I would rather live my life as though GOD is and die to find out HE is not, than to live it as though HE is not and die to find out HE is.

John, chapter 20, verse 7

Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection?
The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed
over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave
clothes.
The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was
neatly folded and was placed at the head of that stony coffin. Early
Sunday morning,while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb
and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran
and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved.
She said, 'They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and I don't
know where they have put him!'
Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other
disciple out ran Peter and got there first. He stooped and looked in and <
BR>saw the linen cloth lying there , but he didn't go in. Then Simon Peter
arrived and went inside.
He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth
that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying to the side.
Is that important? Absolutely! Is it really significant? Yes! In
order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to
understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day.
T he folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every
Jewish boy knew this tradition. When the servant set the dinner table
for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master
wanted it. The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would
wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the
servant would not dare touch that table until the master was finished.
Now if the master was done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe
his fingers and mouth with that napkin and toss it on to the table. The
servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the
wadded napkin meant, 'I'm done.' But if the master got up from the
table, and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant
knew that the folded napkin meant, 'I'm not finished yet.'
The folded napkin meant, 'I'm coming back!'

IF YOU BELEIVE HE IS COMING BACK - PASS IT ON, I DID!

More proof that God's Word is true!!!!

"Pharaoh's Entire Army Drowned"

Confirmation of the actual Exodus route has come from divers finding coral-encrusted bones and chariot remains in the Gulf of Aqaba. ONE of the most dramatic records of Divine intervention in history is the account of the Hebrews' exodus from Egypt .

The subsequent drowning of the entire Egyptian army in the Red Sea was not an insignificant event, and confirmation of this event is compelling evidence that the Biblical narrative is truly authentic.

Over the years, many divers have searched the Gulf of Suez in vain for artifacts to verify the Biblical account. But carefully following the Biblical and historical records of the Exodus brings you to Nuweiba, a large beach in the Gulf of Aqaba, as Ron Wyatt discovered in 1978.

Repeated dives in depths ranging from 60 to 200 feet deep (18m to 60m), over a stretch of almost 2.5 km, has shown that the chariot parts are scattered across the sea bed. Artifacts found include wheels, chariot bodies as well as human and horse bones. Divers have located wreckage on the Saudi coastline opposite Nuweiba as well.

Since 1987, Ron Wyatt found three 4-spoke gilded chariot wheels. Coral does not grow on gold, hence the shape has remained very distinct, although the wood inside the gold veneer has disintegrated making them too fragile to move.

The hope for future expeditions is to explore the deeper waters with remote cameras or mini-subs.

WHEN Ron Wyatt first visited Nuweiba in 1978, he found a Phoenician style column lying in the water. Unfortunately the inscriptions had been eroded away, hence the column's importance was not understood until 1984, when a second granite column was found on the Saudi coastline opposite -- identical to the first, except on this one the inscription was still intact.

In Phoenician letters (Archaic Hebrew), it contained the words: Mizraim (Egypt); Solomon; Edom; death; Pharaoh; Moses; and Yahweh, indicating that King Solomon had set up these columns as a memorial to the miracle of the crossing of the sea. Saudi Arabia does not admit tourists, and perhaps fearing unauthorized visitors, the Saudi Authorities have since removed this column, and replaced it with a flag marker where it once stood.

How deep is the water?

THE Gulf of Aqaba is very deep, in places over a mile (1,600m) deep. Even with the sea dried up, walking across would be difficult due to the steep grade down the sides. But there is one spot where if the water were removed, it would be an easy descent for people and animals. This is the line between Nuweiba and the opposite shore in Saudi Arabia .

Depth-sounding expeditions have revealed a smooth, gentle slope descending from Nuweiba out into the Gulf. This shows up almost like a pathway on depth-recording equipment, confirming it's Biblical description "...a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters." (Isaiah 43:16)

The Bible writers frequently refer to the miracle of the Red Sea crossing, for it was an event which finds no equal in history.

The Hebrew prophets describe the sea at the crossing site as "...the waters of the great deep ...the depths of the sea..." (Isaiah 51:10).

Knowing the exact spot to which the Bible writers were referring, what is the depth there? The distance between Nuweiba and where artifacts have been found on Saudi coast is about 18km (11 miles). Along this line the deepest point is about 800m (2,600 feet).

No wonder that Inspired writers of the Bible described it as the mighty waters. And no wonder that not a single Egyptian survived when the water collapsed in upon them.

Psalm 23

PSALM 23

This is an eye opener... Some probably never thought nor looked at this Psalm in this way... even though they say it over and over again.

THE LORD (JEHOVAH-ROI OR JEHOVAH-RA) IS MY SHEPHERD	THAT’S RELATIONSHIP
I SHALL NOT WANT(JEHOVAH-JIREH)	THAT’S SUPPLY
HE (JEHOVAH-SHALOM) MAKETH ME TO LIE DOWN IN GREEN PASTURES	THAT’S REST
HE LEADETH ME BESIDE THE STILL WATERS	THAT’S REFRESHMENT
HE (JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU) RESTORETH MY SOUL	THAT’S HEALING
HE LEADETH ME IN THE PATHS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS	THAT’S GUIDANCE
FOR HIS NAME’S SAKE	THAT’S PURPOSE
YEA, THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH (JEHOVAH-NISSI)	THAT’S TESTING
I WILL FEAR NO EVIL	THAT’S PROTECTION
FOR THOU ART WITH ME	THAT’S FAITHFULNESS
THY ROD AND THY STAFF THEY COMFORT ME	THAT’S DISCIPLINE
THOU PREPAREST A TABLE BEFORE ME IN THE PRESENCE OF MINE ENEMIES (JEHOVAH-RAPHA)	THAT’S HOPE
THOU ANOINTEST MY HEAD WITH OIL	THAT’S CONSECRATION
MY CUP RUNNETH OVER	THAT’S ABUNDANCE
SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY SHALL FOLLOW ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE	THAT’S BLESSING
AND I WILL DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD	THAT’S SECURITY
FOREVER (JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH)	THAT’S ETERNITY

Free Will

FREE WILL

Consider the following Bible reasons validating the fact that God gives each individual the right to choose good or evil. Moses said to Israel, “I have set before you life and death-choose life” (Deuteronomy 30:19). John 3:16 is the champion verse of free will.

Read the following:

Romans 2:6-16, Malachi 3:6, Romans 9-11, Joshua 24:15, Psalm 119:30, Isaiah 7:15, Isaiah 66:3, Matthew 16:24, 1 Corinthians 7:37 and Revelation 22:17.

If divine election is true for Gentiles, why go to church, or witness, or evangelize? If God has already determined who will go to Heaven and who will go to hell, why pray, why read the Bible?

Divine election is a fact for some of the Jewish people who are a “remnant”, but it simply does not apply to gentiles.

God began his covenant with the Jewish people with Abraham. Abraham was selected out of paganism to become the father of all who believe. At the time Abraham was chosen, he had no knowledge of God, and so could not have chosen God. God chose Abraham. Abraham’s “election” is easy, God had to begin somewhere. God began in Genesis 12 with the father of all who believe “I will bless those who bless you and I will curse those who curse you, and in you all families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Isaac & Ishmael: Paul presents the case for election with the birth of Isaac and Ishmael. The Arabs are descended from Ishmael, while the Jews (God’s chosen people) are descended from Isaac (the younger son). This started a feud between the Jews and the Arabs that has continued until this day. While both were the sons of Abraham, Isaac was born supernaturally by the power of God and was chosen to lead the “children of promise” (the Jews).

Jacob & Esau: For this is the word of promise, “At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son.” And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to the election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls), it was said to her. “The older shall serve the younger.” As it is written, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.” (Romans 9:9-13) Paul makes clear in Romans 9:11 that this was done “that the purpose of God according to election might stand. God knew that Esau would be a wild man who would produce the Edomites, who would attack the children of Israel as they came out of Egypt, bound for the promised land. Esau’s descendants would produce a lineage that would attack and destroy Jews for centuries to come. Esau’s descendants included Haman, who attempted to have all the Jews living in Persia killed. Adolph Hitler was a descendant of Esau, which is recorded by John Toland in his book (Adolph Hitler).

Divine election & the Jews: Romans 9-11 is a codicil intended exclusively for the Jewish people. The Bible speaks of Israel as an elect nation. Isaiah wrote “For Jacob My servant’s sake, and Israel My elect, I have even called you by your name.” (Isaiah 45:4) Jesus said “And unless those days were shortened (the tribulation), no flesh would be saved, but for the elect’s sake (the Jewish people) those days will be shortened.” (Matthew 24:22)

Free Will: Romans 9:17-19, For the Scripture saith of Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.” Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens. You will say to me then, “Why does He find fault? For who has resisted His will?”

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) It is apparent that not all men will come to repentance, like Pharaoh, some will choose to reject God, and follow humanism, secularism, hedonism, materialism, Satanism, aetheism and many, many other so-called gods and religions.

As for the word harden in Romans 9, Paul says “You will say to me then, why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will? But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “why have you made me like this?” Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor? (verses 18-21)

Lessons from the potter. A pot cannot give advice to the potter, anymore than a human can find fault with what God does in the persons life. You may not understand what God is doing, but you are just the pot. God has absolute sovereignty in your life. Sovereignty means He can do what He wants, when He wants, if He wants, as long as He wants without explanation to you or anyone else, ever. You are given the opportunity to turn from your evil ways, but if you don’t it is just for God to destroy you.

If all God wanted to do was send people to hell, He would not have given us His word (the Bible), nor sent His Son (Jesus) to die for our sins so that we could come to repentance. If we fail to come to repentance, God has every right to condemn us to hell and will most certainly do so.

The remnant

A remnant shall be saved (Romans 9:27-29) Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, the remnant will be saved. For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness, because the Lord will make a short work upon the earth”, and as Isaiah said before “Unless the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we would have become like Sodom, and we would have been made like Gomorrah.”

Paul quotes directly from Isaiah 10:22 when he writes, “And it shall come to pass in that day that the remnant of Israel, and such as have escaped of the house of Jacob-for though your people, O Israel, be as the sand of the sea, a remnant of them will return-with righteousness.”

It’s obvious that the remnant is Jewish, although some in the church say that it represents the church. They base this on the false belief that God is a God of love, and He wouldn’t send anyone to an eternal hell. Then why does the Bible state “Broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14). The Scriptural history of the word remnant reveals: In Deuteronomy 3, there is a description of a battle between the Israelites, who were passing through the wilderness after leaving Mount Horeb, and the Amorites, under the command of King Og of Bashan. King Og was the only one remaining of the Rephaim, who had been defeated earlier. Here in Deuteronomy we read, “Only Og king of Bashan was left of the remnant of the Rephaites.” In 2 Kings 19, when King Hezekiah was besieged and mocked by Sennacherib and the Assyrians, he sent to Isaiah to ask him to pray for the Jewish remnant that is left. Isaiah answered Hezekiah saying that God promised a remnant would be spared from the Assyrians and would flourish for a time like a fruitful tree.

“Once more a remnant of the house of Judah will take root below and bear fruit above. For out of Jerusalem will come a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors. (2 Kings 19:30-31) Based on Biblical text we have a basis for saying that the remnant is a band of survivors. What greater group of survivors on planet Earth today than the Jewish people, who survived Hitler’s Holocaust and have a thriving economy in the Middle East even though they are surrounded on every side by their sworn enemies.

The Jews also survived Titus and the Romans, Hadrian and the Romans, the Roman Catholic Crusades and the Spanish Inquisition in addition to the Holocaust.

God promises that by His sovereign grace a remnant would be saved by the grace of God, a group of survivors who have the opportunity to receive the Messiah, who is a Jewish rabbi known to the world as Jesus of Nazareth. 700 years before Jesus was born, Isaiah predicted that He would be born of a virgin. (Isaiah 7:14). We are told the time of His birth in Daniel 9, the place of His birth in Micah 5, the details of His life and death are recorded in Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53, the fact of His resurrection is stated in Psalm 16. The only person in human history who meets all of these qualifications is Jesus of Nazareth.

Christ, the stumbling stone

CHRIST (THE STUMBLING STONE)

Romans 9:32-33

For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. As it is written,

“Behold I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, and whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”

Paul closes Romans 8 with questions from Isaiah 8:14

He will be a sanctuary, but a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to both the house of Israel, as a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

and 28:16.

Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sue foundation, whoever believes will not act hastily.

THE STUMBLING STONE BECOMES THE CAPSTONE

He has no form or comeliness, and when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him. He is despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. (Isaiah 53:2-3)

The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone, the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. (Matthew 21:42)

Jesus Christ of Nazareth-is the stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone. (Acts 4:10-11)