When they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven. Mark 12:25.
There are men today who express their belief that there will be marriages and births in the new earth, but those who believe the Scriptures cannot accept such doctrines. The doctrine that children will be born in the new earth is not a part of the “sure word of prophecy.” The words of Christ are too plain to be misunderstood. They should forever settle the question of marriages and births in the new earth. Neither those who shall be raised from the dead, nor those who shall be translated without seeing death, will marry or be given in marriage. They will be as the angels of God, members of the royal family.
I would say to those who hold views contrary to this plain declaration of Christ: Upon such matters silence is eloquence. It is presumption to indulge in suppositions and theories regarding matters that God has not made known to us in His word. We need not enter into speculation regarding our future state….
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season.” Do not bring to the foundation wood, and hay, and stubble—your own surmisings and speculations, which can benefit no one.
Christ withheld no truths essential to our salvation. Those things that are revealed are for us and our children, but we are not to allow our imagination to frame doctrines concerning things not revealed.
It is presented to me that spiritual fables are taking many captive…. To all who are indulging these unholy fancies I would say, Stop; for Christ’s sake, stop right where you are. You are on forbidden ground.
The Lord has made every provision for our happiness in the future life. But He has made no revelations regarding these plans, and we are not to speculate concerning them. Neither are we to measure the conditions of the future life by the conditions of this life.
Maranatha p. 369
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray that I can find the right place in ___ to live as I am relocating. Also pray for quick healing for my feet. Sherry.
—–Please continue to pray for Ronnie Jay as he travels. Pray he has a safe and successful trip with much happiness. Rose
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Dear Friends,
In the 1970’s, we lived in Pennsylvania . Often it would rain for many days causing the rivers to flood. One time it rained for nine days without stopping. Of course, there were floods from all that water. How I longed to see the sun again. Finally the sky began to clear, so we went for a little drive. As we neared one river, we found that this once peaceful water was now a raging torrent. It was about twice the depth of normal and almost to the bottom of the high bridge that we normally took to town. This had been barricaded because of the danger.
We stopped the car and walked to the riverbank. The water was brown with silt and dirt that its rushing had carved from its banks. Huge logs, branches, parts of houses, cars, and unidentifiable items were being carried along at a maddening speed. As we watched, we noticed part of the roof of some outbuilding floating along on top of the rushing water. On that roof was a small, brown animal. It had crawled upon that floating debris and was riding out the flood. It was very wet and looked quite miserable. We felt so sorry for the creature.
Sometimes, troubles and trials come upon us as an overwhelming flood. Sometimes, life turns upside-down, and our hopes and dreams are dashed upon the rocks. We feel as did David when he cried, “Save me, O God, for the waters are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.” Ps 69:1-3 “When the enemy shall come in like a flood” we have a Mighty Deliverer Who says, “Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name, thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour” Isa 59:19, 43:2,3 “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Ps 32:8
Paul assures us, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Cor 10:13 He explains the reason trials must overwhelm us at times, “My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons, for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure, but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” Heb 12:5-11
May we cooperate with our Great Re-Creator as He molds us into His Image. May we, when troubles come upon us as a flood, declare as we flee into His comforting arms “Thou art my hiding place, thou shalt preserve me from trouble, thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance.” Ps 32:7. May we continually place our hand in His all-powerful hand resting in Him Who is our Hiding Place, our Shelter in the time of storm.
Rose