Transformative Insights on Faith, Prophecy, and Fellowship

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When we tend to think of heaven as sort of a continuation of earth, when we think of it in those terms, then we think, well, wouldn't we be tremendously sad, wouldn't we be tremendously grieved at the idea that in heaven our loved ones wouldn't be with us? And again, that's sort of taking the idea of heaven and just making we would say that there's going to be something so profound about heaven and those who are in God's heaven that it will fundamentally reorder their priorities, their relationships and their understanding. [00:06:04]

The idea and the presence of God will be so big and so dominant in heaven that we'll be a complete reordering of who we are and how we relate to each other. This is one of the reasons why Jesus said that in the gospel of Matthew that in heaven that we neither marry or given in marriage but we're like the angels in that regard. [00:06:44]

We will not grieve our relatives who are not with us in heaven. We won't celebrate that they're not with us, but we will acknowledge that the judge of the earth does what is right and what is good and that all the ways of the Lord are just and true. There will be no one in heaven or in hell who believes that God has done wrong. [00:08:14]

The role of Elijah in the restoration of all things is a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, pointing to a future work that prepares the way for the Messiah. This highlights the continuity and fulfillment of God's promises throughout Scripture. Elijah would do just exactly that, that he would restore all things. [00:15:19]

The COVID-19 vaccine is not the mark of the beast, as it lacks the worship and allegiance aspects associated with the mark. Believers are encouraged to make informed decisions based on their conscience and relationship with God, respecting the freedom we have in Christ. [00:33:51]

I am convinced that the COVID-19 vaccine is not the mark of the beast and I'll tell you why, because when you look at the references in the book of Revelation to the mark of the beast, you see that the mark of the beast is tied to the worship of the antichrist or the beast. [00:33:51]

Confession and repentance are essential for maintaining fellowship with God, even though our salvation is secure. This practice allows us to come before God as we truly are, acknowledging our need for His grace and forgiveness. [00:44:29]

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. [00:44:29]

The angel of the Lord in the Old Testament is often seen as a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ, demonstrating God's presence and intervention in human history. This understanding enriches our view of God's involvement in the world and His plan of redemption. [00:49:13]

There are occasions in the Old Testament such as when Abraham spoke with the Lord when the two angelic beings went on to the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and Abraham bargained for the cities of Sonoma and the righteous that would be there. It says that Abraham spoke with the Lord in some way God was there in a bodily form. [00:49:13]

We should look for more undistracted time with God. Listen, it would seem that this is what Jesus was doing. Listen, Jesus was, I'm going to speak almost in a flippant way here, Jesus was a good theologian, obviously he was a perfect theologian. Jesus knew that God was not more present in the wilderness in a desolate place than he is present in a city surrounded by people. [00:50:11]

Look to spend more undistracted time with God, whatever it takes, retreating to a desolate place, finding a time. I remember reading the story of a great missionary named Hudson Taylor, and according to the biography written by his daughter, I believe, and son-in-law, Hudson Taylor used to get up at like three o'clock in the morning, two o'clock in the morning. [00:50:11]

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