THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS, Chapter 2

Made Alive in Christ

Paul is speaking to the early Church at Ephesus, made up of both Jews and Gentiles. This chapter could be considered a primer of sorts, explaining the fundamentals of the shift from the Old Covenant of the Law to the New Covenant in Christ, and what it means to the believer. (This is practical as our guide in thought, speech and conduct, and should be a lexicon for all followers of Jesus).

Made Alive in Christ

Ephesians 2:1, And you were dead in your offenses and sins, verse 2, in which you previously walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.

(Commentary Break): This marks a monumental shift in paradigm for both the Jew and the Gentile then and now. Paul correctly identifies the ‘course of this world’ being in accord with the ‘prince of the power of the air’, which identifies Satan as the “ruler” or “prince” of the power of the air. (In Jewish and early Christian thought, ‘the air’ was considered the realm of demonic spirits. Satan is depicted as having authority over this domain, influencing the world and its systems (John 12:31, 2 Corinthians 4:4). This highlights the spiritual warfare that believers are engaged in, as they are called to resist the devil and his schemes (Ephesians 6:12) – see BibleHub.com). The sons of disobedience are the unbelievers – the unregenerate who willfully engage in the deeds of the flesh which are sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these (see Galatians 5:18-21).

Please note, that some who call yourself ‘Christian’, having claimed and confessed the name of Jesus for salvation, still participate in these desperate and despicable acts. Some ignorantly, some helplessly. The first step to freedom is confession. This may sound like a horrifying admission of guilt, but it is the act that disarms and begins to neutralize this weapon of the enemy. Confess first to God. Then confess to a qualified confidant, someone you can trust to walk with you, such as your pastor. Then, as God leads, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another that you may be healed – for the prayer of a righteous man or woman, when it is brought about, will accomplish much and has great power in its workings. (This should be done with great care, but having done so, God will remove your awful burden of guilt and shame.) (End Commentary Break).

Verse 3. Among them, we to all previously lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the rest. Verse 4. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, verse 5, even when we were dead in our wrongdoings, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), verse 6, and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, verse 7, so that in the ages to come He might show the boundless riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Verse 8. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; verse 9, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Verse 10. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

(Commentary Break): Now the very Good News: For all who repent, confess Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (sozo: made safe, made well, made whole; rescued from the penalty and power of sin and from destruction and Messianic judgment. God will remove the guilt and shame.) But it does not end here. God, being rich in mercy, has not only made you alive with Christ, but you have been raised up with Him, seated in the heavenly places in Christ. (As we read in chapter one, the implications of being seated with Christ include:

• • • Spiritual Authority: Believers are granted authority through their connection with Christ.
    • Access to Blessings: This position allows believers to access spiritual blessings and grace.
    • Eternal Perspective: It encourages believers to live with a heavenly perspective, influencing their actions and decisions on earth.)

Give thanks and praise to God and now let’s ‘walk this out’ in our life today. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 11. Therefore, remember that previously you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— verse 12, remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the people of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world. Verse 13. But now in Christ Jesus you who previously were far away have been brought near, by the blood of Christ. Verse 14. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, verse 15, by abolishing in His flesh the hostility, which is the Law composed of commandments expressed in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two one new person, in this way establishing peace; verse 16, and that He might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the hostility. Verse 17. And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; verse 18, for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.

(Commentary Break): Paul is explaining and describing what just a short time ago was considered impossible. The Gentile world being drawn and offered reconciliation with God along with the Jew, united as the household of God. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 19. So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, verse 20, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, verse 21, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, verse 22, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. (End Chapter 2).

The imagery given in these final verses is glorious – the Holy Temple of the Lord raised up. A dwelling of God in the Spirit. The Apostle Peter also said, “you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

It is time to put our past life away – to do away with the childish things and to crave the pure milk of the word so we may grow in respect to our salvation.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young.

Next: THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS, Chapter 3, Paul’s Stewardship.

Previous: THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS, Chapter 1, The Blessings of Redemption.

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When solving a mystery or looking for clues to a mystery, it is best to start by looking for the threads from the beginnings. Be pragmatic, watch for facts versus assumptions. Glean the who, what, when and where then sort what is inferred from what is known.

Take Biblical eschatology (the study of End Times or final things) for example: How can we be certain about what is being assumed? For example (in no particular order):

(1). what about the tribulation period?

(2). What about the rapture?

(3). What about the second coming of Jesus?

(4). What about the antichrist?

Where did these ideas come from, and if they are true, what should I know about them? What can I know about them?

The best place to start when unravelling a mystery is at the beginning. Where can we find the threads of the idea that the world, as we know it, will end?

The first hint can be found “in the beginning” of creation, in the Bible. God created the heavens and the earth, then something went horribly wrong. (Or so we assume). God’s created ones, Adam and Eve, it is said, rebelled against God by defying His command found in Genesis 2:16. “From any tree of the garden you may freely eat; verse 17, but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat”.

It is usually assumed that this is ‘where things went wrong,’ but since God is omniscient (all-knowing) and omnipotent (all-powerful) then He knew what He had created, and He knew how things would go – He created it, after all. So, this was His plan all along. (Otherwise you deny God’s sovereignty).

This was the first example of the End of an Age. The Age of “and it was very good” had come to an end? Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden and condemned to “hard labor” and to “return to the dust” from whence they came. This was an end of all things and a new beginning. A harbinger of sorts? (before 4,000 B.C.)

The next example is found in the Biblical narrative of Noah and the flood. God announced that “The end of humanity has come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence because of people; and behold, I am about to destroy them with the earth.”

Things had gone terribly wrong, again – or had it? Once again, God knew. He has known all things. It was part of His plan. And end of all things and a new beginning. (before 2,500 B.C.)

Then there was the incident of the Tower of Babel. (2,100 B.C.). A united humanity, in the generations following the Great Flood, speaking a single language and migrating eastward, comes to the land of Shinar. There they agree to build a city and a tower tall enough to reach heaven.(NOTE: “tall enough to reach to heaven” can be a metaphor for “man reaching to heaven, making himself god, to accomplish his own desires) Whereupon, God confused thier language and scatter these people all over the face of the earth.

Then we come to the Book of Daniel, (Sixth century B.C.). And this is where things get interesting and the clues to our mystery become clearer.

Reading in Daniel 10:1, In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a message was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar; and the message was true, and it concerned great conflict, but he understood the message and had an understanding of the vision.

 Daniel 12:1, “Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. And, those who have insight will shine like the glow of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. But as for you, Daniel, keep these words secret and seal up the book until the end of time; many will roam about, and knowledge will increase.”

Daniel 12:8, But as for me, I heard but did not understand; so I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?” And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for these words will be kept secret and sealed up until the end time.

A key to our puzzle and it is rightly called a ‘mystery’ – found in Ephesians 1, verse 9, “He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He set forth in Him, verse 10, regarding His plan of the fullness of the times, to bring all things together in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth”.

This is the revealing of the mystery of God’s will – His plan of the fullness of the times – to bring all things together (from Strong’s concordance #346, anakephalaíomai, to “bring to a head, recapitulate” – properly, summing up all the parts as a comprehensive (organized) whole.)

Daniel’s vision is God revealing the course of events of creation to the End. Here are the prophecies as proclaimed in Daniel and affirmed in following scriptures.

(Daniel 12:1), And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, (The Word of God through Daniel).

Which has been affirmed and confirmed by Jesus…

(Matthew 24:21), For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will again. (The Word of God through Jesus).

NEXT:

(Daniel 12:2), everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. (The Word of God through Daniel).

Which has been affirmed and confirmed by Jesus:

(Revelation 20:12-15), And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them; and they were judged, each one of them according to their deeds. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” (The Word of God through Jesus).

NEXT:

(Daniel 12:3), And, those who have insight will shine like the glow of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” (The Word of God through Daniel).

Which, has been affirmed and confirmed by Jesus:

(Matthew 13:43), “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” (The Word of God through Jesus).

Which, also has been affirmed and confirmed by Jesus:

NEXT:

(Daniel 12:4), “But as for you, Daniel, keep these words secret and seal up the book until the end of time; many will roam about, and knowledge will increase.” (The Word of God through Daniel).

PLUS,

Daniel 12:8, But as for me, I heard but did not understand; so I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?” And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for these words will be kept secret and sealed up until the end time. (The Word of God through Daniel).

Which, also has been affirmed and confirmed by Jesus:

(Ephesians 1:9), He, (God the Father), made known to us the mystery of His will (God the Father’s will), according to His, (God the Father), good pleasure which He, (God the Father), set forth in Him (Jesus – God the Son), regarding His, (God the Father’s), plan of the fullness of the times, to bring all things together in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.” (The Word of God through the Apostle Paul).

RECAP:

Daniel 12 gives the compressed blueprint.
Matthew 24 gives the teaching expansion.
Revelation 19–22 gives the apocalyptic detail.

 This is why Jesus, Paul, Peter, John and Timothy said what they said:

Matthew 24:4-31, (Jesus), describing a panorama of the tribulation and the Last Days. Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered and said to them, (see Matthew 24:3-4),

(1). “In the Last Days, there will be a rise of false Christs and false prophets. (This was an ongoing problem since as early as A.D. 35. See Matthew 24:4-5).

(2). In the Last Days, there will be famines and earthquakes. (This has been a regular occurrence since as early as A.D. 35 or earlier. See Matthew 24:7 and the 4^th Tribulation Seal, found in Revelation 6:5-8).

(3). In the Last Days, there are wars and rumors of wars. (Wars and rumors of war have been occurring since as early as A.D. 35 or earlier. See Matthew 24:6 and the 2^nd Tribulation Seal, found in Revelation 6:3-4).

(4). In the Last Days, there will be a persecution and martyrdom of Christians. (This has been an ongoing problem since as early as A.D. 35. See Matthew 24:9 and the 5^th tribulation Seal, found in Revelation 6:9-11).

(5). In the Last Days, there will be a falling away from the faith. (This has been an ongoing problem since as early as A.D. 35, and has been increasing to this very day. See Matthew 24:10).

These things, false Christs, wars and rumors of war, famines, earthquakes and plagues, persecutions, martyrs, which Jesus calls the ‘Birth Pangs’ of the tribulation, are nothing new; and from these cited verses, we can plainly see that the first 5 tribulation Seals have been broken, and the effects had begun between the time of the birth of Jesus and A.D 95, and have been overlapping and increasing in their intensity since those early days.

Jesus calls the 1^st phase of the tribulation the ‘Birth Pangs’ (Matthew 24:8). Jesus then calls the 2^nd phase of the tribulation, the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21), also known as the 6^th Tribulation Seal (Revelation 6:12-14), and the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord (Joel 2:31), and the Wrath of the Lamb (Revelation 6:16).. (Please click these links for verification and understanding).

Acts 2:14-17, (the Apostle Peter), saying, “let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: ‘And in the last days it shall be…’ (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

1 Peter 1:20, (the Apostle Peter), saying, “He, (Jesus), was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

 1 Peter 4:7, (the Apostle Peter), saying, “The end of all things is at hand.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

 2 Peter 3:3. (the Apostle Peter), saying, “knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

These verses say all these things began occurring in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60, and Peter called those days the LAST TIMES, THE LAST DAYS, and it is THE END OF ALL THINGS.

1 Corinthians 10:11, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “Now these things happened to them as an example and warning [to us]; they were written for our instruction [to admonish and equip us], upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

Hebrews 1:2, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

Hebrews 9:26, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “But as it is, Jesus has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

These verses say all these things began occurring in the LAST TIMES, THE DAYS, and it is THE END OF ALL THINGS.

 2 Timothy 3:1, (Timothy), saying, “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

These verses say all these things began occurring in the LAST TIMES, THE DAYS, and it is THE END OF ALL THINGS.

 1 John 2:18. (the Apostle John), saying, “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore, we know that it is the last hour.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).

 Revelation 1:9, (The Apostle John), saying, “I, John, your brother and fellow participant in the tribulation.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 95 to A.D. 100).

RECAP:

The Book of Revelation  –  The Book of Matthew

 the 1st Tribulation Seal  –  Global conquest and political intrigue

the 2nd Tribulation Seal –  Wars and Rumors of War

the 3rd Tribulation Seal  –  Famine

the 4th Tribulation Seal  –  Death

the 5th Tribulation Seal  –  Martyrs, persecution,Anti-Christ, falling away

By all appearances in scriptures, the first Five Tribulation Seals (the Birth Pains seals) have been broken and we are now standing at the precipice of the breaking of the Sixth Tribulation Seal . 

(PS: One last matter. The dispensational view says Jesus’ Return is IMMINENT, but 2 Thessalonians 2:3 says “Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and (#2), the man of lawlessness is revealed,the son of destruction”; that being the rise of the Antichrist.

After the church is taken out of the way (2 Thessalonians 2:7–8), a satanically empowered man will gain worldwide control with promises of peace (Revelation 13:1; Daniel 9:27). He will be aided by another man, called the false prophet, who heads up a religious system that requires worship of the Antichrist. (Revelation 19:20).

There are two events that must take place before the day of the Lord comes. First, the apostasy must come. Second, the man of lawlessness must be revealed. So, knowing when the Birth Pains of the tribulation began, and when the Great Tribulation, The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and the Wrath of the Lamb begins or important time-markers.

(To be fair, this can be confusing and the facts are seeminly contradictory. Beside that, there are honest attempts but varying views on this matter. One can fairly say these men “did the best they could with the knowledge and information they had”, but that would be too generous. They had an idea that has created inaccuracies and has led to complacency in the Body of Christ concerning the End Days, His return and the tribulation, the Great and Terrible day of the Lord and the Wrath of the Lamb. Poor exegesis and awful hermeneutics).

 So, the code is broken. The mystery is being solved. The inaccuracies of John Darby’ (inventor and perpetuator of the dispensational pretribulation rapture theory in which he assumed the entire tribulation period is seven years), and Cyrus I. Scofield, (1843-1921), creator and author of the Scofield Reference Bible, 1909-1917) and perpetuator of dispensational pretribulation rapture in which he incorrectly taught, published and assumed that the entire Tribulation period was for Seven Years, are now debunked.

Regardless – get ready, stay ready, be found doing what He has instructed and commanded, and endure to the end.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS, Chapter 1

The Blessings of Redemption

Please let me say ahead of time that I know that I cannot and do not “hold a candle” in light of the brilliant Bible scholars and teaching pastors who can, with great wisdom, understanding and articulation, write exacting commentaries. Commentaries that encompass faithful exegesis, historical and cultural context, canonical and cultural integration, clarity and structure, engagement with original languages, awareness of interpretive views, theological soundness, application, humility and restraint, and devotional depth.

Nonetheless, my commentary on various scriptures, some have said, is a gift. A gift and an ability to simply explain and apply scriptures and their meaning so they become practical for daily use. Simple but powerful and powerfully effective.

There are both minor and major doctrinal differences found in most of the major protestant and evangelical denominations which becomes evident, first in doctrinal statements, then within the Body of Christ. Differences that have led to disagreements, divisions, church splits, hostilities and schisms – all of which is discouraged in scriptures for the “Bible believing, Bible adhering” Church.

Therefore, my efforts are to ask “What do the scriptures – verse, chapter, and book of both the Old and the New Testaments say?”, “What do they mean?”, “What do they mean to me?”, and “How can and should I respond?”.

The foundation of all of this is based on faith. A believing and knowing faith that God Is, and that His Word is without error, and is complete. I believe that His Word is supremely instructional, prophetic and causative by its nature, and creative in all it says, and that His Word is meant for my ultimate good.

By it I can find forgiveness of my sins – the errors of my ways – both of thought and actions in life. I find the salvation of my soul and spirit, and I will inherit the Kingdom of God and to exists eternally in the presence of God and all the children of God.

So, with this in mind, let’s study the Book of Ephesians – The Word of God.

Ephesians 1:1, Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are at Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus: verse 2, Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Verse 3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, verse 4, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love, verse 5, He predestined us to adoption as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, verse 6, to the praise of the glory of His grace, with which He favored us in the Beloved. Verse 7. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our wrongdoings, according to the riches of His grace, verse 8, which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight,

(Commentary Break): The Apostle Paul begins by expressing his position in Christ, which by inference is to be our position as believers and the grace and peace that brings to all who believe.

Next, Paul reminds and instructs that God has chosen His elect before the foundation of the world – predestined you as a believer, as holy and blameless ‘according to the good pleasure of His will.

The two major differences in how these words as viewed in Evangelicalism and Protestant Christianity were expressed by John Calvin (1509-1564), and Jacob Arminian (1560-1609). At the risk of oversimplifying, Calvinism and Arminianism aren’t just two labels—they’re two different ways of explaining how God’s sovereignty and human responsibility work together in salvation.

 Important Clarifications

• • • Both sides affirm:
      • The authority of Scripture
      • Salvation by grace
      • The necessity of faith in Christ
    • The debate is really about how grace and faith interact, not whether they matter.
    • There are also variations within each camp:
      • “4-point Calvinists,” “Provisionists,” “Wesleyan Arminians,” etc. So it’s not just two rigid boxes.

A Simple Comparison

Bottom Line

• • • Calvinism emphasizes God’s sovereignty in salvation
    • Arminianism emphasizes human responsibility in responding to grace

(Most Christians land somewhere along that spectrum, even if they don’t use the labels.)

However, and in either case, we have been lavished with redemption and forgiveness of our sins. And we are called to be unified as the Body of Christ. (Later we will study, in Ephesians 4:3, which urges believers to “make every effort to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”) (End Commentary Break).

verse 9, He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He set forth in Him, verse 10, regarding His plan of the fullness of the times, to bring all things together in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.

(Commentary Break): And just what is the ‘mystery of His Will”? Let’s step back to Daniel chapters 10 through 12.

 Reading in Daniel 10:1, In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a message was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar; and the message was true and it concerned great conflict, but he understood the message and had an understanding of the vision.

 Daniel 12:1, “Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. And, those who have insight will shine like the glow of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. But as for you, Daniel, keep these words secret and seal up the book until the end of time; many will roam about, and knowledge will increase.”

Daniel 12:8, But as for me, I heard but did not understand; so I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?” And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for these words will be kept secret and sealed up until the end time.

These prophetic words and verses are repeated by and announced by Jesus in Matthew chapter 24 and Revelation chapters six, seven and eight and beyond.

This mystery is revealed by the coming and by the birth of Jesus. That event marked those words having been kept secret and sealed up until the end time. Jesus birth marks the beginning of the Last Days, the End of Time and the initiation of the breaking of the Seals of the Birth Pains of the tribulation – which is to be followed by the Sixth Seal and the Great Tribulation, the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and the Wrath of the Lamb. (Please see  “Did Jesus and the Apostles Really Say These are the End of Days?” and “When are the final Seven Years”.)

This is describing the breaking of the Birth Pain tribulation seals, and the rapture.  (End Commentary Break).

Verse 11. In Him we also have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things in accordance with the plan of His will, verse 12, to the end that we who were the first to hope in the Christ would be to the praise of His glory.

(Commentary Break): “Having bee predestined according to the purpose of Him Who works all things in accordance with the plan of His will”. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 13. In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of the promise, verse 14, Who is a first installment of our inheritance, in regard to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.

(Commentary Break): The Holy Spirit is God’s guarantee that He will fully redeem His people in the future, completing their salvation—so that His glory is eternally praised.

Just for our information: This is one of those passages where theological systems don’t disagree on the words, but on what those words guarantee.

We’re working from Ephesians 1:13–14, especially:

• • • “Sealed with the Holy Spirit”
    • “The guarantee (pledge) of our inheritance”
    • “Until the redemption of God’s own possession”

 1. Calvinism interpretation, Core idea:

The guarantee is absolute and cannot fail.

How they read the passage:

1. 1. 1. 1. The “seal” = irreversible ownership

• • • God marks believers as His permanently
    • The sealing is an act of God alone, not dependent on human continuation

1. 1. 2. The “guarantee” (Greek: arrabōn) = binding down payment

• • • Like a legal contract that must be completed
    • If God gives the Spirit, He is obligated (by His own nature) to finish salvation

1. 1. 3. “Until redemption” = certainty of perseverance

• • • All who are truly saved will reach final glorification
    • This supports the doctrine often called:
      • “Perseverance of the saints”

Supporting cross-texts they emphasize:

• • • John 10:28 — no one can snatch them out of His hand
    • Romans 8:30 — those justified will be glorified

Bottom line (Calvinism):

The Spirit guarantees that every true believer will certainly reach final redemption. Falling away proves someone was never truly saved.

2. Arminianism interpretation

Core idea:

The guarantee is real—but conditionally applied to those who continue in faith.

How they read the passage:

1. 1. 1. The “seal” = relational, not coercive

• • • God truly marks believers as His
    • But the relationship can be abandoned through unbelief

1. 1. 2. The “guarantee” = genuine provision, not unconditional inevitability

• • • God fully intends to complete salvation
    • But He does not override human free will

1. 1. 3. “Until redemption” = God’s intention, not forced outcome

• • • The Spirit leads believers toward final redemption
    • But believers can:
      • resist
      • grieve
      • ultimately reject

Supporting cross-texts they emphasize:

• • • Hebrews 6:4–6 — warning about falling away
    • 2 Peter 2:20–22 — returning to corruption

Bottom line (Arminianism):

The Spirit is a true guarantee—but only for those who continue in faith. Apostasy is possible.

 3. Provisionism interpretation

(This view is similar to Arminianism in outcome but differs in emphasis.)

Core idea:

The guarantee is fully sufficient, but not irresistibly applied.

How they read the passage:

1. 1. 1. The “seal” = covenantal identification

• • • Believers are genuinely placed “in Christ”
    • The Spirit marks them as belonging to God

1. 1. 2. The “guarantee” = God’s faithfulness, not human inevitability

• • • God will absolutely keep His promise
    • But the promise applies to those who remain “in Christ”

1. 1. 3. “Until redemption” = corporate and conditional

• • • The inheritance belongs to the people of God as a whole
    • Individuals participate by continuing in faith

Key distinction from Arminianism:

• • • Stronger emphasis on:
      • human responsibility
      • resistible grace
      • corporate identity “in Christ”

Bottom line (Provisionism):

The Spirit guarantees that all who remain in Christ will be redeemed—but individuals can forfeit that position through unbelief.

Key Differences at a Glance:

The Real Point of Tension – Everything turns on one question:

Does “guarantee” mean inevitable outcome, or assured provision that must be received and retained by faith?

Calvinism: inevitable outcome

Arminianism: assured provision, conditionally experienced.

(Additionally, people cannot respond to God unless God first enables them).

• • • Humanity is deeply fallen and unable to believe on its own,
    • God gives prevenient grace (enabling grace to all),
    • This grace restores the ability to respond—but can still be resisted.

Provisionism: assured provision, conditionally experienced.

(Additionally, People are able to respond to God through revelation itself.

• • • Humanity is fallen, but not morally incapable of responding,
    • The gospel itself is sufficient to enable a response,
    • No separate “prevenient grace” is required).

A final observation:

They differ on whether the Spirit’s presence guarantees arrival regardless of human response.

All three views agree on something crucial:

• • • The inheritance is real,
    • The Spirit is truly given,
    • Final redemption is the goal,

(End Commentary Break).

Verse 15. For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, verse 16, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; verse 17, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.

Verse 18, I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, verse 19, and what is the boundless greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might, verse 20, which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, verse 21, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

(Commentary Break): Paul prays that we

1. 1. 1. know the hope of His calling and the riches of the glory of this inheritance, and
      2. the boundless greatness (Megethos – great, without limit) of His power (Dunimas – (dynamite), unmatched miraculous power) toward us who believe.

Please note: This ‘Hope and the Greatness of His Power’ toward us who believe, are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might – which He brought about in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at the right Hand of God the Father in the heavenly places. Also know that we are seated with Christ in the heavenlies! (see Ephesians 2:6). And the implications of being seated with Christ include:

• • • Spiritual Authority: Believers are granted authority through their connection with Christ.
    • Access to Blessings: This position allows believers to access spiritual blessings and grace.
    • Eternal Perspective: It encourages believers to live with a heavenly perspective, influencing their actions and decisions on earth.

Biblical Foundation

The idea of being seated with Christ is rooted in several key biblical passages:

This spiritual seating is not merely symbolic; it reflects your identity as a believer and position in relation to Christ, affirming your place in God’s eternal plan. (End Commentary Break).

Verse 22. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and made Him head over all things to the church, verse 23, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. (End Ephesians chapter 1).

These final verses are among the most spiritually profound in all the Bible. Dwell on them and make them part of your experience with Christ.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young.

Next: (coming soon) – THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS, Chapter 2, Made Alive in Christ.

(Please bookmark this page or subscribe for future episodes).

THE PURPOSE OF THE BIBLICAL TRIBULATION

Originally written September 21, 2023 — Michael Young, Sr.

(This is an introduction to that article)

Introduction

Have we entered a time described in the Bible as The Last Days? A time of global distress and tribulations? We are hearing and seeing, as the Bible says of the Last Days, great deceptions, false and distorted teachings about Christ; wars and rumors of war, rising episodes of famines, earthquakes, persecutions, new and terrible diseases.

2 Timothy 3:1-7 says, “But understand this, that in The Last Days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.”

The purpose, duration, and ultimate outcome of the Tribulation

The purpose, duration, and ultimate outcome of the Tribulation are clearly revealed in Scripture, especially in Daniel chapter 12. This passage provides a prophetic framework that helps us understand not only the severity of what is to come, but also God’s intention behind it.

Daniel describes a future time of unparalleled distress—greater than anything humanity has ever experienced. Yet even within this sobering prophecy, there is hope: deliverance for those whose names are written in the book of life, resurrection unto eternal life for the righteous, and everlasting glory for those who lead others to righteousness.

At the same time, we are told that these truths would remain sealed until the end, when understanding would increase and God’s purposes would become clearer to those with spiritual insight.

The Nature and Timing of the Tribulation

Daniel’s vision introduces a defined period of suffering described as “a time, times, and half a time,” along with additional markers of 1,290 and 1,335 days. These timeframes point to a structured and purposeful season—not random chaos, but divinely measured judgment.

This period includes:

• The breaking of worldly power opposing God’s people
• A final separation between the righteous and the wicked
• A refining process for those who belong to God

The Tribulation is not merely destruction—it is both judgment and preparation.

The Book of Revelation and the Progression of Events

The unfolding of these end-time events is further revealed in the New Testament, particularly in the opening chapters of Revelation. These events correspond closely with Jesus’ teaching about the end of the age.

The early stages of the Tribulation include:

• Global conquest and political upheaval
• Wars and escalating conflict
• Famines, natural disasters, and disease
• Widespread death
• Persecution and martyrdom of believers

These are not isolated events but interconnected signs pointing toward the culmination of God’s redemptive plan.

Why Does God Allow Suffering?

One of the most common and difficult questions people ask is: If God is loving, why does He allow suffering?

Scripture offers several important insights:

1. The Influence of a Fallen World
   The world is under the temporary influence of evil. Human sin and spiritual rebellion have introduced suffering into creation.
2. The Reality of a Broken Creation
   God allows both good and evil to exist in this present age. Blessings and hardships fall on all people, reflecting the fallen condition of the world.
3. The Purpose of Divine Judgment and Preparation
   God uses suffering not only as judgment against evil but also as a means of preparing His people for eternity.

This last point is crucial: suffering is not meaningless. It serves a redemptive purpose.

Divine Deliverance: More Than Rescue

God promises deliverance—but not always in the way we expect.

Scripture teaches that:

• The righteous will face affliction
• God is near to the brokenhearted
• Deliverance is ultimately spiritual, not merely physical

This is not simply rescue from hardship—it is the redemption of the soul.

True deliverance is eternal.

The Purpose of the Tribulation for Believers

Daniel makes it clear: many will be “purged, purified, and refined.”

The Tribulation serves to:

• Strengthen faith
• Expose true allegiance
• Prepare believers as the Bride of Christ

The early church understood this well. They taught that entering the kingdom of God requires perseverance through hardship. Trials are not obstacles to faith—they are instruments that shape and prove it.

Faith refined through suffering becomes more precious than gold.

The Call to Endurance

The consistent message of Scripture is this: believers are called to endure.

Endurance means:

• Remaining faithful under pressure
• Holding firmly to hope in Christ
• Trusting in the promise of eternal glory

The sufferings of this present time, as Scripture reminds us, are not worthy to be compared with the glory that will be revealed.

Conclusion

The Tribulation is not an accident of history. It is a divinely appointed season with a clear purpose:

• To judge evil
• To refine God’s people
• To prepare believers for eternity
• To bring about final redemption

While our natural instinct is to avoid suffering, God’s Word teaches that He uses it for our ultimate good and His eternal purposes.

The message is clear:

Be ready.
Stay ready.
Endure faithfully.
Overcome through Christ.

And in the end, those who remain steadfast will share in eternal life.

Your brother and friend,
Mike Young.

(Click the following link For the original and complete article of “The Purpose of The Biblical Tribulation”)

INSIGHTS INTO THE COMING

“Rapturo,” which translates the Greek word “harpazo,” meaning “to seize” or “to snatch away”

(A contextual comparison from Isaiah 26, Matthew 24 and The Book of The Revelation).

Dear Friends:

I have written extensively on eschatological matters in a humble and feeble attempt to warn what is coming and has come upon us and to prepare as the tribulations of The Last Days escalate. This article is another attempt to give context and timing of the coming Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and what we, the Church (Christians) can expect and what we should expect.

The difference this time is that I have garnered this information from various “online” resources.

Book of Isaiah 26, verse 20 says:

“Come, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until the indignation is past.”

First, let’s define some of these words from the Hebrew language for a clearer understanding:

chambers – chedar = inner chamber, innermost (-ward) part, parlor, + south, within
NASB: inner room, room, chambers, rooms, bedroom, innermost parts, chamber
Word Origin: [from H2314 (חָדַר – surrounds)].

Isaiah 26:20 employs cheder to call God’s people to safety during judgment: “Go, My people, enter your rooms and shut your doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until wrath has passed.” The imagery recalls Israel’s Passover houses and foreshadows Christ, the ultimate refuge from wrath. In pastoral ministry, this verse assures saints of divine preservation amid tribulation.

Christological and Ecclesiological Insights

The bridegroom leads His bride “into his chambers” in Song of Songs 1:4, a love song that echoes the covenant’s ultimate consummation. Christ secures His church in the eternal cheder—the place He prepares (John 14:2–3). Until then, every gathered assembly forms a temporary cheder, where believers experience foretastes of heavenly intimacy.

Indignation – Core Idea of abar, ( עָבַר):

The root of ‘abar’ conveys movement from one side to another—whether spatial, moral, relational, or covenantal. From Genesis to Malachi the verb shapes narratives of pilgrimage, judgment, mercy, and disobedience, binding together the motifs of crossing, passing, and overstepping that run throughout the Old Testament.

Foundational Crossings in Salvation History

• • • Abraham the “Hebrew” (Genesis 14:13) bears a name rooted in עָבַר, marking him as the one who “crossed over” the Euphrates to follow the call of God (Genesis 12:1-5).
      • The Exodus climaxes when Israel “passed through the midst of the sea on dry ground” (Exodus 14:22). The physical crossing anticipates a spiritual deliverance later echoed in the Prophets.
      • The Jordan crossing under Joshua (Joshua 3:14-17) completes the patriarchal promise, making עָבַר the verb that frames entrance into covenant land.
      • Each pivotal act of redemption is literally a passage from bondage to blessing, embedding עָבַר at the center of Israel’s collective memory.

Covenantal Rituals and Divine Presence

• • • At the covenant-cutting of Genesis 15:17 “a smoking firepot and a flaming torch passed between the pieces,” signifying the Lord’s unilateral commitment.
      • Ezekiel 16:8 describes God’s marital covenant: “I spread the corner of My garment over you and covered your nakedness…and entered into a covenant with you.” The verb underscores God Himself crossing the threshold into intimate relationship.
      • The annual Feast of Passover memorializes the night the Destroyer “passed over” the blood-marked houses (Exodus 12:12-13). Though a different Hebrew root lies behind “Passover,” the thematic overlap strengthens the redemptive resonance of עָבַר.

Deliverance and Judgment

• • • Adversaries “pass through the land” as instruments of judgment (Isaiah 8:8; Nahum 1:15).
      • Conversely, the faithful “pass through the valley of Baca” and make it a place of springs (Psalm 84:6).
      • Isaiah 43:2 offers the Lord’s assurance: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.” Rescue and wrath both ride on the same verb, revealing divine sovereignty over every passage.

This is a compact but powerful verse, and its meaning becomes clearer when you look at the context and themes around it.

1. Immediate context

Isaiah 26 is part of a larger section (Isaiah 24–27) often called “Isaiah’s Apocalypse.” It describes:

• God’s judgment on the earth
• The downfall of the wicked
• The ultimate restoration of God’s people

Just before verse 20, verse 19 speaks about the resurrection of the dead:

“Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise.”

So verse 20 flows directly from:

• resurrection hope
• followed by a call to temporary hiding during judgment

2. What “enter your chambers” means

“Enter your chambers” is symbolic language. It implies:

• Seeking refuge in God
• Withdrawal from coming judgment
• Trusting God rather than trying to survive by human means

It echoes earlier biblical patterns:

• During the Passover, Israel stayed inside their homes while judgment passed over Egypt
• Psalm 91 speaks similarly about being hidden under God’s protection

So this is less about literal hiding places and more about spiritual security under God’s care.

3. “Until the indignation is past”

“Indignation” refers to:

• God’s righteous anger against sin
• A period of divine judgment on the world

Key idea:

➡️ The judgment is real but temporary
➡️ God’s people are preserved through it, not destroyed by it

4. Prophetic / theological interpretations
5. General interpretation (most scholars)

This verse is a way of saying:

• God will judge the world
• His people should trust Him and remain faithful
• He will protect them until judgment passes

1. End-times / prophetic view

Some (especially in premillennial or dispensational circles) connect this verse to:

• A future period of tribulation
• Possibly the protection of believers during that time
• Sometimes even linked to the concept of the rapture (though the verse itself doesn’t explicitly mention removal)

1. Personal / spiritual application

On an individual level, it teaches:

• When God’s judgment or turmoil is unfolding, don’t panic—seek Him
• There are times when the faithful are called to:
  • wait
  • trust
  • remain hidden in God rather than fighting circumstances directly

5. Key takeaway

Isaiah 26:20 is essentially a call to trust God’s protection during a time of judgment:

• God’s wrath is temporary
• His people are secure
• The right response is quiet trust, not fear

Isaiah 26:20—“enter your chambers… hide yourselves for a little while until the indignation is past”—finds some striking echoes in the New Testament. The connections aren’t always one-to-one, but the pattern is very consistent:
God brings judgment → He preserves His people → they are called to endure or remain under His protection until it passes.

1. Direct parallel in Book of Revelation

Protection during judgment

In Revelation, God’s people are not removed from the earth immediately but are marked out and protected during divine wrath:

• Revelation 7:3 — God’s servants are sealed on their foreheads before judgment unfolds
• Revelation 9:4 — those with God’s seal are spared from certain plagues

👉 This mirrors Isaiah 26:20:

• “Hide yourselves” = being set apart / protected
• “Until indignation is past” = judgment unfolds in phases but does not consume God’s people

A very close thematic match:

Revelation 18:4 says:

“Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins…”

This is almost the same tone as Isaiah:

• Isaiah: “Come… enter… shut your doors”
• Revelation: “Come out… separate”

Both are:

➡️ Calls to separate from a judged world system
➡️ So as not to share in its punishment

2. Jesus’ teaching in Gospel of Matthew 24:

End-times survival instructions

Jesus gives very practical instructions during coming tribulation:

• Matthew 24:16 — “let those in Judea flee to the mountains”
• Matthew 24:21–22 — a period of great tribulation, but shortened for the elect

👉 Parallel to Isaiah 26:20:

• Both describe a limited period of intense judgment
• Both call for intentional withdrawal / protection
• Both emphasize God preserving His people through it

3. Jesus’ warning in Gospel of Luke 21:34–36

Watchfulness + escape

Jesus says:

“Stay awake… praying that you may have strength to escape all these things…”

This ties closely to Isaiah’s idea:

• Not reckless exposure to judgment
• But alert, prayerful positioning under God’s protection

4. A powerful conceptual parallel: Gospel of John 17:15

“In the world, but protected”

Jesus prays:

“I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.”

This is key.

Isaiah 26:20 is not necessarily about removal—it’s about:

➡️ Protection within a time of danger

That lines up almost perfectly with Jesus’ prayer:

• Not removed
• But kept / guarded

5. The “Noah and Lot” pattern (Jesus’ teaching)

In Luke 17:26–30, Jesus compares the end times to:

• Noah → enters the ark before judgment
• Lot → removed before destruction

👉 These are exact narrative parallels to Isaiah 26:20:

• Entering a protected space
• Judgment falling after God secures His people

6. Wrath vs. salvation distinction

In First Thessalonians 5:9:

“God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation…”

This reinforces the same theological backbone:

• “Indignation” (Isaiah) = God’s wrath
• Believers = not objects of that wrath

7. Big-picture synthesis

Across Isaiah, Jesus’ teachings, and Revelation, the same structure appears:

Pattern:

1. Warning is given
2. God’s people are told to prepare / withdraw / remain faithful
3. Judgment falls on the world
4. God preserves His people through or from it
5. Judgment ends (“indignation is past”)

Final takeaway

Isaiah 26:20 isn’t an isolated poetic line—it’s an early expression of a consistent biblical theme that reaches its fullest clarity in the New Testament:

➡️ God does not leave His people exposed during judgment
➡️ He calls them to intentional trust, separation, and watchfulness
➡️ He limits the duration of wrath
➡️ And He preserves His people until it passes

NEXT connect Isaiah 26:20 directly with Gospel of Matthew 24:1–31, it helps to line up the sequence and logic in both passages. When you do that, they read almost like two perspectives on the same pattern of end-time events.

1. The core statement in Isaiah

From Book of Isaiah 26:20:

“Enter your chambers… hide yourselves for a little while until the indignation is past.”

Key elements:

• A coming period of divine wrath (“indignation”)
• God’s people are told to withdraw / take refuge
• The period is temporary
• Protection is intentional and directed by God

2. The structure of Matthew 24:1–31

Jesus lays out a clear timeline:

1. Beginning of turmoil (vv. 4–14)

• Deception, wars, famine, persecution
• “The beginning of birth pains”

1. Trigger event (v. 15)

• “Abomination of desolation” (from Book of Daniel)

1. Urgent command to withdraw (vv. 16–20)

• “Let those in Judea flee to the mountains”
• Don’t go back for belongings
• Immediate, decisive action

👉 This is the closest behavioral parallel to Isaiah 26:20.

3. Direct connection: “Enter your chambers” = “Flee”

Isaiah says:

• Enter… shut your doors… hide

Jesus says:

• Flee… don’t turn back… escape immediately

Different imagery, same idea:

➡️ God gives instructions for survival during judgment

This is not passive—it’s obedient response to warning.

4. “Until the indignation is past” = “those days will be cut short”

Matthew 24:21–22:

“For then there will be great tribulation… and if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.”

This matches Isaiah precisely:

• Isaiah: “a little while”
• Jesus: “days will be cut short”

➡️ The wrath is:

• Real
• Severe
• But limited by God for His people’s sake

5. Protection theme (implicit vs explicit)

Isaiah 26:20:

• Sounds like hiding under protection

Matthew 24:

• Doesn’t explicitly say “you’ll be safe”
• But strongly implies:
  • Urgency is meaningful (God is giving a way of escape)
  • The elect are preserved (v. 22)

This lines up with the broader teaching of Gospel of Luke 21:18:

“Not a hair of your head will perish” (ultimate preservation, even through suffering)

6. What happens after the “indignation”?

This is where the connection becomes very tight.

Isaiah 26:21 (next verse):

The Lord comes out to punish the inhabitants of the earth

Matthew 24:29–31:

• Cosmic signs
• The coming of the Son of Man
• Angels gathering the elect

➡️ Same sequence:

1. Judgment period
2. God’s people preserved through it
3. God visibly intervenes at the end
4. Important theological implication

When you read them together, a strong pattern emerges:

Neither passage emphasizes immediate removal before trouble

Instead:

• Believers are warned ahead of time
• Told how to respond during the crisis
• Preserved through a defined period of wrath
• Then gathered/delivered at the end

That’s a key interpretive point many overlook.

8. Big-picture synthesis

Putting Book of Isaiah 26:20 together with Gospel of Matthew 24:1–31:

Shared timeline:

1. Warning is given
2. A trigger event signals intensified judgment
3. God’s people are told to withdraw / take refuge
4. A short but intense period of wrath unfolds
5. God limits its duration
6. He then appears in power and delivers His people

Final takeaway

Isaiah 26:20 is essentially an Old Testament “preview” of what Jesus later describes in detail in Matthew 24.

• “Enter your chambers” → “Flee immediately”
• “Hide for a little while” → “Those days will be cut short”
• “Until indignation is past” → Tribulation ends with Christ’s return

Together, they present a unified message:

➡️ God does not leave His people without instruction
➡️ He provides direction, limitation, and ultimate deliverance
➡️ The faithful response is alert obedience and trust, not complacency

Now we can lay all three side-by-side—Book of Isaiah 26, Gospel of Matthew 24, and The Book of the Revelation—and map them chronologically through the Book of The Revelation:

What you’ll see is that Revelation doesn’t contradict Isaiah or Jesus—it expands them into a detailed sequence.

🔷 OVERVIEW BEFORE THE CHAPTER MAP

Core shared pattern:

1. Warning / early turmoil
2. Trigger event
3. Command to God’s people (hide / flee / separate)
4. Intense but limited judgment
5. Protection of the faithful
6. God’s visible intervention
7. Final restoration

📖 REVELATION CHAPTER-BY-CHAPTER ALIGNMENT

1. Revelation 6 — Beginning of “birth pains”

(First 6 seals)

• War, famine, death, martyrdom
• Cosmic disturbance begins

👉 Matches:

• Matthew 24:4–14 → “beginning of birth pains”
• Isaiah 26 (context) → rising global judgment

⚠️ Key point:
This is not yet the full wrath, but the lead-up.

2. Revelation 7 — Protection of God’s people

• 144,000 are sealed
• Great multitude preserved

👉 Direct parallel to:

• Isaiah 26:20 → “hide yourselves”
• The idea of being marked out before wrath intensifies

This is one of the clearest connections:
➡️ God identifies His people before the worst begins

3. Revelation 8–9 — Escalation (Trumpet judgments)

• Environmental destruction
• Demonic torment
• Massive suffering

👉 Matches:

• Matthew 24:21 → “great tribulation”
• Isaiah 26:20 → “indignation”

But notice:

• Some are still protected (Rev 9:4)

➡️ Same pattern: judgment + selective protection

4. Revelation 10–11 — Warning + witness

• The “little scroll” (message of warning)
• Two witnesses prophesy
• Final calls to repentance

👉 Matches Jesus’ emphasis:

• Matthew 24:14 → “gospel preached to all nations”

God is still:
➡️ Warning
➡️ Calling
➡️ Giving opportunity

5. Revelation 12 — Spiritual perspective (why this is happening)

• Satan cast down
• Persecution of God’s people

👉 Critical connection to Isaiah:

• Explains the source of the chaos
• Shows why God’s people must “hide”

Also:

• The woman (Israel) is protected in the wilderness

➡️ Another “Isaiah 26:20” moment:
Divinely prepared protection during wrath

6. Revelation 13 — The trigger event fully visible

• Rise of the Beast
• Mark of the Beast system

👉 This aligns with:

• Matthew 24:15 → “abomination of desolation”
• The moment that triggers urgent flight

This is where Jesus says:
➡️ “Flee immediately”

7. Revelation 14 — Separation of people

• Two groups become clear:
  • Those who follow the Lamb
  • Those who follow the Beast

👉 Parallel:

• Revelation 18:4 → “Come out of her, my people”
• Isaiah 26:20 → separation before final wrath

8. Revelation 15–16 — FULL “indignation” (wrath unleashed)

(Bowl judgments)

• Final, concentrated wrath of God
• No more delay

👉 This is the strongest fulfillment of:

• Isaiah 26:20 → “until indignation is past”

Also matches:

• Matthew 24:22 → “days will be cut short”

➡️ This period is:

• Intense
• Final
• Shortened / limited

9. Revelation 17–18 — Judgment of the world system

• Fall of “Babylon” (corrupt global system)

👉 Direct echo:

• “Come out of her, my people” (Rev 18:4)
• Same command as:
  • “Enter your chambers” (Isaiah)
  • “Flee” (Jesus)

10. Revelation 19 — The RETURN of Christ

• Christ appears in glory
• Defeats the Beast

👉 Matches perfectly:

• Matthew 24:29–31 → Son of Man coming in the clouds
• Isaiah 26:21 → God comes out to judge the earth

➡️ This is when:

• “Indignation” is fully finished

11. Revelation 20 — The Kingdom

• Satan bound
• 1,000-year reign

👉 Connects to your earlier beliefs (millennial kingdom):

• The aftermath of preserved people + completed judgment

12. Revelation 21–22 — Final restoration

• New heaven and new earth
• No more death, sin, or curse

👉 Final fulfillment of:

• Isaiah’s broader vision of restoration (Isaiah 25–27)

FULL TIMELINE (ALL THREE COMBINED)

1. Early turmoil

• Revelation 6
• Matthew 24:4–14

2. Trigger event

• Revelation 13
• Matthew 24:15

3. Command to act

• Isaiah 26:20 → hide
• Matthew 24:16 → flee
• Revelation 18:4 → come out

4. Protection of God’s people

• Revelation 7, 12
• Implied in Matthew 24:22

5. Intense but limited wrath

• Revelation 8–16
• “Indignation” (Isaiah)
• “Days cut short” (Jesus)

6. Final judgment of the world

• Revelation 17–18

7. Return of Christ

• Revelation 19
• Matthew 24:29–31

8. Kingdom and restoration

• Revelation 20–22
• Isaiah 25–27

🔥 Final insight

When you line them up carefully, Isaiah 26:20 is not vague at all—it’s actually a compressed prophetic snapshot of what:

• Jesus expands in Matthew 24
• Revelation unfolds in full detail

And the consistent message across all three is:

➡️ God warns before judgment
➡️ He gives clear instructions to His people
➡️ He limits the duration of wrath
➡️ He preserves His people through it
➡️ Then He personally intervenes and reigns

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

(Any comments? Or if you just want to talk or discuss, please enter your remarks below)

“DO YOU ATTENED A CHRISTIAN BIBLE-BASED CHURCH”

(Is it really that complicated?)

You may have heard that it is always a good idea to attend a church that is Bible-based; in other words, attend a church that teaches the Bible and intends to live by the teachings, instructions and commands of the Bible. (Sounds simple enough. Right? Well, maybe you should think again.)

If you live in America, or an English-speaking country, you can have access to over 900 English translations to the Bible and along with that there are over 450 different versions of the Bible in English. (Versions of the Bible refer to different translations and adaptations of the biblical texts into various languages and styles, reflecting diverse theological beliefs, cultural contexts, and translation philosophies.) BibleGateway.com offers a closer look at the versions and how some examples differ. But many good sources suggest that the New American Standard version, the English Standard version and the New King James version are the closest to the Greek and Hebrew languages in which it was written.

Okay. We have over 900 translations, over 450 versions and we also have over 200 denominations identifying as Christian in America (and over 45,000 worldwide). This leads to a wide (and wild) variation of what different translations say, differing versions further say, and denominations are saying what they think, and all of this is man-made or man-influenced!

Let me give you a few simpler examples:

The Presbyterian Church of America (the conservative side, and as opposed to the Presbyterian Church USA known as the liberal side, or the ECO, a covenant order of Evangelical Presbyterians, or the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, among a few others) has an additional book named the Westminster Confession of Faith, along with the Larger and Shorter Catechisms. These documents summarize the system of doctrine taught in the Bible and are foundational to PCA beliefs. This denomination also has the Book of Church Order which is commonly referred to as BCO, is part of the constitution of the Presbyterian Church in America, which is subject to and subordinate to the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, the inerrant Word Of God. All of these additional helps explain how the fathers and leads of the Presbyterian Church PCA believe, live and govern.

The Southern Baptist Church, in addition to the Bible, use the Baptist Faith and Message, which is a statement of their beliefs and doctrines. They may also refer to various confessions of faith and other theological writings that align with their interpretations of Scripture, as opposed or compared to the other 26 Baptist denominations in America. These denominations encompass a wide range of beliefs and practices, reflecting the diversity within the Baptist tradition.

The Nazarene Church has The Manual of the Church of the Nazarene as its official sourcebook for church government, bylaws, history, doctrine, and policy. This manual is updated every four years during the General Assembly.

There are 24 different variations of Catholic Churches, which include the Roman Catholic Church and 23 other “sui iuris” churches that are governed separately but are in communion with Rome. These churches have their own traditions, history, and liturgical practices. The Catholic Church uses the Catechism of the Catholic Church as a key resource for its doctrines and teachings, alongside the Bible. This comprehensive manual outlines the faith, sacraments, and moral teachings of the Church.

And all of these ‘guiding documents’ which are meant to explain scriptures are man-made or man-inspired, which as we all know, make them suspect and explain the wide and wild variations.

Next, there are those calling themselves Christian but are generally identified as cults, such as Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Christian Science, which all have unique doctrines that differ significantly from traditional Christian teachings, but are luring hundreds, even thousands away from the true Gospel Message of Jesus Christ.

And finally, research studies show that someplace between 50 percent and 73 percent of mainline Christian pastors do not believe the Bible is totally accurate, so it begs the question ‘just what are they teaching’?

Now, who do you believe will accurately and rightly teach you the Bible? Who can you trust for the Gospel? And are you certain you are attending a Bible-based Christian Church? Believe me, it matters.

THE HISTORY:

First, let’s recognize that the Bible didn’t appear all at once—it’s the result of a long, layered process spanning many centuries. To understand how and why it came to exist, it helps to think of it in three stages: (1), events, (2), writings, (3), collection (canon).

Number 1. Why the Bible came to exist.

At its core, the Bible exists because people believed God was revealing Himself in history and wanted to preserve, explain, and pass on that revelation.

In the Old Testament:

• Ancient Israel believed God acted in real events—like the Exodus from Egypt.
• These events shaped their identity as God’s people.
• They wrote them down to:
  • Preserve their history,
  • Record God’s laws (like in Leviticus),
  • Call people back to faithfulness (through prophets like Isaiah),

In short: the Old Testament exists to document God’s covenant relationship with Israel.

In the New Testament:

• Early Christians believed God had acted decisively through Jesus Christ.
• After His life, death, and resurrection, His followers needed to:
  • Record what He said and did,
  • Teach new believers,
  • Defend against false teachings,

So the New Testament exists to preserve the message about Jesus and guide the early Church.

Number 2. How the Bible was written

The Bible was written over about 1,000 to 1,500 years by many different authors.

Old Testament writing

• Written roughly between 1400 B.C. and 400 B.C.
• In Hebrew (with some Aramaic).
• Includes:
  • Law (Torah),
  • History,
  • Poetry (like Psalms),
  • Prophecy.

Some material started as oral tradition before being written down.

New Testament writing:

• Written between A.D. 50 and 100,
• In Greek,
• Includes:
  • Gospels (accounts of Jesus’ life, Gospel of Matthew),
  • Letters (like those of Paul the Apostle),
  • Apocalyptic writing (like Book of Revelation).

Number 3. How the Bible was collected (the “canon”):

Not every religious writing was accepted as Scripture. Over time, communities recognized certain books as authoritative.

Old Testament canon.

• Gradually recognized by the Jewish people.
• Largely settled by around the time of Second Temple period.

New Testament canon.

• Early Christians used many writings, but only some were widely accepted.
• Criteria included:
  • Connection to apostles,
  • Consistency with known teaching,
  • Widespread use in churches

By the 4th century (councils like Council of Carthage), the 27-book New Testament list was formally recognized.

The Bottom Line:

From a Christian viewpoint, the Bible is not just human writing, it’s inspired by God. It is a good saying. Take for example that

the odds against – yes, AGAINST – Jesus Christ having fulfilled just 48 of the over 450 prophecies written about Him. But, facts show that the odds are 1 to 100, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000, (or 1 to 10 to the 157th power), in favor of something coming to pass, would you bet against it?

In order to give you some perspective, electrons are very small objects. They’re smaller than atoms. It would take 2.5 TIMES 10 to the 15th power of them, laid side by side, to make one inch. Even if we counted 250 of these electrons each minute, and counted day and night, it would still take 19 million years just to count a line of electrons one-inch long.  19 MILLION YEARS!

Read that again, please.  Why is that significant? It is significant because it gives us evidence that the Bible is true and correct when it says that Christ Jesus came to earth and is the Savior of the world.

A key idea comes from Second Timothy 3:16: “All Scripture is God-breathed.” That means, that human authors wrote in their own styles, but believers hold that God guided the process

The Bible is the infallible, indestructible, inerrant Breathed Word of God; It has been breathed into the hearts, minds and souls of men which inspired them to report and record what they had seen, heard and thought over thousands of years, through trials, tribulations and even under the threats of death, as it came together as a concise and comprehensive Book revealing the Mind of God for all humankind and all of existence. Now we have the final and complete Bible which is prophetic, instructional, creative and causative in all matters pertaining to life, death, the present reality and all of eternity. It concerns you and it pertains specifically to your life presently, your death and your eternity.

HOW CAN I BE CERTAIN?

You cannot necessarily be absolutely certain that a church is actually Bible-based, but you can make a very strong, evidence-based judgment if the church you have chosen or would choose to attend is Bible-based by testing what they teach and how they operate against Scripture.

Here’s a grounded way to evaluate it.

1. Start with the message: What do they teach about the Gospel?

A truly Bible-based church will be clear and consistent on the core message:

• Salvation is by grace through faith (see Ephesians 2:8–9),
• Christ’s substitutionary death is central,
• Repentance and faith are necessary,
• Jesus is fully God and fully man (see John 1).

If a church minimizes sin, avoids repentance, or replaces the gospel with self-improvement or prosperity themes, that’s a red flag.

2. Examine how they use the Bible (this is huge).

It is not just that they quote Scripture—but how they handle it.

A healthy church will:

• Teach through passages in context (not cherry-picked verses),
• Explain meaning before application,
• Let Scripture shape the message—not the other way around.

A key model is Acts 17:11, where the Bereans examined the Scriptures daily to verify teaching.

If sermons feel like motivational talks with a few Bible verses attached, be cautious.

3. Look at their view of authority.

A Bible-based church treats Scripture as the final authority, not:

• A pastor’s personal revelations,
• Church traditions above Scripture,
• Cultural trends.

A guiding principle comes from Second Timothy 3:16–17: Scripture is sufficient for teaching, correction, and training.

4. Check their doctrine statement (don’t skip this).

Most churches publish a “statement of faith.” Read it carefully.

Look for clarity on:

• Salvation (grace vs works),
• The nature of Christ,
• The authority of Scripture,
• Eternal security vs apostasy.

If it’s vague or avoids specifics, that often signals compromise or internal disagreement.

5. Evaluate the leadership

Biblical churches take leadership seriously.

Compare their pastors/elders with qualifications in First Timothy 3 and Titus 1:

• Character over charisma,
• Integrity, self-control, faithfulness,
• Not domineering or money-driven,

A dynamic speaker is not the same as a qualified shepherd.

6. Observe the fruit (over time).

Jesus’ principle in Gospel of Matthew 7:16: “You will recognize them by their fruits.”

Look for:

• Spiritual growth in members,
• Seriousness about sin and holiness,
• Love that is more than surface-level,
• Commitment to truth, even when unpopular.
• Do people come to ‘get’ or do they balance that with what they can give or contribute to the life and mission of the church?

7. Watch for common warning signs

Be cautious if you see:

• Constant focus on money or “blessings”,
• Claims of exclusive truth (“we alone have it right”),
• Little emphasis on sin, judgment, or repentance,
• Leadership that is unaccountable,
• Be certain the church is not ‘pastor led’,
• Scripture used out of context to support agendas.

8. Test it personally

Don’t outsource discernment.

• Read Scripture yourself daily,
• Compare what you hear to the text,
• Ask questions—good churches welcome them.

This is exactly the Berean model again (Acts 17:11).

Bottom line:

You gain confidence a church is truly Bible-based when:

• The Gospel is clear and central,
• The Bible is taught in context and with authority,
• The leaders meet biblical qualifications,
• The fruit matches the message.

Some of what I have written is from my own words. Much of this is gleaned from other respected and thoroughly vetted resources. All of this is done out of respect and the desire to help us all find the base line and ‘true north’ in our desire to know God and to serve Him with the Holy Scriptures and pray as our compass.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

(If you have any questions or comments, please post them below).

WHAT ARE CHRISTIANS TO DO WHEN DOCTRINAL VIEWS COLLIDE?

My wife and I were hosting neighborhood Bible studies. One particular evening the neighbor across the street from us accepted our invitation to attend. They brought some food and the husband asked if he could play some gospel music on his guitar. (We are excited at their response, especially since the did not go to church and had stepped away from their Catholic beliefs – although they said they believed in God).

The evening was going very well. Great interaction between guests. We at a meal, chatted for a while then went into a time for songs and Bible study. The focus verses were from John 1:1-13. Things were going well and the discussion was lively until we reach verse 12 which reads, “But as many as received Him (Jesus), to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name”, whereupon the neighbor from across the street erupted in protest. “You Christians are all the same! Exclusive bigots”. All in the room were stunned by his sudden outburst. I politely asked him, “Why would you say that?” He angrily responded, “Because you have to believe your way or you can’t be a child of God!” One of the others explained to him that, first of all, it wasn’t our view, it is what the Bible says. And secondly, It is not an exclusive invitation. Everyone is invited to come to Christ Jesus, although you have to believe in Him to become a child of God. But this man was having nothing more to do with it. He grabbed his guitar and stormed out of our house. Wow!

The rest of us began a discussion about what had just occurred. We all agreed that this man got it! He understood, at least partially, that he would have to give up his current worldly views, and surrender his life to Jesus to become a Christian and a child of God. It seemed to enrage him. He apparently wanted the benefits of being a Christian but without the cost.

The discussion that ensued centered around the questions about the inclusiveness and the exclusivity of the Gospel and we ended the evening talking about the doctrines of Election and Predestination, (are some Elected and others not, and are some predestined and other not?)

So, I ask you to take a self-evaluation by review these questions:

Is the Church INCLUSIVE or EXCLUSIVE?

(Your answer goes here)                                                                                                     .

Why do you say that?                                                                                                           .

Should the Church be INCLUSIVE or EXCLUSIVE?

(Your answer goes here)                                                                                                     .

Why do you say that?                                                                                                           .

Based on your first two answers, Is God INCLUSIVE or EXCLUSIVE?

(Your answer goes here)                                                                                                     .

Why do you say that?                                                                                                           .

Based on your last answer, Do you still feel the Church is or should be INCLUSIVE OR EXCLUSIVE?

Why do you say that?                                                                                                           .

What do you believe is the reason that the Church is either INCLUSIVE or EXCLUSIVE?

Please explain                                                                                                                        .

DOCTRINES

Doctrines are official teachings or systems of beliefs established by religious traditions that guide the practices and beliefs of their followers. Each religious denomination has its own unique doctrines.

Doctrines are the codified beliefs or teachings of a religious denomination, outlining their principles and positions on various aspects of faith and practice. Each denomination may have unique doctrines that distinguish them from others, such as the nature of Jesus, salvation, and authority within the church.

Doctrines are theologian’s and Church leader’s codified views derived from the Bible’s teachings outlining their principles and positions on various aspect of faith and practice and the governance of the Church body. Religious (Church) doctrines are man’s interpretations of the Bible’s intent; hence there are approximately two hundred Christian denominations in America alone, and over forty-five thousand worldwide. I.e., there are as many denominations as there are opinions and interpretations of the Bible by men, which has led to schisms, divisions, disagreements and even hostilities within the Body of Christ, which in turn has led to a chaotic weakening and reduced effectiveness of the Word of God in people’s lives.

The most divisive of doctrines are about Election, Predestination, and Eschatology (the study of the End Times); followed by doctrines on baptism, hell, spiritual gifts, complementarianism (women in the pulpit and / or pastoring over men).

Now, to the question, “what should you do when doctrinal views collide”?

Let me give you a prime example: ELECTION. According to the Reformed or Calvinist view (Presbyterians, Congregationalists, some Baptists), the Bible teaches that God chooses some people, that is those who He will save, and will not choose others, based on His own purposes and His desire to show grace to undeserving sinners. Ephesians 1:4–6 says, “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” He chose in love, in accordance with His pleasure and will, so that He would be glorified. God’s election has nothing to do with what the elect would or would not do. According to this view, God’s grace is irresistible to the chosen. (I.e., an individual cannot choose, on their own volition, to be saved. This says that even if I wanted to be saved, unless I have been Elected by God to be saved, I would have no choice in the matter of salvation. I would be sentenced to Hell.)

Overview of the Calvinist acronym, T.U.L.I.P.

TULIP is an acronym that represents the five key points of Calvinism, a theological framework within Reformed Christianity. Each letter stands for a specific doctrine related to salvation and God’s sovereignty.

The Five Points of TULIP

Historical Context

The TULIP acronym emerged in the early 20th century but is rooted in the theological debates of the 17th century, particularly the Synod of Dort (1618-1619). This synod was convened to address the challenges posed by Arminian theology, which presented alternative views on predestination and grace. The five points of TULIP serve to contrast Reformed theology with these Arminian perspectives.

Significance

Understanding TULIP is essential for grasping the core beliefs of Calvinism, particularly regarding the nature of salvation and God’s sovereignty. These doctrines emphasize that salvation is entirely the work of God, highlighting His grace and the assurance of salvation for the elect.

God did not choose everyone. If He had, then everyone would come to faith in Christ. He chose some, and He left others to their own desires. Left to ourselves, all of us would continue in our rebellion and reject Christ. God chose to pursue some, convict them of their need, and lead them to faith. It is because of God’s choice that anyone comes to faith in Christ. Jesus said, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day” (John 6:44).

Conversely, the Armenian view, (Methodist, Nazarene, Wesleyan, Free Will Baptist), believe in an interplay between divine grace and human choice, asserting that God desires all to be saved while allowing individuals the freedom to accept or reject His offer of salvation. This theological framework stands in contrast to Calvinism, which emphasizes God’s sovereign choice in electing individuals to salvation.

Key Tenets of Arminian Salvation

Conditional Election

• Definition: Arminianism posits that God’s election is conditional upon an individual’s faith in Jesus Christ.
• Implication: This means that while God’s grace is universally available, individuals must choose to accept it to be saved.

Universal Grace

• Prevenient Grace: Arminians believe that God’s grace precedes human action, enabling individuals to respond to the gospel.
• Resistible Grace: Unlike Calvinism, which teaches that God’s grace is irresistible, Arminianism holds that individuals can resist God’s grace.

Atonement for All

• Scope of Atonement: Arminian theology asserts that Christ’s atonement is available to all people, not just the elect.
• Faith Requirement: Salvation is contingent upon faith in Jesus, meaning that individuals must actively choose to believe.

And finally, Provisionism, a more recent development, asserts that God’s grace is available to all, allowing anyone to respond to His call for salvation. This view holds a generally Arminian view of free will and salvation, with notable differences such as positive belief in eternal security. The main gist of Provisionism is the idea that the gospel is the Word of God, which is sufficient in itself, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to enable a response in all who hear God’s appeal to be reconciled to Him (John 6:63; Hebrews 4:12).

The main use of the term Provisionism comes from the writings of theologian Leighton Flowers. The term is also meant to describe the general approach to salvation held by most Southern and Independent Baptists. So far as Reformed doctrine is concerned, this means narrow disagreement on the subjects of total depravity and limited atonement, as well as the exact meaning of words like predestined and elect.

Christians have often debated (and sometime vehemently) the finer points of how human will and God’s sovereignty interact when it comes to salvation. Though the nuances of Provisionism may not be accepted by particular believers, its tenets are well within the realm of orthodox Christian theology.

Similar to the TULIP in Calvinism, Provisionism can be summarized with the acrostic P.R.O.V.I.D.E. (see Statement-of-faith for more information):
People sin: Which separated all from fellowship with God.
Responsible: Able-to-respond to God’s appeals for reconciliation.
Open door: For anyone to enter by faith. Whosoever will may come to His open arms.
Vicarious atonement: Provides a way for anyone to be saved by Christ’s blood.
Illuminating grace: Provides clearly revealed truth so that all can know and respond in faith.
Destroyed: For unbelief and resisting the Holy Spirit.
Eternal security: For all true believers.

CONCLUSION:

Comparison Table

These theological frameworks shape the beliefs and practices of various Christian denominations, influencing how they understand salvation and God’s role in the lives of believers.

So, why all the debating and all the rhetorical heat between belief system? After all, we are all considered Christians. Right? It is all due to man-devised views of Biblical teachings, their meanings and intents.

What can you do (at least for now) to avoid doctrinal divisiveness within the Body of Christ?

• Draw near to God in prayer and Bible reading and study.
• Follow the core teachings of Jesus – the ones that are the easiest to understand (even though some may be hard to do because of the sin nature present in all people).
• Treat all people, most particularly, other Christians, as you would like to be treated.

The Apostle John explained how to be saved this way: “For God so loved the world (you), that He gave His only Son, so that anyone who would believe on Him would be saved”.

The Apostle Paul said it this way, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”

Jesus clearly taught how to be saved and demonstrated what it means to follow Him and to be His disciple. Sometime, we as humans, just have differing highly educated albeit personal interpreative opinions.

Just do what Jesus says and does and leave all the difficult and divisive ‘other things’ to the theologians to debate for now. You and I must just follow Him obediently.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Peter’s statement comes from Second Epistle of Peter 3:2, and it’s a compact but powerful summary of two streams of divine authority that believers were to hold onto.

Let’s break it down (collected from ChatGpt):

1. “The words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets”

This refers to the Old Testament prophetic Scriptures.

Peter is pointing back to:

• The writings of prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel
• Their predictions about:
  • The coming Day of the Lord
  • Judgment on the ungodly
  • The promise of God’s intervention in history

👉 In context (2 Peter 3), Peter is warning about scoffers denying Christ’s return, so he reminds them:
“This isn’t new—the prophets already spoke about these things.”

2. “The commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles”

This refers to the teachings of Jesus, passed on through the apostles.

• The “Lord and Savior” is Jesus Christ
• The “apostles” include figures like Peter the Apostle, John the Apostle, and Paul the Apostle

This includes teachings such as:

• Christ’s promise to return (e.g., Matthew 24)
• Calls to holy living and readiness
• Warnings about judgment

👉 Peter is emphasizing that:

• The apostles are not inventing new doctrine
• They are faithfully transmitting Christ’s own commands

3. The Big Idea: A Unified Authority

Peter is putting Old Testament prophecy and apostolic teaching side by side.

He’s essentially saying:

“Remember what God said before (through the prophets) and what Christ has now said (through His apostles).”

This shows:

• Continuity between Old and New Testament revelation
• That apostolic teaching carries divine authority, not just human opinion

4. Why Peter Says This (Context)

In the surrounding passage, Peter warns about:

• False teachers
• Scoffers denying the Second Coming

So this verse is a call to:

• Anchor yourself in revealed truth
• Not be shaken by new, skeptical ideas

Bottom Line

Peter is urging believers to hold fast to:

• The prophetic Scriptures (Old Testament)
• The teachings of Christ delivered by the apostles (New Testament)

Together, these form a complete, trustworthy witness about God’s plan—especially concerning Christ’s return and final judgment.

Great question—this verse opens the door to both specific prophetic texts and a broader doctrine of how God speaks authoritatively.

1) Old Testament passages Peter likely has in mind

In Second Epistle of Peter 3, Peter is addressing scoffers who deny the future judgment and return of Christ. So the “holy prophets” he refers to are especially those who spoke about:

A. The Day of the Lord (judgment + cosmic upheaval)

Book of Isaiah

• Isaiah 13:9–11
• Isaiah 34:4

These passages describe:

• The heavens dissolving
• Stars falling
• God judging the world

👉 This closely parallels 2 Peter 3:10 (“the heavens will pass away with a roar…”).

Book of Joel

• Joel 2:30–31
• Joel 3:14

Themes:

• Cosmic signs (sun darkened, moon turned to blood)
• “The great and terrible Day of the Lord”

Book of Zephaniah

• Zephaniah 1:14–18

Themes:

• A day of wrath, distress, and destruction
• Universal judgment—not just Israel

B. The destruction of the ungodly

Book of Malachi

• Malachi 4:1

“The day is coming, burning like an oven…”

This matches Peter’s imagery of fire consuming the present world (2 Peter 3:7).

C. Creation, Flood, and God’s past judgments

Peter explicitly mentions the Flood (2 Peter 3:5–6), pointing back to:

Book of Genesis

• Genesis 1 (creation by God’s word)
• Genesis 6–9 (the Flood)

👉 His argument:

• God judged the world once (by water)
• He will judge it again (by fire)

D. Promise of a new heavens and new earth

Book of Isaiah

• Isaiah 65:17
• Isaiah 66:22

“New heavens and a new earth”

Peter directly echoes this in 2 Peter 3:13.

Summary of OT themes Peter is invoking

Peter isn’t quoting just one passage—he’s drawing from a well-known prophetic framework:

• God created the world by His word
• God judged it in the past (Flood)
• God will judge it again (Day of the Lord, fire)
• God will renew it (new creation)

2) How this relates to apostolic authority and inspiration

Now to the second half of the verse:

“the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles”

This is theologically very important.

A. Apostles as authorized representatives of Christ

Peter places:

• “holy prophets” (OT)
  alongside
• “your apostles” (NT)

This implies equal divine authority in their message.

The apostles speak not independently, but as commissioned by:

• Jesus Christ

Compare:

• John 14:26 — the Spirit will bring Christ’s words to remembrance
• Matthew 28:20 — teach “all that I commanded you”

👉 So their teaching = Christ’s commandment

B. Apostolic teaching is already viewed as Scripture

Later in the same chapter:

• 2 Peter 3:15–16 refers to the writings of Paul the Apostle
• Peter says they are counted among “the Scriptures”

This is huge:

• Within the New Testament itself
• Apostolic writings are already being recognized as inspired Scripture

C. Continuity of revelation (not contradiction)

Peter’s structure shows:

👉 This supports the doctrine that:

• The New Testament doesn’t replace the Old
• It fulfills and completes it

D. Inspiration: God speaks through both

Earlier in the letter, Peter defines prophecy:

• 2 Peter 1:21

“Men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit”

This applies to:

• OT prophets
• And, by extension, apostolic teaching

3) The Big Theological Takeaway

Peter is making a bold claim:

👉 To reject apostolic teaching is to reject Christ
👉 To ignore the prophets is to ignore God’s prior revelation

So he anchors believers in a twofold authority:

1. Prophetic Scripture (Old Testament)
2. Apostolic teaching (New Testament)

Together, they form the foundation of what we now recognize as the Bible.

Bottom line

Peter likely has in mind a network of prophetic passages—especially from Isaiah, Joel, Zephaniah, Malachi, and Genesis—that describe:

• The Day of the Lord
• Final judgment
• Cosmic renewal

And he uses them to affirm that:

The message of the apostles is not new—it is the divinely authorized continuation and fulfillment of everything God already revealed.

WHAT IS DRIVING THIS SPREADING MENTAL ILLNESS PANDEMIC IN AMERICA?

Media headlines report daily on the insane criminal behavior spreading across America, penetrating all social spectrums. (see FBI and other recent crime reports here). I would ask why, and what is going on here?

I asked Chatgpt and Google Search this question, and they similarly reported:

The primary drivers of the mental health crisis and crime in America heading into 2026 are a combination of long-standing socioeconomic stressors and evolving modern pressures. While crime rates actually showed a significant decline in 2025—with homicides down roughly 21% from the previous year—experts remain concerned about underlying factors like economic instability and inadequate access to mental health care. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Key Drivers of the Mental Health Crisis

 The United States is currently experiencing a mental health crisis affecting all ages, but particularly youth. [1]

• Economic Distress: Personal finances are the top source of anxiety for Americans in 2026, with 59% reporting significant stress over their financial situation.
• Technological Pressures: Rapid AI integration is causing job-related anxiety for 47% of adults, while the “always-on” nature of digital communication contributes to chronic burnout.
• Systemic Gaps in Care: Despite record demand, over 122 million Americans live in areas with severe shortages of mental health providers. High costs and insurance barriers prevent nearly half of those with mental illness from receiving treatment.
• Social Isolation: The erosion of in-person social connections, often replaced by algorithm-driven digital interactions, has increased feelings of loneliness and “dread,” especially among younger generations. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]

Factors Influencing Crime Rates

 Although overall violent crime decreased in 2025, several structural issues remain highly correlated with criminal activity and community safety. [1, 2]

• Socioeconomic Disadvantage: Poverty, unemployment, and housing instability remain the strongest predictors of crime. Communities with high rates of housing instability also report the highest mental health crisis rates (9%).
• The “Handcuffs Instead of Help” Cycle: Jails have become de facto mental health facilities. Approximately two in five incarcerated individuals have a history of mental illness, often arrested for non-violent offenses related to untreated symptoms.
• Substance Abuse: The ongoing opioid epidemic continues to fuel both public health and public safety challenges, though many states increased investments in 2025 to combat drug trafficking and expand recovery services.
• Youth Vulnerability: Disruption in education and limited entry-level career pathways due to automation have increased the risk of youth involvement in crime. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]

NPR, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Pyschiatry.Org, the Bureau of Health Workforce, CSG Justice Center, and the Behavioral Health News all report on and blame the symptoms of and the sad to disastrous results of mental illness on people and society, but completely fail – or refuse – to address the cause: The absence of traditional standards of morality and ethics. (And by ‘traditional standards’, I am referring to the long-held and thoroughly tested Christian Biblical standards).

I am speaking of a “Traditional Christian ethos” which refers to a set of moral values, habits, and ways of living that developed from the teachings of Jesus Christ and the long history of the Christianity. While it varies across denominations, there are some widely shared core elements:

(From ChatGPT)

1. Love as the Central Command

At the heart is the idea of love:

• Love of God
• Love of neighbor

This comes from teachings like “love your neighbor as yourself,” which shape how believers are expected to treat others—with compassion, forgiveness, and goodwill.

2. Moral Responsibility & Sin

Traditional Christianity teaches that:

• Humans are morally accountable for their actions
• Sin (wrongdoing) separates people from God

Ethical life involves recognizing faults, seeking forgiveness, and striving to live rightly.

3. Humility & Self-Denial

Humility is a major virtue:

• Avoid pride and arrogance
• Put others before yourself
• Practice self-control and restraint

This often includes the idea of sacrificing short-term desires for higher moral or spiritual goals.

4. Charity & Service

Helping others—especially the poor and vulnerable—is essential:

• Giving (charity, almsgiving)
• Acts of service
• Hospitality

This reflects the belief that serving others is a way of serving God.

5. Sanctity of Life & Human Dignity

Human life is seen as sacred because it is created by God:

• Emphasis on the inherent worth of every person
• Moral concern for issues involving life, suffering, and justice

6. Family, Sexual Ethics, and Order

Traditionally:

• Marriage is viewed as a lifelong union
• Sexual activity is expected within marriage
• Family is a central unit of moral and social life

Different denominations interpret these principles with varying strictness today.

7. Faith, Obedience, and Authority

Believers are encouraged to:

• Have faith in God
• Follow divine commandments
• Respect religious teachings and traditions (such as those found in the Bible)

8. Redemption & Grace

A key idea is that people are not expected to be perfect:

• Forgiveness is always possible
• Salvation comes through God’s grace, not just moral effort

9. Eternal Perspective

Life is viewed in light of eternity:

• Earthly life is temporary
• Actions have spiritual consequences
• Hope in eternal life shapes moral priorities

Big Picture

Traditional Christian ethos emphasizes:

• Love balanced with moral discipline
• Personal responsibility alongside forgiveness
• Individual conduct tied to a larger spiritual purpose

(From Google Search ai)

The phrase “traditional Christian ethos” generally refers to a set of core values and a “way of being” rooted in the teachings of Jesus and historical church doctrine. It’s less about a specific political stance and more about a foundational moral framework. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Key Pillars of the Christian Ethos

• Sacrificial Love (Agape): The central idea is putting others before oneself. This isn’t just “liking” people, but a commitment to their well-being, even at a personal cost.
• Human Dignity (Imago Dei): The belief that every person is created in the “image of God.” This creates an ethical baseline that every life—regardless of status, age, or ability—has inherent, infinite value.
• The “Golden Rule”: A proactive commitment to treating others as you would want to be treated, which traditionally translates into charity, hospitality, and service to the marginalized.
• Humility and Repentance: A recognition of human imperfection (sin) and the need for grace. This often manifests as a “spirit of meekness”—not weakness, but power under control.
• Stewardship: The view that talents, time, and the earth itself are not “owned” but are gifts on loan from God, to be used responsibly for the common good. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

The Internal “Moral Compass”

In a traditional sense, this ethos emphasizes virtue over autonomy. While modern culture often prioritizes “living your truth,” the Christian ethos prioritizes aligning your life with a higher, objective Truth through discipline and faith.

Would you like to explore how these values contrast with modern secular ethics, or perhaps how they apply to specific social issues?

In a June 2006 speech at the Call to Renewal conference, then president Barak Obama said, “Whatever we once were, we are no longer just a Christian nation; we are also a Jewish nation, a Muslim nation, a Buddhist nation, and a Hindu nation, and a nation of nonbelievers.”

He did not declare that Christianity was dead in America but that America would no longer be known solely as a Christian Nation – as she had long been known. It was at that defining moment that Barak Obama gleefully announced that the syncretizing (reconciliation or fusion of differing systems of belief, as in philosophy or religion, especially when success is partial or the result is heterogeneous) of America was now complete.

And the American psyche was shattered. As described in Isaiah 5:20, Good became evil and evil became what is good. Read what the the Bible says is the outcome of this defiance of God:

^{Isaiah 5:20,} 
Woe (judgment is coming) to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness;
Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!
^{Verse 21.}
Woe (judgment is coming) to those who are wise in their own eyes
And clever and shrewd in their own sight!
^{Verse 22.} 
Woe (judgment is coming) to those who are heroes at drinking wine
And men of strength in mixing intoxicating drinks,
^{Verse 23.} 
Who justify the wicked and acquit the guilty for a bribe,
And take away the rights of those who are in the right!

^{Verse 24.} 
Therefore, as the tongue of fire consumes the stubble [from straw]
And the dry grass collapses into the flame,
So their root will become like rot and their blossom blow away like fine dust;
Because they have rejected the law of the Lord of hosts
And despised and discarded the word of the Holy One of Israel.
^{Verse 25.} 
Therefore the anger of the Lord has burned against His people,
And He has stretched out His hand against them and has struck them down.
And the mountains trembled, and their dead bodies lay like rubbish in the middle of the streets.
In spite of all this God’s anger is not turned away,
But His hand is still stretched out [in judgment].

^{Verse 26.} 
He will lift up a flag to [call] the distant nations [to bring His judgment on Judah],
And will whistle for them from the ends of the earth;
And indeed, they will come with great speed swiftly.
^{Verse 27.} 
No one among them is weary or stumbles,
No one slumbers or sleeps;
Nor is the belt at their waist undone [as if unprepared for action],
Nor is the strap of their sandal broken.
^{Verse 28.} 
Their arrows are sharp and all their bows are strung and bent;
Their horses’ hoofs seem like flint and their chariot wheels like a whirlwind.
^{Verse 29.} 
Their roaring is like a lioness, they roar like young lions;
They growl and seize their prey
And carry it off and there is no one to save it.
^{Verse 30.} 
And in that day they will roar against them like the roaring of the sea.
And if one looks to the land, in fact, there is darkness and distress;
Even the light will be darkened by its clouds.

And finally, here is a prime example of allowing false gods taint and influence our belief in and obedience of the One True Living God:

In the Bible, King Nebuchadnezzar and King Saul are the most prominent examples of leaders who experienced significant mental instability or “madness” following their drift from God.

1. King Nebuchadnezzar: The King Who Became a Beast [1, 2]

Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon is the clearest example of a powerful leader being struck with a specific form of insanity as a direct consequence of pride and turning away from God’s authority. [1]

• The Drift: Despite witnessing God’s power through Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar’s pride grew until he boasted, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built… by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?”.
• The Insanity: Immediately, a voice from heaven declared his authority was taken. He was driven from human society and lived like a wild animal for seven years (often referred to as “seven times”).
• The Condition: Biblical descriptions say he ate grass like an ox, his hair grew like eagles’ feathers, and his nails became like birds’ claws. Modern scholars sometimes link this to boanthropy, a rare psychological disorder where a person believes they are a bovine.
• Restoration: His sanity was restored only when he humbled himself and acknowledged that the “Most High” rules over all earthly kingdoms. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

2. King Saul: The Tormented First King of Israel [King Nebuchadnezzar]

Saul, the first king of Israel, suffered from a gradual mental decline characterized by paranoia and deep depression after he repeatedly disobeyed God’s commands. [1]

• The Drift: Saul drifted from God through several acts of direct disobedience, including offering an unauthorized sacrifice and failing to follow divine instructions during battle.
• The Insanity: The Bible states that the “Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul,” and he was subsequently tormented by an “evil spirit”.
• The Symptoms: Saul experienced extreme paranoia—convinced that David was a threat to his throne—which led to violent outbursts, including multiple attempts to kill David with a javelin. Modern psychiatric analyses often suggest his behavior fits the profile of Bipolar I disorder or severe clinical depression with psychotic features.
• The Outcome: Unlike Nebuchadnezzar, Saul never fully repented or regained his mental and spiritual peace, ultimately leading to his tragic death in battle. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]

Modern psychiatric analyses often interpret these biblical accounts as early descriptions of severe mental health conditions, using the “medical file” of scripture to apply contemporary diagnostic criteria.

1. King Nebuchadnezzar: Boanthropy and Clinical Lycanthropy [1]

The transformation of Nebuchadnezzar into an animal-like state is frequently cited as a case of Boanthropy, a rare form of monomania or clinical zoanthropy where the sufferer believes they are a bovine (cow or ox). [1, 2]

• Clinical Lycanthropy: Modern psychiatrists often classify boanthropy under the broader umbrella of clinical lycanthropy—a rare subtype of schizophrenia or a psychotic manifestation of a mood disorder where an individual believes they are transforming into an animal.
• Alternative Medical Theories: Some researchers suggest the symptoms could also align with Porphyria, a group of metabolic disorders that can cause acute neurological symptoms, including hallucinations, anxiety, and paranoia. Others have proposed paralytic dementia caused by late-stage syphilis, which can lead to severe behavioral changes. [1, 2, 3, 4]

2. King Saul: Bipolar I and Combat Trauma [1]

Saul’s erratic behavior, shifting between deep affection for David and murderous rages, is often viewed through the lens of mood and personality disorders. [1]

• Bipolar I Disorder: Many psychiatric studies conclude that Bipolar I Disorder is the most likely diagnosis. Saul exhibited clear cycles: manic-like “hyperactive and aggressive” interpersonal reactions followed by periods of “morbid melancholy” and withdrawal.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Recent interpretations emphasize the “combat trauma” Saul would have experienced as a lifelong warrior-king. His paranoia and violent outbursts are analyzed as symptoms of chronic anxiety or PTSD, exacerbated by the extreme moral stress of ancient warfare.
• Neurological Theories: Some scholars speculate that Saul may have suffered from epileptic-like fits or even a brain tumor. The description of him falling down and lying naked for a day and night (1 Samuel 19:24) is sometimes interpreted as a “postictal state”—the recovery period following a major seizure. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]

3. The Theological vs. Medical Lens

Modern scholarship also notes a “two-way street” in how these stories are interpreted. [1]

• Ancient Context: In the ancient Near East, behaviors like Saul’s were sometimes diagnosed as ghost-induced illnesses or “evil winds,” often treated with musical therapy.
• Socio-Cultural Factors: Some argue that medicalizing these accounts removes the cultural and ethical nuances of the original text. For example, Saul’s “paranoia” toward David could be viewed as a rational response to a genuine political threat (a successor already anointed to take his throne) rather than a purely clinical delusion. [1, 2, 3, 4]

(Sadly and alarmingly, we are seeing these same afflictions and maladies in our soceity today – and they are a growing problem).

There is truly only way back from this abyss and that is by way of The One True and Living God. Turn to (or turn back to) Jesus and obediently put yourself under His care. Follow Him, obey Him, serve Him and live.

Your Brother and Friend in Christ Jesus,

Mike Young.

“God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”

2 Timothy 1:7.