Tag: judgment

  • Apocalypse 6 – the Face of Justice

    If I sharpen My flashing sword,
    And My hand takes hold on justice,
    I will render vengeance on My adversaries,
    And I will repay those who hate Me.

    Deuteronomy 32:41 NASB


    What is already begun

    And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.

    Revelation 6:4 KJV

    A second horseman who wields a great sword is sent out to take peace from the earth. Men will kill one another and his horse is blood red.

    • The first living creature was like a lion;
    • the second living creature was like an ox;
    • the third living creature had a face like a man..
    • A creature like a lion sends out a rider with a bow
    • a second living creature like an ox gives a powerful sword to his rider.

    Now another living creature not a man, for like the others it has six wings and is full of eyes — a living creature with the face of a man — a terrible face like one never seen by any man created in God’s image — the third living creature hands the one who sat on a black horse a pair of scales.

    He will weigh what is to be given to men of the earth. 

    The Terrible Face of Justice

    A lion has roared! Who will not fear?
    The Lord God has spoken! Who can do anything but prophesy? – Amos 3:8 NASB

    We are NOT IMMUNE to the #pandemic of sin!
    Martin Luther King "I have a dream" speech

    In March of A.D. 2020, I interrupted introduction to the Gospel of John with prophesy of Amos (linked above).

    “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream.” – quoting Amos 6:24

    Now, just eleven months later, I maintain the appropriateness of these parallels to US.

    Pictures of JUSTICE & JUDGMENT!

    What YOU think about Justice or about God or even about Jesus may turn out to be just POLITICS.

    The JUSTICE of the LORD GOD will weigh the events of these last days differently than the blind Judgment of mankind.

    Contemplation of Justice and Authority of Law

    Even the US Supreme Court entrance displays the imagery of contemplation of justice.

    A book of laws supports
    her left arm and a figure of blindfolded Justice is
    in her right hand.

    Once the victorious and worthy Lamb of God takes the Throne and opens the BOOK of the LAW, a heavenly HIGH COURT now shows imagery to the Apostle John. One with scales in hand will equally weigh what remains for the PEOPLE after the ravages of war. It is a dreadful sight!

    The Third Seal

    Scarcity on Earth

    Revelation 6:

    5 When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see.”

    Remember, the awesome creature with the face of a man?

    So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand.

    Revelation 6:5b NKJV

    Now remember that the four living creatures surround the Throne day and night worshiping the Lamb.

    6 And I heard something like a voice in the center of the four living creatures saying,

    “A measure of wheat for a denarius, and three measures of barley for a denarius; and do not damage the oil and the wine.”

    Famine & Scarcity

    The available food is being measured on the scales equally for ALL, because there is hardly enough for ANY.

    The denarius was a penny — and yet it was one man’s wages for one day!

    The poor will be starving for lack of the “necessities” while those in powerful control will be enjoying “luxuries.”

    John Brown :: Revelation 6:3-6 – source: BlueLetter Bible
    Additional Commentary of John Brown – Excerpts on the Third Seal

    1. This time the horseman carries no weapons. This time it’s a pair of scales!

    a) At the onset of war there is always the promise of a “better world” and a better economy but famine always follows war!!!

    (1) It has been the case in China, North Korea, East Germany, Cuba, and Vietnam.

    (2) The scales as well as the black horse speaks of a time great death upon the earth!

    (a) Lamentations 5:10 Our skin was black like an oven because of the terrible famine. (KJV)

    (b) Beating the plowshares into swords doesn’t leave much time for farming!

    (c) There are already, in many countries, long lines for simple things like bread and butter and milk.

    (d) Men, women and children are starving to death all over the world and it has become “common” and accepted!

    What Next?

    As if this were not fearful enough, we know that only three of the four living creatures have called John to come and see the apocalypse of this certain future.

    Even if much is symbolic rather than literal, the remaining four seals of the book yet to be revealed bring all creatures in God’s image to contemplate the very justice of Almighty God.

    To be continued...
  • SHAKEN 3 a great cloud of witnesses over our head

    SHAKEN 3 a great cloud of witnesses over our head

    TODAY we move forward in time from about 520 B.C. to around A.D. 100 and ‘a great cloud of witnesses’ from the New Testament book of Hebrews. This cloud of witnesses, however, goes back to the Old Covenant and continues until this day.



    Previously in SHAKEN 2 “Think carefully about your ways we found political and religious leadership along with all the people once again turning back to the Lord their God who now proclaims HE IS with them.

    “Speak to Zerubbabel governor of Judah, saying, ‘I am going to shake the heavens and the earth.

    Haggai 2:21 NASB

    Epistle of St Paul [*] to the Hebrews

    * NOTE: Some commentators question if this epistle or letter to the Hebrews, who’s author is unidentified in its text, was written by Paul or possibly by other A.D. 1st century apostles.

    Some excerpts from D-R Bible {pictured with Joseph Biden, a professing Roman Catholic, being sworn in as 46th President of the United States}
    
    Most translations from NASB translation or versions as noted.

    God spoke of old by the prophets, but now by his Son, who is incomparably greater than the angels.

    The Prophets provided not only a cloud of witnesses to Israel but spoke the very admonitions of the LORD God to a disobedient and unfaithful people.

    [1] God, who, at sundry times and in divers manners, spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, last of all,

    [2] In these days hath spoken to us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the world.

    A List of Fathers of our founding

    • He again sets a certain day, “Today,” saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before,

    “Today if you hear His voice,
    Do not harden your hearts.”

    Hebrews 4:7b CSB
    • 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that.
    • Melchizedek and Abraham – Heb. 7
    • Aaron & Moses – Heb. 7:11,14
    • And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us.. Heb. 10:15

    Now where there is forgiveness of these things, an offering for sin is no longer required.

    Hebrews 10:18

    Jesus Christ OR Judgment?

    Application to a 21st century world.

    So you want justice, do you?

    Is this justice you demand finally for ones you judge (opponents to your own world view)?

    Or do you seek judgment on your own sins, transgressions and trespasses (for which you ask forgiveness)?


    The Apostles wrote to a 1st century church persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ.

    It was not faith in their failing leaders of government

    OR was it faith in a zealous vision of their pastor.

    Nor was it faith that their country would come under the LAW of God, their state under a mandate of morality and their community forced into the fellowship of love.

    The CHURCH believed GOD in Christ Jesus and it was counted to them as righteousness.

    These faithful saints suffered for their hope in the Lord and persevered by grace suffering for a higher community in a heavenly kingdom.

    Roger@TalkofJesus.com – on the 1st century saints of the Church

    Hebrews 10:

    Christ’s Sacrifice Once for All

    11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.

    26 For if we sin deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful prospect of judgment, and a fury of fire which will consume the adversaries.

    For we know Him who said,

    “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge His people.”

    It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

    Hebrews 10:30-31 CSB

    the cloud of Witnesses [Hebrews 11]

    "so great a cloud of witnesses -Exhortation from Hebrews 12:1-2 - SHAKEN! from a troubled 2020 election to troubled times: Joe Biden Presidential Oath of Office sworn on Douay-Rheims Bible (1899) of his Roman Catholic faith
    From the Douay-Rheims Bible [background of Biden Presidential oath pictured above]
    What faith is. Its wonderful fruits and efficacy demonstrated in the fathers.

    [1] Now faith is the substance of things to be hoped for, the evidence of things that appear not. [2] For by this the ancients obtained a testimony. [3] By faith we understand that the world was framed by the word of God…

    Hebrews 11 continues, mentioning these witnesses of faith in the Lord God:

    • Abel
    • Enoch
    • Noah
    • Abraham
    • Sarah 
    • Isaac
    • Jacob [Israel]
    • Joseph
    • Moses
    • Rahab
    • Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets..

    Hebrews 12 – surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses

    Exhortation to constancy under their crosses. The danger of abusing the graces of the New Testament.

    Hebrews 12 summary from the Douay-Rheims Bible

    Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith..

    Hebrews 12:1-2a RSVCE
    To be continued...
    NEXT: SHAKEN 4 ! His voice shook the earth

    Talk of JESUS . com

    Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel

  • JOHN 2020 Good News for A.D. 2020

    JOHN 2020 Good News for A.D. 2020

    Intro to the Gospel of John

    IN THE BEGINNING: λόγος logos

    Intro to talk of Jesus .com

    in A. D. 2020

    talk of Jesus .com shared the Gospel of John

    in the context of A.D. 90, with application to A.D. 2020,

    rather than chronologically, culturally or by chapter & verse..

    ..while during recent months:
    • some sought to stream the stage of worship
    • some sent seeker-friendly scripture into our homes
    • some church communities disintegrated while others diminished & distanced (like our 2020 remote office meetings complete with slides).

    To review the Gospel of John, simply click on any link in the outline below & it will open in a new window.

    Roger – author of A.D. 2020 series on the Gospel of John

    I hope you were blessed by the secure links to reliable sites for further study of Scripture, as well as insight into the 1st century church of John’s Gospel (written ~A.D.- 90).

    Scripture encourages us to a more mature faith.


    John’s Prologue – Good News!

    IN THE BEGINNING was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.

    ALL THINGS came into being through Him, and apart from Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of

    MANKIND.

    And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not grasp it.

    14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us; and we saw His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

    talkofJesus.com Again Jesus said, "Follow Me."

    No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God [Son] who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.

    John 1:18 NASB

    The Book of the Prologue

    John’s Prologue [1:1-18], from which the Apostle next proceeds to the testimony of John the Baptist and the Messiah’s calling of the Twelve, states many important theological themes & along with his Epilogue [21:1-25 {linked below}] provides additional depth of purpose of John’s Gospel.

    John’s Prologue & Epilogue

    “Follow Me

    In A.D. 2020, this is where we began our deep dive into the Good News of John.

    Signs – Jesus IS the Messiah

    painting of Hebrews in the wi

    Unless the Father draws you – Signs

    John 3: “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” …

    Teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ

    Gospel of John

    “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! – John 1:29b

    As Jesus passed by, He saw a man who had been blind from birth. – John 9:1

    Are you greater than our father Abraham who died? And the prophets died. Who do you claim to be?” – John 8:53

    “But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. – John 10:26-28

    Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise from the dead.” .. “I am the resurrection and the life; the one who believes in Me will live, even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” – John 11:23,25

    two men in discussion behind this building is closes sign in a large church

    The Hour Is Come

    “Indeed, an hour is coming, and has come, when each of you will be scattered to his own home..

    .. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”

    • John 16:32-34 excerpt CSB
    • “Take heart,” the Lord Jesus encourages disciples, I have overcome the world.”

    And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

    John 20:20 KJV

    Unrelenting Bad NEWS of A.D. 2020

    What must I do with the GOOD NEWS

    of Jesus Christ?

    Good News for A.D. 2020 – A.D. ∞

    Hear all the unrelenting bad news of yesterday or today.

    For followers of Jesus, His death diminished life’s hope in eternal life; that is until the Gospel of the Lord’s resurrection reached the eyes and ears and touch of His dearly beloved friends.

    John and the Disciples witnessed the Lord Jesus in His Risen Flesh many times after His resurrection.

    “Peace be with you.”

    And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

    John 20:20

    Their sorrow had turned into joy and so must ours; for in Christ Jesus his disciples of every generation have eternal life through His sacrifice for our sins. This is our Gospel, His Good News to those who would believe.

    NEWS of A.D. 2021

    SEE what follows JOHN 2020 in JOHN 2021.

    “Peace to you,” yet also a command of the risen Christ Jesus.

    & without Him:

    EXPECT MORE BAD NEWS

    John 20:20

    John’s Epilogue

    John 20:30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book.

    But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

    John 20:21 CSB

    I pray that the Lord has blessed you through the Gospel of John in A.D. 2020

    Roger – Roger@talkofJesus.com
    May our Lord Jesus Christ 
    draw you into His grace, 
    giving you new hope of Eternal Life
    in the YEAR OF OUR LORD 2021,
    in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
    AMEN.