Saturday, February 28, 2015

War in Heaven, Part 4: Heaven Rejoices when Satan is Cast DOWN to the Earth - Pastor David

.

Chart_1

Revelation 12:10-12, “And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And THEY overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time."

This is the song of victory sung in heaven. It will be sung by those who will have been caught up to heaven out OF "the great Tribulation." (Revelation 7; Revelation 14; and Revelation 15) For they speak of "our brethren." "Now is come" is the shout of triumph which celebrates, by anticipation, the RESULTS of Satan's being cast out of heaven. This is the first step arising out of Heaven's declaration of war. The emphasis is on the pronoun "they," in verse 11, for they who overcame on earth now call on all heaven to rejoice over the wondrous victory. When the fruits of this heavenly victory are fully reaped on earth, then there will be others to call for the new songs, which are already written down for the singers in Psalm 93, Psalm 98, and Psalm 149 come to mind. This call to rejoice finds its echo in the final song of triumph in Revelation 19. But all is traced up to, and grounded on, the infinite merits of "the blood of the Lamb": and the wonderous efficacy of His atonement.

Now, AGAIN, we see that the Body of Christ cannot be here, for no one can accuse, or lay a charge against the Body of Christ before God. “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth” Romans 8:33.

Unfortunately, what others would have you believe, is that the heavenly outburst of joy was as a result of the casting down of paganism from the throne of the Roman Empire. The result of THAT was Blessing to the world.

However, the result of THIS in Revelation 12:9 is "woe to the earth." (Revelation 12:12)!

When Satan is cast down, "he hath but a short time," which is definitely stated to be 3 1/2 years, during which he is wroth with the woman, and makes war with the remnant of her seed (Revelation 12:14-17).

This "Woe" is the last of a series of three (Revelation 8:13); and must, therefore, be subsequent to the first two, which at this stage will have passed. (Revelation 11:14). The third is proclaimed in Revelation 12:12, and consists of the casting out of Satan.

This conclusively shows that, though the Vision of Revelation 12, the actual casting out, cannot take place till the middle of the last of the seventy weeks (Daniel 9:27). The Beast will be reigning on the earth during the first half of this week (Revelation 6-11); but, in his human and mortal form; and acting "peaceably" (Daniel 11:21). But now, in the middle of the week, the crisis or "Third Woe" comes (Revelation 12:12). Satan is cast out. The Beast, having received his "deadly wound," reappears in his superhuman form, and "makes war with the saints" (Revelation 13:7). This last half of the week is "the great and terrible day of the Lord." But this brings us to the next, the Fourth Vision, which is,"on Earth" (Revelation 12:13 thru Revelation 13:18).

***

In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Friday, February 27, 2015

War in Heaven, Part 3: "I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven" Luke 10:18 - Pastor David

.

Chart_1

At the first advent, the First Coming of The LORD, the announcement was made "on earth, peace." But now, at the time of the Second Advent, it is "in heaven, war"; for the Dispensations have changed.

At the return of the remnant from Babylon, Satan was present to resist the restoration of the Nation, we see that in Zechariah 3:2, and he was rebuked. So it will be again when the GREAT restoration is about to take place: but this time war will be declared against him.

The mystery connected with this conflict is easy to Faith, though kind of hard for reason. A little insight is given into these spiritual realities in such passages as Job 1-2, 1 Kings 22:19-22. Ephesians 6:11-12. Jude 6.

Milton described this war, but he only drew on his imagination, which was limited by earthly battlefields. This war is wholly different in its occasion, its scenes, its combatants, and its weapons. This war has its foreknown, as revealed here in the Holy Scriptures, and therefore its foretold ending.

Ok, now onto Revelation 12:8, “And they prevailed not; nor was even their place found any more in heaven.” The great object with which that war is waged will be accomplished.

Revelation 12:9, “And the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent; who is called the Devil, and Satan, he who deceiveth the whole world: he was cast down unto the earth, and his angels were cast down with him.”

There can be no doubt as to whom this "sign" refers. By four names is he defined, so that we might make no mistake. And yet, (it will hardly be believed that), in spite of this, there are interpreters who maintain that it means the "Pagan Roman Empire," and Michael is the "Christian Roman Empire." There are others who understand it of no real war at all, but only a prolonged antagonism between good and evil. How great, and refreshing to come back to the Word of God, and believe that we have there the climax which the Lord Jesus, looking forward to the result of His "sufferings" in "the glory" that should follow, already foresaw with His spiritual prophetic vision in Luke 10:18, and said: "I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven."

***

In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Thursday, February 26, 2015

War In Heaven, Part 2: "he who now holdeth fast" 2 Thess. 2:7, Rev. 12:9 - Pastor David

.

Chart_1

In 2 Thessalonians 2, we find further information as to the rise of this final embodiment of Satanic power. There we are clearly told that the revelation of that awful being has an appointed season. He cannot arise before his time. We are told why and how this is. In Revelation 12 we have the events which lead up to that revelation, and in Revelation 13, we have the actual manifestation of the Beast himself.

2 Thessalonians 2, therefore forms an important link when studied in connection with Revelation 12. There we learn that the Beast could not be manifested on earth as long as he (masculine) now holdeth fast to his place in the heavenlies, Rev. 12:7. He will hold it fast until he be cast out.

This casting out is described in Revelation 12, and we are here told exactly how it will take place, and what will be its causes and consequences. When Paul wrote, worldly power was then being used, and has all along been used by Satan for the accomplishment of his secret purposes; and it is still thus working, but here, in Revelation 12, we see it come to a head, and Satan is about to openly manifest it.

Meantime, "Ye know what (The what in this verse is neutral. Not male or female.) witholdeth him (the lawless one), that he (the lawless one) may be revealed in his time." Paul could write this to the assembly of the Thessalonians, because he had previously told them and they knew; but WE don’t know. All we DO know is that it CANNOT be a person, such as the person of the Holy Spirit, who holds the lawless one fast, for the word is in the neutral gender. It can only be a place, and we suggest that it is the phrear, the pit of the Abyss, as we see in Revelation 9, out of which he is to ascend.

In any case, the popular view cannot be correct, which takes it to mean the Holy Spirit. What does the Holy Spirit "hold fast", (1 Thessalonians 5:21, “hold fast that which is good.”) in order that the lawless one may be revealed in his appointed time?

This idea arose from a wrong translation of the verb katecho, which means to hold something fast. That wrong translation of both the ASV. and RSV. arises from ignoring the fact that the verb “Katecho” is transitive, and must have an object. Then, further confusion is also introduced by not preserving the important difference between the genders, which is neutral in verse 6, for example, pertaining to a place, we believe, the Pit of the Abyss; and masculine in verse 7, The HE is Satan, who “holds something fast," and that is, his, Satan’s, position in the heavenlies.

So we can see from this, that the Apostle Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8 is referring to this War in Heaven. Where, the Abyss will continue to hold the Man of Sin, although the mystery of iniquity is somewhat at work, BUT to be fully revealed, Satan, who now HOLDS FAST to his position in the Heavenlies, and will continue to HOLD FAST, UNTIL he be taken out of the way, or taken out of the midst, of Heaven, as a result of the Army of Heaven’s victory over the forces of Satan in the War of Revelation 12:7. And THEN, (2 Thessalonians 2:8), that Wicked be revealed, (Revelation 13:1).

***

In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

War in Heaven, part 1: He who now letteth is cast OUT! - Pastor David

.

Chart_1

Revelation 12:7, “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels going forth to war with the dragon; and the dragon warred and his angels” This reveals the fact that the initiative will be taken by Michael, and not by the Dragon: a very important point in the interpretation. The time has come in the Divine counsels for this great event of the ages. Satan, who has hitherto had access to the heavens is at length to be cast out.

We are not to think of Heaven as consisting of one place. The word is so often used in the plural, yet we are to think of many (it may be) different spheres. As the heavens are "higher than the earth," so we may look on them as being larger than the earth. And as the earth is divided into various countries and states, so may heaven have its various divisions. In one of them these mighty spiritual forces set themselves in battle array.

On the one side we have Michael, who is elsewhere described as "one of the chief princes" (Daniel 10:13); "your prince," of Israel (Daniel 10:21); "the great prince which standeth for thy (Daniel's) people" (Daniel 12:1); "the archangel" (Jude 9). He it is, with his heavenly hosts, who makes war against the dragon, and NOT the dragon who makes war against the man-child (as is so often misinterpreted). He does not do this at all, but makes war against the woman (Revelation 12:13); and that war is made on EARTH and not in heaven. So that the interpretation of this, as meaning Satan's opposing The Rapture of the church, falls to the ground. The Body of Christ will be removed long before these judgment scenes commence; and is therefore not to be looked for in any place in this chapter.

On the other side we have the Beast of Revelation 13, and Revelation 17. In Daniel 2, we have these powers in their earthly, human, mortal, successive and historical form. But in Daniel 7, and in the Apocalypse, we have the superhuman revival and concentration of them in the Beast.

The Dragon's dominion covers all the powers and governments of the world, which are here seen included in and controlled by one being, the Dragon. The sovereignty of the world is about to become the sovereignty of The LORD Jesus Christ, as we have just heard it announced "in heaven" (Revelation 11:15). We are here shown the source and the embodiment of his sovereignty. This is why the prophecy is suspended just at this point. It is in order to explain to us what this sovereignty is, whence it comes, and whither it goes. All is here gathered up into ONE head.

***

In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Friday, February 20, 2015

The Saving Gospel for Sinners AND The Edifying Gospel for Saints - Pastor David



.


Let us compare 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 WITH Romans 16:25-26, Ephesians 6:19-20, and Ephesians 3:8. Here we go...

Here is 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures: And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”

Now, Romans 16:25-26, “Now to Him that is of power to stablish you according to my Gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the Mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith.”

And here is Ephesians 6:19-20, “And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the Mystery of the Gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds, that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”

Now, Ephesians 3:8, “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this Grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.”

Now, look, how can any intelligent spiritual student of the Bible fail to see that there is a difference between a sinner being saved by the Gospel of 1 Corin­thians 15:1-4, which was in fulfillment of prophecy (Acts 13:29-30), and a saint being ESTABLISHED by the Apostle Paul's “MY GOSPEL” which was according to the revelation of the Mystery, not prophesied, but kept secret during those years and centuries that the prophets foretold the death and resurrection of the LORD Jesus Christ? Any such student of the Bible should be ready to acknowledge that there MUST be a difference between the SAVING Gospel for the sinner and the EDIFYING Gospel for the saint. So, again, read and compare Acts 13:29-35 with Romans 16:25 and Ephesians 3:8.

The Apostle Paul wrote of “my Gospel” in Romans 2:16, 2 Timothy 2:8-9, and in Romans 16:25-26. Paul wrote concerning the Dispensation which was committed unto him, (1 Corinthians 9:16-17); the “Grace” Gospel which Christ revealed to him, (Galatians 1:11-12); “the Gospel of the Grace of God,” (Acts 20:24); “the glorious Gospel of the blessed God,” (1 Timothy 1:11); “the Gospel of the uncircumcision,” (Galatians 2:7); “the dispensa­tion of the Grace of God for Gentiles,” (Ephesians 3:1-4); “the unsearch­able riches of Christ for Gentiles.” (Ephesians 3:8).

According to this Grace, it was the Apostle Paul who was the LORD's chief masterbuilder, who laid the foundation. (1 Corinthians 3:10).

As we read these Scriptures, we certainly should learn that something was committed to Paul MORE than the fact that Christ died for our sins; that Christ was buried and rose again. A “good news” PROGRAM was committed unto the Apostle Paul, a program DIFFERENT from any program that God had ever deposited with any of His other servants. Read Ephesians 3:8; Ephesians 3:1-5; 1 Corinthians 9:16-17; 1 Corinthians 3:10. This is one reason why even the Apostle Peter wrote 2 Peter 3:15-16, ”And account that the longsuffering of our LORD is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given unto him, hath written unto you; As also in all his Epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrestle, as they do also the other Scriptures, unto their own destruction.”

***

In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Predestination and Free Will, Romans 8 - Pastor David

.

Quite frequently we hear a Child of God quote Romans 8:28, especially when some sorrow or disappointment has been experienced. But it is interesting to note the “FOR” that CONNECTS this verse with the three verses that follow. Note Romans 8:28 and the three verses that follow, Romans 8:29-32:

“AND WE KNOW THAT ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO THEM THAT LOVE GOD, TO THEM WHO ARE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE. FOR, (there it is), WHOM HE DID FOREKNOW, HE ALSO DID PREDESTINATE, TO BE CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON, THAT HE MIGHT BE THE FIRSTBORN AMONG MANY BRETHREN. MOREOVER WHOM HE DID PREDESTINATE, THEM HE ALSO CALLED: AND WHOM HE CALLED, THEM HE ALSO JUSTIFIED: AND WHOM HE JUSTIFIED, THEM HE ALSO GLORIFIED. WHAT SHALL WE THEN SAY TO THESE THINGS? IF GOD BE FOR US WHO CAN BE AGAINST US” ROMANS 8:28-32.

Here we note that God had, and has, a purpose. Note the words of Acts 15:18: “Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world.” Surely if God is omniscient, He knows all things. God not only knew the end from the beginning, but God had a secret, or hidden, purpose from BEFORE the foundation of the world.

Note Ephesians 3:9, Ephesians 3:11, and Ephesians 1:12. “And to make all men see what is the dispensation (fellowship) of the Mystery which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God. According to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord. In Whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him Who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will.”

Then note 2 Timothy 1:9 and Ephesians 1:4-5. “God Who hath saved us and called us with an Holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and Grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, according as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.”

So, God’s Word tells us very definitely that God purposed in Christ BEFORE the world began that which He has revealed in the Epistle to the Ephesians. Look at Ephesians 1:9: “Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself.”

God has made known the secret of His will. Then all Children of God should diligently search the Scriptures and learn that now REVEALED Divine secret. The sons of men in other ages and generations did NOT have this wonderful privilege; for God did NOT choose to disclose His eternal purpose to them, “Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but NOW is made manifest to His saints.” Colossians 1:25-26.

Now go to Ephesians 3:5 and Ephesians 3:8, “Which in other ages was NOT made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; UNTO ME, who am less than the least of all saints, is this Grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles, the unsearchable riches, or rather un-traceable riches, of Christ"

God wants all members of The Body of Christ to see this glorious truth...NOW, and to know the hope of His calling and what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. Ephesians 1:17-18.

Again in Ephesians 1:11, “In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him Who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will. An inheritance, being predestinated according to God’s purpose."

We should know, and be well studied in, God’s revealed secret, the Mystery of His will, His eternal predestinated purpose. And if we honestly endeavor to walk worthy of our calling, as members of the Body of Christ, and constantly endeavor to make others see the Dispensation of the Mystery, we can know and say positively, that all things work together for good for such Children of God who love God and are the called according to God’s purpose. For....for what? “For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Romans 8:29.

Now, look at the questions in Romans 8:31: “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” What blessed truth to know. BUT, what appalling ignorance among Children of God concerning God’s purpose and grace given us in Christ before the world began. Most of the Children of God in this age and generation, are as ignorant of this glorious Divine Truth as were the sons of men in other ages and generations to whom it was never revealed.

Perhaps you have observed that the Children of God who are opposed to the Doctrine of Eternal Security actually HATE the Doctrine of Predestination, for the two truths are inseparably connected. No Child of God should ever hate the Word of God. And every Child of God who really knows and believes the truth concerning God’s predestinated purpose believes in the eternal security of the believer.

All things work together for good.” Note it, “for good.” To whom? To those who are the CALLED according to God’s purpose. And note the good things that God has on deposit for those who are called according to His purpose, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies in Christ: According as He hath CHOSEN us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.” Ephesians 1:3-4

We can never appreciate either of these facts until we know both of them, namely, that those who are blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies in Christ, were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.” Ephesians 1:5.

When we learn these facts then we will begin to comprehend “with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with ALL the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:18-19.

How many Children of God are filled with all the fullness of God? How many Children of God even know what is MEANT by the fullness of Christ in Ephesians 1:23: “Which is His Body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all?”

Note the climax of the wonderful Mystery of God’s will. The magnificent purpose and grace given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. Ephesians 4:12-13 says: “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ. Till we all come in the unity of The Faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a Perfect Man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”

We shall come to the fullness of Christ in the unity of faith. There is ONE Faith. Ephesians 4:5. God will permit no Child of God to see this glorious profound truth until that Child of God will receive the truth from the Holy Spirit and the Scriptures, that there is but ONE Body, even as there is but one Head of the Body, that there is ONE baptism (and it is NOT water), for this dispensation, even as there is but ONE Spirit. Children of God have been blinded by sectarianism, denominations, and traditions of men, and have made very little earnest effort to keep the unity of the Spirit on the basis of the seven-fold unity of Ephesians 4:3-7. Therefore, they could not obey Ephesians 3:9 even if they wanted to!

The present Divine program concerning the Body of Christ the hope and calling of its members was not prophesied by the men of old. Therefore the Apostle Paul speaks of this distinctive ministry as “the unsearchable riches of Christ.” Ephesians 3:8. “Unsearchable” means “untraceable” and has the meaning of “un-prophesied,” NOT made known to other ages and generations.

So the Body of Christ, and the heavenly position and possession of members of this Body, were NOT prophesied; but they were PREDESTINATED, “According as He hath CHOSEN US in Him BEFORE the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love. Having PREDESTINATED us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.” Ephesians 1:4-5.

“Moreover whom He did PREDESTINATE, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified.” Romans 8:30.

So, we see that all the way from foreknowledge to glorification, Salvation is of God, and is by His Grace from beginning to end, “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” 2 Timothy 1:9

However, there is also the human responsibility!

Note Romans 10:13-14, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” “How then shall they call on Him in Whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of Whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?”

And 1 Corinthians 3:8, “Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.”

WHO GAVE HIMSELF FOR US, THAT HE MIGHT REDEEM US FROM ALL INIQUITY, AND PURIFY UNTO HIMSELF A PECULIAR PEOPLE, ZEALOUS OF GOOD WORKS.” Titus 2:11 and Titus 2:14.

How often have we heard, “How are we to reconcile the ‘predestination’ message, with the ‘whosoever’ message?” Look, they are BOTH the TRUTH of GOD! They are both Bible doctrines. JUST preach them, and teach them, and let the Holy Spirit do the reconciling!

***

In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Revelation 1:19: Past, Present, and Future, OR, Future ALONE? - Pastor David

.

Chart_1

Revelation 1:19, "Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter." Are these THREE separate things which divide the Book of Revelation into three sections...past, present, and future, OR, simply one with no divisions, referring to future alone? Let's find out. Watch the video message now here.

***

In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Book of Revelation: To Whom Was It Written? - Pastor David

.

Chart_1

In this message we look at TO WHOM was the Book of Revelation actually written. Remember, members of the Body of Christ know that ALL Scripture was written FOR the Body of Christ, but not all Scripture was written TO the Body of Christ. Watch the video message now here.

***

In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Revelation Church Epistles are NOT Written to the Body of Christ - Pastor David

.

Chart_1

In this series of messages we take a look into what APPEARS like, (but it is not), a change of relationship for The Body of Christ. However, we find here a large contrast between the Pauline Epistles and the Revelation Epistles of Revelation chapters 2-3.

The letters to these assemblies, when read carefully, DIFFER immensely from the Pauline epistles. The Revelation Epistles are addressed to servants and speak of works and judgment, while the Pauline Epistles are addressed to SONS and Daughters and speak of our standing IN Christ, as His Body, by GRACE.

And it was to the Apostle PAUL, and NOT to the 12 Apostles, that the Mystery was shown and explained.

***

In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Friday, February 13, 2015

Laodicea: Judah's Removal. Revelation Churches Reflect ISRAEL's History, Part 8 - Pastor David

.

Chart_1

The Epistle to the Church at Laodicea in the Book of Revelation reflects the period of Judah's Removal from the Land, Israel's Lowest point....As we go through the breakdown of the Epistles to the Churches of The Book of Revelation, and discover that they actually correlate to seven phases of the history of Israel. Watch the video message now here.

***

In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Holy Week Message, part 2: Jesus Knew ALL

. In part 1 of the Lion and Lamb Ministry Holy Week Messages , we learned that the LORD Jesus Christ is NOT divided, and that He is t...