2022 July-August Zion's Fire Magazine

Fears Grow in Egypt

Over Nile Water Crisis

GeoProphecy Report

The Believer’s Glorious Future!

The Mosaic Law and Salvation

Galatians Part 8

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JULY-AUGUST 2022

Fears Grow in Egypt Over Nile River Crisis

David Rosenthal

As water from the Blue Nile fills the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, tensions are running high, and Egypt is running out of options. Many are suggesting the filling of GERD may lead to war between Egypt and Ethiopia.

COVER FEATURE 6

Facing the Reality of Heaven and Hell

Marv Rosenthal

Along with the centuries’-long attack on the Bible, is the equally vicious attack on the reality of the afterlife. Skeptics scoff at the idea of Heaven and Hell, saying only fools believe in such fairy tales. The Bible, however, says something quite different.

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The Believer’s Glorious Future!

Steve Hogan

What a great, glorious and perfect future God has planned for all believers! You may live 80, 90, or even 100 years on this earth, but the best is yet to come – a continual, heart-rejoicing, and God-glorifying eternity.

A Word from the Word

Dr. Dan Hayden

The word “doctrine” simply means “what the Bible teaches,” and if you believe anything the Bible teaches, you believe Bible doctrine. Dan’s devotional briefly examines the word “doctrine.”

INSIGHT FEATURE

Galatians Part 8: The Mosaic Law and Salvation

Marv Rosenthal

The Mosaic Law was not a way TO life. Rather, it was given as a way OF life. It was to teach the Israelites how to stop doing things which were an affront to God, and do that which would please Him.

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Fears Grow in Egypt Over Nile Water Crisis

As water from the Blue Nile fills the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, tensions are running high, and Egypt is running out of options.

The Nile is the longest river on earth, flowing 4,130 miles from south to north on the African continent. But while the Nile is the life-blood of Egypt and is often thought to be a distinctly Egyptian river, it nonetheless carves a path through 10 other African nations.

South of Egypt, two tributaries join to form the Nile. The White Nile begins at Lake Victoria in Tanzania and converges with the Blue Nile in Khartoum, Sudan. The Blue Nile, which originates near Lake Tana in Ethiopia’s highlands contributes more than 85% of the water flowing through Egypt.

Egypt is primarily a desert land. Thus, more than 90% of Egypt’s 106 million residents live within the Nile River basin. With a population that is expected to exceed 120 million by 2030 and projected to reach 160 million by 2050, Egypt is facing a looming water crisis.

Ethiopia Harnesses the Nile

Nearly a thousand miles to the south of Egypt lies Ethiopia – the source of the Blue Nile. Though Ethiopia isn’t currently facing a water crisis of its own, it does have another major problem. More than 70% of its population lives without electricity.

To remedy this situation, Ethiopia embarked on a plan in 2011 to harness the power of the Blue Nile by constructing the largest dam in Africa to generate hydroelectric

power. Now, more than 10 years later (and after receiving significant assistance by the Chinese Communist Party), the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is nearing completion. Ethiopia has initiated a plan to fill the massive reservoir behind the dam by 2025. According to reports, the water volume in the reservoir has already reached 40% of its targeted capacity. This has angered officials in Sudan and Egypt, who have complained vociferously that Ethiopia should be prohibited from filling the dam since there is no binding Nile water usage agreement between nations.

Egypt is in a precarious position with limited options apart from making appeals to international authorities. Many are suggesting the filling of GERD may lead to war between Egypt and Ethiopia. But even in war, Egypt would have few options. It cannot drop bombs on a massive dam which holds back billions of cubic feet of water along the Nile – upstream from Egypt –without causing a humanitarian and environmental catastrophe. Ethiopia insists it will share the water equitably, but experts say that if the region suffers a severe drought, the impact on Egypt would be devastating.

The Nile in Biblical Prophecy

According to Scripture, Egypt faces a dire future. The prophet Isaiah foretells that divine judgment

will fall upon Egypt in the Last Days in connection to the Nile River:

“And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbor; and city against city …” (Isaiah 19:2). “And the Egyptians will I give over to the hand of a cruel lord; and a fierce king shall rule over them … and the waters shall fail from the sea, and the river shall be wasted and dried up. And they shall turn the rivers far away; and the brooks of defense shall be emptied and dried up …” (vv. 4-6). “The fishers also shall mourn …” (v.8), “Neither shall there be any work for Egypt …” (v.15). “In that day … it [Egypt] shall be afraid and fear because of the shaking of the hand of the Lord …” (v.16).

Isaiah reveals a sobering future for Egypt. Through history, God has used men and nations to bring judgment upon Israel’s enemies. It may be that He uses Ethiopia’s new dam to “turn the rivers far away,” dry up the Nile, and bring about His end-time purposes for Egypt. If this is the case, the world may be closer to the time of the end than many realize.

Pray with me for the people of Egypt – that they will come to faith and repentance – and never lose sight of God’s promise to restore them in Christ’s future Millennial Kingdom. u

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A WORD OF INTRODUCTION

What is the fury of Hell?

More than 20 years ago, U.S. News & World Report ran a story titled, “Hell Hath No Fury.” Unfortunately, the title was misleading because it didn’t reflect the content of the article.

The article quoted comments about Hell from early church fathers, church councils, theologians, university professors, and the pope. It was a smorgasbord of thoughts. However, the overwhelming consensus of those quoted was that “Hell hath great fury.”

To be sure, there were those who embraced the belief that Hell is not eternal – that “ungodly” men and women may be punished for a while, but eventually they’d simply cease to exist. Another view suggested that when punished, sinners will be pardoned and, in the end, make it to Heaven. Someone even suggested the concept of Hell contradicted the grace of God. This view totally ignores the fact that Hell is reserved for those who reject God’s grace.

The real focus of the article was not, “Does Hell have fury,” but, “What is the fury of Hell like?” There was a disagreement as to whether Hell was a literal place or a state of mind: whether it is an actual eternal fire or an anguished state of existence and eternal separation from God.

One liberal scholar said, “It should come as little surprise that modern educated Americans would reject notions of a blazing underworld where anguished souls writhe in endless torment.”

He does not seem to understand that “modern educated Americans” are not more moral than people were 2,000 years ago. We simply sin with “more sophistication” aided by advances in technology.

IN

TECHNOLOGY SCIENCE ADVANCES

However, advances in technology and science do not equate to greater insight into biblical truth. On the contrary, “… the natural [unsaved] man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14).

AND

DO NOT EQUATE TO GREATER INSIGHT INTO BIBLICAL TRUTH.

One of the questions asked in the survey that went along with the article published back in 2000 was, “Do you think there is a hell?” At that time a whopping 64 percent of the respondents said “yes,” 25 percent said “no,” and 9 percent said they didn’t know. To the question, “What comes closest to your idea of hell?” 34 percent said, “Hell is a real place where people suffer eternal fiery torments,” and 53 percent said, “Hell is an anguished state of existence eternally separated from God.” Eleven percent didn’t know.

Despite the liberal scholar’s observation, the fact is that back in 2000 a significant majority of Americans believed in the reality of Hell as a place of eternal anguish. Flash forward more than 20 years to the

Introduction by David Rosenthal

Article by Marvin J. Rosenthal 1935–2022

“… about half of all U.S. adults – the vast majority of the 62 percent who believe in Hell – say people in Hell:

Definitely or probably experience psychological suffering...

Become aware of the suffering they created in the world...

Are prevented from having a relationship with God...

present day, and the percentages are surprisingly similar.

In a Pew Research Center Survey conducted in September 2021 of 6,485 American adults (including 1,421 evangelicals) 62 percent of respondents confirmed their belief in the reality of Hell. Subsequently, respondents were asked what they thought Hell was like. According to the researchers, “… about half of all U.S. adults – the vast majority of the 62 percent who believe in Hell – say that people in Hell definitely or probably experience psychological suffering [53 percent], become aware of the suffering they created in the world [53 percent], experience physical suffering [51 percent], and are prevented from having a relationship with God [49 percent].”

While these percentages have remained relatively consistent in America over the past two decades, challenges to the biblical definitions of Heaven and Hell have only increased in recent years. Academia continues its relentless attack on the veracity of the Bible, yielding a new generation of liberal scholars who author books calling into question the reality of Hell or seeking to redefine it in less culturally offensive terms.

Biblical Truth

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Jesus said, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it” (Matthew 7:13). Again, God said, “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 16:25). The Bible is filled with such statements that are not subject to change based on changing values and cultures.

Among the attributes of God is His immutability – He does not change:

• God is unchangeable in His essence.

• God is unchangeable in His attributes.

• God is unchangeable in His counsel. His purposes for man do not change.

Therefore:

The notion that the Word of God should be interpreted according to a shifting humanistic value system, or molded to fit the sensitivities of modern society is a grievous affront to God, and portends calamitous consequences.

Many within these growing ranks are demanding that the Church interpret and apply Scripture in the context of changing values and contemporary culture in order to properly understand the intended meaning of the text. The notion that the Word of God should be interpreted according to a shifting humanistic value system, or molded to fit the sensitivities of modern society is a grievous affront to God, and portends calamitous consequences

– David Rosenthal

• When the Bible says Jesus died for the sin of the world – that’s truth.

• When the Bible says Jesus rose from the grave on the third day– that’s truth.

• When the Bible says Jesus ascended to the Father’s right hand – that’s truth.

• When the Bible says Jesus is coming again – that’s truth.

Changes in culture and education do not change God’s Word. When, in context of the Great White Throne Judgment, the Bible says, “And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15) – that’s truth.

Those who love God and His Word accept it at face value.

Two points are crucial to this discussion.

1. If people seek to redefine the nature and severity of Hell based on cultural and educational grounds, then it must be understood that they are also redefining the nature and value of the birth and death of Jesus. He came to save us from our sin, and the direct consequence of our sin is spiritual death and Hell. However, if Hell is not as severe or eternal as God’s Word says it is, then the value of Christ’s saving work is proportionately diminished. If Hell is “not so bad,” then Christ’s death for sinners is “not so important.”

Make no mistake about it:

More Americans Believe in Heaven Than in Hell

Percentage of U.S. Adults Who Say They Believe in . . .

Heaven Hell

• The Bible says Hell is a place.

• The Bible says Hell is a place of unquenchable fire.

• The Bible says Hell is a place of unquenchable fire and torment.

• The Bible says Hell is a place of unquenchable fire and torment, of eternal duration.

2. If Hell is not bad or as bad as the Bible says it is, then perhaps Heaven is not real or as good as the Bible says it is. If people can change the biblical concept of Hell to make it better fit the culture of the day, then they can change the doctrine of Heaven or any other doctrine they don’t like on the same basis. When this happens, the concept of an inerrant, infallible Word of God as the measuring rod for life is meaningless.

The concept of Hell may not be popular–but it is true. In life, we have opposites. There is an up and a down, fast and slow, hot and cold, light and dark, positive and

All U.S. Adults

Christian Protestant Catholic Unaffiliated Atheist Agnostic

Nothing in Particular Men

Women

Ages 18-29

Ages 30-49

Ages 50-64

65+

Northeast

Midwest South West

Source: Survey conducted September 20-26, 2021 among U.S. adults. “Few Americans Blame God or Say Faith Has Been Shaken Amid Pandemic, Other Tragedies”

— Pew Research Center

negative, righteous and unrighteous, truth and error, and Heaven and Hell. The concept of Hell may not be popular, and it may offend the sensitivities of some, but it is harmonious with a full understanding of the nature of God.

The concept of Hell may not be popular –but it is true.

I am eternally grateful to God for saving me from Hell through faith in the redemptive work of Christ – it is all of grace. I look forward to the mansion He is building for me in Heaven.

Heaven, Too, Is Real

I am eternally grateful to God for saving me from Hell through faith in the redemptive work of Christ – it is all of grace. I look forward to the mansion He is building for me in Heaven. He said, “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:2-3).

Like Hell, Heaven is a place – it is a

• Finally, the Bible refers to the “third heaven” (2 Corinthians 12:2, 4). This is the domain of God. Here redeemed men and women of all ages will know peace and joy unspeakable with the One who is the source of all life.

While God has not seen fit to reveal all the details of what this wonderful “third heaven” will be like, some facts can be gleaned from the biblical narrative.

. . . And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

John 14:2-3

In reality, there are three “heavens.”

THE FIRST IS THE ATMOSPHERIC HEAVEN.

THE SECOND IS THE STELLAR HEAVEN.

THE THIRD IS THE DOMAIN OF GOD.

place of bliss, light, and God’s blessing and presence. But where is Heaven, and what is it like? Can we take a peek beyond the clouds of life? One of the commonly used words for Heaven in the Hebrew Old Testament is shamayim, which literally means “high” or “lofty.”

In reality, there are three “heavens.”

• The first is the atmospheric heaven. This is the sphere immediately surrounding the crust of the earth. This is where the birds of the air spread their wings and soar.

• The second heaven is the stellar heaven. This is the sphere of the heavenly bodies – the sun, moon, and stars. To this sphere science has propelled astronauts and cosmonauts. Beyond this, however, the uninvited man cannot go.

First, Heaven is permanent.

The apostle Paul, writing to believers in Corinth, reminded them that “if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Corinthians 5:1). The earthly house to which Paul referred is the human body. Simply stated, Paul was saying that when this physical, mortal body returns to the dust from which it came, the believer has a spiritual, immortal body (house) that will never know pain, decay, or death. It is eternal in the heavens.

Second, Heaven is preferred.

This sounds strange. People cling tenaciously to life; they try desperately not to let go – to somehow find the fountain of youth. Little do most people understand that “Death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:54). Why then grow frightful from cancer, heart disease, accident, or any other cause of death? Paul

viewed death far differently than most of humanity:

For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart [through death] and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you (Philippians 1:23-24).

He also said, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). To Paul, eternal life in Heaven was in every way preferable to temporary life on Earth.

Third, and finally, Heaven is perfect. The description of the eternal state given in Revelation 21 is striking. For one thing, in Heaven there is an absolute absence of negatives. The apostle John, the human author of Revelation, expressed it this way: “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4, italics added).

Every day I receive e-mails, letters, and phone calls from people whose lives are a discordant symphony of negatives –broken homes, ruined marriages, wayward children, physical illness, emotional stress–the list is endless. One day I received a call concerning a young woman who put a gun to her head and pulled the trigger, and I had been asked to counsel with the unsaved husband. In Heaven, there will be no such tragedies.

The Invitation to You

God has extended an invitation to all of humanity to join Him in Heaven when their lives on this earth are over. John wrote: “And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take

the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17).

If men and women reject such a wonderful invitation – if they reject the grace of God and His “so great a salvation” (Hebrews 2:3), then what is left to such men and women is an eternal Hell.

Despite the notions of liberal scholars who say that Hell – and Heaven, for that matter – do not exist as the Bible says, you can be assured that the One who created the universe and all that is in it, has a place for you in Heaven and desires that you dwell with Him there forever.

Listen to the words of Jesus and ponder them:

Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. … I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me (John 14:1-3, 6).

This glorious future is available to you, but only if you confess that you’re a sinner, repent (turn from your sin), and accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross as payment for your sin debt.

With your debt paid in full, you’ll have a mansion waiting for you in Heaven that will never get old, will never need repair, and will never be destroyed. If you’ve accepted God’s free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, you can say with assurance,

“Heaven is my home!”

Continued on next page ...

If men and women reject such a wonderful invitation – if they reject the grace of God . . .

THEN WHAT IS LEFT TO SUCH MEN AND WOMEN IS AN ETERNAL HELL.

. . . enter in and abide in peace eternally, without fear of being rejected.

Heaven Wonderfully Described

Here is one man’s picture of Heaven; I think you will agree!

Several decades ago, Dr. Charles Fuller of the nationally broadcast “Old Fashioned Revival Hour” announced he would speak the next Sunday on “Heaven.” When the week rolled around and it was time for his message, he read a letter just received from Dr. Harry Rimmer, the noted scientist and Bible scholar who had been hospitalized for throat cancer.

Dr. Rimmer wrote: “Next Sunday you are to talk about heaven. I am interested in that land because I have had a clear title to a bit of property there for more than 55 years. I did not buy it. It was given to me without money and without price! But the ‘donor’ purchased it for me at a tremendous sacrifice. I am not holding it for speculation, since the title is not transferable. It is not a vacant lot.

“For more than half a century I have been sending materials out of which the ‘Great Architect’ and ‘Builder of the Universe’ has been holding a home for me, a home which will never be remodeled nor repaired because it will suit me perfectly, individually, and will never grow old.

“Termites can never undermine its foundations, for they rest upon the rock of ages. Fire cannot destroy it. Floods cannot wash it away. No locks or bolts will ever be placed on its doors, for no vicious person can ever enter that land where my dwelling stands, now almost completed and almost ready for me to enter in and abide in peace eternally, without fear of being rejected.

“There is a valley of deep shadows between the place where I live in California and that to which I shall journey in a very short time. I cannot reach my home in that city of gold without passing through this dark valley of shadows, but I am not afraid because the best friend I ever had went through the same valley long, long ago and drove away all its gloom.

“He has stuck by me through thick and thin since we first became acquainted 55 years ago, and I hold His promise in printed form that He will never forsake me nor leave me alone. He will be with me as I walk through the valley of shadows, and I shall not lose my way when He is with me.

“I hope to hear your sermon on heaven next Sunday from my home in Los Angeles, but I have no assurance that I will be able to do so. My ticket to heaven has no date marked for the journey, no return coupon, and no permit for baggage. Yes, I am all ready to go, and I may not be here while you are talking next Sunday – but I shall meet you over there some day.”

Dr. Rimmer, though a brilliant scientist, had a beautifully simple faith in Christ as his Savior. He believed Jesus Christ when He said, “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. … I am the way, the truth and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me.”

. . . I am the way, the truth and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me.

It was not long before he was ushered into the presence of his beloved Lord whom he so greatly loved and devotedly served, and where his letter became reality, and faith became sight! u

– Marv Rosenthal

What a great, glorious, and perfect future God has planned for all believers! You may live 80, 90, or even 100 years on this earth, but the best is yet to come –a continual, heart-rejoicing, and God-glorifying eternity.

The centerpiece of your hope is that you will literally be with Jesus Christ – God in the flesh.

s a Christian, one of your greatest needs is to know, understand, and be excited about this hope God has for you. But what exactly is it to which God wants you to look forward? Here is what He tells you in His Word:

1. You will be with Jesus!

“And thus we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17). The primary focus of your hope is not a place, not things to do, nor people to see, but the person of “Jesus Christ, our hope” (1 Timothy 1:1). The centerpiece of your hope is that you will literally be with Jesus Christ – God in the flesh. This Jesus, who is your Savior, Lord, Redeemer, King, Husband, and Friend, loves you so much more than anyone else.

You can’t imagine what it will be like to be with Jesus, who lived, died, rose again, is now seated next to God the Father, and will soon be coming back to be with you, and with all the believers. Jesus prayed, “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world” (John 17:24). Then, as never before, you will be loved by Him, learn from Him, serve Him, and worship Him!

sinful thoughts, words, or actions. You will have no more anger, pride, hate, selfishness, impurity, fear, anxiety, or jealousy. You will have no more aches, ailments, tiredness, trials, or conflicts. You will be perfect, your life will be perfect, and all your relationships will be perfect!

3. You will be with all the believers!

“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?” (1 Thessalonians 2:19). You will be with all the believers who have ever lived, those who have already gone to Heaven, and those still living on Earth. This means you will be with your saved loved ones. What a joy to be with believing family members and friends you knew on Earth, as well as other believers you heard about, or didn’t hear about, and will meet for the very first time. Oh, what divine fellowship and friendships we will have in the future!

4. You will be in Heaven, the house of God!

Heaven, a breathtakingly brilliant and magnificent place, will be inhabited by Jesus our mediator, God the judge, myriads of angels, righteous spirits, and the Church.

2. You will have no more problems!

“God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 7:17); “… there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying” (Revelation 21:4). You will have no more

“I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever” (Psalm 23:6). Heaven, a breathtakingly brilliant and magnificent place, will be inhabited by Jesus our mediator, God the judge, myriads of angels, righteous spirits, and the Church (Hebrews 12:22-24). Heaven, the most holy place of all, is also referred to as “Your tabernacle … the courts of the Lord … the house of my God … Zion” (Psalm 84)!

5. You will have a new home!

“I go and prepare a place for you” (John 14:1-3). Yes, you will be in Heaven, but Jesus will have also prepared a special dwelling place for you, which will be located in the new Jerusalem, that glorious city (Revelation 21:10-21). I believe you will have your own spotless, delightful, perfectly-suited place –a place you can call home, and be at home, where you can wonderfully worship the Lord and sweetly fellowship with others!

6. You will be given a new body!

It will be “raised in incorruption … raised in glory … raised in power … a spiritual body” (1 Corinthians 15:42-44). At Christ’s coming, you will receive an imperishable body, one that cannot die or be destroyed, but is immortal and eternal. It will be glorious, perfect inside and out, altogether beautiful, and like Jesus’ body, a display of God’s glory. It will be powerful, always energized, much stronger than anyone in this present world, and able to go anyplace and do anything God wants you to do. It will be a spiritual body, perfect in character, speech and actions, and perfectly able to always worship and serve the Lord, and to fully love and be fully loved!

7. You will receive an inheritance!

This is “an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled” (1 Peter 1:4). “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). We are not just talking about silver, gold, and precious

gems, but the entire world and all it contains – birds, flowers, fish, seas, animals, mountains, forests, clouds, cities, and much more. As co-heirs with Christ, He will possess and share the world with us!

8. You will be greatly rewarded!

“… each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor” (1 Corinthians 3:8, see also Revelation 22:12). God is not cheap, but One who will richly reward you in Heaven for all your labor on Earth. This reward, I believe, relates to your relationship with Christ, the nature of your heavenly dwelling place, and the work God will give you to do. I hope you realize that it is supremely and eternally worth it to serve the Lord!

9. You will see Jesus Christ reign over the world!

“God reigns over the nations” (Psalm 47:8). When Christ comes back, He will perfectly reign over this world. His truth will be proclaimed; He will judge the people; He will guide the nations; His mercy will be shown to the poor; and many will be saved (Psalms 67, 72, 96). Every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Your prayer will be answered: “Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10)!

10. You will reign with Jesus Christ!

“… they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years” (Revelation 20:6). “His lord said to

Written by Steve Hogan

Blessed are the poor in spirit, FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.

– Matthew 5:3

Having a glorified body will enable you to happily, heartily, and successfully do all the work He wants you to do!

God has only given you one life on this earth, and that for a very short while. He will then set in motion the rest of your eternal life, the most wonderful life you could ever imagine.

him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord’ ” (Matthew 25:21). As a priest of God, you will reign with Christ, serving and helping Him rule over this world. Having a glorified body will enable you to happily, heartily, and successfully do all the work He wants you to do!

11. You will experience an abundant and eternal life!

“You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11). In the coming ages, you will always experience the wonderful love and goodness of God. You will never – not for a second – be sad or worried, but will continually be filled with abundant joy and peace. You will experience innumerable pleasures, always enjoying and being encouraged by your relationship with Jesus, your relationships with saints and angels, and sharing in the everlasting glory of God!

12. You will worship God all the time!

“Every day I will bless You, And I will praise Your name forever and ever” (Psalm 145:2). In your entire eternal existence, your primary purpose will be to love and worship God, and that is what you will perfectly and joyfully do. Without question, your favorite, soul-satisfying experience will be wholeheartedly praising God and giving Him all the glory. “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. … For the Lord is good; His mercy

is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations” (Psalm 100:4-5)!

This is but a limited description of your hope – your awesome, fantastic, spectacular, and heavenly future! This God-given hope is an incredible undeserved gift, a personal and perfectly planned-out future.

Be excited about it, long for it, and look forward to the fulfillment of God’s guaranteed and glorious plans for you. They are supremely and infinitely better than anything you have ever experienced on Earth!

Take the time to really think about what God has in store for you, and be thankful He is so loving, kind, and generous to you. God has only given you one life on this earth, and that for a very short while. He will then set in motion the rest of your eternal life, the most wonderful life you could ever imagine.

We now live in the end-times, and it won’t be long before your hopes will be realized, when you will finally and fully be saved, when you will perfectly and forever worship and serve your great God and Father, and your Lord Jesus Christ.

“Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever” (Revelation 5:13-14)! u

Steven J. Hogan has been a pastor-teacher for more than 25 years and has been the pastor at Hope Bible Church of Tampa, Florida, since 2003.

Written by Dr. Dan Hayden

DOCTRINE

– 2 Timothy 3:16

For many people, “doctrine” is a nasty word. They see doctrine as that which divides believers and causes arguments within the Church. However, doctrine is not the bad guy – contentious people are the problem.

Doctrine is absolutely essential to our Christian faith. Without doctrine, we’d have nothing to believe. In 2 Timothy 3:16 the Bible says: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

In this great passage on the importance of the Word of God, the first thing for which the Bible is profitable is “doctrine.” The word “doctrine” in the Greek text is didaskalia, which simply means “teaching” or “instruction.”

It’s from this Greek word we get our English word “didactic,” meaning “to instruct or teach others.” The King James Version translates this word “… and is profitable for doctrine [which means “teaching”] …”

The point is the Bible is profitable for the purpose of teaching what God wants you to know. The word “doctrine” simply means “what the Bible teaches,” and if you believe anything the Bible teaches, you believe Bible doctrine.

There are areas of controversy regarding some things the Bible teaches. Is it free will or is it sovereignty? Is it baptism by immersion or by sprinkling? Do elders rule churches or is it congregational rule? Such disagreements have given people a bad taste for doctrine. They see doctrine as divisive.

I say, don’t throw the baby out with the bath water. Doctrine is everything the Bible teaches, and as a Christian, you desperately need good teaching in order to grow and mature.

Are you getting good Bible teaching? Your spiritual growth depends on it! u

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).

Faith Only

The Mosaic Law was never intended as a way TO life. No one ever found acceptability before God by keeping the Mosaic Law. Rather, the Mosaic Law was given as a way OF life. It was given to teach the Israelites how to stop doing things which were an affront to God, and do that which would please Him. However, the way to salvation – acceptability before God – was always through faith. This is clear in Genesis 15:6: “And he [Abraham] believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”

This doctrine of salvation by faith preceded the Mosaic Law by 430 years which never annulled it. Rather, the Mosaic Law was a framework given to the Israelites for the purpose of restraining sinful behavior and establishing God’s boundaries for daily living.

By the time Paul penned his epistle in about A.D. 48, the Galatians knew this. They knew the Mosaic Law had already been “fulfilled” by Christ 15 or 16 years earlier and they should not have allowed the Judaizers to persuade them to adhere to its practices.

Yet, in the minds of 1st century believers there was still confusion over the place of the Mosaic Law. How could something that had been a staple of Jewish life for more than 1,500 years suddenly be dismissed? Paul understood the confusion and dealt with it. In his explanation of the Mosaic Law, he writes in Galatians 3:21:

Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

There is great logic behind Paul’s opening question. After listening to Paul’s arguments, believing Jews would have responded: “Okay, Paul, we see what you are saying about law versus grace. But what does this say about the Mosaic Law? Was it a bad system? Was it something that worked against God’s promises to Abraham?”

Paul gives one of his signature replies: “God forbid.” This Hebrew idiom expresses Paul’s strongest objection, as if to say, “Don’t even think such a thought!” Therefore, to the question, “Is the Mosaic Law in opposition to God’s promises of salvation by faith through grace?” Paul replied, “Don’t even think it! There is no opposition.”

The Law was not in opposition to grace because the Law came after it. The Law following grace does not mean it replaced grace and rendered it futile. This was never the intent of the Mosaic Law, and the Galatians should have known this. It was now time to move on from the Law to faith by grace apart from works. The Mosaic Law was fulfilled in Christ; there was no longer any need to observe it.

In the second part of verse 21, Paul makes the point that if the Mosaic Law could have brought acceptability before

God – providing a means for salvation of the soul – Jesus would never have had to come to Earth and die as a sacrifice for the sin of humanity. However, the Mosaic Law was incapable of this; observing the Law could not bring salvation.

By contrast, Paul writes in verse 22:

But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

Salvation was by faith, is by faith, and will continue to be by faith until the end of this era of human history. Why would anyone want to return to a system of works when faith is all that is required?

In verse 23, Paul writes:

But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

The phrase “before faith came” refers to the Lord Jesus coming to Earth to live, suffer, die, and be resurrected. Faith in Christ is the faith, and the only faith that saves.

This faith is to be constant. Believers in the Lord Jesus are to live by faith day after day. We are to trust God’s Word and live by it. And just in case you’re looking for a definition of faith, I recommend this one: Faith is believing in the finished work of Jesus Christ – that is, believing that Christ’s sacrifice on the cross fully satisfied God’s required payment for our personal sin debt. This is what I call the faith.

Our Schoolmaster

What was Israel’s condition before the coming of Christ? Israel was “kept under the law.” “Kept under” gives the sense of being under guard, or being held in custody until the time of release. Israel – in fact, all of humanity – was in “lock down,” spiritually incarcerated, until the time of incarceration would end. We were held captive by the Mosaic Law until redemption under Christ was revealed. The Old Testament saints who lived by faith were looking ahead to the time of redemption under the Seed who would come.

Written by Marvin J. Rosenthal 1935–2022

Salvation was by faith, is by faith, and will continue to be by faith until the end of this era of human history.

Though the Mosaic Law could not save us, it could lead us to salvation through Jesus Christ.

I II III IV V

VI VII VIII IX X

You realize you’re beginning to understand grace when you’re able to say to yourself, “God did not save me because I am a good person.”

Paul continues expounding upon the importance of the Mosaic Law in verse 24: “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” Far from being bad, the Law served a good purpose in that it was our teacher, our instructor, our tutor. Though the Mosaic Law could not save us, it could lead us to salvation through Jesus Christ.

Yes, the Law system required us to “do this” and not to “do that.” It was impossible to do all the things we were supposed to do and not do all we were not supposed to do. This stark reality should have led the people of Israel to shout, “Help! We can’t do this! There must be some other way!” In essence, the Mosaic Law made clear that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

One of my greatest concerns with believers is that many do not fully understand the implications of the grace of God. People have a natural inclination to say, “I helped God out. I do good things. I take food to the needy on Thanksgiving and serve in the church nursery.” But none of this moves believers one inch closer to God. Titus 3:5 says, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.” It is all grace!

When believers come to a better understanding of grace, they love God more. You realize you’re beginning to understand grace when you are able to say to yourself, “God did not save me because I am a good person. Before being saved I was a rotten, sinful person in God’s eyes. I didn’t deserve anything from God other than death. I certainly didn’t deserve to be saved by His grace!”

Paul continues in verse 25:

But after that faith [the Gospel of Christ] is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

The teacher has served his purpose. We no longer require the Mosaic Law to lead us to acceptability before God. In saying this, however, I want to emphasize again that the individual requirements of the Mosaic Law – those things Israel was to

do and not do – were all good things. God would certainly not make bad laws.

If you read through some of the requirements in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, you will note they were good; though not under the Law, you should be doing some of these things even today. For example, we should be observing Exodus 22:21: “Thou shalt neither vex a stranger [alien], nor oppress him”; Exodus 22:22: “Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child”; and Exodus 22:28: “Thou shalt not [blaspheme God], nor curse the ruler of thy people.”

So yes, the Mosaic Law was wholesome, and certain aspects of it obviously align with God’s desire for believers to live wholesome lives. However, these things should be done under the grace of Jesus Christ, not under a misinterpreted obligation to the Mosaic Law.

God’s Children

Paul continues in verse 26:

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

If you have accepted Jesus Christ into your life, it was done entirely by faith; the Mosaic Law played no part in it. Paul wanted the Galatians to understand this, and accentuates this truth in verse 27:

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

The word “baptized” here does not refer to water baptism, but can be better phrased as “identified.” A more accurate reading would be, “For as many have been identified as belonging to Christ … .” The primary purpose of baptism is not salvation; baptism doesn’t play a part in salvation. Baptism is a sign of identification, a public pronunciation of identification of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

The second part of the verse, “… have put on Christ,” extends the imagery of this identification. The phrasing sounds as if we are putting on a piece of garment, which, in a sense, we are. Do you know someone who wears the jersey of a favorite sports team?

He does so because he identifies with his team. The same imagery applies to “putting on” Christ. We “wear” Christ by honoring Him with our lives. “Wearing” Christ is to obey Paul’s command of Philippians 1:27: “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ” (NKJV).

In verse 26, Paul writes, “… ye are all the children” (italic added). In verse 28, Paul defines “all” when he writes: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Remember, Paul is writing primarily to the Gentile believers of Galatia. They have trusted Christ, but have come under assault from the legalistic teachers telling them they must worship Jesus under the Mosaic Law. Paul, however, says “No! There are no divisions between people in Christ.”

the nations of the earth be blessed.”

Paul’s point in this final verse is that Gentiles are not required to convert to Judaism to be considered Abraham’s seed. How was Abraham justified? According to Genesis 15:6, Abraham was justified by faith: “And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” How are you justified? By faith. Abraham believed God; you must believe God. Abraham, as the father of justification by faith, is our example.

These precious truths established, the Galatian believers could put their minds at ease. The Judaizers were spreading a false gospel, and the Galatians need not buy into it. In Christ they were just as much the seed of Abraham as were the Jewish believers; the Mosaic Law was of no benefit to them.

All individuals who accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior are acceptable to God regardless of religious background, skin color, nationality, social status, or gender.

When Paul writes, “There is neither Jew nor Greek,” he is not saying people don’t retain their individual differences. What Paul is saying is that none of this matters as to people’s “acceptability” to God. All individuals who accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior are acceptable to God regardless of religious background, skin color, nationality, social status, or gender.

Paul punctuates this truth – and ends chapter 3 – this way:

And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Remember, the topic of this chapter has been the Abrahamic and Mosaic Covenants, with the emphasis on the fact that the Abrahamic Covenant preceded the Mosaic Covenant. In other words, the “covenant of faith” came 430 years before the “covenant of the law.” The Abrahamic Covenant stood on the promise of Genesis 22:18:

And in thy [Abraham’s] seed shall all

To the contrary, as “Abraham’s seed,” the Gentile Galatians were “heirs according to the promise,” the promise being that of Genesis 22:18:

And in thy [Abraham’s] seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.

The Galatians were blessed. They were heirs through their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. There was nothing more they needed to do regarding salvation. (Of course, like all believers, they were to live out their salvation in holiness and righteousness, but they already had done everything necessary to be justified before God.)

What about you? Christ died for your sins that you may live with Him for all eternity. You can have this assurance. His Word promises, “… if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9).

Do you believe this in your heart? Have you confessed faith in the Lord Jesus? u

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. THERE IS NEITHER JEW NOR GREEK, THERE IS NEITHER BOND NOR FREE, THERE IS NEITHER MALE NOR FEMALE: FOR YE ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS.

– Galatians 3:26, 28

In the next edition of Zion’s Fire: “Part 9: How ‘Hebrews’ Fits In”

The Mosaic Law “was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.”

What does this mean?

In essence, the Mosaic Covenant was conditional, and therefore required a mediator.

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