If God is in Control...(part five)

 Why does He Kill Sinners?

Does God send calamities to kill sinners? 

Some mistakenly think that God always sends calamities to punish sinners. This is not true. Jesus commented on acts of violence and natural calamities that happened in His day. The Bible says, "There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:1-5).

These things happened because, in a world of sin, there are calamities and atrocities that take place that would not happen in a perfect world. It does not mean that everyone who dies in such calamities is a sinner nor does it mean that God causes the calamity. Sadly, it is often the innocent that suffer the consequences of living in this world of sin. But God does not send these calamities. Satan is the one who sends them.

But Didn't God Destroy Wicked Cities Like Sodom and Gomorrah?

Yes. In past times, God has brought judgment upon the wicked as He did in the case of Sodom and Gomorrah. The Bible says, “Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire” (Jude 7, NKJV). The destruction of these wicked cities was an example of the judgments that will come upon the whole world at the end of time as a result of sin. This is a warning for us today, but it does not necessarily mean that when an earthquake or a tornado or a tsunami strikes that God is pouring out His wrath in judgment upon cities like New York, New Orleans, or Port-au-Prince, Haiti. We live in a sinful world and disasters can strike at any time.

Some have suggested that natural disasters are perhaps the beginning of God’s final judgments upon the wicked. One should not rule out the possibility that sinners are receiving the consequences of their rebellion against God, but we cannot correlate particular disasters with divine retribution against specific sinners or sins. As humans we simply don’t have enough information to make that judgment. Only God can make that judgment. These horrible events may well be simply the result of living in a world that has fallen so far from God’s ideal. Even if these disasters might be considered early warnings of God’s final judgment, none should conclude that all those who die in them are eternally lost. Jesus said that in the final judgment it would be more tolerable for some of those destroyed in Sodom, than for those who reject His invitation to salvation in cities that were not destroyed (see Luke 10:12-15).

(Source: bibleinfo.com)

13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

Revelation 14:13 — Text and Meaning

The verse in the King James Version reads:
"And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them." Bible Gateway

Verse in Other Translations

• NIV: “Then I heard a voice from heaven say, ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.’” Bible Hub

• ESV: “And I heard a voice from heaven saying, ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Blessed indeed,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!’” Bible Hub

• NLT: “And I heard a voice from heaven saying, ‘Write this down: Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from their hard work; for their good deeds follow them!’” Bible Hub

Context in Revelation

This verse appears in Revelation 14:6–13, where John records a vision of three angels proclaiming God’s message. The third angel’s message is a call to repentance, followed by a declaration of God’s judgment. In this context, Revelation 14:13 is a divine affirmation of blessing for those who die in faith — especially the tribulation martyrs — contrasting them with the wicked who will face eternal torment (Revelation 14:11) BibleRef.com.

Meaning and Interpretation

• “Die in the Lord” — This phrase identifies believers who have died in union with Christ, marking them as new creations in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17). It implies a life lived in faith and obedience to God BibleRef.com.

• “Rest from their labours” — This is a promise of eternal rest, both in the sense of relief from earthly toil and in the sense of entering into God’s rest (Matthew 11:28–29). It is a contrast to the unrest of the wicked BibleRef.com.

• “Their works do follow them” — This suggests that God will reward the faithful for their deeds, both in this life and in eternity. It affirms the value of a life lived in service to God BibleRef.com.

In summary: Revelation 14:13 is a prophetic declaration that those who die in Christ are blessed, will enjoy eternal rest, and will be rewarded for their faithful works. It is a message of hope and encouragement for believers, especially those facing persecution.

Thanks for coming by today, Friends. Have a blessed day!

Revelation 14:11-12

 11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

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

Revelation 14:10–11 depicts the eternal punishment awaiting those who worship the beast and receive its mark, emphasizing God’s full wrath and the unending torment of the rebellious.

Text Overview

Revelation 14:10–11 states that those who worship the beast and its image, or receive its mark, “will drink the wine of God’s fury, poured full strength into the cup of His wrath” and “will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb”. Their torment is eternal, with “no rest day or night”, and the smoke of their suffering rises forever (NIV, KJV) BibleGateway.com+1.

Symbolism and Meaning

• Wine of God’s Wrath: The imagery of wine, often associated with joy, is inverted here to symbolize the full intensity of divine judgment against sin and rebellion godsbless.ing.
• Burning Sulfur: Fire and sulfur represent eternal punishment and separation from God, highlighting the severity of rejecting divine authority BibleGateway.com+1.
• Presence of the Lamb and Angels: The torment occurs before Christ (the Lamb) and the holy angels, emphasizing that divine justice is both witnessed and executed in the heavenly realm Bible Study Tools.
• No Rest Day or Night: This phrase underscores the unceasing nature of judgment for those aligned with evil, contrasting with the rest and reward promised to the faithful BibleGateway.com+1.

Theological Context

• The passage is part of a larger vision in Revelation 14, which includes the 144,000 faithful on Mount Zion, the proclamations of three angels, and the symbolic harvest of the earth Bible Hub.
• It serves as a warning to remain steadfast in faith, illustrating the stark contrast between the eternal fate of the faithful and the rebellious godsbless.ing.
• Historically, Revelation was written during persecution of early Christians, and this imagery reinforced the urgency of loyalty to God over worldly powers, such as the Roman Empire and its emperor worship Bible Hub.

Practical Implications

Revelation 14:10–11 calls readers to consider the consequences of spiritual allegiance. Worshiping the beast or succumbing to worldly pressures leads to eternal separation from God, while faithfulness to Christ ensures ultimate victory and rest. The passage emphasizes the seriousness of moral and spiritual choices and the eternal significance of obedience to God godsbless.ing.

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Hello Friends.

I am just including our next verses in Revelations 14 for todays post. I am so sorry considering I have not posted content all weekend. However, I am not feeling well today. And I do ask your forgiveness for thqt. Lord willing, I will be at it again tomorrow. Thank you for your faithfulness to this  blog but even more so to God's Word as we apply it the best we can to our lives. I truly appreciate you all. Take care and have a blessed day! 

No content today. Back on Monday

If God is in control...(part four)

Why Does God Not Kill the Devil?

Some have wondered, “Why doesn’t God stop the devil? If it is not God’s will for people to die, why does He allow it to happen? Have things gone beyond God’s control?”

God could have destroyed Satan when he rebelled in heaven. God could have also destroyed Adam and Eve when they sinned—and started over. However, if He had done this, He would have been ruling from the standpoint of force, rather than love. The angels in heaven and human beings on earth would serve Him from fear, not love. In order for love to flourish, it must operate on the principle of freedom of choice. Without freedom to choose, there would be no such thing as real love. We would simply be robots programed to always obey God. But He gave us the incredible power of choice. That means that we, and others, have the freedom to choose to do evil, even evil against innocent victims. God doesn’t want us to choose evil. He gives us every opportunity to choose His goodness over Satan’s wickedness. But He knows that we can still choose evil, because He gave us that ability. Despite this risk, God chose to preserve our freedom of choice and to rule by love. He chose to allow Satan and sin to run their course. He allows us and the universe to see where sin will lead. He lets us see the reasons for making the choice to serve Him in love. There will come a time when all people on earth will be able to make a final choice, a choice to follow Satan or to follow God, a choice to follow the master of hate or to follow the Master of love. Then, each person will see how truly evil Satan is and how exceedingly good is God. Everyone will see clearly what they are losing by having chosen Satan and what they are gaining by having chosen God

(source: bibletopics.com)

Revelation 14:13

13 Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. ”Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”

Revelation 14:13 assures believers that those who die in the Lord are blessed, will rest from their labors, and their faithful deeds will follow them into eternity.

Context and Meaning

Revelation 14:13 occurs in a section describing the trials and persecution of the faithful during the end times. The verse begins with a voice from heaven instructing John to write: “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on” (KJV). This divine pronouncement emphasizes that faithful believers, even in the face of persecution and death, are specially blessed because their loyalty to Christ is recognized and rewarded by God Bible Hub+2.
The phrase “die in the Lord” highlights the importance of a life united with Christ through faith. It is not merely death that is blessed, but death experienced by those who have lived in obedience and trust in God godsbless.ing+1. This assurance provides comfort to believers, especially during times of suffering, reminding them that their faithfulness has eternal significance.

Rest and Reward

The verse continues: “they may rest from their labors”, indicating that death brings an end to earthly struggles, toil, and persecution. This rest is both physical and spiritual, reflecting the peace and relief that come from being in God’s presence biblerepository.com+1. It echoes Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28-30, where He promises rest to the weary.

Enduring Impact of Deeds

Finally, Revelation 14:13 states that “their works follow them”, meaning that the righteous actions, service, and faithfulness of believers continue to have value and are acknowledged by God even after death biblerepository.com+1. This assures Christians that their efforts in living a godly life are never wasted and contribute to their eternal reward.

Theological Significance

• Divine affirmation: The Holy Spirit confirms the blessing, providing an unbreakable assurance of God’s promise Bible Hub.
• Encouragement in persecution: The verse offers hope to those facing trials, showing that fidelity to Christ is honored.
• Eternal perspective: It shifts focus from earthly suffering to the eternal reward, emphasizing that death in Christ is a passage to peace and blessing godsbless.ing+1.
  In summary, Revelation 14:13 is a message of hope, comfort, and encouragement. It reassures believers that death in Christ is blessed, brings rest from earthly struggles, and that their faithful deeds carry eternal significance, inspiring steadfastness and trust in God’s promises.

Thanks for coming by today, Friends. Have a blessed day in Jesus. He loves us so much!

And His mercy endurth forever
Psalm 136:1.

If God is in control...(part three)

...why did he create the devil?

Why Did God Create the Devil?

Actually, God did not create the devil. God created a beautiful, perfect angel named Lucifer (see Isaiah 14, Ezekiel 28). Lucifer, in turn, made a devil out of himself. Lucifer’s pride caused him to rebel against God and to challenge Him for supremacy in heaven. He was thrown out of heaven and came to this earth where he tempted a perfect man and woman to sin. When they did so, they opened a floodgate of Satan’s evil upon the world.

Why Does God Not Kill the Devil?

Some have wondered, “Why doesn’t God stop the devil? If it is not God’s will for people to die, why does He allow it to happen? Have things gone beyond God’s control?”

God could have destroyed Satan when he rebelled in heaven. God could have also destroyed Adam and Eve when they sinned—and started over. However, if He had done this, He would have been ruling from the standpoint of force, rather than love. The angels in heaven and human beings on earth would serve Him from fear, not love. In order for love to flourish, it must operate on the principle of freedom of choice. Without freedom to choose, there would be no such thing as real love. We would simply be robots programed to always obey God. But He gave us the incredible power of choice. That means that we, and others, have the freedom to choose to do evil, even evil against innocent victims. God doesn’t want us to choose evil. He gives us every opportunity to choose His goodness over Satan’s wickedness. But He knows that we can still choose evil, because He gave us that ability. Despite this risk, God chose to preserve our freedom of choice and to rule by love. He chose to allow Satan and sin to run their course. He allows us and the universe to see where sin will lead. He lets us see the reasons for making the choice to serve Him in love. There will come a time when all people on earth will be able to make a final choice, a choice to follow Satan or to follow God, a choice to follow the master of hate or to follow the Master of love. Then, each person will see how truly evil Satan is and how exceedingly good is God. Everyone will see clearly what they are losing by having chosen Satan and what they are gaining by having chosen God.

Does God send calamities to kill sinners?

Some mistakenly think that God always sends calamities to punish sinners. This is not true. Jesus commented on acts of violence and natural calamities that happened in His day. The Bible says, "There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:1-5).

These things happened because, in a world of sin, there are calamities and atrocities that take place that would not happen in a perfect world. It does not mean that everyone who dies in such calamities is a sinner nor does it mean that God causes the calamity. Sadly, it is often the innocent that suffer the consequences of living in this world of sin. But God does not send these calamities. Satan is the one who sends them. 

(Source: bibleinfo.com)

Revelation 14:11-12

. 11 And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.”

12 This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus

Revelation 14:11–12 contrasts the eternal torment of those who worship the beast with the faithful endurance of God’s people, calling believers to patience, obedience, and steadfast faith.

Context in Revelation 14

In Revelation 14, John sees three angelic proclamations. The third angel warns that anyone who worships the beast and takes its mark will face God’s wrath (vv. 9–10). Verse 11 describes the fate of such people: their torment is eternal, with “no rest day and night” StudyLight.org+1. This imagery of unending smoke and torment underscores the seriousness of rejecting God’s authority.

Meaning of Revelation 14:11

The phrase “the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever” is a vivid picture of continuous, unending suffering. It echoes Old Testament imagery of destruction (e.g., Sodom and Gomorrah) and emphasizes that the wicked will never experience relief from their punishment StudyLight.org. This is God’s just judgment on those who align themselves with the beast and its image.

Meaning of Revelation 14:12

Immediately after the warning, John records: “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus” (KJV) biblerepository.com+1. This is a direct contrast to the fate of the wicked.

• Patience of the saints: This refers to the perseverance and endurance of God’s people during the tribulation. It is not passive waiting, but active trust in God’s promises while facing persecution biblerepository.com.

• Keep the commandments of God: This means living in obedience to God’s moral law and the teachings of Jesus, reflecting love for God and neighbor.

• Faith of Jesus: This is the trust and allegiance to Christ, the source of salvation and the model of obedience.

Theological Significance

These verses highlight two key truths:

1. Judgment is certain for those who reject God’s authority and follow the beast.

2. Faithfulness is rewarded — God’s people are called to endure trials with patience, obedience, and trust in Christ, knowing that their faithfulness is honored before God.

In the broader vision of Revelation 14, this “patience” is part of the blessedness of the saints, who will find rest from their labors and be vindicated in God’s final judgment Enduring Word+1.

In summary: Revelation 14:11–12 warns of eternal torment for those who worship the beast, while encouraging believers to remain patient, obedient, and faithful to God’s commands and to Jesus Christ, trusting in His ultimate victory.

Thanks for stopping by today, Friends. Have a blessed day in Jesus!!!