THE OBSCURE, MISREAD, AND MISINTERPRETED Part 1

Genesis 6:19 "And of every living thing of all flesh you shall bring two of every keep

them

female. 20 will come to you to keep

sort them

into the ark, to alive with you; they shall be male and "Of the birds after their kind, of animals after their kind, and of every creeping thing of the earth after its kind, two of every alive.

kind

Genesis 7:2 "You shall take with you seven each of every clean animal, a male and his female; two each of animals that female; 3 face of all the earth.

are

unclean, a male and his "also seven each of birds of the air, male and female, to keep the species alive on the 7 pairs of clean animals OR 3 pairs of animals and 1 extra for sacrifice.

2 of every unclean animal

How long did Noah build on the ark?

Genesis 6:3 And the LORD said, "My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years."

is

indeed

1.Some believe that God is saying that He would shorten the lifespan of man after the flood.

Shem = 600 years Arphaxad = 438 years Salah = 433 years Eber = 464 years Peleg = 239 years Reu = 239 years Serug = 230 years Nahor = 148 years Terah = 205 years Abraham = 175 years Ishmael = 137 years Isaac = 180 years Jacob (Israel) = 147 years Joseph = 110 years Moses = 120 years Joshua = 110 years

Psalm 90:10 The days of our lives years; And if by reason of strength eighty years, Yet their boast

is are

seventy

they are

only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

2.The second view that people have of our verse is that it is a countdown to the destruction of man.

Genesis 6:13 And God said to Noah, "The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. pitch. 14 15 " Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with "And this is how you shall make it: The length of the ark make it shall be with three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. 16 "You shall make a window for the ark, and you shall finish it to a cubit from above; and set the door of the ark in its side. You shall lower, second, and third decks.

destroy from under heaven all flesh in which 17 is "And behold, I Myself am bringing floodwaters on the earth, to the breath of life; everything that with you.

is on the earth shall die. 18 "But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall go into the ark -- you, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives

Noah was 500 years old before he fathered his sons (Genesis 5:32). At best, he fathered all three sons by the age of 503. If they were all married by the age of 13, Noah would have been around 516 years old or older when God told him to build the ark, which leaves us with 84 years or less for building the ark and preaching to the people because the flood came when Noah was 600 years old (Genesis 7:6).

18 "But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall go into the ark -- you, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives with you.

As far as I can tell there are only two ways to make 120 years work: 1. Verse 18 would have to be a prophetic statement made to Noah at the age of 480 in which he finds out that he will have three sons and daughters-in-law that will be saved from the flood. 2. God told Noah about the destruction of man at the age 480 (Genesis 6:3), and in verse 18, about 36 years later, he warns him again, but this time he tells him to build the ark. (This would allow for 120 years of preaching, but not 120 years for building the ark).

Genesis 15:6 - And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.

Romans 3:29 Or

is He

the God of the Jews only?

Is He

not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, 30 since

there is

uncircumcised through faith. contrary, we establish the law.

one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the 31 Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the

Romans 4:1 - What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."

Romans 4:9 circumcised faith which Does this blessedness then come upon the only, say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised. the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the he had while still might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, 12 10 or upon the uncircumcised also? For we How then was it accounted? While he 11 And he received uncircumcised, that he and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised. For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

Hebrews 11:8 - By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise;

Paul is not teaching that we are justified by faith alone or by perfect law keeping, but He does point out the necessity of an obedient faith throughout his letters (Romans 1:5; 2:8; 6:17; 15:18; 16:19, 26; 2 Corinthians 2:9; Galatians 3:1; 5:7; Philippians 2:12; 2 Thessalonians 1:8; 3:14; Philemon 1:21).

Galatians 3:5 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? - Abraham "believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." 7 Therefore know that of faith are sons of Abraham. foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, you all the nations shall be blessed." 9 are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham. many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, "Cursed continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them." in the sight of God faith." 11 is 8 only 6 just as those who are And the Scripture, saying, "In So then those who 10 everyone who does not For as But that no one is justified by the law is evident, for "the just shall live by

James 2:20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

We must accept what God says save us.

Belief – John 3:16 Repentance – Luke 13:3 Confessing – Romans 10:9-10 Baptism – Acts 2:38 Baptism is not more important than the other things the Bible says saves us, but many say that it does not save, but Jesus and Peter both declare that baptism does save (Mk. 16:16 and 1 Pet. 3:21).

Exodus 4:21 And the LORD said to Moses, "When you go back to Egypt, see that you do all those wonders before Pharaoh which I have put in your hand. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go. Pharaoh, 'Thus says the LORD: "Israel My firstborn. 23 22 "Then you shall say to

is

My son, "So I say to you, let My son go that he may serve Me. But if you refuse to let him go, indeed I will kill your son, your firstborn." ' "

Exodus 4:24 And it came to pass on the way, at the encampment, that the LORD met him and sought to kill him. 25 Then Zipporah took a sharp stone and cut off the foreskin of her son and cast

it

at

Moses'

feet, and said, "Surely you

are

a husband of blood to me!" 26 Then she said, " So He let him go.

You are

a husband of blood!" - because of the circumcision.

Joshua 21:43 So the LORD gave to Israel all the land of which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they took possession of it and dwelt in it. 44 The LORD gave them rest all around, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers. And not a man of all their enemies stood against them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand. 45 Not a word failed of any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.

Nehemiah 9:7 "You

are

the LORD God, Who chose Abram, And brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans, And gave him the name Abraham; 8 You found his heart faithful before You, And made a covenant with him To give the land of the Canaanites, The Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, And the Girgashites - To give

it

to his descendants. You have performed Your words, For You

are

righteous.

1 Kings 4:21 So Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the River Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. brought tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life.

to

the land of the

They

THE OBSCURE, MISREAD, AND MISINTERPRETED Part 2

Genesis 29:13 Then it came to pass, when Laban heard the report about Jacob his sister's son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him and kissed him, and brought him to his house. So he told Laban all these things. 14 And Laban said to him, "Surely you

are

my bone and my flesh." And he stayed with him for a month. to Jacob, "Because you 15 Then Laban said what

should are

your wages my relative, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me,

be?"

16 Now Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder

was

Leah, and the name of the younger Leah's eyes

were was

Rachel. delicate, but Rachel was beautiful of form and appearance. 17

18 Now Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, "I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter." 19 And Laban said, " give her to you than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me." seven years for Rachel, and they seemed few days to him because of the love he had for her. 21 wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in to her." 22 Then Jacob said to Laban, "Give of the place and made a feast. in to her. 20

It is

23 better that I So Jacob served

only me

And Laban gathered together all the men Now it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his a my daughter and brought her to Jacob; and he went

24 And Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah

as

a maid. 25 So it came to pass in the morning, that behold, it Laban, "What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served you? Why then have you deceived me?" 26 before the firstborn.

was

Leah. And he said to And Laban said, "It must not be done so in our country, to give the younger

Genesis 29:27 "Fulfill her week, and we will give you this one also for the service which you will serve with me still another seven years." him his daughter Rachel as wife also.

28 Then Jacob did so and fulfilled her week. So he gave

He spends the night at Luz and dreams about a ladder that reached to heaven and the Scriptures say that the Lord spoke to him and made promises that only Deity could make in Genesis 28:10-18. 13 "I And behold, the LORD stood above it and said:

am

the LORD God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants.

Genesis 31:10 "And it happened, at the time when the flocks conceived, that I lifted my eyes and saw in a dream, and behold, the rams which leaped upon the flocks and gray-spotted. 11 said, 'Here I am.' flocks 12

were

streaked, speckled, "Then the Angel of God spoke to me in a dream, saying, 'Jacob.' And I "And He said, 'Lift your eyes now and see, all the rams which leap on the

are

streaked, speckled, and gray-spotted; for I have seen all that Laban is doing to you. 13 'I

am

pillar the God of Bethel, where you anointed the

and

where you made a vow to Me. Now arise, get out of this land, and return to the land of your family.'

Genesis 32:22 And he arose that night and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven sons, and crossed over the ford of Jabbok. 23 He took them, sent them over the brook, and sent over what he had. breaking of day. 25 24 Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. 26 And He said, "Let Me go, for the day breaks." But he said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me!" 27 So He said to him, "What "Jacob."

is

your name?" He said,

28 And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed." 29 Then Jacob asked, saying, "Tell pray." And He said, "Why preserved." 31

is

it hip in the muscle that shrank.

me that

eat the muscle that shrank, which Your name, I you ask about My name?" And He blessed him there. Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: "For I have seen God face to face, and my life is Just as he crossed over Penuel the sun rose on him, and he limped on his hip. Therefore to this day the children of Israel do not

is

30 And 32 on the hip socket, because He touched the socket of Jacob's

Hosea 12:3 He took his brother by the heel in the womb, And in his strength he struggled with God. 4 Yes, he struggled with the Angel and prevailed; He wept, and sought favor from Him. He found Him

in

Bethel, And there He spoke to us - is, the LORD God of hosts. The LORD memorable name.

is

His 5 That

Numbers 14:34 'According to the number of the days in which you spied out the land, forty days, for each day you shall bear your guilt one year, namely forty years, and you shall know My rejection.

Deuteronomy 2:14 "And the time we took to come from Kadesh Barnea until we crossed over the Valley of the Zered was thirty-eight years, until all the generation of the men of war was consumed from the midst of the camp, just as the LORD had sworn to them.

Moses was 80 when he spoke to Pharaoh (Ex. 7:7), and 120 when he died just short of crossing the Jordan (Deut. 34:7).

Did you know that David did not kill Goliath with the sling and the stone?

1 Samuel 17:50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. But there was no sword in the hand of David.

51 Therefore David ran and stood over the Philistine, took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it. And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.

Isaiah 14:12 How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; 14 13 For you have said in your heart: 'I will I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.' shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit. 16

How

you are cut 15 Yet you "Those who see you will gaze at you,

And

kingdoms, consider you,

saying:

'

Is

this the man who made the earth tremble, Who shook

17 Who made the world as a wilderness And destroyed its cities,

Who

did not open the house of his prisoners?' All of them, sleep in glory, Everyone in his own house; 19 18 "All the kings of the nations, But you are cast out of your grave Like an abominable branch, trodden underfoot. land

And

20 shall never be named.

Like

the garment of those who are slain, Thrust through with a sword, Who go down to the stones of the pit, Like a corpse You will not be joined with them in burial, Because you have destroyed your slain your people. The brood of evildoers

1. The judgment described in this chapter does not fit the judgment that Satan will receive. 2. Verse 4 clearly states that all this is talking about the king of Babylon. Isaiah 14:4 that you will take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say: "How the oppressor has ceased, The golden city ceased!

Matthew 27:51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, 52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

1. The thief on the cross Luke 23:40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? wrong." 42 kingdom." Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your 43 say to you, today you will be with Me in 41 "And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I Paradise."

1. There is no way to know for sure if this thief had been baptized with John’s baptism because we read: Mark 1:5 Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

2. Whether he was baptized with John’s baptism or not does not really matter because Jesus had the authority to forgive sins while He was alive on the earth. He did this several times in His 3 ½ year ministry (Mk. 2:5-11; Lk. 7:37-50). Besides, we can know if Jesus said this thief would be with Him in paradise that he would be.

3. While the thief on the cross is a touching moment, it cannot be used as an example as one being saved without baptism to become a Christian because when all of these things were being said by Jesus, the thief was still under the Law of Moses during this unique time when the new covenant was about to come into place. So, neither this situation nor this unique timeline can be applied to a Christian today.

4. Another big problem with the thief on the cross is the fact that the new covenant was not probated (proclaimed) until long after the thief was dead. One of the things proclaimed as part of the new covenant was that people must be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. So, the thief on the cross could not have been baptized per The Great Commission because the thief was dead before it was ever proclaimed.

The only baptism he could have been baptized with was John’s baptism, which does not apply to Christians under the new covenant. Acts 19 proves this because there were some men that had received John’s baptism, but Paul baptized them in the name of Jesus because John’s baptism does not apply under the new covenant.

Even if we eliminated the fact that Jesus could forgive sins while He was on the earth and had the authority to tell the thief that he would go to paradise, we still couldn’t use the thief on the cross as an example for us today because he could have only been baptized with John’s baptism, which does not apply to us.

2. Matthew 7:1 "Judge not, that you be not judged.

Matthew 7:2 "For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3 "And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 "Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank

is

in your own eye? your brother's eye. 5 "Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from

John 7:24 "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment."

3. Many are honestly confused about what happened on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 1 and 2.

Acts 1:26 And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles. Acts 2:1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. them.

3 2 And suddenly there came a Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and

one

sat upon each of “Apostles” is the antecedent.

Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words.

Of course, we could also point out how Jesus made this promise of baptizing the apostles with the Holy Spirit and no else (Acts 1:4-5, 8; John 16:7, 13).

4. The last one I want to mention this evening is how many in the religious world are confused about Matthew 24.

• • • •

The first 33 verses: Talks about signs they could look for. Has plural phrases like “these things” and “those days.” Talks about tribulations and bad things that will be going on. You better hope the day to flee does not happen on the Sabbath (20).

Matthew 24:34 "Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.

Matthew 24:36 " But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. 37 "But as the days of Noah

were,

also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 until the day that Noah entered the ark, Man be.

39 so "For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, "and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of

Note the differences before and after verse 35.

• • •

Before, there were signs to look for. After, no one knows except the Father.

Before, it was chaotic. After, life goes on as usual. Before, the phrases were plural “these things” and “those days” After, the phrase changes to “that day” singular because it is speaking of The Day of Judgment.

2 Peter 3:10 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.

THE OBSCURE, MISREAD, AND MISINTERPRETED Part 3

• • • •

Cherubim The word cherub/cherubim is found 96 times in the Bible the Bible never calls them angels They are referred to as having the likeness of living creatures (Ezek. 1:5) The first time the cherubim are mentioned is when they are guarding the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve were removed from it (Gen. 3:24)

Exodus 25:17 "You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold; two and a half cubits shall be its length and a cubit and a half its width. gold; of hammered work you shall make them at the two ends of the mercy seat. and the other cherub at the other end; you shall make the cherubim at the two ends of it seat. 20 18 "And you shall make two cherubim of 19 "Make one cherub at one end, of one piece with the mercy "And the cherubim shall stretch out their shall face one another; the faces of the cherubim wings above, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and they shall be toward the mercy seat.

on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the Testimony that I will give you. Ex. 37: 7-9) 21 "You shall put the mercy seat 22 "And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony, about everything which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel. (Also see:

Exodus 26:1 "Moreover you shall make the tabernacle

with

and blue, purple, and scarlet see Ex. 36:8).

ten curtains

of

fine woven linen

thread;

with artistic designs of cherubim you shall weave them. (Also

Exodus 26:31 " You shall make a veil woven of blue, purple, and scarlet

thread,

linen. It shall be woven with an artistic design of cherubim. (Also see: Ex. 36:35) and fine woven

1 Chronicles 28:2 Then King David rose to his feet and said, "Hear me, my brethren and my people: I

had

it in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made preparations to build it. 3 "But God said to me, 'You shall not build a house for My name, because you

have been

a man of war and have shed blood.'

1 Chronicles 28:11 Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for the vestibule, its houses, its treasuries, its upper chambers, its inner chambers, and the place of the mercy seat; 12 and the plans for all that he had by the Spirit, of the courts of the house of the LORD, of all the chambers all around, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries for the dedicated things; 13 also for the division of the priests and the Levites, for all the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and for all the articles of service in the house of the LORD.

• • •

1 Kings 6: 29-35 29 Cherubs were carved all around the walls in the inner and outer rooms. 31-32 Cherubs were carved into the two doors, which were the entrance to the inner sanctuary.

33-35 Cherubs were carved into the two folding doors, which were the entrance of the sanctuary.

•

2 Chronicles 3:14 14 Cherubs were woven into the veil.

1 Kings 6:23 Inside the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim of olive wood, wing of the cherub was each ten cubits high. 24 One five cubits, and the other wing of the cherub five cubits: ten cubits from the tip of one wing to the tip of the other. 25 And the other cherub same size and shape. was was ten cubits; both cherubim ten cubits, and so 26 The height of one cherub was wing of the one touched were of the the other cherub. 27 Then he set the cherubim inside the inner room; and they stretched out the wings of the cherubim so that the the other cherub touched the other wall. And their wings touched each other in the middle of the room. 28 2 Chr. 3:10-13) one wall, and the wing of Also he overlaid the cherubim with gold. (Also see:

2 Chronicles 3:13 The wings of these cherubim spanned twenty cubits overall. They stood on their feet, and they faced inward.

1 Kings 8:6 Then the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place, into the inner sanctuary of the temple, to the Most Holy

Place,

under the wings of the cherubim. cherubim spread of the ark, and the cherubim overshadowed the ark and its poles.

their

7 For the two wings over the place

1 Kings 6:20 The inner sanctuary cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and twenty cubits high.

was

twenty

Ezekiel 1:1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, as I Chebar,

was that

visions of God.

month,

on the fifth

day

of the among the captives by the River the heavens were opened and I saw

Ezekiel 41:18 And palm trees, a palm tree between cherub and cherub.

Each it was

made with cherubim and cherub had two faces, 19 so that the face of a man

was

toward a palm tree on one side, and the face of a young lion toward a palm tree on the other side; thus

it was

made throughout the temple all around. floor to the space above the door, and on the wall of the sanctuary, cherubim and palm trees carved.

20 From the

were

Speaking about God, David said: 2 Samuel 22:11 He rode upon a cherub, and flew; And He was seen upon the wings of the wind. (Also see: Ps. 18:10)

Ezekiel 1:24 When they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of many waters, like the voice of the Almighty, a tumult like the noise of an army; and when they stood still, they let down their wings. (Also see: Ezek. 10:5)

Ezekiel 10:16 When the cherubim went, the wheels went beside them; and when the cherubim lifted their wings to mount up from the earth, the same wheels also did not turn from beside them.

Seraphim

One difference between the cherubim and the Seraphim is that the Cherubim are found beneath God (Ezek. 11:22), and the Seraphim are found above God (Isa. 6:2). Also, we see the Seraphim praising God (Isa. 6:3).

The Hebrew word translated Seraphim is used in the following ways: 1. It is used to describe the fiery serpents that bit people in the wilderness (Num. 21: 6-8; Deut. 8:15). 2. It is used symbolically as a fiery flying serpent (Isa. 14:29; 30:6).

The Antichrist

The word Antichrist can only be found 5 times in Scripture, and they are all found in 1 and 2 John (1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 7).

1. John never specifies the AntiChrist as being one person. Instead, he says that there are many antichrist. 1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.

2 John 1:7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

1 John 2:22 Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.

1 John 4:3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

2. John in no way suggests that this supposed Antichrist is a man that would appear in the late twentieth century. Instead, he said there were many antichrists in the first century and that more would come. 1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.

2 John 1:7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ Son.

is the spirit as flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

coming in the 1 John 2:22 Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the 1 John 4:3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

3. When we examine the term Antichrist as used in 1 and 2 John, we can see that the word Antichrist is a general term that describes one that will not confess that Jesus has come in the flesh, one that denies that Jesus is the Christ and denies the Father. it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.

2 John 1:7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

1 John 2:22 Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.

1 John 4:3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit 1 John 2:18 Little children, as coming in the of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

144,000

The term “thousand” is used 19 times is the Book of Revelation and is never used literally one time.

Revelation 7:4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel

were

sealed: 5

and

forty-four of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand

were

sealed; of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand

were

sealed; of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand Asher twelve thousand of Naphtali twelve thousand tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand 7

were

sealed; 6 of the tribe of

were

sealed; of the tribe

were

sealed; of the

were

of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand sealed;

were

sealed; of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand sealed; of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand

were

sealed;

were

8 of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand sealed; of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand

were

sealed; of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand

were

sealed. 9

were

¶ After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation

belongs

to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" 11 All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,

12 saying: "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,

Be

to our God forever and ever. Amen." 13 Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, "Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?" "Sir, you know." So he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. 15 14 And I said to him, "Therefore they are before

16 "They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; 17 "for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

We cannot take a symbolic section of scripture and make it contradict other clear, literal portions of the Bible.

1. If one argues that the 144,000 represents a literal number, he should similarly contend that the group of which that number consists is also literal, i.e., literal

Israelites.

That would mean, according to the Watchtower scheme of interpretation, that no one would be in heaven who was not of the actual tribes listed. This would exclude Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – who were never of the tribes of Israel. And yet, that conflicts with Jesus’ affirmation that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will be in the kingdom of heaven (Mt. 8:11).

2. If only a literal 144,000 Israelites will enter heaven, then not one Gentile has the hope of the kingdom of heaven. However, the Lord was plainly alluding to Gentiles when he stated that “many shall come from the east and the west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven” (Mt. 8:11).

3. If the tribes of Revelation 7 are to be literally pressed, not a person from either Ephraim or Dan will enter heaven, for they are excluded from the list. This would mean that Old Testament heroes like Joshua (from Ephraim) and Samson (from Dan) will not be in heaven. The fact is, mention of the “tribe of Joseph” (7:8), which was not a tribe at all in a literal sense, is evidence of the symbolism of this context.

4. Logically, the Watchtower people must exclude the “great multitude, which no man could number” (7:9) from heaven. This group, they allege, represents the “earthly class.” That is not so. This multitude was described as “standing before the throne” (7:9), which is in heaven (1:4; 4:2-10). Furthermore, these saints “before the throne” were serving God in “his temple” (7:15). Elsewhere John comments that “the temple of God . . .is in heaven” (11:19). – Points by Wayne Jackson.

Revelation 14:1 Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred forty-four thousand, having His Father's name written on their foreheads. the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth. 4 among 3 They sang as it were a new song before the 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 men, 2 being and And I heard a voice from heaven, like and 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.

The 144,000 are mentioned again in Revelation 14:1ff. Once more, however, the numeral is clustered with several other prominent symbols.

First, there is the “Lamb,” a figure representing Christ (cf. Jn. 1:29; Rev. 5:6).

Second, there is Mount Zion, a symbol of divine government (cf. Isa. 2:2-4).

Third, there is the numeral 144,000, suggestive of the heavenly complement of God’s people – no one will be missing who is supposed to be there.

Fourth, the saints are depicted as “virgins,” which descriptive emphasizes their purity (cf. 2 Cor. 11:2).

Again, though, it must be stressed that if one contends for a literal 144,000, if consistent, he should argue also that a literal Lamb was literally standing on literal Mount Zion with a group of literal men who had never been intimate with literal women, hence, were literal virgins!

If a consistent literal scheme of interpretation is pursued, here is the situation that would obtain: 1. Only men will be in heaven, hence, Hannah, Mary, Dorcus, and women of like faith are without that hope.

2. Only unmarried men who are virgins will gain heaven. This would exclude Abraham, Moses, Peter, and a host of other biblical worthies.

These conclusions are utterly ludicrous and thus without any merit.

The 144,000 of Revelation 14 likely signifies the entire body of the redeemed. They were “purchased” from among men. The only purchase price ultimately available for human salvation is that of the blood of Jesus Christ. His blood was effective for the obedient who lived before the cross (Gal. 4:5; Heb. 9:15-17), and for those who have submitted to God’s will since that historic event (1 Pet. 1:18,19; Acts 20:28).

Finally, the Bible makes it clear that no one will dwell on a “glorified earth,” for there will be no earth subsequent to the Second Coming of Christ (see Mt. 24:35; 2 Pet. 3:10ff; Rev. 21:1). – Wayne Jackson