TRACTS 

The jury came back from deliberation (weighing the evidence) and announced a verdict “ guilty on all counts and the sentence is death.” How would you like to get that kind of news? Most likely you would feel devastated with no hope of the future and nothing to look forward to. Would you be able to serve 50 years in prison and be released? No, the sentence is “death”. There is no way out. This is the position the inhabitants of the earth find themselves in. 

Our first parents, Adam and Eve trusted more in the words of the serpent (the Devil) then in the words of their Creator God. 

When Adam and Eve sinned against their Creator two important developments took place. 

1. Humanity is subject to death. “For as in Adam all die..” “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” “For the wages of sin is death..”(1 Corinthians 15:22 & Romans 3:23;6:23). The natural consequences to sin is not just the physical death but also eternal death. 

2. Men and women were created in the image (likeness which is His character) of God but after sin they were born into the image of the sinful human nature ( see Genesis 5:3 & Psalms 51:5).

There appears to be no hope beyond this life for the sinner having a death penalty hanging over them and a sinful human nature that is bent toward sin. 

But wait, there is unbelievably Good News! 

“And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the EVERLASTING GOSPEL to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” Revelation 14:6. The Angel represents: “A messenger”. The Angel is carrying a message from the throne of God to all people groups around the world. This message is an “ EVERLASTING GOSPEL”. The end results are eternal! The word Gospel as defined in the Greek means: “ Good News”. What is the Good News for all of us facing eternal death and a sinful human nature? “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for HE SHALL SAVE HIS PEOPLE FROM THEIR SINS.” Matthew 1:21. AND “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.” Romans 5:8-10. NLT

While there was no hope beyond this life and we were enemies, He sent His “OWN” and “ONLY” SON (see Romans 8:32 & John 3:16) to live a perfect life in human flesh and die for our sins. The GOOD NEWS is that Jesus longing desire is to give us as a free gift His death and perfect life.  We can accept this free gift by Faith (see Ephesians 2:8-10), be in an intimate relationship with Jesus, hear His voice and FOLLOW HIM wherever He goes (see John 10:27,28) and allow God to RESTORE the IMAGE of HIMSELF (His Character) in us, and  live with HIM for ETERNITY! 

“I'm not ashamed of the Good News. It is God's power to save everyone who believes..” Romans 1:16 GW. The Gospel is the power of God unto Salvation not the power of man. 

We are all on death row and facing the death sentence.  Will you accept the Good News of God’s free Gift today? The benefits of accepting this gift are endless for this life and the eternal life to come.

In 2009, an Extraordinary discovery took place during an archaeological excavation at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The royal seal of King Hezekiah (727–698 BCE) was discovered. 

 The seal impression depicts a two-winged sun disk flanked by ankh (Key of Life) symbols and containing a Hebrew inscription that reads “Belonging to Hezekiah, (son of) Ahaz, king of Judah.” 

Like a rubber stamp with a signature, A seal impressed in wax was used in Bible times by kings and prophets for official documents to reveal its ownership and genuineness. Once the seal was put on the document it could not be altered(see Esther 8:8). 

All of those living for eternity with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ will have a seal in their foreheads. The word Signet or seal in the Old Testament in the Hebrew means “Signature”. The elect of God will have the “Father's name written in their foreheads.” Revelation 14:1. It is God’s signature, His character. 

In these “ Last Days” of this earths history there is an urgency for a sealing of God’s people taking place. “And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the SEAL OF THE LIVING GOD and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.” Revelation 7:2,3. 

Every one living before the second coming of Jesus will have decided whether they will receive the “Seal of the Living God” OR the “Mark of the Beast “ ( See Revelation 13:14-17) in their foreheads. 

How can we receive the “SEAL OF THE LIVING GOD” in our foreheads?

1. Repent

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19

2. Sins forgiven 

“My transgression (Sin) is SEALED up in a bag, and You cover over my iniquity. .” Job 14:17

3. You are SEALED in Believing and accepting the truth 

“You heard and believed the message of truth, the Good News that he has saved you. In him you were SEALED with the Holy Spirit whom he promised.” Ephesians 1:13 GW

4. SEAL the Law in our hearts

“Bind up the testimony, SEAL the law (10 Commandments) among my disciples.” Isaiah 8:16

5. Crying and sighing for the wickedness going on and our own sinfulness 

“And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark (H8420: mark, signature) upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.” Ezekiel 9:4

6. Overcoming through the Spirit of God

“Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit..” 1 Peter 1:22

“ Him (believer) that overcometh will I (Jesus) make a pillar in the temple of my (Jesus) God (Father) and he (believer) shall go no more out: and I (Jesus) will write upon him (believer) the name (signature, character) of my (Jesus) God (Father) and the name of the city of my (Jesus) God (Father) which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my (Jesus) God (Father) and I (Jesus) will write upon him (believer) my (Jesus) new name.” Revelation 3:12

* Emphasis in parentheses provided

The “SEAL OF THE LIVING GOD” the author of life, the FATHER and His only begotten SON Jesus Christ who died for our sins and lived a perfect life in human flesh loves us so much and longs to place that Seal in our foreheads that we may live with them permanently! Will you choose that sealing to take place in your life today?

From the beginning of time, humanity has been drawn to mystery—things unknown, hidden, or beyond our understanding. The Bible reminds us that some things are secret to God, yet He has graciously revealed what we need to know (Deuteronomy 29:29). 

The first mystery is Jesus as God’s hidden wisdom. Before creation, God’s wisdom was concealed, yet in love, He revealed it through His Son. Jesus was “brought forth” or begotten by the Father from everlasting, existing before the mountains, the seas, and the earth itself (Proverbs 8:22-25; Micah 5:2). How humbling it is to realize that the One who would later walk among us was set apart from eternity for our salvation.

The second mystery is the Father and the Son. No one has ever seen God the Father, yet He has revealed His heart through Jesus (John 1:18; John 14:9; Ephesians 3:9). The Father is invisible, yet Jesus—the Word made flesh—became the visible reflection of God’s love, mercy, and truth. Throughout Scripture, Jesus represented the Father’s presence, showing us what God is truly like. When we see Jesus, we see God Himself.

The third mystery is the origin of sin. Lucifer, once a perfect angel, chose rebellion over obedience. He led a third of the angels to oppose God, and heaven was shaken by war (Ezekiel 28:14-15; Isaiah 14:12-14; Revelation 12:7-9). Sin entered a perfect world, and its consequences reached far beyond heaven—an invitation for us to reflect on the seriousness of choosing against God’s perfect plan.

The fourth mystery is human sin. Created in God’s image, Adam and Eve fell into deception, trusting the words of Satan over God’s Word. Their disobedience brought fear, shame, and separation from the presence of the Creator, and humanity inherited a nature prone to sin (Genesis 1:26; 3:6-8; 5:3). This is a mirror for our own hearts: how often do we listen to the world rather than to God?

The fifth mystery is redemption through Jesus. God’s love overflowed, and He gave His only Son to redeem the human race. Jesus took on human flesh, lived without sin, and offered His life as the perfect sacrifice for ours. He stands as our High Priest and mediator, inviting us to exchange our sin-stained life for His righteousness (Revelation 13:8; 1 Timothy 3:16; Luke 1:31-35). Can we grasp the depth of such a gift?

The sixth mystery is restoring God’s image in humanity. Jesus longs to dwell in our hearts, renewing the image of God lost in Eden. Through His Spirit, we are transformed, empowered to live in righteousness and walk in harmony with His law (Colossians 1:27; Romans 8:3-4). This is not just a future hope—it is an invitation to a present, life-changing fellowship with Christ.

The seventh mystery is glorification and eternal life. When God’s image is fully restored in us, Jesus will return to take His redeemed people home. Mortal bodies will be transformed into immortal ones, and we will dwell with Him forever in the fullness of joy and peace. The promise is eternal, but it begins with the heart willing to seek Him today.

These mysteries are not meant to remain distant or abstract—they are invitations. Each one calls us to look deeper into God’s Word, to seek understanding, and to allow these truths to touch our hearts personally. May we not be content with surface knowledge, but pursue the richness of God’s revelation, allowing the Holy Spirit to illuminate our minds and transform our lives. Let us study these mysteries diligently, meditate on them prayerfully, and let them draw us closer to the One who holds all wisdom, love, and power—our Creator and Redeemer.

A loving God created humans to have the freedom of choice. Our first parents Adam and Eve had two choices that were in the center of the Garden of Eden. To eat from the Tree of Life and live forever OR eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and die. Unfortunately, they chose the later. The Good News is that the Father sent His only begotten Son (see John 3:16) into the world to live a perfect life and die for our sins to give us another opportunity to choose the Tree of Life (live for eternity). 

The final test is to come shortly to all that live on the earth. It is a choice over loyalty and who we will worship. Two choices: “worship him (God)that made HEAVEN and EARTH , and the SEA..” Revelation 14:7 which is the Seventh Day Sabbath (see Exodus 20:11). The end result will be to live for eternity and be in Fellowship with the Father and  His Son Jesus Christ, and the Angels. OR “causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast” Revelation 13:12 (Mark of the Beast). The end result is separation from Father and His Son Jesus Christ and never living again.

You can worship God on any day of the week but there is a day that is set aside from creation,  that is Holy, the Seventh Day.  What is the counterfeit for the Seventh Day Sabbath as an Holy day? The majority of professed Christians claim that the Holy Day has been changed to Sunday despite not one single direct verse in the Bible. It is impossible to change the Sabbath to the First day as an Holy day! Why? Because that was the First day of creation! God was working and not resting! 

Are we going to try to be saved by our own works like Cain who brought his best fruits and vegetables to worship God or like Able who rested and relied in the words of God by Faith and brought a lamb to sacrifice?

“Give glory to him” comes first before “worship him (God)that made HEAVEN and EARTH and the SEA, and the fountains of waters.” First, give your life fully over to Jesus and accept His perfect life and death on the cross. By beholding Him, thinking about him, following him all during the day, we become changed into His image (see 2 Corinthians 3:18).

Dear reader, I urge you to wholeheartedly be in an intimate relationship with Jesus in prayer and Bible study, experience resting and relying upon His words in the Holy Bible. Worship the living God who created HEAVEN and EARTH and the SEA. Who also sent all the resources of Heaven sending His only Begotten Son who lived a perfect life and paid the penalty for our sins that we may live forever with Him! Amen!

A person opened up an envelop that they received in the mail and the advertisement on the Life Insurance read," Time is Short". We do not know when it is our last day in this life. 

Friend, if you were to die today, would you have assurance of salvation and eternal life in Jesus? 

The “Last Call” message by a loving God is represented as Three Angels in the book of Revelation chapter 14. An Angel in the Bible represents “Messenger”. Angels receive the message from heaven and give this message to those whose hearts are open to receive it. 

The First Angel’s message  of Revelation 14:6,7  is to go “to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” It is the “Everlasting Gospel” message. It is given with a “loud voice” which represents its vital importance.  Acceptance of this message as evidenced in the life determines whether the Second Angel’s  message is received and understood regarding “Babylon is fallen” referring to the false church with its false teachings. This in turn, determines the outcome of Third Angel’s message whether choosing the Mark of the Beast and never living again or living for eternity.

What is this message? It is, “Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made HEAVEN and EARTH , and the SEA , and the fountains of waters.” Revelation 14:7. Who is this God? Looking at the big picture from Genesis to Revelation there is God the Father who had an “only begotten Son” (see John 3:16). This is a literal Son not a symbolic or metaphorical Son. Jesus is God by nature “begotten” of the Father and the Father gave Him ALL authority and power (see Matthew 28:18, John 3:35;5:22,26,27;13:3).

This word “fear” in this context does not mean to be scared of God. This word,  “Fear” is defined in the Greek as: “Reverence” We are to reverence and respect our Creator. How? By “giving glory to Him.” That word glory represents character (see Exodus 33:18,19;34:1-7). As Jesus came to reveal to mankind the character of the Father we are to reveal the character of Jesus to the world. 

“For the hour of his judgment is come”. Notice it is present tense. It is going on right now. For the one dying  their decision has been made and it is final. Soon the living will have made their decision and it is final. The important point here is that it is urgent and need to make a decision today for we may not have tomorrow. 

“Worship him that made HEAVEN , and EARTH and the SEA, and the fountains of waters.” If you were to do a search in the Bible with an electronic Bible tool like E-Sword or a google search on “Bible verses that have the words, HEAVEN , EARTH , SEA you will find 12 verses. The first verse on the list comes right out of the Fourth commandment in Exodus 20:11. It is the only commandment that starts out as: “Remember”.  God would not have put the word “Remember” in the fourth commandment, if it was not to be forgotten. The Seventh Day Sabbath began at creation (see Genesis 2:2,3)and was not only for the Jews but for all mankind.

The real battle is over the human soul between Jesus Christ and Satan. Whose character will we reveal and who will we worship. The choice is TODAY!

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” Malachi 4:5,6

The Bible promises that before Jesus Second Coming that Elijah will come. Does this mean that Elijah who was translated to heaven without seeing death will literally come down out of heaven and reveal himself? Jesus answers this question from the disciples in response to their question of the scribes belief in a literal coming of Elijah. The Bible says, “ Then his disciples asked him, “Why do the teachers of religious law insist that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes?” Jesus replied, “Elijah is indeed coming first to get everything ready. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, but he wasn’t recognized, and they chose to abuse him. And in the same way they will also make the Son of Man suffer.” Then the disciples realized he was talking about John the Baptist.” Matthew 17:10-13 NLT.

Jesus was not talking so much about the individuals that were giving the message. He was referring to the message that would bring conviction leading people to a decision that would change their lives. We need to understand the context of the prevailing practices of the people who God chose to reveal His character through before we can understand the Elijah Message.

King Ahab and his wife Jezebel turned the people away from the TRUE GOD to worship many false gods that brought about confusion. By inheritance and nationality, Israel claimed to worship the LORD GOD JEHOVAH but in practice they were worshipping Baal the nature god which claimed to govern rain, crops, and fertility. They worshipped also the goddess Asherah that Queen Jezebel supported. God put on Elijah’s heart the burden of bringing the people back to the worship of the TRUE GOD. Elijah, a powerful man of prayer, boldly went into King Ahab’s palace and said, there will be no dew nor rain for the next few years. Let’s see if the nature god Baal that they worshipped would bring about rain. Drought, starvation, and death were the results of no rain for over three years. ‘During the third year that no rain fell, the LORD said to Elijah, "Go meet with King Ahab, and I will make it rain." Elijah went to meet with Ahab…When Ahab saw Elijah he said, "Is that really you, the troublemaker of Israel?" Elijah answered, "I have not made trouble for Israel. You and your father's family caused all the problems when you stopped obeying the LORD'S commands(ments) and began following the false gods. Now tell all the people of Israel to meet me at Mount Carmel. Also bring the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of the goddess Asherah that Queen Jezebel supports." So Ahab called all the Israelites and those prophets to Mount Carmel. 

(WHAT IS THE ELIJAH MESSAGE?) Elijah came to all the people and said, “You must decide what you are going to do. How long will you keep jumping from one side to the other? If the LORD is the TRUE GOD, follow him. But if Baal is the true God, then follow him!" The people said nothing. So Elijah said, "I am the only prophet of the LORD here, but there are 450 prophets of Baal.” (NOTE: NO WHERE IN HISTORY HAS THE MAJORITY BEEN ON THE SIDE OF TRUTH, ITS ALWAYS BEEN THE MINORITY)…” Prophets of Baal, pray to your god, and I will pray to the LORD. Whichever god answers the prayer and starts the fire (on the altar of sacrifice)is the TRUE GOD! All the people agreed that this was a good idea. 1 kings 18: 1,2;17-22,24 ERV. The God that answers by water which was severely needed now but answers by fire let him be God because the atonement was to be made by sacrifice.

What did Elijah do after the Baal prophets could not produce fire on the Altar to burn the sacrifice? The Bible says, “Then Elijah said to all the people, "Now come here." So they gathered around Elijah. The LORD'S altar had been torn down, so Elijah repaired it” Verse 30. The repairing of the Altar is at the very heart of the matter. It is the place where a relationship broken by sin is repaired.  Sin separates us from our creator. The Bible says, “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Isaiah 59:2.  Someone had to die because of sin. In the Old Testament it was an animal sacrifice, looking forward by faith to the creator’s sacrifice Who became “ the Lamb of God (Jesus) which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29. When we come to the altar of sacrifice with a repentant heart, our sin is taken away and restoration of our relationship with God takes place. It is interesting to note that Elijah felt it was necessary to repair the altar before calling on the name of the TRUE GOD. 

“..Elijah approached the altar and prayed, "LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, I ask you now to prove that you are the God of Israel and that I am your servant. Show these people that it was you who commanded me to do all these things. LORD, answer my prayer. Show these people that you, LORD, are God and that you are the one who is bringing them back to you." Then fire came down from the LORD and burned the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the ground around the altar. Then it dried up all the water in the ditch.

All the people saw this happen and bowed down to the ground and began saying, "The LORD is God! The LORD is God!" 1 Kings 18:36-39 ERV

Today,  before Jesus second coming the ELIJAH MESSAGE will go to all that “.. dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” Revelation 14:6

What is the ELIJAH MESSAGE for today? “Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” Verse 7 ibid 

Respect, reverence, and worship the TRUE GOD. Who is this TRUE GOD? It is the “self Existent or eternal; Jehovah”  who had an “only begotten Son” (John 3:16)in the “express image of his person” (Hebrews 1:3). That is, Jesus came forth out of the Father and is an “exact copy” (see Strongs Concordance G5481)or likeness of the Father. 

In Elijah’s time there was worship of many gods. No different today. Most professing Christians actually worship three Gods in One or One in three with many other variations. That’s called confusion. There is an Elijah message in these last days calling us back to the worship of the TRUE GOD.

“But to us there is but ONE God, the FATHER of whom are all things, and we in him; and ONE LORD JESUS CHRIST, by whom are all things, and we by him.” 1 Corinthians 8:6

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee (FATHER JEHOVAH) the ONLY TRUE GOD and JESUS CHRIST whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3

“You must decide what you are going to do. How long will you keep jumping from one side to the other? If the LORD is the TRUE GOD follow him. But if Baal is the true God, then follow him!"..” 1 kings 18:21

WARNING: In these last days before Jesus second coming there will be fire coming down out of heaven to attempt to prove who is the TRUE GOD. This already has taken place. Do not fall for this deception! The Bible says, “It uses all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and it makes the earth and those living on it worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. It performs spectacular signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people. It deceives those living on earth with the signs that it is allowed to do on behalf of the first beast, telling them to make an image for the beast who was wounded by a sword and yet lived..” Revelation 13:12-14 ISV

Remember years ago we use to play the game “Telephone” or “Whisper Down the Lane”? First,Line up 10 people. The first person whispers a couple of sentences to the next person and that is repeated down the line. The last person reveals what he or she heard. Typically, the words have changed, and the overall meaning from the original conversation. The game teaches us how stories can change over time and TRUTH changes into misleading and untrue teachings. There are many false narratives or stories on the origin of sin, humanity, our purpose, and the future. Let us look and rediscover the TRUTH in Gods word the Holy Bible that has withstood the test of times.

“And there was war in Heaven. Michael and his angels warring against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels warred, but did not prevail. Nor was place found for them in Heaven any more. And the great dragon was cast out, the old serpent called Devil, and Satan, who deceives the whole world. He was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.. And his tail drew the third part of the stars (Angels see Rev. 1:20) of heaven, and cast them onto the earth…” Revelation 12:7-9,4

How did war start in heaven in a place of love, joy, and harmony? How did the war transfer to this earth, and battling over every soul for worship? Ultimately, how will the final battle bring an end to this GREAT CONFLICT?

“That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD (H3068: self Existent or eternal; Jehovah) and there is none else.” Isaiah 45:6

“From Everlasting” there was Jehovah the self-existent one who brought forth a SON. The first Bible translated into English says this: “When I was born, there were neither depths nor springs of water. Before the foundations of the mountains were laid, yea before all the hills was I born.” Proverbs 8:24,25 1535 Miles-Coverdale Bible. The 1599 Geneva Bible say, “Before the mountains were settled and before the hills, was I begotten.”Proverbs 8:25. 

“But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.” 1 Corinthians 8:6

So there is one God who brought forth a SON NOT CREATED but BEGOTTEN (Strong’s Concordance: G3439-“ONLY BORN”). There is a big difference between created and begotten. Created came out of nothing and begotten means “to bear,” “bring forth,” “born”. It is coming out of someone that already exists. In Matthew 1:1-17  “The Genealogy of Jesus Christ” empathizes being born of a Father. The Father gave His Son Jesus Christ all authority and power to be equal with Him. 

Next to Christ in the heavenly order was Lucifer the highest of all created beings  and he was a covering cherub (see Ezekiel 28:15,16)The Bible says, “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground..For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars (angels) of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north.” Isaiah 14:12,13. 

The phrase in the verse, “I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation” gives us one of the clues of what this GREAT CONFLICT between good and evil between Jesus Christ and Lucifer is all about. “Mount of the congregation is symbolic of divine council and authority” (Biblehub). The other clue is when Jesus the divine Son of God came to this earth and took on humanity He was tempted by Lucifer. Two of the three temptations were regarding His Sonship. The devil said, “ If thou be the Son of God” (see Matthew 4:3,6). Lucifer coveted the position of the Son of God. He wanted to be in all the councils and purposes that the Father and Son had together. He started to whisper his dissatisfaction among the Angels. The Bible says that he drew one-third of the Angels to rebel against the government of God. “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth.” Revelation 12:8,9,4

The Father and Son created all things and the crowning act was creating Adam and Eve in their image (likeness). Some time after creation, Lucifer used a medium, that is a serpent to tempt Eve to distrust the words of God and eat from the forbidden Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Then Eve was the medium to cause Adam to sin (See Genesis 2:17;3:1-11). After creation and the fall of Adam and Eve into sin, God made this prophetic statement: “And I will put enmity (H342: hostility, hatred)thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” Genesis 3:15. Those that believe deceptions and lies of the devil will be on his side and those that believe and accept the truth will be on God’s side. Truth and error good and evil cannot be on the same side. Sin causes conflict and division. 

“thou shalt bruise his heel.” This phrase is prophetic of Jesus sacrifice for humanity. “God showed how much he loved us by sending HIS ONLY SON into the world so that we might have eternal life through him.” 1 John 4:9. Jesus, the Son of God took on humanity and lived a perfect life that the law demands and died on the cross paying the penalty for sin giving humanity another opportunity in a relationship with the loving creator of the universe. When a repentant sinner comes to Jesus and accepts the great sacrifice for sin and accepts His perfect life, His robe of righteousness he or she is looked at as perfect, as if they had never sinned before. Understanding and accepting that great love of Jesus has for us, we chose by the power of  GOD’s SPIRIT to live Christ-like lives. The devil doesn’t like that and will do everything possible to get you back on his side to worship him by deception, incentives, force, etc. Giving your life over to Jesus moment by moment connects you with the gift and power of the SPIRIT that resists temptation to sin. We can claim all the powerful promises in God’s word to ultimately reflect the character of Jesus.

Jesus is coming soon to take those to Heaven who:

“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Revelation 14:12

“Look, I am coming soon, BRINGING MY REWARD WITH ME to repay all people according to their deeds.” Revelation 22:12 NLT

At Jesus second coming the righteous dead are raised up and the righteous living will be caught up in the clouds to meet “the Lord in the air” (see 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17), the wicked will be slain at the brightness of His glory (see 2 Thessalonians 2:8;1:7-9, Revelation 19:15,21, Jeremiah 25:33, & Isaiah 11:4), the wicked dead will stay in the graves until after the 1,000 years and they will be of the second resurrection (see Revelation 20:5,6). The devil and his angels will be in this dark earth for a 1,000 years with no one to tempt. That’s being in prison!

After the 1,000 year Millennium one last conflict occurs. 

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” Revelation 21:1,2

New Jerusalem, the holy city, will come down from Heaven and settle on this earth which will be the New Headquarters of the universe.

“And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.” Revelation 20:2,3

After the 1,000 years the wicked will be resurrected. Satan will be able to tempt again. 

“And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city..” Revelation 20:7-9

“Everything that is hidden will be shown, and everything that is secret will be made known.” Luke 12:2. ERV. The inhabitants that ever lived on the earth both the the righteous and wicked will be able to see the Great Conflict from the beginning with war in heaven to its completion. All will see the great sacrifice of Jesus made on the cross in contrast to the cruelty and wicked motivation of the devil. Everyone will see the Great Love of the Father who emptied all the resources of heaven in giving up His ONLY SON JESUS CHRIST so that men and women could be saved. Jesus gave all even willing to be permanently separated from the Father that we may live for eternity. (Read and meditate on Psalms 88 that is prophetic of Jesus). “.. who for the joy that was set before him (JESUS CHRIST) endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

The response of comprehending the everlasting love of the Father and His Son from all the inhabitants of the earth that ever lived both the righteous and the wicked:

“ Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11

Last scene:

“..and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them (wicked). And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone…” Revelation 20:9,10

God’s LAW of LOVE which is a transcript of His character is fully vindicated. Sin and sinners are no more and the GREAT CONFLICT is forever ended.

Sanctuary: An Invitation to God’s house

“Thy way (H1870: course of life) O God, is in the sanctuary (H6944: sacred place, Holy) who is sogreat a God as our God?” Psalms 77:13. This same Hebrew word appears in a miraculous story that demonstrates the power of God. In the wilderness, Moses saw a bush on fire and it was not burnt to ashes. God called Moses out of the burning bush and said, “Don't come any closer! Take off your sandals because this place where you are standing is holy (H6944: sanctuary) ground.” Exodus 3:5 GW. When we study the sanctuary it’s structure and most importantly of all its functions, it’s done with Holy awe and reverence. 

According to Jeremiah 17:12, the sanctuary existed, “from the beginning..”The original purpose of the sanctuary, the house of God, “the mount of the congregation” was a place of assembly, worship, a place of learning new insights into the wisdom of God the Father and His only begotten Son Jesus Christ, and for council meetings (1 Kings 22:19).

God is a relational God and wants to be in an intimate relationship with us. He is inviting the inhabitants of creation to His personal residence. The sanctuary on earth was built after the pattern of heavenly sanctuary (see Exodus 25:9, Hebrews 8:2,5). 

Let us take a look at the original sanctuary in heaven so that we can best understand the earthly sanctuary, it’s purposes and functions. 

Jeremiah 17:12 also says that God had “A glorious high throne..” in the sanctuary. Ezekiel the prophet was caught up in vision and describes what he saw in the sanctuary of heaven. He saw a throne made of sapphire, a beautiful blue color as the skies in the heavens(see Exodus 24:10 and Ezekiel 10:1). “.. On the throne was a figure that looked like a human. Then I saw what he looked like from the waist up. He looked like glowing bronze with fire all around it. From the waist down, he looked like fire. A bright light surrounded him. The brightness all around him looked like a rainbow in the clouds. It was like the LORD'S glory.” Ezekiel 1:26-28 GW. Leading up to the throne were stones of fire (Ezekiel 28:14). and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning. (Ezekiel 1:13,14). 

Below the throne was a mercy seat with covering cherubs on each side symbolizing guarding and protecting it (see Ezekiel 28:14,16; Exodus 25:18-20,22, Hebrews 9:5). Ezekiel chapter 28 describes that one of the Cherubs, Lucifer, rebelled against God and His government and particularly jealous of God’s Son Jesus Christ supremacy (Isaiah 14:12-14, Ezekiel 28:14-18, Matthew 4:3,6). He is the enemy of souls and wants to destroy all of creation spreading lies, deception, incentives, and force. He desires everyone to worship him and not the SON. The Bible says he and a third of the angels that he deceived were kicked out of heaven and will eventually come to ashes (see Ezekiel 28:18, Matthew 25:41, Revelation 12:7-9,4; 20:7-10). 

God the Father sits on the throne. At His right hand is His “own” and “only begotten SON” (John 1:14,18; 3:16,18, 1 John 4:9; Matthew 26:64, Mark 16:19, Acts 2:33, Hebrews 12:2). The Father’s Son Jesus Christ was “brought forth” (Proverbs 8:22-30) “from everlasting” (Micah 5:2).Having the nature of His Father, He is God. “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.” John 5:26,27. 

The throne is surrounded with ministering Angels. “A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.” Daniel 7:9. “.. the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning.” Ezekiel 1:13. The lightning is the movement of Angels responding to the assignments coming out from the throne room of God to create circumstances and guide in answers to prayers. 

Below the throne is the mercy seat. “And you shall put the mercy-seat (a lid used only of the coverof the sacred Ark) upon the ark of the testimony in the Holy of Holies.” Exodus 36:24. The ark of the covenant or Testament contains “the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant (10 commandments).” Hebrews 9:4. 

The Manna represents Jesus who is the bread of life. Aaron's rod that budded pointed to the confirmation of the priesthood through the tribe of Levi by God to eliminate murmurings and rebellion (see Numbers 17). This symbolizes Jesus Christ having an unchangeable priesthood  and is the only mediator between God the Father and man (see Hebrews 7:24 and 1 Timothy 2:5). The tables of the covenant, the 10 commandments is what governs the Kingdom of Heaven. 

In Eternity past, the law that governed God’s kingdom was “THE LAW OF LOVE”. Loving the Lord God with all your heart, mind, and soul and loving your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39). When Humans were created God defined what  “THE LAW OF LOVE” looked like by giving them 10 commandments. 

In front of the throne were three pieces of furniture. The table of showbread like the manna pointed to Christ, the living Bread. It represented man’s dependence upon God for both physical and spiritual food. The candlestick represented Jesus as the light of the world, divine presence and guidance, and the oil represents the Holy Spirit that emanates (Definition: to flow out, issue or proceed from a source) from the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. The Alter of incense represents the merits and intercession of Christ and prayers of the saints (see Revelation 8:3,4). 

After creation and the fall of Adam and Eve into sin, the function of the sanctuary changed. Why? “It is your sins that separate you from your God. He turns away from you when he sees them.” Isaiah 59:2 ERV AND “When people sin, they earn what sin pays—death.” Romans 6:23 ERV. The answer to broken relationships due to sin is the perfect life and shed blood of the creator. By faith those before the death of Jesus on the cross brought a lamb to sacrifice. The sins of the sinner were transferred to the lamb. The throat of the lamb without blemish that was raised in the family was slit. Some of the blood was drained into a cup. The lamb was burnt up on the altar of sacrifice and the priest dipped their fingers into the cup and sprinkled it seven times before the veil separating the Holy place from the Most Holy Place and sprinkled blood on the horns of the golden altar of incense  (Leviticus 22:19,27;4:6,7).

The lamb sacrifices, pointed to the “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29. When Jesus died on the cross Matthew 27:54 records that “The veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” MKJV. That veil or curtain separated the Holy place from the Most Holy Place. This symbolizes that the daily sacrificial system met its fulfillment. We do not need to offer lamb sacrifices anymore but to go before Him and ask him for the forgiveness of sin (Hebrews 4:15,16).

The sacrifices and transferring of the blood to the Holy place occurred every day. “Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience.” Hebrews 9:9. 

By the ceremonial gifts and sacrifices, sin could not be totally blotted out therefore bringing peace to the conscience and reconciliation with God. The blood for the forgiveness of sin accumulated in the Holy Place over the year. Thus a cleansing of the sanctuary occurred every year. It was called the Day of Atonement. 

The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) was the most important day of the year. In it the people were to “afflict” their souls by deep searching of their hearts, confession, repentance, and forsaking of sin. It’s a time of investigation. “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try (H974: to test, investigate) me, and know my thoughts. And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”Psalms 139:23,24. 

Those that did not participate in the “Day of Atonement “ were “cut off from among his people.” (Leviticus 23:29). During that time, the High Priest would pick two goats, one for sacrifice and sprinkling the blood around the mercy seat making an atonement (H3722: to cover, cleanse, forgive, be merciful, pardon, purge away) sin. The other called the scapegoat “. Aaron (High Priest) shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness: And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.” Leviticus 16:23

Today, we are living in the antitypical “Day of Atonement”. It is a time of individual soul-searching, sincere repentance, and putting away of sin. Not all who profess to be Christians will have eternal life. As it was in the typical Day of Atonement those who did not participate were “cutoff”. “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will NOT blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” Revelation 3:5 AND “ The LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.” Exodus 32:33. 

After completion of the Day of Atonement with every person having decided and sealed in their decision, Jesus leaves His priestly garments in the most holy place in the heavenly sanctuary and returns to the earth in Kingly garments. “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17. 

The wicked are slain by the brightness of His coming. “For our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:29. To those who hold onto unrepentant sin will be consumed. The wicked that were already dead from the beginning to the present will remain in the graves until the second resurrection after the 1,000 years (Revelation chapter 20). 

After the millennium (1,000 years), New Jerusalem including the sanctuary will come down from heaven and appear on the earth. God’s residence will permanently reside on this earth. This will be the new headquarters of the universe. The functions of the heavenly sanctuary will be as it were before sin came into existence. The wicked will come up in the second resurrection and along with Satan and his angels who have been bound to this earth with nobody to tempt surrounded the New Jerusalem in an apparent attempt to take it over (Revelation chapter 20.) Some event is going to take place that will cause “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” 

Philippians 2:10,11. Would like to suggest that the event that will cause this to take place is a panoramic view with a movie showing the events from the existence of sin, creation, fall of man, and Jesus dying on the cross, etc. After seeing these events in history, everyone who has ever lived on this earth will realize that God is Love and Just. 

“And they (Satan, his angels, and the wicked) went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.” Revelation 20:9. As the earthly sanctuary was cleansed and purified every year and the sins placed of the scapegoat, so the originator of sin and tempter Satan that caused the sins of the people and the death of the Son of God will meet final punishment. “… I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee (Lucifer, the fallen angel, the Devil, and Satan) , it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.” Ezekiel 28:18

The sanctuary is restored to its original purpose to be the central meeting place of relationships and connections. A place to praise and worship the creator of all things. A place of love, joy, and peace. A meeting place for council. Finally, a place to grow in the knowledge and understanding of Father and His only begotten Son Jesus Christ throughout eternity. 

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3