A Word of Wisdom

(Article # 202)

A Word of Wisdom:

Sometimes; when things in our life seems to go all wrong, it is easy to become discouraged; even depressed. It’s only natural. 

It is a normal thing for us as human beings to ponder about why such bad things happen to us. Sometimes, after a hardship, we might even blame it all on God. 

And that is exactly what Satan wants: He wants us to find fault with God. Yes; blame God! Satan loves nothing better than to use the troubles we endure to cause us to doubt the goodness of God!

Yes, It can be terribly mind boggling, trying to understand the continual crisis that we have in this evil world. 

But; we must come to a point where we develop an “understanding” that “this world” by its very nature is evil, infected, crisis laden and utterly chaotic. 

These facts should tell us that we do not live in “Paradise!” We all live in a fallen world!

While we all live in a cursed world, we will all face trouble, sooner or later. It’s just the nature of this old world. 

But the wise man knows, that even though we are living in this “Bad World,” God can and will enable us to endure every crisis and that He will work all things to our eventual Good; if we are joined unto his love and are wholly submitted to his purpose! 

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Sometimes, in a life crisis we; just have to Trust God! For it is a fact, that without God, we can certainly accomplish nothing in this world.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

And be thankful for the Good things and the good people that come your way, whenever they come!

Psalms 34:17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

18. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Psalms 147:3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

Focus on the Bible

Darrell G. Young

Do Others See Jesus in You?

 (Article # 203)

Do Others See Jesus in You?

What judgements about God, would most people that do not know God develop; from what they saw in the people that proclaim that they do know God?

Unfortunately, polls indicate that the majority of people who are not Christians say that they don’t choose to go to church or seek salvation is because they aren’t impressed by the people that they know that profess to be a Christian! 

That’s a sad indictment on many of us! I hope and pray that others can see Jesus in me! 

If others cannot see Jesus in us, then we are an embarrassment to our Lord. In addition to being an affront to the cause of Christ, when others do not readily see Jesus in us, but they see Devilish behavior in us; then the Lord may be compelled to Recall us before our time!

James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

There is an old gospel hymn entitled, “Let others see Jesus in You.” Perhaps you have heard of it. It is a song that evokes serious self examination in one’s life. The lines of the song go as follows:

1. While passing through this world of sin,

And others your life shall view,

Be clean and pure without, within,

“Let others see Jesus in you.”

2. Your life's a book before their eyes,

They're reading it through and through;

Say, does it point them to the skies,

Do others see Jesus in you?

3. What joy 'twill be at set of sun,

In mansions beyond the blue,

To find some souls that you have won;

Let others see Jesus in you.

4. Then live for Christ both day and night,

Be faithful, be brave, and true,

And lead the lost to life and light;

Let others see Jesus in you.

If Jesus were to return at this very moment would you be ashamed of what you are doing currently at this very moment? 

If you are doing something that you wouldn’t want God to see you doing then those people who are observing you in life probably aren’t seeing Jesus in you!

You can not profess to be a born again believer and live the same as you did before Salvation! As a Christian our lives are supposed to mirror that of the Lord himself.

Colossians chapter 3 mandates that as Christians we are to rid ourselves of the “old nature” and abide in Jesus in order for us to be able to exhibit ourselves to others as a “new creature” in his image!

In fact, as a Christian, you should delight in exhibiting Jesus Christ in your life in the real hopes that others would see the change in you! 

Furthermore, as a Christian, you should strive to please your Lord and Savior in the same way a son or daughter would seek to please their own loving parents! 

Some traits of Jesus that others ought to be seeing in us are:

1-Humility

2-Selflessness

3-Kindness

4-Patience

5-Love

6-Helpfulness

7-Caring attitude

8-Spiritual Self Discipline 

9-Meekness

10-A Servanthood nature

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Focus on the Bible

January 31, 2021

by: Darrell G. Young

I Can See “The Day” Approaching

I Can See “The Day” Approaching

(A concise dissertation on Hebrews Chapter Ten by Darrell G. Young)

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

This tenth chapter of Hebrews is quite an enlightening source of information. First of all it specifies that the ancient system of Israel law and sacrifices served only as a “shadow” of much better things that would replace them.

Secondly, it establishes the fact that Jesus Christ offering of himself as a sacrifice once for sins met the requirement necessary for complete sanctification of sins for all time.

Thirdly, it highlights the fact that Jesus Christ is solely qualified to act as our High Priest and that because of his perfect sacrifice, we can be assured of, even bold in our faith that we can have a clean conscience before him.

Finally, the chapter encourages Christians to hold fast to their faith and endure to the very end; by not forsaking the regular assembling of themselves together and by inspiring each other onward in the ministry!

The “Day” that Approaches

Notwithstanding the aforementioned words of assurances in the faith, Paul switched his focus from the present church circumstances and offers words of hope for those of us who remain alive unto the Last Days!

The author, probably Paul elaborated within verses 13 and 16 that there is coming a Day wherein all “his enemies” would become the footstool of the Lord and that the Lord would make a new Covenant with Israel!

Each of these verses point to a futuristic Day when the Lord would return to Zion! On that glorious “Day,” the Lord will reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, in Jerusalem.

“That Day” is alluded to numerous times all throughout the Bible. Such references are recorded in Isaiah 2:11-17, 4:2, 11:10-11, 17:7, 24:21, 27:1, 61:2, Jeremiah 25:3, 30:7, 31:32, 46:10, Ezekiel 38:19, 39:22, Hosea 1:5, Joel 2:11, Amos 5:18, 9:11, Micah 4:6, Zephaniah 1:15, 3:16, Zechariah 2:11, 12:3, all of Zechariah 12-14, Matthew 24:36 and many more. 

“That Day” is a “Set Day” on Gods calendar! It cannot be rushed forward or postponed! It is a fixed time when God will bring all things that he has Covenanted to pass. It is often referred to as “the Great Day of the Lord!”

In anticipation of the great “Day of the Lord” the Lord has offered his followers a plethora of information about its nearness. This data is what we call prophecies relating to things of the “Last Days.” 

God has conveyed prophecy about the “Last Days,” not to scare us to death, but to inform us about the “impending climax” to the Great War that Satan initiated in Heaven ages ago.

Prophecy Enables us to be Informed and Alert as We See “That Day” Approaching

The mere fact that Paul insets the words “as you see the Day approaching,” reflects the fact that Christians of the Last Days could be and should be knowledgeable enough about the “Signs of the Times,” to rationalize that the “Second Coming of the Lord” is nearing, and that we should be encouraged by all the unfolding prophetic signs in world events!

In Verses 27 through 31 of Hebrews chapter ten, Paul reviews the fact that all sinners are subject to the fiery wrath of a righteous and Holy God. God has supreme authority over all of his creation, and vengeance belongs only to him; since “He” is the wronged party; by Satan, who seduced mankind into his evil rebellion against God!

I often refer to “The Revelation” and indeed the entirety of all of Bible Prophecy as the vital “Intelligence Report” for the Christians of the Last Days!

It enables us to be “informed” about the days just prior to “That Great Day.” Much too often Christians neglect the fact that God’s view of the process of time is much different than we mere human beings are able to observe. We do not possess the “vantage point” of eternal perspective that God alone has. 

However, in fact, the Bible offers us a worldly perspective of how God views our earthly  “process of time.” Psalms 90:4 and II Peter 3:8 offers a comparison between Gods view and how we might evaluate the “signs of the times” as he has revealed them. In these verses, God conveys that a thousand years of earth time is similar to just a days passing for him. 

Therefore, from “Gods vantage point,” things are processing out in our world in just a few days for God. Thus, when God highlights a Special Day; we must observe it from Gods total overview of our world history. 

“That Day” is Near!

In the way that God views “our time” he has definitely conveyed enough prophetic data for any student of eschatology to know that we are most certainly in the Last Days, and also nearing the Dawning of “That Day,” or the “Day of the Lord!”

“That Day” will be a dark and gloomy day for those who remain aligned with Satan. Not having accepted Jesus as their Savior, and being ignorant to the devices of Satan, they will be caught unaware of “That Day.”

I Thessalonians 5:1-3 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

2. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

3. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

Zephaniah 1:14 The great Day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.

Then in Hebrews chapter ten, Paul turns his readers away from the dark day of the Lords Vengeance and reminds the faithful that they are not appointed to Gods wrath, but thanks to the Grace that is offered in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, they are not to be subjected to the avenging judgement of the Almighty! 

Hebrews 10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

Hebrews 10:37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

I Can See the Day Approaching!

Some of you may remember the famous “ I Have A Dream” speech of Dr. Martin L. King given at the Washington Mall back 1968. He eloquently envisioned a day when all Gods children would be free at last. His speech was a beacon of hope to many.

Today, as a Believer in Jesus Christ, I have a much better dream. It is a dream about “That Day!” It is a vision of a glorious day, when my previous Savior returns in triumph over Satan!

1- I can see the Day approaching when all the saints of the ages are gathered together in the clouds of Heaven to meet Jesus in the air.

2- I can see the Day Approaching when I will enter into the glorious estate of my heavenly eternal home!

3- I can see the Day Approaching when I will receive my immortal body!

4- I can see the Day Approaching when I will be just like Jesus when I finally see him.

5- I can see the Day Approaching when I will be reunited with saved family and friends!

6- I can see the Day Approaching when the Lord Jesus will return to this evil old world and destroy his enemies and establish his throne in the city of Jerusalem!

7- I can see the Day Approaching when the Laws of God will be implemented worldwide and we shall reign as kings and priests with our Lord and Savior!

8- I can see the Day Approaching when the Angel of the Lord binds Satan in chains and imprisons him in the bottomless pit for 1000 years!

9- I can see the Day Approaching when King Jesus reigns in this world with a rod of iron and there will be universal Peace!

10- I can see the Day Approaching when we will longer have an adversary and will never ever die!

Therefore, let us all take comfort again in the following exhortation of the apostle Paul:

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Focus on the Bible

January 26, 2021

by: Darrell G. Young

Why Would Anybody Reject Jesus?

 

Why Would Anybody Reject Jesus as their Savior?

The decision to accept or to reject Jesus as ones Savior is the most important decision one will ever make in their entire lifetime. 

Why then do people reject God’s wonderful offer of salvation through Jesus Christ? You would think that everyone would eagerly grab the “life preserver” that God has thrown out to them through the gospel! 

So why do so many people choose to reject Jesus Chris as their Savior? It seems to me that it would simply be the most obvious and pragmatic choice to choose him as Savior!

Unfortunately, statistics will show that many more people will choose to reject Jesus than accept Jesus as their Savior. Surveys even show that 83% of contemporary Christians made the choice to accept Jesus as their Savior between the ages of 4 and 14. 

No wonder then it is that the Bible counsels: 

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

And why Jesus himself said: (Matthew 19:14 Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.)

And on top of all of these reasons is the fact that the worlds enslaving Dictators and other benign atheist ideologues follow the mantra, “give us a generation and we will control the whole world.”

So then, these statistics show that after age 14, people aren’t very likely to ever accept Jesus as their Savior! The reasons for this “societal age barrier” for people to be open minded to their own salvation are many.

The Process of Living in a Secular World

Reason #1 As young people begin entering into their teenage and young adult years, they gradually discover their independence and develop a stronger sensitivity to gaining the approval of their peers. 

Reason #2 Our modern educational system teaches our youth an anti-Biblical worldview! The concept of a Divine Creator in schools has been replaced by Evolutionary Theory! A parallel circumstance of this secularistic view is that mankind holds is not accountable to any supposed Creator God, nor has need of any repentance!

Reason #3 Once, Having reached the age of independence and self expression, human nature; being at enmity with God, tends to lead people off into the carnival of worldly enticements and pleasure seeking!

Reason #4 After arriving into adulthood, and outfitting themselves for work, family and or careers, most people invest themselves completely into their own preferred status identities and just ignore spiritual matters!

Reason #5 After having lived out ones life solely active within the process of living in a Secular World, older people, when coming to the end of life suddenly discover there is nothing more to live for! They simply turn to their “Bucket List” for their final flings at life!

Reason #6 Finally, and sadly, many people suddenly discover that the Holy Spirit has quit knocking at their hearts door! They have for so long ignored the pleading of God that they no longer even feel an unction to know the Truth about God or his Grace!

The Reasons Behind Our Choices

There are many good reasons to “accept” Jesus, namely eternal life, a purpose in life, a personal relationship with God, a home in Heaven, a new immortal body, not to even mention a “clean conscience” before a Holy God!

Recognizing all the “Good Reasons” for one to Accept Jesus as their Savior; why in the world would anybody “Reject” Jesus as their Savior?

Reason #1 People don’t want a “restrictive” God interfering with “their pleasures” in this world. (Hebrews 11:25, Luke 8:14, Titus 3:3)

Reason #2 People simply don’t believe the warnings of Scripture; that they are under God’s judgment now and will face it eternally when they die. (Hebrews 9:27)

Reason #3 Most People think that they’re basically good and that God will overlook their faults and give them “good credit” for their good deeds on judgment day. (John 3:19-21)

Reason #4 Many people do not think they even need a savior. These people consider themselves to be "basically good" and do not realize that they, like all people, are sinners who cannot come to God on their own terms. But Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Those who reject Christ don’t realize that a favorable judgment from God requires absolute Perfection!

Reason #5 The fear of social rejection or persecution deters some people from receiving Christ as Savior. (John 12:43 "for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.")

Reason #6 For some people, the things that this present world has to offer them are more appealing than eternal things; so they don’t want to risk losing what they already have!

Reason #7 Some people Reject Jesus to be their Savior, because they see “Hypocrisy” in some Christian people! 

Reason #8 Some people simply Reject any Savior because they observe “profiteering” within the ministry!

Reason #9 Many people Reject Jesus as a “Savior” because they have been taught to accept Science over some mysterious Faith!

Reason #10 Most people Reject Jesus for their Savior because the god of this world has blinded them to the truth, and defames the Gospel with a vain human philosophy!

Acceptance vs. Rejection

Whatever the reasons why people reject Jesus Christ as their Savior, their rejection has disastrous eternal consequences for them, as there is simply no other way for men to ever be saved!” By Rejecting Gods mercy, and offer of Grace, one is foolishly hating his own Soul!

Proverbs 8:36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

Focus on the Bible

January 16, 2021

by: Darrell G. Young

How to Win Your “Unsaved” Loved Ones

How to Win Your “Unsaved” Loved Ones

We all unfortunately have a number of “unsaved” family members and friends. And I imagine we all worry about what will ever happen to them, if they do not somehow come to discover the Grace of God. 

But beyond being worried and concerned about their eternal destiny, we all labor tirelessly to try and get them to the point of becoming “Saved.”

The hope of seeing a Lost loved one Saved often seems to be a labor of love, in vain! Statistics on salvation show that the vast majority of people that become “Saved” do so before the age of 12! That fact can be very disturbing if you are trying your best to see your loved ones Saved before it is everlastingly too late!

This begs the question: “What can we do to be more hopeful that our loved ones will be Saved?”

Below I offer several suggestions to help you in your Christian endeavor to improve the chances of seeing your Lost family or friends becoming Saved!

Point #1 Pray unceasingly for God to quicken the Holy Spirit to confront and ultimately to convict your lost sheep of their sins! Mention their names before God daily! (Romans 1:9, II Timothy 1:3, I Timothy 2:1)

Point #2 Practice what you pray and preach! (I Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.) The Lords ears are open to the prayers of the righteous and will empower his agencies to answer their prayers! (James 5:16 The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.)

Point #3 Acknowledge the fact that it is not your job to convict people of sin, but is solely the job of the Holy Spirit! (John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him:)

Point #4 When praying, learn how to pray the way James expressed; “effectually.” This might involve quoting the many pledges that God has promised in his Word. For instance, God assured us that He is love! Ask him to shower his love towards whomever you are praying for.

Point #5 Resist the human temptation to try to rush a person towards a decision on faith. In so doing, you risk antagonizing a person before the Holy Spirit has prepared the way!

Point #6 You must realize that the Decision about Salvation is a personal one! Such a decision can only be made by each person independently and freely! You cannot make such a decision for your loved one!

Point #7 Learn from the Wisdom of the Lord! Look for “opportune” occasions to allow the Holy Spirit to use your talents, insights and relationship to promote the Spirit of Leading! (Proverbs 1:5, 11:30, 16:23, Matthew 10:16)

Point #8 Be wise to the gimmicks of Satan and his quest to “keep men blinded” to the truth! (II Corinthians 4:4) Therefore plant the Seeds of Truth and tend to them! The spirit of Truth Will guide the Lost to salvation! 

Point #9 Ask God to send and empower agents of help! This may involve people and his ministering spirits! (Romans 15:16, II Cor. 8:4)

Point #10 Get to “know” the person that you are praying for. Study them, their interests, their habits, their passions. The better you can understand what makes them “tick” the better you will be able to avail yourself to the Holy Spirit for it to perform its function.

Point #11 Don’t be afraid to befriend them and even to engage their friends. Jesus was accused of eating and drinking with sinners! 

Proverbs 18:19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city:

Finally; remember these things foremost:

The Lord himself desires that all the Lost come to accept his salvation! In fact, the Lord desires for your Lost loved ones to be Saved far more than you do! However, You can be an invaluable tool in that Divine mission! 

Secondly, the Lord is the one who paid the price for the Lost to become Saved! In our zeal and hopes to see someone Saved, we must submit to the Lords guidance and to his Wisdom and to his Patience! 

II Peter 3;9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Focus on the Bible

January 16, 2021

by: Darrell G. Young

Will Know Each Other in Heaven?

Will We Know/Recognize Each Other in Heaven?

One of the most common questions people ask me is, if after they arrive in heaven, will they be able to see and recognize all their friends and loved ones that have passed on before them.

It is certainly a highly logical and intriguing question. It is also a quite natural question that people ponder on when they suffer the loss of a very close loved one; and as they approach death themselves. 

I point out these facts, because it is apparent that the vast majority of people do not think about life after death, until it hits close home.

The answers to questions like these can only be ascertained from the Bible! After all, it is the only source about the subject of Heaven that exists!

Most Bible commentaries though offer very little information on what Heaven is like. But I believe the Bible does in fact offer to us a sufficient amount of information to satisfy our curiosity about this question. 

Jesus Body Was Recognizable

Our very best piece of Biblical data about the ability to recognize earthly acquaintances in Heaven; stems from the resurrected Jesus himself. 

Many people recognized Jesus after His resurrection. For instance, the women at the empty tomb were able to recognize Jesus. Mary Magdalene even told the Disciples that she had “seen him.” Thus, she did recognize him sufficiently enough to be able to identify him. (John 16:16-20)

Oh but you say; “Jesus wasn’t actually up in Heaven when Mary saw and recognized him.” Still, Jesus was in his “glorified” body which was the body in which he ascended up into Heaven! 

Later, in II Corinthians 25:4-7, Paul states that Jesus was seen and recognized by over 512 people in Jerusalem in his “Glorified” body which later ascended into Heaven! 

Then again, just eight days later, after having ascended into Heaven to His Father, Jesus reappears yet again in Jerusalem before his Disciples. On this occasion, Jesus allowed Thomas to actually “touch” his glorified body; which he could not allow Mary to do only one week earlier. 

The point is this: If Jesus was recognizable on Earth, even in His glorified body, we also will be recognizable in our glorified bodies in Heaven! Being able to not only see our loved ones; but also recognize them in their new glorious bodies, is a wonderful aspect about heaven that should excite every Christian!

I’m another instance; When Jesus was transfigured into His heavenly glory before the eyes of three of His disciples, "His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light" (Matthew 17:2). And yet His disciples still recognized Him, and so did Moses and Elijah who came down from Heaven to meet with Him.

We Will have Glorified Bodies Like Jesus, and Recognizable

The Bible declares that when we arrive in heaven, we will "be like him [Jesus]; for we shall see him as he now is.”

I John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

This verse speaks of the type of bodies that Christians will ultimately receive, once they arrive in Heaven. We can’t yet fathom what they will look like or be capable of; but we can be assured that just as Jesus followers recognized him, our families and friends will be able to recognize us! 

Knowing each other in heaven is one of the great blessings every Christian has to look forward to. Not only will we be able to know one another and recognize each other, our relationships with each other will be vastly improved to the point of possessing all the loving characteristics of Jesus himself, for we will be like him!

The Apostle Paul, when writing to concerned Christians in Thessalonica about their very serious concerns and questions about their deceased loved ones; wrote:

I Thessalonians 4:13-14 But I would not have you to be ignorant, (unsure) brethren, concerning them which are asleep, (died) that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

14. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them (those already in Heaven) also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

Herein, is a neat fact that is often overlooked by people wondering about their lost loved ones and whether they will ever be able to recognize them in Heaven. 

Here, Paul is offering these Christians words of comfort! He says that anybody in Heaven that we knew in life, “Jesus will restore their earthly acquaintances!” 

Paul ends his remarks to each and every Christian concerned about these “knowing” and “recognition” questions; with this very calming encouragement: “Comfort one another one another with this promise!”

Therefore, as Christians, we do not need to mourn as others, who do not have faith or assurance about our deceased loved ones!

Paul Addressed This Question Simply

Within the following scriptural content, Paul summarized the answers to our curiosities about whether or not we will Know and also Recognize each other in Heaven.

I Corinthians 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

He states that “while we are present” in this world, we can only understand the things of the eternal state in part. Our earthly minds simply cannot perceive the nuances of the marvelous things of God. He even alludes to the fact that we don’t even posses the nature to “know each other” fully while in this world.

I Corinthians 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

Here, Paul alludes to the many changes that God has providentially determined for the world and also even for us. Among these things to come is the fact that our mortal bodies shall be changed into immortal ones and upon that austere advancement, we shall attain the ability to “Know more fully,” everything; including our relationships!

I Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Finally, as it is recorded here in verse twelve, Paul asserts that whomever we might have known “in part” in this world; we will “know more fully” in Heaven! 

So then, the Bible definitely does seem to indicate that we will be recognizable, and will also recognize others after death.

Heaven is a place of Perfect Knowledge

I imagine every Bible student knows the story of the rich man the beggar Lazarus. Often overlooked in this parable is the fact that the rich man in Hell, could recognize Abraham afar off, and identify Lazarus in his bosom. 

The rich man could even recollect the fact that he had five brothers back on Earth and desired of God to request Lazarus to be sent to warn them about Hell. 

Point - People in Hell have a full recollection of their families and their acquaintances in the world.  

Heaven is a place of Perfection. Almighty God is perfect! Jesus is perfect! The Bible says that “no Imperfection” can even enter into Heaven! 

Jesus mission to this world was essentially to offer imperfect man an opportunity to be perfected!

Ephesians 4:12-13 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Therefore, for all the Christian’s that enter into Heaven; he will acquire not only acquire a new incorruptible body, but he will acquire a perfect knowledge! 

Amazing is it not, to contemplate that you could “Know everything” that you’d like to know! It is unconscionable to even theorize that we would Know less in Heaven than we know in this world! 

Will we be able to “Know and Recognize” our families or friends in Heaven! The answer to this question is an Absolute Yes! 

Focus on the Bible

January 11, 2021

by: Darrell G. Young

Why Did God Institute Animal Sacrifices?

Why did God Require Animal Sacrifices in the Old Testament?

The ancient practice of lamb sacrifices unto God can be mystifying. For many of us today, the thought of animal sacrifices seems to be a rather silly thing to practice in order to honor God.

Yet, the Bible explicitly confirms that Animal sacrifice was indeed an important event and  found throughout Scripture because “without the shedding of blood there simply can be no forgiveness” of sin. (Hebrews 9:22)

So then how is it that the shedding of blood has the capacity to atone for sin? Isn’t killing an act of evil? And if sin is so serious, how can it be that the sacrificing of a poor little innocent Lamb absolve anyone from sin? 

These are all good questions. The simple answer has to do with the way that Almighty God has bestowed life itself unto us. God breathed the “breath of life” into man’s body, but the body is only able to sustain breath in it through the constant circulation of Blood.

Life is in the Blood

Leviticus 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.

Thus within this verse we are informed that life is in the Blood and that it is from Blood that atonement for sins can be absolved! 

That sounds simple enough, except for one fact. The only Blood that is pure enough to avail the forgiveness of Sin is the Blood of a perfect Sacrificial candidate! 

The blood of Lambs and goats could never truly accomplish a perfect sacrifice; but God ordained the “sacrificial system” of Lambs to demonstrate a “temporary appeasement” of sin until a perfect sacrificial candidate could be selected!

In essence; God required animal sacrifices to provide only a temporary covering of sins and to foreshadow the perfect and complete sacrifice of His own Son; which He would ultimately provide!

The animal sacrifices that God commanded for Israel to observe were basically symbolic of that future Sacrifice of Gods own Lamb! The sacrifices animal simply served as an atonement substitute, that is, the animal died in the place of the sinner, which is why the animal sacrifices needed to be offered over and over. 

The OT Animal sacrifices of Lambs simply foreshadowed Jesus Christ's sacrifice on our behalf; and “His Blood” was pure enough to fulfill and finish the sacrificial system for Sin!

Any animal sacrifices necessarily ended 2000 years ago because Jesus Christ was the ultimate and perfect sacrifice. John the Baptist recognized this when he saw Jesus coming to be baptized and said, "Look, the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29)

You may be asking yourself, as I am want to ask, why animals? What did they do wrong? That is the point; since the animals did no wrong, they sacrificially died in place of the one performing the sacrifice. 

Likewise, Jesus Christ also did no wrong but willingly gave Himself to die for the sins of mankind. (I Timothy 2:6)

Jesus Christ took our sins upon Himself and died in our place; and through His one single perfect sacrifice; all sins can be forgiven by simply accepting his sin-payment and asking him for forgiveness!

II Corinthians 5:21 For he (God) hath made him (His Son) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be transformed into the righteousness of God in him.

Lamb Sacrifices Symbolized a Pattern

Hebrews chapter nine explicitly explains why the ancient “animal sacrificial system” was implemented by God. It established a pattern on Earth of a much better pattern in Heaven. 

Hebrews 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Hebrews 9:23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

Whereas, Jesus Christ “Finished” his earthly mission to offer himself as the “Lamb of God” he now resides in Heaven as our personal High Priest! And having “Finished” the old symbolic animal sacrificial system, and by performing the “Perfect Lamb Sacrifice,” the need for any other Sacrifices are pointless!

Hebrews 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

Hebrews 9:25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;

Hebrews 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now “once” in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

This is the Greatest News! It is the Gospel in a Nutshell! Jesus has appeared “Once” in the “End of the World” to put away Sin; only by the voluntary Sacrifice of Himself! 

Jesus First Visitation vs His Second Visitation 

But there is more Good News related herein. Hebrews not only tells us that Jesus sacrifice as the Lamb of God can resolve our Sinful condition; it highlights that this was the focus of His First Visitation to the World! Then in verse 28, there is conveyed another exciting aspect to the Lord’s sacrifice!

Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall “he appear the second time” without sin unto salvation.

As blood bought Christians; we all have the “blessed hope” (assurance) that the same Jesus Christ that presented himself as an atonement for sin on his First Visit, will Visit the world a “Second” time and we can rest confidentially certain that when He appears, we will be found absolutely absolved of all sin through His gift of Salvation!

Focus on the Bible

January 9, 2021

by: Darrell G. Young