Rev 4  Above him stood the seraphim. Isa 6:2 Each had six wings:  with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. Then there are 2 woman that have wings like a stork Zechariah 5:9 Then I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, two women coming forward! The wind was in their wings. They had wings like the wings of a stork, and they lifted up the basket between earth and heaven. This is the only time a female is mentioned as a possible angel ,there is debate about this just one interpretation or two.One school of thought is these woman are some sort of Heavenly being  possibly angels , the other is these are demonic beings because the woman in the basket is called wickedness and the wings are described as stork wings ,a stork is a unclean bird . So is there any more references to angels with Wings.Not that Ive found.That doesn't mean there isn't but I didn't find any.So to say that all angels have wings by the examples we have ,then we need to ask two wings or six or do the description above just apply to the angels mentioned.I think it just apply s to the ones mentioned.besides angels are spirit so why wings? To get back to the original remark from Colton "everyone has wings " NO!  Christ is the example this will end part two part three to come sometime next week.

Thoughts on Is Heaven For Real Part 1

The book Is Heaven For Real  My review and opinion
I read this book because so many Christians are going nuts over it. I don't read Christian books without the Word near by or in hand..There have been a lot of Christian fads that have come and gone.One I remember was the 'I found it 'slogan or how about " one way"or "WWJD" not that they are bad but books do the same thing as these slogans.People will read them and just except what it say's just because their a pastor or they have written so many book or just because its a big seller .non of  those reasons are  good enough to say the books correct and true. So here I go .

My likes
Its one that is written to be a good read with out having a dictionary at the  ready to see what the words mean.It read smoothly and flowed well.It shows how even pastors are not above questioning God and why he would allow this medical emergency to happen.Its a quick read.

My dislikes
First there are somethings that are not verifiable. I DO NOT believe that there is new revelation that Gods word could not prove to be true.So with that in mind if it can't be validated then its not correct. Gods WORD is my only AUTHORITY!


Can't find anything that say's Jesus's horse is multi colored .There are diffrent color horses mentioned in scripture Rev 6:2 white horse ,Rev 6:4 red horse ,Rev 6:5 black horse ,Rev 6:8 pale horse (yellowish green)  ,and Rev 19:11-16

The Rider on a White Horse

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in^d blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
This is Jesus's horse. Its white nowhere in the text is there a multi colored horse. 
Angels singing   to little Colton ,well I thought I find a verse or two speaking of angels singing and I thought of Luke 2:13 but no it says "praising him SAYING  ,so how about the four living creatures in Rev ,.....nope they are SAYING Holy Holy Holy,.The ESV uses the word Angels 91 times and Angel 204 times and in all them none speak of Angels singing The Greek doesn't interpret praising or saying as singing. So do angels sing I would think so but the Bible as far as I can find does not mention Angels as singing.


Sitting on Jesus's lap well maybe Jesus liked children and said basically  having faith like a child you can get into Heaven (my loose translation) he also said, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Luke 18:16.
The next couple of things  seeing John the Baptist and being told by Jesus that his cousin baptized him.sure we would see others and probably meet everyone , but are you sure he has never heard about Jesus baptism(dads a pastor)
Rev 19:12 On his head are many diadems I can rationalize this whole book this boy has been in church all his life and his father is a pastor,so to say Jesus has a crown is not a shock when colton says it as a matter of fact.

Who gets the keys to the Abyss

Rev 9:11 And the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star fallen from heaven to earth, and he was given the key to the shaft of the bottomless pit.

The discussion is who is this star  that had fallen.? Is it a Angel or a Fallen Angel or Satan.?

So lets get started.
Rev 9 :11  And the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star fallen from heaven to earth, and he was given the key to the shaft of the bottomless pit.

I think this highlighted part of the verse  gives a clue as to who this is. (Notice it's fallen not falling )
Unlike the 1st 2nd 3rd and 4th Trumpet ,Johns wording makes it seem like he is seeing it happen .Of course Rev 4:1-2 John is in the throne room being shown what must take place so he actually see's what must take place.
Rev 4:1-2 After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this."At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne.

What I believe is different about this verse is that its in the past tense ,"the star   fallen" this star fell already. He didn't see it falling because it already fell. I know I'm being redundant but I think its important to see that John didn't see the star fall. 
 NIV Rev 9:1 The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss.So who is the fallen star???????I'm leaning towards Lucifer.
Luke 10:18 And he(Jesus) said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.  (Italics mine)

Jesus Refers to Satan as fallen from heaven when the 72 return

Isa 14:12-14 How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low!You said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north;I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.'

This section starts as  a taunt against the King of Babylon  Then is  referring to Satan verse 12 and following. then goes back to the King of Babylon.
NKJ reads
"How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer,  son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations!

Rev 9:11

They have as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit. His name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek he is called Apollyon.  Abbadon means destruction and Appolyon means destroyer .Now this could just simply be a fallen angel that's over the abyss not necessarily Satan . so not really a good verse. Angels can and are referred to as stars ,but I have not found any scripture reference to a good angel as a fallen star ,just Lucifer.  How about this are these keys real keys or are they symbolism ? I believe they are symbolism. .A symbol of authority given. Isa 22:19 I will thrust you from your office, and you will be pulled down from your station. 20 In that day I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, 21 and I will clothe him with your robe, and will bind your sash on him, and will commit your authority to his hand. And he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. 22 And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David. He shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.                                                                                                                               Eliakim was given authority and with that authority he was given some keys (actual keys ) to open and close doors as he see fit.and no one could close it when he opened it or open it when he closed it, that authority was given to him    Matt 16: 14 And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." 20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ  Peter was given authority  he was given the keys to the kingdom of heaven. keys here are symbolic for authority.  (Side note there will be a latter discussion about Peter and the rock issue) Rev 1:17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, "Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.

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. Christ has the keys over death and Hades ,keys are symbolic for authority,Christ has the Authority over death and Hades, so he can give the keys or authority to whomever he pleases. Just like God told Satan that he can do as he wishes with Job but he could not take his life ,Satan was given authority over Job,in Rev 9:1 Satan is given authority to release those demons who are locked up in the abyss.This authority comes from God so we know God is in control here. Rev 20:1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain.  2 And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, This angel I would say is a good angle ,he is given keys to lock up Satan or authority to do so .  If it's Satan or some random fallen angel or a good angel one thing is for sure  demonic activity will increase like the earth has never seen before. I feel its Satan who gets the keys or authority to the abyss.      Please leave comments with references