The book of Daniel is expanded in the book of Revelation. Revelation cannot be understood without a working knowledge of Daniel’s original revelation, and Daniel is incomplete without the apostle John’s completion of that vision in the book of Revelation. Moreover, both books must be taken together [...]]]>

Christian Author and Pastor Ron Craig

The book of Daniel is expanded in the book of Revelation. Revelation cannot be understood without a working knowledge of Daniel’s original revelation, and Daniel is incomplete without the apostle John’s completion of that vision in the book of Revelation. Moreover, both books must be taken together as one and the same revelation, having only ONE interpretation, although the book of Revelation does have extra details. Otherwise, people will get confused about end-time events. Of course, other pieces of that future puzzle reside in the book of Zechariah, three of the Gospels, and some of the apostle Paul’s epistles. Still, all the pieces fit the same end-time puzzle, and have only ONE interpretation. Theologians are generally confused about end-time events, as well as about many other things, but God’s Word is not confused about any events, past, present or future. Beware of the many contradictory end-time interpretations.

     In the cases of certain Bible books, either a word, phrase or sentence is key to a proper understanding of the book. Such keys are found in Daniel. One is in 8:17, where Gabriel informed Daniel that his vision referred to the time of the end. And in 9:24 the angel Gabriel told Daniel that seventy sevens (a total of 490 years) are determined FOR YOUR (Daniel’s) PEOPLE (Israel) AND YOUR CITY (Jerusalem). So Daniel’s visions concerned not the church, but the people of Israel—the Jews. Again in 10:14, Gabriel said that those prophesied events would happen to your (Daniel’s) people in the latter days. And remember too that your (Daniel’s) city (Jerusalem) will be the center of the last days activities. Not New York, Tokyo or Moscow. Avoid unbiblical interpretations of end-times.

     (Ron Craig is a pastor, teacher, and author of Christian books; and these articles. You may view all the books by logging onto www.livingwayfellowshiponline.org. While logged on the website you can even listen to audio Bible-lesson podcasts. You may also send your questions or comments to ronwritercraig@gmail.com.)

While I do not want to be too repetitive, still, although I have covered some subjects in past articles, I do not remember in which articles such issues were covered; nor do I remember all of the details of the issues I dealt with in those articles; [...]]]>

Christian Author and Pastor Ron Craig

While I do not want to be too repetitive, still, although I have covered some subjects in past articles, I do not remember in which articles such issues were covered; nor do I remember all of the details of the issues I dealt with in those articles; plus the fact that new readers likely have not read those past articles containing those Bible Truths; and the fact that Bible Truths on any subject are more numerous than I can include in any one article, I want to reestablish some most vital Bible Truths on the overall theme of these Shoals Insider articles within this article; and perhaps a few future articles.

 Let us refresh our memory concerning the fact (and reality) that Almighty God does not change. Malachi 3:6—I am the LORD [Jehovah, or Yahweh]. I do not change!Nor does God’s Word change. Ever! How would God’s Word change without God changing? 

Numbers 23:19—God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: Has He said, and will He not do [what He said]? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it [what He has spoken] good? In the cases where God did the reverse of His threats or promises, His actions were His responses to people’s responses to His threats or promises. In other words, their meeting or not meeting His conditions in His threats or promises determined whether or not His words in those cases came to pass, or not. Jeremiah 18:7-10—When I speak concerning a nation, or kingdom, to pluck up or pull down, and destroy it; if the nation against whom I have pronounced [judgment] turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil I thought to do to them. And, when I speak concerning a nation, or a kingdom, to build and plant it; if it do evil in My sight, that it obey not My voice, then I will repent of the good wherewith I said I would benefit them. Zechariah 6:15—Those who are afar off will come and build in the temple of the LORD, and you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. This will come to pass if you will diligently obey the voice [Word] of the LORD your God. But what if they would not obey His Word? Then that particular promise would not be realized. Some of God’s promises are conditional but others unconditional. Thus, our meeting the conditions will determine the outcome of some promises, while others will come to pass no matter our actions. Jesus is coming again period, whereas many of God’s promises, about our health, or finances, for instance, have definite conditions attached.

Let us consider the actual predicament of the human race. The creation of Adam and Eve was miraculous. From dirt to man, and from part of the man a woman. A spirit being, the devil (fallen Lucifer) lured those two into rebellion against God. Their rebellion sprang [...]]]>

Christian Author and Pastor Ron Craig

Let us consider the actual predicament of the human race. The creation of Adam and Eve was miraculous. From dirt to man, and from part of the man a woman. A spirit being, the devil (fallen Lucifer) lured those two into rebellion against God. Their rebellion sprang from their inner being, but it affected their entire being—inside and out. Thus, all of mankind’s problems are spiritual in nature, and therefore can only be solved by some spiritual power bigger than their problems. That should shed some light on why all of the world’s attempts to solve the world’s problems not only have not solved them, but actually made them worse.

More people, more money, more equipment, more expertise, more education and more boasting about modern man’s ability to solve problems, yet more problems and fewer solutions. Many proposed solutions, but fewer actual good results. More money is spent per capita in the education industry in the USA, though the level of smarts of graduates is far below par when compared to many other countries that invest less money, etc. in education. That is just one example of many. Problems with spiritual roots cannot be alleviated by material means. More poverty, sickness, violence, hatred, divorce, etc. in our world today than ever before. Spiritual problems require miraculous solutions.

“For, though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For, the weapons of our warfare are not carnal [material or physical], but are mighty through God [being spiritual weaponry] to the pulling down of strongholds Casting down imaginations [satanic thoughts], and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).” The faith-fight gets results!

“Put on the whole [spiritual] armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore, take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all [that God says to do], to stand (Ephesians 6:11-13).”

You who have followed these articles consistently may remember how they started out. The first one was based on the question of where God is in all the turmoil in this fallen world. You will likely also remember the Bible answer to that question—Exactly where He said [...]]]>

Christian Author and Pastor Ron Craig

You who have followed these articles consistently may remember how they started out. The first one was based on the question of where God is in all the turmoil in this fallen world. You will likely also remember the Bible answer to that question—Exactly where He said He would be—In Christ! God in Christ? Yes! Second Corinthians 5:19 says plainly that “God was IN Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, not accounting their trespasses [sins] to them, and has committed to us [preachers and all Christians] the word of reconciliation.”

Plain as day! God was in Christ and still is. John 17:20-23 is a second witness: “Neither pray I for these alone, but for those also who will [in the future, down to our day] believe on Me through their word: That they all may be one; as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be one in Us: That the world may believe that You have sent me. And, the glory that You gave Me I have given to them; that they may be one, even as We [You Father and I] are one [in unity; not the same person]: I in them, and You in me, so that they may be made perfect in one [body—the Body of Christ—the church—Colossians 1:24]; and that the world may know that You have sent me, and have loved them, just as You have loved Me.” That is certainly a mouth full, and a heart full. If we get our hearts full of that one Bible truth, we will have gone a long way toward unstranging the Bible; at least in our case.

Every human being was part of that fallen world God reconciled to Himself through Jesus Christ, so that covers you and me. Moreover, Paul made it clear in that passage that God not only reconciled all lost people to Himself, but has given the word of reconciliation to all of us whom He has reconciled to Himself. And that makes all of us preachers in some way. Remember, the Lord instructed one man whom He had delivered from demon-possession to go home and tell everybody what great things God had done for him (Mark 5:19). In some cases, although Jesus told those whom He had healed to be quiet about it, they broadcast the good news all around—Preached it!

Do you see yourself in God’s Word? Does it seem that the Bible is in one world and you are in another? Do you have a desire to experience the good stuff you read in that Book, but question if you have the right qualifications to gain [...]]]>

Christian Author and Pastor Ron Craig

Do you see yourself in God’s Word? Does it seem that the Bible is in one world and you are in another? Do you have a desire to experience the good stuff you read in that Book, but question if you have the right qualifications to gain those benefits? You will remember that King David, in Psalms 103:3, said plainly: “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits; Who forgives all of your iniquities, Who heals all of your diseases.” Was David better off than we New Testament Christians? Jesus said in Luke 7:28 that no one under the Old Covenant was greater than John the Baptizer, but that the very least disciple in God’s Kingdom (under the New Testament) is greater than he. Many obviously do not realize that we believers are under a BETTER COVENANT, that has BETTER PROMISES, because we have a BETTER MEDIATOR (Jesus Christ), and, therefore, have a BETTER INHERITANCE than those Old Covenant believers (Hebrews 1:4, 7:19, 22, 8:6, 9:23, 11:40).

And remember too, that Jesus said of a Jewish woman that she, because she was a daughter of Abraham, ought to be healed (Luke 13:16). In Mark 7:27, Jesus called divine healing the “children’s bread.” Well, we too are the seed (the sons and daughters) of Abraham because we are in Christ (Galatians 3:16, 29), so SUPERNATURAL HEALING is part of our inheritance, just as it was the Old Testament saints (Exodus 15:26, 23:25-26, Deuteronomy 7:15). God still provides those things!

But how do we believers grab hold of our inheritance as God’s children, and pull it out of that Bible realm, and into ours? And I am talking about our inheritance for this life on earth, not just when we get to heaven. We have a part in that exercise, and God does too. God moved first to provide all those blessings in Christ (Isaiah 53, Galatians 3:13, 1 Peter 2:24). Then He sent the Holy Spirit to show us our inheritance in Christ.
(1 Corinthians 2:10—God has revealed them to us by his Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:12—We have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; so that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.) Thus, the next move is ours. Otherwise, all our problems would already be solved. What is that move? “We all, with open face [Take off your denominational glasses.], beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord [Jesus Christ], are transformed into that same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18).” God’s Written Word tells us what we are and what we have in Christ. By honestly looking into what His Word says about us in Christ, instead of filtering God’s Word through denominational doctrine, we begin to see ourselves as God sees us; and the Holy Spirit will change us into that same image reflected in the mirror of God’s Word. We have been looking in the wrong mirror!

(If you are not a committed member of some other Christian fellowship, you are invited to visit Living Way Fellowship at 2041 County Road 73, in Killen area. From Killen, going north on US 43, turn right on County Road 73 and go 2 and 1/2 miles. We are on the right. You can’t miss the sign out front—Living Way Fellowship. Sunday 10:00 A.M., Wednesday 7:00 P.M. Ron Craig is the pastor, teacher and Christian book author. Contact us at ronwritercraig@gmail.com, or log onto our church website at www.livingwayfellowshiponline.org. While logged on our website, check out my books and audio podcasts. Wouldn’t hurt!)

Yes, still on church equipment. As has already been established, both the Gospel and the Holy Sprit are the supernatural equipment God has invested in the church for the purpose of getting supernatural solutions to supernatural problems—which all problems actually are! “We wrestle not with flesh and [...]]]>

Christian Author and Pastor Ron Craig

Yes, still on church equipment. As has already been established, both the Gospel and the Holy Sprit are the supernatural equipment God has invested in the church for the purpose of getting supernatural solutions to supernatural problems—which all problems actually are! “We wrestle not with flesh and blood, but against evil powers in the spirit realm [which are behind all people-problems] (Ephesians 6:12).” That means that until the church starts believing in and using its supernatural equipment to provide real solutions to people with real problems, the world will have to keep on trying to solve its spiritual problems with natural means—which does not have a very impressive track record. Just look at the mess the modern world is in. Mankind’s problems began when he rebelled against Deity in the Garden of Eden, so how can he solve problems resulting from rebellion by continuing in rebellion? The Creator became a man in the form of our Lord Jesus Christ; Who took upon Himself every curse that rebellious man had brought upon himself through sin (and all have sinned—Romans 3:23), in order to get lost people back in good standing with their Creator. Sounds like a super deal to me! All the curses resulting from sin were enmeshed with sin, so when Jesus Christ was made to be sin (2 Corinthians 5:32) he was made a curse as well (Galatians 3:13). Jesus bore it all in the same sacrifice. Therefore, He saved us from the curses of sin, as well as from sin itself!
But, what does all that have to do with the church being equipped? At least part of the answer is in Ephesians 4:11-12 and following. While all Christians have a ministry of some kind, God has given to the church apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry. What is called the five-fold ministry has been invested in the church, and is to remain in the church until Jesus Christ returns, for the purpose of equipping and enabling the church to administer supernatural solutions to natural problems caused by supernatural powers running loose in the world. That is the Gospel Truth! Certain men through the centuries have questioned that Bible truth, and have endeavored to do away with it. However, the Word of God has not, and cannot, be changed, or become obsolete. People need to do all of the changing. First, sinners need to be changed from the inside out by being born again. Then, those who have been born again (we Christians) need to believe what God has said in His Word, not what those Bible-alterers have said. Our next discussion will deal with what the bible declares is the fate of those who tamper with God’s Word.

(If you are not a committed member of some other Christian fellowship, you are invited to visit Living Way Fellowship at 2041 County Road 73, in Killen area. From Killen, going north on US 43, turn right on County Road 73 and go 2 and 1/2 miles. We are on the right. You can’t miss the sign out front—Living Way Fellowship. Sunday 10:00 A.M., Wednesday 7:00 P.M. Ron Craig is the pastor, teacher and Christian book author. Contact us at ronwritercraig@gmail.com, or log onto our church website at www.livingwayfellowshiponline.org. While logged on our website, check out my books and audio podcasts. Wouldn’t hurt!)

We are still on the subject of equipment, as related to the church. Just hold on as I lay out God’s ingenious redemption plan for providing real solutions to the problems facing the human race. First of all, God is the Creator. He is the miracle-working God, [...]]]>

Christian Author and Pastor Ron Craig

We are still on the subject of equipment, as related to the church. Just hold on as I lay out God’s ingenious redemption plan for providing real solutions to the problems facing the human race. First of all, God is the Creator. He is the miracle-working God, and the creation of the universe was His first miracle we know about. God granting His creatures a free willcertainly made His plan even more complicated, and challenging. Deity would not have created such a vast universe had He not the ability to sustain it. Some of His creatures having used their free will to pollute His creation, God revealed His super-ability to redeem it. Jesus said He came to fulfill all the promises contained in the Law, Prophets and Psalms concerning Him and His mission (Luke 24:44), so He could not come down to earth until all those prophesies had been established on earth through Holy Spirit-led human authors (2 Peter 1:21). Finding those people was not easy, and it took thousands of years to complete. Then, one of the greatest of miracles was God becoming a man (John 1:14). Our Savior lived a miraculous life, and then on the cross miraculously paid the full price for our redemption from sin and all its consequences. One of sin’s consequences was hell. Our Lord’s spirit went to that place of torment (Matthew 12:40, Acts 2:24, 27, 31). But, miracle of miracles, Christ rose from the dead. No one had ever gone to hell and come back. But, our Savior did! Another miracle was Christ’s ascension to heaven. Isaiah 55:11 proclaims that God’s Word will not return to Him without having achieved what He sent it to achieve. Jesus was and is God’s Word (John 1:1), so had He not achieved our full redemption, Jesus Himself would not have been allowed back in heaven. His reception in heaven is divine evidence that all human problems have been solved by His sacrifice. But how do those with problems get in contact with those divine solutions? Next miracle: On the Day of Pentecost God and Jesus poured out the Holy Spirit on waiting, believing Christians. It was through His power and leading that the church was and is to minister solutions to those who believe in divine solutions. Luke 24:49—Wait til you have received power from on high before attempting to do any kind of ministry. Acts 2:4—They were filled with the miracle-working Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38-39—The same anointing is promised to believers throughout the church age. Acts 2:17-21—God’s Holy Spirit will be working right up to the end—when the sun and moon become darkened. The Holy Spirit and the Gospel are the only God-approved equipment made available to the church for its God-commissioned, supernatural ministry.

My point is this: After accomplishing all the miracles that made the outpouring of the Holy Spirit possible, why would Deity later abandon that part of His plan, leaving the church powerless to solve problems that have defied all other supposed solutions? The Holy Spirit is a New Covenant benefit, resident in the shed blood of our Savior; so God won’t, and man can’t, change it!

If you are not a committed member of some other Christian fellowship, you are invited to visit Living Way Fellowship at 2041 County Road 73, in Killen area. From Killen, going north on US 43, turn right on County Road 73 and go 2 and 1/2 miles. We are on the right. You can’t miss the sign out front—Living Way Fellowship. Sunday 10:00 A.M., Wednesday 7:00 P.M. Ron Craig is the pastor, teacher and Christian book author. Contact us at ronwritercraig@gmail.com, or log onto our church website at www.livingwayfellowshiponline.org. While logged on our website, check out my books and audio podcasts. Wouldn’t hurt!)

The calendar does not dominate my messages. The Lord shows me what to teach in my books, in our meetings and in these articles. So this week, this is what I was led to write. Many in our day claim Christianity is outdated. Since we [...]]]>

Christian Author and Pastor Ron Craig