Let's examine Revelation 20:4 yet again.

Hillsage · Feb 1, 2026

Lizbeth said:
Yes, I think that could be what Paul was alluding to. And it might be one reason why everyone really knows there is a God deep down in their heart, but have rebelled against Him and the truth, since all were tempted in some way and have sinned. We are even part of that creation in which God is spoken about day after day, night after night.....I really think the truth is in us deep down, in our very DNA as His created beings, as it were, as well as being proclaimed all around us in the stars and all of creation, if only we would accept it/Him and awaken to it/Him...by the power and grace of Christ in God which alone can break one's soul out of the snare of being separated from God that we all fell into.

You allude to DNA. 2 Scriptures comes to mind.

ROM 2:14 When Gentiles who have not the law do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or perhaps excuse them 16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

Gentiles weren't Jews...the Jews were 'CHOSEN by God'... people. But as Gentiles, they will be judged by the above guidelines. Guidelines which are missing a pretty big thing, especially according to "the church". They never chose Jesus.

Lizbeth said:
But brother, if I may just say something.......I believe we need to be careful of the flesh in either direction, whether to be Phariseeical or to be walking in a love for people that is of our own "self" and not of God. God's love doesn't compromise the truth and is not accepting of sin....His love is of His Spirit, and not of our own. Scripture says friendship with the world is enmity with God, and that we are to "come out from among them and be ye separate" that He might receive us. Being separate from the world and unto God is part of what it means to be holy, and we want to remain that way.

Of course you may "say something." But you may need to just be more blunt. I may miss 'tip toeing'. I believe the flesh is Pharisaical and the spirit in me is that of Christ which would be God's love. I'm not sure what "truth" you're talking about concerning God's love. But if it's 'Jesus is the truth'....he was "a friend of tax collectors and sinners." Right? I am right now in the middle of a book I've read 3 times before, it's that good. It's called "Holiness Truth and the Presence of God." By Francis Frangipane. I highly recommend it for you (for all who think they're Christian). Very short and spiritually deep. First time I read it was in the 80's. I have shared the book with many. Never heard anything but "It's a favorite."

Lizbeth said:
Jde 1:21
Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
And of some have compassion, making a difference:
And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

This book is written to believers not the unsaved. And the underlined part is talking to believers who are supposed to be Looking for the mercy of GOD for ourselves first. Can't give what you don't have.

Lizbeth said:
I notice here that God’s compassion and love and hating sin are not incompatible, they even go together. That doesn’t’ mean to condemn individual people, or to treat anyone like lepers or unkindly.....it is for the Lord to judge others, not us (we are not qualified to sit in judgment of our fellow man). But neither does it mean to embrace anyone's sins. We need to take heed to ourselves, that we stand and walk in God's love/spirit/power and not our own human emotions which will only lead us to compromise while saving nobody.......we in our own self, or our own anything, just don't have that power. But I believe that we can channel our emotions into fervent prayer...it can be a motivator for us to entreat GOD to move in a situation or in hearts etc.

We have lots to agree on.
1CO 5:9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with immoral men; 10 not at all meaning the immoral of this world, or the greedy and robbers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11 But rather I wrote to you not to associate with any one who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or robber -- not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?

EDIT: I said book name was Truth Holiness but meant Holiness Truth and the Presence of God.

Lizbeth · Feb 2, 2026

Hillsage said:
You allude to DNA. 2 Scriptures comes to mind.

ROM 2:14 When Gentiles who have not the law do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or perhaps excuse them 16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

Gentiles weren't Jews...the Jews were 'CHOSEN by God'... people. But as Gentiles, they will be judged by the above guidelines. Guidelines which are missing a pretty big thing, especially according to "the church". They never chose Jesus.

You know, I've struggled with that passage, thinking it must be referring to saved Gentiles. But now I see that it doesn't have to be talking about saved Gentiles:

Rom 2:11-16

For there is no respect of persons with God.
For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;……………..

(at this point we need to set aside the part in brackets for a minute to complete this thought)

……………In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

So now I am no longer confused and can see clearly that this is not denying that unsaved Gentiles without the Law will come into judgment just the same as unsaved Jews who have the Law. It is simply not addressing salvation, but just reproving and making a point to those Jews who thought they were superior, that they will come into judgment just the same as the Gentiles, and are not above the Gentiles because of having the Law.

This passage doesn't negate that in spite of what good either group may sometimes do, ALL have still sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, both Jew and Gentile alike,. Gentiles without the Law still need to receive and embrace Jesus and His gospel as much as unsaved Jews under the Law need to, in order to have eternal life.

Hillsage said:
Of course you may "say something." But you may need to just be more blunt. I may miss 'tip toeing'. I believe the flesh is Pharisaical and the spirit in me is that of Christ which would be God's love. I'm not sure what "truth" you're talking about concerning God's love. But if it's 'Jesus is the truth'....he was "a friend of tax collectors and sinners." Right? I am right now in the middle of a book I've read 3 times before, it's that good. It's called "Holiness Truth and the Presence of God." By Francis Frangipane. I highly recommend it for you (for all who think they're Christian). Very short and spiritually deep. First time I read it was in the 80's. I have shared the book with many. Never heard anything but "It's a favorite."

God's love doesn't compromise any truth because it is of the Holy Spirit, not the flesh. It rejoices in the truth. (Speaking particularly of spiritual truth.)

Being a friend of tax collectors and sinners was a false accusation being levelled at Jesus by the religious Jewish leaders. He did not eschew to associate with sinners and eat with them for the opportunity to preach and demonstrate the gospel, kindness, mercy etc., not for the sake of being social and to enjoy some entertainment. And I think we must know He couldn't have been violating the truth.....He wasn't being unequally yoked with them and wouldn't have pretended to go along with or much less actually participate in feasting/celebrating anything He knew to be wrong.

Yes I've read that book twice a long time ago, and liked it at the time, though I cant' remember much about it. Still have it and just glancing in it this morning I agreed with what I was seeing and it's like he could have taken the words out of my own mouth. I might give it another read and see if I still agree with the rest or what conclusions he comes to..... if I can concentrate.....have tinnitus pretty bad and it is hard to concentrate these days.

Hillsage said:
This book is written to believers not the unsaved. And the underlined part is talking to believers who are supposed to be Looking for the mercy of GOD for ourselves first. Can't give what you don't have.

Yes I know it is talking to us. We have both received His mercy and continue to look for it....just like we have received His righteousness and the kingdom of God but still continue to seek it. Keeping ourselves in the love of God for our own sakes and also that we might extend that same love to others. And it is a love that doesn't compromise the truth. Hypocrisy works in more than one way...for example I believe it would be a form of hypocrisy to participate in and pretend to go along with things we know to be wrong and against the truth of God.

Lizbeth · Feb 2, 2026

Hillsage said:
We have lots to agree on.
1CO 5:9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with immoral men; 10 not at all meaning the immoral of this world, or the greedy and robbers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11 But rather I wrote to you not to associate with any one who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or robber -- not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?

Certainly agree with that. But, for an example, do you think if an unsaved person of our aquaintance was planning on robbing a bank that not judging them means it would be ok for us to kindly and non-judgmentally accept their invitation to drive the getaway car if they asked? Or would it be ok to kindly and non judgmentally accept that person's invitation to the big party afterwards to help them celebrate their successful robbery? Where do you believe we should draw the line?

Hillsage · Feb 2, 2026

Lizbeth said:
Certainly agree with that. But, for an example, do you think if an unsaved person of our aquaintance was planning on robbing a bank that not judging them means it would be ok for us to kindly and non-judgmentally accept their invitation to drive the getaway car if they asked? Or would it be ok to kindly and non judgmentally accept that person's invitation to the big party afterwards to help them celebrate their successful robbery? Where do you believe we should draw the line?

I would judge him/her/them, as PLANNING to commit a sin. And because it would be a sin, IN MY OPINION, and the law's opinion, I would refuse to drive the getaway car because that makes ME an accomplice. I would then be guilty of prosecution for MURDER should this person commit one. No, I wouldn't go to the party. So my question for me now is would I turn him in? Especially if I told him I would feel obligated to do so, clear back when he was still trying to convince me to partner with him in the crime.

Lizbeth · Feb 7, 2026

Hillsage said:
I would judge him/her/them, as PLANNING to commit a sin. And because it would be a sin, IN MY OPINION, and the law's opinion, I would refuse to drive the getaway car because that makes ME an accomplice. I would then be guilty of prosecution for MURDER should this person commit one. No, I wouldn't go to the party. So my question for me now is would I turn him in? Especially if I told him I would feel obligated to do so, clear back when he was still trying to convince me to partner with him in the crime.

An accomplice, yes I agree.....so we don't want to knowingly be party to someone's sin, even though we are not the one committing the sin. Associating with people doesn't mean we are to knowingly be party to their sinful activity. Though Jesus ate and drank with sinners, I highly doubt for example, that He would have attended a dinner which He knew was for the purpose of having an orgy after they ate and drank. I expect He instead would have reproved such, wouldn't He? For another example, I highly doubt He would have attended a homosexual "wedding" to celebrate a homosexual union and cheerily waved the happy couple off for their "honeymoon". Do you see? Even though He may associate with the same people on other occasions in the ordinary course of life and for the purpose of sharing the gospel with them. Navigating real life situations can be a dilemma at times, but I've come to the conclusion that there are lines we should not cross in all good conscience.

In reading further along in Francis Frangipane's book, there are some things we need to be careful of. Totally agree with what he is saying about being honest with the Lord and repentance. But some other thoughts he expresses I think could lead astray if they are not balanced out For example he says that criticizing other churches proceeds from a wrong attitude.....if that is the case then Jesus and Paul would have been wrong to "criticize" those they were calling out. We are told to test all things and discern, as well as warn others when it is needful. That can be done either from a wrong attitude and motives or with the right attitude and motives....either from the flesh or the Spirit.

At the end of Ch. 15, where he talks about the Pharisees and unity.......where to be a Pharisee meant to be "the Separate".....those comments to me are crying out to be balanced out with where Paul wrote about not having fellowship with unbelievers and to come out from among them and be ye separate, that the Lord might receive us. It is the Lord who tells us to be separate from the world. Of course that doesn't mean to never associate with unbelievers/sinners, or to be unloving and unkind, but it means we cannot be unequally yoked/united with them in heart, in spirit...we need to remain yoked to, in unity with, separated unto, God.

In the same place the author writes that when we are holy we will be more concerned with people than with religion....that needs to be balanced out with what Jesus said concerning if we love mother, father brother, sister or even our children more than Him we are not worthy of Him, and where scripture says friendship with the world is enmity with God. This doesn't mean we are to lack compassion, or to be "unfriendly", to others, but our compassion needs to be that which comes from the Lord, not from our own fleshly emotions as such.

William Barton · Apr 9, 2026

IMO:
Revelation 20:4 refers to judgment of those mortals who survive the bowl judgments and the battle of Jesus and his angels versus Satan and his angels.

This battle will occur at the plain of Megido in Israel. Revelation 16:16 calls this plain Armageddon, which is a Greek rendering of Hebrew Har (mountain) + Megiddo (a tel in Israel along the Mediterranean Sea).

Jay Ross · Apr 9, 2026

William Barton said:
IMO:
Revelation 20:4 refers to judgment of those mortals who survive the bowl judgments and the battle of Jesus and his angels versus Satan and his angels.

This battle will occur at the plain of Megido in Israel. Revelation 16:16 calls this plain Armageddon, which is a Greek rendering of Hebrew Har (mountain) + Megiddo (a tel in Israel along the Mediterranean Sea).

The Armageddon judgement of the kings of the earth mentioned in the sixth bowl judgement will, in all probability occur around the year 2045 AD.

William, it seems to me that you have no idea as to what has been recorded in the End Time prophecies at all.

ewq1938 · Apr 10, 2026

William Barton said:
IMO:
Revelation 20:4 refers to judgment of those mortals who survive the bowl judgments and the battle of Jesus and his angels versus Satan and his angels.

They were beheaded so they did not survive anything plus they die in the trib so they don't experience the bowls not that the bowls target any of the saints anyways.

Scott Downey · Apr 10, 2026

Hillsage said:
I would judge him/her/them, as PLANNING to commit a sin. And because it would be a sin, IN MY OPINION, and the law's opinion, I would refuse to drive the getaway car because that makes ME an accomplice. I would then be guilty of prosecution for MURDER should this person commit one. No, I wouldn't go to the party. So my question for me now is would I turn him in? Especially if I told him I would feel obligated to do so, clear back when he was still trying to convince me to partner with him in the crime.

9 I wrote to you in my epistle not to [f]keep company with sexually immoral people. 10 Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11 But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person.

12 For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? 13 But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.”

These supposed Christians do not have faith in Christ. they are false brethren and dangerous to the chuch.

Bible Gateway passage: 1 Corinthians 15 - New King James Version

The Risen Christ, Faith’s Reality - Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first...

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Effects of Denying the Resurrection

29 Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead? 30 And why do we stand in [e]jeopardy every hour? 31 I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 32 If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”

33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” 34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.

Bible Gateway passage: 2 Corinthians 11:25-27 - New King James Version

Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the...

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25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—

Bible Gateway passage: Galatians 2 - New King James Version

Defending the Gospel - Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me. And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might...

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Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me. 2 And I went up [a]by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain. 3 Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4 And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), 5 to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

Bible Gateway passage: 2 Corinthians 11 - New King James Version

Concern for Their Faithfulness - Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly—and indeed you do bear with me. For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent...

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Paul and False Apostles
5 For I consider that I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles. 6 Even though I am untrained in speech, yet I am not in knowledge. But we have been thoroughly manifested among you in all things.

7 Did I commit sin in [c]humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? 8 I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you. 9 And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself. 10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no one shall stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia. 11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows!

12 But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

Scott Downey · Apr 10, 2026

Bible Gateway passage: 2 Peter 2 - New King James Version

Destructive Doctrines - But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive...

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Destructive Doctrines

1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction [a]does not slumber.

Doom of False Teachers

4 For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to [b]hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; 5 and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; 6 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; 7 and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked 8 (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)— 9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, 10 and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of [c]dignitaries, 11 whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord.

Depravity of False Teachers

12 But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption, 13 and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to [d]carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, [e]carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you, 14 having eyes full of [f]adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children. 15 They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man’s voice restrained the madness of the prophet.

17 These are wells without water, [g]clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness [h]forever.

Deceptions of False Teachers

18 For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who [i]have actually escaped from those who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of [j]corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into [k]bondage. 20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. 21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”

Scott Downey · Apr 10, 2026

Bible Gateway passage: Jude - New King James Version

Greeting to the Called - Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. Contend for the Faith - Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you...

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Greeting to the Called

1 Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James,

To those who are called, [a]sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ:

2 Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

Contend for the Faith

3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord [b]God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Old and New Apostates

5 But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not keep their [c]proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; 7 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 [d]vengeance of eternal fire.

8 Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of [e]dignitaries. 9 Yet Michael the archangel, in [f]contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” 10 But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves. 11 Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.

Apostates Depraved and Doomed

12 These are [g]spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried [h]about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; 13 raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.

14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, 15 to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”

Apostates Predicted

16 These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. 17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: 18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. 19 These are [i]sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.

Maintain Your Life with God

20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

22 And on some have compassion, [j]making a distinction; 23 but others save [k]with fear, pulling them out of the [l]fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

Glory to God

24 Now to Him who is able to keep [m]you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
25 To [n]God our Savior,
[o]Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and [p]power,
Both now and forever.
Amen.

Scott Downey · Apr 10, 2026

For certain men have crept in unnoticed.

They crept in where?
Into the church among you
I have met some of them, I think we all have.
Church members who have no personal knowledge of God.

It also happened with Moses and the mixed multitude among them of those who departed Egypt.
Of them God was not pleased and their bodies fell in the wilderness.
Numbers 11:14 shows how dangerous they are to the congregation of the Lord
They influence saved people by their works of the flesh, causing them to sin.

33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”
34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.

Exodus 12:38
A mixed multitude went up with them also, and flocks and herds—a great deal of livestock.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Numbers 11:4
Now the mixed multitude who were among them yielded to intense craving; so the children of Israel also wept again and said: “Who will give us meat to eat?
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Nehemiah 13:3
So it was, when they had heard the Law, that they separated all the mixed multitude from Israel.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Jeremiah 25:20
all the mixed multitude, all the kings of the land of Uz, all the kings of the land of the Philistines (namely, Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod);
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Jeremiah 25:24
all the kings of Arabia and all the kings of the mixed multitude who dwell in the desert;

Bible Gateway passage: Hebrews 3 - New King James Version

The Son Was Faithful - Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house. For this One has been counted worthy of more glory...

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The Son Was Faithful

1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, 2 who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house. 3 For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house. 4 For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God. 5 And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, 6 but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope [a]firm to the end.

Be Faithful

7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:

“Today, if you will hear His voice,
8 Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,
In the day of trial in the wilderness,
9 Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me,
And saw My works forty years.
10 Therefore I was angry with that generation,
And said, ‘They always go astray in their heart,
And they have not known My ways.’
11 So I swore in My wrath,
‘They shall not enter My rest.’ ”

12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but [b]exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, 15 while it is said:

“Today, if you will hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

Failure of the Wilderness Wanderers

16 For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? 17 Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

Scott Downey · Apr 10, 2026

33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”
34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.

Bible Gateway passage: Galatians 1 - New King James Version

Greeting - Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead), and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our...

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Greeting

1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead), 2 and all the brethren who are with me,

To the churches of Galatia:

3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Only One Gospel

6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel,
7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert[a] the gospel of Christ.
8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be [b]accursed.
9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

Call to Apostleship

11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. 14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

Scott Downey · Apr 10, 2026

33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”
34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.

Bible Gateway passage: 2 Corinthians 11 - New King James Version

Concern for Their Faithfulness - Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly—and indeed you do bear with me. For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent...

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Concern for Their Faithfulness

1 Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly—and indeed you do bear with me. 2 For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the [a]simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!

Paul and False Apostles

5 For I consider that I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles. 6 Even though I am untrained in speech, yet I am not in knowledge. But we have [b]been thoroughly manifested among you in all things.

7 Did I commit sin in [c]humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? 8 I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you. 9 And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself. 10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no one shall stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia. 11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows!

12 But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

David in NJ · Apr 10, 2026

William Barton said:
IMO:
Revelation 20:4 refers to judgment of those mortals who survive the bowl judgments and the battle of Jesus and his angels versus Satan and his angels.

This battle will occur at the plain of Megido in Israel. Revelation 16:16 calls this plain Armageddon, which is a Greek rendering of Hebrew Har (mountain) + Megiddo (a tel in Israel along the Mediterranean Sea).

How many resurrections did the LORD declare to us?

Scott Downey · Apr 10, 2026

David in NJ said:
How many resurrections did the LORD declare to us?

1. The Awakening To Everlasting Life

And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt (Daniel 12:2).

2. The Resurrection Of The Righteous

And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous (Luke 14:14).

3. The Resurrection Of Life

Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth - those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation (John 5:28,29).

4. The Resurrection Of The Unrighteous

have a hope in God - a hope that they themselves also accept - that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous (Acts 24:15).

Of course there is differing opinions of there being 2 resurrections separated by a 1000 years. But to me it reads like one major event.

And the sheep and goat judgement both are gathered to the Lord God at the same time.

Scott Downey · Apr 10, 2026

This is judgement of individuals of all nations at the return of Christ when He comes in that DAY to judge the world in righteousness

Bible Gateway passage: Matthew 25 - 21st Century King James Version

"Then shall the Kingdom of Heaven be likened unto ten virgins, who took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their...

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31 “When the Son of Man shall come in His glory and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory.

32 And before Him shall be gathered all nations, and He shall separate them one from another as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats.
33 And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, ‘Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
35 For I hungered, and ye gave Me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took Me in;
36 naked, and ye clothed Me; I was sick, and ye visited Me; I was in prison, and ye came unto Me.’
37 Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when saw we Thee hungering and fed Thee, or thirsty and gave Thee drink?
38 When saw we Thee a stranger and took Thee in, or naked and clothed Thee?
39 Or when saw we Thee sick, or in prison, and came unto Thee?’
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, ‘Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.’
41 “Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
42 For I hungered, and ye gave Me no meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave Me no drink;
43 I was a stranger, and ye took Me not in; naked, and ye clothed Me not; sick and in prison, and ye visited Me not.’
44 Then shall they also answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when saw we Thee hungering or athirst or a stranger, or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister unto Thee?’
45 Then shall He answer them, saying, ‘Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to Me.’

46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal.”

Scott Downey · Apr 10, 2026

What does Acts 17 tell us?

Bible Gateway passage: Acts 17 - 21st Century King James Version

Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul, as was his custom, went in unto them, and for three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures, expounding and alleging that it was necessary for...

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10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea, who arriving there, went into the synagogue of the Jews.

11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures daily to see whether those things were so.

12 Therefore many of them believed, also honorable women who were Greeks, and of men not a few.

13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica became aware that the Word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the people.

14 And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go down to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there still.

15 And those who conducted Paul brought him unto Athens and, having received direction for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed, they departed.

16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred within him when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.

17 Therefore he disputed in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the marketplace daily with those who met with him.

18 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans and of the Stoics encountered him. And some said, “What will this babbler say?” And some others said, “He seemeth to be a proclaimer of strange gods,” because he preached unto them Jesus and the resurrection.

19 And they took him and brought him unto the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new doctrine is whereof thou speakest?

20 For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears, and we would know therefore what these things mean.”

21 (For all the Athenians and strangers who were there spent their time in nothing else than either telling or hearing some new thing.)

22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ Hill and said, “Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.

23 For as I passed by and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription: ‘To the Unknown God’. Whom therefore ye worship in ignorance, Him I declare unto you.

24 God who made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of Heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands.

25 Neither is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, seeing He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.

26 And He hath made of one blood all nations of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation,

27 that they should seek the Lord, if perhaps they might feel after Him and find Him, though He be not far from every one of us.

28 For in Him we live, and move, and have our being; as also certain of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’

29 “For inasmuch, then, as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold or silver or stone, graven by art and of man’s devising.

30 The times of this ignorance God overlooked, but now He commandeth all men everywhere to repent,

31 because He hath appointed a Day in which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained. Of this He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead.”

32 But when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked and others said, “We will hear thee again on this matter.”

33 So Paul departed from among them.

34 However, certain men cleaved unto him and believed, among whom were Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

Scott Downey · Apr 10, 2026

John 6:39
And this is the Father’s will who hath sent Me, that of all which He hath given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the Last Day.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
John 6:40
And this is the will of Him that sent Me: that every one who seeth the Son and believeth in Him may have everlasting life, and I will raise him up at the Last Day.”
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
John 6:44
No man can come to Me unless the Father who hath sent Me draw him; and I will raise him up at the Last Day.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
John 6:54
Whoso eateth My flesh and drinketh My blood hath eternal life, and I will raise him up at the Last Day.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations

Scott Downey · Apr 10, 2026

He raises us on the LAST DAY, This must be understood as the LAST DAY of this age-world, because immediately after then comes the age of the resurrection. There is a world to come. And we know this one has an ending as Peter and Revelation teach us of the New Earth to come. Jesus also teaches this world will pass away.

Bible Gateway passage: Luke 20 - 21st Century King James Version

And it came to pass that on one of those days, as He taught the people in the temple and preached the Gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon Him with the elders and spoke unto Him, saying, "Tell us by what authority doest thou these things? Or who is he that gave thee this...

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27 Then came to Him certain of the Sadducees, who deny that there is any resurrection, and they asked Him,

28 saying, “Master, Moses wrote unto us that if any man’s brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife and raise up seed unto his brother.

29 There were therefore seven brethren, and the first took a wife and died without children.

30 And the second took her as wife, and he died childless.

31 And the third took her, and in like manner the seven also; and they left no children, and died.

32 Last of all the woman died also.

33 Therefore, in the resurrection whose wife is she, for seven had her as wife?”

34 And Jesus answering said unto them, “The children of this world marry and are given in marriage.

35 But they that shall be accounted worthy to obtain that World and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage,

36 neither can they die any more; for they are equal unto the angels and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.

37 Now that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush when he called the Lord ‘the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.’

38 For He is not a God of the dead, but of the living, for all live unto Him.”

39 Then certain of the scribes answering said, “Master, thou hast said well.”

40 And after that they dared not ask Him any question at all.

41 And He said unto them, “How say they that Christ is David’s son?

42 For David himself saith in the book of Psalms: ‘The Lord said unto my Lord, “Sit Thou on My right hand,

43 until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool.”’

44 If David therefore calleth Him ‘Lord,’ how is He then his son?”

45 Then in the audience of all the people, He said unto His disciples,

46 “Beware of the scribes who desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;

47 who devour widows’ houses, and for a show make long prayers. The same shall receive greater damnation.”

Let's examine Revelation 20:4 yet again.

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Effects of Denying the Resurrection​

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Paul and False Apostles​

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